Passing along Black history to the next generation is crucial. It is increasingly demonized as “woke,” and book bannings have been widespread. Although whitewashing has been happening for centuries, there is a movement to push back against the erasure of Black stories and experiences.
Black women creatives are documenting and showcasing Black history through their art. They are also documenting important milestones and records as cultural historians. Recently, podcasts have been used as a platform to discuss Black culture and history. Alongside her co-host Conscious Lee, actress, writer, and producer Franchesca Ramsey leads the podcast, “Black History, For Real” recounting lesser known stories in Black history. Together, they don’t shy away from the gruesome history of America.
On the podcast, they go beyond the lessons a person may have learned in the classroom. Here’s a closer look at the podcast, “Black History, For Real,” and co-host Franchesca Ramsey.
Who Is Frachesca Ramsey?
Television writer, actress, producer, host of “Lemme Fix It!” and Wondery Media’s Black History For Real, Ramsey has been a mainstay in the pop culture zeitgeist. She first popped onto the spotlight in January 2012. A viral video of hers garnered more than 1.5 million views in 24 hours. In its first week, it reached 6 million views. She is also the creator of the award-winning web series “MTV Decoded.” She is also the former writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.” Her book, “Well That Escalated Quickly,” was nominated for an NAACP award. It was also named one of Amazon’s best books of 2018.
Her starpower and wit is palpable alongside her. Lee is an influential content creator, orator, and winner of the YouTube Content Creator Choice Award. He is also an NAACP Image Award nominee. Ramsey shared that she and Lee had instant chemistry when the auditioned for the hosting gig.
Who Is the Target Audience?
Short and sweet, Ramsey and her team at “Black History, For Real,” hope to have something for everyone. Whether listeners love historical figures or learning about the lived experience of being Black in the United States today, everyone can benefit from learning from the ingenuity and resilience of Black people.
The goal is to connect with people from all backgrounds to help them understand Black history and its importance. So far the podcast has resonated with audiences, ranking as one of the top history podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
What Is the Focus?
Part storytelling, part dialogue and discussion, “Black History, For Real” is a historical podcast that highlights Black history. It tells the stories of various Black innovators and trailblazers whose stories are lesser known. Ramsey and her co-host share stories like that of Mansa Musa or the women of the Black Panther movement. By incorporating sound design, listeners are able to travel back in time through the show’s immersive audio experience.
The goal of the podcast is to entertain while educating listeners. Hopefully, it will also help younger generations gain an understanding and appreciation for the resilience and excellence of Black history.