Best Danita Smith Podcasts (2025)

Fannie Lou Hamer was a remarkable woman. Let's explore her early beginnings in life, her days fighting to register to vote, her time being beaten in jail and her famous speech during the Democratic National Convention, in 1964.By Danita Smith

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Lynch Law in Georgia by Ida B. Wells 8:59

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2y ago8:59

8:59

Ida B. Wells wrote about several incidences in Georgia, in 1899. This is an excerpt of the murders of several men, who were tied together in a warehouse, awaiting trial the next morning on the accusation of arson. “That the awful story of their slaughter may not be considered overdrawn, the following description is taken from the columns of the Atl…

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Selina Norris Gray: What is She Known For? 11:20

2y ago11:20

11:20

Selina and Thornton Gray should be best know for what they did for their family, not for anything they did for Robert E. Lee or George Washington’s legacy.By Danita Smith, BLACKandEducation.com

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Jan Ernst Matzeliger: What Did He Invent? 3:06

2y ago3:06

3:06

Who was Jan Ernst Matzeliger and what did he invent? Find out now.By Danita Smith - BLACKandEducation.com

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Granville T. Woods 4:30

2y ago4:30

4:30

What was Granville T. Woods famous for? What did he invent and where can his impact be felt today?By Danita Smith

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Black Inventors in History: John Parker 3:40

2y ago3:40

3:40

John Parker was born in 1827 in Norfolk, VA. He was enslaved and was sold at the age of 8, from Virginia to Mobile, AL. Imagine what is was like for an…By Danita Smith

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Adam Daniel Williams: Martin Luther King's Grandfather 6:48

2+ y ago6:48

6:48

Adam Daniel Williams was a catalyst for his grandson's actions and laid the foundation for him in many ways.By Danita Smith

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Phillis Wheatley: An Example of Erudition 4:24

2+ y ago4:24

4:24

Who was Phillis Wheatley? Where was she born? How did she get the name Phillis? All this and more are covered in this episode.By Danita Smith

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Who Was Elias Camp Morris? and Arkansas Baptist College 5:37

2+ y ago5:37

5:37

Elias Camp Morris was a fierce leader of the National Baptist Convention for 27 years. He helped to bring that organization to further prominence through his leadership, publishing efforts and strong support for educational institutions, including some colleges that are still around today.By Danita Smith and Red and Black Ink, LLC

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American Baptist College - Founded in 1924 3:20

2+ y ago3:20

3:20

September 14, 1924, the American Baptist College opened its doors. Like some other historically Black colleges, the American Baptist College got its start from a religious organization.By Danita Smith

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Allen University: Founded in 1870 6:05

2+ y ago6:05

6:05

Allen University was founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in 1870. It’s hard for me to think of another institution (outside of the Federal Government) that has supported and established more institutions of higher learning than the African Methodist Episcopal Church.It cannot be overstated that the AME Church had a lasting and p…

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Alcorn State University: Founded in 1871 4:49

2+ y ago4:49

4:49

Alcorn State University was founded in 1871. It offered higher education to areas where none might not have been available to many people in rural Mississippi, but its greatest testament is shared by those who graced its halls, namely Hiram Revels and Medgar Evers.By Danita Smith

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Albany State University: Founded in 1903 4:25

2+ y ago4:25

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Albany State University was founded in 1903 with rich traditions and a long history, its stories are best told through the experiences of the people who lived them.By Danita Smith

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Alabama State University: Founded in 1867 4:30

2+ y ago4:30

4:30

Alabama State University was active in several ways at the end of the Civil War, when it was founded, and at the dawn of the modern Civil Rights Movement.By Danita Smith

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Alabama A&M University: Founded in 1875 2:45

2+ y ago2:45

2:45

Alabama A&M University offers educational opportunities to students seeking to kickoff their careers.By Danita Smith

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Benjamin Banneker to Thomas Jefferson 6:34

4y ago6:34

6:34

Sir if this is founded in truth, I apprehend you will readily embrace every opportunity to eradicate that train of absurd and false ideas and opinions which so generally prevails with respect to us, and that your Sentiments are concurrent with mine, which are that one universal Father hath given being to us all, and that he hath not only made us al…

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Sally Hemings: She was Only Fourteen 11:44

4y ago11:44

11:44

When I think about Sally Hemings and her mother, Elizabeth Hemings, I think about the words “Me too!”By Danita Smith, BLACK and Education.com

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Olivia J. Hooker: A Doctor, a Survivor and an Educator 6:50

4y ago6:50

6:50

Dr. Olivia J. Hooker was a clinical psychologist, a professor of psychology, one of the first African-American women to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard and a survivor of the Tulsa race massacre in 1921.By Danita Smith - BLACK and Education

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How Much Money Has Been Made Off of the Black Home? 5:45

4+ y ago5:45

5:45

For the few Blacks who were able to get homes, their homes “may have” risen in value, but so much of the money surrounding the housing industry was going to white people who were profiting off of a segregated area.By Danita Smith - BLACKandEducation

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A Massacre and American Uprising: Wilmington, NC 1898 (Part 3) 15:30

4+ y ago15:30

15:30

“They went from there across the railroad into what is known as Darktown and Brooklyn; they had sent a committee to remove all the white women and their children down town, where they had prepared a guard to keep them secure. They marched through the streets protected by these military and citizen regulators, perfectly safe.”…

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A Massacre and American Uprising: Wilmington, NC 1898 (Part 2) 6:50

4+ y ago6:50

6:50

Once the supporters of white supremacy in New Hanover County (Wilmington, NC) gained the desired victories on election day, November 8, 1898, they were not finished. There were other offices in the city they wanted such as mayor of the city, chief of police and aldermen—even though those positions were not on the ballot or up for change.…

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A Massacre and American Uprising: Wilmington, NC 1898 (Part 1) 8:13

4+ y ago8:13

8:13

“There is little doubt that if a Republican ticket is brought out for county offices, the situation here will become more serious than ever. The Democrats, have carried out their part of the arrangement with the Governor by changing their candidates for the lower House of Legislature, and they are furious over the talk of a Negro county ticket.”…

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Thurgood Marshall: His Most Famous Dissent 7:17

4+ y ago7:17

7:17

I, for one, am unsatisfied with the hope of an ultimate “political” solution sometime in the indefinite future while, in the meantime, countless children unjustifiably receive inferior educations that "may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone.”By Danita Smith - BLACK and Education.com

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Self Help: Her Words of Wisdom (Ida B. Wells) 10:31

4+ y ago10:31

10:31

In the creation of this healthier public sentiment, the Afro-American can do for himself what no one else can do for him. The world looks on with wonder that we have conceded so much and remain law-abiding under such great outrage and provocation. To Northern capital and Afro-American labor the South owes its rehabilitation. If labor is withdrawn…

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Breonna Taylor: Remember Her Story 5:44

4+ y ago5:44

5:44

Breonna Taylor was in her apartment at about 12:40 am on March 13, 2020. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was with her. They had already turned in for the night and were in bed watching a movie, when Breonna fell asleep. According to Kenneth Walker, they suddenly heard a loud bang at the door. They didn’t know who it was and thought it might be some …

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Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil 7:39

4+ y ago7:39

7:39

I was born by a golden river and in the shadow of two great hills, five years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The house was quaint, with clap boards running up and down, neatly trimmed, and there were five rooms, a tiny porch, a rosy front yard, and unbelievablyBy Danita Smith, BLACKandEducation.com

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Robert Charles and Mob Rule in New Orleans by Ida B. Wells 10:25

4+ y ago10:25

10:25

The bloodiest week which New Orleans has know since the massacre of the Italians in 1892 was ushered in Monday, July 24, by the inexcusable and unprovoked assault upon two colored men by police officers of New Orleans. Fortified by the assurance born of long experience in the New Orleans service, three policemen, Sergeant Aucoin, Officer Mora and O…

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Kate Brown: U.S. Senate and Supreme Court Case 11:01

4+ y ago11:01

11:01

On Saturday, the 8th of February, I went to the Washington depot at 1 o’clock, waited until two, and purchased a ticket to go and return; I left the office and started to go to the car; on the platform there was a man who said, “Take the rear car.” I made no reply, but went in and took my seat in what they call the white people’s car; the cars left…

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Chapter 11 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 27:27

5y ago27:27

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I now come to that part of my life during which I planned, and finally succeeded in making, my escape from slavery. But before narrating any of the peculiar circumstances, I deem it proper to make known my intention not to state all the facts connected with the transaction. My reasons for pursuing this course may be understood from the following: F…

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Chapter 10 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 1:07:18

5y ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Mr. Covey seemed now to think he had me, and could do what he pleased; but at this moment—from whence came the spirit I don't know—I resolved to fight; and, suiting my action to the resolution, I seized Covey hard by the throat; and as I did so, I rose. He held on to me, and I to him.By Danita Smith, BLACKandEducation.com

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Chapter 9 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 10:47

5y ago10:47

10:47

Bad as all slaveholders are, we seldom meet one destitute of every element of character commanding respect. My master was one of this rare sort. I do not know of one single noble act ever performed by him. The leading trait in his character was meanness; and if there were any other element in his nature, it was made subject to this. He was mean; an…

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Chapter 8 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 10:25

5+ y ago10:25

10:25

He died while on a visit to see his daughter at Hillsborough. Cut off thus unexpectedly, he left no will as to the disposal of his property. It was therefore necessary to have a valuation of the property, that it might be equally divided between Mrs. Lucretia and Master Andrew. I was immediately sent for, to be valued with the other property. Here …

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Chapter 7 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 12:24

5+ y ago12:24

12:24

… ]I was compelled to resort to various stratagems. I had no regular teacher. My mistress, who had kindly commenced to instruct me, had, in compliance with the advice and direction of her husband, not only ceased to instruct, but had set her face against my being instructed by any one else. It is due, however, to my mistress to say of her, that she…

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Chapter 6 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 7:05

5+ y ago7:05

7:05

My new mistress proved to be all she appeared when I first met her at the door,—a woman of the kindest heart and finest feelings. She had never had a slave under her control previously to myself, and prior to her marriage she had been dependent upon her own industry for a living. She was by trade a weaver; and by constant application to her busines…

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Chapter 5 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 8:55

5+ y ago8:55

8:55

As to my own treatment while I lived on Colonel Lloyd's plantation, it was very similar to that of the other slave children. I was not old enough to work in the field, and there being little else than field work to do, I had a great deal of leisure time. The most I had to do was to drive up the cows at evening, keep the fowls out of the garden, kee…

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Chapter 4 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 9:05

5+ y ago9:05

9:05

…Mr. Austin Gore, a man possessing, in an eminent degree, all those traits of character indispensable to what is called a first-rate overseer. Mr. Gore had served Colonel Lloyd, in the capacity of overseer, upon one of the out-farms, and had shown himself worthy of the high station of overseer upon the home or Great House Farm. He was just the man …

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Chapter 3 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 8:09

5+ y ago8:09

8:09

Colonel Lloyd kept a large and finely cultivated garden, which afforded almost constant employment for four men, besides the chief gardener, (Mr. M'Durmond.) This garden was probably the greatest attraction of the place. During the summer months, people came from far and near—from Baltimore, Easton, and Annapolis—to see it. It abounded in fruits of…

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Chapter 2 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 11:40

5+ y ago11:40

11:40

The men and women slaves received, as their monthly allowance of food, eight pounds of pork, or its equivalent in fish, and one bushel of corn meal. Their yearly clothing consisted of two coarse linen shirts, one pair of linen trousers, like the shirts, one jacket, one pair of trousers for winter, made of coarse negro cloth, one pair of stockings, …

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Chapter 1 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 11:39

5+ y ago11:39

11:39

My mother was named Harriet Bailey. She was the daughter of Isaac and Betsey Bailey, both colored, and quite dark. My mother was of a darker complexion than either my grandmother or grandfather.By Danita Smith

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No One Was Ever Charged: July 30, 1866 10:15

6y ago10:15

10:15

In December of 1863, Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction which gave really an olive branch to Confederate states that wished to rejoin the Union, even though the Civil War wasn’t quite over, yet. This proclamation allowed for the consideration of readmission to take place if ten percent of a state’s voters took an oath of lo…

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Greenwood, Tulsa OK - 1921 5:11

6y ago5:11

5:11

On May 30, 1921 a young man named Dick Rowland, who was about 19 years old, got on an elevator in the Drexel Building, on South Main St. He entered the elevator and, in some way, came in contact with Sarah Page, who was the elevator’s operator. She was about 17 years old. Sarah let out a scream and a clerk in a nearby store heard her yell, Dick Row…

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Ernest Everett Just 2:45

6y ago2:45

2:45

Ernest Everett Just was a renown scientist who made important discoveries about the biology of a cell's surface.By Danita Smith, Black and Education

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Fanny Jackson-Coppin 8:05

6y ago8:05

8:05

If there were a few words that could sum up Mrs. Fanny Jackson-Coppin they would be, “excellence in education.” Mrs. Jackson-Coppin spent decades as an educator and as a principal, at a time when women, especially women of color, weren’t given many opportunities to lead. She stepped into leadership roles and was rarely challenged due to the remarka…

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Camilla, GA: Political Rally and Massacre 5:26

7+ y ago5:26

5:26

Daniel Howard, a twenty-year-old African-American man, attended a political rally on September 19, 1868. He was one of hundreds of African Americans to attend this rally. You see, earlier that month Democrats (along with some Republicans) in the state’s legislature moved to remove ALL African-American lawmakers from office that had been recently el…

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James Armistead Lafayette: A Patriot Spy 6:32

7+ y ago6:32

6:32

James Armistead was born in the 1700s. He was enslaved by a man named William Armistead in Virginia. Virginia would turn out to be an important stage for what would effectively be the last major conflict of the Revolutionary War.By Danita Smith - BlackandEducation.com

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The Creation by James Weldon Johnson 3:22

7+ y ago3:22

3:22

James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871 to Helen and James Johnson. His mother was a school teacher and his father...a waiter. Both of his parents stressed the importance of education to their children.By Danita Smith - BlackandEducation.com

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Sojourner Truth and Her Love for Her Son 6:13

7+ y ago6:13

6:13

In July of 1826 Sojourner Truth simply walked away from slavery, with her youngest child. She didn't run...she didn't go very far...she simply decided she wasn't going to be a slave anymore. Some years earlier the New York state legislature passed two laws, gradually emancipating slaves. The laws essentially provided that all adult slaves would be …

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Frederick Douglass - July 5, 1852 10:03

7+ y ago10:03

10:03

"Fellow-Citizens—Pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble…

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Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters (369th) 5:04

7+ y ago5:04

5:04

William Henry Johnson was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina in 1892. While still a teenager, Johnson moved to New York...he was an industrious young man and found work as a soda mixer, in a coal yard, as a chauffeur, and eventually as a redcap porter in Albany’s train station. In April of 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and, just…