Noire Histoir

If you’re interested in learning about the events that led to the destruction of the predominantly Black town of Rosewood, Florida and its aftermath, my Rosewood Massacre Black History Short is for you.   Show notes and sources are available http://noirehistoir.com/blog/rosewood-massacre.

A review of "A Kind of Freedom" by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, the story of three family members which provides a glimpse into issues such as Jim Crow, drug addiction, and mass incarceration that have plagued the Black community.    Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/a-kind-of-freedom-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about a legendary jazz musician whose playing and singing style were a major influence on other musicians and singers in the genre and beyond, my Louis Armstrong Later Life Black History Short is for you.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/louis-armstrong.

A review of "Tina", a 2021 HBO documentary about the life and career of Anna Mae Bullock better known as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", Tina Turner. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/tina-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about how a boy born into poverty and instability in a rough New Orleans neighborhood turned his life around after finding positive male role models and music, my Louis Armstrong Early Life Black History Short is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/louis-armstrong.  

A review of "I Put a Spell on You," an autobiography about the life and career of the singer, songwriter, and pianist known professionally as Nina Simone. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/i-put-a-spell-on-you-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the blues singer and songwriter who inspired August Wilson's play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and Alice Walker's Shug Avery character in “The Color Purple”, then my Ma Rainey Black History Short is for you. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ma-rainey.

A review of "Standing in the Shadows of Motown", a documentary about the Funk Brothers, musicians who played Motown's studio sessions. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/standing-in-the-shadows-of-motown-movie-review.

A profile of W.C. Handy, a musician, and songwriter whose publishing company turned out hit blues compositions that helped launch the genre. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/w-c-handy.

A review of the book "My Life with Earth, Wind, & Fire" by Maurice White which tells his life story and the story of Earth Wind & Fire. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/my-life-with-earth-wind-fire-book-review.    

If you're interested in learning about a versatile singer who gave an amazing performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after racists prevented her from performing at Constitution Hall, my Marian Anderson Black History Short is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/marian-anderson.  

A review of "The Tuskegee Airmen", a 1995 made-for-TV semi-fictional drama about the Tuskegee Airmen, America's first all-Black Air Corp squadron. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/the-tuskegee-airmen-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about a botanist and inventor who developed 300 products from peanuts and 118 from sweet potatoes to decrease Black farmers' reliance on cotton and tobacco, my George Washington Carver Black History Short is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/george-washington-carver.  

A review of "The Sun Does Shine", an autobiography written by Anthony Ray Hinton about his life and experience as a wrongfully convicted man. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/the-sun-does-shine-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize, my Toni Morrison Black History Short is for you.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/toni-morrison.

A review of “Baby Boy”, a 2001 John Singleton film about a trifling young man named Jody (Tyrese Gibson) and his journey to mature and leave behind his dysfunctional behavior. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/baby-boy-movie-review.  

If you're interested in learning about a multi-talented singer, actor, and activist whose career was destroyed by a communist witch hunt, my Paul Robeson Black History Short is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/paul-robeson.  

A review of “Deacon King Kong” by James McBride which tells the story of Deacon Cuffy Lambkin, better known as “Sportcoat”, and the chain of events he unwittingly sets in motion when he shoots Deems Clemens, the leader of the neighborhood drug dealers. There’s a theme of change throughout with regards to the old and new ways of doing things. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/deacon-king-kong-book-review.    

If you're interested in learning about the first Black person to win a Pulitzer prize, my Gwendolyn Brooks Black History Short is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/gwendolyn-brooks.

A review of "What's My Name: Muhammad Ali", a 2019 HBO Antoine Fuqua directed documentary about the greatest boxer of all time. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/whats-my-name-muhammad-ali-movie-review.