We are so excited to kick off our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series which explores the rich African American history of Cincinnati. You can think of this episode as a kind of prelude of sorts. We go back, way back, to Cincinnati’s beginnings, and tell stories you’ve probably never heard — like how a Cincinnati barber helped execute the biggest North American escape of enslaved people, ever; how and why a mob attacked Cincinnati’s African American community (with cannons, no less) in 1841; and how the West End became one of the most happening Black communities of the 1920s. We show how, throughout the city’s history, African American communities have always faced adversity — but have also always banded together to not only persevere, but thrive.
Urban Roots is a podcast that takes a deep dive into little known stories from Urban history. We’re hosted by historic preservationist Deqah Hussein-Wetzel and journalist Vanessa Quirk. We’re edited by Connor Lynch and mixed by Tim Soarce. Our theme music is by Adaam James Levin-Areddy. Our logo is by Deqah H.W., Shanon Shipley, and Gwyneth Lynn Ravenscraft.
Our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series was made possible by a Truth & Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave and our Fundly patrons (Donations always needed/welcomed!). We’d also like to thank Invest in Neighborhoods for their support.