Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Our Ancestors Were Messy
Host: Coco Hill Productions
Episode: Coming Soon: The Revolutionary Black Loyalists - Live! (July 8)
Date: July 6, 2026
Host: Nichole Hill
Guests: Tressie McMillan Cottom, B.A. Parker, Gene Demby
Recorded: Live from Moreland Spingarn Research Center (DC) and ICA at VCU (Richmond, VA)

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Episode Overview

In this special preview episode, host Nichole Hill announces an upcoming live episode focusing on the "Revolutionary Black Loyalists," in honor of America's upcoming semi-quincentennial (250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence). The show departs from its usual 1865–1955 focus to explore the messy, dramatic, and often overlooked stories of Black Americans during the colonial and revolutionary period. Panelists and audience members take an irreverent, insightful approach to history, gossip, hope, and resilience before the Civil Rights Era even began.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Revolutionary Era—Going Beyond the Headlines

• Nichole Hill opens by clarifying that, for this live session, the show will dig into the period before the creation of Black newspapers and gossip columns, but not before "the mess":

  • “This is pre newspapers, but not pre mess. Don’t worry, it will be in here.” — Nichole Hill [01:14]

• Why Now? Semiquincentennial Context

  • Nichole explains the motivation for the episode: the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
    • She humorously expresses doubt that the official celebrations will highlight Black stories: “I have a feeling that this current regime might not celebrate black folks.” — Nichole Hill [00:42]
  • The audience calls out for the correct pronunciation of the word, and Nichole affirms it’s a “real word”: “Semiquincentennial. All right, now, it’s an important and real word.” — Nichole Hill [00:34]

Storytelling as Resistance

• Gene Demby reflects on the power of stories to inspire action in Black communities, especially when historic choices loomed large:

  • “Stories are the only thing that changed the world, man. [...] when you’re faced with choices that are bigger than anything... all you’ve got is, well, I got a story that says if I step out there...” — Gene Demby [00:52]

• Nichole Hill responds with call-and-response energy: “We are in church right now.” — Nichole Hill [01:10]

Bringing the Past to Life

• B.A. Parker delivers a dramatic preview:

  • “War weary vets embark on a quest to find the promised land. Along the way, they’ll face obstacles… the elements, the unemployed, and each other.” — B.A. Parker [01:36]

• The episode will feature co-hosts and guests stepping into character:

  • “This episode stars... Tressie McMillan Cottam...” [01:36]
  • “...co-hosts of NPR’s Code Switch, B.A. Parker and Gene Demby.” [02:04]

Hope, Naïveté, and Interracial Realities

• Audience Members and Tressie McMillan Cottom reflect on the optimism and complex realities of Black people navigating interracial and post-slavery environments:
  • “There’s such a, like, a naivete and hopefulness that comes from David, and he’s like, yes, white lady, let me put you into the water. Everything’s gonna be all right.” — Audience Member [02:11]
  • “We also gotta remember... this is the first time that people were trying to negotiate what it means to be in interracial spaces in a post slavery environment.” — Tressie McMillan Cottom [02:21]

The “Messiness” of History

• Nichole Hill reiterates the show’s signature approach—finding the drama and humanity in Black ancestors’ stories, even without the usual media artifacts (“gossip columns”):
  • “It’s pre newspapers, but not pre mess.” [01:14]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being ‘There’ But Unacknowledged:
  • “We were there. So I was like, let’s talk about it here today.” — Nicole Hill [00:49]
• On Storytelling as Survival:
  • “When you’re faced with choices that are bigger than anything... all you’ve got is, well, I got a story that says if I step out there, and that’s why people move.” — Gene Demby [00:52]
• On Black Hopefulness & the Mess of History:
  • “There’s such a, like, a naivete and hopefulness that comes from David, and he’s like, yes, white lady, let me put you into the water. Everything’s gonna be all right.” — Audience Member [02:11]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27–00:49: Nichole Hill introduces the semiquincentennial context and why the show is focusing on the revolutionary era.
• 00:52–01:10: Gene Demby discusses the role of storytelling in Black survival and resilience.
• 01:14–01:32: Preview of what’s coming—the story is pre-newspaper, but “not pre-mess.”
• 01:36–02:04: B.A. Parker and Gene Demby dramatize the stakes for Black Loyalists; introduce guests.
• 02:11–02:25: Reflection on the complicated hope and interracial dynamics of post-slavery America.
• 02:39–02:53: Show’s signature theme—Black ancestors, Black drama, Black joy—reminded with audience enthusiasm.

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Tone & Engagement

• The episode is spirited, witty, and inviting, blending humor (“Semiquincentennial. All right, now, it’s a real word.”) with sharp historical insight.
• Live audience reactions contribute warmth and immediacy (“We are in church right now.”; “I love this.”).
• Throughout, the hosts and guests maintain the playful yet incisive tone that defines Our Ancestors Were Messy.

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Conclusion

This live preview sparks anticipation for the full “Revolutionary Black Loyalists” episode, promising a unique blend of drama, humor, and historical truth. The team’s commitment to centering Black voices and stories during pivotal moments in American history, with all their complications and bold hopes, remains front and center.

Look out for the full live episode on July 8!

Transcript

[B.A. Parker]

How's it going, y'?

[Gene Demby]

All?

[B.A. Parker]

Please welcome to the stage Nicole Hill.

[Nicole Hill]

Thank you so much for coming out. I am the host and creator of. Our ancestors were messy.

[Tressie McMillan Cottom]

Yes.

[Nicole Hill]

Thank you so much. Typically, I tell stories from 1865 to 1955. However, today I'm doing something a little different.

[Tressie McMillan Cottom]

Oh, let's go.

[Nicole Hill]

Because it's America's semi quincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the. Of the Declaration of Independence.

[Audience Member]

Say the word again.

[Nicole Hill]

Semiquincentennial. All right, now, it's an important and real word. And I have a feeling that this current regime might not celebrate black folks.

[Tressie McMillan Cottom]

What makes you think that?

[Nicole Hill]

I don't know why I think that, but we were there. So I was like, let's talk about it here today.

[Gene Demby]

Stories are the only thing that changed the world, man. And this is why. Because when you're faced with choices that are bigger than anything, you could actually probably just settle for yourself. It's bigger than anything, you know, all you've got is, well, I got a story that says if I step out there, and that's why people move.

[Nicole Hill]

We are in church right now.

[Audience Member]

Wow.

[Nicole Hill]

So I'm gonna be telling a story from the revolutionary era of America, the colonial revolutionary, that whole period. Okay, so it's pre newspapers, which I like to pull from gossip columns when I'm telling these stories. This is pre newspapers, but not pre mess. Don't worry, it will be in here.

[Audience Member]

Like Crispus Attucks, Miss a band of

[B.A. Parker]

war weary vets embark on a quest to find the promised land. Along the way, they'll face obstacles that pit them against the elements, the unemployed, and each other. This episode stars New York Times columnist and 2020 MacArthur Fellow, Tressie McMillan Cottam.

[Gene Demby]

If I'm Phyllis, I would tell him, go send me a letter. Tell me how it is they send for me later.

[B.A. Parker]

This episode stars co hosts of NPR's Code Switch, B.A. parker and Gene Demby.

[Audience Member]

There's such a, like, a naivete and hopefulness that comes from David, and he's like, yes, white lady, let me put you into the water. Everything's gonna be all right.

[Tressie McMillan Cottom]

We also gotta remember that this is like, we know this now.

[Audience Member]

We know this now.

[Tressie McMillan Cottom]

This is the first time that was happening. This is the first time that people were trying to negotiate what it means to be in interracial spaces in a post slavery environment.

[Audience Member]

Like, all right, girl, I guess.

[B.A. Parker]

Live from the Moreland Spingarn Research center in Washington, D.C. live from the ICA at VCU, this is our ancestors were messy. A show about our ancestors and all their drama.

[Audience Member]

I love this.