IDKMYDE: Stolen Lands

Summary

The Breakfast Club: Episode Summary – "IDKMYDE: Stolen Lands"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Breakfast Club
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
• Episode: IDKMYDE: Stolen Lands
• Release Date: February 23, 2025

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Introduction to "Stolen Lands"

In this enlightening episode titled "Stolen Lands," The Breakfast Club delves deep into the history of entirely black towns in America that were meticulously built from the ground up. Host Mark Seal takes listeners on a journey to uncover the stories of these resilient communities, highlighting their creation, legacy, and the ongoing impact they have on modern society.

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Exploration of Entirely Black Towns

Mark Seal’s Opening Remarks Mark Seal sets the stage by addressing the erasure and theft of black communities, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and remembering these historical towns.

“I'm talking about entire black towns that were built from the ground up. Not just neighborhoods. I mean whole towns stolen.”
— Mark Seal, [02:31]

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Spotlight on Historic Black Towns

1. Orange Mound, Memphis, Tennessee

   • Founding and Legacy: Founded in 1880 by Thomas McKinney, a former slave, Orange Mound stands as a testament to black entrepreneurship and community building.

     “Like I said, look, I'm tired of working for y'all, so I'm buying this land, splitting it up and selling it to black folks.”
     — Mark Seal, [02:31]

   • Cultural Impact:
     Orange Mound became a vibrant community with thriving businesses, schools, and churches. It is recognized as the original Black Wall Street of Memphis and the home of legends like Isaac Hayes and Project PATA from 3 6.

     “Orange Mound was the original black wall street of Memphis. Got it.”
     — Mark Seal, [02:31]

2. Eatonville, Florida

   • Historical Significance:
     As the first incorporated all-black town in America, founded in 1887, Eatonville exemplified self-governance and cultural pride.
   • Notable Figures:
     Home to Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated writer whose works brought Eatonville's rich culture to life.

     “Eatonville was basically Wakanda before Marvel even thought about it.”
     — Mark Seal, [02:31]

3. Boley, Oklahoma

   • Founding and Achievements:
     Established in 1903, Boley boasted its own black doctors, lawyers, and a bank, showcasing a high level of economic and professional achievement.

     “They had black doctors, black lawyers, they even had they own bank. And they ain't take no junk.”
     — Mark Seal, [02:31]

   • Community Resilience:
     Boley was known for its strong sense of community defense and pride, deterring any attempts at robbery or exploitation.

4. Mound Bayou, Mississippi

   • Foundation and Development:
     Founded in 1887 by Isaiah T. Montgomery, Mound Bayou was another exemplary all-black town with schools, hospitals, and businesses managed by black entrepreneurs.

     “This was another all black town built for us by us.”
     — Mark Seal, [02:31]

   • Influence on Civil Rights:
     The town attracted civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers, who were inspired by its energy and autonomy.

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Cultural Impact and Modern Relevance

Connection to Hip Hop and Modern Culture Mark Seal draws parallels between these historic black towns and the ethos of modern hip hop, emphasizing themes of independence, ownership, and storytelling.

“Look at hip hop. It's all about independence, ownership and telling your story.”
— Mark Seal, [02:31]

Influential Artists:

• Kendrick Lamar:
  His line “we gon be all right” resonates with the enduring spirit of these communities.
• Ty Dolla $ign:
  His lyrics echo the same themes of resilience and self-determination.

“That's the anthem. That's the same energy that built Eatonville, Orange Mound, Bowley and Mound Bayou.”
— Mark Seal, [02:31]

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Conclusion and Call to Action

Encouraging Community Engagement Mark Seal wraps up the episode by urging listeners to explore and acknowledge the rich history of black towns in their own states.

“With a little homework, I need you to look up your oldest black town in your state. Google it.”
— Mark Seal, [02:31]

He emphasizes the importance of research and awareness in preserving these vital stories of black resilience and achievement.

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Notable Quotes

• Mark Seal on Orange Mound's Significance:

  “Orange Mound was the original black wall street of Memphis. Got it.”
  — Mark Seal, [02:31]

• On Eatonville as a Cultural Hub:

  “Eatonville was basically Wakanda before Marvel even thought about it.”
  — Mark Seal, [02:31]

• Connecting Historic Towns to Hip Hop:

  “Look at hip hop. It's all about independence, ownership and telling your story.”
  — Mark Seal, [02:31]

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Final Thoughts

"IDKMYDE: Stolen Lands" serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy and contributions of black communities throughout American history. Through insightful storytelling and compelling narratives, The Breakfast Club honors these towns' foundations and their lasting impact on culture and society today.

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Listen to The Breakfast Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Transcript

[Gabe Lehners]

What would you do if mysterious drones appeared over your hometown? I started asking questions. What do you remember happening on that night of December 16th?

[Unnamed Witness]

It actually rotated around our house, looking as if it was peering in each window of our home.

[Gabe Lehners]

I'm Gabe Lehners from Imagine I Heart Podcasts and Leonhurst Entertainment. Listen to Obscurum Invasion of the Drones wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

[Mary Kay McBrayer]

Mary I'm Mary Kay McBrayer, host of the podcast the Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told. This season explores women from the 19th century to now. Women who were murderers and scammers, but also women who were photojournalists, lawyers, writers and more. This podcast tells more than just the brutal, gory details of horrific acts. I delve into the good, the bad, the difficult, the and all the nuance I can find because these are the stories that we need to know to understand the intersection of society, justice and the fascinating workings of the human psyche. Join me every week as I tell some of the most enthralling true crime stories about women who are not just victims, but heroes or villains, or often somewhere in between. Listen to the greatest true crime stories ever told on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Martin Luther King III]

Welcome to My Legacy. I'm Martin Luther King III and together with my wife, Andrea Waters King, and our dear friends Mark and Craig Kilburger, we explore the personal journeys that shape extraordinary lives.

[Unnamed Host]

Join us for heartfelt conversations with remarkable guests like David Oyelowo, Mel Robbins, Martin Sheen, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Billy Porter.

Listen to My legacy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is My Legacy.

[Mark Seal]

I'm Mark Seal.

[Nathan King]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Martin Luther King III]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli.

[Mark Seal]

The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[Nathan King]

This podcast is based on my co host, Mark Seals best selling book of the same title. Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire, and many others.

[Mark Seal]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[Nathan King]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mark Seal]

On today's episode of I didn't know. Maybe you didn't either. Let's talk about stolen lands in your state. I'm talking about entire black towns that were built from the ground up. Not just neighborhoods. I mean whole towns stolen. I'll explain. First stop, Orange Mound in Memphis, Tennessee. Now whenever I hear Orange Mound, I immediately think of eight ball and MJG. But Orange Mound was founded in 1880 by a former slave named Thomas McKinney. Like I said, look, I'm tired of working for y'all, so I'm buying this land, splitting it up and selling it to black folks. And black folk came through like bet. They turned Orange Mound into a whole vibe. Businesses, schools, churches. They had everything. Fast forward. And now Orange Mound is the home to legends like Isaac Hayes, Chef, you damn right. And your boy Project PATA from 3 6. And y'all know Project PAT put Memphis on the map. Orange Mound was the original black wall street of Memphis. Got it. So now let's head down to Florida. Eatonville. Eatonville is historic, y'all. Cause it was the first incorporated all black town in America. It was founded in 1887. And let me tell you, they weren't waiting for permission. These folks got together like, look, we gon govern ourselves and be done with this foolishness. Are you familiar with the writer Zora Neale Hurston? One of the greatest writers to ever do it. She's from Eatonville, and if you read her books, she pretty much wrote stories that brought Eatonville's culture to life. Eatonville was basically Wakanda before Marvel even thought about it. Now if you slide over to Oklahoma, it's a spot called Boley. Boley was founded in 1903 and it was next level. They had black doctors, black lawyers, they even had they own bank. And they ain't take no junk. They told white folk, don't even think about robbing bank is a story about some robbers pulling up. And the folks in Boley lit them up like it was the fourth of July. There's Mound Bayou, Mississippi that were founded in 1887 by Isaiah T. Montgomery. This was another all black town built for us by us. They had schools, hospitals and businesses run entirely by black folks. The town was so successful that even civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers came through to soak up some of the energy. As has been the theme this season, this is another example of black folks not just surviving, but thriving. And the spirit of these towns lives on. Look at hip hop. It's all about independence, ownership and telling your story. That's why Kendrick Lamar's line, we gon be all right. Or Ty Tribbit. Cause he say that in one of his songs too. Nevertheless, that's the anthem. That's the same energy that built Eatonville, Orange Mound, Bowley and Mound Bayou. Now here's where I leave the I didn't know. Maybe you didn't either. Audience With a little homework, I need you to look up your oldest black town in your state. Google it. And if you're from North Carolina, I already got the answer for you. It's Lakeview, founded in 1887. You're welcome. But don't get lazy. Still do your research. Cause I didn't know. Maybe you didn't either. I've been no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Gabe Lehners]

What would you do if mysterious drones appeared over your hometown? I started asking questions. What do you remember happening on that night of December 16th?

[Unnamed Witness]

It actually rotated around our house, looking as if it was peering in each window of our home.

[Gabe Lehners]

I'm Gabe Leonards from Imagine I Heart Podcasts and Leonard's Entertainment. Listen to Obscurum Invasion of the Drones wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

[Martin Luther King III]

Welcome to My Legacy. I'm Martin Luther King III and together with my wife, Andrea Waters King, and our dear friends Mark and Craig Kilburger, we explore the personal journeys that shape extraordinary lives.

[Unnamed Host]

Join us for heartfelt conversations with remarkable guests like David Oyelowo, Mel Robbins, Martin Sheen, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Billy Porter.

Listen to My legacy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is My Legacy.

[Mary Kay McBrayer]

I'm Mary Kay McBrayer, host of the podcast the Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told. This season explores women from the 19th century to now, women who were murderers and scammers, but also women who were photojournalists, lawyers, writers, and more. This podcast tells more than just the brutal, gory details of horrific acts. I delve into the good, the bad, the difficult, and all the nuance I can find because these are the stories that we need to know to understand the intersection of society, justice, and the fascinating workings of the human psyche. Join me every week as I tell some of the most enthralling true crime stories about women who are not just victims but heroes or villains, or often somewhere in between. Listen to the Greatest true crime stories ever told on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Minnie Driver]

What if you ask two different people the same set of questions? Even if the questions are the same, our experiences can lead us to drastically different answers. I'm Minnie Driver and I set out to explore this idea in my podcast, and now Mini Questions is returning for another season. We've asked an entirely new set of guests our seven questions, including Jane Lynch, Delaney Rowe, and Cord Jefferson. Listen to Mini questions on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Seven questions limitless answers.