The Breakfast Club: "IDKMYDE: The 100-Year Blueprint — Carter G. Woodson Was Playing Chess"
Date: February 1, 2026
Host: B Dot (on behalf of The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Season 5, Episode 1 of “I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either”
Episode Overview
This episode commemorates the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, spotlighting Carter G. Woodson—its founder—and his visionary, strategic, and resilient approach to Black historical preservation. Through anecdotes, “useless facts,” and pointed commentary, host B Dot reveals how Woodson’s legacy was a chess move against historical erasure. The episode sets a tone for reflection and celebration, targeting listeners invested in learning the "hidden" and essential parts of Black history.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Host Updates & Show Evolution
- Personal Update:
- B Dot celebrates winning Mr. Alumni at Winston Salem State University (2025) by raising over $16,000 for scholarships with his “a dollar and a dream” campaign.
- Podcast Growth:
- Marked growth since last February: weekly episodes, broader content beyond Black history, with roughly 40 new episodes dropped.
- Encourages listeners (“Know It Alls”) to see curiosity as a superpower.
Quote:
"Not because you know it all, but because you want to know it all. So welcome Know It Alls." (03:56)
2. 100th Anniversary of Black History Month
- Carter G. Woodson’s Legacy:
- Black History Month began as Black History Week in 1926, founded by Carter G. Woodson.
- The significance of intentionally choosing February (to honor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln), countering the narrative that “they gave us the shortest month.”
Quote:
"Black History Month wasn't a gift. It wasn't a favor. It wasn't America saying, you know what? Let's include you all. Nah. Black History Month was a counter attack." (05:56)
- Chess, Not Checkers:
- Woodson worked strategically, creating independent Black historical infrastructure when academia refused to include Black history.
- Established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the Journal of Negro History, and Negro History Week.
Quote:
"He knew schools wouldn't teach it, textbooks wouldn't print it, and America dang sure wouldn't protect it. So he said, fine, we'll preserve it ourselves." (07:24)
3. Three 'Useless' but Essential Facts About Woodson
(Introduced as ‘useless’ but critical throughout the episode):
- Late Start, Rapid Ascent
- Woodson didn't enter high school until age 20; finished in only two years (04:12).
- Coal Miner Roots
- Before Harvard, Woodson worked as a West Virginian coal miner, reading politics and history to fellow miners—learning firsthand from men who had survived the Civil War (04:21–07:45).
- Echoed by W.E.B. Du Bois
- Du Bois called Woodson’s creation “the single greatest achievement of the Harlem Renaissance’.“ (04:37; 08:36)
4. Woodson’s Academic & Social Barriers
- Breaking Barriers:
- Attended Berea College, University of Chicago, then Harvard (second Black PhD from Harvard).
- Only American with enslaved parents to earn a PhD in history.
- His Harvard advisor openly believed in Black inferiority, but he persevered.
Quote:
"Second black man to get a PhD from Harvard, and the only person in American history whose parents were both enslaved to earn a PhD in history. Rewind that and listen to that again. The only one." (08:09)
5. Contemporary Reflection: Woodson's Enduring Impact
- Relevance 100 Years Later:
- Many Black Americans remain marginalized in historical narratives.
- Black History Month’s existence is a testament to Woodson’s vision—a “coal miner built in his spare time.”
- Continuing Mission:
- The work remains unfinished, and episodes like this aim to further his mission.
Quote:
“Now fast forward to 2026, 100 years later, and black folks still being ignored completely or mentioned once briefly as a problem. But we still celebrating what a coal miner built in his spare time.” (08:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On strategic self-definition:
"If you control the story, you control the future." (06:35)
-
Dispelling the Black History Month myth:
"Carter G. Woodson picked that month specifically. That wasn't a coincidence. That was chess." (07:19)
-
On perseverance:
"He earned his degree anyway. Second black man to get a PhD from Harvard..." (08:09)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:32] B Dot’s alumni update and podcast growth
- [03:56] “Know It All” community explained
- [04:10–04:45] Three ‘useless’ facts about Carter G. Woodson
- [05:56] Introduction to Black History Month’s revolutionary origin
- [06:35] “If you control the story, you control the future.”
- [07:19] February as a strategic choice for Black History Month
- [07:45–08:26] Woodson’s journey from coal miner to Harvard
- [08:36–08:47] W.E.B. Du Bois’ praise and 100 years later reflection
Tone & Language
B Dot mixes humor (“three useless facts you’ll never need”), pride, and a sense of mission throughout the episode, aiming for both accessibility and gravitas. His conversational style invites listeners to reevaluate “known” history and discover the depth behind cultural milestones.
Conclusion
This episode serves as a powerful kick-off to Black History Month’s centennial, shining a light on Carter G. Woodson’s legacy—not as a passive recipient of inclusion, but as a strategic architect of historical agency. Packed with surprising biographical details, sharp perspective on historical omission, and clear calls to curiosity, it encapsulates the mission of the "I Didn’t Know, Maybe You Didn’t Either" podcast: to challenge assumptions and inspire further inquiry.