Who Was Zilpha Elaw? Prof. Kimberly Blockett Recovers The Life & Times Of A Forgotten Trailblazing Black Woman

Hosted by Pedro Rodriguez, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Professor Kimberly Blockett, a leading scholar of African American literature and Chair of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. Blockett’s groundbreaking research recovers the life and writings of Zilpha Elaw, a Black woman preacher whose transatlantic ministry challenges conventional narratives of religion, race, and gender in the 19th century.Through archival research and interdisciplinary analysis, Blockett brings forward a powerful story of movement, resistance, and intellectual authority—reshaping how history is written and who is remembered.This episode explores the politics of historical erasure, the role of Black women in religious movements, and the enduring relevance of recovered histories in today’s struggles for justice.Tune in and join the conversation.