Remind My Soul

A Stereotype's No Match for Truth Observed: the Fisk Jubilee Singers What happens when a group of young people is asked to save a school with little more than their voices? In 1871, Fisk University faced a crisis. Founded just a few years after the Civil War to educate formerly enslaved people, the school was nearly bankrupt. Buildings were deteriorating, funding was scarce, and closure seemed increasingly likely. In response, a group of students set out on an ambitious fundraising tour that would change not only the future of their school, but also the future of American music. In this episode of Remind My Soul, Michael Lawrence-Riddell and Akrobatik explore the story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. From hostile crowds and financial uncertainty to packed churches, international acclaim, and performances before presidents and royalty, the singers carried spirituals born in slavery to audiences around the world. Along the way, they challenged racist assumptions, helped secure the future of Black education, and introduced generations of listeners to one of America's greatest cultural traditions. The episode also features an excerpt from The Truth Is Powerful, Self-Evident Education's short documentary about Sojourner Truth, whose belief in the transformative power of voice and storytelling provides a powerful connection to the Fisk Jubilee Singers' story. In This Episode Juneteenth, freedom, and the pursuit of education after emancipation The founding of Fisk University during Reconstruction Ella Shepard and the origins of the Fisk Jubilee Singers George Leonard White's vision for preserving and sharing spirituals The fundraising tours that saved Fisk University The role of spirituals in preserving culture and community memory The Fisk Jubilee Singers' impact on American music and culture Connections between spirituals, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop Featured Film Excerpt The Truth Is Powerful A Self-Evident Education film created in collaboration with Rainlake. Hosts Michael Lawrence-Riddell Filmmaker, educator, and Executive Director of Self-Evident Education Akrobatik Educator, emcee, and host Written By Michael Lawrence-Riddell Courtney Gilbert Original Verse Akrobatik (featuring music from 8bza) Sources & Further Reading Andrew Ward, Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Jubilee Singers Fisk University Special Collections and Archives Fisk University History and Jubilee Singers Archives Library of Congress collections on African American spirituals Jubilee Singers historical materials and correspondence National Museum of African American History and Culture Learn More Explore documentary films, curriculum resources, and professional learning opportunities at: www.selfevidenteducation.com Music Credits This episode features music from 8bza and Blue Dot Sessions: "Lofoten" "Bauxite" "The Consulate" "Bakti" "The Extension" "Lacaille" Music provided by Blue Dot Sessions. https://www.sessions.blue Connect With Us Website: www.selfevidenteducation.com Email: [email protected] Follow Self-Evident Education for new episodes, films, curriculum resources, and upcoming events. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with a friend.  

Episode Summary What does literacy have to do with freedom? In this episode of Remind My Soul, Michael Lawrence-Riddell and Akrobatik are joined by acclaimed independent Hip-Hop artist, educator, and storyteller Mega Ran for a conversation about Reconstruction, Malcolm X, and the central role Black Americans played in building public education in the United States. Beginning with the reality that teaching enslaved Black people to read was illegal throughout much of the South, Michael explores how generations of Black Americans understood literacy as a tool of survival, self-determination, and liberation. The conversation traces the efforts of formerly enslaved people to build schools, support teachers, and establish educational systems following the Civil War, culminating in the work of Black Reconstruction politicians who helped create free public education throughout the South. Along the way, the hosts discuss the legacy of Malcolm X, the importance of critical literacy, the life and political leadership of Robert Smalls, and the long struggle to expand democracy in the United States. As always, the episode concludes with an original writing challenge. Given just twenty minutes to respond to the conversation, Mega Ran and Akrobatik each craft and perform original verses inspired by the history discussed in the episode. Guest Mega Ran is a Grammy-nominated independent Hip-Hop artist, educator, speaker, and storyteller from Philadelphia. Known for blending sharp lyricism with themes of education, gaming culture, social justice, and personal growth, Mega Ran has become one of the most respected voices in independent Hip-Hop. His children's album Buddy's Magic Treehouse received a Grammy nomination, and he continues to teach, perform, and inspire audiences around the world. In This Episode Why literacy was outlawed for enslaved people across much of the American South The relationship between literacy, freedom, and political power Malcolm X's understanding of education as a tool for liberation The role of formerly enslaved people in building schools after the Civil War William and Ellen Craft and their commitment to Black education The extraordinary story of Robert Smalls Black political leadership during Reconstruction How Black lawmakers helped establish free public education in the South Historical efforts to distort the history of Reconstruction The ongoing debates about education, democracy, and whose stories matter People, Places, and Topics Mentioned Malcolm X Robert Smalls William and Ellen Craft William Still Jane Johnson Octavius Catto W.E.B. Du Bois Reconstruction Freedmen's Schools Institute for Colored Youth (now Cheyney University) Ku Klux Klan Knights of the White Camellia United Daughters of the Confederacy The Dunning School Learn More Books The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements by Malcolm X and George Breitman The End of White World Supremacy: Four Speeches by Malcolm X by Malcolm X Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary by Walter Dean Myers The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne A Lie of Reinvention: Correcting Manning Marable's Malcolm X by Jared Ball Malcolm Before X by Patrick Parr The Portable Malcolm X Reader edited by Manning Marable Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. Du Bois Stony the Road by Henry Louis Gates Jr. Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape from Slavery to Union Hero by Cate Lineberry Organizations & Resources Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Self-Evident Education Library of Congress Reconstruction Collections National Park Service: Reconstruction Era Resources About Remind My Soul Remind My Soul is a Hip-Hop and history podcast hosted by Akrobatik and Michael Lawrence-Riddell. Each episode explores powerful and often overlooked stories from American history through conversation, music, and original creative writing. The podcast is produced by Self-Evident Education and made possible through the power of storytelling, historical scholarship, and Hip-Hop culture. Connect Learn more about Self-Evident Education: https://www.selfevidenteducation.com Follow Mega Ran: https://www.megaran.com Have a story you think we should explore? Email: [email protected]  

REMIND MY SOUL — Episode 9 "Hope's Supposed to Burn Eternal—the Colfax Massacre" Episode Hosts: Michael Lawrence-Riddell Akrobatik Written by: Michael Lawrence-Riddell Courtney Gilbert In this episode of Remind My Soul, Michael Lawrence-Riddell tells the story of the Colfax Massacre of 1873—one of the deadliest acts of racial violence during Reconstruction and a turning point in the history of American democracy. Just eight years after the Civil War, formerly enslaved Black citizens in Colfax, Louisiana occupied the Grant Parish Courthouse to defend the results of a contested election and protect their right to participate in democracy. What followed was a massacre that revealed the violent backlash against Black political power during Reconstruction and helped pave the way for Jim Crow. Michael and Akrobatik discuss Reconstruction, white supremacist violence, voting rights, historical memory, and the long echoes of the Colfax Massacre into the present day. Following the conversation, Akrobatik writes and performs an original verse inspired by the episode. This episode also features an excerpt from the Self-Evident Education documentary film: "Get a Mule Forty Acres Or So…" Produced in collaboration with RainLake. Featured Scholars & Voices in Film Excerpt: Leah Penniman Ousmane Power-Greene Mistinguette Smith Featuring Voice Acting From: Kayara Akiva Akrobatik Monica D. Davis Curt Lackey Illustration: Derrick Dent Music: Akrobatik — "Remind My Soul" instrumental Blue Dot Sessions: Lofoten Eggels Talltell Vik Fence Haflak Trellis Ageis Balti The Consulate Dawn Line Approaching Glass Beads A Common Pause Recommended Reading & Sources: LeeAnna Keith — The Colfax Massacre: The Untold Story of Black Power, White Terror, and the Death of Reconstruction BlackPast: https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/colfax-massacre-1873/ Equal Justice Initiative Calendar of Racial Injustice: https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/apr/13 New York Times: "How Reconstruction Created American Democracy — and How It Was Undone" https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/28/opinion/black-lives-civil-rights.html For more information about Self-Evident Education and our documentary film library: https://selfevidenteducation.com Follow Remind My Soul and Self-Evident Education: Instagram: @selfevidenteducation

REMIND MY SOUL — EPISODE 107 Sanité Bélair, The Haitian Revolution & The Power of Resistance Featuring MO the Great What does it mean to stand for freedom when standing comes at the ultimate cost? In this episode of Remind My Soul, Michael Lawrence-Riddell and Akrobatik are joined by producer, MC, educator, and activist MO the Great for a powerful conversation about the Haitian Revolution, revolutionary identity, resilience, liberation, and the legacy of Sanité Bélair — a revolutionary leader known as "The Tigress." The conversation begins with an excerpt from Self-Evident Education's film One Minute's Freedom, the story of Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, before moving into the history of Saint-Domingue, the brutality of colonial slavery, the rise of Toussaint Louverture, and the revolutionary struggle that led Haiti to become the first nation founded by formerly enslaved people. Together, the group reflects on: • the power of knowledge and self-definition • the relationship between pain, resilience, and liberation • women's leadership in revolutionary movements • authenticity and representation in Hip-Hop • the ongoing struggle for freedom and humanity As always, the episode closes with an original verse written and performed by the guest — this time by Mo the Great. FEATURED GUEST: MO the Great Instagram / Streaming: @mothegreat PROJECTS: Drinks of Hope — available now on streaming platforms Upcoming album: The Necessity of Fluidity SELF-EVIDENT FILM FEATURED: One Minute's Freedom Featuring the story of Elizabeth Freeman ("Mumbet") MUSIC: Blue Dot Sessions • Copley Beat • Rafter • Vik Fence Lardha • Vik Fence Haflak • Trellis Ageis • Talltell • The Extension Additional music: • "Feel the Same" — Akrobatik SOURCES / FURTHER LEARNING: • Laurent Dubois — Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution • C.L.R. James — The Black Jacobins • Madison Smartt Bell — Toussaint Louverture: A Biography • Marlene Daut — Awakening the Ashes • Philippe Girard — Toussaint Louverture: A Revolutionary Life • Ada Ferrer — Freedom's Mirror • Self-Evident Education — selfevidenteducation.com FOLLOW / SUPPORT: If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Sharing the show helps us continue bringing honest and accurate history to wider audiences through storytelling and art. Follow Self-Evident Education: Instagram: @selfevidenteducation Website: selfevidenteducation.com Have ideas for future episodes? Email: [email protected]