This educational podcast will inform listeners about notable African Americans who have made great contributions to the history of the United States and the world.
In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh, author and owner of the Multicultural Bookstore & Gifts in Richmond, California, shares the remarkable story of brothers Oliver and Fred Watson, two Black pioneers in American soccer at the turn of the twentieth century.
Born in Rhode Island in 1872 and 1875, respectively, Oliver and Fred made their mark on the soccer field as a forward and a defender. Oliver became the earliest documented African American to play in a senior club soccer match in the United States in 1894, while Fred became the first documented African American to appear in a U.S. professional soccer league match in 1901. Together, they also helped their team win a Rhode Island Amateur League championship.
Beyond their athletic achievements, the brothers’ story reveals the importance of community, perseverance, and historical research in recovering Black contributions that have too often been overlooked. From Fred’s injury and the benefit match organized to support him to the racial stereotypes found in some newspaper coverage, their experiences offer a fuller picture of Black life in early American sports.
Join Tamara as she brings Oliver and Fred Watson into the spotlight, reminding us that Black history reaches far beyond the stories we may already know. Their names, their accomplishments, and their place in soccer history deserve to be remembered.
Keep asking questions, keep exploring, and keep sharing the stories you discover!
28 Sept 2026
Martha Jones: The Woman Who Changed the Way Corn Was Processed
In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, Tamara Shiloh introduces us to Martha Jones, a Black woman from Virginia who, in 1868, received U.S. Patent No. 77,494 for an improved corn-husking and shelling machine.
Her invention combined multiple steps into one process while finding practical uses for leftover corn husks. Widely believed to be the first Black woman in the United States to receive a patent, Jones’s achievement offers a powerful glimpse into Black innovation during Reconstruction.
Discover the remarkable story of a woman whose invention helped move American agriculture toward a more mechanized future.
14 Sept 2026
Powell Johnson: Protecting the Eyes of America’s Workers
In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, Tamara Shiloh tells the story of Powell Johnson, an African American inventor from Alabama who patented an innovative Eye-Protector in 1880.
Designed to shield furnace workers, firefighters, and others from intense light and glare, Johnson’s invention was an early contribution to workplace eye safety. Discover the story of this little-known Black innovator whose creativity helped protect America’s workers.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Once Upon A Time In Black History
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Once Upon A Time In Black History?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
