About Reading with Rachelle: Connecting with History through Storytelling, a Book Club Podcast with Rachelle Chase
On the Reading with Rachelle podcast, Rachelle Chase (author of Creating the Black Utopia of Buxton, Iowa and Lost Buxton, along with six fiction books and novellas) brings history to life through conversations with authors, experts, and everyday people impacted by the week's book selection. Through storytelling, we connect with the history we were never taught in school. At a time when history is being used to divide us, let's learn how it unites us, and how Black history is not apart from American history, but how it's a part of American history.
rachellechase.substack.com (https://rachellechase.substack.com/s/podcasts?utm_medium=podcast)
Ep. 14: Black Iowans at War with Dr. William S. Morris
Historian William S. Morris discusses his book about Black Iowans in the military with host Rachelle Chase, revealing how their service paved the way for civil rights and professional achievements in this interview.
11 Jun 2025
Ep. 13: Searching for Families of Formerly Enslaved People with Dr. Judith Giesberg
Author Judith Giesberg discusses her book about formerly enslaved people's resilience and determination to reunite with lost family members after the Civil War in an interview with Rachelle Chase.
28 May 2025
Ep. 12: Expecting Greatness as the Key to Success for Young Black Men
Host John Busbee interviews Dr. William A. Keyes about his book, *The Stories They Hear*, and his organization, the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, which supports young Black men in achieving academic and personal success.
12 Mar 2025
11: Black Farming is Freedom: Celebrating the Legacy of Black Farmers with Denise Greer Jamerson
In this episode, I'm joined by Denise Greer Jamerson to discuss the book, We Are Each Other's Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy by Natalie Baszile.
Lyles Station is the last remaining Black settlement in Indiana. Denise’s family has been farming in the Lyles Station community since 1855, and her father, Norman Greer, has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as one of the last remaining African American farmers still farming land that's been in their family since before the Civil War.
We discuss the fascinating history of Lyles Station, the challenges faced and the legacy created by Black farmers, along with Denise’s organization, Legacy Taste of the Garden, and their work to empower farmers in Indiana.
While we touch upon We Are Each Other's Harvest, this episode isn't a direct discussion of the book. Instead, it supplements the book by providing a glimpse into the experiences of a Black farming family in the Midwest. A book review will be provided soon.
For more information:
* We Are Each Other's Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/we-are-each-others-harvest-natalie-baszile?variant=33007650766882 (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/we-are-each-others-harvest-natalie-baszile?variant=33007650766882)
* Denise Greer Jamerson and Legacy Taste of the Garden: https://www.legacytasteofthegarden.com/ (https://www.legacytasteofthegarden.com/)
* Upcoming book review of We Are Each Other's Harvest: https://rachellechase.substack.com
* Todd Western III, a sixth generation farmer in Iowa who's part of Western Family Farms and helped create the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference: https://www.westernfamilyfarms.com/ (https://www.westernfamilyfarms.com/)
Get full access to Reading with Rachelle at rachellechase.substack.com/subscribe (https://rachellechase.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
20 Feb 2025
10: Applying Proven Strategies Used by Black Educators During Jim Crow in Education Today with Dr. Sheryl Croft
DEI is being used as an excuse to get rid of race-based scholarships, cut funding, eliminate initiatives that encourage the hiring of qualified Black teachers, ban books, erase Black history, and much more. It's going to take all of us to change things for the better.
"Living the Legacy of African American Education: A Model for University and School Engagement" offers one possible solution: A program called Teaching in the Urban South (TITUS). TITUS explores the basic premise that if the strategies used by Black educators during Jim Crow were successful in educating millions of students, then why not try some of these strategies today?
Listen in as Dr. Sheryl Croft, co-editor of "Living the Legacy of African American Education: A Model for University and School Engagement," shares how TITUS works, its results, and how educators can implement something similar today, plus what non-educators can do to help our students succeed.
Connect with TITUS & Get the Book
Email: TITUS@teachingintheurbansouth.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachingintheurbansouth/
Book: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475808193/Living-the-Legacy-of-African-American-Education-A-Model-for-University-and-School-Engagement
Connect with Rachelle Chase:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
22 Jan 2025
09: Some of the Black Artisans Who Shaped the Nation
My guest this week is Robell Awake, author of the book "A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects." Robell's book stood out to me immediately, because it's a unique view of the significant but often overlooked contributions of Black artisans and craftspeople throughout history, and how they used their skills and ingenuity as a form of resistance and agency in times of Slavery and oppression. We're not only discussing some of these innovative examples, but also exploring a more nuanced and complex perspective on American history, morality, and racism.
Connect with Robell Awake and get the book:
Robell Awake: https://www.robellawake.com/
Book: https://www.robellawake.com/a-short-history-of-black-craft
Connect with Rachelle Chase:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
8 Jan 2025
08: Preserving the Legacy of Hannibal's Untold History with G. Faye Dant
This week's book, "Hannibal's Invisibles" by G. Faye Dant, provides a deeper look into the lives and contributions of Black Americans in Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain.
Faye shares how, until 2013, the only public acknowledgment of Black contributions to Hannibal's history was a 1934 sign welcoming visitors that referenced "the n-word Jim" from Twain's novels. Faye's mission is to preserve this history and give a voice to the Black residents of Hannibal, both before and after the Civil War. Through her museum, Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center, and her book, Faye is uncovering the untold stories of Hannibal's thriving Black community.
Connect with Faye Dant:
https://www.jimsjourney.org/
Book, Hannibal's Invisibles: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781953368768
Connect with Rachelle:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
18 Dec 2024
07: The Lasting Impact of the Freedmen's Bank Collapse with Dr. Justene Hill Edwards
Rachelle Chase sits down with Dr. Justene Hill Edwards to explore the lasting impact of the Freedmen's Bank collapse on the Black community, revealing the economic lives of the enslaved and the financial knowledge they brought into freedom.
11 Dec 2024
06: The Black Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis with Maria Smilios
Author Maria Smilios shares the untold story of the Black nurses who risked their lives to cure tuberculosis in 1920s New York, exposing systemic racism and medical breakthroughs.
4 Dec 2024
05: Medicine, Science, and Making Race with Leslie Schwalm
Dr. Leslie A. Schwalm joins Rachelle Chase to explore how white medical and scientific professionals in Civil War America perpetuated anti-Black racism and white supremacy through medical experimentation and pseudoscience.
27 Nov 2024
04: The Untold Story Behind the New Deal: The Black Cabinet with Jill Watts
Rachelle Chase and author Jill Watts explore the untold story of the Black Cabinet, a group of African American leaders who fought for inclusion in FDR's New Deal programs despite racism and resistance.
20 Nov 2024
03: Confronting the White Supremacist Script: Daniel Henderson's Anti-Racism Roadmap for White Readers
Rachelle Chase hosts author Daniel Henderson, a 40-year educator and social justice activist, as he shares his roadmap for white readers to confront white supremacy and rewrite the script.
13 Nov 2024
02: Trailblazing Black Politics: Exploring the Legacy of George Edwin Taylor with Erick Nganyange
This week, I'm excited to have Erick Nganyange, the creator and host of the Iowa Civil Rights History podcast, on my show today. Erick and I are discussing the book For Labor, Race, and Liberty - George Edwin Taylor, His Historic Run for the White House, and the Making of Independent Black Politics by Bruce L. Mouser. This book tells the fascinating story of Taylor, who ran for President of the United States in 1904 as a member of the newly formed African American political party, the National Liberty Party. Erick and I dive into Taylor's remarkable life journey, from being orphaned at a young age to becoming a prominent journalist and labor activist. We explore how his personal experiences shaped his political views and his trailblazing campaign. Erick and I also explore the parallels between the challenges faced by Black political movements in the 19th century and the ongoing struggles for representation and empowerment in the Black community today. We consider the lessons we can learn from historical figures like George Edwin Taylor and how their stories can inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equity.
For Labor, Race, and Liberty: George Edwin Taylor, His Historic Run for the White House, and the Making of Independent Black Politics: https://bookshop.org/p/books/for-labor-race-and-liberty-george-edwin-taylor-his-historic-run-for-the-white-house-and-the-making-of-independent-black-politics-bruce-l-mouser/6632154?ean=9780299249144
Connect with Erick:
Erick Nganyange, Iowa Civil Rights History Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1491550
Connect with Rachelle:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
6 Nov 2024
01: How Dark Money Threatens Democracy with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
In the inaugural episode of the podcast, I am joined by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, author of the newly released book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. As a professor of law and a Brennan Center fellow, Ciara brings a wealth of expertise to the table as we explore the alarming role corporations play in undermining our democratic process.
From the Nazi party's dark money ties to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol to modern-day "ghost candidates" siphoning votes and more, Ciara pulls back the curtain on the insidious ways corporations and wealthy individuals are able to wield influence in our elections. We also discuss the campaign finance laws in place to help curb dark money and other abuses, additional reforms needed, and the importance of individual activism.
Connect with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy:
Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians - https://bookshop.org/p/books/corporatocracy-how-to-protect-democracy-from-dark-money-and-corrupt-politicians-ciara-torres-spelliscy/21285152
Ciara's website: https://www.cskllc.net/
Learn more about Ciara: https://www.stetson.edu/law/faculty/home/ciara-torres-spelliscy.php
Connect with Rachelle:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
2 Nov 2024
Get Ready to Read with Rachelle!
Are you interested in history but find the idea of reading a history book overwhelming? Do you want to learn about history you weren't taught in school? I'm Rachelle Chase. I'm a published author of historical nonfiction and fiction books; a journalist whose work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic, the Des Moines Register and others; and a public speaker. But most importantly, I'm passionate about history, because I still remember what it felt like as a young Black girl sitting in a classroom where no one looked like me, reading textbooks where I never read about anyone that looked like me... except for Slavery.
This has to change. The erasure of Black people from history seeks to continue dividing us. So for the past 15 years, I've used my voice to bring the stories, experiences and achievements of Black Americans to light, and founded a nonprofit, Uniting Through History.
Each week on the Reading with Rachelle podcast, I will pick a book that focuses on history and those who made it and bring this history to life through conversations with authors, experts, and everyday people. Through storytelling, we'll connect with the history we were never taught in school. At a time when history is being used to divide us, let's learn how it unites us, and how Black history is not apart from American history, but how it's a part of American history.
So click the subscribe button and join me on November 6th, 2024, and let's begin Reading with Rachelle.
Connect with Rachelle:
https://www.rachellechasewrites.com/
https://rachellechase.substack.com/
Who has been a guest on Reading with Rachelle: Connecting with History through Storytelling, a Book Club Podcast with Rachelle Chase
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr William S Morris
Dr Judith Giesberg
Dr William A Keyes
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3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
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