As a child, Mona Mae was sold away from her mother. We join Black pioneer Mona Mae Christophe, during the incredible Reconstruction Era, on her journey to find her mother.
The Courtship of Mona Mae is a story of love, resistance and family.
Written and independently produced by Yhane Washington Smith an A'Leila Bundles Scholar at Columbia University.
You can follow on Instagram: @Yhane.Writes.
Web site: https://www.yhanewashingtonsmith.com/.
Stay updated on progress of the show. Newsletter: https://substack.com/@harlemqueen.
Thank you for listening!
Okema T. Moore as Mona Mae Christophe and Langston Darby as Tump explore Tump's surprising return and rebuilding of his life in this interview episode.
16 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
S2Ep2 - We Are Lost, Mr. Montgomery
Okema T. Moore as Mona Mae Christophe and Marc Pierre as Zekial Montgomery navigate a perilous journey with Nathalie Standingcloud as Yona, facing profound challenges and discovering resilience.
8 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
S2Ep1 - We Meet Mother Clara Brown
In this interview, Andrietta Sims portrays Clara Brown as Mona Mae seeks her wealthy mother, exploring themes of family and legacy.
1 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
BONUS #2 - Nicodemus, Kansas and Trailer for Season Two
This bonus episode of The Courtship of Mona Mae explores Nicodemus, Kansas, and previews the upcoming season.
22 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
S2 - You really should know about the Reconstruction Era. And more episodes coming soon!
Host Yhane Washington Smith explores the vital Reconstruction Era, offering insights into Black women's post-Civil War family searches.
12 Dec 2025
A Seneca Village Christmas - Part 2
A Seneca Village Christmas is Christmas celebrated with the Gunther family, who lived in Seneca Village in 1850!
A Seneca Village Christmas is a special, two episode series.
Contrary to what you may have been told about Seneca Village, Seneca’s predominantly African American residents were land owners, educated, skilled, and loved celebrating Christmas!
Seneca Village was in the Upper West Side area of Manhattan and was erased in 1857 to make space for Central Park.
This episode features:
Ebonie Ellington
Yusuf Lamont
Okema. T. Moore
Isaiah Mueller
Polly McKie
Peter Killy
Nina Smith
Emilio Smith
Edited by Jordan Kauwling
Sound designed by Sidney Evans
Produced, Written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith
A Seneca Village Christmas was made possible by the generous donation of Andrietta Sims.
Thank you for listening!
If you would learn more about my work and projects, you can subscribe to and read my newsletter: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 Dec 2025
A Seneca Village Christmas - Part 1
A Seneca Village Christmas is Christmas celebrated with the Gunther family, who lived in Seneca Village in 1850!
A Seneca Village Christmas is a special, two episode series.
Contrary to what you may have been told about Seneca Village, Seneca’s predominantly African American residents were land owners, educated, skilled, and loved celebrating Christmas!
Seneca Village was in the Upper West Side area of Manhattan and was erased in 1857 to make space for Central Park.
This episode features:
Ebonie Ellington
Yusuf Lamont
Okema. T. Moore
Isaiah Mueller
Polly McKie
Peter Killy
Nina Smith
Emilio Smith
Edited by Jordan Kauwling
Sound designed by Sidney Evans
Produced, Written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith
A Seneca Village Christmas was made possible by the generous donation of Andrietta Sims.
Thank you for listening!
If you would learn more about my work and projects, you can subscribe to and read my newsletter: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 Mar 2021
S1EP2 - Love is Simple.
CONTENT WARNING: Gunfighting, physical fighting, reference to American slavery.
Mona and Zekial start their journey. Mona learns about love.
Thank you for listening!
Brandon Micheal Hall as Zekial Montgomery
Gabrielle Adkins as Mona Mae Christophe
Luke Slattery as Conners
Jocelyn O' Toole as Lucille Conners
Joshua Gold as Williams Conners
D. Rubin Green as Tump
Isaiah James Mueller as Hayes
Peter Killy as The Card Player
Sound Design: XPerience J.
Original Theme Composed and Performed by Jeanette Berry
Art Design: Saramit Morales
Produced, Written and Directed by Yhane Smith
Epidemic Sound
www.zapsplat.com
www.freesound.org
Big Fish Audio - Serie 6000 Sound Effects Audio Library
"Smashing, Wooden Fence, C.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk)
Songs:
Ghost of the Rail - Gabriel Lewis
Beyond the Western Hill- Gabriel Lewis
Still Drifting- Eric Feinburg
Misty Land- Headlund
Cookies and Candy - J.F. Gloss
Cool Rootsie Dobros- Cody Randall
Lone Rider- Walt Adams
Open Range- Walt Adams
Old Time Fiddlin' - River Run Dry
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15 Feb 2021
S1EP1 - We Must Be Practical
CONTENT WARNING: Gun fighting, language and reference to American slavery.
In the 1870s, pioneers Mona Mae Christophe and Zekial Montgomery search for Mona's mother, Clara. Mona must recall long forgotten memories in order to find her mother, love and a secure life for herself.
Cast:
Brandon Micheal Hall as Zekial Montgomery
Gabrielle Adkins as Mona Mae Christophe
Luke Slattery as Conners
D. Rubin Green as Tump
TJ Washington as Hayes
Sound Designer - Xperience Jay
Art design by Saramit Morales
Mona Mae's Theme composed and performed by Jeanette Berry
Written, directed and edited by Yhane Smith
Music:
Ace in the Hole- Sixteen Wheelers
Ghost Hunt- Sixteen Wheelers
Beyond the Western Hills- Gabriel Lewis
Campfire Legends- Jon Algar
Instagram: @HarlemQueenAudioDrama
Twitter: @AudioHarlem
HarlemQueen.org
Join us in making more episodes by becoming a patron.
https://www.patreon.com/harlemqueen
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 Jan 2021
S1 - Trailer - The Courtship of Mona Mae
In the 1870s, pioneers Mona Mae Christophe and Zekial Montgomery search for Mona's mother, Clara. Mona must recall a past long forgotten in order to survive so that she can find her mother, love and create a secure way of life for herself.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Inside a recent episode
S2Ep3- Tump? Is that you?
Published 13 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] That is good work, Belle. Yes, Miss Clara. Thank you. This soil is good for growing radishes. When will they be ready? About four more weeks. Just in time to take us into the winter. Yes, ma'am. Thank you for taking me in, Ms. Clara. I'm only doing for you what I pray someone is doing for my lost child. Yes, ma'am. I've been thinking. May I stay through the winter? You stay as long as you need to, Belle. You've been doing a good job, Vernon Yoki. Thank you, Ms. Clara. I pray that your child reaches you soon. Thank you. Mary? Ma'am? Time to get to the restaurant and get things started. Yes, ma'am. […]
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