Avondale: It Takes a Village

In this Urban Roots podcast bonus episode, Deqah and Vanessa sit down with urban and architectural historian Erica Allen-Kim to explore how the naming of cultural enclaves does far more than just signal heritage—it shapes power, perception, and belonging.Enclave names like Little Saigon can foster pride, visibility, and a shared sense of place for diasporic communities. However, as Erica points out, their naming is also political. They raise questions about authenticity, representation, and leaves us to wonder who benefits from the branding of these neighborhoods. When cities officially recognize an enclave name, it influences how outsiders view the neighborhood and how insiders are expected to perform their identity.This doesn’t stop at symbolic recognition—it extends into the fabric of surrounding communities. When one cultural group is given visibility through formal recognition, others might experience a sense of erasure or displacement. In the episode, Erica further emphasizes how these dynamics can unintentionally pit neighboring communities against one another, complicating collaboration across racial and ethnic lines.This episode invites listeners to think critically about the function of culturally named spaces—not just for those who live in these places, but for how we all understand urban space, history, and each other. And don’t forget you can now purchase Erica’s new book, ‘Building Little Saigon’ - Link in Bio! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

In the spring of 2013, Laura Voisin George was in the reading room at the Huntington library when she came across a historical detail that struck her as … unusual.At the time, Laura was a PhD candidate studying one of California's first surgeons. While perusing a series of articles, she discovered the existence of 10 massive murals — built into a lecture hall at U.C. San Francisco's medical school — that told the history of California medicine in a colorful, elaborate, and explicit social realism style. Laura scanned a photo of one of those murals, the one depicting the mid 1800s, and was surprised to see a Black nurse, a woman working side by side with one of the leading doctors of Los Angeles (and a former slave owner to boot). In the 1800s.Laura wanted to know more, so she started digging. Soon, she found this nurse's name: Biddy Mason. Then, she found so much more. This season, we are dedicating two full episodes to telling the remarkable story of Biddy Mason. In Part 1, we talk about Biddy’s beginnings: how she went from an enslaved woman in Mississippi to one of the most renowned healers in Los Angeles. We also talk to a group of organizers and historians from the Biddy Mason Collaborative (or ‘the Biddy Mason Justice League’ as we like to call them) who are collaborating and uncovering more about this woman than we ever knew before — and working hard to keep her memory alive.If you like this episode, make sure to stay tuned for Part 2, when we tell the second half of Biddy’s life: her journey to becoming one the wealthiest women in the West — and a founder of Black Los Angeles.GuestsThis episode we speak with folks from the Biddy Mason Collaborative: project co-directors Sarah “Sally” Barringer Gordon, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Kevin Waite, an American history professor at Durham University (and author of West of Slavery); as well as Jackie Broxton, Executive Director of the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation and Laura Voisin George, an architectural historian (and PhD candidate at UCSB).About UsUrban Roots is a podcast that takes a deep dive into little known stories from urban history. It is an offshoot of Urbanist Media, a not-for-profit anti-racist community preservation collaborative.CreditsHost and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.Editor: Connor Lynch.Mix: Andrew Callaway.Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy. Support us by Donating: Venmo | PayPal This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

Founded in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery is one of the earliest (and most famous) rural cemeteries in America. Its grandiose, park-like setting is scattered with notable burial sites and architectural masterpieces. But, in our interviews with Green-Wood staff members (Neela Wickremesinghe, Jeff Richman, and Darryl Jones), we learn about a lesser-known area: the Freedom Lots, where African Americans were buried.In 2017, these seven lots were in very rough shape — some of the graves were destroyed past recovery. This episode tells the story of the people of color who took action to not only preserve what was left of these physical graves, but to commemorate the memories of the people buried there.GUESTSGreen-Wood’s Director of Restoration and Preservation, Neela Wickremesinghe; staff Historian, Jeff Richman; and Darryl Jones (Neela’s former intern who now works for the cemetery full time)! ABOUT USUrban Roots is a podcast that takes a deep dive into little known stories from urban history. The pod is an offshoot of Urbanist Media, a not-for-profit anti-racist community preservation collaborative.CREDITS Host and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel. Host, Editor, Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk. Editor: Connor Lynch Story Editor: Cheryl Devall Mix: Andrew Callaway. Theme Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy.SUPPORT US BY DONATING:PayPal | VenmoFIND US ONLINE:Website | PayPal | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

Welcome back, folks! We hope you’re ready for another season of Urban Roots because Season 2 is coming soon – Juneteenth (June 19th) to be exact. Please join us on an urban journey as we explore hidden African American history in cities across the country.Join us in Brooklyn, New York where we visit Greenwood Cemetery’s Freedom Lots — in  Los Angeles, California where we find all the places Biddy Mason’s memory has been preserved — and in Indianapolis, Indiana, where we uncover the hidden gem of Indiana Avenue and learn why Madam C.J. Walker relocated her headquarters there in 1910 .Our Indianapolis episodes are made possible thanks to funding from Indiana Humanities!Credits Host and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel. Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk. Editor: Connor Lynch.About UsUrban Roots is a podcast that takes a deep dive into little known stories from urban history and is brought to you by Urbanist Media, an anti-racist community preservation organization.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook — @urbanrootscultureFollow us on Twitter — @urbanrootspod and @urbanistmediaSubscribe to our Urban Roots Podcast YouTube channel! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

In this episode, the final of our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series*, we’re exploring the history of South Cumminsville, a neighborhood that, like many Black neighborhoods in Cincinnati, has been divided and diminished by top-down urban planning decisions and years of disinvestment. But it’s also a place with a long history of Black entrepreneurship, ownership, and activism — going back to the late 1800s, when unsung Cincinnati hero Sarah Fossett helped make South Cumminsville a vibrant community for African Americans. Today, it remains a place where residents support each other and fight every day to improve their community.*If you missed our prelude episode, then take a pause and listen to that show first! Also, check out our previous episodes on the Evanston and Avondale neighborhoods!GuestsOur guests include South Cumminsville community council president, Tim Canady, vice president Derek Fagin, Annie Williams, Alberta Warton, Queens of Queens City’s Sean Andres, Wilbur Canady, and Working in Neighborhoods’ Rigel Behrens.SponsorsThe Lost Voices of Cincinnati series was made possible by a Truth & Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave. We need help for future projects so please consider donating to our Fundly fundraising campaign!CreditsHost and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.Editor: Connor Lynch.Mix: Andrew Callaway.Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy.Support us by Donating: Venmo | PayPalFind Us Online: Websitel | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

In this episode, the third of our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series*, we’re exploring the history of Avondale, a neighborhood that experienced a different kind of white flight and is still recovering from transformative events that occurred during the mid-century such as race riots and housing discrimination. We will discuss how these trends triggered decades of disinvestment and explain important historical terms like blockbusting and redlining. And we talk to the people who are fighting hard to preserve the neighborhood’s housing stock, promote local businesses — and bring the community back together.*If you missed our prelude episode, then take a pause and listen to that show first! Also, check out our previous episode on the Evanston neighborhood!GuestsOur guests include Avondale neighborhood community council president, Ms. Sandra Jones-Mitchel, Councilwoman Jan-Michelle Lemon Kearney, and Invest in Neighborhoods board president, Andria Carter. We also got a deep dive into the history of housing in Avondale by retired University of Cincinnati history professor, Dr. Fritz Casey Leininger.SponsorsThe Lost Voices of Cincinnati series was made possible by a Truth & Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave and our Fundly patrons. CreditsHost and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.Editor: Connor Lynch.Mix: Andrew Callaway.Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy.Support us by Donating: Venmo | PayPalFind Us Online: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

In this episode, the second of our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series*, we’re exploring the history of Evanston, the home of King Records, which was pivotal to the creation of Rock n' Roll music. We not only discuss King, but also another important anchor in the neighborhood, St. Mark’s, that has also been left to deteriorate over time. We explain how the highway divided the neighborhood, and kicked off years of disinvestment. And we talk to the people who are fighting hard to preserve the neighborhood’s precious landmarks — and bring the community back together.*If you missed our prelude episode, then take a pause and check out that show first!Guests:Our guests include Evanston neighborhood community council members, Mr. James Stallworth (president), Ms. Marye Ward, Ms. Beverley Lamb, and Ms. Veta Uddin as well as members of the King Legacy committee, Kent Butts and Elliott Ruther, and also historian Dr. M. Christine Anderson, and preservationist and AmeriCorps member, Carrie Rhodus.P.S. Ms. Marye Ward has been part of The Mark, a group trying to purchase and preserve St. Mark’s. Consider donating to The Mark today!Sponsors:The Lost Voices of Cincinnati series was made possible by a Truth & Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave. Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.Editor: Connor Lynch.Mix: Andrew Callaway.Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy.Support us by Donating: Venmo | PayPalFind Us Online: Websitel | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

We are so excited to kick off our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series which explores the rich African American history of Cincinnati. You can think of this episode as a kind of prelude of sorts. We go back, way back, to Cincinnati’s beginnings, and tell stories you’ve probably never heard — like how a Cincinnati barber helped execute the biggest North American escape of enslaved people, ever; how and why a mob attacked Cincinnati’s African American community (with cannons, no less) in 1841; and how the West End became one of the most happening Black communities of the 1920s. We show how, throughout the city’s history, African American communities have always faced adversity — but have also always banded together to not only persevere, but thrive.Our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series was made possible by a Truth & Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave and our Fundly patrons. We’d also like to thank Invest in Neighborhoods for their support.Urban Roots is a podcast that takes a deep dive into little known stories from Urban history. CreditsHost and Executive Producer: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel.Host and Executive Producer: Vanessa Maria Quirk.Editor: Connor Lynch.Mix: Andrew Callaway.Music: Adaam James Levin-Areddy.Support us by Donating: Venmo | PayPalFind Us Online: Websitel | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

The Lost Voices of Cincinnati series will holistically explore the physical and social transformations three neighborhoods have experienced and endured in Cincinnati, Ohio — Avondale, Evanston, and South Cumminsville. There is so much that has been lost—some things were gained—and stuff that remains. Despite the odds, these resilient communities have worked hard to preserve their histories and build strong, vibrant neighborhoods today. This project offers these folks an auditory outlet to express their truth and help them reconcile with the permanent social and physical landscape changes rendered by past and present planning efforts. We hope that, though this project, within these communities of color, those lost voices of Cincinnati will finally be heard. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com

We often take history for granted, skirting around subjects as if we already know everything there is to know about a historical event, person, or place. But, what do we really know?There are many stories that have not been told and many topics that have not been fully explored. This podcast challenges you to think beyond the familiar, and broaden the scope of what we see as urban history.Urban Roots is hosted by Deqah Hussein (historic preservationist and urban planner) and Vanessa Quirk (journalist and producer). This podcast offers a holistic narrative of urban America by utilizing rich archival materials, interviewing passionate local experts, and exploring “untold” stories. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit urbanistmedia.substack.com