S5 EP1 - The Queens of Harlem

This is our first episode of our last season. While Stephanie is recouperating in France with Josephine Baker, we meet the other Queens of Harlem; Anita Howell, Rita, Polly Adler and even Stephanie's daughter, Michelle. This episode features: Isabelle Kerby-McGowan as Anita Howell Denese Longsworth as Rita Munoz Karen Chmielnicki as Polly Adler Nina Smith as Michelle Mondesir Sound Designed by Colin Thomas "Harlem Queen" is produced, written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so glad to share with you my conversation with Jana Naomi Smith creator of Red for Revolution.  Jana and I discuss providing a platform for "undertold" stories. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution is an audio drama centering intergenerational stories of Black women, queer love, and liberation. The heart of the story follows the passionate love affair between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Jazmine, an 18-year-old grappling with her queer identity, first crush, and the delicate task of mending her relationship with her homophobic mother. As Jazmine seeks solace and guidance from her grandmother, listeners are transported back to 1971, where two remarkable women from vastly different backgrounds, with opposing political views and living oceans apart, embark on a romance that defies all conventions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so glad to share with you my conversation with Nichole Hill of The Our Ancestors Were Messy podcast. Nichole and I talk about the history and value of Black newspapers and how we use them to make our shows. I had no idea there were so many! I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part two of the talk. Yhane has a sit down with William Sutphin creator of the "Booker and Olivia" audio drama. Yhane and William discuss creating Black historical fiction. William breaks down crafting his favorite scene. You can follow William on Instagram @audio_auteur. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yhane has a sit down with William Sutphin creator of the "Booker and Olivia" audio drama. Yhane and William discuss creating Black historical fiction. You can follow William on Instagram @audio_auteur. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yhane talks with Dominic Lawson of the "Black is America" Podcast. Yhane and Dominic talk about 'standing in the gap' - making sure that we learn and share our stories. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isabelle and I compare notes about Stephanie St. Clair who spoke loud and clear when it came to self publicity and marketing. Stephanie was known to "indulge" when discussing her place of birth, age, income, etc. Isabelle and I try to discern what is fact and what is fiction, but conclude with even more questions. Isabelle Kerby-McGowan is a producer at Goat Rodeo, her series, Queens of the Underworld, was an invaluable source for my research to write Harlem Queen. The books Isabelle and I refer to are: LaShawn Harris’s Sex Workers, Psychics, and Numbers Runners Shirley Stewart's The World of Stephanie St. Clair I could ALWAYS use your help to pay the folks who help me make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isabelle and I compare notes about Stephanie St. Clair who spoke loud and clear when it came to self publicity and marketing. Stephanie was known to "indulge" when discussing her place of birth, age, income, etc. Isabelle and I try to discern what is fact and what is fiction, but conclude with even more questions. Isabelle Kerby-McGowan is a producer at Goat Rodeo, her series, Queens of the Underworld, was an invaluable source for my research to write Harlem Queen. The books Isabelle and I refer to are: LaShawn Harris’s Sex Workers, Psychics, and Numbers Runners Shirley Stewart's The World of Stephanie St. Clair I could ALWAYS use your help to pay the folks who help me make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen OR Make a one-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/yhanewashingtonsmith Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices