Freedom's Promise

Freedom’s Promise is a podcast hosted by author Duchess Harris with her 12 year-old son, Zach Thomas. They feature African-American topics covered in Freedom’s Promise, a new line of books written by Duchess for third to sixth grade readers and published by Abdo Books in Edina, MN. Join Duchess and Zach each week to hear their dynamic conversation about these topics — some well-known, some unique.

Episode 08: Ruby Bridges & Barbara Jordan 10/14/2019

Episode 08: Ruby Bridges & Barbara Jordan Teen Zach Thomas and his mom, professor and author Duchess Harris, focus this time on some black girl magic. They tell the stories of Ruby Bridges, who in 1960 at age 6 integrated New Orleans schools, and Barbara Jordan who, at the same time was breaking down barriers facing black women in the US Congress. Making this all relevant to 2019, they discuss Ilhan Omar, US Congresswoman from Minnesota, who became one of the first to wear her hijab on the House floor. More info: For more information about the Freedom's Promise books and the Duchess Harris Collection, visit For more information about Duchess Harris, visit To request a text-document transcription of this episode, email Freedom's Promise, podcast and radio series credits Duchess Harris: Writer and host Zach Thomas: Co-host Barry Madore, Fire on the Bluff Productions: Producer, recording engineer, editor Opening and closing music: “Black cat Funky” by reusenoise — — (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license Freedom's Promise Show page: /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/11638061

Episode 07: The Scottsboro Boys 08/19/2019

Episode 07: The Scottsboro Boys Teen Zach Thomas and his mom, professor and author Duchess Harris, explore the story of the arrest in 1931 of nine falsely accused black teen boys in Scottsboro Alabama and the impact of the trials – spanning decades – that followed. More info: For more information about the Freedom's Promise books and the Duchess Harris Collection, visit For more information about Duchess Harris, visit To request a text-document transcription of this episode, email "Strange Fruit," Billie Holiday, (c) 2009 UMG Recordings, Inc. Freedom's Promise, podcast and radio series credits Duchess Harris: Writer and host Zach Thomas: Co-host Barry Madore, Fire on the Bluff Productions: Producer, recording engineer, editor Opening and closing music: “Black cat Funky” by reusenoise — http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/reusenoise/56513 — (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license Freedom's Promise Show page: http://freedomspromise.libsyn.com /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/10918419

Episode 06: Oney Judge 07/09/2019

Episode 06: Oney Judge In this episode of Freedom's Promise, Duchess and Zach continue their exploration of slavery in the United States. This time they talk about U.S. Presidents who owned slaves focusing specifically on the story of Oney Judge who was owned by our first president George Washington and his wife Martha and who used her ingenuity to escape. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/10458923

Episode 05: The Grand Contraband Camp 06/20/2019

Episode 05: The Grand Contraband Camp Zach takes over as host to interview his mom, Duchess Harris, about her book The Grand Contraband Camp. They discuss the various ways slaves gained their own freedom prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and relate the rarely told story of the Grand Contraband Camp where previously enslaved blacks lived freely in the South during the Civil War. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/10224806

Episode 04: Hidden Heroes -- The Human Computers of NASA 06/06/2019

Episode 04: Hidden Heroes -- The Human Computers of NASA Duchess Harris and her son Zach present the story of the black women "hidden human computers" of NASA. Duchess' own grandmother -- Zach's great grandmother -- Miriam Daniel Mann was one of these amazing women who made significant contributions to NASA from the 1940s to the 1960s. They connect their personal family story to the history of the "space race" and discuss the obstacles blacks -- especially women -- faced in achieving a math and science education. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/10081502

Episode 03: Blacks in Paris and the Little Rock Nine 05/23/2019

Episode 03: Blacks in Paris and the Little Rock Nine Duchess and Zach focus on Josephine Baker and Daisy Bates -- the only two women to speak at the March on Washington (episode 02) -- to tell the larger stories of Blacks in Paris and the Little Rock Nine desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/9895319

Episode 02: March on Washington 05/16/2019

Episode 02: March on Washington Duchess Harris and her son, Zach Thomas, present the 1963 March on Washington. Listen as they discuss the story behind the organization of the march, play excerpts from speakers and performers, and talk about the march's lasting legacy. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/9809651

Episode 01: The Making of Motown 05/07/2019

Episode 01: The Making of Motown Duchess Harris and her 12 year-old son, Zach Thomas, discuss the history and legacy of Motown Records, the subject of Duchess’s book, The Making of Motown, written for 3rd to 6th grade readers and published by Abdo Publishing. Duchess and Zach talk about Berry Gordy and the making of Motown and compare classic Motown tracks with current pop hits. More info: For more information about the Freedom's Promise books and the Duchess Harris Collection, visit For more information about Duchess Harris, visit Freedom's Promise, podcast and radio series credits Duchess Harris: Writer and host Zach Thomas: Co-host Barry Madore, : Producer, recording engineer, editor Opening and closing music: "Black cat Funky" by reusenoise — — (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Show page: /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/9688556

Freedom's Promise Preview 05/06/2019

Freedom's Promise Preview Duchess Harris and her son, Zach Thomas, introduce their new podcast covering African-America topics -- some well-known, some unique -- as featured in Freedom's Promise, Duchess' line of books written for third to sixth grade readers and published by Abdo Books. /episode/index/show/freedomspromise/id/9676400

Freedom's Promise

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