Launched in 2019, the Sold Down River project examines records connected to the domestic slave trade and tells the stories of people whose lives might otherwise remain hidden in history.
As part of that work, the Sold Down River podcast brings the project’s research to a broader audience by exploring historical records, sharing newly uncovered stories and examining the lasting impact of the domestic slave trade on communities in Norfolk and New Orleans.
The podcast was originally included in a proposal to the Mellon Foundation. Bringing the idea to life required time and preparation, including developing a database that lets the podcast scripts draw on the stories and research compiled through the Sold Down River project.
Norfolk State students lead much of that work.
Interns Monte White and Diondra “Dee” McClendon, currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Journalism program, took on the podcast project and built their own team to support its development. NSU graduate Dai’Jon Coleman is also involved in the podcast.
With guidance, feedback and advice from their faculty mentor, the students have taken on much of the work themselves, helping transform historical research into an engaging storytelling platform.
The podcast draws on the records collected through the Sold Down River project. It features interviews with historians who have published research on the domestic slave trade and African American history in Norfolk.
Episodes will be released throughout the semester. Listen to the first episode HERE.