While you wait on more episodes of Truth Be Told: Virginia, we're sharing a special feed drop from We Are North Nashville--a series that preserves the history of a community disrupted when interstate highways were built directly through it. This is the first episode, and we think you'll love it.

The Rev. Dr. Margreat Smithson has dedicated her life to helping others. That instinct comes from the way she was raised by her village. In the North Nashville of her childhood, there were "neighborhood moms" like hers, who looked out for others. Rev. Smithson is one of the nine elders you'll meet in this podcast who remember this North Nashville — the one that existed before change came, in many forms, and disrupted the community.

Listen to the entire series wherever you get your podcasts. And follow the show on Instagram at @wearenorthnashville.

Hosted by M. Simone Boyd and Andrea Tudhope
Produced, mixed and edited by Andrea Tudhope
Original music by S-Wrap
Additional production by Steve Haruch

Introducing Truth Be Told: Virginia, stories from the Elizabeth River Trail. Join us...

To mark spaces that are unmarked.

To share stories that walk history forward.

To build a common language cross-racially.

To strengthen our understanding of community through site-specific short stories. These aren’t just Norfolk stories; they are American patterns that take place where it all got started.

Do Re Mi Fa SOOOOOO far from where she thought she was headed, but exactly where she is meant to be. Denise's voice takes on the highs and lows of charting an unconventional path.

*Denise was shaped by Dr. Carl W. Haywood and Mr. Terry Butler of the NSU Choirs and her voice teachers, Dr. Patricia Saunders Nixon and Mrs Gloria Amos. We honor their contributions to Denise and so many other students' pursuit of making sweet, sweet sounds.

https://www.opera4us.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sissieretta_Jones

https://afrovoices.com/sissieretta-jones-biography/

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/

The hottest event in town, Afr’Am Fest, lit up Norfolk for decades, celebrating Black joy, family, and culture. Donna Smith takes us back to the final moments of the festival--and how she fought fire with fire (extinguishers)!

Afr'Am Fest Program Directors: Richard Love, Mark Madison, Vivian Brown

https://www.pilotonline.com/2008/05/31/norfolk-re-examining-afram-fest-after-residents-complaints/

https://www.pilotonline.com/2010/09/01/afram-festival-organizer-closes-puts-event-in-limbo/

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/

Eric Jackson, a military kid, moved to the 757 in pursuit of spinning records, but it was the turn of two wheels that helped him realize Norfolk was home.

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/

Peggy picked plums.

Peggy picked patients.

Now, Peggy’s pickin’ a fight.

https://www.newbyfoundation.org/tower-garden-project

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/

When Aniyah first joined Sail Nauticus for the promise of a homework pass, she was just testing the waters. What began as a casual “yes” to an afterschool program became a journey of steering through tough questions until she could bring her whole self aboard.

https://nauticus.org/sail-nauticus/youth-programs/sail-nauticus-academy/

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/

Displaced, but undeterred. DJ Bee and Keja spin love, music and bikes into a movement– reclaiming the streets while building community. This is the story of how DJ Bee and his wife Keja came to host the protest Freshtopia Boom Box Bike ride.

https://www.freshtopiava.com/

https://elizabethrivertrail.org/

https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/index.htm

https://virginiahumanities.org/