Hidden Histories with Nova Reid - A powerful six-part Audible Original podcast uncovers the untold stories of extraordinary Black women who shaped world history, British culture and society
Available exclusively on Audible on 6th March 2025 | Hosted and executive produced by Nova Reid
Bestselling author of The Good Ally, TED speaker and producer Nova Reid presents Hidden Histories, a powerful six-episode podcast series shining a long-overdue light on the lives of Black women revered as untouchable heroes or unjustly forgotten.
From London to Leeds to Jamaica, Nova transports listeners through time and place, immersing them in the worlds of extraordinary women whose stories have been buried for too long. Through powerful storytelling, personal insights, and new research, she delves into the lives of pioneers, journalists, and rule-breakers - remarkable figures from the 18th to 20th centuries who made vital contributions to civil rights yet have been mythologised, unknown, or erased from history.
From the legendary warrior Queen Nanny of the Maroons, who led Jamaica’s resistance against British colonial forces, to Cubah Cornwallis, the healer who treated a future king of England, and ground-breaking journalist Barbara Blake-Hannah, Nova uncovers their extraordinary legacies. She also explores the revolutionary activism of Olive Morris and the profound impact of Trinidad and Tobago born Dame Jocelyn Barrow, whose work shaped modern British politics. The cultural influence of poet Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley, who gave voice to Jamaican identity, is also highlighted, along with the pioneering work of Gertude Paul, a Yorkshire based headteacher from St Kitts who fought for racial equality in education.
Nova Reid said of the series:"When I started writing The Good Ally, I was captivated by recurring themes of resistance from Black women, particularly from Jamaica, that I never learned about throughout my entire schooling. So I was intrigued to find out more about them and why their stories were untold. Born in Britain, of Jamaican heritage with lineage lost to slavery in West Africa - my relationship with Britain is complicated - the interruption of slavery means that so much of mine and our shared history has been, often deliberately, erased. Through Hidden Histories with Nova Reid it has been an honour to unearth not just these women’s legacies, but their humanity and share more, not only about how they survived, but thrived, so that I can be here today, telling you their stories.”
Nova brings depth, colour, and humanity back into these women’s stories, inviting listeners to see them not just as historical figures but as individuals – multi-dimensional, and deeply human. She links their historical impact to present-day legacies, while analysing the complex centuries-old relationship between Britain and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Jamaica. Bringing humanity and contemporary thinking to challenging histories, Nova offers an opportunity to reflect on empire and identity, while learning from these remarkable Black women, their enduring spirits and the powerful roles they play in both our healing and our liberation.
About Nova Reid
Often described as a force to be reckoned with, Nova Reid is producer, TED speaker and writer. Curious about human behaviour, Nova uses her professional background in mental health to encourage meaningful change from the inside out. Nova’s curiosity has led her to work internationally with FTSE100 companies, advise on prominent human rights inquiries to address systemic racism and speak on world class stages. She has written for publications including The Guardian, Vogue and Elle Magazine, is a sought after public speaker and is a curator of courageous conversations on and off-stage. Nova is a powerful storyteller who cares deeply about healing and repair. She is renowned as an agent of change, winning multiple accolades - was selected as one of Black Magic Network’s Top 100 Black British Women and received a Precious Award for Social Impact. Nova’s work and best selling debut book, The Good Ally , have consistently been described as life-changing.
Episode Guide
Episode 1: Queen Nanny - A Spiritual Warrior
Nova visits the Blue Mountains to retell the life of Queen Nanny, the legendary leader of the Maroons' resistance in Jamaica against British colonial forces. Her story is one of courage, hope and spiritual resilience. Nova uncovers her unwavering commitment to freedom, and the legacy of Jamaica's only female national hero.
Episode 2: Olive Morris - A Revolutionary Campaigner
Olive was a fearless campaigner for civil rights, women’s liberation and social justice in Britain. This episode delves into the importance of safe spaces and her journey, from her involvement in the British Black Panther Movement to co-founding the Brixton Black Women's Group and the Organisation of Women of African and Asian Descent. Nova recalls her life through the people who knew her personally.
Episode 3: Cubah Cornwallis - A Powerful Healer
Cubah, an exceptional herbalist and healer, played a pivotal role in Jamaica during the 18th century. This episode explores her life and the remarkable story of how she healed a future king of England. Nova brings to light her contributions to plant medicine and its influence in Rastafari culture, and the often-overlooked well-being of Black women.
Episode 4: Barbara Blake-Hannah - A Trailblazing Journalist
Barbara Blake-Hannah broke barriers as the first Black female reporter on British television. Nova explores Blake-Hannah's ground-breaking career, her challenges in the industry, the politics of representation and how she paved the way for future generations, including broadcaster Charlene White.
Episode 5: Gertrude Paul - A Pioneering Educator
Gertrude Paul was a pioneering headteacher from St Kitts who made significant strides in tackling racism in the British education system. Nova visits Leeds to learn more about Paul’s life and her efforts to improve educational opportunities for Black children in Leeds. Through her work, Nova explores the toll of activism and her tireless commitment to combat racial discrimination in the UK.
Episode 6: The Quasheba - An Ode to The Unknown Women
Nova takes a look into the hidden histories of disobedient women. The unsung resistance of the nameless enslaved women who stood up for themselves through small but mighty acts of protest on plantations, is exemplified by two Black women in different countries, centuries later - Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley, a well-loved Jamaican poet, and Dame Jocelyn Barrow, a Trinidad and Tobago born force in British politics. Nova explores their diverse achievements and reflects on the Black women from across the series and the ongoing need for disobedient women, to effect change.
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