Episodios

  • Once Removed: An American Family Reunion - Trailer
    Mar 14 2024

    The sons and daughters of slaves and slaveholders attempt racial reconciliation in York County, South Carolina – the onetime heart of the Klu Klux Klan. As they embark on their global journey, they find trauma – and heroes – through the generations...and a path to healing. This series is co-produced by T-Bone Burnett and will feature an accompanying original music soundtrack produced by Burnett and Jared Gutstadt comprised of a who’s who in the Americana music world lead by original music from African American country recording artist Breland who was Amazon Music’s recording artist of the year.

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    1 min
  • Episode 1: Seeds
    Mar 14 2024

    Michael Simril and Spenser Simrill are cousins Once Removed - a fact they discover as a result of a random Facebook friend suggestion. In finding their shared connected, we are transported back in time to the migratory human history of the 1700s - both Scotch-Irish and slave trade. Effectively, we learn how Simril(l)s became slaves and slaveholders in York County, South Carolina. In our episodes conclusion, Spenser writes a letter – sending it to all Simril(l)s living in York County – beginning the journey toward their ultimate reunion.

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    31 mins
  • Episode 2: Race
    Mar 14 2024
    We trace the Simrils (one L) back to their African roots through the DNA results of Spenser Simrill Sr and Debra Simril– revealing just how close genetically the Simrills and Simrils are. In doing so, we plant seeds for the “Greatest Untold Story of Black Migration” - the Simrils ancestors return to Africa. We discuss the genetic and biological concept of race with Dr. Joseph Graves, who ultimately concludes that race doesn’t make sense as a biological concept in humans. This conclusion sets the stage for a post-racial world, the one the Simrills and Simrils now inhabit. Meanwhile, Spenser and Michal are now planning a get together of their families…and dealing all the distrust and questions that come with it.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 3: Genes
    Mar 14 2024
    Our audience is introduced to the challenges associated with African-American genealogical history through the Clay Hill Cemetery – a graveyard outside Allison Creek Presbyterian Church in York County, SC that contains the unmarked graves of enslaved persons. It provides a virtual gold mine of African-American genealogy, but particularly Simrils. However, one major component – in fact, THE component – of that history is missing from Clay Hill. By finding Harriet Simril’s story deep in the white side of the Simrill family, Spenser finds a shared ancestor between himself and Michael.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 4: Trauma
    Mar 14 2024
    A deeper exploration of the trauma associated with the one-L Simrils, through the lens of Michael’s rap sheet - where an eerie comparison is made to the story of Fred Simril, a runaway slave and Michael’s ancestor. Harriet Simril’s story is fully recounted, setting up her courageous and heroic rise. Both sides of the family recall their difficulties in dealing with the generational trauma associated with their history, but also begin to find a way through it…by being together.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 5: Reunion
    Mar 14 2024
    The Simrills and Simrils finally meet for their first reunion, overcoming their nerves with faith and a new vision for moving forward. Other black heroes of the Reconstructive era are discovered, including Jim Williams, who’s lynching set the stage for the great South Carolina KKK trials…and, thus, the eradication of the KKK from York County. Both sides recognize each other in their physical characteristics and the reunion discover they all like to dance.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 6: Culture
    Mar 14 2024
    Our host, Elvis Mitchell, does double duty as a host and interview subject in an exploration of the effects of culture through the lens of D.W. Griffith’s film, Birth of a Nation – a depiction of the events in York County. Ultimately, a conclusions is made that culture has an influential value in passing down belief systems - good and bad. Lewis Merrill - the perfect man for the job - is sent to York County to collect evidence against the KKK, setting the stage for the Great South Carolina KKK Trials. The Simrills and Simrils enjoy sharing their culture through food and music, finding they often like much of the same.
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    38 mins
  • Episode 7: Courage
    Mar 14 2024
    We re-create the experience of an “electric moment in US history,” when Harriet Simril took the stand to testify against the KKK. The aftermath of the Great South Carolina KKK trials provides a case study for all the missed opportunities of racial harmony - and set’s the stage for the Simril’s migration back to Africa. Now post-reunion, Spenser and Michael develop a real relationship by finding their possible next steps: they set out to create a historical marker for Harriet Simril and other Simril ancestors near the Clay Hill Cemetery.
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    45 mins