You're listening to an AirWave Media Podcast.

Ben Franklin's World is a production of Colonial Williamsburg Innovation Studios.

Hello and welcome to episode 352 of Ben Franklin's World.

The podcast dedicated to helping you learn more about how the people and events of our early American past

have shaped the present-day world we live in.

And I'm your host, Liz Covard.

People of African descent have made great contributions to the United States in its history.

Think about all of the food, music, dance, medicine, farming practices, and religious practices

the people of African descent brought with them to North America.

Over time, we know that they adapted these features of their African cultures

so that today, these same cultural features comprise significant and integral aspects of our larger American culture.

People of African descent also help the United States come into being.

Yes, many enslaved Africans work to transform the landscape of colonial North America

by practicing skilled trades, building infrastructure, and growing different kinds of farm produce.

But enslaved and free Africans and African Americans also help fight for the United States

in its war for independence.

And they have continued to fight after that war to help the United States achieve its revolutionary ideals, a freedom, and equality.

Matthew Skick, a curator of exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution of Philadelphia,

joins us to investigate the life and deeds of the Fortin family, a family of African descended people

who worked in the revolutionary era and beyond to help build a better world for their family, community, state, and nation.

Now, during our investigation of the Fortins, Matthew reveals information about the Museum of the American Revolution's new Black Founders exhibit

and why this exhibit features the Fortin family of Philadelphia.

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