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Stateside Podcast: “Passing:” The Story of Elsie Roxborough

Stateside Podcast: “Passing:” The Story of Elsie Roxborough

Stateside
Michigan Radio
2022-03-24

University Of Michigan Alumni Association/Bentley Historical Library

Writer and reporter Ken Coleman tells the story of Detroiter Elsie Roxborough, who was born into a wealthy, Black family in Detroit. But when she died in 1939, her death certificate listed her as white.

In 1914, Elsie Roxborough was born into a wealthy, Black family in Detroit. But when she died in 1939, her death certificate listed her as white. Her life was rich, curious and at times, troubled, all while attempting a sort of high-wire-act of living multiple lives, between cities and names and races. Today, we talk about her life, death, and everything in between.

Listen to the story (00:19:36) here. Download the story here.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022 at 13:51Z and is filed under Audio, Biography, History, Media Archive, Passing, United States, Women. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.