"Much of history isn’t lost—it’s been buried. But no matter how deep, history can’t hide forever.”
What is “History Can’t Hide”?
I'm Kahlil Greene, a historian and educator who believes history should be a tool for understanding the world we live in today.
My work focuses on uncovering shocking stories of oppression and persecution across racial, religious, gender, class, and sexual orientation lines.
If you are looking for troubleshooting or an FAQ page, go here.
From pre-European-contact Indigenous history to the legacy of slavery, from American imperialism to today's "culture wars," I dive into the unknown events that continue to shape our society.
Some might call it "woke history," but I just call it the complete picture.
My goal isn't to tell you what to think, but to reveal these overlooked stories so you can see the patterns. If you're looking for a newsletter that simply confirms what you already believe, you won't find that here.
In 2021, I started making videos about this "Hidden History," specifically focusing on the whitewashing of civil rights heroes and the untold stories of racial justice movements. I never expected those first posts to turn into a platform reaching millions, but here we are. You might know me as the Gen Z Historian, from my work on social media, or from my commentary in major outlets. But if this is our first time meeting, welcome!
If you've ever wondered why things are the way they are for Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, religious minorities, working class, and other marginalized communities, this is the place to start.
Why subscribe?
Right now, history—especially the history of marginalized communities—is under attack. We’ve seen executive actions demanding that history be taught in a more “patriotic” way, removing the uncomfortable truths that challenge myths of American exceptionalism. Books are being banned, lessons are being rewritten, and entire histories are disappearing from classrooms.
That’s why my work is independent. I don’t have corporate backers or big media investors—my ability to tell these stories depends on people like you. Your support helps keep history accessible for students, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn the truth.
Unlike most creators on Substack, I’ve vowed to keep all of my content completely free and accessible to the public. That means students, people with financial hardships, and international audiences can all learn from my work. But I can only do this with your support.
Free subscribers get:
✅ My newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox, covering the hidden histories that still shape our world today.
Paid subscribers get:
🔥 Everything in the free tier, PLUS:
Community access: Join discussions and engage with others who care about truth and justice.
Founding members get all of the above, plus:
Direct reach: access to my direct line of communication to chat, call, etc. whenever you would like about these important topics
If you can, please get a paid subscription.
While my main offering (the newsletters) is available to everyone, I put hours of research into every video and newsletter I create, using sources like academic journals, newspaper archives, and historical records to combat misinformation. But research isn’t free. Many sources require subscriptions, book purchases, and access to paid archives.
Your support helps me continue to:
📚 Invest in high-quality research to bring you the most accurate and well-sourced history content.
🎥 Expand production: I want to create longer, more in-depth videos across platforms like YouTube and video podcasts.
💼 Hire young historians and researchers, especially from underrepresented communities, to help uncover more stories.
✈️ Travel to historical sites and conduct primary source research for deeper storytelling.
If we don’t tell these stories, who will? If you’re ready to push back against the erasure of history and make sure these truths stay accessible, subscribe today.
Who am I?
I’m Kahlil Greene, better known as the Gen Z Historian. My work uncovering hidden histories has earned me recognition as a Peabody Award winner, a TIME100 content creator, a two-time Emmy nominee, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a member of Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood list. Across TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, I’ve built a platform of ~1 million followers and 50 million views, using digital media to make history engaging, accessible, and relevant.
My writing has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, LA Times, and Harvard Business Review. Before stepping into this space full-time, I earned a degree in History from Yale University, where I also made history myself: as the school’s first-ever Black student body president.
Now, I’m expanding my storytelling even further. I recently produced a historical docuseries with National Geographic, which premiered in February 2024.
Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with organizations like Meta, the Smithsonian, and even the White House to bring history to new audiences in meaningful ways. But at the core of everything I do, my mission remains the same: to share knowledge that empowers young people to see the world more clearly.
That’s why I created History Can’t Hide: to go beyond short-form videos and provide deeper dives into the stories that history books often erase.
Let’s uncover the past—and shape the future—together.
Tags: Black History, Native American History, US History, Latino History, Asian American History.
