I Am Black History (ITBC) - Our Stories, Our Voices

Welcome to Season 4, episode 5 of the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. This is Part 1 of my conversation with Evie Auchinvole. In this episode, Evie shares the pieces of her family tree that she knows and talks about how some of her ancestors came from Germany to Hamilton while others came to Donkin, Nova Scotia from Barbados and then Hamilton. As Evie said, "Well, sit back because I'm going to tell you a marvellous story."

Welcome to another episode of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode you will meet Anne Rockhead who was born in Montreal, Quebec and was married to Kenny, the son of Rufus Rockhead the owner of Rockhead's Paradise, a famous nightclub in Montreal. Anne has a lot to share about the Union United Church and the Negro Community Centre both important places for Montreal's Black Communities.

Welcome to Season 4 and episode 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode you will meet Ona May Allen who was born in 1925 in Raleigh Township in North Buxton. I want to thank Moe Knaus for introducing us to Ona May and for hanging with us at Ona May's house the day of the interview. We had such a good time with great laughs and a few tears.

Welcome to Season 4, episode 2 of the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Percy Paris. Percy talks about the systemic racism in the sport of hockey and what a big part hockey has played in his family members lives. He also talks about the lack of attention paid to African Nova Scotia stories and that even though the government of Nova Scotia has given an apology to Africville residents and descendants - more is needed.

Welcome to Season 4 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. It's been an amazing year travelling across Canada and meeting so many incredible Black folks who were willing to share their stories and those of their ancestors. We have now interviewed and photographed folks from all 10 provinces. New year, our intention is to visit the territories. Episode 1 of this new season, features Percy Paris from Windsor, Nova Scotia. Percy had so much to share that Part 2 will be published on Jan 29th. Sit back, enjoy, and thanks for continuing to tune in.

Welcome to episode 15 and the final one of Season 3 of  the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode you meet Lezlie Harper, founder of Niagara Bound Tours. Lezlie was  born in Fort Erie and is a fifth generation descendant of freedom seekers who arrived in Niagara in 1850. Thanks for tuning in, be sure to check out other episodes, and join us in the fall for Season 4.

Welcome to episode 14 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode, I continue my conversation with Cheryl Tynes who we met in Kamloops, British Columbia in July 2022. Cheryl shared about the life of her brother who was a renowned tattooist. Cheryl also talked more about her love of history and why teaching Black History to young people is so important.

Welcome to episode 13 of Season 3 of  the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. This is part 1 of my conversation with Cheryl Tynes Martin. David and I were visiting my Aunt Louise, Uncle Bill and cousin Marie in Kamloops last summer and checked out a "Down Home Kitchen Party" music event one afternoon where we met Cheryl and her husband Lesra. We exchanged contact info and a few days later Cheryl and I sat down to talk about what she has learned about her African Nova Scotian heritage and growing up Black in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Part 2 of my conversation will be out June 19th.

Welcome to episode 12 of Season 3 of  the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Shayna Jones by Carol Lafayette-Boyd last summer when travelling west. I interviewed Shayna over Zoom from her home in Kaslo, British Columbia. Shayna is an award winning, professional, performance artist specializing in the traditional oral storytelling of African and Afro-Diasporic folklore. Shayna is also the creator and lead on an amazing project called Black and Rural which she talked about here with us and, if you want to know more, check out her website https://www.wearestoryfolk.com/

Welcome to episode 11 of Season 3 of  the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I interviewed Valerie Jerome over Zoom while travelling west last summer. We managed to travel to Vancouver a few weeks later and Valerie invited us to her home and made us an amazing brunch. She also shared photos and other archival materials of her and her brother Harry's time in the Canadian Championship Games, the 1959 Pan-American Games, and the 1960 Rome Olympics. Valerie is a former teacher, political activist, and public speaker and shared with us the struggles her family dealt with when moving into. a North Vancouver community.

InTheBlack:Canada and DeeP Visions Media are pleased to present the fourth interview in our series titled, "Black Canadians - Be Inspired". Meet Devon MD Jones who, along with a group of three other athletes, coached by Super Bowl Champion Luke Willson, is competing on CBC's Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Be ready to be inspired as you listen to Devon share her parent's experiences of moving from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Winnipeg, Manitoba, how she has learned that her story matters, and what it was like participating on Canada's Ultimate Challenge.

Welcome to episode 10 of Season 3 of  the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I reached out to Leander Lane during our across Canada trip over the summer of 2022 after Carol LaFayette-Boyd told me he would be a good person to talk to about Black history in Saskatchewan and the Prairies. Leader has done extensive research into his ancestors journeys in the late 1800s and early 1900s from the United States to Canada. Leander is the Great Grandson of Julius Caesar Lane who, along with Joseph Mayes, led 10 Black families to Canada to take advantage of the homesteading opportunities that Canada was offering. Leander shares his passion for learning about the Shiloh or North of the Gully People and how he helped raised the funds needed to restore and preserve the Shiloh Baptist Church. 

InTheBlack:Canada and DeeP Visions Media are pleased to present the third interview in our series titled, "Black Canadians - Be Inspired". Meet Meaux Redhead who, along with a group of three other athletes, coached by Olympic speed skater Gilmore Junio, is competing on CBC's Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Be ready to be inspired as you listen to Meaux share her family's experience of immigrating to Canada from Grenada, her lifelong love of sports, and her participation on Canada's Ultimate Challenge.

InTheBlack:Canada and DeeP Visions Media are pleased to present the second interview in our series titled, "Black Canadians - Be Inspired". Meet Zalie Tshuma who, along with a group of three other athletes, coached by Olympic speed skater and cyclist Clara Hughes, is competing on CBC's Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Be ready to be inspired as you listen to Zalie share her experiences as a ten year old immigrating to Canada from Zimbabwe with her family, her love of athletics as a young Black girl, and her participation on Canada's Ultimate Challenge.

InTheBlack:Canada and DeeP Visions Media are pleased to present the first interview in our series titled "Black Canadians - Be Inspired". Meet Kate Fabien-Ferrol who, along with a group of three other athletes, coached by former Olympian, Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk), water poloist Waneek Horn-Miller, is competing on CBC's Canada's Ultimate Challenge. Be ready to be inspired as you listen to Kate share her family's journey from the Caribbean country of Dominica to Yellowknife, NWT, her experiences as a Black Woman in fitness and wellness spaces while dealing with Lupus, and her participation on Canada's Ultimate Challenge. 

Welcome to episode 9 of Season 3 of the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode, I continue my conversation with Cheryl Foggo who was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. Cheryl shares more of her family's history, what life was like for her growing up in Calgary including the racism she saw happening around her, and how she came to fall in love with and tell the story of John Ware and his family.

I am so pleased to welcome you to  episode 8 of Season 3 of the  I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I was very fortunate to spend time with Cheryl Foggo during our across Canada trip over the summer of 2022. Cheryl was very generous with her family stories, her time, and the sharing of her own experiences of growing up Black in Calgary.  She had so much to share that I will bring it to you in 2 parts. In this first part, Cheryl talks about what the journey for the Smiths and Glovers was like from Oklahoma to Canada and what hardships and racism they met when they arrived here. She also talks about her Smith grandparents and her Aunt Edie and Uncle Andrew and the love and community they built and passed on to their families. Part 2 will be out on Monday, March 6th. 

I met Charlotte Williams (nee Mayes) during the summer 0f 2022 while travelling across Canada and am so pleased for her story to be episode 7 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. Charlotte was born in North Battleford, Saskachewan on October 31, 1965.  Charlotte’s paternal great-grandparents, Joseph and Mattie Mayes, led a group of Black families from the U.S. state of Oklahoma in 1910 to Canada and were some of the first Black settlers in Saskatchewan. Dr. Charlotte Williams is a veterinarian and served as president of the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) in 2016. She was the first female Black veterinarian in Saskatchewan and the first Black Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association President in its history.

Welcome to episode 6 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I met Dr. McNeil in Indian Head Saskatchewan during the unveiling of an installation, recognizing and honouring the Indian Head Rockets. This was an all Black baseball team that was part of a league that played in the prairies in the late 40s and early 50s and who were inducted into Saskatchewan's Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Dr. McNeil came to Canada at the age of 12 and lived in Toronto until she moved with her husband to Saskatchewan. She credits her parents for fostering her love of reading and writing which she shares with her own children and her students at the University of Regina where she is an Associate Professor of Language and Literacy.

I met Debbie Beaver during our across Canada trip during the summer of 2022 when Debbie, her cousin Myrna, and her brother Paul took us to visit their family's original homesteads and to other Black Historical sites.  I am so pleased that her story is episode 5 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. Debbie was born in Barrhead (120 Km NW of Edmonton) Alberta in 1952 and raised on a farm along with her 5 siblings. Debbie's  great-grandparents on both sides came to Canada in the early 20th century because of the racial persecution they faced in the southern US. In 2005, along with other descendants of Black settlers - Myrna Wisdom, Alison Crawford, and Alene Holland, Debbie co-founded the Black Settlers of Alberta and Saskatchewan Historical Society. Debbie works at the University of Alberta’s Department of Psychology as a financial assistant.

Welcome to episode 4 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I interviewed Noku during our across Canada trip during the summer of 2022. Noku was born February 4th, 1997 in Zimbabwe as were her parents - Siziwe and Anthony Mpofu. Noku moved to Canada in 2001 when she was 4. Her family lived in Hamilton and Burlington, ON until 2010 and then moved to Fort McMurray. Noku is attending The Kings University in Edmonton, AB and says that we all need to explore the biases we learned and ask ourselves why we think the way we do about things. 

Welcome to episode 3 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I interviewed Zachariah during our across Canada trip during the summer of 2022. Zachariah is Afro-Indigenous and was born on July 10, 1998 in Thunder Bay Ontario. His mother was also born in Thunder Bay and his father was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. During our  conversation, Zachariah talked about growing up Black and Indigenous, the racism he faced in hockey, and his experience as one of the organizers of the Anti-Black Racism rally that took place in Thunder Bay in 2020.

Welcome to episode 2 of Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I interviewed Carol over Zoom back in the spring of 2022 and finally got to meet her and some of her family members in person during our travels west this past summer. Carol was born on a farm near McGee, Saskatchewan and shared wonderful memories of growing up there. She was born to descendants of those who came to Canada in 1906 from Iowa and 1910 from Oklahoma. Carol continues to do research to fill in the missing pieces of her ancestry. She has been involved with the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museums (SACHM) and is also one of the people to call if you want to know about Black History in the Prairies. 

Welcome back to Season 3 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. In this first episode of the season, I had a great conversation with Andrew Paris who grew up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island where his family was one of a few Black families on the island at the time. As a young person, Andrew struggled to be proud of his Blackness and has come full circle as he now helps others see the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion when it comes to engaging BIPOC youth in sports. 

Welcome to the final episode of Season 2 of the I Am Black History Podcast. In this part two of my conversation with Tracy Cain, she talks about the YouTube video called "Stand Up" that she put together featuring "old new" photos of her ancestors and why it's important for people to see the photos. She also talks about growing up singing old Negro spirituals in church, how singing is a passion for her whole family, and that singing these songs brings her ancestors to life.  You can catch all the episodes from Season One and Two wherever you get your podcasts and if you have a story to tell, be in touch with Donna at intheblackcanada@gmail.com.

This is episode 15 of Season 2 and Part 1 of my conversation with Tracy Cain on the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. Tracy is a 5th generation Black Canadian who was born in Brantford, ON and now lives in Guelph, ON with her husband and their four sons. Tracy has become quite the detective when it comes to finding out about her ancestors and their experiences of being Black in Canada. Get ready for a "real" Canadian history lesson. Part two of my conversation with Tracy will be published on July 4th. 

Welcome to episode 14 of Season 2 of the of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. Spending time with Vant Hayes was such a special treat. Mr. Hayes was born in Edmonton Alberta in 1926. His parent's families were part of the Oklahoma 1000s who came from Oklahoma to Alberta looking for a better life free from racial prejudice. His father's family settled in the Keystone area, now called Breton and his mother's family settled in a homestead called Pine Creek and then later in Amber Valley. Mr. Hayes shares first hand accounts of what life was like living on a farm with his mother and 9 siblings and later with his wife and daughters. This episode is a bit longer than usual but well worth the listen. Mr. Hayes really is Black History.

Welcome to episode 13 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. Evelyn Myrie and her sisters left Jamaica and came to Canada to join their mother who was here as part of the Domestic Workers Program, one of the few ways Black women could emigrate to Canada. Evelyn's family settled in Windsor, On where they were welcomed into a rich Black Canadian environment. Listen as Evelyn shares her  journey from Jamaica, to Windsor and then Hamilton. 

Welcome to episode 12 of Season 2 of the of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. I met Stella Sheppard at Emancipation Day celebrations in Prince Edward Island in 2021. Stella invited me to her home where we had a conversation about her ancestors who were some of the first Black people.brought to PEI. She talked about growing up in Darkie's Hollow on Seven Mile Road and why knowing about her Black and Indigenous heritages is so important to her. Stella is a storyteller, journalist, and writer and has published one book called Ashes of My Dreams and has submitted a sequel titled Snatched at Birth. 

This is episode 11 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media where I got to sit down with Christian Mbanza a school teacher from Saskatchewan. Christian was born in South Africa just as Nelson Mandela was becoming the president and his family immigrated to Canada when he was nine years old. Christian says its quite an experience going from being surrounded by Black people to often being the only Black person in his class or school. Listen to Christian as he shares his passion for history and why he thinks it's important to tell our stories. 

Welcome to episode 10 of Season 2 and a special episode of I Am Black History brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada and DeeP Visions Media. In this episode you will get to hear my conversation with Arnold Pinnock, co-creator, executive producer, and writer of the new CBC original series, The Porter a collaboration between CBC and BET Plus. Arnold was generous with this time and his praise for everyone involved in bringing The Porter series to fruition and he encourages us all to tell our stories. Arnold says that The Porter is, "A love letter to those who don't have a voice anymore."

Welcome to episode 9 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. This is a continuation of my conversation with Laina Dawes. In this episode, Laine shares what it's been like to navigate the world of heavy metal as a Black women and in particular the stuggles she had when writing her book, What Are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman's Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal. Laina is currently completing her studies as a PHD candidate of Ethnomusicology at Columbia University.

Welcome to episode 8 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC) and DeeP Visions Media. This episode is part 1 of my conversation with Laina Dawes. Laine was born in Toronto Ontario but grew up just outside of Kingston, Ontario. Laina is a music and cultural critic and is the author of What Are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman's Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal. Laina is currently completing her studies as a PHD candidate of Ethnomusicology at Columbia University. 

This is the 7th episode of Season 2  of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. I was fortunate to travel to Prince Edward Island in 2021 to visit family and was there for an Emancipation Day celebration. In this episode, Gordon McNeilly shares how he worked with others to make that day happen and that he is committed to making it an official holiday for Islanders. Gordon was born in New Brunswick but now calls PEI home where, in 2019 he was the first Black person elected to PEI's Legislative Assembly. Gordon credits the example set by his Black Trinidadian born father and the love and support from his Scottish born mother for making it possible for him to be where he is today. 

This is the 6th episode of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode you will meet, Leslie McCurdy who was born in Windsor, ON. Her mother was born in Ann Arbor Michigan and her father was born in London ON. Leslie is a writer, choreographer, producer, and actor and has performed in two - one women plays for the past 20 plus years - one title "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman" and the other "Things My Fore-Sisters Saw". Leslie talks to us about her ancestors, who she says are always with her just over her left shoulder, her father, Dr. Howard McCurdy, and her ongoing career as a writer, choreographer, producer, and actor. Leslie also shares her thoughts about why she thinks it's important that everyone's stories be told. 

This is the 5th episode of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. I keep saying that I could have called the podcast The Paris/Jacksons Are Black History since this is the 4th of my own relatives to be featured on the podcast. In this episode you will meet, Debra Ann Paris Perry whose grandmother - Nina Paris (nee Jackson) was one of my maternal grandfather's sisters. Deb is both Black and Cree and says even though she has a lot to be angry about, she realizes that carrying around all that anger hurts no one but herself.  Deb uses her experiences as a recovering addict and street kid through the work she does with  NSTAY, a program offered through the YWCA in Halifax, Nova Scotia. NSTAY helps trafficked youth - male, female, trans - with support and connects them with the services they need.

This is episode 4 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode meet Karon Chester who was born in Guyana, South America and immigrated to Canada when she was 11. Karon shares her family's journey to Manitoba and what life was like for her parents and the strong foundation they gave her and her siblings to help them deal with the challenges of being Black in Canada. Karon talks about the shifting political landscape in Manitoba and the many "first" for people of African, Caribbean, Black descent. Karon also shares the work that she, her husband, and her children do bringing Black History to their children's school.  

Welcome to episode 3 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Marium Tolson-Murtty. In this episode, Marium shared more about the Hour a Day Study Club and the paths of some of the recipients of the yearly scholarships that the club gives out. Marium also reflected on the work she does as the Strategic Planning Officer for Anti-Black Racism Initiatives at the University of Windsor and what her university and others are not just saying but doing in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. She also shares her views on the importance of teaching Black History - in fact all history starting at the elementary level. 

Welcome to episode #2 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Marium Tolson-Murtty. Marium was born in Windsor, ON and is the Strategic Planning Officer for Anti-Black Racism Initiatives in the office of the president at the University of Windsor. Marium has also been the president of the Hour a Day Study Club for the past 3 years. Marium had so much to share that we had to make two parts with the second coming out October 25th. In this first part, Marium shares some of the experiences she and her family faced being Black in Windsor. She also shares a unique piece of Black Canadian history as she talks about the Hour a Day Study Club which was started 87 years ago by a group of Black, female, underground railroad descendants and is still going strong.

Welcome to episode 1 of Season 2 of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Charles Jackson who was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and grew up in Regent Park in Toronto, Ontario. Charles shares an interesting story about his ancestors, how his own healing included forgiving his Dad, and his thoughts on how we are doing as Black people. Charles and I are related to Len Paris who was the guest on the very first episode of I Am Black History.

This is the ninth and final episode of Season One of the I Am Black History Podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, the host, Donna Paris shares a piece she wrote which was published by Understory Magazine that reflects on her life and those who came before her and how those journeys were the catalyst for creating the podcast. Donna talks about what she has learned from doing the podcast and how grateful she is to have discovered more about her own family's history. We hear from her partner David about why he thinks she is the perfect candidate to be doing this project. Donna also gives a preview of what's coming up in the fall on Season Two. You can catch all the episodes from Season One wherever you get your podcasts and if you have a story to tell, be in touch with Donna at intheblackcanada@gmail.com.

This is the eighth episode of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Debbie Miller Brown who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia but grew up in Brantford, Ontario. Debbie has been into running from as far back as she can remember and has great stories to tell about her time as a participant at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Debbie says her adopted mom and dad shielded her and her siblings from racism and it’s only now that she is learning about the history of Black people in this country and exploring her Nova Scotian roots.

This is the seventh episode of the I Am Black History podcast brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Kemba Mitchelle who was born in Montreal, Quebec. Kemba can trace family back to Alabama, Montserrat, the Bahamas, and Saint Vincent but shares her regret that she didn't get to know more about her family's history when her mother and grandparents were still alive. Kemba talks about the racism she faced in elementary and high school and how she wants White people to step up and do the work of eliminating racism. Kemba puts a lot of her attention into supporting Black youth and shares the powerful work that is being done by the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA).

This is the sixth episode of I Am Black History brought to you by In The Black:Canada, DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Chantal Martineau who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia but grew up in Montreal, Quebec. Chantal is a journalist who has written about food, wine, spirits, and culture including two books about Mexico. Chantal shares her realization that although she has looked at other people’s culture, she has not put the spotlight on her own. Listen as Chantal talks about her family history, her experiences of growing up Black in Montreal, and her journey to the East Coast of Canada that got her thinking more about her own culture. Chantal's poem titled It's Not My Childhood was recently published by Understory Magazine and she is currently working on a novel set in Africville, Nova Scotia.

This is the fifth episode of I Am Black History brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode we continue our conversation with Elise Harding-Davis as she shares more Black history and her journey of bringing Black history to all Canadians. Elise also talks about the work she has done around recovering Black cemeteries which she documented in her book, The Colours of Essex County. Elise also talks about her determination that things will be different for her grandchildren and her certainty that someday Canada will apologize for its role in slavery. 

This is the fourth episode of I Am Black History brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode meet a Canadian treasure - Elise Harding-Davis. Elise was born in Windsor Ontario and can trace both sides of her family back many generations. Elise says she was raised to be the griot for her people and can't imagine doing anything else. She was the first Black female curator of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and for 32 years used that platform to tell the untold often hidden stories of Black Canadians. Elise says that without Black history, Canadian history is incomplete. Elise had so much to share that she will also be featured on episode 5 scheduled for publication on April 12th.

This is the third episode of I Am Black History brought to you by InTheBlack:Canada (ITBC), DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode meet Chad Lucas who was born in Lucasville Nova Scotia and who can trace both sides of his mixed race family back many generations. Chad shares his thoughts about racism in Canada, the continued struggles of Black and Indigenous people in this country, and the importance of telling the whole story. Chad's novel for 10-14 year olds - Thanks A Lot Universe -  is due to be published in May 2021.

This is the second episode of I Am Black History brought to you by In The Black:Canada, DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode, meet Dionne Joseph who was born in Windsor, ON. Dionne can trace her heritage from an enslaved Black man from a Virginia plantation who married a White Scottish indentured servant  to her Great Grandfather owning the first hotel owned by Blacks in Windsor. She also talks about growing up in a family that celebrates blackness, how her experiences of being Black/Mixed Race changed as she moved to different parts of Canada, and her poem titled Whole she wrote in response to the racial tensions in the summer of 2020. 

This is the first episode of I Am Black History brought to you by In The Black:Canada, DeeP Visions Media, and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In this episode meet Leonard Paris author of Jim Crow Also Lived Here a memoir of Len's life of growing up Black and poor in Priestville Nova Scotia just outside of New Glasgow. Len will share how he came to write the book, how memories of racism can affect you long after you have experienced them, and the intersectionality of race, poverty, and structural racism. 

This is the trailer for a new podcast starting in mid-January 2021 about Black Canadians from across Canada using their voices to tell their stories. Brought to you by In The Black:Canada and DeeP Visions Media and a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. The host is Nova Scotia born Donna Paris and if you want to know more about her and the I Am Black History Project, check out her web site at www.intheblackcanada.ca. Donna wants Black people to take their place in Canadian history and for all Canadians to hear their stories so be sure to be in touch at intheblackcanada@gmail.com.