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EPISODES

Episode 12: 

Hon. Kojo Yankah

The Honorable Kojo Yankah has had a career that spans the world of journalism, government, and education. His work as an editor at Ghana’s most widely circulated newspaper, the Daily Graphic, led to his appointment as the Director of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. In the 1992 Ghanaian parliamentary election, he won the seat for Agona East Constituency, and during the second term of the Rawlings government, he acted as Central Regional Minister, Ashanti Regional Minister, and Minister of State. In 2001, he established the African University College of Communications, and most recently, he founded the Pan African Heritage Museum, which is a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art repository dedicated to showcasing the history, culture, and achievements of the Pan African World as presented by Africans. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of this project.

We talk about:

Growing up in Ghana in the 1960s as part of the young pioneer movement, the desire to study Ghanaian history, not just colonial work, and how this movement was banned.

His early career in teaching, his move into journalism, working as a radio and television broadcaster, and eventually becoming editor of Ghana’s largest newspaper the Daily Graphic.

Tying together teaching and journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism.

Working with Jerry Rawlings, Ghana’s first President, as part of his government, and the history leading up to Rawling’s leadership.

Pan-Africanism and why it’s so important, thoughts on a united Africa.

His latest project, The Pan-African Heritage Museum, why it’s important for Africans to tell our own history. How both digital and physical sites are important to provide access and connection.

“In terms of Pan-Africanism…I’m looking at a united family of people of African descent…knowing about themselves…let’s create a site where we can all go to see ourselves….Africa’s story does not start with slavery – it’s an insult to our dignity.” – Hon. Kojo Yankah

Keywords: museum, digital museum, pan-African, Pan African Heritage Museum, culture, Ghana, journalism, politics.

Episode 11: 

Dr. Clinton Hutton

Dr. Clinton Hutton is a professor, author, researcher, and artist. Through his research, he has made many significant contributions to the areas of Afro-Caribbean thought, Africana political philosophy, Caribbean political philosophy, and African-Caribbean spirituality, including Rastafari. Through his writing, he has tackled salient topics such as the Haitian Revolution and the Morant Bay Rebellion. He received the UWI Principal’s Research Award in 2012 and 2016 for Best Research Publication, and Most Outstanding Researcher, and he was awarded the Caribbean Hall of Fame Award for Excellence in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of visual arts. Dr. Hutton currently serves as Professor of Caribbean Political Philosophy, Culture & Aesthetics at the University of the West Indies.

We talk about:

Inheriting his storytelling abilities from his father, being exposed to a wealth of world history at a very young age and how this became his pathway into academia.

How music informed daily life in the African diaspora, his fascination with musical instruments, artists, music as philosophy and his experiences of the early days of the recording industry in Jamaica.

The important role of Reggae in articulating freedom, justice, identity and political expression, speaking to the anti-colonial struggle.

The impact of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Jimmy Cliff, connections to the MPLA and how even album artwork connected to the movement
Historical connections between Rastafari and African liberation, Garveyites, Hailee Salassie and the Congolese people and Jamaica’s sometimes tense relationship with the movement.

How he was motivated by a “history of harsh truth and lies” to reshape narratives of knowledge that contain racism “hidden in plain sight,” and how this drives his work in education to help all people to change their thinking.

“Teaching about Black history is not for Black people alone.” Dr. Clinton Hutton

Keywords: Reggae, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Rastafari, Afro-Caribbean, colonialism.

Episode 10: 

Dr. Afua Cooper

Dr. Afua Cooper is a multi-award-winning speaker, scholar, historian, author, poet, performer, and cultural commentator for equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies within organizations worldwide. She was presented with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award in 2015 from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, she served as Halifax’s seventh Poet Laureate, and she won the Portia White Prize, Nova Scotia’s highest award for artistic excellence. She currently serves as a full professor at Dalhousie University’s Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology.

We talk about:

Growing up in Jamaica, the culture shock of transitioning to life in Toronto in the 1980s, and the importance of finding her community in diverse Black spaces.

Early influences of 1970s Reggae and how that shaped her work as a poet, writing and reciting spoken word, and experiencing life in an aural culture.

Structural and systemic racism in the workplace, how George Floyd’s murder prompted an existential crisis which led to a renewed commitment to continuing to work to end racism, and her thoughts on substantive progress vs performative actions.

Nova Scotia’s colonial history, broken promises made to Black people about receiving land, race riots, the connection to military, political and spiritual leader Thomas Peters, and ties to establishing Sierra Leone in the face of fleeing colonial racism.

The history of Dub poetry, her personal journey as a poet and a special performance of Dr. Cooper’s poem Nuclear Weapon is a Danger (at 38:35) that has particular relevance to the times we live in now.

“For years now, I’ve been giving lectures to Boards of Directors, institutions, and universities in terms of the struggle against anti-Black racism….when the public murder of George Floyd happened…that was a point where I really had to go deep in myself, [and ask] what is the purpose of my life?…I want to end racism in the world in my own small way.” – Dr. Afua Cooper

Keywords: Poet, Reggae, dub poetry, George Floyd, colonialism

Episode Nine:

Yona Knight-Wisdom

Yona Knight-Wisdom is an Olympian and rising Jamaican athlete in the fiercely competitive, and technical sport of diving. Beginning his diving journey in 2004 at the City of Leeds Diving Club, he rose quickly through the ranks achieving a top 5 finish at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Following this, he continued to make appearances on the world stage competing at the 2015 World Aquatics Championship, the 2016 FINA Diving World Cup, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where he became the first male diver in history to represent Jamaica at the Olympic games, and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he competed against the best divers in the world once again.

We talk about:

Not being a natural body type fit for diving, making adjustments to accommodate how he thinks about nutrition, and why he chose to dive for Jamaica.

His Olympic dreams, the internal pressures and emotions of qualifying for the first time, and achieving the dream of his nine-year-old self.

Being a mentor to young divers, including to a promising young Canadian diver Yohan Eskrick-Parkinson, training together, and how Yohan might join Yona in representing Jamaica.

Meeting celebrities from across the spectrum including royalty, politicians, actors, sporting superstars, and why Usain Bolt stands out as the most influential.

Yona’s eight-step performance principles and advice for future athletes, and his big plans to grow the resources in Jamaica to support future athletic talent.

Finally, a special thank you to someone who helped Yona succeed – British-Jamaican businessman Levi Roots – and how Yona hopes to reciprocate this gift by paying it forward.

“In my head, that was the only thing that was happening… I would qualify for the Olympics. That was the only outcome.” – Yona Knight-Wisdom

Keywords: Olympian, diving, athlete, Team Jamaica

Episode Eight:

Miriam Zinter

Miriam Zinter is a Black woman who can easily be mistaken as a White woman. As a result of her appearance, she’s had a unique experience in observing racist attitudes. Miriam began her career as a community organizer, following this, she served as the Executive Director of a not-for-profit neighborhood organization. Recently, she served as the senior housing programmer for the City of Rochester, New York, and she now works in the housing finance sector as a Mortgage Officer.

We talk about:

Challenges her father faced in the 1960s securing access to educational opportunities and how he rose through the ranks at GE despite racist attitudes.

Attending all-white schools, showing up as a blue-eyed, light skinned Black girl, getting the “talk” from her parents and advice to “be like Dr. King.”

Institutional racism’s generational impacts on access to financing, insurance and housing and how her parents saved up to pay cash for their first home which led to upward mobility.

Navigating the world as a White presenting Black woman, experiencing racism from neighbors and the moment she realized she had White privilege.

The importance of Black Lives Matter, why she chose to share her personal story in an article that went viral, and how it connected to others who resonated with her words.

How racist barriers and power imbalances affect all of us and hold society back.

“We were one out of how many? How many other Black families tried to get a house, tried to invest in equity, tried to grow their wealth and at every turn were denied?” – Miriam Zinter

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, housing, segregation, financing, inequality

Photo by John Schlia Photography

Episode Seven:

Dr. Tony Fields

Dr. Tony Fields is one of Canada’s leading figures in oncology, and now serves as MacEwan University’s first Chancellor. He is the former president of the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and he has served on the boards of the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, the Canadian Oncology Society, and the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies. Dr. Fields was awarded an Order of Canada for his contributions to oncology, and he was named one of Alberta’s top 100 Physicians of the Century.

We talk about:

Early life, growing up in Barbados and studying at Harrison College.
Moving to Canada, his first job in Edmonton and the path towards becoming a doctor at a school “for Albertans.”

What real confidence looks like, and his advice on being self-assured.

How working with cancer patients helps Dr. Fields remain hopeful, even in the face of great uncertainty.

Reflections on cancer, why as a society we need “cancer control,” and why cancer is preventable to a larger degree than we may think.

Thoughts on his current role as the first Chancellor of MacEwan University, being a role model for students and some specific advice for young people who want to pursue a career in medicine.

Keywords: black achievement, doctor, oncology, cancer, Chancellor, MacEwan University, medical school.

Episode Six:

Olunike Adeliyi

BlackTALK launches season two with actress Olunike Adeliyi, star of CBC’s The Porter. In this candid conversation we learn about Olunike’s backstory, and how it informed her approach to her work. From her debut in theater, to her premier roles on the popular Canadian crime drama Flashpoint, and the historically significant CBC drama The Porter, we trace the path that led to her current success and the values that informed the choices she’s made to proudly tell her own story.

We talk about:

The importance of names and why she’s proud to be called Olunike.

Getting started in the acting world and some early career advice from Denzel Washington.

Her experiences attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as a Black woman.

Bringing to life the charter of Queenie in The Porter, co-creating the role with the creative team and not taking “no” for an answer.

The importance of being your own number one fan and why she thinks good lighting is super important.

Thoughts on moving forward with racial equity in Canada and feeling empowered to move forward in a sense of progression.

“Know where you actually came from….don’t let somebody write the narrative for you.” – Olunike Adeliyi.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, actress, The Porters, CBC

Episode Five: 

Dr. Ivelaw Griffith

On this episode of Blacktalk, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith joins us to talk about his distinguished career including his time as the President of Fort Valley State University. Dr. Griffith shares accounts of how racism has impacted him personally throughout his career and life. He discusses the systemic, structural racism that plays out in universities, the “celebration of whiteness” in our bigger culture, and the role of funding in holding the status quo in place. Dr. Griffith sheds light on how society as a whole needs to change in order to reshape the paradigm.

We talk about:

His transition from Guyana to New York, being put into the “mediocrity zone” by others and the difference between Guyana and Ghana.

Finding the resources in academia to make real change.

Thoughts on the historical, economic connections between slavery and the modern day prison system in the United States and how the system is “rigged” against Black and Brown people.

How versions of this reality play out globally.

Why systems of funding for education, healthcare, criminal justice and more need to change in order for society to reshape priorities.

Why he thinks “cancel culture” is a fad and is ultimately insufficient to address the real issues. Dr. Griffith talks about how wealth can be used over time to “white wash and play down” racist actions taken by historical leaders.

Ivelaw shares what keeps him going, the role of music in his life, and a message for young people to “keep on keeping on”.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, criminal justice, policing, incarceration, structural racism, systemic racism, funding, cancel culture, statues, white-washing wealth, faith

Episode Four:

Celina Caesar-Chavannes

On this episode of Blacktalk, we welcome speaker, author, academic and former MP, Celina Caesar-Chavannes. Celina speaks candidly about her early life and struggles with mental health issues, which she documents in her memoir, Can You Hear Me Now? Celina was the sole Black female MP in a predominantly white and male government. She shares how and why she entered and exited politics, including her clashes with Justin Trudeau. She talks about why she is so passionate about the work she is doing now as Senior Advisor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Initiatives and Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University and as an advocate for mental health.

We talk about:

Her Caribbean roots in Grenada and early family influences, especially her grandmother, Mrs. Caesar, and her mother, who Celina calls “the iron that sharpened me”.

How a viral blog post about a mental health crisis led to writing a book, and how that was a cathartic experience that helped her process her painful experiences.

Her early rebellious years in university and why she didn’t enjoy her undergraduate experience.

Celina’s advice to young people who want to enter politics, and her own desire to create equity in dealing with healthcare matters led to her decision to enter politics.

The juggling act of running a business, leading a national research study, managing a busy family life, doing an MBA and running for office – all at the same time!

Celina’s time in Ottawa, being marginalized, her interactions with other MPs as well as the Prime Minister. How she pushed for change on the promise of “sunny ways” but faced resistance and ultimately “got cut” by trying to break the glass ceiling.

The infamous Andrew Chang interview.

Advice for young Black women who want to make a change in society or enter politics.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, politics, women in politics, member of parliament, feminism, sexism, equity, diversity, inclusion, EDI, mental health, MBA

Episode Three:

Dr. Bukola Salami

On this episode of Blacktalk our guest is University of Alberta associate professor in the faculty of nursing, Dr. Bukola Salami. Dr. Salami shares the impact racism had on her parents’ careers and in her own career where she has been constantly underestimated. She talks about the importance of mentoring and why she is investing her time as a mentor to young Black students. We also cover the health crisis in the Black community, how COVID-19 has exacerbated health inequities, mistrust in public health institutions and the importance of race based health data.

We talk about:

Bukola’s experience in coming to Canada from Nigeria as a sixteen year old, her early expectations of Canada vs the realities of Canadian life.

Feeling fortunate to have had early mentorship as a student and how Dr. Salami is now providing mentorship to young Black students.

Experiences with polite racism, being underestimated and seeing her parents facing discrimination for not having Canadian expereince, despite being educated in Canada.

“The Cappuccino effect” in society, being Black underneath and white on top, and the structural racism that holds this in place. How COVID-19 has been disproportionately experienced in racialized communities.

Bukola’s thoughts on what can be done at the University of Alberta to “lift all the people up” to level the playing field and her advice for young Black scholars.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, ethnic penalties, polite racism, structural racism, mentorship, the Cappuccino effect, nursing, public health, COVID-19

Episode Two:

Dr. Cecil Foster

On this episode of Blacktalk, we’re joined by academic, author and journalist, Dr. Cecil Foster. Dr. Foster weaves his own story of arriving in Canada from Barbados in the 1960s into the larger historical patterns of racism that Black people experience immigrating to Canada. He shares the struggle of being isolated as the only Black journalist in the newsroom and being held back from opportunities to advance. In academia, he faced similar racist behaviour, as both a student and later as a young Black academic. Dr. Foster continues to advocate for a multicultural society and to educate in academia and beyond.

We talk about:

Facing racism growing up in Barbados and reflections on Cecil’s first novel, No Man in the House, and how this type of structural racism could easily have taken place in Canada today.

Cecil shares his past experience as a black student and now, as a black scholar. He explains what has changed and what remains the same. He talks about facing “the practical side of racism” as a young journalist.

Having no mentors as a young scholar, and how that has led him to see the importance of being a mentor for his own students.

Despite being one of the top business journalists in Canada and a published author, Cecil faced barriers in trying to land his next role in journalism. He shares how that painful experience led him towards academia.

Why we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but we do need to embrace “political will” to deal with racism.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, journalism, structural racism, mentorship, multiculturalism

Episode One:

Sir Hilary Beckles

On this episode of Blacktalk, we explore the historical economic links of slavery with Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies and global activist, Sir Hilary Beckles. He shares a disturbingly frank look at the British colonial practices of the Black slave code. These practices were institutionalized and legitimized in order to commoditize Black people as labour and assets. Sir Hilary explains how the economic and societal underpinnings of this new island society of Barbados were exported throughout the Americas. As we find ourselves at this “George Floyd moment”, Sir Hilary illustrates how modern experiences of racism are the appalling legacy of these early colonial practices and institutions.

We talk about

The racism behind the British Emancipations Act.

Reparations, cleaning up the mess left by colonialism and repaying the debt from 200 years of free labour from 20 million people.

Why we need a comprehensive, decades long reparations program of serious economic enfranchisement to compensate for the magnitude and severity of slavery and racism inflicted on Black communities.

The health implications of historical inequities and the Caribbean’s triple C challenge of chronic disease, climate change and COVID-19.

The bloody legacy of the Rhodes Scholarship, British imperialism and Sir Hilary’s thoughts on his personal connection to knighthood.

Keywords: anti-black racism, black achievement, reparations, Black slave code, slavery, colonialism, Barbados, Caribbean