Now We Know

For the first time in Now We Know's history, Donna & Jonathan have a two-peat guest: Thomas Polk. In March 2023, Donna & Jonathan interviewed Thomas (who happens to be Donna's dad) about his affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated. This episode is a continuation of that telling as the origin story. What prompted the discussion was the untimely passing of Caleb Wilson, a pledge of Omega Psi Phi, in Louisiana in February as a direct result of hazing. Hazing, a practice long withstanding time, has resulted in the tragic ending of too many young lives and negatively affected those around them. Does the potential cost of entry outweigh the benefits? Listen for more. Sources:https://www.netflix.com/title/80097003https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2yd0el491oBonus Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qT2RYDAuW4Flashback Episode:https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SSjWDlPcySb#burningsands #greeklife #fraternity #sorority #hazing

On March 7, 1942, a pivotal moment in history occurred as the first Black pilots joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. At the height of World War II, these brave men, fighting for both freedom abroad and racial equality at home, displayed extraordinary courage, belief in the greater good, and unwavering determination. These qualities defined the 992 black pilots, including the 450 who served overseas.Known as the Red Tails, they earned the respect of fellow servicemen through their valor, unmatched skills, and relentless dedication, both on the battlefield and beyond. While the fight for racial equality was no different on base, in the US or overseas, the Tuskegee Airmen charged forward. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and celebrate Tuskegee Airmen Day on March 7th, Donna & Jonathan honor their legacy and the profound impact they had on changing hearts and minds near and far.Resources:https://play.history.com/specials/tuskegee-airmen-legacy-of-courage/full-special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmcpILi1Rxchttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74e175p40qoNow You Know:https://www.thewarandtreaty.com/Instagram:@DonnaJaneen#airforce #military #worldwar2 #tuskegee #tuskegeeairmen

"I'm Penny Proud, I'm Cute and I'm Loud, And I Got It Going on!"Our commitment to ourselves, which subsequently is a commitment to you all listening, is to incorporate some lighter focuses on the show - bring the levity! We're of course not going to stop doing the history dives, but we'll aim to bring out the joy while recognizing and honoring the fight to get it.This episode Donna & Jonathan highlight a few of their favorite childhood stars, relishing in the theme songs and nostalgia of the 90s and early 2000s.What favorite shows or actors come to mind from these eras?Resources:https://girlsunited.essence.com/feedback/news/all-grown-up-your-favorite-black-child-stars-then-and-now/https://www.history.com/news/black-tv-shows-culturehttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0695497/?ref_=nmawd_ovhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722647/?ref_=nmawd_ovhttps://people.com/parents/all-about-kyla-pratt-kids/https://one-on-one.fandom.com/wiki/Arnaz_Ballardhttps://www.ebony.com/raven-symone-doesnt-like-black-names-forgot-her-name-is-raven-symone/#.VhkpM2bh_bo.twitterInstagram:@DonnaJaneen

Call it a coincidence, call it kismet: the release of Wicked and Six Triple Eight. The true story of the first all women, all black army unit in 6888 and the fictional story of Wicked, the all green Wicked Witch of the West, coincided with the determination against the odds, the societal othering, and the plight of black women. Listen along as Donna & Jonathan dissect the stories and uncover the additional messaging of heroism, colorism, and the portrayal of black women through film. Did you see the correlation between the two stories? Were you inspired by any parts? Resources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wicked https://www.theroot.com/black-people-know-the-real-truth-about-glinda-and-elpha-1851715763 https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/The-Six-Triple-Eight-Proved-That-No-Role-Was-Too-Small-During-World-War-II https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/12/20/the-inspiring-true-story-behind-netflixs-the-six-triple-eight/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

Less than 90 years ago, 18 Black American athletes defied the odds being the first black athletes to compete in the Olympic Games. Of all to be the first competition, they went to Berlin, Germany in 1936: a time riddled with the racist and anti-Semitic indoctrinations of Hitler. We know black people have had to endure a lot in this country, come learn about the trials and tribulations they experienced here and abroad. Does this only scratch the surface? Yes. But the discussion of Donna & Jonathan continues to unveil the ugly underbelly of issues we continue to see in this country. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Resources: https://www.pbs.org/video/olympic-pride-american-prejudice-lx0WCn/ https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/berlin-1936 https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=aa_athletes_medals&lang=en https://freedomcenter.org/voice/reveal-stories-the-18-black-american-athletes-of-the-1936-olympic-games/ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goebbels-olympics/#:~:text=With%20construction%20of%20an%20impressive,and%20called%20for%20a%20boycott. https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=jewish_athletes_more https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=aa_athletes&lang=en

We can often turn to music for inspiration, a lyrical expression and auditory stimulation to help us through certain times. Donna & Jonathan felt it apt in the current time to dive into protest songs of years past through present. Resource: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/12/14462948/protest-music-history-america-trump-beyonce-dylan-misty Cameron Forbes - If I Was White https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnj3q-p4ho Instagram: @DonnaJaeen

The consideration of interracial marriage vs interracial sex comes down to one thing: property. Donna & Jonathan have discussed it before, and here they'll discuss it in more depth; the intersectionalities of morality and laws and their consequences on simply getting to exist as a full person while black in America. Resources: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/388/1/  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQRe2M96jw Book to read: White Fright The Sexual Panic at the Heart of America's Racist History https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jane-dailey/white-fright/9781541646544/?lens=basic-books#:~:text=In%20this%20urgent%20investigation%2C%20Dailey,War%20II%2C%20in%20the%20violent  Instagram:  @DonnaJaneen

Things are shaking up at the White House, more than we probably realized could be possible. What better time to discuss the icon that did so in a time we were scrutinized for every move; from the clothes we wore to the hue of our skin. Eartha Kitt was dynamic, inspirational and a game changer in many ways. We're so excited to share part of her life's journey with you all this month. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Resources: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=B9A396B2898045E9%20972B31CEC8AF1CDB https://www.britannica.com/art/theatrical-production/Means-of-artistic-control https://youtu.be/uXIr6-HcocY?si=COs0bSnP1Gx2hNTD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PECF0ZupS28

Sometimes it feels resilience, tenacity and determination are not only overused adjectives but indicative of the struggle that persists today. Lowndes County is no exception to the immense effort and grit our ancestors displayed. When will we get to simply rest and just be? To truly understand the depths and lengths people went to, watch the documentary and listen to the episode. Resources: https://www.multitudefilms.com/lowndes-county Quips: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRKE6bLX/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

A lively episode of Now We Know, after a brief break to reset! There's no better way to put it, as Jonathan said; on a scale of Booker T Washington to WEB DuBois, how bougie are you? Sources: https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/w-e-b-du-bois-a-biography-in-4-voices https://www.britannica.com/biography/W-E-B-Du-Bois https://www.britannica.com/topic/Talented-Tenth Now You Know: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/CDuqSxDhmKb https://www.thevillagepath.org/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

Sometimes, Donna & Jonathan need a vacation too. Re-sharing a popular episode from April 2023. Music is instrumental, pun intended, for many of us in the Black Community - Donna & Jonathan are no exception. From childhood artistry to a now multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Cameron Forbes joins the Now We Know podcast for an episode on the joys, the struggles and the triumphs of building his music career in LA over the last decade. Cameron details how he remains true to himself in keeping the love for music and not becoming jaded in a world that wasn't created for the faint of heart. How has the world of TikTok and plagiarism impacted the music industry? Are artists having greater control over their creations or will AI totally change the game?  Instagram: @CameronForbes www.cameronforbes.com EP - Back to Me @DonnaJaneen Sources: ⁠https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/celebrating-black-music-month#:~:text=The%20earliest%20form%20of%20black,defining%20the%20hardships%20of%20slavery⁠.  ⁠https://www.npr.org/2021/06/30/1011901555/radio-diaries-harry-pace-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-black-swan-records⁠  ⁠https://soundbetter.com/profiles/21436-cameron-forbes⁠  #blackartistry #blackmusic

Without trailblazers Iike Ida B. Wells; truly, where would we be? In a time when truth needed to be told more than ever, Ida fearlessly paved the way to help eradicate injustices. Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML8XiKVStWQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62eH6TNP72E https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ida-b-wells-barnett Now You Know: https://instituteforpr.org/pioneer-inez-kaiser/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

On a very special bonus episode of Now We Know, Donna interviews artist Adderly Grant-Lord; an incredibly talented, vibrant and joyous woman based out of Boulder, Colorado. The Proclaiming exhibit at the Museum of Boulder showcases Adderly's work, along with others in their AfroFuturistic exhibit that will be available through September of 2025.  To check out more about the museum, the inspirations of Adderly's work as well as the other fantastic artists in the Proclaiming exhibit, take a look at the resources below: https://museumofboulder.org/exhibit/proclaiming-colorados-black-history/  https://www.adderlyart.com/  Instagram: @AdderlyArt_ @DonnaJaneen

Would you believe of over 3,100 Oscar winners, only 60 have been black? It shouldn't be as surprising considering the inception of the Oscars, but here we are. Instagram: @DonnaJaeen Resources: https://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-history-1923-2023-did-you-know-only-six-black-actors-have-won-best-actor-award-so-far-570496 https://www.netflix.com/title/81577005 #oscars #winners

The depths, intricacies and beauty of Afrofuturism have been practiced in more ways than Donna & Jonathan realized in their own lives. Discovering more of the definitions and applications has brought a new level of appreciation for the movement as well as creators in the space.  How do you feel you apply Afrofuturism in your life? Resources: https://www.pbs.org/video/afrofuturism-i8qu2w/ https://www.pbs.org/video/afrofantastic-n5yggg/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWl-u2AN478&t=1140s Now You Know: https://www.jackieormes.com/ Instagram: @DonnaJaeen #afrofuturism #blackhistory

Kicking off the 4th season of Now We Know with an episode easy like Sunday morning. Donna & Jonathan discuss the making of, hits from and modern time influence from Motown - one of the biggest record labels with an iconic sound our parents, and our parents parents, know all too well and love dearly. As soon as that first 8 count hits, you know exactly what song is about to grace your ears. What are some of your favorite Motown hits/artists? Sources: Hitsville the Making of Motown (2019) https://vimeo.com/419289693 https://www.motownmuseum.org/ https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/women-motown Now You Know: Dawn Richard https://www.dawnrichard.io/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #motown #music #billboards

In this episode of Now We Know, Jonathan and Donna discuss the origins of Kwanzaa, the meaning of the holiday, and their personal connections or disconnections with the annual celebration. What are your connections with Kwanzaa? Did your family celebrate growing up or into adulthood? However you celebrate this holiday season, we hope it's a beautiful and memorable one. Resources: The History of Kwanzaa The Black Candle The Seven Principles Maulana Karenga Now You Know: Childish Children's Apparel Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #Kwanzaa #holidays #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blackhistory

York, who also unwillingly was brought on the Lewis & Clark Expedition by his enslaver, Clark, has a story that not only varies historian by historian but also did not include full truths of what he experienced. York traveled nearly 8,000 miles cross country with the promise of freedom and land, only for neither to occur. Sacagawea, in a similar, if not more heartbreaking story, was all of 12 years old when she was sold to be married, pregnant, and set off on the expedition - giving birth while on the trek. Listen in for more detail on these untold or not widely known histories of York & Sacagawea. Sources: York and Sacagawea - Lewis & Clark expedition https://www.nebraskastudies.org/en/1800-1849/the-louisiana-purchase/african-american-sacagawea-contributions/ Searching for York - Oregon Public Broadcasting Documentaryhttps://youtu.be/1-s9CzF3kAI?si=hfcIuenPHObcBYgQ https://www.nps.gov/lecl/faqs.htm#:~:text=Q%3A%20What%20is%20the%20Lewis,near%20present%20day%20Astoria%2C%20Oregon. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sacagawea https://www.nps.gov/lecl/york.htm#:~:text=A%20fronteirsman%2C%20hunter%2C%20and%20the,his%20payment%20and%20his%20freedom. MMIW.orghttps://mmiwusa.org/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas seem like two sides of a coin, that's because they are. Thurgood being the first black person on the supreme court paved an incredible path for Clarence and Ketanji Jackson to come. On this episode, Donna & Jonathan discuss the forging of Thurgood's path and the complexities of his successor after deciding to retire. Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUEphTDzy2g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS10t_vgkZQ  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJuRx1wARUk  https://www.oyez.org/justices/ketanji_brown_jackson https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare #supremecourt #scotus #justices

An avid listener of Now We Know turned guest! On this bonus episode, Donna & Jonathan chat with Trent Warren. You may recognize his name from having joined Real. Relatable. on a few episodes surrounding law enforcement and black gun ownership. This episode dives more into the intersectionality of law enforcement in the 1800s to now, particularly as a black man.

Good ol' Bass Reeves. From HBO's mini series Watchman, to the Lone Ranger, to the many unanswered questions that have followed. The duality of Bass Reeves' life as the first Deputy U.S. Marshall as a formerly enslaved person comes to ahead later in his career as racial tensions rose in the late 1800s. How did Reeves become involved with the government as a black man in the US, especially at the time? Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqw5uXWohlY  https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=RE020  https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/origins-modern-day-policing  https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/reeves-bass-1838-1910/  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y9yjOVsuoo https://www.naacpldf.org/black-judges-history/ #deputyusmarshall

A short break was all Donna & Jonathan needed to reset and refresh their minds. On this episode, they circle back to the Now You Know segment from the Kentucky Derby about Black Cowboys . From Esteban the Negro to Bass Reeves, black cowboys have been incredibly impactful throughout western world history. Admittedly, these names may be more widely know in southern US states; the way it's portrayed beyond the southern states transformed complex stories into a Hollywood misrepresentation of history. The reality? Take a listen to learn more. Resources https://www.blackcowboymuseum.com/ https://youtu.be/PWlLNIGIbd0 https://www.npr.org/2019/01/05/682318409/dom-flemons-presents-a-new-image-of-the-american-cowboy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoNV40Hk5o8 Now You Know https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=RE020#:~:text=He%20is%20believed%20to%20be,until%20Oklahoma%20statehood%20in%201907 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #country #western #blackcowboys

Sometimes, Donna & Jonathan need a vacation too. Re-sharing a popular episode from July 2022. Fredrick Douglass - we all (most of us) know the name. But, do we really know the gravity to which he changed not only his life but those that were enslaved and for generations to come? Douglass' incredibly powerful speeches has resonated through history and will continue to do so for millennia to come. In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan get into one of Douglass' famous speeches, “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?” A compelling HBO documentary based on the life of Frederick Douglass and his impact. What would Douglass' feel/say about the state of our country today? Sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Douglass Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches https://www.hbo.com/movies/frederick-douglass-in-five-speeches https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/speeches-african-american-history/1852-frederick-douglass-what-slave-fourth-july/ Now You Know: We are the world song - https://explorethearchive.com/black-history-month-facts Book The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity and Love https://www.left-bank.com/book/9780743456081 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AjkUyX0rVw Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #fourthofjuly #independence #juneteenth

A woman of class, dignity and a force to be reckoned with. Mary Church Terrell was an integral piece to the civil rights decades before subsequent laws were put into place. Coining the term, lifting as we climb - Church Terrell's values were based upon intersectionality, education and bringing everyone along for the ride.  “I cannot help wondering what I might have become and might have done if I had lived in a country which had not circumscribed and handicapped me on account of my race, but had allowed me to reach any heights I was able to attain.” - Mary Church Terrell Sources: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-church-terrell  https://www.aroundrobin.com/product/dignity-and-defiance-the-story-of-mary-church-terrell/  Now You Know: https://www.nps.gov/people/idabwells.htm#:~:text=African%2DAmerican%20journalist%20and%20activist,also%20fought%20for%20woman%20suffrage. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Mentions: @theconsciouslee Now You Know: Ida B Wells https://www.nps.gov/people/idabwells.htm#:~:text=African%2DAmerican%20journalist%20and%20activist,also%20fought%20for%20woman%20suffrage. 

Did you know 13 of the 15 riders in the very first Kentucky Derby were Black?  Did you know that 15 of the first 28 derbies were won by black riders? How did the racist origin of Lawn Jockeys get flipped and turned upside from a young enslaved black boy who froze to death to now be sold as blue eyed, white little boys? Phew, this episode Donna & Jonathan get into the intersections of it all.  Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Sources: https://www.espn.com/horse/columns/misc/1929342.html  https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/may-17/#:~:text=The%20First%20Derby%20Day,-Popular%20rider%20Oliver&text=The%20Kentucky%20Derby%20was%20begun,relatives%2C%20John%20and%20Henry%20Churchill.  https://goodblacknews.org/2022/05/09/history-jockey-oliver-lewis-won-the-1st-kentucky-derby-147-years-ago-listen/  Now You Know https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/lesser-known-history-african-american-cowboys-180962144/  https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/blackface-birth-american-stereotype 

Music is instrumental, pun intended, for many of us in the Black Community - Donna & Jonathan are no exception. From childhood artistry to a now multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Cameron Forbes joins the Now We Know podcast for an episode on the joys, the struggles and the triumphs of building his music career in LA over the last decade. Cameron details how he remains true to himself in keeping the love for music and not becoming jaded in a world that wasn't created for the faint of heart. How has the world of TikTok and plagiarism impacted the music industry? Are artists having greater control over their creations or will AI totally change the game?  Instagram: @CameronForbes www.cameronforbes.com EP - Back to Me @DonnaJaneen Sources: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/celebrating-black-music-month#:~:text=The%20earliest%20form%20of%20black,defining%20the%20hardships%20of%20slavery.  https://www.npr.org/2021/06/30/1011901555/radio-diaries-harry-pace-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-black-swan-records  https://soundbetter.com/profiles/21436-cameron-forbes  #blackartistry #blackmusic

Black Greek Letter Organizations have been around since the early 1900s; created out of the difficulty of the times to establish collegiate camaraderie, forward advancement and philanthropy in the black community.  For the first time in Now We Know history, Donna & Jonathan have a guest join the podcast to talk about their experience and how transformational being part of the first black fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was for their life. Resources: ttps://www.learningtogive.org/resources/african-american-sororities#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20major%20sororities,(Butler%20University%2C%201922)  https://www.naacpconnect.org/blog/entry/from-the-burning-sands-of-the-divine-nine https://www.watchtheyard.com/history/revisiting-midwest-black-fraternity-and-sorority-history/  https://youtu.be/nx0bpj99oDs  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoWmUTq1Fm0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnnmHb5QROE Instagram: @ThomasPolk.net @DonnaJaneen

Often times it's noted how black women really come through to help save us all; Dorothy Height was no exception. Walking alongside the likes of the big Civil Rights names we all know, Dorothy was the true voice of reason to help propel some of the most monumental times of the movement. Now You Know: WC Handy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuTTSOctGw Jake Blount Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Sources: The Life and Surprising Times of Dr. Dorothy Height https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwFaa1WZnA https://www.nps.gov/people/dorothy-i-height.htm#:~:text=Dorothy%20Height%20is%20recognized%20as,York%20School%20of%20Social%20Work.

Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton's, downfall was one that shook the party in the 1960s. How William O'Neal infiltrated the Party in Chicago from FBI funding was absolutely astonishing on so many fronts. Donna & Jonathan dissect Judas and the Black Messiah, the movie based on this historical event, bringing in clarifying facts and speak more on the overall mission of the Black Panther Party. Did you know how many people infiltrated the organization? Where would we be on social justice issues if Fred Hampton were still alive today? Resources: https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/26/us/settlement-near-in-a-panther-suit.html https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/1254 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Hampton https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Panther-Party https://www.britannica.com/topic/COINTELPRO Now You Know: FLO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr30aGYi--g British Girl Group Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #fredhampton #blackhistory #blackpanthers

Donna & Jonathan are keeping it light this episode. Reclaiming their Black Card from the likings of Paramore to not knowing the Electric Slide to not knowing all quintessentially black movies that ever existed. They know the Card can never be taken but, for funsies, are there any reasons you may have lost yours? Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Fun TikToks: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVbGDsC/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVb3mEW/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVbpWag/ #blackcard #happyholidays #blackculture

Is Black Panther hot right now? Yes. Does this episode container spoilers? Absolutely, yes. Before you listen, watch the film! Better yet: go back and watch the first then the second right after, it won't disappoint. Donna & Jonathan relish how Black Panther is an incredibly beautiful, story telling film that encompasses much of how the darkest parts of history continue to permeate the today of the world. In a sense, you have to understand history to understand how well it's tied into the film. Grab your tissues along with some popcorn; the odes to Chadwick Boseman, the character developments, the joys, the triumphs, the anguish. It's all in Black Panther 2 and we're definitely here for it. What historical continuities did you notice from the films? Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Source: Black Panther 2018 Black Panther - Wakanda Forever 2022 #blackpanther #wakandaforever #film

It's still rather unclear how Donna and Jonathan endured the preparation of this episode. Nonetheless, if they're going to better understand propaganda films, they have to experience, firsthand, the foolery behind the biggest one of them all: Birth of a Nation. It was, undoubtedly, a painful experience. However, somehow, they made it through the 3 hour drama film to tell the tale. How has Birth of a Nation perpetuated the gross, inaccurate, and absurd narrative of black people in America? What effects do we still see today, in film or otherwise? Instagram: @DonnaJaneen Sources: https://youtu.be/rfpFHAGI2Ig https://www.filmsite.org/birt3.html https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Birth-of-a-Nation Now You Know: Issa Rae https://www.issarae.com/ Angelique Kidjo https://youtu.be/dlgESq5FAx4 #propaganda #birthofanation #film

Welcome to Hispanic Heritage month! Little did Donna know, the preparation of this episode would come with a feeling of soul fulfillment and a (highly possible) life-changing revelation. The similarities between black Americans and AfroLatinos in history is giving fraternal twins: so so much alike, but each has their own individual flavor. From the joys to the wows to the disappointments, join Donna & Jonathan on this roller coaster ride of an episode of Now We Know. Resource: AfroLatino the Documentary https://vimeo.com/ondemand/afrolatinosdocumentary#:~:text=%22AfroLatinos%22%20is%20a%20documentary%20television,in%20the%20Hispanic%20community%20today Recommended Short Films: https://remezcla.com/lists/film/you-should-stream-10-afro-latino-shorts/ Now You Know: https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2021/02/afro-latinos-shaping-the-american-story/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/afro-latino-redefined-black-history-remembered-rcna16652 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #AfroLatino #hispanicheritagemonth #blacklatino

Mary McLeod Bethune paved the way for education in the black community. How do we receive and spread the knowledge throughout the community today? From childhood education to adults, like Donna and Jonathan, learning and diving deeper, how do we retain it all? What's the best format in which you learn? How do we help educate those whose hearts and minds are the hardest to change without bearing the burden ourselves? Resources: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune https://www.cookman.edu/history/our-founder.html https://www.britannica.com/story/why-was-frederick-douglasss-marriage-to-helen-pitts-controversial Now You Know: Yara Zayed FD Signifier Nibs Stroupe Instagram: @DonnaJaneen

Fredrick Douglass - we all (most of us) know the name. But, do we really know the gravity to which he changed not only his life but those that were enslaved and for generations to come? Douglass' incredibly powerful speeches has resonated through history and will continue to do so for millennia to come. In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan get into one of Douglass' famous speeches, “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?” A compelling HBO documentary based on the life of Frederick Douglass and his impact. What would Douglass' feel/say about the state of our country today? Sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Douglass Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches https://www.hbo.com/movies/frederick-douglass-in-five-speeches https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/speeches-african-american-history/1852-frederick-douglass-what-slave-fourth-july/ Now You Know: We are the world song - https://explorethearchive.com/black-history-month-facts Book The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity and Love https://www.left-bank.com/book/9780743456081 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AjkUyX0rVw Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #fourthofjuly #independence #juneteenth

Happy Pride! In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan dive into the Netflix documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. As a trailblazer for the movement, Marsha's legacy has been underrepresented. She was extremely influential for LGBTQ rights and loved by many. Why is her death still a mystery 30 years later? Let's celebrate the life she lived and impact she had, she touched the lives of innumerable people of the time and certainly for generations to come. Sources: https://www.sageusa.org/honoring-our-black-and-lgbt-veterans/ The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson https://www.netflix.com/title/80189623 Suggested Watch: Pay it No Mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjN9W2KstqE Lindsay Ellis Tracing the Roots of Pop Culture Transphobia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHTMidTLO60 #pridemonth #lgbtqrights #marshapjohnson

Roe v. Wade, very likely, being overturned will affect so much more than abortion rights. From the way you simply have sex to birth control to who you have/want to marry; it's all on the line. Yes, that includes you, too; straight, white, male. This month, Donna & Jonathan relate the leaked SCOTUS opinion and its ripple effects to another way the 13th amendment has a loophole to create enslaved people, once again. Do you think you're immune to this being overturned? We bet not! Sources: https://law.jrank.org/pages/9429/Privileges-Immunities.html https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992 https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fourteenth_amendment_0 https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #roevwade #privacy #13thamendment

We have heard so much, every black history month, about Rosa Parks and how she refused to give up her seat. But, did you know Claudette Colvin did it first? This episode of Now We Know released on the 67th anniversary of Colvin's bold act, a 15 year old black girl, refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a crowded, segregated bus. Donna and Jonathan discuss how intriguing, strong willed and beautiful of a person Claudette is and colorism played a big factor into who became the face of the historic bus boycott of 1955-1956. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCkjB8edydU Check Out: https://www.facebook.com/alettertoclaudettecolvinshortfilm/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #ClaudetteColvin #RosaParks #busboycott #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #womenshistorymonth

This episode, sparked from watching Self Made on Netflix, a docuseries about Madam CJ Walker, named the first black millionaire, has left Donna & Jonathan with more side-eyes about history than we normally have. What does it really mean to be self made? How did Madame CJ walker become dubbed the first self made black millionaire when others came before her? How do we obtain that level of wealth for our own and future generations? Were we given the correct tools or were they purposefully kept from us? Links: https://www.salon.com/2018/02/26/madam-c-j-walker-wasnt-the-first-african-american-millionaire/ https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/madame-c-j-walker https://www.netflix.com/title/80202462 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #blackwealth #financialliteracy #millionaires #blackbusiness

Did Marcus Garvey start a cult or was it simply the most impactful organization fueling movements for decades to come? Yet another tremendously impactful historical figure we didn't learn about in school who would have been instrumental in putting together the pieces of the rest of the civil rights movement we were taught. Controversial? Yes. Perfect leadership style? Not quite. This month Donna & Jonathan are eyes wide open exploring the document, The Story of Marcus Garvey, to bring full circle the impact Garvey's radical ways of thinking and leading have impacted the world of today. You know what would've helped us to connect the dots sooner? We'll let you take a wild guess. Resources: The Story of Marcus Garvey, A Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpsKWGIZIhw https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/marcus-garvey Keep Cool https://youtu.be/m4JyclKbEpo Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #criticalracetheory #crt

A beautifully directed and narrated documentary, I Am Not Your Negro, based upon James Baldwin's telling of life in America. Donna & Jonathan reflect on this documentary relating so closely with Jonathan being a queer black male and persevering through the continued battle of the stigmas that both of these "categories" hold. "But what one does realize is that when you try to stand up and look the world in the face as if you had a right to be here, you have attacked the entire power structure of the western world.” - James Baldwin Sources: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/introduction-james-baldwin https://www.netflix.com/title/80144402 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #JamesBaldwin #blackhistory #queerinamerica #blackinamerica #documentary

Donna & Jonathan reflect on their first year podcasting together and look forward to what 2022 has in store! What are your plans for the new year? How do you want to continue to grow as a community? Be sure to email us at realrelatablepodcast@gmail.com to let us know what topics or people you'd like to see highlighted for 2022. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen #yearinreview #2022 #newyear #podcast

We all have so many wonderful traditions, from your grandmother's dressing to your aunt's pie or the turkey your uncle fried turkey but where did these black holiday favorites come from? This episode we're diving into our own holiday traditions and bringing in a little historical context. Jonathan shares the beauty of going to harvest their food growing up and Donna looks back on her memory of trying to replicate the un-replicatable dressing her aunt makes. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcasts www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcasts #holiday #tradition #soulfood #thanksgiving #christmas #holidaymeal

Don't mess with Texas? Don't mess with women's bodies. The Texas abortion ban has created a flood of opinions and everyone in everyone else's business when they have no right even to be there. This month, Donna and Jonathan dive into this highly debated topic as adoption can be a beautiful avenue but that's not the case for everyone - nor should it be the only option. Forcing people into these situations isn't the answer. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/the-racist-history-of-abortion-and-midwifery-bans/ Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcast

It's August and officially Back to School season and what better time to talk about CRT. But, what is CRT? Does it really need to be banned in k-12 schools? This month Donna and Jonathan dive into Critical Race Theory and what nuance would've meant for them in school growing up. Instagram: @RealRelatablePodcast @DonnaJaneen www.DonnaJaneen.com/podcast

This is an episode that gave Donna & Jonathan the feels! Together they discuss the documentary In Our Mothers' Gardens that beautifully details generation to generation the good, the bad and the ugly life experiences of black women from the diaspora living in America. The hardships overcome to shape these women and the figurative garden beds they nurtured to bring beautiful harvests for generations to come. What have you harvested from your mother's gardens? In Our Mothers' Gardens https://www.netflix.com/title/81354661 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast

Juneteenth brings a certain amount of joy yet confusion as Jonathan and Donna work through their sentiments towards the holiday. Do they celebrate or simply acknowledge? What's enough, what's not enough? Listen along as together they have a revelation about Juneteenth and what it truly means for black culture in America. High on the Hog - How African American Cuisine Transformed America Docuseries on Netflix History of Juneteenth Dr. Shennette Garrett-Scott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIi_53jihMM Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast RealRelatablePodcast@gmail.com

The conversation surrounding mental health and therapy needs to continue. We all have vulnerabilities to work through whether that's from life experience or simply how we're made. It's never too late to take the first step to take care of yourself mentally. Check in on yourself and those around you, you never know what someone is going through. Suggested Tune: Johnnie Frierson Have You Been Good to Yourself https://open.spotify.com/track/2DHylyLFfzaKOBnC0HfDjU?si=JFI-1CB0ROesFgdPZ7D4Wg&nd=1 Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast

Colorism and hair are not as widely discussed as they need to be. We experience discrimination from the hue of our skin to the bounce of our hair or lack there of. Let's dive into these topics, as really they coincide, and figure out how it all started. Remember original Aunt Viv on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Claire on My Wife & Kids? Exactly. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast RealRelatablePodcast@gmail.com

Hello Women's History Month! There are so many incredible women we can highlight that have done an immense amount of work to advance women and humanity overall. This week we're focusing on Lorraine Hansberry as a black playwright, activist and humanitarian who way the first to test the stage of Broadway. Weekly Faith in Humanity Restored: CHILASAROMA Candles @CHILASAROMA www.CHILASAROMA.com Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast

Did you know Black History Month started with Negro History Week? Many thanks to those before us who did the work in making sure there was room for us to learn what we know and can expand upon today. May we be radical in dismantling to learn who we truly are in the best effort push forward positively as a people. We're also celebrating a few greats who hadn't gotten as much recognition and thank them for doing the work for those to follow their footsteps. Instagram: @DonnaJaneen @RealRelatablePodcast RealRelatablePodcast@gmail.com