Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Caribbean American Heritage Month invites us to explore the rich tapestry of identities that shape our diaspora experience. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating yet often overlooked story of "The Merikins" – formerly enslaved Black people who joined British forces during the War of 1812 and later established thriving communities in southern Trinidad. After gaining their freedom through military service, these remarkable individuals received land grants from the British in 1815-1816. In Trinidad, they built productive agricultural settlements, but their contribution extends far beyond farming. They maintained powerful cultural and religious traditions that are still recognized today. Discover more about this remarkable chapter in Caribbean history with us. And while you celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, don't forget to check out our first-ever merch drop, curated playlist, and reading list on our website!Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.The forgotten liberation of thousands stands at the intersection of British military history and the African diaspora. When historian Matthew Taylor stumbled upon brief mentions of Black soldiers in British uniform during the War of 1812, he brought to light an extraordinary story of self-emancipation that would reshape communities across the Caribbean. The Colonial Marines—a unit of formerly enslaved Americans who joined British forces—represents the largest successful liberation movement between the Haitian Revolution and British abolition. This story reveals the remarkable agency of enslaved individuals who recognized opportunity amid conflict and negotiated their freedom through military service.Following the war, approximately 900 Colonial Marines and their families resettled in southern Trinidad, organized by military companies—which explains why communities today still bear names like "Third Company" and "Fourth Company." These settlements became known collectively as the "Merikins," maintaining distinct cultural practices including Virginia Baptist traditions and specific rice cultivation techniques from Georgia. This history offers a powerful lens for understanding Caribbean identity formation beyond simplified national narratives. The Colonial Marines story reveals how liberation movements connected Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean through networks of resistance and community building that continue to shape identities today.Matthew Taylor is a historian & author of Black Redcoats: The Corps of Colonial Marines, a history of African-American escapees from slavery who became British Marines in the War of 1812 (1812-1815). This all-volunteer unit formed a unique & powerful force which had a significant impact on that war, and who secured free futures for themselves & their families in British territories even as the British Empire remained slave-holding. Matthew's work has been called exciting & ground-breaking, and is currently under consideration for a PhD by prior publication.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.What remains of Caribbean identity when our most treasured traditions begin to shift? Bridging thoughts from our recent episodes, I tackle this profound question on cultural evolution. Caribbean culture has never been static—born from struggle, layered with influences, and shaped by resistance, our traditions have always been in motion. But what do we make of it when these traditions are to slip away?There is a natural grief or worry in this loss, but perhaps we can also consider that culture never truly disappears; it simply translates and transforms. The heart of Caribbean identity persists in unexpected places. Our indomitable spirit of rhythm and rebellion continues today as we adapt to new technologies and circumstances. This isn't to dismiss the importance of preservation. Documenting stories, supporting local artists, and archiving our heritage matters deeply. But we can simultaneously honor what's fading while celebrating what's being born.What does being Caribbean mean to you when old ways shift? Do you see echoes of our traditions in new forms? Share your thoughts through email, DM, or send a voice note through our website. This podcast is our collective story—and that story is still being written.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Step into the Caribbean front room – that formal, pristine space with plastic-covered furniture, carefully displayed china, and family photographs that many Caribbean descendants immediately recognize. Dr. Stacey Scott joins us to explore how this distinctive domestic space functions as both cultural archive and architectural expression.We dive deep into what Dr. Scott calls "Caribbean domesticity" – the language, care, memory, and rituals that shape our understanding of home. The front room emerges as a powerful site where seemingly contradictory impulses coexist: colonial respectability alongside cultural resistance, inaccessibility alongside preservation, formality alongside aspirational memory. For Caribbean families, particularly those in diaspora, these curated spaces become theaters of identity where family histories, migration journeys, and cultural values are displayed and transmitted across generations. Dr. Scott challenges us to recognize these domestic practices as legitimate architecture – not just decoration but sophisticated spatial philosophy created by our mothers and grandmothers without formal recognition.Whether you grew up with a front room you weren't allowed to sit in or you're curious about the ways cultural memory is preserved through domestic space, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how Caribbean people have always been architects of their own experience. Listen now to discover how something as seemingly simple as a room with plastic-covered furniture reveals complex histories of dignity, aspiration, and cultural preservation.Stacy Scott is an architectural researcher whose work centers on designing spaces for environments where permanence doesn't apply. Her research focuses on temporary architecture, small-scale design, and how communities respond to climate change and social shifts. From Caribbean coastlines to health spaces, Stacy examines how architecture can respond to uncertainty, fragility, and cultural memory. Her work blends identity, resilience, and community care, always exploring real-world solutions for the spaces we live, work, and exist in.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.The Caribbean's artistic traditions reveal profound truths about our history, identity, and resilience. Keisha Oliver,  PhD candidate at Penn State, joins Strictly Facts as we discuss Bahamian visual culture that challenges conventional understandings of Caribbean creativity. From the gendered practice of straw craft—where women wove not just materials but stories across generations—to the radical educational approaches of forgotten art pioneers, this conversation uncovers how visual expression became a battleground for decolonization. Horace Wright traveled between islands as the Bahamas' only art educator during segregation, while Donald Russell created alternative spaces where Black and white students could learn together despite societal barriers. Their stories reflect the complex migratory patterns that define Caribbean identity itself: birth in one nation, heritage from another, and contributions to a third.Most provocatively, Oliver poses an existential question gaining urgency as climate change threatens island nations: "How do we preserve who Bahamians were outside the physicality of the Bahamas?" This challenge demands innovative approaches to cultural documentation that honor indigenous and African diasporic traditions while embracing new technologies and platforms. By framing arts education as a form of Black radical thought, this episode reveals how cultural expression functions as political resistance and nation-building. The conversation ultimately demonstrates that art doesn't merely reflect Caribbean identity—it actively creates it, serving as both anchor to our past and compass toward our future.Keisha Oliver is Bahamian assistant professor of Art and Design at the University of The Bahamas, and a PhD candidate in the dual-title Art Education and African American and Diaspora Studies program at the Pennsylvania State University. As an artist-scholar whose research intersects heritage studies and arts pedagogy, Oliver's current work focuses on mid-twentieth century transcultural African diasporic art histories and archives. She currently stewards the Charles Blockson Collection of African Americana and The African Diaspora at Penn State and serves on several boards for arts organizations in the Caribbean and United States. Her research has been published internationally in the areas of museum studies, visual arts research, Bahamian art, and Caribbean art history.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Have you ever wondered about the beautiful complexity that arises when different cultures blend? The Caribbean term "Dougla" captures exactly that—specifically describing people of mixed African and Indian heritage in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. Today we unpack this fascinating identity that emerged from the region's colonial past of enslavement and indentured servitude. Derived from the Hindi word "Dogala" (meaning "double" or "mix"), the term once carried negative connotations but has been powerfully reclaimed as a symbol of pride. This blending of worlds symbolizes the Caribbean's remarkable capacity for cultural resilience and reinvention. It reminds us that some of humanity's most beautiful creations emerge at the intersection of different traditions. Subscribe to Strictly Facts for more explorations of Caribbean history and culture, and join our conversation about the diverse heritage that shapes our world today!Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.The Caribbean's financial revolution has been quietly unfolding for generations. We delve into the powerful world of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) known throughout the region as Padna, Susu, Boxhand, and countless other names. Dr. Caroline Hossein joins us as we reveal how these grassroots financial systems challenge Western capitalism by prioritizing collective wellbeing over individual profit. We trace these practices through the Middle Passage to contemporary Caribbean communities and their diasporas worldwide. Dr. Hossein shares fascinating insights from her research documenting these "banker ladies" who organize and manage these systems with remarkable financial acumen. These community banking practices aren't relics of the past but living demonstrations of alternative economic possibilities – showing how financial systems can be democratized and made to serve community needs. For anyone interested in economic justice, community building, or Caribbean cultural resilience, this episode offers profound insights into how ancient wisdom continues to create pathways to freedom and prosperity.A multi-award-winning scholar, Dr. Caroline Shenaz Hossein is Canada Research Chair in Africana Development and Feminist Political Economy and Associate Professor of Global Development & Political Economy at the University of Toronto. Hossein is founder of the Diverse Solidarity Economies (DISE) Collective, which involves a wide range of feminist scholars concerned with building a human economy. Hossein's research navigates solidarity economies–a movement started in the Global South–which prioritizes social profitability over financial gain. She is the author of over 50 scholarly publications, including The Banker Ladies: Vanguards of Solidarity Economics and Community-Based Banks (2024) and produced a documentary of the same name, both about Black women's participation in mutual aid. Sign up for Sendwave and you will receive a $20 credit for your first transfer! To receive the credit sign up for Sendwave, click this link to download the app up.The value may change to $10, $15 and up to $20 at any time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Dive into the extraordinary story of Lumina Sophie (1848-1879), a lesser-known yet powerful figure in Caribbean history, as we explore her inspiring journey during a time of revolutionary fervor. Born in a post-emancipation Martinique, Sophie defied traditional gender roles by leading a revolt for liberation while pregnant, embodying the spirit of resilience and unwavering courage. As we discuss the historical context of her actions, we'll unpack the events that led to her participation in a movement sparked by injustice. Learn how a violent encounter fueled a collective uprising, driven by the will of Black Martinicans, and discover how women, including Sophie, played a vital role in the pursuit of freedom and equality. This episode emphasizes the sheer power of community activism and the critical voices of women throughout history, which often remain unheard. Join us as we celebrate Women's History Month by shining a light on the incredible legacy of Lumina Sophie—a trailblazer who's fight for justice continues to inspire all of us today!Sign up for Sendwave and you will receive a $20 credit for your first transfer! To receive the credit sign up for Sendwave, click this link to download the app up.The value may change to $10, $15 and up to $20 at any time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Join Strictly Facts as we uncover the hidden stories of the Caribbean's military past, featuring the intriguing West India Regiments established by the British Army. Our guest, Isaac Crichlow, a graduate student from the University College of London, helps us explore the paradoxical roles of these soldiers, who found themselves fighting both for and against colonial powers, shedding light on their complex identities and the duality of their existence.We delve into the precarious position of enslaved African soldiers within the British Empire, where promises of freedom often clashed with the harsh reality of servitude. Additionally, we highlight the tensions between allegiance to the British Empire and racial identity, illustrating how these men navigated their challenging roles, sometimes embracing British military ideology and other times resisting it. Our conversation culminates in a discussion about the enduring legacy of the West India Regiments and their significant, yet frequently overlooked, contributions to global conflicts like the Napoleonic Wars. We celebrate WIR soldiers' diverse backgrounds and shared experiences and amplify their impact on both Caribbean and world histories.Isaac Crichlow is a PhD student researching Caribbean history at UCL. He is primarily interested in the transference of African culture to the Caribbean through transatlantic enslavement, and it's use by the enslaved in new contexts as a tool for resistance and survival. His research, funded through a studentship with the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery (CSLBS) focuses on the West India Regiments, units of formerly enslaved African soldiers. It examines the core function of the regiments, analyses the treatment of the soldiers by the British Army, and looks at how the soldiers reacted to their treatment by military. Through this approach he creates a different interpretation of the provenance of the WIRs, their role in Caribbean slave society and relationship with the British Army. Sign up for Sendwave and you will receive a $20 credit for your first transfer! To receive the credit sign up for Sendwave, click this link to download the app up.The value may change to $10, $15 and up to $20 at any time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Journey through Black history and Caribbean connections, revealing the incredible legacy of Black missionaries in the British and Dutch Guianas. Dr. Briana Royster joins us to discuss how the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the National Baptist Convention played pivotal roles in connecting African American and Afro-Guyanese communities during the 19th and 20th centuries, connecting diasporic communities across the Atlantic and illuminating the intertwined stories of migration, race, and empowerment that span the Caribbean and the Americas. This episode sheds light on the shared struggles and cultural nuances, Black internationalism through religion, and how even Garveyism found contrasting receptions across lines of faith..Turning our focus to the influential role of Afro-Guyanese women, we highlight the contributions of figures like Mrs. Dorothy Morris and Mrs. Constance Luckie. These trailblazers leveraged mutual aid networks and navigated church bureaucracy to secure vital community resources. We discuss the importance of oral history and personal archives and the often-overlooked influence of religion on global Black solidarity and social justice. Join us as we celebrate these unsung heroes and reflect on the enduring power of faith to unite and uplift Black communities worldwide.Briana Adline Royster is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender and Race Studies at The University of Alabama. She received her PhD in History from New York University with concentrations in African Diaspora history and Latin American and Caribbean history. Her research interests center the histories of Black women primarily in the United States and the Caribbean during the first half of the twentieth century. Follow Dr. Royster on X. Sign up for Sendwave and you will receive a $20 credit for your first transfer! To receive the credit sign up for Sendwave, click this link to download the app up.The value may change to $10, $15 and up to $20 at any time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Learn about the visionary leadership of Jose "Cha Cha" Jimenez (August 8, 1948 – January 10, 2025), who turned the Young Lords from a street gang into a powerful political force. Jimenez, inspired by the Black Panther Party, reshaped the landscape of Latino activism in the U.S., addressing systemic racism, poverty, and police brutality. This episode promises to enrich your understanding of the Young Lords' bold initiatives, such as the 1969 Garbage Offensive and their pioneering community programs that continue to echo through today's social justice movements.Join Strictly Facts as we reflect on the enduring impact of Jimenez's role in advocating for Latino rights and broader racial justice. Explore how his alliance with the Rainbow Coalition created a multicultural movement that challenged the status quo and inspired future generations. Despite the disbandment of the Young Lords in 1976, their legacy remains a vital part of the ongoing fight for equality and community empowerment. Tune in to understand how Jimenez's contributions continue to inspire new activists in their pursuit of social change and recognition of Latino history and rights.Sign up for Sendwave and you will receive a $20 credit for your first transfer! To receive the credit sign up for Sendwave, click this link to download the app up.The value may change to $10, $15 and up to $20 at any time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.As we kick off a new year and celebrate five incredible years of Strictly Facts, we're taking a fresh angle by focusing on those narratives that lie just beneath the surface, often ignored by mainstream stories. This year, we're shining a light on hidden treasures. These overlooked stories not only enrich our understanding of our past but also forge stronger connections among Caribbean voices worldwide.I'm Alexandria Miller, your guide on this journey, and I'm excited to invite you to become a part of our Strictly Facts family. We're celebrating milestones like our 100th episode and encouraging you to share your own between-the-lines stories. With each episode, we aim to connect historical themes to contemporary music, popular culture, and current events, painting a vibrant picture of our Caribbean nations' evolution. Subscribe, follow us on social media, and share this journey as we explore the depths of our shared history and culture for 2025!Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Art speaks volumes about history and resilience. Join us as we chart the artistic evolution of the Cayman Islands with Maia Muttoo, Education Manager at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. With her fascinating pan-Caribbean roots, Maia offers a unique perspective on how storytelling, history, and art intertwine to shape the Caribbean narrative. Our journey takes us to the heart of the Cayman Islands, where the spirit of creativity thrives amid challenging environments. Discover the remarkable craftsmanship and ingenuity of Caymanians, from the iconic Cayman Catboat's maritime legacy to the meticulous art of thatch basketry. This episode highlights the traditional skills that have been passed down through generations, revealing a blend of survival and artistry that remains integral to Caymanian identity. Artistic expression in the Cayman Islands continues to evolve, fueled by a dynamic blend of traditional crafts and contemporary influences. Whether you're captivated by the evocative seafaring heritage captured by Simon Tatum or the intuitive dream-inspired art of Miss Lassie, this episode invites you to experience the Cayman Islands' rich artistic landscape and the cultural connections that inspire it.Maia Muttoo is a cultural professional interested in the role of arts-based programming, storytelling and events in education, public outreach, and the enlivening of community. She is the Education Manager at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) where her work supports community engagement with NGCI's visual art collections, exhibitions and initiatives through the development, implementation and evaluation of public programmes and resources. Muttoo holds a MA with distinction in Cultural and Creative Industries from King's College, London, and a BA (Hons) in History from the University of Toronto. She has participated in the Museums Association of the Caribbean's annual conference since 2022, and has been involved in a range of cultural projects locally and regionally through her work with both public and private organisations as a writer, educator, and events/programmes coordinator. Muttoo was an exhibiting artist in the 3rd Cayman Islands Biennial, Conversations with the Past in the Present Tense, and is the recipient of a Heritage Cross Award (Mid-Career) at the Cayman National Cultural Foundation's 2023 National Arts and Culture Awards. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Our history of migration spans across the world. Join us as we journey with Alya Harding, a community organizer and PhD student, who shares her heartfelt exploration of Sierra Leonean Creole/Krio culture and her personal quest to uncover her Trinidadian roots. We examine the historical migrations that have woven a diverse Creole culture, bringing together Africans, African Americans, and Afro-Caribbean individuals in Sierra Leone. Alya's narrative of growing up in post-civil war Sierra Leone, paired with her newfound connections to her Caribbean heritage, paints a vivid picture of identity and belonging within the African diaspora.This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the complex layers of Creole culture, as seen through the lens of "roots versus routes" by scholar Paul Gilroy. We discuss the spiritual connections that bind African and Caribbean people, bolstered by historical movements such as the Haitian Revolution. The conversation also critically examines the romanticized idea of "returning" to Africa. We challenge the commercialization and exclusivity of this concept, advocating for genuine engagement with local communities and learning from past social movements. Alya enriches the dialogue with her personal anecdotes, and together we explore the enduring quest for freedom within Black communities worldwide. Dive into these narratives and gain access to further resources on the Strictly Facts podcast website, as we continue to explore these essential themes in our ongoing series.Alya Harding, is a community organiser based in East London, concerned with issues of gender-based violence, migration, and agency. Alya's activism and academic pursuits are deeply influenced by her early childhood in post-civil war Sierra Leone, shaped by the resilience of her Krio heritage and the richness of creolised cultures. She is particularly drawn to storytelling as a means to explore the tensions between theory and practice, grounded in a feminist approach that reimagines identity and freedom at the intersections of race, gender, and empire. Alya's PhD research through an intergenerational discourse seeks to explore feminised migratory survival modes through the family pathology of African female headed households across Britain. In particular, examining how these practices affect their children, especially how they have shaped their daughters' views on identity, belonging and healing.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Have you ever considered how the people we associate with one Caribbean island might actually hail from another, and how these stories of migration shape identities? Join me as we uncover the intriguing tales of Caribbean icons and their unexpected island origins. This episode of Strictly Facts takes you on a journey through the intertwined histories of the Caribbean, starting with Grenadian leaders Sir Eric Gairy and Maurice Bishop, whose roots stretch to Aruba, and extending to cultural figures like Rita Marley and the Mighty Sparrow, who have left indelible marks across multiple islands.Immerse yourself in narratives that reveal the profound interconnectedness of the Caribbean region. Discover how Jamaican theater stalwart Randolph Williams began his life in Panama, and learn about Trinidadian model Sintra Bronte's surprising rise to become the face of Jamaican tourism. These stories highlight the fluidity of Caribbean identity and the vibrant cultural tapestry woven from movements across the islands. Tune in for a riveting exploration that reshapes our understanding of heritage, migration, and cultural influence throughout the Caribbean.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.What can Aruba teach us about cultural resilience and the quest for autonomy? Join Strictly Facts as we sit down with Dr. Gregory Richardson from the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano to unveil the intricate layers of Aruba's history and culture. Dr. Richardson, a notable educator and researcher, sheds light on how Aruba's unique status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, known as status aparte, was realized in 1986. Together, we explore the island's indigenous roots, colonial legacy from Spain, Britain, and the Netherlands, and the powerful role activism has played in shaping Aruba's identity today.Our conversation takes a deeper look into the political and cultural dynamics that have defined Aruba and the wider Dutch Caribbean over the years. We discuss the island's linguistic diversity, where Dutch serves as the language of instruction, yet Papiamento and Spanish hold cultural significance. The 1970s brought waves of calls for autonomy, and we dissect Gilberto François "Betico" Cruz's crucial leadership in achieving Aruba's separate status. As we navigate through the 2010 restructuring of the Dutch Caribbean and the ongoing debate over independence, we draw parallels with the situation in Puerto Rico and reflect on the complex identities that emerge from these small island societies. The episode crescendos with an exploration of Aruba's vibrant cultural expressions. Dr. Richardson helps us understand how the island's cultural practices are acts of autonomy, allowing Arubans to assert their identity beyond political boundaries. Experience the rich tapestry of Aruba's culture, where music and language are not just modes of expression but also tools of cultural assertion in this fascinating journey into Aruba's heart and soul.Dr Gregory Richardson is an educator and researcher at the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (Aruba), a part time lecturer at the University of Aruba and a postdoc researcher at the The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) . He has published several works on Calypso Music in Aruba and the region; also in the area of identity and diversity, Other areas of research include, general Latin American and Caribbean studies, sociolinguistics, music, practitioner-based research and education. He is also involved in community based activities.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Join Strictly Facts as we share the captivating journey of education in the French Caribbean, focusing on Martinique's rich history throughout the 20th century. With the insightful PhD candidate Nora Eguienta by my side, we unravel the largely untold stories of women educators who profoundly shaped the educational and political landscape from 1920 to 1960. These women dominated teaching positions yet were conspicuously absent from leadership roles—a paradox that persisted until well into the late 1960s. Nora helps is to explore this intriguing dynamic, diving into historical narratives and the powerful activism led by figures like Paulette Nardal, challenging the biases that limited women's roles in education.Our conversation also takes a scholarly turn as we discuss Patrick Chamoiseau's "Chemin d'école," providing a cultural snapshot of the 1950s schooling experience amid Martinique's transition into a French department. Through this lens, we address the educational challenges of cultural and linguistic barriers, while highlighting the unsung heroes who contributed to the island's rich history. From the impact of migration on teaching staff to the importance of curricula that reflected local histories, we weave a complex tapestry of topics that emphasize the profound influence of everyday individuals on the social history of the French West Indies. Join us in celebrating the resilience and contributions of those who paved the way for future generations.Nora Eguienta is a PhD candidate in the Department of History at the University Paris 8—Saint-Denis. She is preparing a thesis titled “Les institutrices de l'école primaire laïque en Martinique des années 1920 aux années 1960.” Her research focuses on the history of education, especially on women teaching in elementary schools in Martinique during colonial and postcolonial times. Nora analyzes women professionalization in the context of development of public schools during the French Third Republic and studies their different types of political commitment as educated women living in a colonial society. She is also a certified teacher, teaching contemporary history at middle school, high school and college level. Follow Nora on Twitter and LinkedIn. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.What if the rhythm of an island could reshape global music? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Swanston Baker who both brings her rich family heritage and academic expertise to trace the roots and evolution of wylers, its integral role in Carnival, and reveal how Caribbean music has profoundly influenced the global soundscape.Journey with us as we explore the dynamic evolution of Caribbean Christmas sports, with a special focus on the historical and cultural transformations in St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr. Swanston Baker sheds light on the technological advancements of the 1980s that propelled the development of wylers music, setting the stage for its contemporary form and challenging societal norms with its rapid tempo. Finally, we discuss the broader impact of globalization on Caribbean music in the 1990s and 2000s. Learn how affordable music technology enabled a new generation of musicians to bypass traditional pathways, reshaping the local and global music scenes. We also dive into the personal stories of navigating family history through ethnomusicology, highlighting the significance of tempo and poetic expression in Caribbean culture.Jessica Swanston Baker is an ethnomusicologist specializing in contemporary popular music of the Circum-Caribbean. Her work centers on the intricate relationships between tempo, aesthetics, colonial legacies, and the intersections of race and gender in the region and its diaspora. Her book, Island Time: Speed and the Archipelago from St. Kitts and Nevis (University of Chicago Press, 2024), traces the sonic history and ethnographic present of wylers, a fast-paced style of music from St. Kitts and Nevis, examining how it reflects broader histories of colonization, Black femininity, and West Indian performance practices. Professor Baker earned a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Bucknell University.  Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Recently celebrating 62 years of independence, Trinidad and Tobago is regarded as one of the most successful nations in the Caribbean. However, what are the signs of a successful independent nation? In this episode, Dr. Zophia Edwards joins us to discuss the complexity of what constitutes “success” and the role of ordinary people in shaping the country's trajectory.  The heart of our conversation centers on the pivotal role of working people in Trinidad and Tobago's progress both before and after independence. Despite the persistent structural dependencies on natural resources and foreign markets inherited from colonial times, the tenacity and mobilization of the working class have driven notable improvements in material conditions such as lower infant mortality and increased life expectancy. We explore how multiracial and multi-sectoral solidarity among workers, spanning industries from sugar to oil, has consistently fought for equitable wages, better working conditions, and broader societal change, culminating in robust democratic systems and enhanced human welfare.Finally, we delve into the intersections of race, class, and culture in the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of understanding these dynamics to fully grasp the region's past and future. Discussions on how colonial power funneled different racial groups into specific economic sectors and how workers forged a multiracial movement against oppression, are complemented by the cultural resistance captured in Calypso music and social movements. Dr. Edwards also brings in perspectives from key scholars and contemporary thinkers, shedding light on recent movements and the exploitation of natural resources. Tune in to understand how historical legacies and grassroots organizing continue to shape the Caribbean's path towards justice and liberation.Zophia Edwards is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. Her research examines race, labor, colonialism, state-building, and comparative development in the Global South. Her forthcoming book with Duke University Press examines the role of multiracial labor movements in state-building and equity-enhancing development in Trinidad and Tobago. She has published in academic journals such as International Journal of Comparative Sociology and her public scholarship appears outlets such as Monthly Review and Clash! *Additional Notes foSupport the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform Share this episode with someone or online and tag us Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Embark on a remarkable journey through Caribbean history with us as we welcome Martine Powers, the senior host of the Washington Post Reports, as well as the host creator of the gripping series "The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop." Martine's personal connection to the Caribbean, stemming from her Trinidadian heritage and family ties to Grenada, brings an intimate and profound perspective to the complex story of Maurice Bishop. Discover the intricate mysteries surrounding Bishop's execution and the enigmatic disappearance of his body, alongside speculations about possible US government involvement.Creating this series was no small feat, and Martine's dedication shines through as she shares the challenges and triumphs faced over two years of meticulous reporting. Balancing her primary job, relentless travel, and the hustle of gathering credible sources, Martine's commitment to bringing Caribbean stories to life is nothing short of inspiring. Her journey underscores the cultural significance of accurate storytelling, especially for Caribbean Americans yearning to see their heritage represented with depth and authenticity.The conversation delves into the politically charged atmosphere of Grenada during Maurice Bishop's era, offering a nuanced view far removed from the stereotypical vacation paradise. Through compelling anecdotes and powerful interviews, the discussion captures the intense experiences of those who lived through this turbulent time. It also shines a light on the often-overlooked histories of other Caribbean nations like Jamaica and Haiti, emphasizing the need for more stories that reflect the vibrant, resilient spirit of Caribbean people. Join us to uncover these untold narratives and gain a richer understanding of the Caribbean's multifaceted heritage.Connect with Martine Powers - Martine.Powers@washpost.comSupport the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.What if your country had to fight for its independence not once, but twice? Join us as we unveil the incredible story of the Dominican Republic's Restoration Day, celebrated on August 16th. This episode of Strictly Facts explores the Dominican Restoration War from 1863 to 1865, during which the nation valiantly reclaimed its sovereignty from Spain. We'll highlight key figures like Santiago Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Duarte, who played essential roles in this epic struggle, and discuss how their leadership helped shape the country's national identity.From the initial Cry of Capotillo to the final moments of victory, discover how the Dominican Republic's triumph inspired broader independence movements throughout the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Despite facing immense challenges, including attempts at annexation by multiple powers, the Dominican people's resilience shone through. This episode is not just a recount of historical events but a tribute to the enduring spirit of a nation. Tune in to learn about the lasting impact of the Dominican Republic's Second Republic, and don't forget to follow us on social media to share your own reflections on Restoration Day and other significant milestones you'd like us to cover.Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.With the renowned Notting Hill Carnival coming up at the end of the month, what a better time than now to reshare about the extraordinary life and work of one of its co-founders, activist and intellectual Claudia Jones. Jones was a pioneering Caribbean activist whose contributions have shaped movements for human rights and equality across the globe. From her roots in Trinidad and Tobago to her unyielding fight against racial and gender injustices in both the US and the UK, Claudia Jones's legacy is a vibrant testament to the power of resilience and advocacy.This episode of Strictly Facts is a tribute to her indomitable spirit, exploring her early involvement with the Junior NAACP and the National Urban League, her influential writings for the Communist Party, and her relentless activism even after being deported from the US. Learn about her pivotal role in founding Britain's first major Black newspaper, the West Indian Gazette, her advocacy for the Windrush generation, and her unwavering commitment to equality. Tune in to hear how Claudia Jones not only challenged but transformed the landscape of activism for the Caribbean diaspora and beyond.Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.In this episode of Strictly Facts, we're joined by Dr. Sanyu Mulira, a recent NYU graduate with a passion for feminism and anti-colonial activism in the Francophone Black Atlantic. Together, we discuss the intricate history of the French Caribbean through the Negritude movement and its impact on global Black intellectualism, illuminating the legacies the pivotal roles played by territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique.We dissect the socio-economic landscape of the French Caribbean in the 20th century and explore the emergence of the Negritude movement. Special attention is given to influential figures such as Aimé Césaire and the Nardal sisters, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on global Black intellectualism. Through a fellow women's historian viewpoint, we also highlight lesser-known yet crucial contributors to the Negritude movement. We also shine a light on the grassroots activism led by communist women's groups in Guadeloupe and Martinique. These groups worked tirelessly to empower their communities by listening to what they needed. From the achievements of pioneering women like  Gerty Archimède to the ongoing efforts of contemporary activists, we underscore the importance of historical documentation in preserving these vital narratives. Tune in to appreciate the legacy of activists like Paulette Nardal and Gerty Archimède as we ensure their significant impact remains recognized and remembered.Sanyu Mulira is a graduate of the African Diaspora History doctoral program at New York University. Her work looks at histories of feminism and anti-colonial activism in the Francophone Black Atlantic. In the fall 2024 semester, Sanyu Mulira will be an Assistant Professor of African Diaspora History at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the department of History and Sociology. Caribbean Legal Solutions is the easiest way to find an attorney in the Caribbean. Contact them today at 1-877-418-2723 or via WhatsApp (718) 887-6141 or caribbeanlegalsolutions.com Disclaimer: This podcast ad contains general information about Caribbean Legal Solutions and is not intended as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.We continue our Caribbean culinary voyage with Haitian and Bajan cuisine alongside experts, Kerline Ordeus and Leanna Pierre. Together, we uncover the culinary ties between West African and Caribbean dishes, drawing enlightening parallels between the shared heritage of cassava and okra through Haitian tomtom and Barbados' national dish, flying fish and cou-cou.  We also honor the stories and traditions that make Caribbean food so special like Haiti's soup joumou to Bajan salt bread, illustrating how food preserves cultural identity. Join us as we unearth how ancestral practices and ingredients have been preserved and adapted, revealing the deep connections between food, culture, and history.Leanna Pierre is a food blogger (under the name Mrs Island Breeze) and world traveler who loves to cook for her husband and children. A first-generation American, she is proud to be the daughter of her Barbados-born and raised parents. Leanna learned how to cook from her mother and her paternal grandmother and has continued to develop her skills over the years through various cooking classes and expanded her repertoire to include cuisines from all over the world. Leanna's specialty is traditional Caribbean cuisine with a twist of “Southern Comfort” from living in Atlanta for the past 15 years.The founder of Knockout Kitchen, Kerline Ordeus has been cooking for over 20 years. She learned how to cook from the villagers and her family in Haiti. They were taught by their parents and parents' parents. Haitian cuisine is all about flavors and techniques. A true labor of love. Like every Haitian, Kerline is very much in love with her island. What she remembers most is the beauty of Haitian people despite the hardships that they still face today, hence, her passion for people and why she loves cooking. Follow Kerline online.Caribbean Legal Solutions is the easiest way to find an attorney in the Caribbean. Contact them today at 1-877-418-2723 or via WhatsApp (718) 887-6141 or caribbeanlegalsolutions.com Disclaimer: This podcast ad contains general information about Caribbean Legal Solutions and is not intended as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.The food on our plates tell stories of colonialism, cultural resistance, and resilience. Join Strictly Facts and guest Dr. Mónica Ocasio Vega, esteemed cultural scholar, cook, and assistant professor at Trinity University for a fascinating culinary journey through the Hispanic Caribbean. Drawing inspiration from her father's activism and her academic background, she unveils how food intersects with race, gender, and class to shape the unique national cuisines of Puerto Rico, Cuba, & the Dominican Republic.The United States has long, complex relationship with the Caribbean, impacting its nutritional spheres. Dr. Ocasio Vega helps us unpack these issues by exploring the layers of U.S. intervention, often disguised as aid, and its repercussions on traditional foodways. Particularly poignant is her discussion on Puerto Rico's colonial status and its challenges achieving true food sovereignty, considering the impact of agricultural policies like the Jones Act that have altered the food landscape. We also discover the interconnected histories of Caribbean food, shining a light on the oft-overlooked Chinese Caribbean cuisine. From the legacy of Chinese Cuban entrepreneurs to Afro-Asian fusion dishes, we explore the culinary diversity that defines the region. This episode is sure to enrich your understanding of the vibrant, multifaceted world of Caribbean food traditions.Mónica Ocasio Vega is Assistant Professor of Spanish at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Her research focuses on the intersection of food, race, and gender in the Caribbean and its diasporas. She describes herself first and foremost as a Puerto Rican cook, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and nourisher from el campo in Cabo Rojo. Her work has been featured on Gastronomica, Small Axe, Intervenxions, and Remezcla, among others. Follow Monica on X & Instagram. Caribbean Legal Solutions is the easiest way to find an attorney in the Caribbean. Visit their website at caribbeanlegalsolutions.com Disclaimer: This podcast ad contains general information about Caribbean Legal Solutions and is not intended as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Ever wondered how Caribbean cuisine became a melting pot of flavors and cultures? Join us for the first part of an eye-opening series with three culinary experts who have dedicated their lives to celebrating and preserving the rich food traditions of the Caribbean. Featuring Jamaican-Canadian chef Noel Cunningham, seasoned home cook and food writer Lesley Enston, and Guyanese-born food blogger Althea Brown, this episode promises to elucidate Caribbean culinary history and its global significance.Discover the intricate stories behind iconic dishes like Jamaican jerk and Guyanese Pepper Pot, and learn how historical movements and colonization have infused Caribbean food with African, Indian, Portuguese, and Asian influences. We debunk myths about the simplicity and healthiness of Caribbean cuisine, revealing the complexity and nutritional richness that have been overlooked. Our guests offer invaluable insights into the labor-intensive processes and cultural significance behind these beloved dishes, enriching your appreciation for this diverse food culture.We also tackle the fine line between celebrating Caribbean cuisine on a global stage and the risks of cultural appropriation. Learn from heartwarming personal anecdotes and professional experiences how Noelle, Lesley, and Althea are championing authenticity and respect in the culinary world. Tune in for a comprehensive, heartfelt exploration of Caribbean food culture that will leave you both informed and inspired. Don't forget to check out strictlyfactspod.com for more resources and follow us on social media for ongoing discussions.Be sure to follow Althea, Lesley, and Noel and support their work!Caribbean Legal Solutions is the easiest way to find an attorney in the Caribbean. Visit their website at caribbeanlegalsolutions.com Disclaimer: This podcast ad contains general information about Caribbean Legal Solutions and is not intended as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice specific to your situation. Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.From the cobblestone streets of Montego Bay to the airwaves of your favorite podcasting platform, Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown, founder of Breadfruit Media and producer of Strictly Facts, joins us as we reflect on the evolution of Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History & Culture and discuss her passion for Caribbean American narratives. Wading through the complex currents of Caribbean heritage, this episode serves as an audio compass guiding us through the shared experiences that unite the diaspora. Through the medium of podcasting, we unearth the common cultural threads—from migration patterns to the very words we speak—that bind us together, ensuring that our stories continue to thrive and reach new shores. We harmonize over the show's vision, the historical narratives infused with cultural revelations in segments like Strictly Facts Sounds, and share some of our favorite moments and episodes, revealing the profound impact of memorializing events like the Kendal Railway Tragedy for future generations. So tune in, as we celebrate Strictly Facts on the eve of Caribbean American Heritage Month and our love for Caribbean storytelling through podcasting. Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown is the founder of Carry On Friends, a digital platform. She is also the host, Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Experience, a show with authentically energetic Caribbean vibes, and thoughtful dialogue around culture, heritage, career, and everyday life that make up the Caribbean American experience. Through Breadfruit Media, Reid-Brown produces content, specifically podcasts with a priority and emphasis on stories by Caribbean Americans on a variety of topics reflecting the diversity of experiences of the Caribbean's global diaspora. When she is not producing or recording episodes, she is fostering a community with the Caribbean Podcast Directory which is a growing list of podcasts created by people of Caribbean Heritage whether in the region or in the diaspora. Professionally, Reid-Brown has over 15 years of experience in a variety of roles resulting in a unique blend of project management, HR, talent development, operations, customer relations and marketing experiences. I am currently a learning & development program manager for a management consulting company.Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.Join us for a riveting discussion with Dr. Shani Roper, Curator at the University of West Indies Museum, as we celebrate a monumental event—the homecoming of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp from Scotland, an emblem of natural heritage that's been away since the 1850s. The stirring tale of this lizard's return is not only a first in the repatriation of natural history specimens to the Caribbean region but also a testament to the collaborative spirit between international institutions.Embracing the complexities of international diplomacy and reparations, we recount the behind-the-scenes efforts that paved the way for the Giant Galliwasp's return. Dr. Roper and I dissect everything from the meticulous negotiations and logistics involving the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) conventions to the detailed protocols that ensured the specimen's safe journey back to the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. The impact of this successful transfer extends beyond the mere physical possession—it's a powerful acknowledgement of Caribbean heritage, shaping policies and legal frameworks essential for the preservation of historical narratives.Weaving the social history of the galliwasp into our discussion, Dr. Roper showcases a creature steeped in the folklore & collective memory of Jamaica. The episode also casts a wider net on the topic of artifact repatriation, considering the roles of diasporic communities and the necessary steps Caribbean nations must take to protect and honor their repatriated cultural property. As we celebrate this significant chapter in Jamaica's story, we invite listeners to reflect on the broader implications of this homecoming for our shared global history.Shani Roper is Curator of the UWI Museum and has worked for twenty years in the museum sector in Jamaica. She is also Co-President of Museums Association of the Caribbean and holds a PhD (Rice University) in Caribbean history with a focA Little Bit de TodoA Little Bit de Todo is a podcast about a little bit of everything, for curious minds...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Joined by Mr. Kevin Farmer of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, we explore identity, cultural preservation, and the journey of Caribbean museums from colonial-era institutions to centers that shape national consciousness and safeguard heritage. Mr. Farmer's insights illuminate the evolution of Caribbean museums, spotlighting their crucial role in giving voice to marginalized communities and confronting complex histories within their walls. We capture the essence of a collective awakening, when cultural policies and spaces like the National Art Gallery in Jamaica emerge, nurturing local talent and innovation, as well as national journeys to define identity through cultural institutions. We also tackle global resonance, the repatriation of artifacts, to discuss the wider challenges of decolonizing archaeology. From this episode, gain a richer appreciation for the power of museums in both reflecting and shaping our collective memory and identity.Kevin Farmer is currently Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society (BMHS). As Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum, he has the responsibility for museum exhibition programming and capital campaign fundraising. He holds a Master's degree in History (Heritage Studies) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, and has lectured in Archaeology at the Department of History at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and taught at the UWI Cave Hill in their MA Heritage Studies program.   A member of the Barbados World Heritage Committee, he was site manager for the property Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, and is currently site manager for the Newton Enslaved Burial Ground. Mr. Farmer is co-editor of the publication entitled:  Pre-colonial and Post-Colonial Contact Archaeology in Barbados (2019); Plantation to Nation: Caribbean Museums and National Identity(2012) along with articles written on cultural resource management, historical archaeology, and the future of heritage development.A member of the International Association of Caribbean Archaeologists and Museum Association of the Caribbean he has provided expert advice to Regional partners on the 1970 Convention, Disaster Resilience, and Museum Development. His research interests include the creation of cultural identity in post-colonial states, the role of museums in national development, the management and curation of archaeological resources, and the role of heritage in national development. Support the Show.Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Join us as we journey through the linguistic heritage of Saint Lucia with Soir Smith, a passionate St. Lucian Kwéyòl advocate, guiding us through the colorful landscape of French-based creole languages that flourish across the Caribbean. These tongues, far from just a derivative of French, are rich embodiments of culture, history, and identity. We unravel these histories woven from the threads of African, European, and Indigenous Caribbean peoples, challenging the notion that Creole is merely "broken French." Together, we celebrate the unique complexities of these languages, reflecting resilience in the face of colonization.Our exploration deepens as we traverse the grammar and verb usage of St. Lucian Creole, uncovering how it is distinguished from its French roots. We dissect the verb 'to be,' marvel at the absence of silent letters, and ponder the historical weight carried by speaking Creole. Smith shares her journey, weaving personal tales and the profound motivation behind her mission to author a book on St. Lucian Creole. This episode isn't just a discussion; it's an homage to a language that represents freedom and unyielding ancestral bonds throughs linguistic liberationAs a passionate advocate for language and culture, Soir Smith has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Saint Lucian kwéyòl. With a deep love for writing, Smith has recently accomplished a significant milestone by completing her first book, a comprehensive guide to learning the language of Saint Lucian kwéyòl. An Introduction to Kwéyòl Sent Lisi serves as a testament to her commitment to preserving the essence of St. Lucian cultural identity. By providing a comprehensive guide, Smith aims to empower individuals to embrace and celebrate their unique linguistic heritage. Smith also actively engages with the community by offering kwéyòl lessons and advocating for the recognition and appreciation of kwéyòl in various spheres, including education, arts, and social initiatives. She remains steadfast in her mission to ensure that the language and culture of Saint Lucian kwéyòl along with the other Antillean French based creoles continue to flourish, enriching the lives of present and future generations. Follow Soir online on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

The Caribbean is a region of a myriad of languages, Caribbean sign languages included. In this episode, we're joined by Caribbean sign language scholar Kris M Ali to discuss the diversity of sign languages, from the shores of Jamaica to the Bay Islands. It's not just about communication; it's a tapestry of identity, history, and resiliency. We uncover the challenges faced by lesser-known sign languages and the potential harm of a one-size-fits-all approach to language policy. Our conversation traverses the cultural significance behind these languages, the vibrant activism of local communities that has sparked change, the battles for legal recognition, and the power these languages hold in fostering rights for the Deaf community. Join us for our first discussion and stay tuned for Part II coming soon. Be sure to check out the transcript of this episode here.  Kris Ali is a PhD candidate in the department of linguistics at University of California Santa Barbara. Her research interests are broadly Caribbean languages, language documentation and description, social and linguistic justice for Caribbean people, decolonial theory, queer and trans linguistics and sign language linguistics. She uses collaborative and community-based research methods, is interested in indigenous research methodologies and follows the Caribbean tradition of liberatory linguistics in which she was trained during her first two degrees at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. She is a trained Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language interpreter. Home for her is Trinidad and Tobago. Learn more about Kris on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

There are stories we typically don't tell during Women's History Month, one of whihc is the narrative of Judith Phillip, an enslaver from Grenada whose family's dominion over Carriacou and Petit Martinique tells a story not just of land and wealth but race and colonial allegiances against the backdrop of the transatlantic slave trade. This episode discusses the intricacies of Caribbean history, weaving the personal story of a mixed-race family into the broader fabric of 18th-century Caribbean society.Join Strictly Facts as we uncover how Judith's French baker father and her mother, an enslaved woman, rose to prominence to own plantations and amass a fortune. We'll explore the societal structures that allowed their family to thrive in an era of oppression and how their legacy challenges our understanding of Caribbean history and power at the time. In this final episode for Women's History Month, we share the tale of inheritance, power, and the complexity of free mixed-race individuals during a time when such narratives are rarely told. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

As we weave through Women's History Month and International Women's Day, the  patchwork of Caribbean women's literature takes center stage. With scholar Dr. Warren Harding, we celebrate the novels and poetry that carve out a space for the stories of Caribbean women. Our conversation turns the pages of history, culture, and activism, as Dr. Harding shares the profound influence of storytellers like Miss Lou and his own family's narratives on his Jamaican heritage and academic focus.Caribbean women's voices unfold in our discussion on the role of these writers in painting a nuanced portrait of their communities, both at home and in the diaspora. We acknowledge the diversity within these stories, showcasing how they lay the groundwork for dialogues on marginalization and resistance. Trailblazers like Makeda Silvera and Merle Hodge are brought into the spotlight, illuminating their significant contributions to the literature that serves as a beacon for revolutionary thought.The final thread of our episode examines the profound impact of Silvera on the writing and publishing industry through Sister Vision Press. We traverse the landscape of narratives that intersect with race, gender, and citizenship, celebrating how these stories from Michelle Cliff to Edwidge Danticat enrich our literary horizons. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of Caribbean literature and a heartfelt invitation to embrace these compelling voices in their own exploration of the written word.*Noted Correction: Sister Vision Press was founded in 1985.Dr. Warren Harding is an Assistant Professor of English, General Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University.  His work engages practices of reading, Black feminist literary and cultural criticism, and literary fieldwork in contemporary Caribbean and Afro-diasporic literary cultures. In his first monograph, tentatively titled Migratory Reading: Black Caribbean Women and the Work of Literary Cultures, he uses interviews, archival research, and close reading to study the interventions of five women: Rita Cox, Makeda Silvera, Merle Hodge, Soleida Ríos and M. NourbeSe Philip.Prior to Binghamton, he was the Diversity in Digital Publishing Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University Digital Publications where he supported the conceptualization, research and administration of a set of public-facing faculty digital publications that center the history and experience of oppressed or marginalized peoples. He earned his PhD in Africana Studies from Brown University in 2021.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Join us as we voyage through the seas of Caribbean geography and politics as we explore the layers of history etched into nations' names and named and unnamed islands that are part of them. From twin islands like Antigua and Barbuda to archipelagos such as The Bahamas, we explore the entwined nature of geography and governance and how it shapes the cultural identity of these nations and delve into the complex political relationships that define the Caribbean narrative, including the dependencies of Carriacou and Petit Martinique to Grenada and the independence movements that have left an indelible mark on the region.Have you considered how a name can capture a multitude of stories, struggles, and triumphs? In this episode, we invite you to reflect on the tales of Antigua and Barbuda's journey to their current standing, and the impact of political status on the names and recognition of Caribbean nations. No stone is left unturned as we examine the lesser-known facts about dependencies and political autonomy within this diverse and dynamic region.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Join the conversation with Dr. Mónica Jiménez on Strictly Facts, where we peel back the layers of Puerto Rico's unique political situation and the heavy hand of U.S. legislative decisions on the island's fate. Through Dr.Jiménez's personal ties and her scholarly examination in her forthcoming book, Making Never, Never Land: Race and Law in the Creation of Puerto Rico, we gain an intimate glimpse into the Puerto Rico's legal status as an unincorporated territory and the systemic challenges that have been magnified by American legal precedents. As we traverse the complex terrain of Puerto Rico's status, Dr. Jiménez helps us navigate the moral dilemmas and economic strategies that have historically shaped American colonial ambition. The island's lack of federal representation and the tangible repercussions of past and present U.S. legal frameworks lead us through a reflective exploration of a legacy marred by racial and colonial practices. We confront these enduring issues head-on, casting light on the implications that reverberate through Puerto Rican society today.Mónica A. Jiménez is a poet and historian. She is currently assistant professor in the African and African Diaspora Studies Department at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research and writing explore the intersections of law, race, and empire in Latin America and the Caribbean. Her first book, Making Never-Never Land: Race and Law in the Creation of Puerto Rico, will be published in 2024 by the University of North Carolina Press. Dr. Jiménez has received fellowships in support of her work from the Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly the Woodrow Wilson Foundation), the Ford Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation, among others. In 2021, she was named an inaugural Letras Boricuas fellow by the Mellon and Flamboyan Arts Foundations. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Texas at Austin and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. Her poetry and scholarly writing have appeared or are forthcoming in WSQ: Women Studies Quarterly, Latino Studies, CENTRO: Journal of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Radical History Review, NACLA Report on the Americas,  Hayden's Ferry Review, and sx salon, among others. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Celebrate with us as Strictly Facts hits a milestone 75th episode—our heartfelt thanks goes out to each one of you for embarking with us on this journey of enlightenment and shared knowledge. Today, we raise the curtain on the contentious and historic border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, a saga with roots tangled deep in the colonial era and now fueled by the modern-day allure of oil. Through the lens of the December 2023 referendum and the extended history of The Guianas, we illuminate the myriad facets of this geopolitical struggle, highlighting the stakes for indigenous communities and the sovereignty of nations.Bringing context to the present, we analyze Guyana's strategic moves, including an appeal to the International Court of Justice and a call for US support, against the backdrop of Venezuela's territorial claims. Featuring insights from leaders like President Irfa Ali and regional bodies like CARICOM, we piece together a narrative that stretches beyond borders into the heart of Caribbean resilience. Join us as we untangle the complex interplay of history, diplomacy, and emerging oil interests in a Caribbean story that continues to shape the future of an entire region.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

The echoes of Caribbean carnivals, the rhythm of calypso, and the wisdom of our elders - these are the threads that weave the rich tapestry of our heritage. As I navigated the bittersweet waves of personal loss this holiday season, I was reminded just how vital it is to preserve the legacy of our ancestors. This brief but poignant episode is a reflection on the journey of Strictly Facts, our growth through the podcasting world, and the challenges faced in education during an unprecedented global pandemic. It's an intimate look back at the last few years, with a forward gaze filled with hope and determination.We're celebrating three years of Strictly Facts with heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the unwavering support from our listeners who have become family. I take you through the personal stories that fuel my passion for Caribbean history and share latest updates moving forward. Join me, Alexandra Miller, as we continue to empower, elevate, and unify through the stories of our past, and stride into a year of abundance and shared narratives.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

The Caribbean influence in the United States is undeniable, especially in states like New York. In this episode, guest Damion R. Evans helps illuminate this story through the engrossing life story of Ms. Martha Gayle, a Jamaican immigrant who journeyed to the US almost a century ago. He'll also be sharing his experiences of discovering Gayle's remarkable collection compiled by Jamaican Demar Ludford, and enlighten us about the impact of Caribbean immigrants on the American society and culture.You'll learn about Gayle, who braved her way through the early twentieth century U.S. and found her footing in the domestic workforce, eventually evolving into a landlady in Bed-Stuy. You'll also hear about the effects of World Wars and Civil Rights Movement on Gayle's mindset, and how she turned struggles into triumphs. Our conversation with Damion not only probes into Gayle's personal life, but also expands to the broader perspective of Caribbean migration. Finally, we urge listeners to understand the significance of Caribbean history and the need for its better representation in mainstream media. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a revelation that uncovers the resilience and influence of Jamaican immigrants in shaping the US.Damion R. Evans is a doctoral candidate in World History at St. John's University in New York City. Damion is originally from Jamaica and is now a soldier with 20 years of experience in the US Army. Throughout his military career, he has had multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe. His research interest includes West Indian Immigration, as well as the region's cultural and colonial history. Currently, his doctoral dissertation analyzes how the life of Martha Gayle exemplifies the Jamaican immigrant experience which furthers the conversation on the perceptions of black identity and culture in the United States.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

In this episode, Klieon John, founder of Twin Island Cinema, joins Strictly Facts as we shed  light on the pivotal role Caribbean films have played in shaping the region's vibrant culture and history. Expect a deep dive into the evolution of Caribbean cinema, from the early days of foreign influence to the emergence of globally recognized works like "BIM" and "Rockers." Klieon shares his personal experiences, painting a vivid picture of the creativity, resilience, and passion that are the bedrock of Caribbean filmmaking. From capturing moments of monumental change, like independence movements, to blending diverse genres, every bit of Caribbean life finds its way onto the silver screen. The discussion also explores how technology has been harnessed to propel Caribbean cinema into the global spotlight. We address the challenges facing Caribbean cinema, such as inadequate representation in mainstream media and the hurdles in accessing these films. Klieon provides invaluable advice to aspiring filmmakers and offers insights into his latest ventures in indigenous filmmaking. So tune in, as we traverse the captivating landscape of Caribbean cinema and celebrate its vital role in our culture.With over 14 years of experience in the media industry, Klieon John is a seasoned Caribbean writer, filmmaker and creative director who has worked in public relations, advertising and brand development for international and regional companies and agencies across several Caribbean territories including St. Kitts, Jamaica and Trinidad. Klieon has produced a number of commercials, shorts, creative and non-fiction projects featuring cultural and environmental content in partnership with medium to large scale organisations throughout the region. Follow and support Klieon on Patreon, The Nieuwe Native audio journal on the on-going process behind his Tilting Axis Fellowship, and on social media @twinislandcinema and @byklieonjohn. You can also subscribe to the Twin Island Cinema Newsletter to learn more about grants, festivals, events,  new releases etc happening in the region.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

We're thrilled to have Dr. Alexa Rodriguez join us for a deeply engaging discussion through the Dominican Republic's educational history. With her unique insights developed through her Dominican heritage and academic background, Dr. Rodriguez deftly unveils the obscured narratives of education under the shadow of US imperialism. Ever wondered how external forces shape the landscapes of native education systems? Here's your chance to delve into the fascinating, yet lesser-known saga of the Dominican Republic's struggle for educational autonomy during the eight-year US occupation (1916-1924) and beyond.As we venture deeper into the heart of the Dominican Republic, prepare to be moved by the resolute spirit of local communities, their tireless efforts to establish and maintain schools, and their unwavering advocacy for their children's right to respect and education. Dr. Rodriguez masterfully guides us through the evolution of education in the Dominican Republic, from the disheartening defunding of schools during the US intervention, to the effects of the Trujillo dictatorship, and the current-day challenges facing Dominican education. Through this eye-opening dialogue, we aim not just to revisit the past, but also to instigate a broader conversation about education's critical role in shaping a nation's future. If you're curious about history, education, or the complex interplay between the two, this episode is one you won't want to miss.Alexa Rodríguez is an assistant professor of education and a faculty affiliate for the Center for Race and Public Education in the South at EHD as well as at the Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Urban and Minority Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research examines schools, migration, and the formation of racial and national identities in both Latin America and in the United States. She is currently working on a book manuscript, "Crafting Dominicanidad" (forthcoming with University of North Carolina Press), an intellectual history that examines how Dominicans used public schools to articulate and circulate competing notions of racial, class, and national identity during the early twentieth century. Her work has been published in History of Education, History of Education Quarterly, Latino Studies, Caribbean Studies, City & State New York, Clio and the Contemporary, and the blog of the History of Education Society in the UK.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Education shapes lives - but how is this journey shaped by race, colonialism, and migration? Join us as we navigate the establishment of school systems in the British Caribbean post-Emancipation to the increasingly diverse classrooms of mid-20th century Britain. We're enlightened by the insights of Deanna Lyncook, a fellow podcaster and PhD student, whose research colors our understanding of Caribbean life and education abroad.We trace the racial and religious underpinnings of education in the anglophone colonies and unpack the challenges that newly-migrated British Caribbean students faced in the UK, from policies that hindered their academic success to the resistance and activism that these hurdles sparked within the Caribbean community. We also spotlight the unsung heroes: parents, educators, and activists who fought for an improved educational experience for Caribbean youth in Britain. Their story, alongside the enduring challenges faced by these students, continues to resonate today. In a world increasingly shaped by movement, understanding the interplay between education, history, and migration is more crucial than ever. Join us as we unearth an essential chapter of Black British and Caribbean history. Deanna Lyncook is a PhD student in History at Queen Mary University of London. Her research takes a transnational approach to the experiences of West Indian children in the British education system in Britain and its Caribbean colonies, in the second half of the 20th Century. She is the founder host of the weekly podcast The History Hotline where she discusses events and individuals that have shaped Black history in Britain and the Caribbean. She co-organised a Black British History Conference funded by the Institute of Historical Research, Queen Mary University and Northwestern University. She has curated an oral history exhibition at the Museum of Methodism and has also worked on historical research projects for the Society for Caribbean Studies, the University of Leeds, BBC Radio London and the Times Radio. She is also a coordinator for the Young Historians Project, that works on research projects to document neglected aspects of Black British History. Follow Deanna on Instagram and Twitter and The History Hotline on Instagram and Twitter. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Our guest, award-winning author and U.S. Naval Academy professor, Dr. Sharika Crawford,  takes us on a historical journey to the heart of the Cayman Islands, unearthing the complex relationship between the environmental landscape and the Islands; inhabitants through turtle soup. Together, we traverse the Cayman's fascinating evolution, from the aftermath of slave emancipation to the rise and subsequent fall of the turtle hunting industry. Venture with us as we uncover the dynamics between the Caymanian sea turtle hunters and the British government, the Islands' two-tier racial hierarchy and its lasting implications on labor even today, and the repercussions of the environmental movement in the 20th century, focusing on conservation policies and their significant impact on Caymanian communities. Join us as we illuminate the often-overlooked role of the Cayman Islands' turtle hunters in the broader Caribbean narrative and global food consumption.Sharika Crawford is Professor of History at the United States naval Academy in Annapolis. In spring 2023, she was named the inaugural Speedwell Professor of International Studies, an honor she will hold until 2028. Crawford's primary research focuses on modern Latin America, specifically, Colombia and the interstitial places in the circum-Caribbean like the Archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia and the Cayman Islands. Her first monograph The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean: Waterscapes of Labor, Conservation, and Boundary Making published by the University of North Carolina Press received an Honorable Mention from the Elsa Goveia Prize in Caribbean History Committee of the Association of Caribbean Historians in 2021. It has been widely reviewed in national and international venues. Additionally, Crawford has published articles and essays in the Global South, Historia Critica, International Journal of Maritime History, Middle Atlantic Review of Latin American Studies, Latin American Research Review, and the New West Indian Guide/Nieuwe West-Indische Gids. Dr. Crawford has also received several prestigious grants and fellowships from the American Philosophical Society, the Fulbright U.S. Program, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies, the UNC-Duke Consortium for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and most recently, the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) OER in Caribbean Studies stipend. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, this episode promises to enlighten you with a deep dive into the complexities of Cuba's domestic labor history, guided by the expert insights of our guest, Dr Anasa Hicks, Associate Professor of History at Florida State University. We journey together through the significant shifts of the 20th century, examining the enduring ties of domestic service to the history of slavery, the gendered and class structures of domestic labor, and the changing perceptions of these roles in society. From the turbulent era of the 1933 Revolution to the radical activism era between 1938 and 1959, we delve into the intricate narratives that have shaped the future of domestic service in Cuba. Hear the story of Elvira Rodriguez, a domestic servant and activist whose story embodies the power of workers' activism in Cuba. This is more than just a history lesson; it's an exploration of the power of activism and the complexities of labor history in Cuba. Tune in for a captivating and enlightening conversation.Anasa Hicks is Associate Professor of Caribbean History at Florida State University. Her research focuses on race, gender, and labor in 20th-century Cuba. Her first book, "Hierarchies at Home: Domestic Service in Cuba from Abolition to Revolution" was published by Cambridge University Press in 2022. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

Have you ever wondered what Cuba was like before the 1959 Revolution? This fascinating episode promises to take you there. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us as we are joined by Dr. Takkara Brunson for a riveting exploration of the Republic of Cuba period (1902-1958) through the lens of Black Cuban women. We unravel their significant contributions to the independence movement despite the racialized and gendered dynamics that pervaded their society.The evolution of Black women's activism in this era is a narrative of transformative power. Learn how their discourse gradually shifted from respectability to a critique of racism, sexism, and classism. Understand how they leveraged their political clout to form independent organizations and, surprisingly, how Black civic clubs became their gateway to patronage networks. We also highlight inspiring figures like  María Dámasa Jova Baró authored a and Inocencia Valdés's commit, who used their voices and actions to make a tangible difference in their communities. This episode is a testament to the resilience and undying spirit of Black women in Cuba.Takkara Brunson is Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on political and cultural traditions of the African Diaspora, with emphasis on how Black women have shaped Latin American and Caribbean societies after slave abolition. She is the author of Black Women, Citizenship, and the Making of Modern Cuba, which was co-awarded the Letitia Woods Brown Book Prize for African American Women's History. Brunson's research has appeared in Gender & History, Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism, and Cuban Studies, among other places. Her research has been supported by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation), University of Rochester Frederick Douglass Institute, Ford Foundation, and UNCF/Mellon Programs.  She received her Ph.D. in Latin American History at the University of Texas at Austin and B.A. in Comparative Women's Studies at Spelman College. Follow Dr. Brunson on Twitter.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Want to Support Strictly Facts? Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to the show Produced by Breadfruit Media

Learning as a Caribbean person doesn't stop with understanding our history. In this episode, Dr. Emmanuela Stanislaus joins us for a discussion on the challenges of being educated outside of the region and how students can seek support and resources as they pursue their education. Dr. Emmanuela is an author, podcaster, consultant, and founder of Dr. Emmanuela Consulting. She finished her doctorate in Higher Education Administration in four years while balancing a demanding full time leadership role and a busy lifestyle. She founded Dr. Emmanuela Consulting where she supports women of color graduate students taking them from overwhelmed, isolated, and scared to clear, supported, and confident through the Writing on My Mind podcast, career and doctoral coaching, and speaking engagements. Dr. Emmanuela has also authored Taking Charge: A Career Guide for Graduate Students and is a contributor to Our Doctoral Journey Book: A Collection of Black Women's Experiences. Follow Dr. Emmanuela on Instagram and LinkedIn. CHeck out my episode on Dr. Emmanuela's podcast here. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

Did you grow up hearing chilling stories of duppies and jumbies? Have you ever thought about what these tales and legends mean for Caribbean history and culture? In this episode, Amanda Alcántar joins us to do just that as we explore the impact of Caribbean folklore on our past and uphold their importance, particularly for Black and Brown communities. Amanda Alcántara is a Caribbean writer, journalist, and voice actor. Also known artistically as Ama Rey, Amanda is the author of Chula and How I Became a Mermaid. Her work has been featured in the anthology “Latinas: Struggles & Protests in 21st Century USA,” the poetry anthology “LatiNext,” Rolling Stone, The Huffington Post, Latino USA, Remezcla, and other publications. She is also a co-founder and previous editor of La Galería Magazine. In 2021, Alcántara began voicing audiobooks in English and Spanish, starting with providing the voiceover for the Spanish translation of The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman. She recently won an Earphones award for her narration of Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by Julian Randall. Ama is also the host of the Spanish-language podcast, Radio Místico. Follow Amanda on Twitter and Instagram. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

One of my favorite parts of Caribbean culture is how we rally our islands and show our regional pride for our sports teams. In honor of Jamaica celebrating 61 years of independence and Jamaica's Reggae Girls making women's football history, I'm sharing six of my favorite Jamaican women's sports moments of all time. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

Are there any Caribbean places that give you the creeps? Join us as we continue our summer travel list, this time sharing some of the top spots for hair-raising Caribbean history for your summer adventures. Be sure to let us know on social media if you plan on visiting any of these sites this summer!Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

Looking for somewhere new to travel to this summer while still learning something new about the region? Check out our recommendations for some of UNESCO's well-preserved World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean, where history, culture, nature, biodiversity, and legacy all come together. See the full list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites here. Be sure to let us know on social media if you plan on visiting any of these sites this summer!Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

There are few Caribbean-owned businesses that have withstood the test of time like GraceKennedy Ltd. has for over one century. In this episode Fred W. Kennedy, grandson of one of the original co-founders, joins Strictly  Facts to discuss his family's legacy with the company from the viewpoint of his father, Luis Fred Kennedy, who led the major conglomerate for over 50 years through pre- and post-independence Jamaica, the subject of our guest's new book Firstborn: The Life of Luis Fred Kennedy 1908-1982.  Fred W. Kennedy was born and raised in Jamaica. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a Master and Doctor of Education from the University of Toronto. After thirty years of serving as an educator and principal, Fred turned to writing Jamaican historical fiction. He is the author of Daddy Sharpe (2008) (the story of Jamaica's National Hero, Samuel Sharpe) and Huareo (2015) (the story of a Jamaican Taino cacique). Firstborn is his first published work of nonfiction. He wrote his father's biography “to celebrate the relationship of love and trust that we shared” and as “a tribute to him in praise of his contributions to the national development of Jamaica.” Fred remains connected to the company as Chairman of the GraceKennedy Foundation, which funds educational, environmental and health initiatives in Jamaica.  His interests and hobbies include Caribbean history and literature, cycling, tennis, travelling, boating and fishing. He and his wife Georgianne share their time between his native Jamaica and adopted Canada, where their three daughters and families reside.Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media

Celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month and Black Music Month with Strictly Facts this June as Dr. Danielle Brown joins the show for a discussion on Caribbean music and its capacity for influencing education and building social change that spans from the shores of Trinidad and Tobago, with a brief history of Parang, to the Caribbean diaspora. Danielle Brown, Ph.D. is a multi-disciplinary artist-scholar and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of My People Tell Stories, LLC, a company based on the premise that people of color in particular, and marginalized people in general, need to tell and interpret their own stories. Brown is the author of the music-centered ethnographic memoir, East of Flatbush, North of Love: An Ethnography of Home, and the companion Teacher Guidebook. Brown advocates for social justice in music and uses the arts to educate people on the history and culture of the Caribbean and African diaspora at large. For more information, visit: www.mypeopletellstories.com.  Follow Danielle on Instagram and Facebook. Support the showConnect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | TwitterLooking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!Produced by Breadfruit Media