Trey's Table

Why aren't Black women cast as the lead actresses in romantic comedies?https://youtu.be/--kn7-_0Pgw?s...

Let's talk about how Beyoncé is making the summer of 2025 the Summer of Joy.

Trey's Table Episode 319: Breaking the Silence The Black Church has been our sanctuary. But for too many, it's also been a site of betrayal. This week on #treystable, we're confronting the unspoken crisis: sexual abuse in the Black Church. From pastors who exploit power to systems that silence survivors, it's time to name the harm—and chart a path to healing.

Black people in their 30s and 40s aren't going to church much anymore. Let's talk about why this is happening.

What happens when you appoint an incredibly incompetent white nationalist to be the Secretary of Defense? https://youtu.be/8hvWzy-RqZo?s...

Why does President Donald Trump want to prohibit state and local governments from being able to regulate AI?

This episode is dedicated to my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters and in particular those who served in the military.

Let's talk about the untold number of black Americans who at one point passed for white and the one courageous black American actress who refused to do so.

In 1937, an 8-year-old Lorraine Hansberry narrowly dodged a brick thrown through her family's Chicago home by a white mob. Their crime? Moving into a “whites-only” neighborhood. This trauma—and her father Carl Hansberry's landmark Supreme Court case (Hansberry v. Lee)—would fuel her masterpiece, A Raisin in the Sun the first Broadway play by a Black woman . The Hansberrys' battle mirrored the Younger family's in Raisin both defied racist housing covenants that confined Black families to overcrowded, overpriced slums. Though Carl won his case on a technicality (the covenant lacked enough signatures), the ruling didn't end segregation—just as the Youngers' victory over Clybourne Park's buyout offer couldn't erase systemic racism . Hansberry's genius was turning her family's story into art that exposed Northern liberalism's hypocrisy. As she wrote, Raisin wasn't just about “buying a house” but “the ghetto's violence, deferred dreams, and the cost of dignity” . Tune in to explore how housing discrimination shaped Hansberry's radical vision—and why her fight still resonates today. #ARaisinInTheSun #HousingJustice #BlackHistory"

Let's explore the connections between Black Americans and Filipino Americans.https://youtu.be/PcPS-21ZVMw?s...

Trey's Table Episode 311: The Shirley Card # How the Shirley Card Introduced Racial Bias Into Photography | Trey's Table Ep. 311 I'm Trey Smith, host of Trey's Table, where we explore African-American history, politics, and culture. In Episode 311, we examine the Shirley Card—a tool that embedded racial bias into photography for decades. ## The Problem With the Shirley Card Used by photo labs to calibrate skin tones, the Shirley Card (named after a white model) set lighter skin as the default standard. As a result, darker complexions were often poorly rendered—too dark, washed out, or lacking detail. This wasn't just technical oversight; it reflected systemic exclusion. ## Why It Still Matters The Shirley Card's legacy persists today, from **facial recognition struggles** with darker skin to **uneven social media filters**. Understanding this history reveals how bias shapes even everyday technology. ## Listen to the Episode We discuss: ✅ The origins and impact of the Shirley Card ✅ How Black professionals challenged these standards ✅ The fight for equity in modern imaging tech

Trey's Table Episode 310: Remember Fort Pillow "How Black Soldiers Won the Civil War" The Civil War wasn't just fought for Black freedom—it was fought by Black freedom fighters. In this week's episode of #TreysTable, we break down:

Remember Frank's Place? The 1987 Tim Reid show had: ✔️ No laugh tracks ✔️ Real Black New Orleans culture ✔️ An episode calling out colorism (*with a PAPER BAG TEST plot!*) ✔️ Emmy-winning writing ...and CBS STILL canceled it after 1 season. New *Trey's Table* ep explains why this gem mattered—and how it changed TV. Tap the link in bio! #BlackPodcasts

Trey's Table Episode 308: Slavery Wasn't Cool Episode 308: Doug Wilson, Pete Hegseth, and the Intersection of Christian Nationalism & Power What happens when far-right Christian nationalism meets the highest levels of U.S. defense policy? In Episode 308 of Trey's Table, I dive into the troubling ties between Pastor Doug Wilson a prominent Christian nationalist—and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth From Wilson's controversial theology to his political influence, this conversation unpacks the dangerous implications of their relationship for Black communities, democracy, and the future of American governance.

The CIA. A Black spy. A guerrilla revolution. And a cover-up.

The Forgotten Massacre: Oscarville, Georgia (1912) – Episode 306 of Trey's Table" In 1912, the thriving Black community of Oscarville in Forsyth County, Georgia, was violently destroyed. After the rape and murder of a white woman, two Black men were lynched without trial, and white mobs terrorized Black families—burning homes, churches, and schools. Over 1,000 Black residents were forced out, and Forsyth County became an all-white "sundown county" for generations. On Episode 306 of Trey's Table, we uncover this buried history: Who benefited from the stolen land? How did lies and silence shape the county's future? And why does Oscarville's story still matter today? https://www.npr.org/2016/09/15... Listen now (link in bio) and join the conversation. #BlackHistory #HiddenHistory #TreysTable

Let's talk about the breakout star of the movie Sinners.

At a time when America was a violent, racist, and anti-black nation these two black men became the most dynamic and popular comedy duo in the nation. https://youtube.com/@jesstorrescomedy?si=QOijB5GHPetpaVYe

Only three African-American chefs working in the United States have received a Michelin star. Let's talk about this and representation of African-Americans in the culinary industry.

The beauty of black women and their hair is so powerful. Let's talk about it.https://youtu.be/7mjgeKpkMUU?s...https://youtu.be/G5vFFvxMR2w?s...

Why is the US GOVERNMENT providing special treatment for White South African refugees? https://www.amerikaners.com/

The Invisible Architect: Julian Abele & the Duke Chapel He Couldn't Enter In this episode, I discuss the story of Julian Abele. The brilliant African-American architect.https://dukemag.duke.edu/stori...

If you haven't been paying attention to the Virginia race for Governor, you should be. It's the most exciting race going on right now.

In the summer of 1963, while the world focused on marches and speeches, over a dozen Black girls—some as young as 12—were locked inside a Georgia stockade. Their crime? Protesting segregation. No charges. No trial. Just weeks in a sweltering, filthy cell. Their story was almost erased—until a photographer risked everything to expose the truth. This week on Trey's Table we uncover the harrowing, forgotten history of the Leesburg Stockade Girls. Their courage. Their resilience. And why this story still matters today. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio. #BlackHistory #CivilRights #LeesburgStockade http://pscourses.ucsd.edu/ps10...

The Ryan Coogler movie Sinners has sparked renewed interest in African-American history, particularly in the Delta region of Arkansas in Mississippi. Let's talk about an event that is briefly referenced in the film.https://youtu.be/j_w1B4nMPeU?s...

Why is the Trump Department of Justice giving this violent police officer a sweetheart deal? https://www.justice.gov/usao-c...

Trey's Table Episode 294: What Sinners Teaches Us About Blues Music

Let's talk about the power and impact of art. https://youtu.be/SASPLM26qtc?s...https://www.nytimes.com/2025/0...https://www.arts.gov/

Trey's Table Episode 292: Shut Up and Dribble "The NBA Silenced Craig Hodges for Speaking Out—Here's Why It Still Matters" Craig Hodges was one of the greatest shooters in NBA history—a three-time Three-Point Contest champion and a key piece of the early '90s Chicago Bulls dynasty. But in 1992, at just 32 years old, his career suddenly ended. No farewell tour. No league-wide acknowledgment. Just silence. Why? Because Hodges refused to stay quiet about injustice. In 1991, during the Bulls' White House visit after their first championship, Hodges wore a dashiki and hand-delivered a letter to President George H.W. Bush. In it, he condemned the administration's neglect of Black communities, its militarized foreign policy, and the systemic racism plaguing America. The response? The NBA blackballed him. Hodges' story isn't unique—it's part of a long tradition of Black athletes being punished for their activism. From Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, the message has always been clear: Play ball, but don't speak up. On the latest episode of Trey's Table we break down Hodges' legacy, the price he paid for his principles, and why his fight still resonates today. Listen now—and ask yourself: How much has really changed? #CraigHodges #NBA #Blackballed #ActivistAthletes #TrevsTable

Trey's Table Episode 291: Cold Case

What would happen if a black politician did what Ron DeSantis is accused of doing?

The Controversial Show That Never Was What if the South won the Civil War? HBO almost answered that question—and the backlash was

North Carolina had a government board that decided who was ‘fit' to have kids. Guess who they targeted? Black women. Poor folks. Disabled people. From 1929–1974, 7,600+ people were forcibly sterilized. Many were girls under 18. The latest Trey's Table episode exposes how it happened—and why it still matters. Tap the link in bio.

Trey's Table Episode 287: Black Jesus Black Jesus, Ebony, and the Bold Vision of John H. Johnson In 1969, legendary publisher John H. Johnson made an audacious statement by featuring Black Jesus on the cover of Ebony magazine. This iconic moment wasn't just about faith—it was about representation, power, and redefining the image of divinity in Black America. On the latest episode of Trey's Table (Ep. 287), we dive into Johnson's fearless leadership and how Ebony shaped Black identity during a pivotal era. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! #BlackHistory #EbonyMagazine #JohnHJohnson #TreysTable"

Let's talk about Ed Martin, Trump's nominee to be US Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Trey's Table Episode 284: Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Environmental Racism & the Fight for Justice in Lowndes County The struggle for environmental justice is deeply tied to systemic racism—and nowhere is that more evident than in Lowndes County, Alabama, where Black families have battled raw sewage backups for decades. In Episode 284 of Trey's Table, we dive into how: ✅ The Biden administration acknowledged environmental racism as a real crisis—taking action to hold Alabama accountable. ✅ The Trump DOJ has terminated a critical agreement meant to address this injustice, denying the very existence of environmental racism. ✅ Activists and residents are fighting back, demanding dignity and basic sanitation rights. This isn't just about policy—it's about Black lives, public health, and whether our government will protect its most vulnerable communities.

Trey's Table Episode 283: The Fugitive Slave Act of 2025 **EP. 283: When History Repeats – The Fugitive Slave Act & Trump's Immigration Crackdowns** The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 wasn't just a law—it was state-sanctioned terror. It denied Black people due process, incentivized neighbors to betray each other, and turned free states into hunting grounds. Sound familiar? Trump's immigration policies mirrored this playbook: - **Presumed guilt**: Like enslaved people in 1850, migrants under Trump were deported without fair hearings. - **Forced complicity**: ICE pressured local police to act as enforcers, just as the Fugitive Slave Act deputized Northern officials. - **Sanctuary resistance**: Then: abolitionists broke the law to hide fugitives. Now: cities shield immigrants from ICE. But here's the lesson: oppression sparks rebellion. Harriet Tubman rerouted the Underground Railroad to Canada. John Brown armed rebels. And today? Communities still fight back. Listen to Ep. 283 to unpack these chilling parallels. History isn't just the past—it's a warning. #TrevsTable #FugitiveSlaveAct #ImmigrationRights #BlackHistory

Trey's Table Episode 282: The Murder Of Ashley Henning Race, Justice, and the Troubling Case of Jordan Henning – A New Episode of Trey's Table In the latest episode of *Trey's Table*, we delve into a case that exposes deep fissures in America's criminal justice system—the killing of a Black woman by her white husband, a military veteran, and the shockingly lenient charge of manslaughter instead of murder. Jordan Henning, a white former serviceman, was accused of killing his Black wife, who also served in the military. Despite the severity of the crime, Henning was only convicted of manslaughter—a decision that raises urgent questions about race, privilege, and whether justice was truly served. In this episode, I explore: - The role of race in the trial's outcome– Would the charges have been different if the races were reversed? - **The intersection of military service and justice** – How does the system treat veterans differently, and how does that intersect with race? - The broader implications for Black women– Why are Black women so often failed by the legal system when they are victims of violence? This case is not just about one tragic death—it's about systemic patterns that allow some offenders to receive lighter consequences while others face the full weight of the law. **Listen now to this critical discussion on Trey's Table. Available on [Apple Podcasts](https://applepodcasts.com), [Spotify](https://spotify.com), or wherever you get your podcasts. What are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe race played a factor in the verdict? Join the conversation using #treystable and let's keep this discussion going.

From NAACP Secretary to Bond Girl: The Groundbreaking Story of Gloria Hendry" On the latest episode of Trey's Table I'm unpacking the incredible journey of Gloria Hendry a woman who went from typing legal briefs for the NAACP during the Civil Rights Movement to making history as the first Black Bond girl in Live and Let Die (1973). Why You Need to Know Her Story - Started her career as a legal secretary for the NAACP working on landmark civil rights cases - Became a Playboy model and blaxploitation icon in films like *Black Caesar* - Shattered glass ceilings as James Bond's first Black love interest a massive deal in 1973 The Censorship No One Talks About Her role was revolutionary, but not everyone was ready for it. When Live and Let Die screened in apartheid South Africa all her romantic scenes with Roger Moore were cut completely because the regime couldn't handle a Black woman and white man in love. ###

Trey's Table Episode 280: Erasure