Now We Know

Bayard Rustin may likely not ring a bell. If not, that's ok. We didn't know until later years also. Bayard Rustin was the mastermind behind may of the civil rights activists and their non-violent approach to protests in the fight for justice. As a gay black man, raised in Pennsylvania by Quaker grandparents, the philosophy of non-violence permeated Rustin's personal and professional li...

Donna & Jonathan can't be the only ones pining for more than the Michael Jackson movie gave. Did they love it? Of course! Did Jaafar do an incredible job portraying his uncle? Absolutely! Most of the message was there, the songs didn't disappoint - but Donna & Jonathan were left wanting and needing more story to be told, behind the scenes to be shown, and answers to questions that remain e...

Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cervical cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent, became the source of one of the most important medical findings in history. Her cells, HeLa, were used to develop numerous vaccines and scientific breakthroughs, yet her family remained unaware of her contribution for nearly 25 years after her passing. To watch the full episode, chec...

This women's history month, Donna & Jonathan are graced with the presence, knowledge and insight of Danielle Bainbridge - Assistant Professor of Theatre at Northwestern University, where she also holds courtesy appointments in Performance Studies and African American Studies. Her writing has been featured in Killens Review of Arts & Letters, Moko Magazine, and The Mechanics’ Institute...

Historically, the word coon has been used in (you guessed it) a derogatory way against black people. As we do, the word has been remixed and refashioned to describe what we know as those who...speak unfavorably against their own people. Channel Devonta from Love is Blind 😅 In this episode, Donna & Jonathan discuss modern-day "coons" to the liking of Terry Crews, Nicki Minaj, and others. How did w...

2025 was a big year for a variety of reasons. Just like the rest of the world, Donna & Jonathan reflect on what worked and what didn't work, and who and how they want to show up in 2026. Thanks to each and every one of Now We Know listeners, the podcast has reached new levels with visibility, listenership, and loyalty. We are so grateful! How did you round out 2025? What are you doing in 2...

As it turns out, Watch Night has been incorporated into the traditions of more households than knew what to contribute the celebration. From celebratory and luck-ridden feasts to ceremonious gatherings; listen to learn more about how Watch Night came about and let us know what traditions you knew or now know were part of the same. Resources: https://www.pbs.org/video/journey-proud-freedoms-eve/ ht...

Dakarai Larriett shares about his erroneous arrest in Michigan that ultimately lead him to running for Alabama Senate in the 2026 race. With pillars of his candidacy rooted in education, 2nd amendment rights, healthcare and more, Dakarai shares his plan to win the state largely held by Republicans. Throughout the conversation, Donna & Jonathan reference a documentary called The Alabama Solutio...

On this episode, Donna & Jonathan dive into the real about fashion trends, vulnerability of what your style says about you, with guest Laura Tully - Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Fashion Expert. This is one of those episodes that's best described by allowing it to speak for itself. However, we will say, owning your style starts with reflection of self and learning how you show up as your...

You didn't ask, but Donna & Jonathan delivered. Focusing on the popularity of dances and how each phenomenon has shaped culture was, undoubtedly, one of the most fun, light hearted episodes to date. What's your favorite dance move? Sources: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6F003CE2A4B31581&si=fhdzU-phEK7rdGG2 https://youtu.be/CAkTaInCDzk https://youtu.be/4G97kcPumh8 https://youtu.be/TPLK_Ei_7pI...

When we say we were floored that Flint, Michigan announced the conclusion of it's water criss in early-August 2025, that's an understatement. Reading this sent Donna & Jonathan into a wormhole of environmental racism from Flint to St. Louis to Louisiana and beyond. To the surprise of no one, the current administration isn't helping the cause because, you guessed it, DEI. How could that possibl...

A riveting episode of Now We Know with first time guest, Kwame Terra, CEO of bEHR Health and world record holder of the most steps (over 2 million!) walked in 30 days . bEHR is a company that aims to place health at the core of black culture using health equity, best practices and the latest innovations in long time aging and longevity. Donna & Jonathan dive into Kwame's expertise as he shares...

Someone has to take interest in educating and advocating for the next generation, Donna & Jonathan are no exception. Whether they be those in their immediate surroundings or a program they're supporting, they recognize the downfalls of the current administration and the effects it's having on systems and structures that, while faulty, were in place for a reason. How can we help improve the liv...

The famously known Montgomery Bus Boycott was likely the pioneer of many of its kind to come. From Amazon to Target to Bud Light to many, many more in recent days; financial boycotts have taken storm. The effectiveness of boycotts depends on various factors; but, at the end of the day, our power also lies within how we spend our dollars. Have you participated in a boycott of a company or establish...

For the first time in Now We Know's history, Donna & Jonathan have a two-peat guest: Thomas Polk. In March 2023, Donna & Jonathan interviewed Thomas (who happens to be Donna's dad) about his affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated. This episode is a continuation of that telling as the origin story. What prompted the discussion was the untimely passing of Caleb Wilson, a p...

On March 7, 1942, a pivotal moment in history occurred as the first Black pilots joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. At the height of World War II, these brave men, fighting for both freedom abroad and racial equality at home, displayed extraordinary courage, belief in the greater good, and unwavering determination. These qualities defined the 992 black pilots, including the 450 who served overseas. K...

"I'm Penny Proud, I'm Cute and I'm Loud, And I Got It Going on!" Our commitment to ourselves, which subsequently is a commitment to you all listening, is to incorporate some lighter focuses on the show - bring the levity! We’re of course not going to stop doing the history dives, but we’ll aim to bring out the joy while recognizing and honoring the fight to get it. This episode Donna & Jonatha...

Call it a coincidence, call it kismet: the release of Wicked and Six Triple Eight. The true story of the first all women, all black army unit in 6888 and the fictional story of Wicked, the all green Wicked Witch of the West, coincided with the determination against the odds, the societal othering, and the plight of black women. Listen along as Donna & Jonathan dissect the stories and uncover t...

Less than 90 years ago, 18 Black American athletes defied the odds being the first black athletes to compete in the Olympic Games. Of all to be the first competition, they went to Berlin, Germany in 1936: a time riddled with the racist and anti-Semitic indoctrinations of Hitler. We know black people have had to endure a lot in this country, come learn about the trials and tribulations they experie...

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

The consideration of interracial marriage vs interracial sex comes down to one thing: property. Donna & Jonathan have discussed it before, and here they’ll discuss it in more depth; the intersectionalities of morality and laws and their consequences on simply getting to exist as a full person while black in America. Resources: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/388/1/   https://www.yo...

Bold, brilliant, and unapologetically outspoken, Eartha Kitt was far more than an icon of stage and screen. From her mesmerizing voice that captivated audiences worldwide to her unforgettable performances in film and television, she redefined what it meant to be a performer. But Eartha didn’t stop at entertainment. She used her platform to speak truth to power, challenging injustice even when it c...

Sometimes it feels resilience, tenacity and determination are not only overused adjectives but indicative of the struggle that persists today. Lowndes County is no exception to the immense effort and grit our ancestors displayed. Despite the turmoil, the beautiful impact of their work does not go unnoticed and cannot be understated. To that, we cannot say thank you enough. To truly understand the...

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

Sometimes, Donna & Jonathan need a vacation too. Re-sharing a popular episode from April 2023. Music is instrumental, pun intended, for many of us in the Black Community - Donna & Jonathan are no exception. From childhood artistry to a now multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Cameron Forbes joins the Now We Know podcast for an episode on the joys, the struggles and the triumphs of building hi...