Now We Know

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

On a very special bonus episode of Now We Know, Donna interviews artist Adderly Grant-Lord; an incredibly talented, vibrant and joyous woman based out of Boulder, Colorado. The Proclaiming exhibit at the Museum of Boulder showcases Adderly’s work, along with others in their AfroFuturistic exhibit that will be available through September of 2025.  To check out more about the museum, the inspiration...

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

The depths, intricacies and beauty of Afrofuturism have been practiced in more ways than Donna & Jonathan realized in their own lives. Discovering more of the definitions and applications has brought a new level of appreciation for the movement as well as creators in the space.  How do you feel you apply Afrofuturism in your life? Resources: https://www.pbs.org/video/afrofuturism-i8qu2w/ https...

Kicking off the 4th season of Now We Know with an episode easy like Sunday morning. Donna & Jonathan discuss the making of, hits from and modern time influence from Motown - one of the biggest record labels with an iconic sound our parents, and our parents parents, know all too well and love dearly. As soon as that first 8 count hits, you know exactly what song is about to grace your ears. Wha...

In this episode of Now We Know, Jonathan and Donna discuss the origins of Kwanzaa, the meaning of the holiday, and their personal connections or disconnections with the annual celebration. What are your connections with Kwanzaa? Did your family celebrate growing up or into adulthood? However you celebrate this holiday season, we hope it's a beautiful and memorable one. Resources: The History o...

York, who also unwillingly was brought on the Lewis & Clark Expedition by his enslaver, Clark, has a story that not only varies historian by historian but also did not include full truths of what he experienced. York traveled nearly 8,000 miles cross country with the promise of freedom and land, only for neither to occur. Sacagawea, in a similar, if not more heartbreaking story, was all of 12...

Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas seem like two sides of a coin, that's because they are. Thurgood being the first black person on the supreme court paved an incredible path for Clarence and Ketanji Jackson to come. On this episode, Donna & Jonathan discuss the forging of Thurgood's path and the complexities of his successor after deciding to retire. Resources: https://www.youtube....

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

Good ol’ Bass Reeves. From HBO’s mini series Watchman, to the Lone Ranger, to the many unanswered questions that have followed. The duality of Bass Reeves’ life as the first Deputy U.S. Marshall as a formerly enslaved person comes to ahead later in his career as racial tensions rose in the late 1800s. How did Reeves become involved with the government as a black man in the US, especially at the ti...

A short break was all Donna & Jonathan needed to reset and refresh their minds. On this episode, they circle back to the Now You Know segment from the Kentucky Derby about Black Cowboys . From Esteban the Negro to Bass Reeves, black cowboys have been incredibly impactful throughout western world history. Admittedly, these names may be more widely know in southern US states; the way it's po...

Sometimes, Donna & Jonathan need a vacation too. Re-sharing a popular episode from July 2022. Fredrick Douglass - we all (most of us) know the name. But, do we really know the gravity to which he changed not only his life but those that were enslaved and for generations to come? Douglass’ incredibly powerful speeches has resonated through history and will continue to do so for millennia to com...

A woman of class, dignity and a force to be reckoned with. Mary Church Terrell was an integral piece to the civil rights decades before subsequent laws were put into place. Coining the term, lifting as we climb - Church Terrell’s values were based upon intersectionality, education and bringing everyone along for the ride.  “I cannot help wondering what I might have become and might have done if I...

Did you know 13 of the 15 riders in the very first Kentucky Derby were Black?  Did you know that 15 of the first 28 derbies were won by black riders? How did the racist origin of Lawn Jockeys get flipped and turned upside from a young enslaved black boy who froze to death to now be sold as blue eyed, white little boys? Phew, this episode Donna & Jonathan get into the intersections of it all. ...

Music is instrumental, pun intended, for many of us in the Black Community - Donna & Jonathan are no exception. From childhood artistry to a now multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Cameron Forbes joins the Now We Know podcast for an episode on the joys, the struggles and the triumphs of building his music career in LA over the last decade. Cameron details how he remains true to himself in keepin...

Black Greek Organizations have been around since the early 1900s; created out of the difficulty of the times to establish collegiate camaraderie, forward advancement and philanthropy in the black community.  For the first time in Now We Know history, Donna & Jonathan have a guest join the podcast to talk about their experience and how transformational being part of the first black fraternity,...

Often times it's noted how black women really come through to help save us all; Dorothy Height was no exception. Walking alongside the likes of the big Civil Rights names we all know, Dorothy was the true voice of reason to help propel some of the most monumental times of the movement.  Now You Know: WC Handy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuTTSOctGw  Jake Blount Instagram: @DonnaJan...

Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton's, downfall was one that shook the party in the 1960s. How William O'Neal infiltrated the Party in Chicago from FBI funding was absolutely astonishing on so many fronts. Donna & Jonathan dissect Judas and the Black Messiah, the movie based on this historical event, bringing in clarifying facts and speak more on the overall mission of the Black Panther Party.&...

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

Is Black Panther hot right now? Yes. Does this episode container spoilers? Absolutely, yes. Before you listen, watch the film! Better yet: go back and watch the first then the second right after, it won’t disappoint. Donna & Jonathan relish how Black Panther is an incredibly beautiful, story telling film that encompasses much of how the darkest parts of history continue to permeate the today o...

It’s still rather unclear how Donna and Jonathan endured the preparation of this episode. Nonetheless, if they’re going to better understand propaganda films, they have to experience, firsthand, the foolery behind the biggest one of them all: Birth of a Nation. It was, undoubtedly, a painful experience. However, somehow, they made it through the 3 hour drama film to tell the tale. How has Birth of...

Welcome to Hispanic Heritage month! Little did Donna know, the preparation of this episode would come with a feeling of soul fulfillment and a (highly possible) life-changing revelation. The similarities between black Americans and AfroLatinos in history is giving fraternal twins: so so much alike, but each has their own individual flavor. From the joys to the wows to the disappointments, join Don...

Mary McLeod Bethune paved the way for education in the black community. How do we receive and spread the knowledge throughout the community today? From childhood education to adults, like Donna and Jonathan, learning and diving deeper, how do we retain it all? What’s the best format in which you learn? How do we help educate those whose hearts and minds are the hardest to change without bearing th...

Fredrick Douglass - we all (most of us) know the name. But, do we really know the gravity to which he changed not only his life but those that were enslaved and for generations to come? Douglass’ incredibly powerful speeches has resonated through history and will continue to do so for millennia to come. In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan get into one of Douglass’ famous speeches,...

Happy Pride! In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan dive into the Netflix documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. As a trailblazer for the movement, Marsha's legacy has been underrepresented. She was extremely influential for LGBTQ rights and loved by many. Why is her death still a mystery 30 years later? Let's celebrate the life she lived and impact she had, she touched...