Down Home

De Costa and Le Jeaune stand as two of the earliest recorded figures in Black Canadian history—names that surface in the archives long before Canada was even Canada. Their stories take us back to a time when this land was known as British North America, a place still being shaped.   Through them, we catch a glimpse of what life looked like for people of African descent in the 1600s —navigating identity, survival, and status in a colonial world that hadn’t yet fully codified slavery, but was already laying its foundations.   #blackhistory365 #canadianhistory #celebrateblackhistory #bhms #podcast

In this episode Jay and I are diving into The Color of Fear, a 1993 documentary that brings together a group of men from different racial backgrounds for an unfiltered, and often uncomfortable, dialogue about race in America.   Please watch The Color of Fear: https://youtu.be/hyOl52YxHW4?si=g1I61IcTZciCeLRA     #blackhistory365 #reaction #emotional #podcast #documentary

For this milestone episode, we’re turning the lens inward—getting as personal as it gets. This is who we are… literally. In this episode we’re breaking down our ancestral DNA—what we found, what surprised us, and how it connects to the bigger story of our Black identity in Canada.     #dna #reaction #blackhistory365 #podcast #celebrateblackhistory

In the early 20th century, behind the language of nation-building and progress, Canada quietly built barriers — policies designed not to include, but to exclude. In this episode, we uncover the story of Canada’s racist immigration policies during that time period— and the people they were meant to keep from ever calling this country home.   #blackhistory365 #canadianhistory #immigration #systemicinequality #bhms

It’s February 28th 1930, A biter cold night in Oakville Ontario Canada. The streets are quiet—still—until the sound begins. A Slow. Rhythmic. Sound of Boots striking pavement. 75 men are marching down the middle of the street, an unusual sight in this small Ontario town. Even more unsettling is what they’re wearing: white robes, and pointed hoods   The klan has arrived on a mission, they have heard that a Black man and a white woman have been seen in each others company and they have arrived to do something about it.   #canadianhistory #celebrateblackhistory #oakvilleontario #bhms #blackhistory365

One of the most powerful voices in twentieth-century literature and social commentary, James Baldwin spent his life confronting America with its deep contradictions surrounding ethnicity. Through works like Notes of a Native Son and The Fire Next Time, Baldwin challenged America to reckon with its bigotry, identity, and justice. In this episode we explore the life of James Baldwin.   #jamesbaldwin #celebrateblackhistory #bhms #paris #blackhistory365

Josephine Baker rose to international fame as a dancer, singer, and stage performer, dazzling audiences with her charisma and electric performances. But her story goes beyond the stage.     #celebrateblackhistory #blackhistory365 #bhms #josephinebaker #blackhistorymonth

When World War I ended, thousands of Black American soldiers faced a question that went beyond simply returning home. For many, the Great War had been a fight for freedom in more ways than one. Yes, they wore the uniform and fought for their country — but crossing the Atlantic also meant stepping outside the suffocating grip of Jim Crow.       #paris #blackhistory365 #jimcrow #bhms #celebrateblackhistory

Assata Shakur was a political activist who looked at a society built on inequality and chose resistance over silence. Her story is one of confrontation, exile, and survival—and it forces us to ask a difficult question: when a system is built on oppression, what does justice really look like?         #revolutionaryhero #celebrateblackhistory #assatashakur #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365

Arguably one of the most iconic recording artists of the 1950s and ’60s, Elvis Presley was a trailblazer—his voice, his movement, and his presence redefining popular music, earning him the title King of Rock and Roll. But behind some of his biggest hits was a singer/songwriter few people knew: Otis Blackwell. Blackwell crafting songs like “Don’t Be Cruel” and “All Shook Up.” His melodies and rhythms created the energy and urgency that captivated millions. #bhms #Otisblackwell #elvispresley #celebrateblackhistory #blackhistorymonth

While the Underground Railroad pointed north, there was another route to freedom—south into Mexico. After winning independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico passed what historians describe as radical antislavery laws, and Mexicans at every level of society were serious about enforcing them.     #blackhistory365 #bhms #mexico #mexicohistory #celebrateblackhistory

In 1849, a Black man climbed into a wooden box—three feet long, two feet wide, and made his way to freedom twenty‑seven hours later.           #blackhistorymonth #canadianhistory #bhms #celebrateblackhistory #blackhistory365

This episode is about time you can’t get back.
The silence of a prison cell when you know you don’t belong there.
A life put on pause—sometimes forever.
It’s about wrongful convictions. Men like Raymond Flanks, who spent nearly 40 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
Men like Leighton Hay, just 19 when he was locked up for 12 years—because of a bad eyewitness and a bit of hair in a garbage bin.     #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #LeightonHay #RaymondFlanks #youneedtohearthis #innocenceproject #Exonerated #SystemicRacism #racialinjustice

Today at the Down Home Podcast, we ask: What if the promise was kept? What if, after emancipation, Black Americans truly received 40 acres and a mule? What if the Black Loyalists — those who fought for freedom in exchange for loyalty — were actually granted the 100 acres they were promised? How would land, ownership, and economic freedom have transformed generations? What would our present look like if those reparations had been real?         Today at the Down Home Podcast, we ask: What if the promise was kept? What if, after emancipation, Black Americans truly received 40 acres and a mule? What if the Black Loyalists — those who fought for freedom in exchange for loyalty — were actually granted the 100 acres they were promised? How would land, ownership, and economic freedom have transformed generations? What would our present look like if those reparations had been real?         #WhatIfThePromiseWasKept #reparationsnow #BlackLandMatters #40AcresAndAMule #historicalwhatif #GenerationalJustice #blackhistory #podcast #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365

From Juneteenth in the U.S., to Emancipation Day in Canada, to the rhythm and colour of Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival — these celebrations go beyond the festivities. They mark freedom, honour the past, and bring people together. Whether you’re part of the crowd or just getting to know what these days stand for, we’re here to share what makes them meaningful and why they matter today.     #juneteenth #emancipationday #caribana #blackhistory #celebrateblackhistory #BlackExcellence #africandiaspora #blackculturematters

Have you ever noticed how modern media often boxes Black people into narrow, repetitive roles? The angry or sassy Black woman. The criminal. The loyal sidekick. The athlete. The entertainer. These tropes have dominated screens for decades — and the portrayal of Black people as ordinary, multi-dimensional human beings is still rare. But these images aren't just fiction; they shape how society sees — and treats — Black people in real life. On today’s episode, we’re unpacking the media’s role in shaping perception, identity, and culture.     #blackrepresentation #mediamatters #breakthestereotype #ReclaimTheNarrative #blackhistory #podcast #blackhistorymonth #blackfacts

In this episode, Derek and Jay explore predominantly Black towns that were deliberately wiped off the map       #TruthInHistory #ForgottenCommunities #BlackTownsMatter #ErasedHistory #blackhistory #canadianblackhistory #blackhistorymonth #podcast #oklahoma #rosewood

In the late 1950s, the NHL was a sport played entirely by white athletes. But on January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree became the first Black player to skate in an NHL game. It takes a special kind of person to be the first—someone with courage, determination, and a belief that no barrier is too high to break. O’Ree’s debut wasn’t just about making history—it was about opening doors for future generations. In this episode we’ll dive into his story and the legacy he left on his sport.     #WillieORee #BreakingBarriers #HockeyHistory #InclusionInSports #Trailblazer

From the basketball court to the boxing ring, the soccer field to the tennis court, Black athletes have not only revolutionized their sports but also shaped global culture. These athletes didn't just play—they inspired, challenged societal norms, and redefined what it means to be a global icon. Join us as we reflect on the powerful impact of Black athletes, whose legacies continue to resonate on a global scale.       #BlackAthletes #GlobalIcons #SportsAndCulture #MichaelJordan #SerenaWilliams #pele #muhammadali

In this episode, we’re honoured to speak with Cheryl Henhoeffer, the founder and director of Building Brilliance—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering BIPOC children through literacy programs, STEM education, and cultural enrichment. Cheryl and her team are working tirelessly to ensure that young people in underserved communities have access to the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.       Building Brilliance contact details: http://www.buildingbrilliancekw.com/ Instagram - @buildingbrilliancekw Email: [email protected]       #GrassrootsPower #EducationForAll #CommunityEmpowerment #BuildingBrilliance #EquityInEducation #SocialJustice #SupportLocalOrganizations #LiteracyMatters #STEMEducation #CulturalEnrichment  

Join us as we take a deep dive into the story of hip hop in Canada from our perspective. From the powerful influence of American rap to the Canadian pioneers who helped shape the culture.   Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe!   #HipHopCanada #CanadianRap #HipHopHistory #RapCulture #TrueNorthBeats #OldSchoolHipHop #90sHipHop #CanadianMusic #HipHopLegends

In this episode we’re diving into a word that carries with it a very heavy meaning: ghetto. In modern times, ghettos are often associated with poverty, crime, and neglect—areas of cities where municipalities have failed to invest in the people that live there. marginalized communities that are left to live under difficult conditions. But where did this negative connotation come from?         #blackhistory #podcast #history #ghetto #warsaw #blackhistorymonth2025 #americanhistory

In this episode we’re talking about Sundown Towns—places where, for decades, people of colour were not welcomed after dark. But this isn’t just a relic of the past. The legacy of these towns still lingers.             #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianblackhistory #history #sundowntown #greenbook #segregation #canadianblackhistory #jimcrow #bhm #today #podcast #blackfacts #americanhistory

We’ve all heard the term “Uncle Tom” used as an insult—a label for a Black person seen as a traitor to their own people. It’s a phrase deeply embedded in pop culture, shaped by books, films, and everyday language. But where did it come from? Who was the real Uncle Tom?       #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianblackhistory #history #podcast #uncletom #uncletomcabin #slavery #slaveryhistory #slave #minstrel #blackfacts #jimcrow #blackface

While most of us are familiar with the forced labor and dehumanization of enslaved people, there's a much more insidious aspect of the Transatlantic Slave Trade that speaks to the systematic buying and selling of biracial enslaved women—not for their labor, but for the brutal purpose of prostitution and concubinage. The Fancy Trade   #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianblackhistory #history #podcast #fancygirl #slavery #slaveryhistory #slave

Toronto is celebrated as one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the world—a reputation that owes much to one of its original neighbourhoods: The Ward.   Listen in as Derek Wyse and Jay Jones take a closer look at this historic Neighbourhood   #toronto #torontohistory #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #canadianblackhistory

In parts one and two of our three-part series on The Business of Slavery, we explored the intricate web of money and power that fuelled this inhumane institution. Today, we turn our focus to the mindset that enabled such brutality. Join us in this episode as we delve into the pervasive mindset that sustained the system of slavery and examine how echoes of this mindset persist in today's forms of modern slavery.   One in 200 people is a slave. Why? (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/25/modern-slavery-trafficking-persons-one-in-200   No region is immune as the number of people in modern slavery climbs to 50 million (NPR) https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/09/13/1122714064/modern-slavery-global-estimate-increase   #transatlantic #transatlaticslavetrade #atlanticslavetrade #blackhistory #downhome #americanhistory #canadianhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #moderndayslavery

In our first episode of this series, we explored the immense profits generated by the Trans Atlantic Slave trade. Today, in part two, we focus on how European powers wielded their influence to enslave Africans.   If you haven’t listened to the first part of The Business of slavery, you can find it in the episode list.   I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/honor/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/   #ashanti #fulani #igbo #Benin #westafrica #power #blackhistory #americanhistory #canadianhistory #downhome #atlanticslavetrade #transatlantic #moneypower #africanqueens

This is the first of three episodes where Jay and D take a deep dive into the business of slavery. In this episode they take a look at the wealth generated on the backs of African slaves and how slavery became a cornerstone of European economic systems.   Sources: - "Capitalism and Slavery" by Eric Williams: Investigates the relationship between the Atlantic slave trade, British economic growth, and the development of capitalism. * Williams, E. (1944). Capitalism and Slavery. University of North Carolina Press. - "The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism" by Edward E. Baptist: Explores how slavery was integral to the development of American capitalism, with detailed economic analysis. * Baptist, E. E. (2014). The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism. Basic Books. - "The Economic Aspect of the History of Slavery in the United States" by Ulrich Bonnell Phillips: Analyzes the economic dimensions of slavery in the U.S., including the profitability of slave labor. * Phillips, U. B. (1908). The Economic Aspect of the History of Slavery in the United States. The South Atlantic Quarterly - "Slavery, Atlantic Trade and the British Economy, 1660-1800" by Kenneth Morgan: Examines the economic impact of the Atlantic slave trade on Britain. * Morgan, K. (2000). Slavery, Atlantic Trade and the British Economy, 1660-1800. Cambridge University Press NYT article on The American civil War and Slavery https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1863/08/22/issue.html   #transatlantic #transatlaticslavetrade #atlanticslavetrade #blackhistory #downhome #americanhistory #canadianhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #businessofslavery #colonialamerica #colonizer #cotton #tobacco #coffee #rice #generationalwealth #slavers #nytimes  

In today’s episode Jay and D delve into the history of women-led slave revolts, true stories shrouded in the shadows of the past. Historians like Dr. Rebecca Hall have meticulously unearthed evidence revealing that women were not just passive victims of oppression. They provided fierce resistance, leading rebellions against their oppressors in a bid for freedom. Guardian Interview with Dr. Rebecca Hall https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/secret-history-the-warrior-women-who-fought-their-enslavers Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database https://www.slavevoyages.org/voyage/database   #transatlantic #transatlaticslavetrade #atlanticslavetrade #blackhistory #downhome #americanhistory #canadianhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #womenwarriors #rebeccahall #wake

Amidst the turmoil of the War of 1812, there exist stories often left untold. Enslaved African Americans seized a chance for freedom amidst the chaos of conflict, their narratives a powerful yet often overlooked aspect during this time.   Join Jay and D as they take a look at what this event meant for African Americans and their struggle for freedom.     #1812 #warof1812 #blackhistory #canadianhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #novascotia #downhome

Jay and D talk about aspects of the remarkable life and legacy of Bayard Rustin as seen in the Movie Rustin.       #blackhistory #bayard #rustin #civilrightsmovement #civilrightsactivist #civilrights #americanhistory #marchonwashington

In this episode, Jay and D talk about the truth behind the Black Panthers - a group whose legacy extends far beyond the headlines. More than just a militant organization, but a beacon of empowerment and resistance for Black communities across the United States and Canada         #blackpanthers #blackhistory #canadianhistory #blackhistorymonth #downhome #karlmarx #blackpower #stokelycarmichael #fredhampton

Jay and D talk about anti black or so called Race Riots that have happened in Canada and The U.S.           #tulsa #vancouver #blackhistory #canadianhistory #antiblackracism #wattsriots #chicagoraceriots #downhome #racialinjustice #antiblack

In this episode Jay and D spotlight the vibrant communities of North and East Preston and the challenges of writing the historic wrong of land titles.       #northpreston #eastpreston #blackhistory #novascotia #canadianhistory #systemicchange #canadianblackhistory #downhome

Jay and D discuss the remarkable legacy of Canadian Black sleeping car porters.         #blackhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianhistory #systemicchange #Blackporters #everymonthisbhm #365blackhistory #12monthsofblackhistory

In this episode, Jay and D delve into The New York Times article titled "A Journey Through Black Nova Scotia," penned by Shayla Martin and initially released on September 12, 2022.     Shayla Martin's website https://www.shaylamartin.com/about/     #blackhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianhistory #novascotia #northpreston #eastpreston #ShaylaMartin

Jay and D revisit the question of whether systemic racism is an issue in Canada       #antiblackracism #systemicchange #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory

Jay and D look at one of the most important aspects of North American Black history. The Underground Railroad.           #blackhistory #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blackhistorymonth #canadianhistory #novascotia #harriettubman #undergroundrailroad #underground

Jay and D dispel the notion that Canadian history is unmarked by the stain of slavery.         #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #canadianblackhistory #novascotia #canadianhistory

The Canadian experience from two Black men.

Four things you don't know about Jay Jones, D Wyse and the Down Home Podcast         #foryoupage #fyp #foryou #viral #funny #fun #music #followme #bestvideo #instagram #tbt #follow4follow #youtube #subscribe #like #youtubecommunity #blackexperience #novascotiastrong #blackhistoryiseveryday

Jay and D have a conversation with local Toronto historian, Joanne Doucette, about the forgotten Black history of Leslieville       #blackexperience #blackhistoryiseveryday #canadianhistory #novascotiastrong #indigenous

The Down Home podcast welcomes Joshua “Scribe” Watkis to talk about how he uses his craft of written words to navigate Anti Blackness in his book “Black Blossom, Harsh North”. A collection of 14 poems to his daughter and 7 poems to Canada           #blackexperience #blackexcellence #community #equity #novascotiastrong

In this episode Jay and D have a conversation with public speaker and cultural anthropologist Kurtis Brooks-Lnug about what he considers a few of the misconceptions of the Atlantic Slave trade.          #novascotiastrong #slavery #blackhistoryiseveryday #transatlanticslavetrade #canadianhistory #anthropology

Jay and D talk about the historic link between Nova Scotia and Freetown Sierra Leone     #blackhistoryiseveryday #canadianhistory #sierraleone #novascotiastrong #blackexperience #blackexperience  

In this wide ranging discussion with D-NO we talk about his move to Canada as a teenager, his musical influences and the different challenges Black people face in Canada vs Nigeria.     https://open.spotify.com/artist/4F3D2AY688ehd5TRhtxqGD #blackexcellence #blackexperience #podcast #novascotiastrong #blackhistoryiseveryday #equity

In this episode Jay and D have a round table discussion about equity and inclusion in education with Tess Porter, Retired Professor at Algonquin College and former Graduation Coach for Black Students with the OCDSB, and DR. Venus Olla who organizes counselling and wellness programs at the University of Windor     #novascotiastrong #education #equity #community #inclusion

Humble backgrounds are one of the reasons that Derek Wyse, Jay Jones and Chad Burns are close friends. They all grew up with family that worked hard to make sure that they had a roof over their heads, and that they never went without food or clothing. They may not have been brought up with a lot of material wealth, but they were rich with family and love. In this episode the three of them talk about their experiences growing up in modest low income households.     #lifelessons #humble #novascotiastrong #community #friends

In this episode Jay and D talk with one of the mentors that played a big part in their early years. Community advocate, and life long educator Melinda Daye. In this conversation they talk about her life in the church and the effects of gentrification in the North End of Halifax Nova Scotia.     #community #blackhistoryiseveryday #novascotiastrong #blackhistorymonth