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Interview: Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse on the aftereffects of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
45:43|In today's episode of the Black History Unveiled podcast, I interview Rwandan-French author Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse about her book "All Your Children, Scattered". It is a novel about the aftereffects of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, told through three generations. Beata's latest book, "The Convoy", is about her own experiences of the genocide. She was only a teenager when it happened, and the book tells the story of how she escaped the killings and how she, as an adult, tries to piece together the accounts of other survivors.
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Interview: Sonya Lindfors on intersectionality, decolonization, and race in the art space
43:17|In today's episode of the Black History Unveiled podcast, I interview Cameroonian-Finnish choreographer and artistic director Sonya Lindfors. We spoke literally minutes after she had just directed and starred in her piece "One Drop." We talk about intersectionality, decolonization, audience reactions, how discussions on race and identity have evolved in the art space, plus much more. Enjoy!
#10: Brazil’s Black Kingdom: How Enslaved Africans Created Their Own Nation
36:29|The last main episode of Black History Unveiled explored the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Kongo—a powerful Central African state that met a devastating blow at the hands of the Portuguese in 1665. In the aftermath, Kongo not only lost its king but also saw much of its nobility captured, enslaved, and forcibly taken across the Atlantic.Most of them vanished into the brutal anonymity of the transatlantic slave trade, their names erased from history. But not all. Some survived the passage of time. One such figure is Ganga Zumba.Leading a daring escape, he and other fugitives from slavery carved out a stronghold deep in the jungles of Brazil.This is the story of how enslaved Africans fought back, built their own nation, and came close to toppling the Portuguese colonial power.
Minisode: Kendrick Lamar & The 40 Acres
15:19|The conversation around Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance is in full swing. Every detail is being dissected, from his set list and relentless jabs at Drake to his vision for the future of hip-hop. Fans and critics alike are also trying to unpack the layers of symbolism woven into his set. One phrase, in particular, has sparked a wave of questions: "40 acres and a mule." What's its history, and why does it still resonate today? I break it down in today's episode.
#9: The Rise & Fall of the Kingdom of Kongo
53:18|Season 2 of the Black History Unveiled podcast is here! And the first episode is about a Central African kingdom that dominated its region during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. This kingdom initially enjoyed a close relationship with Portugal, a relationship that eventually devolved into horrific scenes. This kingdom's fate had profound consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere. Today's episode is about the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Kongo.
Minisode: A reintroduction of female genital mutilation in The Gambia?
08:15|Today’s minisode of the Black History Unveiled podcast is about the fight to reintroduce female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia. And how it’s a part of a global movement where, primarily, conservative men seek to maintain and/or regain control over women's bodies and sexuality.
Minisode: The Haitian Crisis
11:46|Today's episode of the Black History Unveiled podcast provides some background to the scenes unfolding in Haiti as we speak. Too many media outlets ignore the context and are only interested in creating the most spectacular headline.