The Loyalist Connections Podcast
Introducing the Loyalist Connections Podcast: Step into a world where history comes alive, voices echo through time, and untold narratives find their voice. Welcome to the Loyalist Connections Podcast, where we discover and capture the rich heritage of the African Nova Scotian community and beyond. Hosted by Laurice Downey, and Shawn Smith our passionate duo brings their expertise and dedication to reveal the captivating stories of our ancestors, shedding light on their resourcefulness, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. With a commitment to promoting recognition, justice, and development, the Loyalist Connections Podcast is a gateway to discovering the diverse heritage and contributions of Black and African Nova Scotians. Tune in as we capture first-voice historical narratives and present them through captivating audio experiences. Our engaging interviews, featuring special guests and community members, provide an authentic window into the lives of those who have been historically overlooked. Join us on this exciting journey of self-discovery, as we bridge the past and present, champion change, and celebrate the indomitable spirit of Black and African Nova Scotians
Episodes
In this episode, Lynn Jones to explore the rich history and ongoing impact of the Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Collection. Lynn shares stories from her decades of activism, the challenges and triumphs of Black youth organizing in Nova Scotia, and the importance of preserving community history.
Episode Highlights:
- The origins and significance of the Lynn Jones Collection
- Black youth activism and the Black United ...
Welcome to the first episode of our special two-part series on the Loyalist Connections Podcast! In this episode, we examine storytelling as both an art form and a vital tool of cultural preservation. Joining us are two distinguished scholars and community voices — Dr. Afua Cooper and Dr. Lynn Jones — who share their insights on heritage, memory, and the enduring work of documenting Black history in Nova Scotia.
What to Expect in P...
In this episode, hosts Itai Kuwodza and Shawn Smith are joined by Erin Isaac, a PhD candidate and Renewal Coordinator for the Ross-Thomson House and Store Museum in Shelburne. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of cultural preservation, community engagement, and the evolving interpretation of Loyalist and Black history in Nova Scotia.
Episode Highlights:
- Introduction to the Ross-Thomson House and Store ...
In this episode, hosts Itai Kuwodza and Graham Nickerson welcome Gabriel Jones, a seasoned museum professional with over 30 years of experience in curating Indigenous arts and visual culture across Canada and beyond. Together, they explore the intersection of cultural preservation and digital innovation—discussing the complexities of digitizing cultural resources, the importance of building community capacity, and the critical role...
Episode Summary: In this episode, hosts Itai Kuwodza and Shawn Smith are joined by guest Chuck Smith for a heartfelt conversation about the importance of cultural preservation within the African Nova Scotian community. They discuss the power of storytelling, the role of family traditions, music, and sports in maintaining cultural identity. The conversation also addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with passing thes...
In this special episode of the Loyalist Connections podcast, we sit down with legendary Canadian boxer and community leader, David Downey Sr. Joined by his son, David Downey Jr., this conversation explores the rich history, personal stories, and lasting impact of the Downey family in Halifax and beyond.
Episode Highlights:
- David Downey Sr. shares memories of growing up in Halifax, his early days in sports, and the journey to b...
In this episode, Shawn Smith and Graham Nickerson of the Loyalist Connections Creative Society partner with the South Shore Multicultural Association to host "Around the Table," a dinner series designed to foster meaningful connections within our community and highlight African Nova Scotian culinary and history.
The episode also features dinner by R&B Kitchen and a detailed discussion of the No.2 Construction Battalion's histo...
In this episode of the Loyalist Connections podcast, hosts Itai Kuwodza and Graham Nickerson discuss the significant influence and contributions of Black Women, particularly African Nova Scotian Women, in instigating social change with special guest Dr. Rachel Zellers, a professor in Social Justice and Community Studies, the discussion covers topics such as the maternal influence in activism, the impact of Afrocentric learning, the...
In this episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, Laurice Downey and special host Graham Nickerson discuss Capacity Building from an Urban Perspective with special guests Rodney Small and Andre Anderson. This episode explores social entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship in the filmmaking industry, highlighting opportunities and experiences.
Rodney shares his deep connections to African Nova Scotian Communities and how his backg...
We're starting where it all began!
In this episode our hosts and their special guest Graham Nickerson discuss some of the key cultural traditions, practices and connections between the Black Loyalists that settled in Birchtown and Shelburne.
These communities were made of Black people across the region who represented different cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds that they transported on to their new homes. Our guest sp...
In this episode of the Loyalist Connections podcast, Laurice Downey and special guest hosts Graham Nickerson introduce a discussion on cultural preservation, food sovereignty, and Afrocentric learning with special guests Wendie Wilson.
Wendie shares her background as an artist, writer, educator, and advocate for BIPOC educators. The conversation covers African Nova Scotian culture, traditional foods, the significance of storytellin...
In episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, Laurice Downey and special guest host Graham Nickerson, discuss the deeply rooted history of Activism and Advocacy within the African Nova Scotian community featuring special guests Dr. Isaac Saney and Irvine Carvery.
The episode sheds light on their personal connections to community activism, discussing key figures such as Rocky Jones and organizations like the Black United Front.
Th...
In this episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, Sean Smith and special guest host Itai Kuwodza, discuss Capacity Building from a Rural Perspective, featuring special guests Andrea Davis and Shekara Grant.
Topics include the importance of understanding one's history, identity, community engagement, storytelling, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
This episode highlights their personal experiences, community initiatives,...
In this episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, Laurice Downey and Shawn Smith explore the history of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, focusing on resilience, cultural preservation, and the impact of storytelling.
Featuring key insights from special guests Douglas Rock and Chuck Smith, discussing their personal narratives, the struggle against institutional racism, and the significant contributions of the African Nova Scotian...
Season 3 of the Loyalist Connections Podcast kicks-off with a focus on the Cultural Preservation and Capacity Building Forum we held in February. In this trailer Laurice and Shawn discuss the two-day event that brought together students, educators, and community members together to explore Black and African Nova Scotian Cultural Preservation and Community Capacity Building.
Highlights include the involvement of historians, the inte...
Vanessa Fells, a distinguished community voice, guides us through the multifaceted layers of systemic racism, from its roots in the transatlantic slave trade to its present-day manifestations. Shawn and Laurice, join Vanessa in a journey that uncovers uncomfortable truths and powerful stories that resonate deeply within the Black community.
Dive into a profound exploration of anti-Black racism in Nova Scotia in our latest episode...
Experience the essence of the Loyalist Connections in this heartwarming episode where community, ancestry, and connection come alive. Join Shawn and Laurice along with guests Beatrice and Bernice, as they weave an intricate tapestry of stories that define the spirit of Black communities.
In this episode, we delve into how storytelling is not just a pastime but a lifeline in these communities, serving as a vessel for preserving cul...
In this compelling episode of the Loyalist Connections Podcast, hosts Shawn and Laurice sit down with content creator Matthew Johnson. Matthew discusses his passion for boxing, his dedication to fitness and mental health, and the creation of ArcoVision.
In this captivating episode, we venture beyond the surface of connections to explore the rich African Nova Scotian history in Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia. Join Shawn and Laurice, and our special guest Juanita Peters, as they illuminate the stories woven into this small yet significant community.
Weymouth Falls is not just a place of picturesque landscapes and fertile farmland; it's a symbol of the rural Canadian experience, where ...
Join our hosts Shawn and Laurice as they welcome Curtis Whiley, who guides us through the life and soul of Upper Hammonds Plains. This episode is not just a history lesson; it's a celebration of the struggles and triumphs of African Nova Scotian residents and communities in securing their land rights, protecting their heritage, and creating a vibrant, unified community.
Discover the local history of the Whiley Box Factory, the fir...
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