Maine's Black Future

Episode 7 starts with Genius Black telling the story of Randolph Stakeman, who came to Bowdoin College in 1978 to teach African history. Later in the episode, Genius and photographer Sean Alonzo Harris connect about growing up in Cambridge, Mass., his introduction to photography, and how it was inspired by his family.

Episode 6 opens with Genius Black telling the story of John D. Carter, who lived in Augusta during the 19th century. In the 1830s and 1840s, Carter and his wife Mary lived above his barbershop. Carter was a successful businessman, and a vocal opponent of slavery, which he considered a sin. He proposed anti-slavery resolutions that challenged First Baptist Church of Augusta’s commitment to act against enslavers and the institution of slavery. He was an early activist, paving the way. Later in the episode, Genius and Lisa Jones connect about founding Black Travel Maine, growing up in the Tri-State area, and lobbying on behalf of small businesses in Washington D.C.

Host Genius Black opens the fifth episode of the Maine’s Black Future podcast with a brief history of Gerald E. Talbot, civil and human rights activist, Maine state legislator, and author. Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Bangor resident Angela Okafor, Bangor's first person of color and immigrant elected to the Bangor City Council.

Host Genius Black opens the fourth episode of the Maine’s Black Future Podcast with a story of Sherman Kentucky Ferguson, a Lewiston resident and boxer who in 1931 was denied a marriage license to his white fiancée, outside of legal parameters. Sherman’s denial was noted by Black owned publications across the country, displaying the municipal level segregation some interracial Maine couples faced. Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Portland resident David Patrick, a consultant, activist and educator raised in the Orrington, Maine area. The conversation spans topics from David’s childhood, recent accolades, and how he balances fatherhood and his mental health.

Host Genius Black opens episode 3 with a look at John Brown Russuwurm, a Jamaican born bi-racial man who came to Maine in 1812 with his English father. John lost both his parents at an early age, but grew up with a caring stepmother who eventually helped him enroll into Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Russwurm became Bowdoin’s first African American graduate, and the third inside the United States. He went on to co-found America’s first African-American owned publication, Freedom’s Journal. Later, Russwurm emigrated to Liberia, serving as the settlement’s first Black governor. Later in the episode, Genius sits with Adilah Muhammed, originally from Decatur, Georgia currently living and working as a multifaceted leader inside Maine. Muhammed shares her experience growing up in Georgia in the 80’s, investing in real estate, founding a non-profit, and looking to her vision of Maine’s Black future.

Host Genius Black opens the second episode with a look at Pedro Tovookan Parris, who came to Portland to take part in the trial of Cyrus Libby, who was arrested in Rio De Janeiro for illegally transporting enslaved Africans. Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Portland resident Junes Thete, a Congolese-born cinematographer, producer, and fashion consultant working in Maine. Junes shares his personal inspirations and guidance for up and coming creatives, as well as his upcoming Discover Me Show.

Host Genius Black opens the first episode of The Maine Monitor's new podcast, Maine's Black Future, with a historical look at the life of London Atus, a Machias resident in the late 1700s that purchased his freedom and fought in the Revolutionary War. Atus would help create the settlement of Atusville. Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Portland resident Alfine Nathalie, a holistic health provider who was born in Kenya and raised in Maine.