Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture
Are you passionate about Caribbean history, its diverse culture, and its impact on the world? Join Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture as we explore the rich tapestry of Caribbean stories told through the eyes of its people – historians, artists, experts, and enthusiasts who share empowering facts about the region’s past, present, and future.
Strictly Facts is a biweekly podcast, hosted by Alexandria Miller, that delves deep into the heart and soul of the Caribbean, celebrating its vibrant heritage, widespread diaspora, and the stories that shaped it. Through this immersive journey into the Caribbean experience, this educational series empowers, elevates, and unifies the Caribbean, its various cultures, and its global reach across borders.
Episodes
149 episodes
Tracing Ancestral Threads: A Journey from the West to Sierra Leone with Alya Harding
Our history of migration spans across the world. Join us as we journey with Alya Harding, a community organizer and PhD student, who shares her heartfelt exploration of Sierra Leonean Creole/Krio culture and her personal quest to uncover her Tr...
The Multinational Identities & Impact of Caribbean Icons
Have you ever considered how the people we associate with one Caribbean island might actually hail from another, and how these stories of migration shape identities? Join me as we uncover the intriguing tales of Caribbean icons and their unexpe...
Exploring Aruba: Cultural Resilience, Autonomy, and Identity with Dr Gregory Richardson
What can Aruba teach us about cultural resilience and the quest for autonomy? Join Strictly Facts as we sit down with Dr. Gregory Richardson from the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano to unveil the intricate layers of Aruba's history and culture. Dr...
The Hidden Leaders of Martinique's Schools with Nora Eguienta
Join Strictly Facts as we share the captivating journey of education in the French Caribbean, focusing on Martinique's rich history throughout the 20th century. With the insightful PhD candidate Nora Eguienta by my side, we unravel the largely ...
Rhythms of St. Kitts and Nevis: The Evolution of Wylers and Caribbean Music with Dr. Jessica Swanston Baker
What if the rhythm of an island could reshape global music? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Swanston Baker who both brings her rich family heritage and academic expertise to trace the roots and evolution of wylers, its integral ro...
The Sociology of Trinidad and Tobago's National Development with Dr. Zophia Edwards
Recently celebrating 62 years of independence, Trinidad and Tobago is regarded as one of the most successful nations in the Caribbean. However, what are the signs of a successful independent nation? In this episode, Dr. Zophia Edwards joins us ...
Crossover with Carry On Friends: Martine Powers on Creating ‘The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop’
Embark on a remarkable journey through Caribbean history with us as we welcome Martine Powers, the senior host of the Washington Post Reports, as well as the host creator of the gripping series
The Dominican Republic's Restoration Day: Reclaiming Independence and Shaping National Identity
What if your country had to fight for its independence not once, but twice? Join us as we unveil the incredible story of the Dominican Republic's Restoration Day, celebrated on August 16th. This episode of Strictly Facts explores the Dominican ...
*Throwback* Big People Tings: The Life and Legacy of Claudia Jones
With the renowned Notting Hill Carnival coming up at the end of the month, what a better time than now to reshare about the extraordinary life and work of one of its co-founders, activist and intellectual Claudia Jones. Jones was a pioneering C...
The Legacy of the Negritude Movement and Black Women’s Activism in the French Caribbean with Dr. Sanyu Mulira
In this episode of Strictly Facts, we're joined by Dr. Sanyu Mulira, a recent NYU graduate with a passion for feminism and anti-colonial activism in the Francophone Black Atlantic. Together, we discuss the intricate history of the French Caribb...
From Soup Joumou to Flying Fish & Cou-Cou: Exploring Caribbean Food Stories through Haitian and Bajan Cuisine
We continue our Caribbean culinary voyage with Haitian and Bajan cuisine alongside experts, Kerline Ordeus and Leanna Pierre. Together, we uncover the culinary ties between West African and Caribbean dishes, drawing enlightening parallels betwe...
From Mofongo to Sancocho: Caribbean Food Stories in the Hispanic Caribbean with Dr. Mónica Ocasio Vega
The food on our plates tell stories of colonialism, cultural resistance, and resilience. Join Strictly Facts and guest Dr. Mónica Ocasio Vega, esteemed cultural scholar, cook, and assistant professor at Trinity University for a fascinating culi...
From Jerk to Pepper Pot: Caribbean Food Stories from Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago
Ever wondered how Caribbean cuisine became a melting pot of flavors and cultures? Join us for the first part of an eye-opening series with three culinary experts who have dedicated their lives to celebrating and preserving the rich food traditi...
The Producer's Perspective: History and Heritage in Caribbean Podcasting with Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown
From the cobblestone streets of Montego Bay to the airwaves of your favorite podcasting platform, Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown, founder of Breadfruit Media and producer of Strictly Facts, joins us as we reflect on the evolution of Strictly Facts: A Gui...
The Return of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp: A Tale of Cultural Heritage and Reparations with Dr. Shani Roper
Join us for a riveting discussion with Dr. Shani Roper, Curator at the University of West Indies Museum, as we celebrate a monumental event—the homecoming of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp from Scotland, an emblem of natural heritage that's been ...
Shaping Identity and Preserving Heritage: The Evolution of Caribbean Museums with Mr. Kevin Farmer
Joined by Mr. Kevin Farmer of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, we explore identity, cultural preservation, and the journey of Caribbean museums from colonial-era institutions to centers that shape national consciousness and safeguard...
Language as Liberation: The History of French-based Antillean Kwéyòl with Soir Smith
Join us as we journey through the linguistic heritage of Saint Lucia with Soir Smith, a passionate St. Lucian Kwéyòl advocate, guiding us through the colorful landscape of French-based creole languages that flourish across the Caribbean. These ...
Exploring the History and Diversity of Caribbean Sign Languages with Kris M. Ali
The Caribbean is a region of a myriad of languages, Caribbean sign languages included. In this episode, we’re joined by Caribbean sign language scholar Kris M Ali to discuss the diversity of sign languages, from the shores of Jamaica to the Bay...
On the Wrong Side Women's History: Judith Phillip's Role in the Colony of Grenada
There are stories we typically don't tell during Women's History Month, one of whihc is the narrative of Judith Phillip (1760-1848), an enslaver from Grenada whose family's dominion over Carriacou and Petit Martinique tells a story not just o...
The Fabric of Words: Caribbean Women Weaving History in Literature with Dr. Warren Harding
As we weave through Women's History Month and International Women's Day, the patchwork of Caribbean women's literature takes center stage. With scholar Dr. Warren Harding, we celebrate the novels and poetry that carve out a space for the ...
What's In a Name? Geography, Governance, and the Grit of National Identity
Join us as we voyage through the seas of Caribbean geography and politics as we explore the layers of history etched into nations' names and named and unnamed islands that are part of them. From twin islands like Antigua and Barbuda to archipel...
Navigating the Crossroads of Law, Race, and Sovereignty in Puerto Rico with Dr. Mónica Jiménez
Join the conversation with Dr. Mónica Jiménez on Strictly Facts, where we peel back the layers of Puerto Rico's unique political situation and the heavy hand of U.S. legislative decisions on the island's fate. Through Dr.Jiménez's personal ties...
The History behind the Guyana-Venezuela Border Dispute
Celebrate with us as Strictly Facts hits a milestone 75th episode—our heartfelt thanks goes out to each one of you for embarking with us on this journey of enlightenment and shared knowledge. Today, we raise the curtain on the contentious and h...
Embracing Our Legacy and Honoring Ancestral Wisdom: Reflections on Another Year of Strictly Facts
The echoes of Caribbean carnivals, the rhythm of calypso, and the wisdom of our elders - these are the threads that weave the rich tapestry of our heritage. As I navigated the bittersweet waves of personal loss this holiday season, I was remind...
Caribbean Footprints: Tracing Jamaican Influence in American Culture through the Life of Martha Gayle with Damion R. Evans
The Caribbean influence in the United States is undeniable, especially in states like New York. In this episode, guest Damion R. Evans helps illuminate this story through the engrossing life story of Ms. Martha Gayle, a Jamaican immigrant who j...