This women's history month, Donna & Jonathan are graced with the presence, knowledge and insight of Danielle Bainbridge - Assistant Professor of Theatre at Northwestern University, where she also holds courtesy appointments in Performance Studies and African American Studies. Her writing has been featured in Killens Review of Arts & Letters, Moko Magazine, and The Mechanics’ Institute Review Online.

Discovering the journey Danielle took from adolescence to adulthood, we come to the writing of her most recent book debut CURRENCIES OF CRUELTY: Slavery, Freak Shows, and the Performance Archive that explores how formerly enslaved people and disabled individuals were commodified through 19th- and 20th-century freak shows, examining figures like conjoined twins Millie Christine McKoy and Chang and Eng Bunker to reveal the intersection of slavery, disability, and performance. Through innovative archival theory and the concept of the "future perfect" archive — a system that anticipates what will have been rather than simply documenting the past — Bainbridge challenges established ways of documenting labor, freedom, and human worth, demonstrating how archival practices have historically represented enslaved and disabled performers as commodities and spectacles while devaluing them as people, showing how records of subjugation continue to shape current understandings of value and visibility.

Purchase the Book:

https://nyupress.org/9781479829569/currencies-of-cruelty/

Code for 30% off NYUAU30

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/TNvfUl2Qh_s?si=gHRafSVaqyJRH_f3

Contact Danielle:

[email protected]

https://bsky.app/profile/daniellebainbridge.bsky.social

Instagram:

@quirkyprofessor_

@NowWeKnowThePodcast

@DonnaJaneen

Historically, the word coon has been used in (you guessed it) a derogatory way against black people. As we do, the word has been remixed and refashioned to describe what we know as those who...speak unfavorably against their own people. Channel Devonta from Love is Blind 😅

In this episode, Donna & Jonathan discuss modern-day "coons" to the liking of Terry Crews, Nicki Minaj, and others. How did we get here?

Also! We have started a YouTube channel, so you can put our glowing faces to the names of your favorite, monthly black history podcast. Be sure to subscribe and show us some love!

www.youtube.com/@NowWeKnowThePodcast

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

2025 was a big year for a variety of reasons. Just like the rest of the world, Donna & Jonathan reflect on what worked and what didn't work, and who and how they want to show up in 2026.

Thanks to each and every one of Now We Know listeners, the podcast has reached new levels with visibility, listenership, and loyalty. We are so grateful!

How did you round out 2025? What are you doing in 2026? Anything different?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

As it turns out, Watch Night has been incorporated into the traditions of more households than knew what to contribute the celebration. From celebratory and luck-ridden feasts to ceremonious gatherings; listen to learn more about how Watch Night came about and let us know what traditions you knew or now know were part of the same.

Resources:

https://www.pbs.org/video/journey-proud-freedoms-eve/

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-watch-night

https://youtu.be/NtZeR-rfGVs

https://youtu.be/IqRenSaCGUI

#newyearseve #nye #holiday

Dakarai Larriett shares about his erroneous arrest in Michigan that ultimately lead him to running for Alabama Senate in the 2026 race. With pillars of his candidacy rooted in education, 2nd amendment rights, healthcare and more, Dakarai shares his plan to win the state largely held by Republicans.

Throughout the conversation, Donna & Jonathan reference a documentary called The Alabama Solution that takes us into one of the deadliest prison systems. Dakarai explains the connection of the important pieces, like education, that can help mitigate the outcomes we see today.

Bio

Dakarai Larriett, an Alabama native and the son of a U.S. Army veteran and a public school teacher, is a thriving entrepreneur and committed community volunteer. His candidacy for the U.S. Senate is driven by the injustice he faced from a false arrest in 2024. Growing up influenced by his father's military service, Dakarai moved between several states and even spent time in Germany. He excelled academically, earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where his dedication to public service deepened during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University. 
Dakarai has built a successful career as a corporate leader while also managing a pet-care business he launched from his garage. Over the past 20 years, he has served in leadership roles on multiple nonprofit boards, gaining a reputation for his servant leadership upon returning to Birmingham in 2021. Actively involved in various volunteer initiatives, he leads an HOA board in downtown Birmingham that represents local families and businesses, showcasing his passion for Alabama's culture and community. In his leisure time, Dakarai enjoys visiting the shooting range and regularly attends First United Methodist Church.

Resources/Links:

• www.dakarailarriett.com
• https://www.instagram.com/dakarailarriettforsenate/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574763727908
  
• https://www.tiktok.com/@dakarai.larriett
• The Alabama Solution

On this episode, Donna & Jonathan dive into the real about fashion trends, vulnerability of what your style says about you, with guest Laura Tully - Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Fashion Expert.

This is one of those episodes that's best described by allowing it to speak for itself. However, we will say, owning your style starts with reflection of self and learning how you show up as your best self; based upon you, not a trend.

Laura Tully - Personal Wardrobe Stylist

https://www.lauratully.co/

Instagram:

@LauraTully.Co

Resources:

https://vestoj.com/dressed-up-and-laying-bare-2/#fn4-6449

A Black History of Style

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/black-panther-party-uniform

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#fashion #fashiontrends

You didn't ask, but Donna & Jonathan delivered. Focusing on the popularity of dances and how each phenomenon has shaped culture was, undoubtedly, one of the most fun, light hearted episodes to date. What's your favorite dance move?

Sources:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6F003CE2A4B31581&si=fhdzU-phEK7rdGG2

https://youtu.be/CAkTaInCDzk

https://youtu.be/4G97kcPumh8

https://youtu.be/TPLK_Ei_7pI

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

When we say we were floored that Flint, Michigan announced the conclusion of it's water criss in early-August 2025, that's an understatement. Reading this sent Donna & Jonathan into a wormhole of environmental racism from Flint to St. Louis to Louisiana and beyond. To the surprise of no one, the current administration isn't helping the cause because, you guessed it, DEI. How could that possibly be related? Want to take a guess?

Resources:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/03/us/flint-michigan-clean-water-crisis

https://youtu.be/aeMxN_f4c8w

https://youtu.be/Hs8l-e1YZ5g

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

A riveting episode of Now We Know with first time guest, Kwame Terra, CEO of bEHR Health and world record holder of the most steps (over 2 million!) walked in 30 days . bEHR is a company that aims to place health at the core of black culture using health equity, best practices and the latest innovations in long time aging and longevity.

Donna & Jonathan dive into Kwame's expertise as he shares tips and tricks on what it really takes to live a long, healthy life; all the while building community along the way. Although he grew up and currently lives in the south, the mecca for great soul and seafood, Kwame's whole food and plant based diet is becoming less of anomaly. This episode is about the intersection of community, health, and overall wellness.

Resources

They're Trying to Kill Us

https://tubitv.com/movies/100015069/they-re-trying-to-kill-us

Black Health Disparities Go Back to Slavery

https://youtu.be/bz00gbEGfho

Beta App: Dacadoo

Use Access Code MBH

www.dacadoo.com

Instagram:

@bEHRHealth

@KwameTerra

@DonnaJaneen

#wellness #blackhealth #blackcommunity #plantbaseddiet #theyretryingtokillus

Someone has to take interest in educating and advocating for the next generation, Donna & Jonathan are no exception. Whether they be those in their immediate surroundings or a program they're supporting, they recognize the downfalls of the current administration and the effects it's having on systems and structures that, while faulty, were in place for a reason.

How can we help improve the lives of those around us; young or old, in big ways or in small ways? As a great prophet once said, may you leave someone better than you found them.

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUWQ98YrBh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplwzKtJDSE

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen