Trey's Table

Students in Paris are throwing Molotov cocktails due to poor conditions in their schoos. What would they do if they had to attend the average school that a Black student attends in America? Let's talk about it.

In 1804, Haiti defeated Napoleon’s army and created the world’s first free Black republic.
It terrified colonial powers, alarmed Thomas Jefferson, and sparked centuries of efforts to keep Haiti isolated.
On this day in 1937, another dark chapter unfolded: the Parsley Massacre.
In the new episode of #TreysTable, we break down:
➡️ The history behind the 1937 border massacre
➡️ Jefferson’s letters & Southern fear of Haitian liberation
➡️ Haitian Flag Day, culture, and unity across the diaspora
Listen here 🎙️

In 1901, Australia wanted to ban Black and Asian immigration, but London said explicit racial laws looked bad diplomatically. So they invented the "50-Word Dictation Test. In this episode of the podcast, we explore Australia’s history of anti-Black racism.

In 1935, Sinclair Lewis wrote It Can’t Happen Here—a chilling novel about a populist demagogue who promises every citizen cash payouts, rallies anti-immigrant fervor, and steadily dismantles democracy from within.
Lewis wasn’t just writing fiction; he was issuing a warning.
On the latest episode of Trey’s Table, we examine the life and work of Sinclair Lewis, the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. From his sharp critique of American fascism to his groundbreaking 1947 novel Kingsblood Royal—inspired by his close friendship with NAACP leader Walter White—we break down why Lewis’s words are more urgent today than ever.
🎧 Click the link in bio to listen now to Trey’s Table.
#TreysTable #SinclairLewis #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast

Next time you sit down for a meal at an upscale restaurant, take a look around. Who greets you at the door? Who takes your order? And who is working behind closed doors in the kitchen?
In fine dining, servers in major metro areas can earn upwards of $100k to $150k annually in tips. Yet front-of-house positions remain overwhelmingly white.
In the latest episode of Trey’s Table (Episode 461), we dig into the history, the high-profile class-action lawsuits, and the unspoken racial dynamics of the dining room.
Every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of spaces we want to support.
🎧 Episode 461 is streaming now. Link in bio.
💬 Question for you: Think of your top 2 or 3 favorite local spots. How diverse is their front-of-house staff? Let’s talk in the comments.

Hashtags: ⁠ #SocialJustice #PodcastClips #Restaurant-life #TreyTablePodcast⁠

NEW EPISODE: The Debate Over Hip-Hop's Most Controversial Word
Can you separate hip-hop culture from the language embedded in its history?
In this episode of Trey’s Table, host Trey Smith dives deep into the heated, ongoing debate surrounding the N-word in hip-hop—sparked by the recurring conversations around South Bronx legend Fat Joe on The Joe Budden Podcast.
From the origins of the genre with The Sugarhill Gang and Public Enemy to modern hits by Terror Squad, JAY-Z, and Kanye West, we examine:
The Cultural Divide: Should anyone be using the word in music today, or is it time for hip-hop to move past it entirely?
Identity & Proximity: When a non-Black Hispanic artist is born and raised at the epicenter of hip-hop culture, does context grant a pass?
Anti-Blackness & Colorism: A hard look at identity within the Latin and Hispanic communities, featuring insights from Rosie Perez and cultural commentators.
The Power of Words: Trey shares a candid story from his courtroom career that underscores the real-world impact of the language we normalize.
Join the table for an honest, thoughtful discussion on art, race, influence, and responsibility.

The Korean War is often called America’s "Forgotten War"—and even more forgotten are the struggles of the African American soldiers who served in it.
Two years after Executive Order 9981 ordered the desegregation of the armed forces, Black troops—like those in the 24th Infantry Regiment—were still serving in segregated units and facing glaring racial bias in the military justice system. When Black soldiers were unjustly convicted for refusing suicidal orders without artillery or air support, NAACP Special Counsel Thurgood Marshall flew straight to Korea to uncover the truth.
Step back in time to 1951 with the latest episode of Trey’s Table as we break down the investigation, the court-martials, and the fight for justice on the front lines.
🎙️ Tune in today: [Link in bio]
#TreysTable #AfricanAmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast #CivilRightsHistory #KoreanConflict

There are certain figures whose respect in the culture is simply understood. On the latest episode of Trey’s Table, we’re diving into "The List of People That Black People Don't Play About."
From Dolly Parton’s genuine love, decades of philanthropy, and unforgettable moments of allyship, to Hayley Williams’ unapologetic stand for justice and Kyle Chandler’s iconic, authentic portrayals on screen—we look at what truly earns a permanent place at the table.
It’s about more than fame or success; it’s about respect, connection, and treating people right.
🎙️ Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!
Drop a comment below: Who else belongs on your list?
#TreysTable #Podcast #BlackCulture #DollyParton #HayleyWilliams #KyleChandler #CultureAndHistory #PodcastsOfInstagram

When you hear a song, what kind of picture does your mind build of the person singing it?
In the latest episode of Trey’s Table, we look at the incredible story of Sarah La Morena—a dark-skinned, Afro-Mexican singer captivating audiences worldwide with regional Mexican music. Born in California and adopted by a loving Mexican family in Zacatecas, Sarah’s life challenges the shallow boundaries of race, expectations, and musical genres.
Her journey opens the door to deeper, necessary conversations:
What truly shapes our identity—our skin or the environment that loves and raises us?
The nuances and debates surrounding transracial and transcultural adoption.
Why we must dismantle the boxes that tell people what they are “allowed” to create, sing, or enjoy.
From 80s pop to Living Colour to Frank Sinatra, music has always had the power to cross boundaries and unite souls.
🎧 Tune in now to join the conversation.
What’s an artist or genre you love that might surprise people based on who you are? Let’s talk in the comments.

New Episode of Trey’s Table: Self-Defense, Domestic Violence, and the Trial of Keisha Golden
While national media attention often zeroes in on high-profile cases like the Lindsay Clancy trial, countless stories at the critical intersection of race, gender, and the legal system slip under the radar.
In this episode of Trey’s Table, host Trey Smith breaks down the complex and heartbreaking case of Keisha Golden—an eight-month-pregnant woman in Chicago who faced first-degree murder charges after fatally stabbing her abusive partner in self-defense, only to resolve her case this week through a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter.
In this episode, we explore:
The Legal Realities of Self-Defense: Why traditional doctrines of self-defense and "proportionality of force" routinely fail victims of domestic abuse.
The Coercion of Plea Deals: An insider look from a defense attorney's perspective on how high bonds, pre-trial detention, and mandatory minimums pressure even innocent defendants into pleading guilty.
Historical Precedents: The legacy of Battered Woman Syndrome, from the landmark 1977 Francine Hughes ("The Burning Bed") case to modern reforms like New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.
Overlooked Voices: Examining the contrast in public empathy and media coverage between cases, remembering Marguerite Whitley, and demanding accountability in local judicial and prosecutorial elections.
How can our criminal legal system better protect victims of domestic violence before tragedy strikes?
🎧 Listen now to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. Link in bio/show notes!
#TreysTable #KeishaGolden #CriminalJustice #LegalSystem #DomesticViolenceAwareness #PublicDefense #Podcast #LegalAnalysis