Advertise on podcast: Afropolitan Dialogues

In this episode of Afropolitan Dialogues, we sit down with Timea Wharton-Suri, Executive Director and Curator of dance Immersion.  Timea discusses the launch of dance Immersion’s inaugural Immersion Festival—a groundbreaking two-week event in Toronto celebrating Canadian cultural life and the dances of the African diaspora. She breaks down the festival’s three core performance programs (Next Gen, National, and Vanguard), its workshops, and the vision behind uniting generations of Black dance artists. Drawing from over 30 years as a performer, educator, and administrator, Timea also shares insights on her curatorial philosophy, honoring cultural roots, and building sustainable infrastructure for artists.

Eddy (DaOriginalOne) David, Ottawa and Toronto hip hop pioneer and spoken word artist, joins Afropolitan Dialogues to unpack how our history quietly disappears online and offline. We trace the gentrification of Little Jamaica, the demolition of Honest Ed's, and the loss of community radio archives, then explore why critical thinking, oral tradition, and a clear-eyed view of AI remain essential tools for preserving memory.

Wendy Vincent is a Toronto-based storyteller and Windrush birthright holder preserving the oral histories of Caribbean migrants who helped rebuild postwar Britain and later shaped Black Canadian life. She shares her personal family journey, her archival work with 99-year-old elder Lloyd Lindo, and her upcoming community event at Blackhurst Cultural Centre.

Canada's Secretary of State for International Development, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, joins Afropolitan Dialogues fresh from the third International Sudan Conference in Berlin, where Canada pledged more than $120 million in humanitarian and development funding. In this conversation, he breaks down the funding, addresses the declining trend in global donor pledges, speaks to the anti-Black dimension of the atrocities in Darfur, and discusses Canada's support for the Sudanese diaspora community here in Canada.

A Christmas Carol as a “heart forward” ritual anchors a wide-ranging conversation with Allison Edwards-Crewe on artistic craft, the discipline of a triple-threat practice, and the responsibilities that come with carrying classic work today. Together, the discussion explores representation as a structural commitment rather than a gesture, reflecting on Canadian theatre’s evolving audiences, institutions, and the next era being shaped on stage and behind the scenes.

This episode features Christina Van Sickle, MSW, RSW (Director of Professional Practice, OCSWSSW), Nicole Bonnie (Council Vice President, OCSWSSW), and Nikki Healey, MSW, RSW (Professional Practice Associate, OCSWSSW) in a discussion on how regulation, standards, and equity efforts support safe and accountable social work in Ontario. The conversation outlines how tools like the Online Public Register, the Continuing Competence Program, and an equity-informed complaints process help protect the public, while also addressing representation, cultural humility, and the roots of mistrust within Black and Afro-Caribbean communities. The guests highlight how ongoing education, transparent oversight, and strengthened community engagement contribute to rebuilding trust and improving the quality of care across the province.

In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Divine Brown joins Afropolitan Dialogues to reflect on her journey from Toronto’s neo-soul rise in the early 2000s to headlining UnCovered: Madonna & Cher at Koerner Hall. She shares the creative process behind reimagining pop anthems, opens up about the lasting influence of D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar, and revisits the collaborative magic that shaped her debut album. Divine also talks about storytelling as the thread connecting her music, theatre, and film work, the powerful mentorship she found in Toronto’s creative community, and the lessons she’s passing on to the next generation of artists.

Bahamian-born choreographer Reequal Smith discusses her acclaimed work Caribbean Flamingo, her journey from The Bahamas to PEI, founding Oshun Dance Studios, and how she champions Caribbean movement on global stages.

Twenty years after first sitting down with d’bi.young anitafrika during rehearsals for blood.claat at Theatre Passe Muraille, AfroToronto reconnects with the visionary artist to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the Sankofa Trilogy. From SummerWorks beginnings to a global academic journey and now a return to Toronto, this full-circle conversation explores lineage, liberation, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Broadway alum Mary Antonini joins us to discuss her starring role as Delia Patterson in Blues for an Alabama Sky at the Shaw Festival. Set during the Harlem Renaissance, the play explores dreams, struggles, and the resilience of Black communities in the 1930s. Mary reflects on embodying this history, her creative journey, and her exciting season at Shaw, which also includes Anything Goes and White Christmas.

In this episode, we sit down with Canadian filmmaker R.T. Thorne to discuss his feature debut, 40 Acres, premiering in theatres across Canada on July 4, 2025. This post-apocalyptic thriller has already garnered critical acclaim for its rich storytelling and powerful portrayal of Black and Indigenous experiences. Recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “51 Best Canadian Films of All Time” and included in TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten, 40 Acres examines the themes of legacy, survival, and land through the lens of a culturally rooted and resilient family.

In this inspiring episode, operations executive and entrepreneur Eric McRae shares his mission to close the digital divide for seniors across Canada through his work with Connected Canadians. From empowering older adults with essential tech skills to engaging newcomers as volunteers, Eric dives into how purpose-driven models can foster intergenerational impact, equity, and digital literacy.

In this episode, we speak with Grammy-winning musician, composer, and educator Larnell Lewis about his upcoming tribute concert, A Glimpse of Quincy, premiering at Toronto’s Luminato Festival. We explore Larnell’s personal encounters with Quincy Jones, his creative process, and how fatherhood and community shape his ever-evolving artistic journey.

On this episode of Afropolitan Dialogues, we sit down with Grammy-winning artist Melanie Fiona to explore her journey through music, motherhood, and self-discovery. Melanie shares the inspiration behind her latest EP "Say Yes," the importance of staying true to yourself, and how embracing vulnerability has transformed her art and life. Tune in for insights on finding balance, the power of saying yes after knowing your boundaries, and what fans can expect as she brings her electrifying live performances back on tour.

From Stratford to Broadway, Vanessa Sears has graced many stages, but her latest role in the Canadian premiere of Amanda Wilkin’s award-winning play "Shedding a Skin" is a brand new adventure. In an intimate, one-woman performance set atop a London tower block, the story follows Maya, a young woman grappling with identity, burnout, and the magic of unexpected connections. This episode is for anyone who loves theatre, believes in the power of personal storytelling, or has ever wondered what it takes to find your voice on—and off—the stage. Vanessa’s honesty, warmth, and insight will inspire you to embrace who you are, build community, and connect, especially when the world feels divided.