Now We Know

Donna Polk and Jonathan Stokes
  • 4.2 (6)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join co-hosts Donna Polk & Jonathan Stokes on Now We Know, the monthly podcast that encourages learning and relearning black history in a fun yet educational way. Together, they unpack and repack our history from the lens of two people simply trying to figure it out and spread the word. Reading between the lines of what we learned and what we need to learn, we're here to bridge the gap.

  1. APR 10

    Henrietta Lack's Immortal Life

    Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cervical cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent, became the source of one of the most important medical findings in history. Her cells, HeLa, were used to develop numerous vaccines and scientific breakthroughs, yet her family remained unaware of her contribution for nearly 25 years after her passing. To watch the full episode, check out our YouTube Channel for go-live at 2pm CST. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTz_qo0OVWxo46Tb-x-BEA Resources: https://www.msm.edu/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks/index.php https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meqJP85-InE https://www.science.org/content/article/what-does-historic-settlement-won-henrietta-lacks-s-family-mean-others https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/novartis-settles-with-henrietta-lacks-estate-over-use-of-her-cancer-cells-to-advance-medicine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/henrietta-lacks https://people.com/woman-in-labor-brought-into-zoom-court-refused-c-section-11941448 Instagram: @NowWeKnowThePodcast @DonnaJaneen #blackmaternalhealth #blackhistory #blackmaternalhealthmonth #blackwomen #medicine #science

    54 min

  2. MAR 5

    Currencies of Cruelty with Author Danielle Bainbridge, PhD

    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: Danielle.bainbridge@northwestern.edu https://bsky.app/profile/daniellebainbridge.bsky.social Instagram: @quirkyprofessor_ @NowWeKnowThePodcast @DonnaJaneen

    54 min

  3. FEB 25

    Modern Internalized Racism: When the Call is Coming from Inside the House

    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

    38 min

  4. JAN 7

    What We Left Behind in 2025 and How We're Starting 2026

    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

    41 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    The Making of a New Year's Eve Holiday Tradition: Watch Night

    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

    28 min
  6. Senate Candidate Dakarai Larriett & The Alabama Solution

    11/03/2025

    Senate Candidate Dakarai Larriett & The Alabama Solution

    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.comhttps://www.instagram.com/dakarailarriettforsenate/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574763727908https://www.tiktok.com/@dakarai.larriettThe Alabama Solution

    1h 6m

  7. 10/22/2025

    The Transformative Magic of Style, How to Show Up as You and Not a Trend with Personal Wardrobe Stylist & Fashion Expert Laura Tully

    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

    1h 19m

  8. 09/30/2025

    Twerk Sumn, Shake Sumn

    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

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join co-hosts Donna Polk & Jonathan Stokes on Now We Know, the monthly podcast that encourages learning and relearning black history in a fun yet educational way. Together, they unpack and repack our history from the lens of two people simply trying to figure it out and spread the word. Reading between the lines of what we learned and what we need to learn, we're here to bridge the gap.

Information

  • Creator
    Donna Polk and Jonathan Stokes
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Donna Polk and Jonathan Stokes
  • Show Website
    Now We Know