The History Hotline

In the final episode of this mini series, Deanna, Weyland and Athian Akec trace how Darcus Howe carried C.L.R. James’ radical tradition from Black Power organising and Race Today into prime-time British TV, from The Bandung File to Devil’s Advocate. Through interviews, archive and biography, we explore his confrontations with British power and the legacy that continues to shape Black politics and media today.
This episode features :
Leila Hassan Howe – Veteran Black British activist, former member of the Race Today Collective and long-time campaigner for racial justice and Black self-organisation.
Dr Tennyson Joseph – Political scientist and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, specialising in Caribbean politics, decolonisation, and the work of CLR James.
Dr Robin Bunce – Historian of Black Power and radical politics in Britain, and co-author of Darcus Howe: A Political Biography.
Athian Akec - Athian Akec is a political educator and community organiser focused on cultivating political imagination and building community capacity for positive change.
Written, presented, and produced by Deanna Lyncook & Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Special guest appearance by Athian Akec
Mix and Sound design by Weyland McKenzie - Witter
Series Theme Music by Kyron Akal
Artwork by Rei Bleu - www.reibleu.com

In this episode, we trace Darcus Howe’s journey from Caribbean “global consciousness” and Trinidad’s Black Power uprising to the Mangrove Nine, the Race Today Collective and political organising in Britain. This episode uncovers how Howe built institutions, challenged the state and became a key target of the Special Branch’s Black Power desk.
Leila Hassan Howe – Veteran Black British activist, former member of the Race Today Collective and long-time campaigner for racial justice and Black self-organisation.
Dr Tennyson Joseph – Political scientist and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, specialising in Caribbean politics, decolonisation, and the work of CLR James.
Dr Robin Bunce – Historian of Black Power and radical politics in Britain, and co-author of Darcus Howe: A Political Biography.
Written, presented, and produced by Deanna Lyncook & Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Mix and Sound design by Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Series Theme Music by Kyron Akal
Artwork by Rei Bleu - www.reibleu.com

On Jan 4th 2022, Darcus Howe was honoured at the unveiling of a Nubian Jack plaque in Brixton. But who is Darcus Howe? In Part 1 of this series, we explore Howe’s politics, his relationship with C. L. R. James, and the Caribbean radical tradition behind his life’s work.
This episode features:
Dr Jak Beula - British entrepreneur, cultural activist, and "educartist" who founded the Nubian Jak Community Trust (NJCT) in 2006.
Leila Hassan Howe – Veteran Black British activist, former member of the Race Today Collective and long-time campaigner for racial justice and Black self-organisation.
Dr Tennyson Joseph – Political scientist and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, specialising in Caribbean politics, decolonisation, and the work of CLR James.
Dr Robin Bunce – Historian of Black Power and radical politics in Britain, and co-author of Darcus Howe: A Political Biography.
Written, presented, and produced by Deanna Lyncook & Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Mix and Sound design by Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Series Theme Music by Kyron Akal
Artwork by Rei Bleu - www.reibleu.com

4 incredible years and 150 episodes of The History Hotline later, the show has come to an end. I have decided to take a long break from podcasting and can't make any promises as to when I will be back. Thank you all for your support tuning into this podcast, this last episode is taken from the live show featuring Dr Jade Bentil. For bookings and other inquiries email: thehistoryhotline@gmail.com or find us on socials here.

"This was a continuation of the British Caribbean Experience: fighting with Britain during global wars, and during times of peace fighting British authorities for justice."
This week I am joined by author Colin Douglas discussing his book 'The Caribbean and the Second World War'. We discuss the long military history in the region and the various ways the Caribbean were a part of the global conflict. We discuss the Caribbean as an important geographical location for both Britain and the allies and Germany and the axis powers. But also consider Britain's military colour bar during this time.
Colin will be in conversation with Dr Kesewa John at Greenwich museum on 17th November 2024.
Follow us on socials here.
Follow Colin Douglas here