Black on the Ballot

Balarama Holness’ personal path to politics is unique. From growing up in an ashram, to a career as a professional football player, to running for mayor and founding a provincial political party. He became political, not necessarily to win, but to use the system to force change. How? In this conversation with host Nana aba Duncan, Balarama Holness talks about running for office and his conviction that, in politics, winning isn’t everything. 

In 2020, a New York Times headline described Balarama Holness as “the man striving to be the ‘Canadian Obama.’” Like Barack Obama, Balarama’s political career is rooted in community engagement, activism, and changing the system from within. 

This episode features: 

Balarama Holness, candidate for Montréal-Nord borough mayor (2017), mayoral candidate for Montréal (2021), and provincial candidate for Bloc Montréal (2022)

Alvin Curling, Member of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament (1985-2005), speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (2003-2005), and Canada’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic (2005-2006)

This episode includes an audio clip from CTV’s W5. 

Resources for this episode:

Read the research that supports this podcast:

New report on being Black in Canadian politics

On Black Canadians’ voter turnout:

Statistics Canada’s data on voter turnout by racial background

On abuse in local politics:

Samara Centre for Democracy’s SAMbot Municipal Report

Follow us on Instagram @black.on.the.ballot

This podcast is part of Black Canadians in Electoral Politics, a research partnership between Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada. To learn more, visit our website. To support the important work being done by Operation Black Vote Canada, consider making a donation.

Funding for the podcast comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carleton University, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the University of Toronto Scarborough. In-kind support was provided to Carleton University by the Samara Centre for Democracy. The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.

Episode website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black on the Ballot

Tiffany Ford entered politics to make change in her own neighbourhood. Tired of the way local politicians and the media depicted the community of Jane and Finch, she began knocking on doors to become a school board trustee. Can you do politics without parties? What does political success look like if you don’t want to pick a team? And how do you stand up for your community in the face of overt racism? 

For Tiffany, political life was not about political parties, it was about serving her community. In this episode, host Nana aba Duncan visits Tiffany at her current role, still working in her home community.

This episode features: 

Tiffany Ford, Toronto School Board Trustee (2014-2018) and candidate for City Council (2018)

Jean Augustine, Member of Parliament (1993-2006) and Minister of State (2002-2004)

Zanana Akande, Member of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament (1990-1994) and Minister of Community and Social Services (1990-1991)

This episode includes audio clips from Rebel Media. 

Resources for this episode:

Read the research that supports this podcast:

New report on being Black in Canadian politics

On Black Canadians’ political participation:

Social, political and economic participation, by race

On diversity on municipal councils in Canada:

Locally grown

Resources for running:

OBVC’s “A Seat at the Table” toolkit

Follow us on Instagram @black.on.the.ballot

This podcast is part of Black Canadians in Electoral Politics, a research partnership between Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada. To learn more, visit our website. To support the important work being done by Operation Black Vote Canada, consider making a donation.

Funding for the podcast comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carleton University, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the University of Toronto Scarborough. In-kind support was provided to Carleton University by the Samara Centre for Democracy. The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.

Episode website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black on the Ballot

To tell the story of his journey into politics, Kaycee Madu starts at the beginning, with his childhood in Nigeria and arrival in Canada. When he joined the United Conservative Party in Alberta, he had plans. But they were waylaid by one phone call. Listen in on his candid conversation with host Nana aba Duncan where she asks: How does a life story shape one's approach to politics? What role do the media play in the making and unmaking of a political career? And what are the risks and rewards of being the voice of your community?

Kaycee Madu was a member of Alberta's Legislative Assembly 2019 to 2023 and served in various Cabinet positions, including as the country’s first Black Minister of Justice. 

This episode features: 

Kaycee Madu, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (2019-2023), Minister of Municipal Affairs (2019-2020), Minister of Justice and Solicitor General (2020-2022), Minister of Labour and Immigration (2022-2023), and Deputy Premier of Alberta (2022-2023)

Velma Morgan, Chair of Operation Black Vote Canada

This episode includes audio clips from CTV News and CBC News. 

Resources for this episode:

Read the research that supports this podcast:

New report on being Black in Canadian politics

On Black Canadians’ interactions with police:

Summary of research on anti-Black racism in Canada’s criminal justice system

On the role of the media:

Framed: Media and the Coverage of Race in Canadian Politics

Follow us on Instagram @black.on.the.ballot

This podcast is part of Black Canadians in Electoral Politics, a research partnership between Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada. To learn more, visit our website. To support the important work being done by Operation Black Vote Canada, consider making a donation.

Funding for the podcast comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carleton University, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the University of Toronto Scarborough. In-kind support was provided to Carleton University by the Samara Centre for Democracy. The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.

Episode website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black on the Ballot

Angela Simmonds made history as the first Black deputy speaker in Nova Scotia’s House of Assembly. But after just two years in elected office and a run at her party’s leadership, she resigned. Why? What challenges did she face during her time in politics? What is she most proud of? And what are the hidden pitfalls of entering the political arena? 

In this episode, Angela Simmonds tells host Nana aba Duncan her story of running for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and ultimately leaving politics altogether.

This episode features: 

Angela Simmonds, Deputy Speaker and Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (2021-2023)

Wisdom Tettey, a political scientist and President of Carleton University

Erin Tolley, a political scientist and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race & Inclusive Politics at Carleton University

This episode includes audio clips from CTV News Atlantic. 

Resources for this episode:

Read the research that supports this podcast:

New report on being Black in Canadian politics

Election rules in Nova Scotia:

Nova Scotia Elections Act

On the link between money and politics in Canada:

Gender and donations in Canadian politics

Ethnicity and donations in Canadian politics

On the politics of appearance:

Hair, skin and Black women political elites 

Follow us on Instagram @black.on.the.ballot

This podcast is part of Black Canadians in Electoral Politics, a research partnership between Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada. To learn more, visit our website. To support the important work being done by Operation Black Vote Canada, consider making a donation.

Funding for the podcast comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carleton University, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the University of Toronto Scarborough. In-kind support was provided to Carleton University by the Samara Centre for Democracy. 

The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.

Episode website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brought to you by Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada, episodes launch in January 2025. Follow this podcast if you want to know what it’s really like to be Black on the Ballot.

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