Afropolitan Dialogues

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.

Michelle Joseph is a Toronto-based blogger, podcaster, and now author of “Words with Michelle: Inspirational Conversations with Today's Black Canadian Changemakers.” Her journey as a storyteller is inspiring, authentic, and filled with wisdom for anyone looking to amplify community voices and pursue creative passions.

Our guests are the beloved radio personalities and dynamic duo Mark Strong and Jemeni. They stopped by Afropolitan Dialogues to discuss an exciting project that will bring them back together to host Olympic FOMO, a CBC Olympics coverage show for the upcoming Paris Games. When your snooze button wins the war against that 4:00 a.m. Olympic live stream from Paris, Mark and Jem go behind the scenes to bring you a daily Olympics recap in 20 minutes or less. They’ve got next-level access to Paris 2024, so you never need to worry about FOMO. You can follow the engaging conversations and thought-provoking content through podcast episodes and on CBC TV.

An interview with Jay Northcott, a multidisciplinary artist, director, playwright, and burlesque dancer. They joined the 2023 season of the Stratford Festival as an assistant director on the production of King Lear. We discuss the importance of including diverse perspectives and stories within the Black experience to create a more inclusive and vibrant artistic landscape. Topics include celebrating the richness of "black identities" and encouraging the exploration of different narratives and the intersection of art, identity, and self-belief.

An interview with multifaceted actor and performer Joella Crichton. We dive deep into Joella's artistic journey, exploring the unique creativity she discovered within the Afro-Caribbean community both as an actor and Carnival Queen. We learn how her role as a performer becomes a means of self-exploration and human connection, delving into the toolbox of skills she utilizes to bring her stage characters to life.

Stephen, a non-binary performer, brings a fresh perspective to these iconic plays. They shine a light on the significance of having diverse voices in theatre and showcase the remarkable talent of the black queer community. Beyond the stage, our speaker explores other art forms like visual art, dancing, and poetry.

An interview with two actors currently on stage at the Stratford Festival's 2023 season. They're performing in two plays: Much Ado About Nothing as well as King Lear. Austin Eckert is a Nigerian-Canadian actor from Regina, Saskatchewan. He went to college in Victoria, BC at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. He has been working in theatre, film and television for the past eight years. This is his second season at Stratford. Also joining the conversation is Andre Sills. Andre is a Guyanese-Canadian veteran actor and producer. This is his ninth season at Stratford since his debut in 2005. He's a graduate of George Brown College's Theatre program. During this engaging exchange, we delve into the pressures of striving for excellence at all times and the dream of being allowed to fail in a world where tokenism has too often straight-jacketed the evolution of Black stage performers.

A discussion with Detroit-based director Sam White, who is currently in her second and favourite season at the Stratford Festival. She discusses how the Stratford Festival has changed over the years and how she works with her cast and crew to create a unique experience for Alice Childress' "Wedding Band." We also delve into Sam's mentors and inspirations who helped build her up, including her parents, who continue to influence her work, and she talks about her passion for sharing Shakespeare's work in the rust belt.