Maine’s Black Future podcast boldly visits stories of historic Black Mainers and the legacies they carved into the state. Then we connect this longstanding history to Black changemakers weaving Maine’s Black future today.
We define terminology, keep it real and invite you to connect deeply with Black Mainers creating the future that we want to live in. We showcase Black excellence occurring all over Maine and feature original music production from the GEM CITY collective.
Episode 8 opens with the story of Moses Samuel Green, who arrived in Portland in 1888. Moses was a longtime bootblack in Portland’s Union Station, as well as a wealthy real estate leader and supporter of Portland’s early African Methodist Episcopal churches. Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church is named after him, and stands today as the state’s oldest historically Black congregation.
The episode then turns to an interview with Jordene and TJ Trueh, a focused and creative couple. TJ and Jordene talk about their journey to Maine, and all the signs that pointed them here.
The conversation also covers TJ’s enchantment with splitting firewood, as well as Jordene’s life-long travel bug. Then listeners are introduced to “The Voice of Trueh” and Back River Blends, TJ and Jordene’s entrepreneurial passions.
The Truehs reflect on what it means to be Black in Maine, and share their visions for Maine’s Black Future.
The full episode can be listened to while the interview with the Truehs is also available in a video format.
The podcast can be found on some of your favorite podcast hosting platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Deezer, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podcast Index, Goodpods and Pocket Casts.
Past Episodes
Episode 1: The history of London Atus and an interview with Alfine Nathalie
Episode 2: The history of Pedro Tovookan Parris and an interview with Junes Thete
Episode 3: The history of John Brown Russwurm and an interview with Adilah Muhammad
Episode 4: A story of Sherman Kentucky Ferguson and an interview with David Patrick
Episode 5: A story of Gerald E. Talbot and an interview with Angela Okafor
Episode 6: A story of John D. Carter and an interview with Lisa Jones
Episode 7: A story of Randy Stakeman and an interview with Sean Alonzo Harris
Podcast Series Notes
Maine’s Black Future Podcast is supported by Maine Initiative’s Grants for Change program and receives editing and multimedia support from The Maine Monitor, which also serves as the fiscal sponsor for Maine’s Black Future.
This relationship also means you can now give your tax deductible gift or donation to the Maine’s Black Future Podcast, via The Maine Monitor.
Theme music produced by Genius Black, composed by Genius along with Bill Giordano on bass and Ben Noyes on acoustic piano.
Podcast recorded, and produced by Genius Black at So Po Co.Works and The Square, for The Maine Monitor.
Logo animation by Mitchell Smith.
Episode References & Links
The Griot: Preserving African-American History in Maine
Maine’s Visible Black History: The First Chronicles of Its People, by H. H. Price and Gerald E. Talbot
Eastern Maine Real Estate Company Meeting Minutes: May 25, 1911 – Dec. 26, 1917
Bangor Daily News: Moses Green
Connect with Genius, TJ and Back River Blends on Instagram.
