Kaycee Madu: They Didn't See Me Coming

01/22/25 • 42 min

Episode 2. Kaycee Madu: No One Saw Me Coming

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

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.

Episode 2. Kaycee Madu: No One Saw Me Coming

Black on the Ballot

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:

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

Episode website

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

Previous Episode

Angela Simmonds: A Time for Change But at What Cost?

Episode 1. Angela Simmonds: A Time for Change, But At What Cost?

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

The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.

Episode website

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

Next Episode

Tiffany Ford: From the Community and For the Community

Episode 3. TIffany Ford: From the Community and For the Community

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