Maine's Black Future - History of Pedro Tovookan Parris; Interview with Junes Thete

History of Pedro Tovookan Parris; Interview with Junes Thete

05/06/23 • 40 min

Host Genius Black opens the second episode with a look at Pedro Tovookan Parris, who came to Portland to take part in the trial of Cyrus Libby, who was arrested in Rio De Janeiro for illegally transporting enslaved Africans.

Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Portland resident Junes Thete, a Congolese-born cinematographer, producer, and fashion consultant working in Maine. Junes shares his personal inspirations and guidance for up and coming creatives, as well as his upcoming Discover Me Show.

Previous Episode

History of London Atus; Interview with Alfine Nathalie

Host Genius Black opens the first episode of The Maine Monitor's new podcast, Maine's Black Future, with a historical look at the life of London Atus, a Machias resident in the late 1700s that purchased his freedom and fought in the Revolutionary War. Atus would help create the settlement of Atusville.
Later in the episode, Genius sits down with Portland resident Alfine Nathalie, a holistic health provider who was born in Kenya and raised in Maine.

Next Episode

History of John Brown Russuwurm; Interview with Adilah Muhammed

Host Genius Black opens episode 3 with a look at John Brown Russuwurm, a Jamaican born bi-racial man who came to Maine in 1812 with his English father. John lost both his parents at an early age, but grew up with a caring stepmother who eventually helped him enroll into Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
Russwurm became Bowdoin’s first African American graduate, and the third inside the United States. He went on to co-found America’s first African-American owned publication, Freedom’s Journal. Later, Russwurm emigrated to Liberia, serving as the settlement’s first Black governor.

Later in the episode, Genius sits with Adilah Muhammed, originally from Decatur, Georgia currently living and working as a multifaceted leader inside Maine.
Muhammed shares her experience growing up in Georgia in the 80’s, investing in real estate, founding a non-profit, and looking to her vision of Maine’s Black future.