In this powerful episode of the Black Canadian Creators Podcast, I sit down with Jermaine Morrison and Mandela Johnson — the unapologetic voices behind the Black People Check In podcast.

What started as a late-night Instagram Live during the George Floyd protests has grown into one of the most honest and necessary conversations in Canadian podcasting. Together, we explore the truth about vulnerability, accountability, and dismantling harmful systems in our communities.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Black People Check In began and why it resonated immediately
• The courage (and risks) of Black men being vulnerable
• Unlearning patriarchy and challenging misogyny in all its forms
• Raising daughters without outdated gender norms
• Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a powerful parenting tool
• The importance of creating brave spaces, not just safe spaces

💬 Quote: "Checking in isn’t a weakness — it’s a superpower." – Sherley

Black People Check In is a bold, unfiltered podcast where two Black Canadian men sit down to talk about the real issues shaping our communities — from mental health and patriarchy to fatherhood, culture, and accountability. What started as a late-night Instagram Live during the George Floyd protests has grown into one of the most honest and necessary conversations in Canadian podcasting.

Jermaine Morrison is a mental health clinician, social worker, and psychotherapist who brings a compassionate, therapeutic lens to every conversation. Mandela Johnson is a creative storyteller and cultural commentator known for his humor, directness, and willingness to say what others won’t. Together, they create a space where tough conversations are met with honesty, empathy, and the kind of perspective you only get from lived experience.

Where to Listen & Follow:

🎧 Apple Podcasts → Listen here

🎧 Spotify → Listen here

📱 Instagram → @blackpplcheckin

Links & Resources:

• Submit your event or creator listing at BlackCanadianCreators.ca
• Follow BCC on Instagram: @blackcanadiancreators

💬 What's on Your mind? Tag your thoughts with #BCCPod

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

In this solo episode of the Black Canadian Creators Podcast, host Sherley introduces herself and shares a powerful and personal message for creators, dreamers, and entrepreneurs: you don’t need a blueprint—just a deep why, your people, and the courage to start where you are.

Sherley reflects share who she is, a content creator you should know and on how the Black Canadian Creators platform began: no logo, no strategy, no budget—but a real need for community and visibility. From a humble Facebook group to a multi-platform movement, she proves that momentum beats perfection and consistency beats complexity.

This episode is a heartfelt nudge for anyone holding back on launching their blog, podcast, app, book, or brand. If you’re waiting for permission, this is it. Start now. Start small. Start scrappy.y.

✅ A behind-the-scenes look at how Black Canadian Creators began

✅ Why perfection is the enemy of momentum

✅ What happens when you build before you’re “ready”

✅ A call to creators to build out loud and share the journey

This episode is a nudge, a permission slip, and a challenge. Whether it’s a blog, a podcast, a newsletter, an app—or just the start of a dream—start where you are. Let people witness your growth. You don’t need to be ready. You just need to be real.

(No guest this time—just your host, Sherley, keeping it 100.)

Sherley is a podcaster, speaker, community builder, and founder of Black Canadian Creators. She’s passionate about creating platforms that center Black Canadian voices across industries, mediums, and regions. From curating digital summits to spotlighting emerging creatives, Sherley’s work is rooted in care, connection, and cultural clarity.

• Tag @blackcanadiancreators on Instagram or your fave platform—let’s celebrate your start
• Leave a 5-star review (you might just hear it read on air!)
• DM Sherley and share what you're starting—we’d love to shout you out on a future episode

This is how we build community, shift culture, and cheer each other on—together.

Peace and keep creatin’,

— Sherley

💬 What's on Your mind? Tag your thoughts with #BCCPod

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

In this episode—airing on a day when many are reflecting on the legacy of George Floyd’s passing (may he rest in power)—Sherley sits down with activist, podcaster, and now author Sandy Hudson for an urgent and truth-filled conversation about redefining safety, power, and public priorities.

They dive into Sandy’s powerful new book, Defund: Black Lives, Policing, and Safety for All, and challenge the narratives that have shaped how we see law enforcement and justice in Canada. From media myths like “copaganda” to the long-standing impact of policing on Black and Indigenous communities, this conversation is a masterclass in clarity, accountability, and creative disruption.

Sandy also unpacks the cultural and creative role of content creators—especially Black Canadian ones—in telling new stories that push beyond fear and into community care. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what defunding the police actually means, this episode gives you the language and the lens.

Tune in for:

• A clear breakdown of what “defund the police” actually means
• The truth behind “serve and protect” and where that phrase came from
• How media—old and new—has shaped our view of policing
• The role of Black Canadian creators in challenging public narratives
• Sandy’s reflections on what gives her hope, from art to activism

Guest Bio:

Sandy Hudson is a Jamaican-Canadian public intellectual, writer, and community organizer. She co-founded Black Lives Matter Canada, helped launch the Black Legal Action Centre, and now serves as Director of Strategic Planning at the Wildseed Centre for Art & Activism. Her work challenges systems and imagines new ways to centre care, equity, and safety.

Sandy is also the co-host of Sandy & Nora Talk Politics, where she and journalist Nora Loreto break down political issues through a grassroots, anti-racist lens. Her latest book, Defund: Black Lives, Policing, and Safety for All, was released in April 2025 and has already become essential reading for anyone working toward justice in Canada and beyond.

This is your chance to hear directly from one of the leading voices in the Canadian abolitionist movement—and to reflect on what real public safety could look like for everyone.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Black Canadian Creators wherever you get your podcasts.

After listening, I’d love to hear: What does true safety look like in your community? Drop a comment or leave a 5-star review—to be read on the show! ⬇️

Tag a friend or fellow creator to check out the show. This is how we shift culture—together.

Peace and Keep Creatin’,

— Sherley

💬 What's on Your mind? Tag your thoughts with #BCCPod

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