The threads of African-Canadian history weave a story of resistance, resilience, and remarkable achievement that spans centuries—yet these vital narratives remain largely untold in mainstream historical accounts. Elise Harding-Davis changes that through her lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Black Canadian history.
As a seventh-generation Canadian whose family has been in Canada since 1798, Harding-Davis brings personal connection to her work as a historian, author, and former curator of the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Center. She shares how the proud Black history she learned from her grandmother contrasted sharply with school curricula that erased these contributions, fueling her determination to ensure these stories would not be lost.
Harding-Davis takes us on a fascinating journey through untold chapters of Canadian history, including the crucial role of Black soldiers in the War of 1812. These freedom fighters formed Runch's Rangers and fought not just for British interests but to protect their own hard-won liberty from American expansion. Some American soldiers found themselves "looking down the barrel of a gun held by one of their former slaves"—a powerful reversal that standard histories rarely acknowledge.
Her global travels as a lecturer and consultant have allowed her to correct misconceptions about Black Canadian experiences from Ghana to China. When asked to enter a room where enslaved people had died during a tour of Elmina Castle in Ghana, she powerfully refused: "My people were forcibly taken through the door of no return in this building. We did not die. We survived."
Through decades of research, teaching, and advocacy, Harding-Davis reminds us that historical knowledge forms the foundation for identity and empowerment. As she eloquently states, "Without Black history, history is incomplete." Her work demonstrates that knowing our past—all of it—is essential to building a more inclusive future.
Join us for this powerful conversation with one of Canada's foremost authorities on Black Canadian history.
Connect to Ms. Elise Harding-Davis via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-harding-davis-3452ba80/
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com