June 26, 2025 • 8 mins
In this compelling audio segment, DJ Pup Dawg sits down with Heather to unpack the powerful stories and historical truths behind the Reparations Untold documentary. Together, they explore the often-overlooked narratives of systemic injustice, the legacy of inequality, and what reparations could mean for America today.From emotional personal reflections to eye-opening facts, this conversation bridges culture, community, and accountability. Whether you’re new to the topic or already engaged, this dialogue will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to join the conversation. Tune in now and take a deep dive into the untold.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Straight from Podkistan Tela to Boston at your Boy DJ
pop doc right here on Boston number one for hip
hop Gaben ninety four or five. Heather's on right now
before Heather, before I get you on, there's a big
documentary happening in Boston on Sunday at the Strand. And
while we were off their talking about it, because we're
just talking about brainstorming on how we can let everybody
in Boston know about it. You did such a great
job telling me about it. I was like, you jump
(00:21):
on in with me and you explained it to everybody
because you're a pro at this.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
How are you doing, Heather, I am, well, thank you
so much, and yes, let me jump right in. I
really appreciate first and foremost you giving me the opportunity
to share this information. So Reparations, I'm told, is a
documentary based around a public hearing that the Boston People's
Reparations Commission, of which I'm a director for, hosted a
(00:45):
public hearing to be able to capture the harm that
was caused to Bostonians as it relates to slavery and racism.
Now we only is our goal was to just have
those testimonies transcribed and put into record in City Hall.
Day that was supposed to be two and a half
hours turned into six long hours. We had two hundred
(01:05):
people give their testimonies, and that actually was a testament
to us that this needed to be more than just
something that was going to be transcribed and put into
a draw for somebody to do research for twenty thirty
years down the road. And so we actually saw the
opportunity to be able to be in one of the
major ports on the Transatlantic slave trade and be able
(01:25):
to tell the story from a Boston scope and capture
not only the chronology of slavery in Boston but also
the racism, and then bring us full circle to where
we are right now in terms of all of the
efforts that have gone into the repair piece. So this
film is not only going to be a film where
we're going to present it to the community first and
(01:46):
then it goes on to a film tour across the nation,
but we're actually turning this into an event, which is
why we're having it at the Strand Theater, and so
it's going to start with the Soul Food reception, it
is going to go into a talent show if you will.
Where we're going to be showcasing some of Boston's greatest talent.
We'll have liturgic, we'll have rap, we'll have readers, we'll
(02:06):
have poets, we'll have dancers, and then from there we're
going to segue into the documentary and then after that
we will close it out with the fireside chat. So
this is up. And by the way, this is a
free event for the community. So this is a way
for us to redress the miseducation as it relates to
racism and slavery, especially in Boston. It's not just for
(02:28):
the black and brown community, but it's for everybody because
for far too long we've seen the erasure and the
inaccuracy as it relates to historical information, and we just
want to set the record straight in what better place
than having it come from Boston.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I love that and you just answered all my questions.
I was going to ask how much does it cost?
But you just said it was free. Is going down
this Sunday at the Strand, which is right in Boston,
so it's right in the heart of Boston. How long
have you been part of this project and why is
this so important to you personally?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
So I'm actually a foundational member founder, actually I'm a director,
and I am a lifelong resident of Boston. So I
have been effected on every harm level that you can imagine.
I was born into gentrification in eminent domain as it
relates to public safety. My sister was shot when she
was fifteen. I've experienced the disparities as it relates to healthcare, education,
(03:18):
having to make sacrifices to make sure that my children
get a good education. And again going back to the
sacrifice piece, it wasn't an option for my children to
go to public schools. They had to go to private
school and make sure that they would be able to
thrive because I had to survive it. And so it
was my stumbling blocks and everything that I survived that
allowed me to create the margins in which I was
(03:38):
able to not only raise my children in, but train
them up in. Because we all know that anybody who
lives in Boston, the city is your backyard. So you
have to be resilient. You have to have a tenacity
and a grit to be able to make it out here.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I love that, and sorry to bring up some old memories,
but I wanted to make sure people know you know
your story behind why you're so invested in this because
I work with a lot of industry and corporate people,
and some people just do it just because. But you're
invested in it because you care about the future, and
you got your own kids that you want to make
sure that you can educate and you know, teach not
just a black brownd like you said, everybody about what
(04:14):
everyone went through out here in Boston.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Absolutely, and now full disclosure, I have spent the last
twenty years in corporate investment finance, but I've also been
for the last thirty years and national activist and organizer.
I was mentored by the late and great mel King
and so he and my parents, who were also activists,
trained me up. So I've been in this work for
(04:36):
a very long time. I've been boots on the ground
and in my Because I have the corporate piece to me,
I'm able to have those bottom up conversations and then
work on policy to get those top down solutions, because
it you have to have both aspects to be able
to create.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
The bridge thousand percent man Heather is on right now.
The strand is going down this Sunday. It's reparation the
untold documentaries. It's free for everybody, all ages, Yes, all ages.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
We encourage all ages to be there, especially the young
people because the future is in them. And in fact,
we do have a young dance group who's going to
be performing as well, so it's going to be a
great time we want. What we want is for people
to leave feeling as though they had a moment of fellowship.
And it's going to be safe, and it's going to
be engaging, it's going to be educational, and it's just
(05:24):
going to be an overall great experience.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
It is. Man, I'm looking forward to it. And like
I was saying too, you got me doing some of
the soundtrack for you, so thank you. Looking forward to it?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Oh, no, thank you. This is going to be amazing.
The fact that you're there, it says a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
No, of course, man, I you know Keys who's involved.
He makes sure that you know, he knows my purpose
here and and one of them is whatever I could
do with the community. I definitely want to always be
involved with or without the mic. You know, I always
have whatever I can do to help, so please reach
out to me anytime. And now now we got each
other's direct too, so definitely hit me up with whatever
whatever you need.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
We'll be hearing from me after Yes, thank you, No,
But in all honesty, I really truly appreciate you. In
the community is going to appreciate your presence as well.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
All right, Well, there's gonna be great performances too. Are
these surprises or can I list them off on who's
going to be there? Absolutely, let's list them all right.
So my guy Exit Fame, he's going to be out there.
We got Chanelle five, six, seven eights, so Blank is
going to be out there. Unknown Hype where some of
the dances were at Super Bowl, so you know that
team like you know throws down and I've seen them
many times.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yes, they're going to bring it. So major hype from
Unknown Hype is going to be there and they are
going to be one of the closing acts who they're
going to represent the future, which they are because the
children are the future, right.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
And they do a great work. They do great job
in the community too, keeping these kids in the studio
and they're amazing to watch.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Right, And so for all the time and the effort
that they put into practicing, is time that they're not
on the streets or or they're not in spaces and
places that could cause them harm. So this is all.
Everybody who's coming into this room is somebody who wants
to be there and somebody who has done something within
the community that has made a positive impact. So, like
I said, it's going to be an experience, a positive
(07:08):
one because for far too long we always see the
media shining a light on the negativity, and it's it's
events like these that are very important to shine a
light on the good that happens.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
One hundred percent. Man, I hate that's one part of
the media that I'm like, I'm know I'm part of
the media, but I'm on the music side of it,
but I like stay away from any kind of drama
when it comes to artists or anything like that. It's
always just talking about the positives because again, the negative
is everywhere. Why you don't need to come to my
show for that. I hate that. So I'm glad we're
doing this right here. This is going down on Sunday
(07:41):
at the Strand. It's a free event. What time does
it start? What time should people get there?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Pm? And it closes out around five point thirty pm.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
There you go. Start time is at one o'clock. Sunday
out here in Boston. Come by at the Strand. I'll
put all the details on my blog to gemininety four
or five dot com. Heather, thank you so much for
taking the time and jumping on air with me.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Thank you so much. And now I see you on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
You will see you Sunday with soundcheck. I'll be there
nice and early. I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
That's right, I'll be there.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Bye, lie, thank you bye, thank you.
Straight from Podkistan Tela to Boston at your Boy DJ
pop doc right here on Boston number one for hip
hop Gaben ninety four or five. Heather's on right now
before Heather, before I get you on, there's a big
documentary happening in Boston on Sunday at the Strand. And
while we were off their talking about it, because we're
just talking about brainstorming on how we can let everybody
in Boston know about it. You did such a great
job telling me about it. I was like, you jump
(00:21):
on in with me and you explained it to everybody
because you're a pro at this.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
How are you doing, Heather, I am, well, thank you
so much, and yes, let me jump right in. I
really appreciate first and foremost you giving me the opportunity
to share this information. So Reparations, I'm told, is a
documentary based around a public hearing that the Boston People's
Reparations Commission, of which I'm a director for, hosted a
(00:45):
public hearing to be able to capture the harm that
was caused to Bostonians as it relates to slavery and racism.
Now we only is our goal was to just have
those testimonies transcribed and put into record in City Hall.
Day that was supposed to be two and a half
hours turned into six long hours. We had two hundred
(01:05):
people give their testimonies, and that actually was a testament
to us that this needed to be more than just
something that was going to be transcribed and put into
a draw for somebody to do research for twenty thirty
years down the road. And so we actually saw the
opportunity to be able to be in one of the
major ports on the Transatlantic slave trade and be able
(01:25):
to tell the story from a Boston scope and capture
not only the chronology of slavery in Boston but also
the racism, and then bring us full circle to where
we are right now in terms of all of the
efforts that have gone into the repair piece. So this
film is not only going to be a film where
we're going to present it to the community first and
(01:46):
then it goes on to a film tour across the nation,
but we're actually turning this into an event, which is
why we're having it at the Strand Theater, and so
it's going to start with the Soul Food reception, it
is going to go into a talent show if you will.
Where we're going to be showcasing some of Boston's greatest talent.
We'll have liturgic, we'll have rap, we'll have readers, we'll
(02:06):
have poets, we'll have dancers, and then from there we're
going to segue into the documentary and then after that
we will close it out with the fireside chat. So
this is up. And by the way, this is a
free event for the community. So this is a way
for us to redress the miseducation as it relates to
racism and slavery, especially in Boston. It's not just for
(02:28):
the black and brown community, but it's for everybody because
for far too long we've seen the erasure and the
inaccuracy as it relates to historical information, and we just
want to set the record straight in what better place
than having it come from Boston.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I love that and you just answered all my questions.
I was going to ask how much does it cost?
But you just said it was free. Is going down
this Sunday at the Strand, which is right in Boston,
so it's right in the heart of Boston. How long
have you been part of this project and why is
this so important to you personally?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
So I'm actually a foundational member founder, actually I'm a director,
and I am a lifelong resident of Boston. So I
have been effected on every harm level that you can imagine.
I was born into gentrification in eminent domain as it
relates to public safety. My sister was shot when she
was fifteen. I've experienced the disparities as it relates to healthcare, education,
(03:18):
having to make sacrifices to make sure that my children
get a good education. And again going back to the
sacrifice piece, it wasn't an option for my children to
go to public schools. They had to go to private
school and make sure that they would be able to
thrive because I had to survive it. And so it
was my stumbling blocks and everything that I survived that
allowed me to create the margins in which I was
(03:38):
able to not only raise my children in, but train
them up in. Because we all know that anybody who
lives in Boston, the city is your backyard. So you
have to be resilient. You have to have a tenacity
and a grit to be able to make it out here.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
I love that, and sorry to bring up some old memories,
but I wanted to make sure people know you know
your story behind why you're so invested in this because
I work with a lot of industry and corporate people,
and some people just do it just because. But you're
invested in it because you care about the future, and
you got your own kids that you want to make
sure that you can educate and you know, teach not
just a black brownd like you said, everybody about what
(04:14):
everyone went through out here in Boston.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Absolutely, and now full disclosure, I have spent the last
twenty years in corporate investment finance, but I've also been
for the last thirty years and national activist and organizer.
I was mentored by the late and great mel King
and so he and my parents, who were also activists,
trained me up. So I've been in this work for
(04:36):
a very long time. I've been boots on the ground
and in my Because I have the corporate piece to me,
I'm able to have those bottom up conversations and then
work on policy to get those top down solutions, because
it you have to have both aspects to be able
to create.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
The bridge thousand percent man Heather is on right now.
The strand is going down this Sunday. It's reparation the
untold documentaries. It's free for everybody, all ages, Yes, all ages.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
We encourage all ages to be there, especially the young
people because the future is in them. And in fact,
we do have a young dance group who's going to
be performing as well, so it's going to be a
great time we want. What we want is for people
to leave feeling as though they had a moment of fellowship.
And it's going to be safe, and it's going to
be engaging, it's going to be educational, and it's just
(05:24):
going to be an overall great experience.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
It is. Man, I'm looking forward to it. And like
I was saying too, you got me doing some of
the soundtrack for you, so thank you. Looking forward to it?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Oh, no, thank you. This is going to be amazing.
The fact that you're there, it says a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
No, of course, man, I you know Keys who's involved.
He makes sure that you know, he knows my purpose
here and and one of them is whatever I could
do with the community. I definitely want to always be
involved with or without the mic. You know, I always
have whatever I can do to help, so please reach
out to me anytime. And now now we got each
other's direct too, so definitely hit me up with whatever
whatever you need.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
We'll be hearing from me after Yes, thank you, No,
But in all honesty, I really truly appreciate you. In
the community is going to appreciate your presence as well.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
All right, Well, there's gonna be great performances too. Are
these surprises or can I list them off on who's
going to be there? Absolutely, let's list them all right.
So my guy Exit Fame, he's going to be out there.
We got Chanelle five, six, seven eights, so Blank is
going to be out there. Unknown Hype where some of
the dances were at Super Bowl, so you know that
team like you know throws down and I've seen them
many times.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yes, they're going to bring it. So major hype from
Unknown Hype is going to be there and they are
going to be one of the closing acts who they're
going to represent the future, which they are because the
children are the future, right.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
And they do a great work. They do great job
in the community too, keeping these kids in the studio
and they're amazing to watch.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Right, And so for all the time and the effort
that they put into practicing, is time that they're not
on the streets or or they're not in spaces and
places that could cause them harm. So this is all.
Everybody who's coming into this room is somebody who wants
to be there and somebody who has done something within
the community that has made a positive impact. So, like
I said, it's going to be an experience, a positive
(07:08):
one because for far too long we always see the
media shining a light on the negativity, and it's it's
events like these that are very important to shine a
light on the good that happens.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
One hundred percent. Man, I hate that's one part of
the media that I'm like, I'm know I'm part of
the media, but I'm on the music side of it,
but I like stay away from any kind of drama
when it comes to artists or anything like that. It's
always just talking about the positives because again, the negative
is everywhere. Why you don't need to come to my
show for that. I hate that. So I'm glad we're
doing this right here. This is going down on Sunday
(07:41):
at the Strand. It's a free event. What time does
it start? What time should people get there?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Pm? And it closes out around five point thirty pm.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
There you go. Start time is at one o'clock. Sunday
out here in Boston. Come by at the Strand. I'll
put all the details on my blog to gemininety four
or five dot com. Heather, thank you so much for
taking the time and jumping on air with me.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Thank you so much. And now I see you on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
You will see you Sunday with soundcheck. I'll be there
nice and early. I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
That's right, I'll be there.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Bye, lie, thank you bye, thank you.
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.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.