That Wasn't In My Textbook

Did you know? Before the Civil War, one in four cowboys was Black, a fact that highlights their integral role in shaping the American West.

In this captivating episode of "The Hidden History of Black Cowboys," we journey into the American West to uncover a piece of history that's often overlooked and that Hollywood tells us is white. With our special guest, Zaron Burnett, a renowned writer, journalist, and the host of the acclaimed ...

Happy New Year! What mystical, magical power does January hold that makes it THEE month we swear we're going to get our mind, money, and of course, our spiritual lives, right? We head to the local craft store and buy the latest "Happy Me" Planner and all those damn stickers! Head home and binge-watch 10,000 hours of content about goal planning and productivity.

January is the month millions master the art of planning--so why don't o...

Tis the season for reinventing ourselves, making list of ins and outs and creating the R word- New Year Resolutions - but ever wondered how New Year Resolutions all started? Listen to this episode to uncover how annual promises became an essential part of our lives- think ancient times and middle east.

Fun fact: While 45 percent of Americans dive into New Year's resolutions, only a cool 9 percent see them through. Yes! That is a hor...

Did you know? Before the Civil War, one in four cowboys was Black, a fact that highlights their integral role in shaping the American West.

In this captivating episode of "The Hidden History of Black Cowboys," we journey into the American West to uncover a piece of history that's often overlooked and that Hollywood tells us is white. With our special guest, Zaron Burnett, a renowned writer, journalist, and the host of the acclaimed ...

In this episode, we're diving into the rich history of Black folks in the world of surfing.  Many text say the first accounts of surfing started in Hawaii in 1778 but evidence shows otherwise. From the shores of West Africa to the modern-day waves, we're uncovering how Black folks have been riding the waves since the 1640s and carving out safe spaces in surfing today.

What You'll Learn:

• The origins of Black individuals riding wav...

Celebrate the Barbie Movie premiere weekend by uncovering a fascinating journey through Barbie's history, shining a spotlight on the empowering story of Black Barbie. From Francie's flop to glamour of Black Barbie's, discover the inspiring evolution of this iconic doll!

 In this short bonus -solo episode your host Toya, gives you all the tea and receipts on Barbie. You even get to find out her real name. 

In this episode you will lea...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of how Black brilliance played a crucial role in shaping American Oyster culture. From pioneering techniques to thriving communities, we explore the remarkable contributions that have influenced the oyster industry and how we enjoy oysters today.

Joining us is special guest Zella Palmer, a renowned culinary historian, podcaster, and author. 

Topics Covered in the Episode:

• Enslave...

This summer on the podcast, we're bringing together the pure joy of summertime with the thrill of uncovering untold histories that center around summer-themed topics. From the history of surfing to the history of Black cowboys. 

This summer session of podcast episodes is the adult summer camp you never knew you always wanted to go to. Where you see your friends everyday, take mad cool field trips all over the city and have those big...

Did you know there was a time when July 4th was a Black holiday? Yep! Listen to find out when, why, and how Black folks made July 4th their own holiday, while also learning the remarkable ways movements and activists have used America's Birthday to continue the ongoing fight for equality.

In this quick 30-minute solo episode , you'll learn:

• What does July 4th truly represent? And why do we celebrate it?
• How July 4th became a platf...

We're kicking off Juneteenth weekend  with some Juneteenth facts and celebrating the podcast's 3-year anniversary. Did you know that this podcast was started on June 19th, 2020?

In this week's solo dolo episode, explore 10 facts that everyone should know about this pivotal day, including the historical significance of General Granger's arrival in Texas in 1865. Then also hear me reflect on why I picked Juneteenth to launch the podca...

Did you know PRIDE month has a theme? Yep this year's theme is an important one and is one of the 7 facts we learn in this episode. 

Get ready to uncover hidden stories, meet trailblazing activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and celebrate the joyous spirit of love and inclusivity that defines Pride Month. This episode is a captivating exploration of rainbows, riots, and the unwavering strength of a community that cont...

Have you ever wondered how grillz, those shimmering gold or diamond-studded mouthpieces, came to symbolize style, status, and self-expression?

 Find out in this solo episode of "That Wasn't In My Textbook," where we explore the fascinating history of grillz, the iconic dental bling that has become synonymous with hip-hop culture. From ancient civilizations to modern-day celebrities, we go on a journey through time, exploring the ori...

Have you ever caught yourself waiting until the last minute to complete a task, even though you know you should have started sooner? We all have! But if you haven't please teach me your ways. 

But have you ever wondered WHY we procrastinate? Is it really just a sign of laziness or poor time management skills? In this episode of we uncover the surprising history and science of procrastination including helpful tips helpful tips on ho...

Tax Day is creeping up on us! Ever wondered, why doesn’t anyone say Happy Tax Day? Cause doing taxes suck!

With tax day right around the corner you could be doing one of these three things;(1) chillin, cause you have your ish together and already submitted your taxes, (2) scrambling to get your ish together to just make it to the deadline by the skin of your teeth,Or (3) throwing up your hands, thinking,”fuck it” and buying yourself...

Did you know that in the 1960s the most popular 8th grade textbook only mentioned two Black people in the entire century of history that had transpired since the Civil War? Yep! So even though we celebrate Black History 365/24/7- Black history month was created to ensure that teachers and schools had to talk about Black History at some point in the academic year. 

So while brands, businesses and companies often use this time to tap ...

Cue the fireworks and bring on the confetti; we're celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Yes, I recognize celebrating a 33rd anniversary is a bit odd. Still, considering the hard-fought battle to have the only "King" we recognize honored with a national holiday, I think it's worth celebrating this historic milestone.

In this bonus episode, we are recognizing the movers and shakers like Congressman John Conye...

Happy New Year! What mystical, magical power does January hold that makes it THEE month we swear we're going to get our mind, money, and of course, our spiritual lives, right? We head to the local craft store and buy the latest "Happy Me" Planner and all those damn stickers! Head home and binge-watch 10,000 hours of content about goal planning and productivity.

January is the month millions master the art of planning--so why don't o...

Does it seem like "everybody and their cousin" is on social media these days? If you've silently said to yourself, "It's just a fad that will die out soon," you may be surprised to learn that social media isn't exiting the stage anytime soon. It's center stage, baby! And will remain an integral part of our lives.

Its presence is felt in our political system and has launched (and killed) more careers than Show Time At The Apollo.

Simp...

Does the looming recession have you ready to withdraw your money from the bank, dig a hole, and bury your money and head in the sand until someone gives the "all clear signal"? If so, you're not alone, but I NEED you to put down the shovel and tune into this episode of That Wasn't In My Textbook.

Recessions and economic downturns are a part of our history; whether we like it or not, we're knee-deep into one. But before you go into f...