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November 19, 2024. Montreal, QC – Knockabout Media is happy to announce the launch of its new limited-series podcast, The Black Hum. This gripping three-part series spotlights the often-overlooked story of the No.2 Construction Battalion, the only all-Black military unit in Canadian history.
Listen to Episode 1: Service Denied.
The No.2 Construction Battalion was formed in 1916, amidst widespread racial prejudice and the exclusion of Black Canadians from regular military service at the outset of the First World War. Comprised mainly of men from Nova Scotia, the Battalion served with distinction in difficult conditions, yet their contributions went largely overlooked for many years. The No.2 Construction Battalion’s legacy is an important chapter in Canada’s military and social history, highlighting the resilience and courage of its members, and of Canada’s greater Black communities, in the face of racial adversity.
Written and Hosted by Cindy Charles (Ainsi va Manu & Lakay nou), the podcast takes listeners on an immersive journey through the Battalion’s brief, yet consequential history. The series features interviews with descendants and experts, including Sgt. Craig Smith, Lieutenant Jerome Downey, Douglas Ruck and Lindsay Ruck. The Black Hum explores themes of racial discrimination, military segregation, and the lasting impact of these soldiers’ contributions, both during and after the war.
“As a Black Canadian woman, it is an absolute honour to help bring the story of the No.2 forward,” says Cindy Charles. “We stand on the shoulders of the late Senator Calvin Ruck and his foundational book, The Black Battalion. My hope is that this series inspires a new generation of Canadians to see themselves and their heritage in a new light; finding strength, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging, the way it has for me.”
This new podcast series was made possible thanks to funding from Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program.
“Members of No.2 Construction Battalion made great sacrifices in service to our nation. For too long, their stories have been overlooked. This podcast helps to right a historic wrong, by sharing this piece of history and the Battalion’s legacy with all Canadians,” The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
The Black Hum is available for streaming on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, starting November 11, 2024.
For more information, including episode release dates and show details, visit www.knockaboutmedia.com or follow @knockaboutmedia on Facebook and Instagram.
Knockabout Media specializes in creative non-fiction storytelling for the cultural and media sectors. On multiple platforms, and in collaboration with leading Canadian heritage interpreters, we commemorate the diverse stories that make Canada unique. We are the producers of the podcasts Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North, Among Equals, How I Wrote This, and The Story of a National Crime.
For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Ryan Barnett
416.737.9946
[email protected]
www.knockaboutmedia.com
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