Trey's Table
Trey's Table is a podcast focused on African American politics, history, and culture. Host Trey Smith leads conversations on topics affecting the Black community. The show provides insights and perspectives on current events and historical context. It is available through Spreaker.
Episodes
Trey’s Table Episode 455: Why Are There No Black NLF Team Owners?
Why has there never been a Black majority owner in NFL history? With the kickoff of the NFL regular season just around the corner, we’re digging into what many describe as the most exclusive fraternity in the United States: NFL team owners. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we break down: * The stark racial demographics behind the league’s controlling ownership. * The staggering financial barriers
Trey’s Table Episode 454: Angie Nixon and the Power of Self-Love
🎙️ New Episode Alert: Politics, Stereotypes, and Making History | Trey’s Table In this episode, we dive into the complex intersections of American political culture, media narratives, and the persistent stereotypes weaponized against Black women in leadership. From the defining moments of national campaigns to the rhetoric surrounding powerful figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Congresswom
Trey’s Table Episode 453: The Black Family Who Built America
From an enslaved master craftsman in 1790 to the nation’s oldest Black-owned architecture and construction management firm—this is the story you weren’t taught in history class. 🏛️✨ On this latest episode of Trey’s Table, we explore the groundbreaking legacy of the McKissack family. Their work spans over two centuries, from building the Tuskegee Army Airfield during WWII to landmark projects at Ho
Trey’s Table Episode 452: Race, Islam, and Politics
When the next Congress is sworn in, the House of Representatives is projected to have zero Black Republican members—a shift driven by retirements, state race pivots, and primary losses like that of Michigan candidate Amir Hassan. In our latest episode of Trey’s Table, we break down what happened in Michigan’s 8th District, how primary voters reacted to Hassan’s background, and why a political mono
Trey’s Table Episode 451: Secret Societies and Race
For centuries, a secret society composed of wealthy, influential white people in St. Louis put on an annual holiday ball and parade. The organization was founded by former members of the Confederacy and other white supremacist organizations. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss a book that exposes the history of this organization and other secret societies that were founded on white supremac
Trey’s Table Episode 450: Sam and Dave
Behind the glitz, the glamour, and the platinum records of the music industry lies a hidden history of exploitation. 🎶 In our latest episode, we dive deep into the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave—their meteoric rise, their unforgettable hits like "Soul Man," and the predatory contracts that left them fighting for the wealth their art created. But this isn't just a story about the past. We trace
Trey’s Table Episode 449: Where the Stop Woke Act Died
Chris Rufo takes the L as his Stop Woke Act is declared unconstitutional.
Trey’s Table Episode 448: Junk Science
We don’t know how many innocent people have been convicted and sentenced to death because of flawed forensic science. Let’s explore how the lives of three men were impacted by junk science in criminal cases. #treystablepodcast
Trey’s Table Episode 447 The Fourth Amendment and Race
Real Talk, Deep History: Race and the Fourth Amendment 📜⚖️ What does "reasonableness" look like under the law? For decades, courts applied an objective standard that completely ignored a person's identity. But this week, a groundbreaking Supreme Court decision in Dante Carter's case changed everything. Our latest episode of Trey’s Table dives deep into the powerful intersection of constitutional l
Trey’s Table Episode 446: Black People Can Swim
Did you know that according to USA Swimming, over 64% of African American children have low to no swimming ability? Even more tragic, Black children between the ages of 5 and 19 are six times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than their white peers. These numbers aren't a coincidence, a stereotype, or a genetic trait. They are the direct result of a calculated, generational history of system
Trey’s Table Episode 445: The Heroic Journey of Curt Flood
Most baseball fans know the name Curt Flood for his incredible 12-season run in center field for the St. Louis Cardinals. But his greatest victory happened off the diamond. ⚾️⚖️ In 1969, after being traded against his will, Flood did the unthinkable: he challenged Major League Baseball’s "reserve clause." He risked his career and his reputation to fight for the rights of every player who came afte
Trey’s Table Episode 444: No Black Jurors
Prosecutors, unfortunately, keep trying to remove Black jurors from criminal cases. It just happened in the trial of Karmelo Anthony. Let’s talk about how we can change the system to eliminate this racism.
Trey’s Table Episode 443 The Blood Stained Crown: The British Royal Family and the Slave Trade
The British Royal Family profited immensely from the slave trade. How should it make amends? Let’s talk about it.https://youtu.be/ePqdmbgQ4BI?s...
Trey’s Table Episode 442: Ann Joice
The Catholic Church enslaved her during the Colonial era. She refused to give up her fight for freedom. This is the story of Ann Joice. https://youtu.be/jHAauml9rV4?s...
Trey’s Table Episode 441: The Holy Apology
Last week, Pope Leo issued an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Let’s talk about the history and what should come after the apology.
Trey’s Table Episode 440: Why OJ Won
For more than a decade, the LAPD failed to stop a police officer who was a ticking time bomb. For two years, the department even paid him to stay home, fearing he was so racist he might harm innocent Black people. On the latest episode of Trey’s Table, we examine how that scandal helped a murderer evade justice. #treystablepodcast #criminaljustice #truecrimepodcast
Trey’s Table Episode 439: The Men Behind the Case
You’ve heard about the explosive new Supreme Court case on voting rights. Let’s explore the story of some of the people involved in the case. #treystablepodcast #blackhistory #law #blackpodcasts
Trey’s Table Episode 438 The Genius Of Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs didn't just move from The Jeffersons to 227—she moved from actress to architect. Most people don't realize that Marla’s deal for 227 was one of the most powerful contracts of its time. We’re discussing: • How she protected the authenticity of her characters. • The specific moves she made to secure producer status. • Why her autobiography is a "must-read" for any aspiring creator. New e
Trey’s Table Episode 437: The Death of Privacy
Private corporations know everything about what we do, say, and consume. They are giving this information to the government. Let’s talk about what this means for privacy, racial justice, and civil rights.https://www.supremecourt.gov/o...
Trey’s Table Episode 436: When Italians Were Blacks
Did you know that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian immigrants were often legally and socially marginalized in ways that mirror the Black experience in America? 🇮🇹🇺🇸 From restrictive housing covenants to "No Italians Need Apply" job postings, the path to becoming "American" was paved with systemic barriers. On today’s episode, we explore: • The roots of anti-Italian sentiment. • T
Trey’s Table Episode 435: Tucker Carlson Is Still Awful
Tucker Carlson is now saying some of the same things about President Trump that VP Kamala Harris said in 2024. However, when you listen to all of his comments you will realize Tucker Carlson is still an awful man.
Trey’s Table Episode 434 Is Byron Donalds Black Enough?
Trey’s Table Episode 434: Is Byron Donald’s Black Enough? Some Black Americans don’t think that Bryon Donalds is black enough. They call themselves Foundational Black Americans. Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 433: A Celebration of Life
Let’s celebrate the life of Kyle Patrick Hearn.https://www.researchgate.net/p...
Trey’s Table Episode 432 The Legal Elite and Race
Who gets to stand before the highest court in the land? The Supreme Court of the United States decides cases that shape all of our lives… But the lawyers who argue those cases? They don’t always reflect the diversity of the country. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we explore: ⚖️ Who actually argues before the Court ⚖️ Why the pool is so small—and so exclusive ⚖️ And what it means when the voices
Trey’s Table Episode 431 Brown Babies
Let’s talk about the African-American hero, who helped find homes for thousands of children who faced discrimination because of the color of their skin.https://youtu.be/rrikwVPVhl0?s...
Trey’s Table Episode 430: Which Side Are You On?
In 1959 a group of Puerto Rican and African American women joined forces to fight for fair wages. Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 429: Biking While Black
In 1894 the League of American Wheelman was the largest bicycling organization in America. It had over 100,000 members and significant political influence. The LAW’s constitution limited membership to Whites only. It did so because it was concerned that the bicycle was being used as a vehicle to help white women meet and date black men. In this episode, we will discuss the history of racism and
Trey’s Table Episode 428: The Korean 7
In 1896 seven Korean students found themselves in need of a safe place. They found that place at Howard University. This is their story.https://youtu.be/fNi1ZFsEoYw?s...https://youtu.be/OB6pFfeDO0c?s...
Trey’s Table Episode 427: Black and Yellow: Race in Korea
After the Korean War, thousands of children were born to Korean mothers and Black American soldiers. Many of them grew up facing deep discrimination. This week on Trey’s Table, we tell their story. 🎙️ #TreysTable #Podcast #BlackHistory #KoreanHistory #MixedIdentity #BiracialVoices #HistoryMatters #CulturalIdentity #UntoldStories #PodcastLife
Trey’s Table Episode 426:The Face of the NBA
Larry Bird never wanted to be the Great White Hope. #treystablepodcast
Trey's Table Episode 425 Dr. Craig Yorke, Author of "Steep”
"Steep." It’s more than just a title; it’s a reflection on the climb, the heritage, and the intensity of a life lived at the highest level. Dr. Craig Yorke’s insights on neurosurgery and the arts will change how you think about your own "steep" climbs. Check out the full conversation at the link in bio! 🎙️https://www.barnesandnoble.com...
Trey’s Table Episode 424: Slices and Second Chances
Can a pizza shop change the justice system? 🍕⚖️ In our latest episode, we’re heading to North Philly to talk about @downnorth_pizza. They aren't just serving up some of the best Detroit-style pies in the city—they are exclusively hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and providing them with true second chances, fair wages, and a path forward. It’s about more than food; it’s about "slangin' pies
Trey’s Table Episode 423 The Lil Durk Trial and Drill Music
Let’s talk about drill music, a popular drill rapper, and how his music may be used against him in his upcoming trial for murder. #treystablepodcast
Trey’s Table Episode 422: Undercover Brother
In 1896, Justice John Marshall Harlan proved what judicial courage looks like. While the Supreme Court upheld segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson, Harlan wrote a dissent that declared: “The Constitution is color-blind.” He stood alone. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we examine: ⚖️ The legal reasoning behind Plessy ⚖️ Harlan’s constitutional philosophy ⚖️ The long road to Brown v. Board ⚖️ What dis
Trey’s Table Episode 421: A Choice to Change the World: The Spelman Glee Club
🎶 Before Spelman was prestigious… it was struggling to survive. After the Civil War, Black colleges faced constant financial hardship. Funding was scarce. Support was inconsistent. The hostility was real. So how did they survive? Music. The Spelman College Glee Club didn’t just sing. They toured. They raised funds. They preserved spirituals born in slavery. They represented Black excellence in a J
Trey’s Table Episode 420: Mad Men and Race
Mad Men is one of the greatest dramas ever made. But who got interiority — and who didn’t? In this episode of Trey’s Table, I break down every major Black character on Mad Men and explore why so many felt underdeveloped despite the show’s brilliance. You can love great art and still critique its blind spots. 🎙️ Link in bio.https://www.nytimes.com/2026/0... #PrestigeTV #MadMen #TheWire #TVAnalysis
Trey’s Table Episode 419: Thaddeus Stevens
What if Reconstruction had gone differently? In the latest episode of Trey’s Table, let’s take a deep dive into the life and legacy of Thaddeus Stevens — one of the most radical and fearless champions of Black freedom in American history. After the Civil War, Stevens didn’t just believe in ending slavery. He believed in economic justice. He proposed confiscating land from former Confederates — the
Trey’s Table Episode 418: Stop the Steal
Let’s talk about how President Trump intends to steal the 2026 midterm elections.https://www.democracydocket.co...https://democracyforward.org/b...
Trey’s Table Episode 417: Callie House: A True American Hero
Before there was a modern reparations movement… Before there were hashtags… There was Callie House. In the early 1900s, Callie House helped organize hundreds of thousands of formerly enslaved people to demand pensions from the U.S. government for the labor stolen from them. And what did the government do? They prosecuted her. They sent her to federal prison. This week on Trey’s Table, I tell the s
Trey’s Table Episode 416: CR Patterson, Son, & Company
THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF BLACK AUTOMOBILE OWNERSHIP The American automobile industry is typically taught as the story of white industrialists—Ford, Dodge, Chrysler. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans were deeply involved in: •Carriage manufacturing •Automotive repair •Independent design •Regional vehicle production Several Black entrepreneurs attempted to start automobil
Trey’s Table Episode 415: Vernon Johns
Before there was Dr. King… there was Vernon Johns. The fearless preacher who refused to stay silent. The strategist who challenged segregation head-on. The man who saw greatness in a young pastor named Martin Luther King Jr. History remembers the movement. But it almost forgot the man who lit the match. 🎙️ New episode of Trey’s Table out now. Listen today. #TreysTable #BlackHistory #CivilRights #V
Trey’s Table Episode 414: Sylvia Mendez
Before Brown v. Board… there was Sylvia Mendez. An 8-year-old girl in California helped desegregate schools 7 years earlier. Her family sued four school districts. They won in federal court. And the legal strategy later helped shape Brown. Most of us were never taught this story. That’s why we tell it. 🎙️ New episode of Trey’s Table out now. #HiddenHistory #CivilRights #TreysTable
Trey’s Table Episode 413: Who Tells Your Story?
Hot take: Ulysses S. Grant deserves a spot on Mount Rushmore. Not just because he won the Civil War. Because as president, he: • Pushed the 15th Amendment • Crushed the Ku Klux Klan • Created the Department of Justice • Used federal power to protect Black citizens Before the 1960s… Before the Civil Rights Movement… Grant was already enforcing civil rights. Maybe it’s time to add some new faces to
Trey’s Table Episode 412: One Battle After Another
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Trey’s Table Episode 411: Victor Green
Before the civil rights movement forced America to change, Black Americans had to protect themselves on the road. Today on Trey’s Table, we’re talking about Victor GREEN—the man who created the Green Book, a survival guide that helped Black families travel safely through segregation. This is a story about ingenuity, dignity, and the quiet resistance that kept people alive. #treystable #blackpodcas
Trey’s Table Episode 410: That Dating App
Some of the wealthiest women in 19th- and early-20th-century England built their fortunes on Caribbean slavery. That wealth didn’t just buy land and luxury — it made them highly sought-after wives. British men married into slavery money, and entire families secured status, estates, and political power because enslaved Africans had already paid the price. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we unpack
Trey’s Table Episode 409: The Legacy of Gladys West
Your GPS works because of a Black woman named Dr. Gladys West. New episode of Trey’s Table is all about her life and legacy. #TreysTable #TreysTablePodcast #BlackHistoryPodcast #BlackCulturePodcast #BlackVoices #BlackStorytelling #AfricanAmericanHistory
Trey’s Table Episode 408: The Blueprint Speech
Dr. King gave more than just “I Have a Dream.” He gave us a Blueprint for how to live. In today’s episode of Trey’s Table, I dive into one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most powerful—and least talked about—speeches: the “Blueprint” speech. In it, King challenges us to build our lives on values that last: dignity, purpose, service, and moral courage. This isn’t just history. It’s a guide for righ
Trey’s Table Episode 407: Why Are Schools Still Segregated?
70 years after the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing segregation in public schools there’s more segregation in public schools today then there was before the ruling. Let’s talk about why that is.
Trey’s Table Episode 406: One Battle After Another
Let’s talk about race and the burdens of representation.
Trey’s Table Episode 405: The Attack on the ABA and the Stripes and Stripes
What happens when courts, politics, and diversity collide? In my latest episode, I break down the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to change the ABA’s role in accrediting law schools—and why I believe this move was really about DEI. Listen now and decide for yourself. 🎧
Trey’s Table Episode 404: The Era of Rewarding Anti-Black Racism
The Department of Homeland Security employs an openly anti-black racist as a prosecutor handling immigration cases. Let’s talk about it. #treystablepodcast
Trey’s Table Episode 403: The Destruction of the EEOC
🎙️ NEW EPISODE – TREY’S TABLE 🎙️ For decades, “disparate impact” analysis has been one of the most powerful tools in the civil rights toolbox. It allowed advocates to challenge laws and policies that looked neutral but had deeply unequal effects. Now, that tool is being dismantled. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we break down: ⚖️ What disparate impact really means 📜 How cases like Griggs v. Duke
Trey’s Table Episode 402: Bari Weiss, 60 Minutes, and Race
There are many reasons why Bari Weiss was chosen to lead CBS News. Let’s talk about her views on race and racism and how that made her an attractive boss for the new owners of CBS. #treystablepodcast
Trey’s Table Episode 401: The Book of Negroes
“During the American Revolution, thousands of enslaved Black people risked everything for a chance at freedom. The British promised liberty. They recorded their names in a ledger called The Book of Negroes. What followed was courage, betrayal, exile, and survival across three continents. This isn’t just history—it’s testimony. New episode now streaming.” Hashtags #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #Af
Trey’s Table Episode 400: Thank You
Episode 400! Thank you my friends for all your support!
Trey’s Table Episode 399: The Racial Integrity Act of 1924
In 1924 a white supremacist OBGYN decided to pass a law to deal with what he considered to be the major public health issue of the time: Black people who were passing for White. Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 398: Dream Big
— “Why Representation Must Expand” We talk a lot about representation… but not enough about expanding it. This episode is about breaking the box that says “Black people only do certain careers.” Floyd Norman, Marques Brownlee, Strawhat Goofy, and Jordan Smith show us what happens when Black creativity goes unlimited. 🔗 Listen to the full episode — link in bio.
Trey’s Table Episode 397: The Black Bard of North Carolina
The enslaved poet who wrote his way toward freedom. ✍🏾🔥 George Moses Horton wasn’t “supposed” to learn to read — but he did. He wasn’t “supposed” to publish a book — but he did. He wasn’t “supposed” to dream of freedom — but he never stopped. Hear the full story on the new episode of Trey’s Table 🎧 Link in bio. #BlackHistory #GeorgeMosesHorton #Poet #Storytime #LearnOnInstagram #TeysTable #African
Trey’s Table Episode 396: Poor Devil
✨ New Episode of Trey’s Table ✨ Today we’re exploring one of the most surprising and misunderstood chapters in the life of Sammy Davis Jr.. In the early 1970s, Sammy briefly associated with the Church of Satan — and the real story has nothing to do with devil worship. This episode dives into: 🔥 The pressure he faced as a Black entertainer in white Hollywood 🔥 The death threats over his interracial
Trey’s Table Episode 395: Walt Disney and the Magical Negro
🎙 New Episode on Trey’s Table! In 1946, the NAACP confronted Walt Disney Studios and urged them not to release Song of the South — a film that romanticized plantation life and presented a distorted view of Black history. In this episode, we break down: • The NAACP’s campaign to block the film • How Disney responded behind closed doors • The overlooked story of the Black consultant— and why he walk
Trey’s Table Episode 394 The Man
What paved the way for Barack Obama’s election in 2008? Some argue that America had already seen a Black president — just on screen. From James Earl Jones in The Man, to Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact, to Dennis Haysbert’s iconic President Palmer on 24, film and television helped normalize what many thought was impossible. Today on Trey’s Table, I break down how these portrayals changed the politic
Trey’s Table Episode 393: A Playlist for Shirley
Let’s talk about the playlists we create with the ones we love.
Trey’s Table Episode 392: Cookout Invites
Who is black? Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 391: The Harlem Square Club
New Episode Alert 🎙🔥 Step inside one of the most electrifying rooms in American music history — Miami’s legendary Harlem Square Club — and meet the man who built it: Clyde “Glass” Killens. In this episode of Trey’s Table, we explore: ✨ The raw, powerful energy of Black nightlife in Overtown ✨ The story behind Sam Cooke’s iconic Live at the Harlem Square Club performance ✨ Clyde Killens’ rise from
Trey’s Table Episode 390: Christiana
Trey’s Table Episode 390: Christiana The year is 1851. A new law says you HAVE to help slave catchers. A Quaker man named Castner Hanway refuses. A slave owner is killed in a standoff. The U.S. Government charges Hanway with... TREASON. You think you know the path to the Civil War? This story will stop you in your tracks. The Fugitive Slave Act made the North complicit. The Christiana Resistance s
Trey’s Table Episode 389: The Legacy of Dr. Humphries
✨ NEW EPISODE — “Seeds of Justice” ✨ On the latest episode of Trey’s Table, we explore the powerful story of the FAMU College of Law — from its creation during segregation, its painful closure, and its triumphant rebirth thanks to the leadership of Dr. Frederick S. Humphries. And we spotlight one of its amazing graduates: Attorney Briana L. Lans, whose career is a shining example of excellence, se
Trey’s Table Episode 388: Black in a White Coat
Let’s talk about the racism that Black doctors experience.
Trey’s Table Episode 387: The Harlem Hellfighters
•“The untold story of the Harlem Hellfighters — this Veterans Day on Trey’s Table.” •“They were America’s most decorated Black soldiers — and its most overlooked heroes.” •“How the Harlem Hellfighters brought jazz, pride, and courage to a world at war.” •“This Veterans Day, meet the soldiers who made history — and demanded America live up to its ideals.”https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/...
Trey’s Table Episode 386: Francis Scott Key
Let’s talk about the hidden history of Francis Scott Key.
Trey’s Table Episode 385: Seasons of Love
It’s time to refute the lies about black men, marriage, and fatherhood.
Trey’s Table Episode 384: Why Black People Love Cadillacs
Why do Black people love Cadillacs? Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 383: The Couple That Wants More Smart White Babies
Let’s meet the social media influencers who are advising the White House on how to encourage more white women to have babies.
Trey’s Table Episode 382: Thomas Mellon Patriarch and Racist
You know the name Mellon. Synonymous with wealth, philanthropy, and power. But do you know the story of its patriarch, Judge Thomas Mellon? In the 1880s, he used his power to actively block a qualified Black man, George Vachon, from practicing law. He was a vocal white supremacist who believed racial equality was a "wild theory." On the latest Trey's Table, we uncover this forgotten story of preju
Trey’s Table Episode 381: I Miss Him So Much
Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Trey’s Table Episode 380: “Dismantling the Dunning School: The Lie That Shaped a Century."
Trey’s Table Episode 380 The Big Lie About Reconstruction We've been taught a version of history that was designed to oppress. In Episode 380 of Trey's Table, we're dismantling the "Dunning School." For decades, this school of thought dominated history books, pushing the false narrative that Reconstruction was a tragic failure—a period of "corrupt" Black leadership and "Northern aggression." It wa
Trey’s Table Episode 379: The Wandering Officer
Why was Sean Grayson even allowed to be a law enforcement officer? On Trey's Table #379, we're breaking down the trial of former Illinois sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who was recently convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. Massey, an unarmed Black woman, had called 911 for help. We discuss the bodycam footage, the jury's verdict, and what this case says about
Trey’s Table Episode 378: When It’s Time to Call it Quits
Should we have an age limit for people who serve in Congress? Let’s talk about it.
Trey’s Table Episode 377: Blacks in Germany
Headline: Germany's Black Oasis: A Story You Haven't Heard You know the story of World War II. But do you know the story of the Black GIs who stayed? In the ashes of a Nazi regime that preached racial hierarchy, a remarkable community of Black Americans found something unexpected in post-war Germany: a complex form of freedom and opportunity that was often denied back home. Their presence didn't j
Trey’s Table Episode 376: Slavery as Entertainment
Let’s talk about colonial Williamsburg and the slavery reenactments. Plus I give a review of the new Netflix movie A House of Dynamite.
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