Oral history interview with John Blake

John Blake spoke about his migration from Trinidad to the United States, including his first experiences and first impression, and cultural differences, in 1970; living in a group house with his brother in Washington, DC; and Howard University. Blake explained his interest in radio broadcasting; changing careers from quantity surveying / building estimating to broadcasting; the origin, history, and evolution of his radio program, "Caribbean Experience"; the importance of his radio program to the community; and the importance of a network of information for the Caribbean community, which led to Caribbean communities understanding each other better. Blake spoke about teaching radio production; reggae and calypso music; reggae musicians, including Eddy Grant and the musical group, Third World; the relationship between music genres in and across the Caribbean, Africa, and the United States; and why was reggae music embraced by the African American community. He also spoke about the African diaspora; civil rights movement and uprisings in Washington, DC; Black consciousness movement; Operation Caribbean Cruise, a Washington, DC police drug investigation and raid which targeted the Jamaican and Caribbean community; and how Jamaicans and Caribbeans are generalized and stereotyped. John Blake was interviewed by Hector Corporan. Interview is in English. Digital audio files include minimal white noise and static. Interviewee's voice is intelligible.