Beyond The Threshold: Black Voices in Media

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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by Tony Kennedy, creator of the award winning kids and family podcast, "What’s Poppin’ Penny, voted Common Sense Media’s Best Kids & Family podcast of 2023 and awarded the 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction for an Educational Series.

In this episode we discuss:

- Toni's upbringing in St. Petersburg, Florida, being inspired by Sesame Street, and building a career as a child educator despite lacking a formal degree. 

- How her daughter encouraged her to apply to Spotify’s SoundUp Family and Kids podcast accelerator program, which lead to the creation of, "What's Poppin, Penny."

- Navigating pushback on cultural and thematic elements like Black identity and lineage, and the importance of cultural experiences in storytelling.

- The exhaustive process of producing the show, self-funding and adapting the series into a book.

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In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans interviews hip hop musician , media professional, and founder of the MPN Network, Mr. Al Pete. 

In this episode we discuss:

• How his love of hip hop resulted in a career in media and how its fueled his career.
• His transition into journalism, podcasting, and his involvement in the National Association of Black Journalists
• The founding of the MPN Network, a music curation experience that developed into a company that helps podcasters & innovators broadcast and brand their art.
• The significance of narrative podcasts, and the future of media in serving community needs. 

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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by award-winning entertainment and culture reporter, Jewel Wicker.

A few of the Atlanta native's accomplishments include reporting for Billboard, Teen Vogue, and Fader as well as hosting podcasts including Black People Love Paramore and Gaining Ground: The New Georgia.

In this episode Jewel shares:

• Growing up in Atlanta and how the city shaped her identity
• The intersection of music and journalism in her early career
• Lessons from her first news experiences in Harrisburg and the AJC.
• How she built relationships and learned to pitch as a freelancer.
• Transitioning into podcasting and storytelling beyond print.
• Her reflections on social media’s changing role in networking and discovery.

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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by  radio personality and a professional voiceover artist and NC A&T grad, Morgan Cornell.

In this episode she shares:

- Her journey from a shy child to developing a passion for media. 

- Her NC A&T experience, and interning at 102 Jamz.

- The challenges of working in radio, transitioning to voiceover work, and eventually returning to radio. 

-  The importance of following one’s spirit, her routine of meditation for gaining clarity and staying grounded. 

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Zion's Happy Place

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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans interviews a Texas native and Howard University alumnus, DJ Ben Ha Meen. 

He is a renowned DJ, Music producer and screenwriter (American Gods) and Podcasters (For All Nerds, The Combat Jack Show). He is co-creator of the graphic novel, “Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze" as well as a self published author of the children’s book, “The World Is Yours.”

In this episode he shares:

- Being a Star Wars-obsessed child, attending Howard University and becoming a renowned DJ in DC. 

- His unexpected incarceration in Dubai, and how that experience led to his blogging success with 'Please Don't Stare' and his role on the 'Combat Jack Show.' 

- Writing his self-published children's book 'The World is Yours, his collaborative graphic novel 'Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze, and the creation of "For All Nerds."

- The significance of perseverance, practice, and creating from a place of genuine passion. 

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In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Chicago native Dorissa White, a lifestyle reporter at KMBC 9 News in Kansas City. 

The University of S. Illinois Carbondale graduate previously worked as an assignment editor at News 12 Brooklyn  NY1, and as a General Assignment Reporter at Bronxnet Community Television.

The moderator and orator has also interviewed notable celebrities like Tyler Perry, Reese Witherspoon, Phylicia Rashad, Keke Palmer, and Anne Hathaway, amongst others.

In this episode we discuss:

 - Her journey from aspiring reporter to professional journalist. 

-  Her experience working multiple jobs in New York to break into the media.

-  How she leveraged her career to become a moderator and content creator.

- The importance of faith, self-awareness and balance in your life. 

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In this episode of Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Christopher Mitchell, an award-winning executive producer, writer, and musician from London. 

In this episode we discuss:

-  His early inspirations, passion for hip-hop, and how those experiences shaped       his creative and professional paths.

- His journey into the audio industry, highlighted by his acclaimed audio documentary on Jay-Z's 'Reasonable Doubt' album. 

- Learning how to move in the podcast industry at UnEdited.

- His creative process, the art of storytelling, and the importance of collaboration.

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In Season 2 of Beyond the Threshold, the podcast expands to include Black men and women ifrom various media fields such as writing, filmmaking, journalism, audio professionals and beyond.

The season will focus on stories about career opportunities, the importance of storytelling, creativity, cultural impact, personal growth and more. 

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In this episode of '"Beyond the Threshold,'" host Sidney Evans speaks with Ona Oghogho, a Podcast Producer, Brand Strategist and founder of Adode Media, The BLK Pod Collective and the BLK Pod Festival.

In this episode we discuss:

•  Her journey from working in healthcare to creating a successful podcast community and eventually establishing a full-service creative agency. 
•  The burnout she experienced balancing multiple ventures and how she shifted her focus to sustain her professional growth. 
• The process of building a business, the importance of research, and the nuances of managing a team while expanding service offerings. 
• Her experiences with event planning, securing sponsorships, and evolving her business model to align with her aspirations.

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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold, host Sidney Evans is joined by Yhane Washington Smith, a writer and independent audio creator known for her successful audio dramas 'Harlem Queen,' 'The Courtship of Mona Mae,' and '1972.' 

In this episode we discuss:

• The challenges transitioning her filmmaking aspirations into audio dramas.  
• The importance of casting and the complexities of production.
• Self-funding her first projects, gaining grants, and earning through Patreon.
• The marketing efforts necessary to succeed in the audio drama space.

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