Don't @ Me with Justin Simien

Grab a snack for this chat with David Gelb, creator of Chef’s Table and director of Jiro Dreams of Sushi. He tells Justin about food as narrative subject and the making of a career in documentary film.

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You might recognize Dear White People’s Ashley Blaine Featherson (Joelle) and Courtney Sauls (Brooke). There is so much more to an actor’s life than getting a good part (think: never-ending auditions and scant parts for black women). Ashley and Courtney sit down with Justin and go deep on what success looks like for them.

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Justin is joined by Green Book director and writer, Peter Farrelly, and Kris Bowers, the film’s composer. They discuss the "white savior" trap films like this often fall into, the steps Peter took to avoid it, how Kris created the score, and the talents of the film’s stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen.

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Justin sits down with Issa Rae, the original Awkward Black Girl, to talk about what happens after your dreams come true, and what it's like to be expected to create work that covers the entire black experience.

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This week, Justin talks destiny with some true destiny experts. None other than Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child and up-and-coming actor and singer Elle Lorraine talk about how they knew what their destiny was, when they knew it, and who inspired them along the way.

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Writers Marvin Lemus and Travon Free solve the world's problems. Or, maybe they don't? Plus, Kanye West, black celebrity, and why Dia de los Muertos is not a Halloween costume.

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How political is black art, and how much can black people critique it? A recent New York Times piece by Wesley Morris suggests that black art in this day and age is being critiqued for its politics rather than for its quality. Justin sits down with writers Chuck Hayward and Jarrett Hill to discuss.

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Janet Mock is a director, producer, writer, activist, and a two times over New York Times bestselling author. But if she had to define her life's work, she'd tell you she was a storyteller.

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Meet the man responsible for “Netflix and chill,” bingeing, and a new business model that allowed for shows like Dear White People. Justin is joined by his boss, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

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Lena Waithe is an actress and producer, but always a writer first. The Emmy-winner returns to talk about her projects in development (Queen and Slim, Twenties, Them), her creative process, and how she stays hungry.  

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