In the Blackseat

You heard from Black fathers, now it's time for Black mamas to take a ride in the Blackseat! Christine, Aneiko and Dana - mothers of Black teenagers - talk about how they are preparing their children to be Black adults in a hostile world, while also examining whether they are also sheltering their kids. We even went back into how they were raised, and how that impacts their parenting style. Issues of gender and class came up as well, and the ladies shared their definition of Blackness as well as their Black heroes. Ultimately, Black mothers love their children the same as anyone else, but have an extra burden and responsibility for their Black brood. If you have been raised by a Black mama, know one, or have NEVER discussed motherhood with your Black friends, this episode is for you.

We venture back into the Diaspora with three Black people who live or have lived abroad. Maisha calls Canada home, Marcus is making a pit stop back in the U.S. after living in Vietnam, and Voltaire has found peace in Accra, Ghana.  

Our conversation was sprawling and insightful - Voltaire spoke of the peace in Ghana and the lies we are told about Africa that must be unlearned. Maisha shared her revelation that she has not been able to be fully Black, and where she believes she'll find that freedom. Marcus shared how he navigated his space as a big Black guy living and working in Asia, and why the world beckons to him. 

They share tips on how to break free and discover if living abroad will work for you, their definitions of Blackness and their Black heroes.

The policing of Black bodies is nothing new. Others have made judgments about our features as being inferior, and hair is included in that. Media often depicts long, flowing hair as being good and desirable, which left Black women to try and keep up with that standard, or forge a new path. In true sista fashion, we have taken the reins of our hair-story, and rock everything from braids to curls to perms to weaves. Even in that freedom, we still have to reckon with how we were raised to view our hair and the struggles we face today, as well as how we communicate about our hair to the next generation.

I am excited for you to hear the raw, unvarnished hair journeys of my three guests - Kim, Melitta and Milan.  We had an absolute ball in our sister circle, sharing how our views of our hair have changed over time, straight up truths related why touching our hair is verboten, how we feel about being fully who we are in corporate America, and as always, their Black heroes (with a hair twist!)

We are back in the Diaspora with Ken (Belize), Felice (Cuba) and Jessica (Haiti, and returning friend of In the Blackseat!) They are tied to their heritage in ways the illuminate the Black immigrant experience (once that doesn't get focused on much). Ken shares his passion for unity and all things Belize; Jessica speaks lovingly about her Haitian roots (and how her grandparents fought off political pressure and fear to make a life in the U.S.); Felice delves into Afro-Latin identity, how that's evolved over time for her, and what a trip to the salon taught her about the gulf that is still there when people assume that Black skin does not equal countryman. We had a really searing discussion about whether we FELT American, or identified as such, defined Blackness, and spoke about their Black heroes.

Black dads are more likely to be in the home and be involved in child rearing, but you would NEVER know that if you looked at the media. I want you to meet three Black dads - Orlando, Tangier and Ed. They are amazing fathers, period, but have an extra responsibility as they raise their Black boys and girls. How do you help your children keep their innocence, while preparing them to face a world that will be hostile to them, solely based on their skin? You gotta hear how the fellas share what they love about being a dad, as well as their Black heroes and sheroes. It's an AMAZING ride in the Blackseat (and makes me appreciate my wonderful daddy even more!)

In this episode, you'll meet Tiffany and Alisa - friends and lawyers with a LOT in common, including their mixed parentage. However, you'll quickly see there are major differences in their origin stories, and consequently, how their racial identities were formed. We discuss everything from family dynamics, the difference between trying to figure out if you're Black vs. figuring out what being Black means, and how their fateful trip to Ghana shaped their views of the Motherland. As always, we discuss their Black heroes.

Jump in the Blackseat with Black women. Shante, Ebonie and Stephanie share frank observations about colorism, erasure, harmful stereotypes (hello, angry Black woman!) and their heroes/sheroes. It's a candid, funny and painful peek into the lives of Black women. If there is a Black woman you love, or maybe you don't know any Black women intimately, listening to their stories will give you much needed insight.

Black men have been vilified as criminals and thugs, while being praised as athletes and entertainers (as long as they catch a ball or sing/act, that is.) The portrayals of Black men have largely been from the perspective of others, and aren't grounded in the reality of who Black men are. 

In this episode, I talk to three Black men, across ages, geographical locations and experiences. We have an honest, surprising conversation about everything from education to the police to Black women that will hopefully provoke you to learning more about the Black men in your life.

Is Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron really Black? Reflections on what Blackness is, what it ain't, and why it matters.

The second installment of our mini-series about the Diaspora introduces you to three brothers you won't soon forget. Frank, Kip and Kwame Dow share stories about what it was like to move from Guyana, at the ages of 14, 10 and 4, respectively, to Long Island, New York. You'll get a great sense of their individual personalities, struggles and unique Black experience (and you GOTTA hear why Frank hates the term African American - I legit had never heard his reasoning before, but I had to honor his stance, straight up.)