Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance sparked a conversation about who gets to define and critique Black art. Cierra revisits an art school story where she was accused of “exploiting” Black culture, unraveling the deeper implications of policing Black artists. The point is: when institutions standardize the restraint of Black culture, it’s not usually Black artists that pay the price, it’s everyone else.

Networking parties promise opportunity, but are they just staged performances? In this episode, Cierra unpacks the illusion of industry mixers, the politics of access, and the realities of representing the American cultural footprint abroad. Experiencing how Blackness holds less cultural dominance in Europe shifted her perspective on performative connection.

Success isn’t about talent; it’s about knowing when to walk away. Today, Cierra breaks down the red flags of toxic environments, from “networking” parties to workplaces where the unspoken rules do more harm than good. Plus, she swears by a two-drink maximum at work events because some lessons aren’t worth learning the hard way.

Today, Cierra dives into your juicy questions, from post-grad struggles to dating in the creative industry. She dissects the problem with the whole artist/muse farce in modern relationships and divulges her opinion on artsy men. Let's talk ambition, romance, and the mess in between.

In this episode, Cierra unpacks how editorial roles have been designed for gatekeeping and reductive practices. This leads to performative sabotage that wastes your time, executing ideas many institutions never intend to support. Knowing what you ADD to the visual landscape changes everything, it’s only then that you’ll hear applause.

Cierra dives into the evolving landscape of media and the critical role of the free press right now. She also shares her journey to becoming an art director, unpacking what it truly means to hold this title. In this episode, Cierra makes a compelling case for why creatives have a responsibility to champion truth-telling in a time when authenticity matters most.

London called, but at what cost? In this episode, Cierra and Caroline Japal unpack the quiet (and not-so-quiet) violences of being Black (American) women in the UK. The discuss the weight of representation, the brutal dynamics of art school, and for the love of God — the critiques. The empire never ended, and they’ve got stories to prove it.

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In this episode, Cierra critiques the London art scene, examining the colonial degradation and intense othering of Black artists. She dives deep into the systemic challenges faced by Black creatives and the moments when authenticity becomes a shock to those who expect performances. Alchemize shame into power instead of letting it define you or fuel your own exploitation.

Cierra opens up about a betrayal that marked a turning point in her experience in art school. She examines the racial dynamics at play and their lasting impact. This episode pleads an alternative perspective to self-perception when the system fails to have your back. Most importantly, Black women: we can’t afford to not know who we are.

In this welcome-back episode, Cierra shares an overview of her time in London, diving into her experiences in her master’s program and life abroad. She catches listeners up on where she’s been and what’s next for the podcast this season: the hardcore lessons from art school. Expect insane stories that’ll leave you inspired and entertained.