The History of Being Black

By Mean Ole Lion MediaSociety & Culture History

The History of Being Black episodes

October 08 Black Women in Academia: Purpose, Pressure, and Possibility
There isn’t just one way to become a scholar—and Dr. Katrina Reed’s journey is proof.
On this episode of The History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White welcomes Dr. Katrina Reed for a conversation about motherhood, faith, education, and finding your voice in academia.
From childhood summers in rural South Carolina, where a bookmobile opened doors to new worlds, to pursuing higher education while working full time and raising two children, Dr. Reed shares the determination and support that helped her build her own path.
Now an assistant professor at Penn State Abington, she introduces listeners to recreation, park, and tourism management—a field that shapes the experiences we share in community centers, parks, events, and beyond. She explains how her passion for youth development informs her research and her approach to teaching.
Dr. Reed also speaks candidly about the pressures Black women face in academic spaces, including service obligations, promotion, classroom evaluations, and expectations about what they should research.
Through it all, she remains committed to creating welcoming classrooms, empowering students, and protecting time for her family and herself.
Her message to emerging scholars: stay curious, seek mentorship, trust your lived experience, and don’t wait until you know everything to begin.
The conversation continues on The After Pod. Watch the companion episode on Mean Ole Lion’s Substack, and subscribe for free.
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37 min
October 01 Black Leadership: The Making of A Leader
What makes a leader? For John Haynes III, the answer begins with faith, family, and the courage to change direction.
Brother White sits down with his cousin, known as “Big Cuz,” to trace his journey from struggling through engineering at Hampton University to finding his calling in human resources and leadership coaching.
John shares how his family shaped him, what his mother’s fight with cancer taught him about time and vulnerability, and why speaking up mattered when his authority was questioned at work.
The conversation also explores the work leaders must do within themselves: understand their purpose, face difficult situations, adapt, and keep going after failure. John’s guiding idea is simple and powerful: become who you are called to be so you can help others become.
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36 min
September 24 The Sankofa Cinema Club
On this episode of The History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White sits down with media educator and Sankofa Cinema Club founder Bridget Smith for a conversation about Black storytelling, representation and the power of film to preserve the stories too often left out of traditional history.
Bridget reflects on growing up in Brooklyn’s close-knit Bushwick community, where family, teachers and neighbors formed the village that shaped her worldview.
She shares how television programs such as Like It Is and The McCreary Report, along with films including School Daze and Do the Right Thing, inspired her journey into media.
The conversation explores the evolution of Black film, the opportunities created by digital platforms and why understanding the technical foundations of filmmaking is as important as having a powerful idea. Bridget also explains how storytelling begins with a blueprint—from storyboarding and character development to creating a clear beginning, conflict and resolution.
Bridget then takes us inside the Sankofa Cinema Club, a virtual and in-person community created to uncover untold Black history through film and conversation.
From the story behind Hoxie: The First Stand to learning about civil rights leader Dorothy Cotton and Jamaican freedom fighter Queen Nanny, the club brings filmmakers, descendants, scholars and audiences together to connect the past with the present.
It is a powerful reminder that Black film is more than entertainment—it is education, cultural preservation and an essential part of our continuing struggle for freedom.
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24 min
September 17 The Challenges and Joy in Teaching Young Minds
What happens when Black history, football and education all become part of the same playbook?
On this episode of History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White welcomes Baton Rouge educator and football coach Malcolm Reed for a powerful conversation about family legacy, authentic teaching and helping young people understand who they are.
Malcolm reflects on being raised in a family whose names honored leaders including Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, Denmark Vesey and Toussaint L’Ouverture. He shares how football taught him discipline, teamwork and preparation—and how those same lessons shape his classroom, where his goal is to spark curiosity, empower students and help them see the world differently.
The conversation explores the lasting effects of COVID, social media and technology on young people; the importance of Black male educators; and the painful reality of losing students to gun violence, suicide and incarceration.
Malcolm also explains how he uses hip-hop and stories like that of Kale, a young survivor of the Amistad, to make Black history relevant and unforgettable.
Above all, Malcolm reminds us that studying Black history should begin at home—with the people, sacrifices and legacies that made our own lives possible.
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42 min
September 10 Revolutionary Education
What does it mean to educate the whole child—and to recognize that children are shaping the world right now, not someday?
On this episode of the History of Being Black Podcast, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White sits down with lifelong educator and Linked Destiny’s Academy founder Njemele Anderson.
Raised in West Philadelphia by her grandmother and great-grandmother, Njemele shares how family, church, activism, and an unwavering commitment to Black people shaped her approach to education.
The conversation explores the emotional safety children need to learn, the lasting effects of educational systems that fail to recognize Black brilliance, and the challenge of helping young people overcome fear and rediscover their creativity.
Njemele also reflects on the heartbreak and hope of teaching students affected by gun violence—and why an educator’s destiny is intrinsically connected to every child who enters the classroom.
Through Linked Destiny’s Academy, Njemele is working toward a project-based, liberatory school designed to cultivate a love of learning and prepare the next generation of educators.
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32 min
September 03 Growing Together: Lessons Between a Father and Son
What does Black fatherhood look like when love, leadership, creativity, and wisdom are passed from one generation to the next?
In this special father-and-son conversation, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White welcomes leadership coach John Haynes III and his son, Morehouse College student and emerging writer Miles Haynes.
Together, they reflect on the experiences that shaped them, the lessons they have learned from one another, and the importance of giving young Black men the freedom to discover their voices.
John shares how his journey from engineering student to human resources executive and leadership coach taught him that leaders are called to confront problems, help people, and grow through purpose. Miles discusses finding brotherhood at Morehouse, his passion for speculative fiction and lyrical prose, and his determination to write deeply human stories that transcend race, culture, and background.
Their intergenerational exchange reveals a portrait of Black fatherhood that is present, affirming, and transformative—one in which fathers learn from their sons, sons are encouraged to challenge the status quo, and both generations continue growing together.
The conversation closes with two powerful messages for the journey ahead: do the work necessary to heal, and never stop being curious about life.
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46 min
August 27 The Anointed Nurse: A Journey of Care
On this episode of History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White sits down with nurse Jamila Pleas Mott, BSN, RN'for a deeply personal conversation about calling, care, advocacy, and the realities of being Black in healthcare.
Jamila takes us back to her upbringing in Chicago and the people, experiences, faith, and community that helped shape her path into nursing.
She shares what she has witnessed firsthand inside the healthcare system, including systemic racism and the disparities that continue to put Black mothers at greater risk.
The conversation explores why patient advocacy matters, the responsibility nurses carry when patients feel unheard or unseen, and what it means to speak up within systems that don't always treat every patient equally. Jamila also reflects on the extraordinary pressures nurses faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how faith and community helped sustain her through some of the profession's most difficult moments.
It's a conversation about more than nursing. It's about who receives care, who gets heard, who advocates when the system fails—and the Black healthcare professionals working every day to make that system better.
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34 min
August 20 Money, Power, Politics: HipHop?
Hip hop has always been more than music. It is culture, resistance, storytelling—and a powerful reflection of the Black experience.
In this episode of Dr. Jonathan White sits down with **Cal Burlock** for a conversation that connects the evolution of hip hop with politics, community power, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
Cal reflects on growing up alongside hip hop and how the culture became a voice for communities whose stories and struggles were too often ignored. From its grassroots beginnings to its influence on generations around the world, they explore how hip hop has documented social conditions, challenged systems, and helped shape Black identity and political consciousness.
The conversation then turns from culture to action. Cal discusses why grassroots politics and community engagement remain essential, particularly for younger generations, and introduces an innovative app designed to give voters greater access to information and tools for holding elected officials accountable.
At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful reminder: **we have more power than we sometimes recognize—and collective action can turn that power into change.
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36 min
August 13 HIP HOP'S Role in the Black Experience
Hip hop is more than music—it's history, identity, resistance, and a powerful reflection of the Black experience.
On this episode of History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White sits down with acclaimed journalist and author Ronda Racha Penrice for a thought-provoking conversation exploring hip hop's cultural roots and enduring legacy. From her upbringing between Chicago and Mississippi to her experiences covering the genre in New York, Ronda shares how hip hop became both a personal passion and a professional calling.
Together, they examine the evolution of hip hop from its early days as a voice for marginalized communities to its influence on politics, culture, and social movements. They discuss the genre's golden era, the relationship between hip hop and critical race theory, today's cultural debates, and why preserving the artistry and authenticity of hip hop matters now more than ever.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering its deeper significance, this conversation is a powerful reminder that hip hop has always been more than entertainment—it's a living archive of Black history, resilience, and self-expression.
Listen now and discover why understanding hip hop means understanding a vital chapter of the Black experience.
44 min
August 06 Supporting our Black Mothers
What happens when art becomes a tool for healing, liberation, and social change?
In this compelling episode of History of Being Black, Dr. Johnathan JeVon White sits down with Emmy Award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller Emmai Alaquiva for a powerful conversation about the intersection of creativity, history, and the Black experience.
Alaquiva shares his inspiring journey into photography and filmmaking, revealing how his work has evolved into a mission to amplify untold stories, preserve culture, and create space for healing within Black communities. Together, they explore the transformative power of storytelling, the responsibility of artists to challenge narratives, and why authentic representation matters now more than ever.
The discussion also highlights Alaquiva's groundbreaking projects, including Optic Voices and The Ebony Canal, while examining the critical importance of community engagement in addressing Black maternal health and other issues that impact generations.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. White and Alaquiva reflect on how art can inspire dialogue, strengthen identity, and become a catalyst for lasting change.
This is a conversation about more than photography—it's about preserving history, honoring lived experiences, and using creativity as a pathway toward healing and collective liberation.
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28 min

About The History of Being Black

From the publisher's feed

The History of Being Black is a powerful exploration of the global Black experience, moving far beyond the traditional narratives often taught in history books. This series dives deep into the profound contributions, systemic challenges, and enduring legacies of the African Diaspora. By examining the intersections of culture, politics, and identity, the show serves as both a mirror and a bridge, connecting the ancient roots of Black civilization to the contemporary movements shaping our world today.