The Sidebar by NYABJ

On this episode of The Sidebar, JEWEL BENTON sits down with ZOE BOGAN, founder of the ZB Agency to discuss her upcoming ZB Agency Conference and how women in corporate can build confidence, grow revenue, and pursue leadership roles. Drawing on nearly 13 years at KPMG, Zoe also shares how to turn corporate experience into an entrepreneurial offer, invest in career growth, build a powerful network, and make the most of her upcoming ZB Agency Conference.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

The worlds of sports media and business collide in this extended episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, as we feature back-to-back interviews to mark one of the busiest times of the sports year.

After the hometown New York Knicks won their long-awaited first NBA championship since 1970 this summer, we lead off this doubleheader with The Sidebar’s MICHAEL W. RAY sitting down with KORON PIERRE, sports analyst, content creator, and founder of The Objective Knicks Fan. Known for his level-headed, data-driven approach to the NBA and the Knicks, Pierre shares his insights on cutting through emotional media narratives, bringing analytical balance back to sports fan spaces, and his creation of the 82 Nights of Basketball Fan Companion.

Then in the second half, The Sidebar’s LISA DURDEN interviews ATONN MUHAMMAD and NICK RATHOD, the owners of BlackSun Private Equity. With decades of experience in entrepreneurship, philanthropy, government, non-profit organization, media production, and overall dealmaking between them, the duo behind the New York-based firm talks about how BlackSun came to be and the idea of compassionate capitalism. They also give insight into their recent efforts in their bid to revive the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

Across the Caribbean and its diaspora, Carnival is famous for its elaborate costumes, high-energy music and euphoric dancing through the streets. But beneath the revelry is a deeper history—one of resistance, resilience and the reclamation of Black identity.

In this episode, The Sidebar’s KIZZY COX explores the history and cultural significance of Carnival with SABINE BLAIZIN, deputy director of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Founded by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega and inspired by the work of scholar Arturo Schomburg, CCCADI has evolved into a cultural and advocacy institution focused on the African diaspora, using the arts to promote cultural understanding, decolonization and social justice.

She’s joined by FIONA COMPTON, founder of the global platform Know Your Caribbean and curator of the exhibition Our Road to Freedom: Jab, J’ouvert, Revelry, and Resistance, created in honor of CCCADI’s 50th anniversary. Compton challenges the one-dimensional ways Caribbean culture is often portrayed and explains how traditions like Jab Jab and J’ouvert carry histories of resistance—from the use of mud and molasses to reclaim Blackness and create anonymity to J’ouvert’s symbolism of rebirth and freedom of movement. The women also discuss how steel pan emerged from colonial efforts to suppress African drumming, the historical roots of Carnival and the power of Black joy as an enduring form of resistance.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode, The Sidebar's LISA DURDEN sits down with acclaimed television writer, executive producer, and showrunner ALYSON FOUSE for a candid conversation about her journey to Hollywood, the importance of doing the work, and what it takes to build a lasting career in entertainment.

A Compton, California native, Alyson's career began when Keenen Ivory Wayans discovered a sketch she wrote for a radio station, leading to her being staffed on The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. She went on to create and executive produce Act Your Age and work on projects including Good Times, The Neighborhood, Big Shot, A League of Their Own, Everybody Hates Chris, and Born Again Virgin. Her film credits include Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, and multiple Bring It On films.

Alyson's story is one of talent, perseverance, humor, and determination, as she discusses the art of storytelling, working in writers' rooms, creating characters and chemistry, protecting intellectual property, and her Comedy Writers Room workshops. She also shares hard-earned advice for aspiring writers and producers.

NOTE: Contains explicit language

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In honor of Disability Pride Month, The Sidebar's JEWEL BENTON interviews journalist TYRESE ALLEYNE-DAVIS for a conversation about journalism, adaptive sports, representation, and perseverance. While Tyrese is not defined by his disability, he is adding to the representation of disabled journalists and storytellers in media. He also shares why networking, community, mentorship, and documenting his journey through YouTube remain meaningful parts of his path.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In honor of Disability Pride Month, The Sidebar's JEWEL BENTON interviews journalist TYRESE ALLEYNE-DAVIS for a conversation about journalism, adaptive sports, representation, and perseverance. While Tyrese is not defined by his disability, he is adding to the representation of disabled journalists and storytellers in media. He also shares why networking, community, mentorship, and documenting his journey through YouTube remain meaningful parts of his path.

Tony and Grammy Award-winning R&B icon MELBA MOORE joins The Sidebar's SONJA D. GRACY to discuss her new memoir, "This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better". From starring in two TV shows to earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Moore reflects on a multifaceted career defined by incredible triumphs, challenging hurdles, and profound resilience. Tune in to hear how this veteran entertainer turned her setbacks into setups for success.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, The Sidebar's KIZZY COX interviews soca superstar and Kes the Band frontman KES on his two-decade journey in music and the evolution of soca from a niche carnival soundtrack to a genre with growing global reach. Kes discusses the band's signature genre-blending sound, the lessons he drew from reggae, dancehall and pop music, and milestone moments like their sold-out shows and NPR's Tiny Desk concert. Kes also shares why he believes soca is on the cusp of a major breakthrough, celebrates Trinidad and Tobago's outsized cultural influence on the world stage and what's next for his career.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

On this episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, DR. YOLANDA "YO-YO" WHITAKER joins host LISA DURDEN for a wide-ranging conversation celebrating Black Music Month and the enduring impact of hip-hop culture.

A pioneering rapper, actress, entrepreneur, and educator, Yo-Yo reflects on her path from emerging artist to hip-hop icon, sharing lessons from a career that has spanned decades. She discusses her creative process, memorable collaborations, the significance of earning her doctorate, and why it's important to honor the artists and innovators who helped shape the culture.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

Men and women have been traveling into space since the Space Race began in the sixties under President John F. Kennedy. The recent Artemis II deep space operations mission that will catapult astronauts beyond low Earth orbit around the moon has fanned the flames of humankind’s thrill of encountering the cosmos. While we marvel at mankind’s ingenuity to embark on “final frontier” voyages, how often do we think about the “fashion” that allows astronauts to endure the journey?

Modern “Hidden Figure” maven SHARON CAPLES MCDOUGLE, NASA’s first African American woman Space Shuttle Crew Escape Equipment Manager, talks to The Sidebar's SONJA D. GRACY about these specialized pressure suits. The retired spacesuit technician for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shares her exciting life’s work journey and her current exploits as a "Suit Up with Shay" author and speaker who encourages young people to pursue careers in aeronautics.

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The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.