WOKELAND

By The Simones

Personal Journals Society & Culture Places & Travel

What's WOKELAND about?

The podcast about Oakland. A sonic cultural ode. From the locals to the transplants, the deep East to the Lower Bottoms, and the kickback to the function. Each month, we'll take a theme and dissect the different nuances of being Black in the Town from historical and current perspectives. Welcome to the land of the woke.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

WOKELAND episodes:

06.10.2022
29. Complexity of Complexion: Black Women's Perspective (Part 2)
Do you think colorism impacts Black women differently than Black men? We certainly do! In fact, we'd argue that Black men are the main purveyors of colorism (we still love ya'll though!) There are few topics in our community that...
03.10.2022
28. Complexity of Complexion: Black Men's Perspective (Part 1)
There are few topics in our community that are more divisive than colorism and in this episode we look to address the nuances of how Black men experience colorism, and issues with their identity based on their skin tone. We...
02.03.2022
27. Black People Left America and We're Here For It (Part 2)
Who knew reimagining travel would be so profound for Black people?! Those of us who chose to leave America also left our problems behind and we get deep into that conversation on this episode. Anitra Smith joins us as...
01.27.2022
26. WE'RE BACK & The New Normal Isn't Normal (Part 1)
The Simone's are back! We kick off Season 3 by catching up on events that turned our world upside down the last 2 years. We had some pretty big life changes and we know you did too. We review some...
04.13.2020
Oakland Vs. The Rona Feat. Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney (Part 2)
With so much uncertainty in the world right now with covid-19 influencing our day-to-day lives, we spoke with Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney of District 3, to give us insight on how the virus is impacting the lives of Oakland residents....
04.13.2020
Black People Can't Get Coronavirus? (Part 1)
With so much uncertainty in the world right now with covid-19 influencing our day-to-day lives, we spoke with Dr. Ivory Dean, to give us guidance on this global pandemic amid all of the misinformation. We learn that while melanin is...
03.26.2020
23. Black On The Job LIVE!
This episode gets real! We partnered with Oakstop to bring you "Black on The Job" - a live event that took place at Oakstop's 14th street location. We had an honest conversation with three Black HR specialists who talk us...
03.23.2020
23 - Black In The Workplace
This episode gets real! Being Black in the workplace is no easy task and that's why we are so excited to bring you "Black in The Workplace"! This live event was in partnership with Oakstop and took place at their...
12.23.2019
The Wrap Up of The Decade (#ImpeachmentEnergy)
A lookback at the last 10 years in the Bay and our lives
12.16.2019
21. California Blacks - The Stereotypes, the facts, and everything in between
Let's talk about black people from California...what's the first thing that comes to mind? A WHOLE LOTTA LIES!!! Lol, jk. But in all seriousness, as California natives we've heard alllll the stereotypes about Black people from California: from hippie hoteps to gangbangers...
11.14.2019
20 - Let's Talk About Blavity's Afrotech
We attended Afrotech this year! Tune in as we share some of our feedback on the annual Black Tech Conference.
09.30.2019
19. LIVE SHOW! Stereotypes of a Black Man Misunderstood
We had our first ever live podcast event ya'll! "Stereotypes of a Black Man Misunderstood", was a year in the making and we couldn't be more proud to share this live podcast event about exploring the lived realities, hopes, dreams,...
08.30.2019
18. Should Black Teachers Lead Activism on Campus?
We felt it was crucial to share the lens of activism on campus from the eyes of a faculty member doing great work at one of the nation's most progressive colleges. Professor Jerome Stewart is the Assistant Professor of Business...
08.27.2019
17. Black Students Are Leading The Activism Movement on College Campuses
We spoke with Shay and Leo, who are two students fighting the good fight on their PWI, Bay Area college campuses. They detail the militarization of their campuses, the fight to own Black spaces on campuses, and how they don’t...
06.20.2019
16.5 Dear Simones: The Warriors Are Leaving!
This Dear Simones segment is dedicated to a team that will forever be remembered as Oakaland's own.
06.19.2019
16. The Weird Bay Area Dating Scene - Pride Edition
Pride is in full swing and we couldn't be more excited than to hear what our queer brothers and sisters have to say about the Hella Weird Bay Area Dating Scene.
06.03.2019
15. Mental Health, Black Psychology and the Privilege of Self Care
We speak to two Bay Area Psychologists, Dr. Bedford Palmer and Dr. LaMisha Hill about the importance of mental health and how our community needs it most.
06.03.2019
(BONUS) Mental Health Myths & Dear Simones
Bonus Episode with Naming It Podcast!
04.22.2019
14. "N*gga" in The Bay (Season 2 Premiere)
We’re backkkkkkkkkkk!!! We enter Season 2 with a bang and have a much needed conversation surrounding the n-word and its place in The Bay Area’s vocabulary by non-black people of color.
12.22.2018
13. Simones Out - Season 1 Finale!
Our season 1 finale.
11.30.2018
12. F.U.B.U.
On this episode, we talk to some of the prominent Black-owned business owners in the Bay to figure out how they've maintained their presence and survived through the storms.
10.02.2018
11. The Weird Ass Bay Area Dating Scene (Part 2)
Part two of our convo on the strange, unique, and hella confusing Bay Area dating scene.
10.02.2018
10. The Weird Ass Bay Area Dating Scene (Part 1)
The strange, unique, and hella confusing Bay Area dating scene.
08.20.2018
09. Gentrification: A West Oakland Story (Part 2)
For this episode on gentrification, we sat down with our neighbor Stanley, to provide us some context on how he has seen his neighborhood in West Oakland take different form.
08.09.2018
08. Can Black People Be Gentrifiers? (Part One)
Where did gentrification come from? Can Black people gentrify Black neighborhoods and cities? We ask these and other questions that need answers
06.28.2018
07.5 (Simones Update) Stay Woke Even When You Sleep
A quick update on what we've been up to, upcoming events, and bay area podcasts we love
06.13.2018
07. Transplants Everywhere
Bay Area Transplants: What they're doing here, why they settled in the Bay Area, and why they love Oakland
05.25.2018
06. Listen To The Kids, Bro! Edutainment w/ Ben Gilbarg & Griot B
With the rise of social media, video games, and iPhones, engaging children in classrooms is harder than ever. We spoke to Ben Gilbarg of Big Picture Anthems and Griot B of Schoolyard Rap about edutainment aka "educational entertainment" and how...
05.24.2018
Listen To The Kids, Bro! Edutainment w/ Ben Gilbarg & Griot B
With the rise of social media, video games, and iPhones, engaging children in classrooms is harder than ever. We spoke to Ben Gilbarg of Big Picture Anthems and Griot B of Schoolyard Rap about edutainment aka "educational entertainment" and how...
04.26.2018
05. Where Are The Black Girls In Tech?
Where are the Black women in tech? When we found out that only 3% of Black women occupy the tech space, we were both astonished and saddened by the statistic. So we kept digging. Turns out, that not only do...
03.30.2018
04. In The Bay We Dance A Lil Different
Anyone who grew up in the Bay Area knows that the nightlife scene is pretty interesting to say the least. Growing up in San Jose, we didn't have many options as far as big clubs or events, and apparently Oakland...
03.01.2018
03. Panther On The Prowl
With all the hype of the Black Panther movie, we cannot forget the history, contributions, and revolutionists that were the Black Panther Party. They are the soul of Oakland, and are a huge part of why Oakland's spirit is so...
02.23.2018
02. From Wakanda To Oakland
Surprise! We're back with a new and hella unplanned episode! Black Panther is seeing huge success, breaking records, and causing a frenzy of unnecessary thinkpieces. We sat down to have an impromptu chat discussing our favorite characters in the film,...
01.27.2018
01. Oakland, Parts Unknown
"Oakland, Parts Unknown" - Welcome to the land of the woke. A sonic cultural ode to city of Oakland. On our inaugural episode we spoke to five Oakland natives who dissect Oakland stereotypes, gentrification, and their love of the town....

What's WOKELAND about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

WOKELAND episodes:

29. Complexity of Complexion: Black Women's Perspective (Part 2)

28. Complexity of Complexion: Black Men's Perspective (Part 1)

27. Black People Left America and We're Here For It (Part 2)

26. WE'RE BACK & The New Normal Isn't Normal (Part 1)

Oakland Vs. The Rona Feat. Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney (Part 2)

Black People Can't Get Coronavirus? (Part 1)

23. Black On The Job LIVE!

23 - Black In The Workplace

The Wrap Up of The Decade (#ImpeachmentEnergy)

21. California Blacks - The Stereotypes, the facts, and everything in between

20 - Let's Talk About Blavity's Afrotech

19. LIVE SHOW! Stereotypes of a Black Man Misunderstood

18. Should Black Teachers Lead Activism on Campus?

17. Black Students Are Leading The Activism Movement on College Campuses

16.5 Dear Simones: The Warriors Are Leaving!

16. The Weird Bay Area Dating Scene - Pride Edition

15. Mental Health, Black Psychology and the Privilege of Self Care

(BONUS) Mental Health Myths & Dear Simones

14. "N*gga" in The Bay (Season 2 Premiere)

13. Simones Out - Season 1 Finale!

12. F.U.B.U.

11. The Weird Ass Bay Area Dating Scene (Part 2)

10. The Weird Ass Bay Area Dating Scene (Part 1)

09. Gentrification: A West Oakland Story (Part 2)

08. Can Black People Be Gentrifiers? (Part One)

07.5 (Simones Update) Stay Woke Even When You Sleep

07. Transplants Everywhere

06. Listen To The Kids, Bro! Edutainment w/ Ben Gilbarg & Griot B

Listen To The Kids, Bro! Edutainment w/ Ben Gilbarg & Griot B

05. Where Are The Black Girls In Tech?

04. In The Bay We Dance A Lil Different

03. Panther On The Prowl

02. From Wakanda To Oakland

01. Oakland, Parts Unknown