Writing Black with Maiysha Kai

Writing Black is an entertaining and compelling podcast featuring Black writers that showcases the myriad of ways Black people tell their stories. Each week, host Maiysha Kai, theGrio’s lifestyle editor, talks to some of the best playwrights, songwriters, comics, journalists, and authors about their creative process, popular culture, publishing, and how race inherently inspires and informs their work. 

Maiysha talks with renowned historian Peniel Joseph about his critically acclaimed book "The Third Reconstruction." They also dive deep in the history of white resistance, why he thinks we are currently in the third reconstruction period, steps we can take to move forward, how the Black Lives Matter movement is very similar to past movements and more.

We are highlighting the brilliant talents that come from Africa and on this episode of Writing Black we are amplifying the talented and critically acclaimed Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo. Adebayo's new novel "A Spell of Good Things" brings to life the culture and communities of Nigeria following two families through the struggles of class, wealth and political struggles. Adebayo also talks to Maiysha about her taking a different route than what was expected of her, how Nigerian mothers are much more than what you see and how they are both excited to see Black Americans and Black people in Africa interacting with one another a lot more than before. 

As we honor MLK Day, Maiysha chats with civil rights legend and renowned journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. She shares with Maiysha gut-wrenching stories of being the first Black student to attend the University of Georgia;  from dorm life to life-threatening attacks, her stories cement her place in the history book and anthology of extraordinary, brave Black women

In her new book "My People," Hunter-Gault tells her own heroic story as well as the iconic and history-making people she has reported on worldwide throughout her decades-long journalism career. 

Maiysha Kai talks with Wall Street giant and now critically acclaimed author Cin Fabré about her debut memoir "Wolf Hustle" which is about her time being one of the few Black women on Wall Street and how the industry is very cutthroat. They discuss Cin's excitement for her book going Hollywood and becoming a feature film and what led to her leaving Wall Street. 

Maiysha sits down with award winning chef Keith Corbin about his new memoir "California Soul" documenting his life growing up in the streets of Watts, to going to prison and then changing his life after prison to become one of the top chefs in the world. Chef Corbin tells Maiysha all the ups and downs he endured on his way to becoming a top chef

Maiysha Kai chats with Grammy award winner singer Rhiannon Giddens about her new opera "Omar" about a African enslaved Muslim, what it took to transition from songwriting to developing an opera, her new children's book "Build a Home" which is based on her song of that she collaborated with Yo Yo Ma of the same title, how white people co-opted Folk music from Black people. 

Maiysha sits down with world renowned ballerina Misty Copeland to talk about her book "The Wind At My Back" which is about her life as well as her mentor's life Raven Wilkinson, who was first Black woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Misty and Maiysha also discussed Misty breaking racial barriers in ballet, opening up doors for others and the progress that has been made in ballet. 

Maiysha brings on world renowned journalist and author Toure to speak about his riveting true crime book "Ivy League Counterfeiter" which is about an Ivy League alum who turned to the world of crime as a professional counterfeiter. Toure details how this counterfeiter was a person who he grew up with and the world of crime was something that many didn't expect.

Maiysha sits down with the husband and wife duo that is taking over interior designing, Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason. The couple talks about their new book "AphroChic", their time working with HGTV, telling Black stories through the Black home, being Black in a space that you don't see many Black people in, the founding of decorative brand "AphroChic" and more.