Yes, Girl!

In case you guys haven't heard the news, our girl Taraji P. Henson (@TheRealTaraji) got engaged on Mother’s Day. In honor of her big news — remember when she confirmed her and Kelvin Hayden’s relationship exclusively on "Yes, Girl!"? — we’re re-airing our epic interview with Taraji in Jamaica where she spilled all of the hot tea. Plus, Charli, Cori and Yolanda get their best British accents together just in time for Meghan Markle’s royal wedding, recap their Mother’s Day highs and lows and applaud Jada Pinkett Smith for all of these grown woman confessions she’s dropping on her new Facebook live show, Red Table Talk. Are your mugs ready because the tea is served.

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Bae is here! Insecure star and new American Black Film Festival host Jay Ellis (@jayrellis) came through to talk all things Beyonce, Black Hollywood excellence and, of course, TV “f*ck bois” like his character Lawrence. Plus, Charli and Yolanda go IN about their true thoughts on R. Kelly, the latest Kanye West foolery and traveling (and renting homes) while Black.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve loved legendary actress Vanessa Bell Calloway since, like, forever. From Coming to America to What’s Love Got to Do With It?, Calloway has wowed us on the big screen. Now she’s on the small screen, starring in BounceTV’s Saints and Sinners — she even directed an episode. She paid us a visit to talk longevity in Hollywood, her squad of girlfriends (which includes Tina Lawson and Cookie Johnson), staying fabulous in your 60s, and secrets to her 30-year marriage. Plus, we talk Kanye’s slavery comments, Kelis dishing on Nas, and the Bill Cosby verdict. #yesgirlpodcast

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’m happy to be a Black woman making art, as free as I want to right now.” That’s the space singer and actress Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae) occupies as she unveils her boldest work yet, Dirty Computer. In the episode, Monáe opens up about why the new album is near and dear to her heart, her earliest memories of Prince and the impact he left, and why the revolution will be female. Tea for The Week is short and sweet: Beychella strikes again, Waffle House shooting survivor James Shaw, Jr. is a national hero and oh, Kanye, Kanye, Kanye. 

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this high season of Black Excellence, we start our episode in acknowledgment and praise for Beyoncé’s salute to HBCU’s greeks and goddesses at Beychella’s first weekend. Next, a sit-down with Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc, and actress and activist Tessa Thompson (@TessaThompson_x). Both women are leading movements: Michelle’s helming Black Girl Magic headquarters with a vision to super-serve Black women, and Tessa’s fiercely advocating for diversity representation on screen and off through her work as a founding member of Time’s Up. In the spirit of King Bey, we came to slay. #yesgirlpodcast

 Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s tea is piping hot because it’s all about bonafide super star, Cardi B. (@iamcardib). She’s brought a cultural shift with the release on her first album and baby reveal. With help from special guest ESSENCE Senior News and Culture Editor Christina Coleman (@ChrissyCole), the hosts unpack Cardi’s big wins and bigger influence from her humble Instagram beginnings and her reality TV fame. Plus, Survivors Remorse’s Erica Ash (@theericaash) becomes a leading lady in BET’s new drama, In Contempt. She stopped by for loads of laughs and real talk about finding her divine lane in Hollywood.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our obsession with Sonequa Martin-Green (@SonequaMG) began when we fell in love with her character Sasha on The Walking Dead. Now we’re cheering her on as she helms Star Trek: Discovery — she’s literally playing captain Michael Burnham on the hit prequel streaming on CBS All Access. Within minutes of our chat, we agree Sonequa is Black girl joy realized. She lets us in on what it’s like being a bomb Black woman in Hollywood, plus confesses all the feels she had saying goodbye to TWD (even though her hubby is still on the show) and relocating to La La Land. Her feel-good vibes are contagious, promise! Also in this episode’s Tea for the Week, Charli (@ManWifeDog) and Cori (@corimurray) debate what’s worth a TV reboot these days. Tell us what you think using #yesgirlpodcast.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faith, family and forgiveness — and very Black — that’s the formula that has made Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) one of the most successful storytellers in Hollywood. But as he chatted with us about his new film Acrimony, Tyler opened up about how fatherhood has informed his work, creating generational wealth and whether or not he thinks he's funny.

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Paschal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our podcast cup runneth over this week with three special guests: Jussie Smollett (@jussiesmollett) who, hours after wrapping up a project in Memphis, drove through the night so he could spend the afternoon with us in Bentonville, Arkansas. During our live recording, Jussie gave us a preview of his new album Sum of My Music and why he celebrates Black History Month every day. Back in New York, we sit down with hip-hop legend Roxanne Shante (@ImroxanneShante) and the ingénue who plays her, Chanté Adams (@chanteaadams), in Netflix’s biopic Roxanne, Roxanne. Plus, @yolizama wants to know “What feeds your soul?” Tell us using #yesgirlpodcast

Yes, Girl! hosts: Cori Murray @corimurray; Charli Penn @ManWifeDog; and Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio engineer: Chiquita Pascal @ChiquitaPaschal

Music: Gold Standard Creative @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Yo-Prah, ESSENCE's Yolanda Sangweni, sits down with spiritual coach and author Iyanla Vanzant to talk about the new season of Iyanla: Fix My Life, her upcoming tour and new book. Vanzant also shares her favorite memories from the show, and why this season will be transformative. Plus, “Mama Iyanla" gives us a good talking to about why she wants some Black folks to stop clinging on to struggle. A word was delivered and we received it. 

Yes, Girl! host: Yolanda Sangweni @yolizama

Producer: Steven Psyllos @stevenpsyllos

Audio Engineer: @chiquitaPash

Music: Gold Standard Creative: @gscdotnyc

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.