Code Switch hosted by Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby (Tayler Washington ’22, Opinions Editor)
This podcast surrounds race, ethnicity and culture in the U.S. and explores the everyday experiences of Black, Indigenous and people of color living in America. While “Code Switch” doesn’t exclusively feature Blackness in America, Demby, the co-host, brings in the perspective of a Black man living in America since the 2016 election to just about every episode.
Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations hosted by Oprah Winfrey (Maggie Brennen ’22, Asst. Opinions Editor)
Winfrey, the legendary talk show host and interviewer, has been releasing podcasts of past conversations with important figures. Not every episode features a Black interviewee or talks about race, but many of them do, with interviews from Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Nelson Mandela. There was a two-part episode titled “Where Do We Go From Here?” in response to the murder of George Floyd, where Winfrey spoke with Black leaders about the anti-racist movement.
Louder Than A Riot hosted by Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden (Nick Karpinski ’21, Mutlimedia Editor)
This podcast details how hip-hop and mass incarceration are intertwined in U.S. history. It also explores how the music industry has largely taken advantage of Black artists and Black culture, using exploitative strategies to capitalize.
Red Table Talk hosted by Willow Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norris (Nenagh Sheehan ’21, Asst. Features Editor)
In 2020, Red Table Talk released a podcast called “Colorism.” In this podcast, their friend Mia Pitts joins them to discuss their experiences with colorism in their lives. Pitts discusses how when she was an NBA dancer, a player told her he couldn’t date her because her skin was too dark. Each podcast episode has a different guest where they speak about different issues like race, gun control and privilege.
Black Men Can’t Jump (in Hollywood) hosted by Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan and James III (Eddie Daou ’22, Asst. News Editor)
“Black Men Can’t Jump,” is a podcast that reviews films starring Black actors and takes a look at filmmaking in the context of Hollywood’s race and diversity problems. Hosted by Braylock, Milligan and James III, this podcast offers a unique perspective on films in the context of race.
1619 hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones (Jackie Collins ’21, Editor in Chief)
Hosted by Hannah-Jones, a reporter covering racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine, this podcast details the “long shadow of American slavery.” It is part of The 1619 Project, an initiative Hannah-Jones created that recognized the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery in 2019.
The Bakari Sellers Podcast hosted by Bakari Sellers (Carly Calhoun ’21, Copy Editor)
“The Bakari Sellers Podcast” tackles pressing current events through conversations and interviews with high profile guests. Sellers, a former lawyer and politician in South Carolina, uses his experiences to talk about the world of politics, including the 2020 election and the movement for racial equality in the U.S.
The Humanity Archive hosted by Jermaine Fowler (Elaina Wall ’21, Asst. Features Editor)
“The Humanity Archive” podcast shares the incredible stories from history that are left out of textbooks. Although not every episode is specific to Black history, Fowler, the host, often focuses on the topic, providing a different perspective on notable public figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., and discussing public figures and social movements that are not discussed as often, including Ida B. Wells, the Great Migration and more.
Black Shutter Podcast hosted by Idris Talib Solomon (Mitchell Shields ’22, Photo Editor)
“Black Shutter Podcast,” hosted by Idris Talib Solomon, focuses on the different eye people of color have for photography. This podcast cover all types of photography and photographers from all walks of life to provide insight into their minds. Personally, I am fond of the work done by the White House photography staff during former U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration. So, I would recommend listening to episode nine featuring Lawrence Jackson, the only Black photographer on staff for the Obama administration.
This American Life, Episode 708: Here, Again
(Devin Yingling ’22, News Editor)
This episode of “This American Life” aims to capture the environment in America after the killing of George Floyd this past summer. This episode features writers, “This American Life” producers and multiple interviews with organizers and everyday citizens in the streets protesting for racial justice.
