Beyond Black History Month

If you are a regular listener of this podcast, you have probably realized that we haven't dropped a new episode for a few weeks. That is because the team behind Beyond Black History Month is moving on. The good news: If you haven't listened to every episode - you can binge now! Thank you so much for supporting our work. To hear what's next, connect with me on social media. Connect with host Femi Redwood on Twitter here Connect with Femi on TikTok here

In the final episode on the birth of hip-hop, we look at the songs and events from the 80's that continue to impact hip-hop today. We also explore how early award shows refused to acknowledge hip-hop music and the protest that followed.    Guests:  Big Tigger Darryl McDaniels Ed Lover Grand Wizzard Theodore Rahiem Rich Nice  The Last Poets Credits:  Jill Webb, Producer Dempsey Pillot, Producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Audio Engineer Femi Redwood, Host and Executive Producer

The Sugarhill Gang was the first hip-hop group to record a song and the first hip-hop group or artist to make it onto the Billboard charts. That's why their 1979 single "Rapper's Delight" remains one of the most influential hip-hop songs today. This week, we bring the full and candid conversation with group member Master Gee.  Guests:  Master Gee Credits:  Jill Webb, Producer Dempsey Pillot, Producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Audio Engineer Femi Redwood, Host and Executive Producer

We continue our story on the birth of hip-hop. In this episode we look at the graffiti and b-boy and b-girl culture. We also explore the 1979 song “Rapper's Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang, which was the first recorded hip-hop song. We dig into how the group formed, the song's lasting impact, and the controversy behind some of its lyrics.    Guests:  Darryl McDaniels Grand Wizzard Theodore Master Gee Rich Nice  Credits:  Jill Webb, Producer Dempsey Pillot, Producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Audio Engineer Femi Redwood, Host and Executive Producer

2023 is the 50th anniversary of hip hop. All year, we are dropping episodes in a special series that digs into one of the most popular forms of music. We're kicking off the season with a look at the birth of hip hop. In this episode, we look at the connection between protest poetry and hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc's iconic 1973 party, and all the external forces that contributed to hip-hop's growth like the fires that consumed parts of the South Bronx in the 70s.  Guests:  Darryl McDaniels Ed Lover Grand Wizzard Theodore Rich Nice  The Last Poets Credits:  Noa Caines, Researcher John Davis, Researcher Jill Webb, Producer Dempsey Pillot, Producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Audio Engineer Femi Redwood, Host and Executive Producer

We are kicking off season two by digging into the recent study that linked hair relaxers to ovarian cancer. Turns out, relaxers aren't the only hair products that could be harmful. In this episode, we speak with beauty influencer and venture capitalist Blake Newby and  sociologist and natural hair care expert Dr. Taura Taylor. We explore the reasons some people get relaxers despite knowing the dangers, while also looking at the history of perms and the policing of Black hair.  Credits:  Dempsey Pillot, studio producer Jill Webb, producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, audio engineer Femi Redwood, host and executive producer

Beyond Black History Month is returning on January 24th. 

Host Femi Redwood and the Beyond Black History Month team are going on a holiday break! We are working on amazing episodes and will be back in January. Until then - there are lots of past shows you can listen to. In this episode, we recap what you may have missed this season. Go back and take a listen. See you in 2023!

Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, Black social media users have seen an increase of racist and hateful trolling. This has caused some notable Black users to leave the platform. But what happens if there is a mass exodus? In this episode, we dig into why Black Twitter is so important to the culture and connections of Black folks. We speak with scholar Henry Louis Gates to learn how the digital spaces today are rooted in the ways enslaved folks communicated. We also speak with professor and researcher Deen Freelon to learn what happens to Black creativity when those networks are threatened. 

The comic book and fantasy space may seem very different from hip-hop culture, but according to Run DMC's Daryl McDaniels, the two are very similar. In this episode, we speak with both Daryl and Hilton George, the founder of Blerdcon. While Daryl explores the similarities between the two mediums, Hilton walks us through the challenges surrounding inclusivity in the comics culture.  Guests:  Darryl DMC McDaniels Hilton George Credits:  Dempsey Pillot, field and studio producer Jill Webb, producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, audio engineer Femi Redwood, host and executive producer

On this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we're turning our attention towards the whiskey industry. Of the 2,000 distilleries in America only 1% are owned by Black entrepreneurs. Listen as host Femi Redwood explores why Black business owners are still struggling to get their feet in the door despite the drink owing its success to a single enslaved Black man. Guests include Che Ramos, Nicole Young, Heidi Dillon and Kamuti Kiteme  Producers: Jill Webb and Dempsey Pillot Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Host and Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood  If you have a story idea - reach out to Femi on Twitter.

Trauma from natural disasters impacts Black communities in ways many of us never thought about it. In addition to causing PTSD, a recent study found that hurricanes are linked to a 33% increase of deaths long after the storm has passed. This comes  as climate change disproportionately impacts Black communities. In this episode, we speak to residents in Ironton, Louisiana, one of the country's oldest Black communities, to learn how they've been impacted after living through hurricane after hurricane. We also speak to experts to learn about how these storms impact the body.  Guests include Audrey Trufant Salvant, Dr. Robbie Parks, Dr. Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, and Dr. Rebecca Schwartz. Producers: Jill Webb and Dempsey Pillot Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Host and Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood  If you have a story idea - reach out to Femi on Twitter. 

Art and cryptocurrency are two areas that have been historically dominated by white men, but that's changing. NFTS, a.k.a non-fungible tokens, are helping Black folks sell, buy, and share artwork. In this episode, we hear why Black artists, like Nick Davis, prefer using NFTs as a medium for their artwork. Rapper and entrepreneur Ja Rule breaks down why he thinks crypto is the future for both Black artists and investors.

There's a shortage of Black sperm donors and this especially hurts Black lesbian and queer couples. Black sperm makes up between 3% and 5% of what's available at cryobanks. This comes as the majority of cryobank customers are lesbian or queer. This shortage causes some people to look for sperm elsewhere, including Facebook. In this episode, we learn why this shortage is so severe, the legal issues that may arise when using a sperm donor on social media, and why so few Black men donate sperm.   

HBO's House of the Dragon is getting praised for its diverse cast. But it's also facing criticism for that same reason. Some viewers are upset the Game of Thrones spinoff casted Black actors to play characters who were once described as pale.   In this episode, we speak with actor Steve Toussaint. He's faced racist trolling for his role as Corlys Velaryon, a Black man who is related to the Targaryens.  To see the video mentioned in this episode, follow this link.  You can watch the video referenced in the episode here. House of the Dragon airs Sundays on HBO at 9PM EST. Be sure to follow Steve Toussaint on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. Producers: Jill Webb and Dempsey Pillot Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Host and Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood 

In this episode, we talk to journalist Soledad O'Brien about how she's pushing journalists to tell inclusive stories. From calling out reporters providing problematic coverage, while simultaneously encouraging news consumers to think about how a story is framed, the Afro-Latina news anchor, CEO, and executive producer is demystifying media. We also talk about what makes her news magazine show Matter of Fact different and why her latest documentary The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks tells a story you may not know. 

The water emergency in Jackson, Mississippi is reminiscent of Flint, Michigan.  The emergencies were caused by different failures - but the core issue is the same: the disinvestment of the majority Black city with similar poverty rates. In this episode we learn about water challenges in Jackson going back years. We talk to families to find out how they are surviving without the basic necessities. We also learn how white flight decades ago contributed to today's emergency, and explore how the water crisis could prevent the city's future growth. Story ideas: Send a tweet to @femiredwood. 

This year, there has been a 56% increase in petitions asking for union representation across the nation.  You've seen the news. Employees at companies such as Amazon and Starbucks are making headlines because they demand better working conditions. If successful, Black employees stand to benefit the most. Research shows that Black union members have better health insurance, higher pay, and a heftier retirement fund compared to Black workers who aren't a part of a union. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, listen as we revisit the role that Black workers have played in the history of unionizing and explore how the modern labor movement is changing their lives for the better. Produced by Femi Redwood, Jill Webb, Anddy Egan-Thorpe, and Dempsey Pillot

Nearly one third of all Americans have a side hustle. But data shows Black communities are more likely to have a side hustle when compared to other races. Considering the pay gap, side jobs are a way for some families to increase their incomes. But after the pandemic caused many people to reevaluate their lives, many began working towards making their side hustles their careers. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we meet some entrepreneurs who are doing just that and learn more about the unique challenges they face. 

There are currently no federal holidays named after - or even dedicated to women. But one local activist aims to change that. Jeannine Cook is the shopkeeper at both Harriet and Ida's bookshops, located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. If the names of those stores don't make it inherently obvious, she looks up to the female faces of the civil rights movement. So much so, that she's begun her own movement to get one of her own idols a federal holiday.  On this latest episode of Beyond Black History Month, listen as we sit down with Jeannine to discuss the origins of her idea, as well as what's next on its pathway to potentially being the country's next nationally-recognized holiday.

Gun violence is a massive problem in American communities. And after decades of failed policies, some community members are taking matters in their own hands and working as violence interrupters. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we meet members of Save Our Streets, or SOS. We find out how some of the same people who once caused neighborhood violence are dedicating their lives to stopping it.

The Supreme Court has officially overturned Roe v. Wade. What does that mean for Black women and marginalized communities? On this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we're joined by Beulah Osueke, the deputy director at New Voice for Reproductive Justice, who breaks down how reproductive rights and racial justice are connected. We also hear from Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, a Portland-based OB-GYN, who unpacks what this ruling means for the country.

How do you celebrate emancipation without the people you love? In this episode, host Femi Redwood continues her Juneteenth special. She explores the ways in which families worked to find each other after emancipation. One of the ways they did this was by taking out wanted ads. These ads were forgotten by history until being recently discovered. We speak to Dr. Judith Giesberg, the director of The Last Seen Project. She helped bring these ads to light. We also speak to Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler from Mother Bethel AME church in Philadelphia who has a special connection to the ads. And we meet TikTok influencer Walter English AKA @formerlovepoet to learn why these ads and other ancestry resources are important.

Juneteenth is the celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, host Femi Redwood meets with some of the descendants of the last to be freed African-Americans and learns how one man's love for his family and community helped continue the annual celebration and build a self-sufficient Black town.

Both the affordable housing crisis and gradual neighborhood gentrification aren’t exactly new topics; however, the impact each has on small business owners and longtime community members is rarely discussed. On this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we speak to "Grandma" Dawn Martine-Harris, a small business owner based in Harlem. Listen as we learn about her experience throughout the years and how rising rents have threatened her mission to serve her community. We also speak to Dr. Willow Lung-Amam, the Director of the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network which, as the title suggests, attempts to assist small business leaders with the tools to keep their businesses afloat.

Last weekend, an 18-year-old white man walked into a predominantly Black neighborhood and shot 13 people, killing 10. Most of the victims were Black. Investigators say the shooter’s racist manifesto revealed he was inspired by what’s known as the “white replacement theory.” In this episode, we speak to Adolphus Belk Jr., a political science and African-American studies professor at Winthrop University, who explains how deeply woven this belief is within some Americans.

Harlem has gone through many changes over the years. While activists today are fighting against gentrification and displacement, decades ago there was a different fight in Harlem. In this episode, Femi Redwood, explores the history of one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods.

In honor of May being AAPI Heritage Month, we explore the history of solidarity between African-American and Asian-American communities. We begin with a look at the model minority myth and how it has been used against Black communities. We also look at the solidarity between both communities beginning in the 1940s. This episode also digs into the tension between the two communities and the role white supremacy has played. Story ideas? Email Femi at femi.redwood@audacy.com. Guests: Joyce Moy, Asian American and Asian Research Institute, CUNY Kim Tran, Writer and Consultant Host: Femi Redwood, Managing Producer of Podcasts Credits: Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Producer and Audio Engineer Dempsey Pillot, Producer Jill Webb, Producer

While Black barbershops today are often hang out spots for men to talk sports, relationship, and life, the earliest Black owned barbershops were very different. Black barbers did not serve Black customers. But despite this troubled history, barbering has become a reliable path for entrepreneurs. In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of Black barbershops. We speak to Quincy Mills, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Maryland College Park. He’s also the author of the book Cutting Along the Color Line: Black Barbers and Barber Shops in America. Guests: Quincy Mills, University of Maryland College Park Host: Femi Redwood, Managing Producer of Podcasts Credits: Anddy Egan-Thorpe, producer

Black-owned barbershops are often a safe space for men to talk about sports, politics and relationships. That’s why The Confess Project works with barbers across the country to encourage men to talk about mental health. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we dig into how barbers breaking the stigma and having open conversations about mental health with their clients. We also look at some of the mental health disparities African-American community members face. Guests: Darnell Rice, The Confess Project Donald “DC” Conley, Barbarizm The Shoppe Dr. Michael McRae, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Host: Femi Redwood, Managing Producer of Podcasts Credits: Dempsey Pillot, producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, music composer

As America celebrates the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson making his debut in the major leagues, we wanted to understand why there are so few Black baseball players today. In this episode, we speak to a former Negro League player who also played in the major league. He describes the racism Black players experienced and why some left the Major Leagues for the Negro Leagues. We learn about Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first Black man to integrate baseball decades before Robinson. In addition, we explore why Black children seem less interested in baseball. Lastly, we find out why Jackie Robinson Day is so important. Guests: W. James Cobbin, former Negro Leagues and Major Leagues baseball player Dr. Raymond Doswell, Negro League Baseball Museum Ed Easton Jr, Sports journalist Host: Femi Redwood, Managing Producer of Podcasts Credits: Dempsey Pillot, Producer Anddy Egan-Thorpe, Music composer

Black dolls have only recently begun being stocked on most store shelves. But despite the lack of representation, they've played major roles in Black history. They were used to fight against slavery and end school segregation. And today, they empower Black children through positive play. But Black dolls were also been used to reinforce harmful tropes, like the mammy stereotype. In this week’s Beyond Black History Month, host Femi Redwood explores the history of Black dolls. She speaks with Dominique Jean Louis from the New York Historical Society, Dr. Lisa Williams, CEO of World of Epi, a Black owned-doll company, and Cozbi A. Cabrera, a Black handcrafted doll maker and illustrator.

HBO’s “The Gilded Age” is a historical drama set in New York City in the 1800s that details the lives of rich families. It follows Peggy Scott, a Black writer, played by Denée Benton. Peggy’s character belongs to a group of people known as the Black elite. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, host Femi Redwood speaks with Benton about her challenges, her drive to tell this often ignored story, and why she’s so protective of her character. Femi also talks to Carla Peterson, the author of the book “Black Gotham: A Family History of African-Americans in 19th Century New York City.”

“Love Thy Neighbor” is a brand new podcast detailing the events of the 1991 Crown Heights Riot. For those unfamiliar with the historical event, it erupted after a Hasidic man hit two young Black boys with his car. After one of the boys succumbed to his injuries, the divide that already existed in the community deepened and neighbors transformed into foes. On the latest episode of Beyond Black History Month, not only do we dive into some of the issues that preceded the riot, host Femi Redwood speaks to "Love Thy Neighbor" host Collier Meyerson.

The faces of power in New York City are more diverse than ever. Several key positions including the mayor and police commissioner are held by Black leaders, in some cases the first in history. This episode of Beyond Black History Month digs into power, policing, and politics in New York City and examines if the recent nominations and elections of Black folks in key position will create a more equitable New York City. We explore slave codes, the kidnapping club, and key events in NYC’s history like a police riot against the city’s first Black mayor.

From the early days of the Harlem Renaissance to the dawn of disco, the Black queer community specifically has had a niche for revolutionizing the way people party and not getting an ounce of credit. In this special Black History Month podcast, that changes. Listen as we speak with historians Eric Gonzaba and Michael Roberson, as well as current Black LGTBQ icon Egyptt LaBeija, all in an effort track the past, present, and future of nightlife culture.

In this very special Black History Month podcast, not only do we explore the history of hair care, but also take a look back at the life and legacy of the woman who helped the entire race realize it’s worth: Madam CJ Walker, as well as the current state of the industry she arguably started.

In this very special Black History Month podcast, listen as we unpack all the hurt and humor with both the assistance of up-and-coming comedian Christiana Jackson and Professor of African American Studies At Duke University Dr. Mark Anthony Neal.

A preview of all the programming coming this month and BEYOND.