Remarkable Receptions

A brief take on the extraordinary literary achievements of Black men writers from1995 to 2024, a period marked by serious, comical, and fascinating compositions. Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A short take marking our 200th episodeScript by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Dana Williams's presentation at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, highlighting Toni Morrison's transformative editorial legacy at Random House and her role in elevating groundbreaking Black voices.Script by Angel C. Dye Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the Novel Generator Machine, a digital resource inspired by barbershop conversations, offering personalized recommendations for over 1,000 novels by Black writers across various genres and categories.Script by Howard Rambsy II 22Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the overlooked grievances of Black readers, highlighting cultural and structural challenges they face, from limited access to diverse genres and author events to inadequate representation in media and publishing campaigns.Script by Howard Rambsy II  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Ta-Nehisi Coates's groundbreaking success as a comic book writer, with Black Panther and Captain America issues collectively selling over 500,000 copies, marking a historic achievement for an African American creator in the industry.Script by Howard Rambsy II  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Percival Everett's James as a neo-slave narrative, situating it within the rich body of African American fiction addressing slavery while critiquing the isolation of Black writers from broader creative networks.Script by Howard Rambsy II  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how authors like Ishmael Reed, Charles Johnson, James McBride, and Paul Beatty use humor and playfulness in neo-slave narratives to offer fresh, creative perspectives on slavery.Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the Futures of Black Digital Humanities Conference, where scholars and students used the FLOAT Method to transform data into compelling stories, highlighting themes of identity, memory, and systemic change.Script by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how the organizing and protests of Black students in the 1960s and 1970s paved the way for African American literature courses and the field of Black literary studies.Script by Howard Rambsy II          Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how incorporating audio recordings into African American literature courses can enhance accessibility, foster deeper connections, and reveal new dimensions of storytelling.Script by Howard Rambsy II  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Olaudah Equiano's reflections on "talking books," exploring their connection to freedom and their resonance with the modern concept of audiobooks.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how the rise of audiobooks has transformed access to African American novels, allowing listeners to experience the aural artistry of Black literature through skilled voice performances.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Bryan Edward Hill, a leading African American comic writer known for his diverse work on Batman, Black Panther, and Blade.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the challenges of periodizing African American literature, exploring when the current literary era began and how it might be defined.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the media's narrow focus on a select few Black writersScript by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm 

A brief take on the limited presence of Black-authored novels in a Chicago airport bookstore.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the evolution of Afrofuturism from a critical framework exploring race and technology to a widely used label for Black artistic productions infused with science fiction and tech.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Alondra Nelson's Yahoo group in the 1990s shaped the rise of Afrofuturism through discussions on race, tech, and Black culture.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on 30 essential African American novels, from Toni Morrison to Colson Whitehead, as an entry point to a rich literary tradition and the journeys ahead.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Ta-Nehisi Coates's Black Panther run introduced a Wakanda map, deepening its world-building and legacy.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Orrin C. Evans, a pioneering journalist and creator of All-Negro Comics, the first comic book with an all-Black creative team and characters.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on James Baldwin's “Sonny's Blues,” a frequently anthologized story exploring brotherhood, identity, and the power of the blues.Script by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Africa's independence movements and leaders like Lumumba inspired the creation of Black Panther and Wakanda.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Andrew Theising's collection of East St. Louis postcards, now a vital visual archive of the city's history.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Matt Baker, the first Black superhero comic artist, whose work on Phantom Lady and Voodah shaped the industry.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Invisible Man, Beloved, and The Color Purple top Wikipedia's views for African American novels, showcasing their lasting impact.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Between the World and Me sparked layered reactions, with Coates critiquing the fixation on white readers' responses to his Black-centered narrative.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Jackie Ormes, the trailblazing first Black female cartoonist, whose comic strips Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger addressed social issues and left an enduring legacy in American comics.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Zora Neale Hurston's Sweat, first published in the 1926 magazine Fire!!, which showcased realities of Black life and paved the way for enduring discussions in African American literature.Script by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Michelle Burford, the writer behind memoirs by Cicely Tyson, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and others, whose collaborative storytelling gives voice to the life experiences of prominent Black women, among others. Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Huey Freeman, the sharp-tongued, afro-wearing 10-year-old from The Boondocks, whose biting critiques of society made him a highly visible (fictive) Black militant.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on George Herriman, the Black Creole creator of Krazy Kat, whose influential comic strip tackled humor, racial tensions, and left an enduring mark on American comics history.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the extraordinary literary achievements of Black women writers from 1969 to 1994, a period marked by groundbreaking works and unprecedented critical and popular acclaim.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how generations of Black creators—novelists, poets, filmmakers, and musicians—have drawn inspiration from the subject of slavery, producing works that highlight its horrors, reimagine its history, and elevate African American artistic expression.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how college professors navigate the abundance of African American literary works, using survey courses, special topics, and evolving syllabi to introduce students to this rich and expansive field.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Black characters like Lucius Fox, Batwing, and the Signal have become vital members of Gotham City's legendary crimefighting team.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Toni Morrison's short story Recitatif captivates readers by challenging them to determine the race of its main characters, sparking debates shaped by their own assumptions and experiences.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on why viewers committed to quality representations of Black characters and storylines might stop watching a show, choosing instead to seek better depictions or explore other forms of storytelling.Script by Elizabeth Cali and Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Edward P. Jones's short stories document and celebrate the history and culture of Washington, D.C.'s Black neighborhoods, resurrecting forgotten landmarks and local heritage.Script by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how the 2000s ushered in a new era of diversity in comic books, spotlighting groundbreaking characters like Mr. Terrific, Shuri, and the Blue Marvel.Script by Stephyn Phillips Voiceover by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how studying African American literature opens doors to diverse careers, from digital editing to brand strategy, while enhancing analytical skills and cultural understanding.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Edward P. Jones's intricate storytelling and his role as a chronicler of Washington, D.C.'s neighborhoods and landmarks.Script by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the need for a sociology of Black novelists to better understand the challenges and limited recognition faced by the vast majority of Black writers.Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Miles Morales and the groundbreaking diversity of Sony's Spider-Verse films.Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the recurring visual clichés of Africa on novel covers. Script by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on African American novelists born between born between 1928 and 1945.Written by Howard Rambsy IIVoiceover by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how movement has contributed to the success of African women writers.Script by Makayla MallonVoiceover by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the origins of the term neo-slave narrative. Written by Howard Rambsy IIVoiceover by Kassandra Timm

A consideration of the decades-long search for the man who fired the shotgun that killed Malcolm X, highlighting the tireless efforts of amateur investigators and the eventual exoneration of two wrongfully convicted men. Written by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A brief on the journalists, cultural critics, and independent researchers who have dedicated years to uncovering the truth behind the assassination of Malcolm XWritten by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm