Podcasts about african american literature

Duchess Harris, professor and author, was a presenter at From Resistance to Resilience: The Evolution of African American Reading,  The Givens Foundation for African American Literature's annual conference,  held on June 3, 2025 at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In this engaging workshop, Dr. Harris addresses The Unwritten Curriculum: How Erasure in Literature Fuels Inequity, as she talks about her trajectory as an author, and the banning of her books. Visit BlackMarketReads.com to hear from conference Keynote Dr. Luke Wood, President of Sacramento State University and creator of the first Black Honors College.  

In this episode of The P.A.S. Report's America's Founding Series, Professor Giordano spotlights Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry and one of the most overlooked voices of the American Revolution. Enslaved and educated in Boston, Wheatley used her pen to champion the spirit of liberty and call out the contradictions with slavery. Her powerful poem to General George Washington not only earned his respect but may have helped shift his views on Black participation in the war. Learn how Wheatley's words influenced the founding fathers, inspired Thomas Paine to publish her work, and became a rallying cry for freedom during America's fight for independence. Episode Highlights: How Phillis Wheatley's poetry reached and influenced George Washington during the height of the Revolutionary War The remarkable meeting between Wheatley and Benjamin Franklin in London Why Wheatley's legacy challenges current narratives about race, liberty, and the American founding

Dr. Terrance A. Ford is the President of Foster College (formerly Southern Bible Institute & College) in Dallas, TX—a biblical higher education institution that has been training ministry & Christian leaders since 1927.Prior to his presidency, Dr. Ford served as a senior pastor for 27 years, leading congregations in both Florida & Texas.In addition to the responsibilities of president & CEO, he also teaches and produces scholarship in the areas of Digital Religious Rhetoric, Bible Exposition, and African-American Literature. President Ford holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida A&M University—a Master's of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary—and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Ford is considered a thought-leader and authoritative voice amongst leaders in the church and academia. He's well known for delivering both biblical and scholarly content in a way that is relevant and accessible to all.

In this month's episode of The African American Folklorist, we shine a spotlight on Dr. Constance Bailey—Assistant Professor of African American Literature and Folklore at Georgia State University, and an innovative scholar whose research explores Black women's comedy, speculative fiction, and African American oral traditions.A native of Natchez, Mississippi, Dr. Bailey's work is grounded in the richness of Southern Black culture, Black humor, and the possibilities of Afrofuturism. In this engaging conversation, we discuss her academic journey, her role as a digital media editor for the American Folklore Society, and her forthcoming book The Black Folktastic: Black Speculation and the Sankofa Aesthetic. We also explore how folklore, humor, and speculative storytelling are powerful tools of resistance, cultural memory, and imagination in Black communities.Join us as we celebrate Dr. Bailey's contributions to the field and highlight the significance of preserving and teaching Black folklore in contemporary spaces.https://constancebailey.com/

In this episode Lissa talks with Dr. Gail C. Christopher —a nationally recognized leader in health equity, a pioneer in integrative medicine, and the visionary architect behind the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation initiative (TRHT). Dr. Christopher has spent decades designing and leading national programs that advance racial healing, community well-being, and policy change—including her role as Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. She is also the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. She joins us today to discuss her new book, Rx Racial Healing: A Guide to Embracing Our Humanity—a guidebook, a meditation, and a call to action all in one. For GO DEEPER information, Visit: www.BlackMarketReads.com   Our production team for this episode includes co producers Lissa Jones and Edie French, technical director Paul Auguston, the voice Yo Derek, and our artist of inspiration Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Black Market Reads is a production of the Givens Foundation for African American Literature produced in cooperation with iDream.tv. We thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota for supporting this series, focusing on the intersection of health, race, and culture. This is Black Market Reads. The struggle continues.

Dr. Raymond Summerville joins me, as he is the African American Folklorist of February, to discuss the importance of having more Black Folklore scholars in the field to lead the discourse of our narrative, traditions, literature, and the dissemination of found research that represents the Black American experience. He also dives into his beginnings and what inspired him to write his book, In Proverb Masters: Shaping the Civil Rights Movement.Dr. Raymond Summerville is an alumnus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (BA, BS, and MA in English and African-American Literature) and the University of Missouri-Columbia (PhD in English with a concentration in Folklore, Oral Tradition, and Culture). His research interests include African American history, African American literature, postcolonial studies, paremiology, phraseology, hip-hop, blues, and other folklore genres. He currently teaches at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.

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

Mason Stokes is a professor of English at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs where he teaches African American Literature and Queer Fiction. In addition to his scholarly writing, he is the author of the adult novel “Saving Julien” and the essay “Namesake” which was selected for inclusion in the 2016 edition of “Best American Essays.” The new book “All the Truth I Can Stand” is his young adult debut.

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 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 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

Show NotesThis episode of Talking Technology with ATLIS features Dr. Nicole Furlonge, executive director of the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University, who shares her expertise on leadership in independent schools. Drawing on her experience as a former teacher, Furlonge emphasizes the importance of listening, empathy, and collaboration between tech leaders and educators to foster effective technology integration. She also delves into the complexities of AI in education, highlighting both the ethical concerns and the potential benefits for teaching and learning. Finally, the episode takes an unexpected turn with a discussion of how the book "World War Z" can be used to explore storytelling and perspective.ResourcesRace Sounds: The Art of Listening in African American Literature, book by Dr. FurlongeThe Crucial Art — and Science — of Listening Leadership, interview with Dr. Furlonge for EdSurgeSchools Can Change, But Only When Leaders Learn How to Listen, interview with Dr. Furlonge for EdSurgeStudent Agency in the Digital Age: Integrating AI in Literature Education, article from NAIS

Twinsburg High School teacher Daneé Pinckney says she knew she wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a small child, but it wasn't that long ago that she found herself at a burnout point in her career and was considering leaving the profession. Starting an African American literature course for her students and empowering them to be engaged citizens helped reignite her passion. Now, as the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Pinckney is hoping to help other educators find their passion again while shining a spotlight on what they need to succeed for their students. LEARN MORE ABOUT DANEÉ PICKNEY'S PATH TO HER EDUCATION CAREER | Click here to read the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year's story on the Ohio State Board of Education site.   LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR | The State Board of Education selects the Ohio Teacher of the Year from among the State Board District Teachers of the Year, all of whom are OEA members this year. Click here to learn more about each of these outstanding educators!SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guest: Daneé Pinckney, Twinsburg Education Association member Daneé Pinckney began teaching in Columbus, Ohio after graduating from The Ohio State University. There Pinckney earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Middle Childhood Education. Later, she realized her passions were more suited to high school, and received her Ohio English K-12 Certification before earning a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Educational Technology from Ashland University. Pinckney, currently, teaches 11th and 12th-grade English at Twinsburg High School in Twinsburg, Ohio. Here, she makes a point to constantly search for new opportunities to challenge herself professionally and personally, as evidenced by her creating a senior-level course on African American Literature. The course addressed a need for representation sought by both students and community members. She obtained grant funding to support its implementation enriching educational experiences for all.Using literature as the anchor, she works to encourage students' engagement in community service and activism projects instilling in them a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. She believes students can change the world “right here and right now.” Believing this to be true, her students most recently collaborated with students in Ghana and led a community fundraiser building global community and empathy. Pinckney's dedication to pursuing personal growth as an educator has earned her recognition as the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year, a Master Teacher Finalist by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and accolades such as the 2023 Twinsburg City Schools Teacher of the Year, and a 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow. Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on September 30, 2024.

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

Show Notes:00:02 – Introduction to the episode by Justin McRoberts01:24 – Claude discusses his background in literature and how he uses it to engage faith communities04:50 – The balance between writing for oneself and writing for an audience06:45 – Influence of early conversations and figures in Claude's life on his perspective of black history10:00 – The importance of African American literature and Toni Morrison's Beloved14:20 – The power of literature to create empathy and broaden perspectives19:30 – Why black stories matter beyond the merit system23:45 – The concept of hope in black narratives and the role of progress27:00 – Endurance versus healing: A reflection on Christian hope30:00 – How Paul's endurance in ministry serves as an example of hope for believers32:00 – Books Claude is currently reading: Silence by Shusaku Endo and Underworld by Don DeLillo33:00 – Closing thoughts and reflections on the transformative power of literature and faith Links For Justin:Coaching with JustinOrder In Rest - New Book of PoemsOrder Sacred StridesJustinMcRoberts.comSupport this podcastNEW Single - Let GoNEW Music - Sliver of HopeNEW Music - The Dood and The BirdThe Book - It Is What You Make itHearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble

Charting an extraordinary outpouring of obituaries and tributes for a towering Black novelistWritten by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A short take marking our 150th episodeWritten by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

A short take on a story by Toni Cade Bambara Written by Kenton RambsyRead by Kassandra Timm

A short take on unnamed protagonists in novels by Black writersWritten by Howard Rambsy IIRead by Kassandra Timm

Charting a Black woman character who has been played by multiple actressesWritten by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

Charting the multiple adaptations of Richard Wright's well-known novelWritten by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

The role of the adaptation of Chester Himes's Cotton Comes to Harlem in the history of Black Cinema Written by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

Casting Black people mattersWritten by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

Charting a Black woman character who has been played by ten different actressesWritten by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

That time Samuel Jackson brought attention to a debate about Black-on-Black castingWritten by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

There is one notorious film that compelled Oscar Micheaux and Spike Lee to respond.Written by Nicole DixonRead by Kassandra Timm

Today on the show, we'll find out what happened when an administrator attended a student's genius hour project presentation about a new elective she wanted to see proposed Teaching African American Literature. Spoiler alert, magic. We're continuing our elective series today, and I'm delighted to tell you we're hearing from passionate veteran teacher Bethany Yuninger. She'll be sharing her African American Literature Elective, and wait til you hear the story of how this elective came to be - it's incredible!   Go Further:  Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram.  Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the ‘gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!