Black Girl Nerds

On this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we invite actor Mikayla Batholomew to chat with us about her latest role as Tunde Price in the Warner Bros film 'King Richard'. Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew stars as Tunde Price in 'King Richard', the eldest of five and well-loved sister to Venus and Serena Williams, the noted tennis legends centered in the film from Warner Brothers Pictures. A stage/film actor and activist based in NYC, Mikayla is among those in the Broadway Advocacy Coalition honored this year with a Special Tony Award for their work within and beyond the theatre industry. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, the hosts chat about two very popular series that everyone is talking about. The BGN hosts first chat about the final season of HBO's Insecure and vent about their issues and praise the show's several accomplishments. The BGN hosts then move onto the Netflix phenomenon Squid Game that took the world by storm.  The discussion focuses on the metaphorical meanings behind the series, the corruption of capitalism, and how social media has reacted to the series. Hosts: Ryanne, Danielle, and Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome actor/writer/director Colman Domingo and the stars of 'Psych 3: This Is Gus' featuring Dule Hill, Jazmyn Simon, and Allen Maldonado. Segment 1: Colman Domingo is an actor, writer, and director. He is known for his performances on stage and screen.  He currently plays Victor Strand on the AMC hit series 'Fear The Walking Dead'. He has appeared in such films as 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', 'Selma' and 'Zora'. Host: Stacey Segment 2: 'Psych 3: This Is Gus' is the latest installment in the adventures of one of television’s most beloved duos. In preparation for a shotgun wedding before the birth of Baby Guster, Shawn and Groomzilla Gus go rogue in an attempt to track down Selene’s estranged husband, as Lassiter grapples with the future of his career. Featuring interviews with Dule Hill, Jazmyn Simon, and Allen Maldonado. Host: Stacey Music by: Sammus and Shubzilla Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we interview the team behind the new Prime Video series 'Harlem'. The series stars Meagan Good, Jerrie Johnson Grace Byers and Shoniqua Shandai. The series is created by Tracy Oliver. Featured in this episode are: Tracy Oliver, Meagan Good, Jerrie Johnson, Shoniqua Shandai, and Tyler Lepley. From writer Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip), Harlem is a new comedy following four stylish and ambitious best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America. Camille (Meagan Good) is a popular young anthropology professor at Columbia with extensive knowledge of the dating norms of many cultures, but has a hard time navigating her own love life; Tye (Jerrie Johnson) is a successful, queer dating app creator who prefers keeping vulnerability—and romantic partners—at arm’s length; Quinn (Grace Byers) is a hopeless romantic and trust fund fashion designer who is trying to give back to the world while running a struggling business; Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) is a con

On this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds Podcast we welcome the team behind the new book "Noir Is The New Black". Featured in the interview are: David Brame, Mikhail Hardy, and TC Harris. TC Harris Editor of "Noir Is The New Black" and creator of  "The Circuit" Mikhail "MikMakaw" Hardy is a Washington DC-based comic artist and painter. He's worked on several indie anthologies that include Delta Volume 1, The 27 Club and most recently "Noir is The New Black". David Brame is an educator, afrofuturist, artist, illustrator, and cartoonist. His works fit within a framework of afro-pop surrealism with a heavy focus on narrative and mark making. Host: Ryanne  Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast we welcome entertainers in TV and literacy! Segment 1: From creator, writer, and executive producer Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad Productions, the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series, 'Twenties' follows ‘Hattie,’ a masculine-presenting queer Black woman in her twenties.  Featured in the segment are actors Jonica T Gibbs (Hattie), Christina Elmore (Marie) and Gabrielle Graham (Nia). Host: Stacey Segment 2: Cynthia Manick is the author of Blue Hallelujahs, which won the 2016 Lascaux Prize in Collected Poetry, and editor of Soul Sister Revue: A Poetry Compilation (2019). She is the co-editor of the new book 'The Future of Black'. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

This week's Black Girl Nerds Podcast welcomes the women behind Crunk Feminist Collective. Guests Brittney C. Cooper, Susana M. Morris & Chanel Craft Tanner of Crunk Feminist Collective authored their latest book, 'Feminist AF: A Guide to Crushing Girlhood'.  It’s a resource guide for young feminists especially geared towards young girls of color, designed to help them navigate some of the most pressing issues young people face. Using intersectional frameworks, Feminist AF helps young feminists grapple with friendships, bodies, family dynamics, emotional health, pop culture, dating, sex, sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, and xenophobia.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this 2-part episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome DC Comics superstars Ashley Romans and Anjelika Washington. Segment 1: Ashley Romans stars as Agent 355 in the FX/Hulu series 'Y: The Last Man'.  A drama series based on DC Comics’ acclaimed series of the same name by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, Y: The Last Man traverses a post-apocalyptic world in which a cataclysmic event kills every mammal with a Y chromosome except for one cisgender man and his pet monkey. The series follows the survivors in this new world as they struggle with their efforts to restore what was lost and the opportunity to build something better. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Anjelika Washington stars as Beth Chapel/Dr. Mid-Nite in the CW series 'DC's Stargirl'. The story follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore and her stepfather Pat Dugan as she leads an unlikely group of young heroes to take on the legacy of DC’s very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America. In the thrilling second season, Courtney and her fr

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast we chat with the cast and crew of the highly-anticipated series 'Hightown' on STARZ. Featured in the episode are: Writer and Creator: Rebecca Perry Cutler and Executive Producer Gary Lennon. And featuring cast members: Monica Raymund, Riley Voelkel, James Badge Dale, Amaury Nolasco, Atkins Estimond, and Dohn Norwood. In the second season of 'Hightown', the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality. Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund), achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world. Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior. For Jackie, it is personal but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.  Hosted by: Stacey Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds Podcast, we welcome co-founder and COO of the cryptocurrency/crowdfunding startup Polinate. Polinate is a next-generation crowdfunding platform designed to discover, launch and empower creatives globally in a permissionless way. Azeem Khan is a New York-based entrepreneur who's worked in tech, blockchain, biotech, esports/gaming, and entertainment. Most recently he ran partnerships and growth at Aglet, doing deals with the likes of Gucci and Stadium Goods. Host: Jamie  Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

The Black Girl Nerds Podcast welcomes actor Milan Ray.  The Baltimore native has starred alongside Hollywood legends including Alison Janney and Viola Davis in Amazon’s 'Troop Zero' that followed a group of young ladies competing for the town’s prized possession of Birdie Scouts Leader. Up Next, ABC’s highly anticipated re-boot, 'The Wonder Years.' She’s the new Winnie, the love interest of Dean Williams — the one for which Dean tries so hard to connect with.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome stand-up comedian and author Gina Yashere. Standup comedian Gina Yashere recently released her memoir Cack-Handed, which chronicles the story of growing up as a child of Nigerian immigrants in working-class London to becoming the first female engineer with the UK branch of Otis, the largest elevator company in the world. Her time at Otis was a baptism by fire dealing with racist and sexist co-workers, so she left to become a stand-up comic and became one of the top comedians in the UK. Gina then came to the U.S. as a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2007 and never left! A few years ago, Chuck Lorre found her standup online and reached out to her to co-create, produce, write and act in the CBS comedy series 'Bob Hearts Abishola'. The show captures the heart of the Nigerian immigrant experience and many of the stories are pulled from Gina's personal life.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, as we cover the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, we welcome actor, director, and writer Justine Bateman to talk about her directorial feature film 'Violet'. Justine Bateman has an impressive resume that includes 'Family Ties', 'Satisfaction' and 'Arrested Development', and many more. She has earned a Golden Globe nomination and two Emmy® nominations. An advocate for Net Neutrality, Justine holds a degree from UCLA in Computer Science and Digital Media Management. VIOLET, Bateman’s directorial feature film debut of her own script, stars Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, and Justin Theroux. It premiered at SXSW 2021 and has its International Premiere at TIFF 2021. Host: Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome  Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, and author Yvonne Orji. On television, she stars in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy series 'Insecure'. A distinguished standup comedian, Yvonne previously opened for Chris Rock on various stops of his Total Blackout Tour and headlined her first comedy tour, Lagos To Laurel, at the top of 2020. She subsequently debuted her first one-hour HBO standup special, Momma, I Made It!, in June 2020. Earlier this year, Orji released her faith-based advice book, Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams, and can currently be seen in the Hulu film 'Vacation Friends', alongside Lil Rel and John Cena. In September 2018, Yvonne made her feature film debut in Universal’s 'Night School' alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish. She is also the co-host of the podcast Jesus & Jollof alongside Luvvie Ajayi. Outside of her creative work, Orji is dedicated to her charitable efforts. In 2008 she spent

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome filmmaker Jonathan Levine and Candace "The Six Figure Spa Chick" Holyfield. Segment 1: Levine’s most recent film, LONG SHOT, starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, debuted at SXSW in 2019, where it won the Audience Award. His latest project is the Hulu series 'Nine Perfect Strangers'. Based on The New York Times bestselling book by author Liane Moriarty, the series takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living.  Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Candace Holyfield-Parker started her journey with very humble beginnings.  As a single mother from Memphis, TN, Candace had big dreams to elevate her family from government assistance to a life of freedom and wealth.  Candace studied Massage Therapy, opened her first spa, and within her first few years, she became known as the Massage Therapist to the stars. As she began to learn the nuances of b

This week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast is all about public and community service.  This 2-segment episode features Katrina Williams, founder of Changing The Faces of Homelessness and Cedric Richmond, advisor to the President and  director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Segment 1: Changing the Faces of Homelessness was founded by Katrina Williams, a Mental Health Case Manager who worked with the Regional Behavioral Health Authority under Value Options and Magellan Health Services for over 15 years in Phoenix, AZ.  Katrina Williams recently relocated to Los Angeles CA and began working for Volunteers of America as a Case Manager for the Hope for Homes Shelter Program in Pomona CA.  During her employment with VOA one of her clients ended their life via suicide with her client's sudden death, she realized the severity of the Los Angeles homeless crisis and developed the CFH supportive housing Program where she provides realistic resources (employment, counseling etc.) to meet her re

This week's Black Girl Nerds podcast welcomes comic book creator and screenwriter Tyler Martin and Ms. Pat of 'The Ms. Pat Show'. Segment 1: Tyler F. Martin is a comic book and screenplay writer, publisher, editor, and creative director based in Atlanta Georgia. An avid Star Wars fan, self-proclaimed Blerd, and lover of all things comics, he is most notably recognized for founding Godhood Comics. An Atlanta-based publishing company and one of the fastest-growing and Black-owned independent comic book publishers in the U.S. Godhood Comics was founded in 2014 and designed to highlight diversity in comics by focusing on telling stories around BIPOC (Black and indigenous people of color) characters and concepts. Creator of titles such as Mega Woman, Sharpshooter, Galactic Patrol Delta, and the extremely popular comic series The Antagonists. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Based on Ms. Pat’s stand-up comedy and memoir, The Ms. Pat Show is the story of a former convicted felon turned suburban mom and stand-up comedian

BGN interviews Brian David-Marshall (President & Publisher of InterPop) and Rachel Gluckstern (Group Editor, Emergents). InterPop is forging the future of digital fandom with comic, game, and collectible NFTs minted responsibly on the Tezos blockchain. Brian David-Marshall serves as President and publisher, creating multiple digital CCGs and is excited to bring all his gaming and comic experiences to bear on the Emergents TCG and comic universe.  Rachel Gluckstern serves as group editor of InterPop's line of digital comics. She also developed the Charmz imprint for Papercutz and spearheaded the graphic novel program for Little Bee Books, acquiring the critically acclaimed "Always Human". Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Ryanne Bennett

This week on the BGN Podcast we welcome actor Carlacia Grant of 'Outer Banks' and filmmaker Jamila Wignot of 'Ailey'. Segment 1:  “Outer Banks” follows a tight-knight group of local teens, dubbed the “Pogues,” in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. On the small screen, Carlacia appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s well-received megachurch drama series “Greenleaf” as well as the critically acclaimed miniseries “Roots” alongside legendary actors Laurence Fishburne and Forest Whitaker. Host: Stacey Yvonne Segment 2: Many know the name Alvin Ailey, but how many know the man? Ailey’s commitment to searching for truth in movement resulted in pioneering and enduring choreography that centers on African American experiences. Director Jamila Wignot’s resonant biography grants artful access to the elusive visionary who founded one of the world’s most renowned dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

This week on the Black Girl Nerds podcast we host a 3-segment episode featuring actors Kristin Dodson (Flatbush Misdemeanors), Hannaha Hall and Tai Davis (The Chi). Segment 1: Kristin was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and is currently a 3rd year in Columbia’s MFA Acting program. She has numerous television and film credits under her belt, including Cartoon Network’s The Shivering Truth and Netflix’s Roxanne Roxanne. Kristin is also an accredited theatre actor. Segment 2: Hannaha Hall is a native of the South Side of Chicago. Best known for her work as Tiff on the hit SHOWTIME drama series THE CHI, she attended the famed Lee Strasberg school in New York. She has appeared on the drama series Chicago Med. Segment 3: Tai Davis  is a Chicago native born and raised on the city's south side. She began her acting career at the age of eight when she booked her first national campaign for McDonald’s. A proud member of SAG/AFTRA, she has been in projects such as Cupid (ABC) Roll Bounce (FoxSearchlight), Save The La