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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II 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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on the recurring visual clichés of Africa on novel covers. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on Miles Morales and the groundbreaking diversity of Sony’s Spider-Verse films. Script by Stephyn Phillips Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on African American novelists born between born between 1928 and 1945. Written by Howard Rambsy II Voiceover by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on how movement has contributed to the success of African women writers. Script by Makayla Mallon Voiceover by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on the origins of the term neo-slave narrative. Written by Howard Rambsy II Voiceover by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief on the journalists, cultural critics, and independent researchers who have dedicated years to uncovering the truth behind the assassination of Malcolm X Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

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 II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take marking our 150th episode Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on Moon Girl Written by Stephyn Phillips Read by Avery BrooksBy Howard Rambsy II

Charting an extraordinary outpouring of obituaries and tributes for a towering Black novelist Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on the poetry conference, Furious Flower IV Written by Angel C. Dye Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

How a historic gathering of Black men writers came up short. Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on Katherine Dunham Written by Danielle Hall and Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on a story by Toni Cade Bambara Written by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on unnamed protagonists in novels by Black writers Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on the age of various authors when they made their debuts Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on comic book company Milestone Media Written by Stephyn Phillips Read by Avery BrooksBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on the Toni Morrison Society's June 2024, symposium in Fort-de-France, Martinique. Episode written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on a widely cited scholarly book on 1960s and 1970s African American artistic production, James Smethurst's The Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s (2004). Episode by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Charting a Black woman character who has been played by multiple actresses Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Charting the multiple adaptations of Richard Wright's well-known novel Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

The role of the adaptation of Chester Himes's Cotton Comes to Harlem in the history of Black Cinema Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Casting Black people matters Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Charting a Black woman character who has been played by ten different actresses Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on a compelling trailer by Barry Jenkins for the adaptation of a novel by Colson Whitehead Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

There is one notorious film that compelled Oscar Micheaux and Spike Lee to respond. Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

That time Samuel Jackson brought attention to a debate about Black-on-Black casting Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Considering a movie-musical inspired by a Broadway musical, which was influenced by a film adapted from a novel. Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Here's one important way that streaming affected adaptations of African American novels Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on a legendary dancer and choreographer Written by Howard Rambsy II and Danielle Hall Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

A short take on the works of a autobiographer turned novelist turned filmmaker Written by Nicole Dixon Read by Kassandra TimmBy Nicole Dixon

Here's a consideration of a relatively small number of authors have been selected for inclusion in anthologies far more than others. Written by Kenton Rambsy Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

Finally, a sustained scholarly exploration of a character who, for over eight decades, has haunted our literary and cultural imaginations. Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II

What if Mark Twain scholar Matt Seybold is right about the influence that Percival Everett's James will have on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Written by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra TimmBy Howard Rambsy II