Blacktivities

You've probably heard all the stereotypes, but where do they come from and is there some truth to any of them? In this episode of Blacktivities, Shannon, Lisa, and KK discuss common stereotypes about Black people and ask a simple question: are they BIG Facts, BIG Lies, or more complicated than we think?From tipping culture and timeliness to swimming, food, and social habits, the conversation blends humor with historical context to unpack where these stereotypes come from and why they persist today.Key Topics:The origins of tipping culture in AmericaCultural vs. systemic explanations behind stereotypesAccess, history, and generational impactHow stereotypes are formed and reinforcedWhy Black identity is not one-size-fits-allBring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache!Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities websiteAbout the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesReferences & Further Reading1. Tipping History — Shriver Center on Poverty Law The Racist History Behind America's Tipping Culture 2. Tipping History — NPR Throughline The Land of the Fee — The Anti-Tipping Movement3. Hot Sauce & West African Culinary Tradition — Oxford Symposium on Food & Cookery The Diasporic Roots of Hot Sauce in Black American Culture 4. Swimming & Segregation — National Geographic Public Swimming Pools Are Still Haunted by Segregation's Legacy5. Swimming & Segregation — NPR Racial History of American Swimming Pools (interview with historian Jeff Wiltse)6. Fried Chicken & Watermelon — The Boston Globe Fried Chicken, Watermelon, and the Origins of Racist Food Stereotypes7. Camping & Sundown Towns — New American History The Negro Motorist Green Book8. Black People & Dogs — Chicago Crusader Black People's Complicated History with Dogs 9. Black People & Dogs — Pacific Standard The People Who Are Scared of Dogs (cites research by psychologist Dr. L. Kevin Chapman)Want to go even deeper? Check out these books:"Forked: A New Standard for American Dining" — Saru Jayaraman (tipping history)"Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America" — Jeff Wiltse"Sundown Towns" — James W. Loewen"Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine" — Adrian MillerCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

The conversation about the Black family always starts in the middle. On this episode of Blacktivities, Shannon, KK, and Mona Lisa go all the way back to the beginning — and what they find rewrites everything.The Black family's structure wasn't random. It was shaped by centuries of slavery, post-emancipation terror, discriminatory policy, mass incarceration, and a welfare system designed to penalize two-parent households. Shannon delivers the Big Facts, the hosts unpack the history, and then they talk about where we go from here.📚 BIG FACTS This Episode:Enslaved marriages had no legal recognition — children could be sold from their parents at any time with no recourseAfter emancipation, freed Black people immediately began placing newspaper ads to find children who had been sold away — family always matteredThe 1965 Moynihan Report labeled Black family structure 'pathological,' shifting public narrative away from systemic causes and onto the community itselfWar on Drugs mandatory minimums systematically removed Black men from householdsSome welfare policies penalized the presence of adult men in the home, deepening economic instabilityExtended kin networks, fictive family, multi-generational households, and the Black church all became survival structures — not dysfunctionThe nuclear suburban family ideal was post-WWII — and it was never universally accessible or the only valid family structure💬 The Conversation Goes Deep:Did forced breeding during slavery leave an epigenetic mark on how Black men show up in families today?Why does the 'broken family' label stick to us when every culture has family challenges?Diaspora wars, gender wars, and the strategy of keeping us dividedThe village is gone — and what we lose when communal accountability disappearsVetting partners with intention and building legacy on purposeHealing your own baggage before building something newBring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache!Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities websiteAbout the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesResources:Slavery &amp; Family SeparationEqual Justice Initiative — Black Families Severed by Slavery https://eji.org/news/history-racial-injustice-black-families-severed-by-slavery/Smithsonian / NMAAHC — The Historical Legacy of Black Family Reunions https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-black-family-reunionsPew Research Center — For Many Black Americans, Family Extends Beyond Birth and Legal Ties (2026) https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2026/02/25/for-many-black-americans-family-extends-beyond-birth-and-legal-ties/Sharecropping &amp; Economic ExclusionPBS American Experience — Sharecropping: Slavery Rerouted https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/harvest-sharecropping-slavery-rerouted/The Great MigrationNational Archives — The Great Migration (1910–1970) https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/migrations/great-migrationHISTORY.com — The Great Migration https://www.history.com/articles/great-migrationThe Moynihan Report (1965)BlackPast.org — The Moynihan Report: The Negro Family, the Case for National Action https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/moynihan-report-1965/Open Society Foundations — The Moynihan Report Revisited https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/moynihan-report-revisitedPBS American Masters — Explaining the Moynihan Report https://www.pbs.org/video/explaining-the-moynihan-report-43oqki/The War on Drugs &amp; Mass IncarcerationBrennan Center for Justice — Race, Mass Incarceration, and the Disastrous War on Drugs <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/race-mass-incarceration-and-disastrous-war-drugs" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

There was a time in the U.S. when Black people could be punished for learning to read. Today, books by Black authors are among the most challenged in schools. In this episode, we talk about Black literature, how it shapes identity, and why access to our stories has always mattered.In this episode we discuss:Anti-literacy laws during slavery and why literacy was seen as “dangerous”Frederick Douglass (1845) and Harriet Jacobs (1861) as examples of early Black narrative documentationThe Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston)Why representation in books matters for identity developmentModern book bans and what it means when access to stories is restrictedKeisha’s recommendations across genres, plus why “listening is still reading”Listener question: What’s the first Black book that made you feel seen?Guest: Keisha GreenInstagram: @plantedbookedrooted📚 Keisha’s Recommendations:- Fast by Millie Belizaire https://a.co/d/032SKqAK- Gravity by AshleyNicole https://a.co/d/00tISPDN- Dominion by Addie E Citchens https://a.co/d/02W15LfX- Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward https://a.co/d/0h2K27c8- Last Stop From Innocence by Takerra Allen https://a.co/d/05MYnhi9- Secret World of Maggie Grey by Granger https://a.co/d/0d1tjGKG- Losin' Control by Ladii Nesha https://a.co/d/0b6w8vlP- Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby https://a.co/d/084XkbG4- Savvy Summers by Sandra Jackson-Opaoku https://a.co/d/0iXHNezxBanned Book List: https://pen.org/book-bans/Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache!Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities websiteAbout the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesSources mentioned in this episode:Zinn Education Project – “April 7, 1831: Virginia Literacy Ban Enacted” (on Virginia’s anti‑literacy law for enslaved and free Black people after Nat Turner’s rebellion, and why white lawmakers feared Black literacy).​https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/virginia-literacy-ban-enacted/National Humanities Center – “Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs: American Slave Narrators” (overview of slave narratives written by Douglass and Jacobs, and how first‑person accounts by enslaved people documented slavery from the inside).​https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/education-material/frederick-douglass-and-harriet-jacobs-american-slave-narrators/Margo Anderson &amp; Robert A. Margo – “Race and Schooling in the South: A Review of the Evidence” (National Bureau of Economic Research; documents rapid gains in Black literacy after emancipation and majority literacy by around 1900).​https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c8792/c8792.pdfEncyclopaedia‑style overview of the Harlem Renaissance and Black literature (for context on Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Beloved, and Morrison’s 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature as the first Black woman laureate).​https://www.britannica.com/summary/Harlem-Renaissance-Causes-and-EffectsPEN America – “The 10 Most Banned Books of the 2021–2022 School Year” (on thousands of school book bans since 2021 and frequently banned titles including The Bluest Eye and The Hate U Give).​https://pen.org/banned-books-list-2022/Smith College – “The Role of Fictional Narratives in Adolescent Identity Formation” (research on how stories and representation in books shape identity, belonging, and self‑concept in young readers).​https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/653/Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

When Black stories get told, the spotlight usually lands on struggle, trauma, and survival. This week on Blacktivities, Shannon and Mona Lisa (with KK joining mid-episode) center what often gets left out: Black joy. The cookout laughter. The line dancing. The group chat jokes. The deep exhale that reminds us we are still here.In “Big Facts,” Shannon traces Black joy from slavery to the Jim Crow era and beyond, showing how music, movement, community, and recreation weren’t “extras.” They were survival. Then the hosts unpack why Black joy can make people uncomfortable, the difference between happiness and joy, and how protecting your joy is part of protecting your humanity.In This EpisodeJoin the ConversationHow do you define Black joy?What are your favorite Black joy memories (funny ones included)?Drop a comment. We read them and respond, and we may feature your responses in a future bonus episode.Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder to breathe and laugh.]Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache!Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities websiteAbout the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesA Short History of Black HappinessA Paradox of Pleasure: Black Joy during “the Nadir,” 1875‒1905 | The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era | Cambridge CoreBlack Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation | National Museum of African American History and CultureWhat ‘Black Joy’ Means and How It Grew – The SASH LabCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

Right now in this country, black students are more likely to be suspended, mislabeled, and denied access to advanced opportunities. But the question isn’t whether black kids can learn. The real question is what the education system was actually designed to do.In the season eight premiere of Blacktivities, we break down the history and present-day realities of American education and how its original design still impacts black students today. From slavery-era laws banning literacy, to segregation, to modern book bans, the end of affirmative action, and the rise of school vouchers, we connect the dots between past and present.This episode’s Big Facts unpack how public education was built to train workers, maintain social order, and protect power, not to develop everyone equally. We also discuss discipline gaps, special education labeling, curriculum control, and why “choice” policies often leave black kids behind.Then we get into the real conversation:Is school failing black kids, or are we expecting it to do something it was never built to do?What responsibility do parents and communities have outside the classroom?Should traditional schooling still be the primary path to success?What are the alternatives, and how do we prepare our kids for a system that wasn’t designed for them?If you care about black children, education, and telling the truth without sugarcoating it, this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation.📣 Drop a comment and tell us: What’s something school never taught you that you had to learn later?Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache!Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities websiteAbout the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesBlack students are punished more often - UC Berkeley researcher surfaces widespread disparitiesK-12 Education: Nationally, Black Girls Receive More Frequent and More Severe Discipline in School Than Other Girls | U.S. GAOEducate to Indoctrinate: Education Systems Were First Designed to Suppress DissentPEN America – “Banned in the USA” - Tracks book bans and state-level censorship in schoolsU.S. Department of Education – Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) - Primary federal source for discipline disparities, access, and achievement gapsCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

In Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem “We Wear the Mask,” he wrote of a smile that “grins and lies” referring to our inability to show our authentic selves and feelings. This week on Blacktivities, we talk about what it means to take off the mask—especially while moving through workplaces and the world. Shannon, Lisa, and KK talk finding safe spaces, what diversity and inclusion was supposed to look like, and how culture and food can bring people together.We also share our own “unmasking” moments, from podcasting to showing up more authentically at work, plus a hilarious conversation about why Carnival Cruise thinks y’all are doing too much.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - Blacktivities Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

In this episode of&nbsp;Blacktivities, Shannon, Lisa, and KK unpack the parenting phrases we grew up hearing—and how many of them still echo in our adult lives and therapy sessions. From “Because I said so” to “I brought you in this world, I can take you out,” we’re talking about how generational trauma gets passed down, sometimes biologically, and how we’re working to break the cycle for the next generation.We dive into:Common phrases Black parents said—and what they really meantThe mental health gap in the Black community and why so few seek therapyEpigenetics: how trauma gets passed through generationsShifting from survival-based parenting to emotionally healthy communicationWhy Black folks need therapy, support, and permission to growPlus, Mona Lisa delivers a beautiful off-the-cuff poetic moment about Black motherhood and resilience. And of course, we leave you with powerful calls to action for the culture.CALL TO ACTION:Let’s talk—what’s something your parents used to say that stuck with you (for better or worse)? Drop a comment, DM us, or leave a review.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesThe Struggle of Growing Up With Black ParentsHow Parents' Trauma Leaves Biological Traces in Children | Scientific AmericanCan trauma Be Inherited Through Genes?Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms - PMCUnderstanding Mental Health in Black CommunitiesCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

We all got 'em—those moments where our Black card might get snatched! In this lighter episode of&nbsp;Blacktivities, Shannon and KK trade Black Card Confessions—from not knowing how to play Spades to secret love for Wilson Phillips and white folks' footwear. But as always, we keep it rooted with a Big Facts segment on the history of the "Black card" and how it connects to the One-Drop Rule.The episode dives into:The cultural remix of the "Black card" and its historical rootsSpades, oxtails, Birkenstocks, and other so-called violationsThe Wire, The Chi, BMF, and why TV taste is&nbsp;not&nbsp;a revocable offenseMusic confessions, 90s love, and why Kendrick’s anthem might’ve been&nbsp;a little&nbsp;overplayedThe fine line between levity and trauma, and a heartfelt call to keep spreading Black joyCall to Action:Got a Black Card Confession? Leave us a 5-star review and drop your “violations” in the comments or tag us on socials @blacktivitiespod. We might read yours on the next show!#blacktivities #blackcardconfessions #spadesrules #blackjoy #blackpodcasts #onedroprule #blackcultureBring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - Blacktivities"Crossing the Color Line: Racial Migration and the One-Drop Rule, 1600-" by Daniel J. SharfsteinThe 'One Drop Rule' in America, a story - African American RegistryCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

In this episode of&nbsp;Blacktivities, Shannon, Mona Lisa, and KK dive into a conversation that’s long overdue — the fetishization of Black men. From historical roots to what it looks like in dating, porn, and pop culture today, the hosts unpack the ways Black men are turned into objects instead of being seen as full, complex people. They share personal stories, research-backed facts, and a few laughs along the way. Spoiler: it’s not a compliment. It’s a call for respect.Key Takeaways:Fetishization has deep roots in slavery and colonialism.It still shows up in media, dating apps, and everyday conversations.Black men often get objectified based on myths about their bodies or masculinity.Some men might be into it, but many aren’t — and it’s not the same as genuine attraction.Even we, as Black folks, sometimes repeat harmful stereotypes without realizing it.It’s time to see Black men as more than just a “look” or a “vibe.” They’re thinkers, builders, creators — full human beings.Call to Action:Black men — have you experienced fetishization? How did it make you feel? Drop a comment, DM, or email us your story. This convo ain’t over.Sound Bites:“Why are people searching Mandingo porn and finding us?”“Live your truth, know your worth, King.”“You want a Black baby, but can you protect a Black child?”Chapters:00:00 – Welcome Back, Blacktivities!02:12 – The Big Facts: Fetishization of Black Men08:47 – Real Talk &amp; Personal Stories14:13 – Do Some Men Like It?22:42 – Do We Reinforce These Stereotypes?26:30 – Private Conversations with Black Men33:00 – Celebs, Media, and Jamie Foxx?!36:26 –&nbsp;Lisa’s Pieces: “Dear Black Man” (Poem)41:53 – Call 2 Action 4 The CultureTags:&nbsp;#BlackMen #Fetishization #BlackLove #RespectBlackMen #BlacktivitiesBring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesNo, Not the Broadcasting Company: A Brief History of Black Men’s Hypersexualization — Sexual Health AllianceThe Fetishization of Black MenWhat Is Fetishization And How Does It Contribute To Racism?Feeling Like a Fetish: Racialized Feelings, Fetishization, and the Contours of Sexual Racism on Gay Dating AppsThe fetishisation of black masculinity | British GQCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

In this powerful episode of&nbsp;Blacktivities, Shannon welcomes special guest Rick Willis — a proud HBCU alum, veteran, journalist, and outspoken advocate for Black empowerment — to unpack the growing backlash against Black culture, history, and unity.From banned books and rewritten curriculums to erasure in media and targeted attacks on Black progress, this conversation exposes the patterns of fear, propaganda, and historical amnesia that continue to impact our communities. Through storytelling, facts, and unapologetic truth-telling, Shannon and Rick examine the difference between playing the victim and naming injustice, the danger of the "white victimhood" narrative, and what Black folks can do to resist erasure, restore pride, and go on offense.Topics Covered:The historical and modern-day backlash against Black progressBig Facts: documented attacks on Black political power and educationWhy white fear is fueling efforts to silence Black truthThe myth of meritocracy and the reality of stolen opportunityThe emotional and strategic dilemma of protecting Black spacesDEI, CRT, and the "incompetence" narrativeWhat solidarity between Black men and women should look likeThe call to action: love each other louder, lead with truth, and educate our ownGuest Info:Follow Rick Willis on Facebook and Instagram:Facebook:&nbsp;Rick WillisInstagram:&nbsp;@rodinman5🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share to support the movement.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesWhite Supremacy, Terrorism, and the Failure of Reconstruction in the United Stateshttps://www.levin-center.org/congress-investigates-kkk-violence-during-reconstruction/Nearly 2,000 Black Americans Were Lynched During ReconstructionDocumenting Reconstruction Violence - Equal Justice Initiative ReportsCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

Black creativity has always been the blueprint. From the music we vibe to, to the dances that go viral, to the art that shapes culture—Black folks have BEEN leading the way. But history shows us a pattern: when the genius comes from Black communities, the credit often goes elsewhere.In this episode of&nbsp;Blacktivities, Shannon, Lisa, and KK unpack the long, painful legacy of cultural appropriation in the arts as we celebrate Black Music Month. From rock and roll and Big Mama Thornton to Black TikTok creators, we explore how Black brilliance has been borrowed, sanitized, and sold—while the originators get left behind.Whether it's Elvis becoming the "King of Rock ‘n’ Roll" or white influencers going viral off Black dance moves, this episode dives deep into how credit, compensation, and control have been denied to Black artists for generations. And still—Black excellence persists.Discussion Questions We Explore:Why is this conversation important? Or is it just “divisive” like some folks say?What’s the difference between appreciating Black culture and just taking from it?As Black creators, have you ever had your work appropriated?What can we do to make sure Black creators get their due?Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Baddies with Business is a national network that supports Black women entrepreneurs in years 0-5 through storytelling via their podcast community building (in-person and on-line), and access to social capital.Join the Baddies with Business online community. Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - Blacktivities5 Empowering Gems I Gathered About Being A Black Creative From A Major Record Label Art Director - Blavityopyright, Culture & (and) Black Music: A Legacy of Unequal Copyright, Culture & (and) Black Music: A Legacy of Unequal Protection 3 of Elvis Presley’s Musical Influences That Really (Really) Did Not Like Him Back'Copynorms,' Black Cultural Production, and the Debate Over African-American ReparationsBlack artists and appropriation | Why Race MattersCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

We’re back—and a lot has gone down.In this season opener, we catch you up on the major stories that have shaped Black culture, politics, and resistance since our last episode. From boycotts and burning plantations to Black dandyism on the red carpet, we connect the dots between history and the headlines.In this episode:Boycott of Dollar General: Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant is leading a boycott over the rollback of DEI initiatives, calling for corporate accountability and investment in Black communities.The Fall of Nottoway Plantation: Louisiana’s largest antebellum mansion burns to the ground—sparking grief, reflection, and questions about historical memory.Diddy on Trial: Sean “Diddy” Combs faces serious federal charges involving sex trafficking and racketeering. We examine the allegations and cultural response.Refugee Status for White Afrikaners: The Trump administration fast-tracks white South African refugees while protections for Afghan allies are set to expire.DEI Under Attack: Trump’s new executive order targets museums like the Smithsonian, threatening the future of inclusive history and cultural representation.Black Dandyism at the Met Gala: This year’s Met celebrated Black fashion and identity with “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—a powerful exhibition on Black self-expression and style.We’re breaking it all down with context, analysis, and culture in mind.Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help us amplify more black voices.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesTrump administration welcomed white Afrikaners while ending Afghan protectionsWhite South Africans arrive in US under Trump refugee planNottoway Historic Louisiana Plantation DestroyedTarget sales fall sharply in 1st quarter and retailer warns they will slip for all of 2025 - CBS MinnesotaDollar General Boycott: What to Know About Key Difference From Others - NewsweekEverything to Know About the 2025 Met Gala: Theme, Hosts and More | VogueTrump's Order to Sanitize Black History Meets Institutional Resistance Critics question why exhibits at the African American History Museum are rotating outRestoring Truth and Sanity to American History – The White HouseCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

At the beginning of the season, we said black women were going on a break, but the sabbatical is over! Lately, it seems like blackness is under attack and our civil rights are being threatened. We're sending out the bat signal for the 92%! It's all hands on deck... time to resist! Shan, Lisa, and KK discuss how our ancestors did it on the plantation, how our grandparents' generation did it during the Civil Rights Movement, and how we need to get in where we fit in today.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Are you a single parent in college working on your degree who needs assistance? Apply today or support our sponsor H.O.P.E., Inc. @ https://hopbe.orgListen to H.O.P.E.'s founder's story on U Talk, I'll Listen.Collective PAC - https://collectivepac.org/State of the People - https://www.youtube.com/live/rOukFrDEWr8?si=-beqWpFtjQ3RmjoD https://www.youtube.com/live/WFpGa3rZoqs?si=a6HDpn_qy70sunhyOther Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Ask Black People - If you have a question you want us to answer on the show, use this link.Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices and join our panel of black people.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesTimeline of the American Civil Rights Movement | BritannicaCivil rights movement - WikipediaMartin Luther King Jr: A trailblazer of peaceful protestingOn Violence and Nonviolence: The Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi - 2002-02Nonviolent Philosophy and Self Defense | Articles and Essays | Civil Rights History Project | Digital Collections | Library of CongressThe Modern Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1964 - Civil Rights (U.S. National Park Service)The Civil Rights Movement | The Post War United States, 1945-1968 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of CongressThe US Civil Rights Movement (1942-1968) | ICNCCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

Social media has made us more connected, but it has also brought some new problems into the mix. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, among those whose partner uses social media, 23% say they have felt jealous or unsure of their relationship because of the way their current partner interacts with others on social media. From "single" married men jumping into DMs and "couple goals" to the fetishization of black men and unrealistic expectations, the girls discuss the effects of social media on relationships.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Are you a single parent in college working on your degree who needs assistance? Apply today or support our sponsor H.O.P.E., Inc. @ https://hopbe.orgListen to H.O.P.E.'s founder's story on U Talk, I'll Listen.Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Ask Black People - If you have a question you want us to answer on the show, use this link.Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices and join our panel of black people.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesSocial Media and Romantic RelationshipsHow Social Media Affects Relationships in Modern TimesPew Research - Dating and Relationships in the Digital AgeCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

Kofi Siriboe, the chocolate brotha who played Ralph Angel in Queen Sugar and is in the current season of Harlem as Seth, recently became part of a headline because he said he practices ethical non-monogamy. Singer Ne-Yo has also made some headlines recently for having four girlfriends. So what is it? And is this what we're doing now? Shannon breaks down polyamory and what it entails, and the girls discuss whether they are really about that life.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Are you a single parent in college working on your degree who needs assistance? Apply today or support our sponsor H.O.P.E., Inc. @ https://hopbe.orgListen to H.O.P.E.'s founder's story on U Talk, I'll Listen.Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Ask Black People - If you have a question you want us to answer on the show, use this link.Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices and join our panel of black people.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @theekkrobertsThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesWhat’s the Difference Between Polyamory, Polygamy, and Ethical Non-Monogamy? — Poly PhiliaCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

Zora Neale Hurston, a writer during the Harlem Renaissance, coined the term “All my skinfolk ain’t kinfolk” when she talked about black folks that didn’t agree with her views about how to advance black interests or were not trying to advance black interests at all. We've seen various iterations of these characters throughout history. From tropes like Sambo and Stepin Fetchit to the examples we see in our community today. Shannon, Lisa, and KK discuss why all skinfolk ain't kinfolk.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Are you a single parent in college working on your degree who needs assistance? Apply today or support our sponsor H.O.P.E., Inc. @ https://hopbe.orgListen to H.O.P.E.'s founder's story on U Talk, I'll Listen.Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Ask Black People - If you have a question you want us to answer on the show, use this link.Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices and join our panel of black people.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @kkrobertsgrissomThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesThe Tom Caricature - Anti-black Imagery - Jim Crow MuseumThe Coon Caricature - Anti-black Imagery - Jim Crow Museum“All My Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk”: The Complexities of Unifying Black and Brown CommunitiesMore than skin deep - Indianapolis RecorderCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

On January 20 and 21, 2025, the President signed two executive orders with the intention of getting rid of DEI in all government entities and even some private sector companies. Shannon, Lisa, and KK discuss their thoughts on merit-based hiring and efforts to kill diversity, equity, and inclusion. Also, Lisa shares what happened when she was asked if she was a DEI hire.Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Visit our Sponsor...Are you a single parent in college working on your degree who needs assistance? Apply today or support our sponsor H.O.P.E., Inc. @ https://hopbe.orgListen to H.O.P.E.'s founder's story on U Talk, I'll Listen.Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Ask Black People - If you have a question you want us to answer on the show, use this link.Share this episode with a friend.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices and join our panel of black people.Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the HostsBlacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com.Continue the Conversation on Social Media:Instagram - @blacktivitiespodFollow Shannon - @justshanofficialFollow Lisa - @monalisathepoetFollow Karen - @kkrobertsgrissomThreads - @blacktivitiespodFacebook - BlacktivitiesFederal Register :: Request AccessEnding Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity – The White HouseEnding Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing – The White HouseCopyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC