Blacktivities
Blacktivities connects black America’s past to the present with the perfect balance of silly meets serious while engaging in thought-provoking and sometimes nostalgic conversations for the culture. Shannon, Lisa, and Karen prove that the black female is not a monolith as they offer their perspectives on living while black in America.
Our Editor's Take
Blacktivities celebrates Black culture and points of view through insightful and considerate conversations. This podcast explores big issues in a compelling and sometimes humorous way.
The cohosts of Blacktivities are Shannon Chatmon, Talisa Hale, and Karen Roberts Grissom. Shannon Chatmon is an educator and podcaster. She hosts another podcast, U Talk, I'll Listen. This program discusses mental health, perspectives, and human connection. Talisa Hale, also known as Mona Lisa, is a poet. At the end of each episode, she performs one of her poems. Karen Roberts Grissom, or KK, joined the show as a cohost in 2024. Karen is an equity, diversity, and inclusion leader, social justice organizer, and speaker.
Each episode of the podcast explores a specific subject or issue. The episodes feature an open and honest discussion between the hosts. In the episode "Cultural Appropriation v. Appreciation," the three women consider the boundaries between appropriation and appreciation. During the conversation, the cohosts discuss the origins of cultural appropriation. They also explore the adoption of Black culture within fashion and language.
The episode "Black Men and Emotions" reflects on black men's mental health. The hosts discuss the term post-traumatic slave syndrome. Shannon and Lisa also talk about Black men showing emotion and examples of this in popular culture.
Blacktivities also examines current affairs. In "Black Chicks Talk Politics," the cohosts take time to talk about the midterm polls. In a later episode, "Black History Firsts," Shannon and Lisa discuss black first milestones. They ponder why it's important to celebrate Black firsts at this point in history. They also consider what it means that there are still Black first milestones in 2023. Shannon and Lisa discuss black firsts in several different areas. These include sports, the music industry, education, and the legal system.
Blacktivities began in April 2022. There is an extensive catalog of episodes available to enjoy.
Episodes