Mon, Oct 4, 2021
In 1999, Lauryn Hill graced the cover of the preview issue of Honey, billed as a "fearless entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle magazine for young, urban women." A first of its kind on American newsstands, Honey earned instant acclaim and quickly developed a devoted readership. On the inaugural episode of Culturati, host Kierna Mayo tells the story of how she started the now cult-classic publication with her best friend, Joicelyn Dingle-and how their early magazine dreams ultimately helped define the Hip-Hop Generation and beyond.
Mon, Oct 4, 2021
"Every good drama has an anti-hero, and the same goes for the story of Honey magazine. This week, after having unanswered questions for more than 20 years, Kierna finally sits down with Keith Clinkscales, entrepreneur, media executive, former president of Vibe Ventures and former CEO of Revolt, to get the true story of how Kierna and her best friend, Joicelyn Dingle, ultimately lost their magazine.
Mon, Oct 18, 2021
This week, Kierna kicks it with W. Kamau Bell, sociopolitical comedian, host and executive producer of CNN's Emmy-winning documentary series United Shades of America. The two discuss the deep dilemmas of Black media makers-particularly those currently in the trenches of covering race and identity-and how telling such stories often impacts their mental and emotional well-being. Time to get a more private side of Bell, not only as funny-man host staying the course during some of the country's most challenging times, but as a father of daughters, and, well, how should we say this? A Black man in America.
Mon, Nov 1, 2021
Today's episode kicks off a radical, emo series time to be calling "Chasing Freedom," where Kierna profiles fascinating women and femmes in the culture who personally inspire her sense of liberation. This time, Kierna is joined by mother, writer and foodie feminist from the Bronx, Tanya Denise Fields, founder of the Black Feminist Project and community gathering spot, the Alice Fields Community Center. Seen on The Rachel Ray Show and a featured essayist in You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown, Fields' ""bughetto"" star is fast-rising. Take notes as she offers up a gritty, grown, no-holds-barred invitation into her life as a survivor-and a boss-revealing how she overcame internal struggle and external beef in order to disrupt the martyr complex that lives within too many of the people.
Mon, Nov 15, 2021
This week, school is in session as Kierna gets a sex education from Sam Ridell, an award-winning podcast producer and principal host of the critically-acclaimed, queer Black-feminist focused sexuality podcast, Inner Hoe Uprising. This episode explores what Kierna jokingly calls ""Critical Race WAP"" -a space casually conflating ideas about race in America and sex-positivity among Black women. Prepare for a grown-up, intergenerational, perhaps not-suitable-for-work conversation that will require intelligent open-mindedness-and that you leave your pearls on the nightstand. Take notes as Sam offers a 101 sex and sexuality education from a 20-something queer Black woman's perspective, and she and Kierna, in between laughs, tackle the cultural evolution of the term "ho", its multiple meanings and significance today.
Mon, Nov 1, 2021
Kierna has a revealing conversation with one of her real life besties-- and one of hip-hop's true legends-- Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. The episode chronicles how they met as teenagers in NYC, and explores the evolution of their devoted three decade-long friendship. Through this initimate snapshot of Black creatives, time to remember that vintage friendships, though rare, fulfill in unique ways.
Tue, Dec 14, 2021
The 2021 Year in Culture, Culturati style. From the first Black and Asian American female Vice President, Kamala Harris, to honoring the passing of Cicely Tyson, to celebrating Missy Elliot's Hollywood Walk of Fame star; this list might spark a mash up of emotion-holiday cheer and maybe a good year-end cry. A smattering of big moments and small wonders. Like the fact that Kierna, um, sings. Happy Holidays to you and you and you from the whole Culturati team.