Podcasting is more than just the mic and an RSS feed. It’s a source of entertainment, education and empowerment. 

Compared to other media, podcasting has embraced diversity. A recent study found that 43% of Black Americans said they listened to a podcast at least once a month up from 36% in 2021.

But what about podcast hosts? 

According to the 2022 Edison report, 14% of hosts identify as African American, 24% as Hispanic or Latino, and about half as white.

In other words, podcast hosts’ demographics are more diverse than the U.S. population. 

Black voices have always been at the forefront of social change, from Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful speeches to Hip Hop’s Public Enemy using rap to challenge norms. This legacy continues today, with Black Podcasters using their platforms to share important stories and conversations mainstream media is often too scared to touch.

At Q’d Up, we want to support and celebrate all voices making a positive impact, especially voices from underrepresented communities. 

We spoke to black podcasters about their experiences, insights and hopes, and here’s what they had to share with us. 

Marsha’s Plate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Launched in October 2017, Marsha’s Plate is hosted by three activists exploring pop culture, current events, and education from a Black trans-feminist lens.

This podcast proves how an extremely niche podcast can build an audience and create a lucrative business model with only grassroots audience-based support. 

Marsha’s Plate is the first and longest-running Black Trans-led podcast in the industry, hitting its 1 millionth listen in fall 2022. 

The podcast also ranks in 9 countries where being LGBTQ is criminalized. 

“I think that’s a testament to the power of our content and dedication to our vision to bring diverse and impactful discourse to the industry and the world,” says Diamond Collier.

Collier continues with: “Black people have always been the tastemakers of this country…[and] the litmus test of how the country is living up to its ideals of democracy. 

It is also going to be the place where you’re going to see authentic, innovative conversations on how to fix problems across the social spectrum.

It is a part of our legacy to use cultural tools to get our voices out.” 

 Collier went on to list Ida B Wells, Jack L Cooper, and Fannie Lou Hamer, who used pamphlets, radio, and television, respectively to shape and shift the cultural landscape to include black voices and stories.

“I see podcasting as a new tool for us to continue our oral traditions of storytelling, share art, and bring awareness to the problems of our society.”

 

https://www.instagram.com/marshasplate/

https://www.pod.link/1293033444 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/marshas-plate-podcast

 

The Color Of Motion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Color of Motion is a weekly live show that interviews people of color in the motion graphics, animation, VFX, cartoons & comics industry. By sharing their stories, interviewees inspire young people to pursue professions they never imagined before. 

“My experience as a black creator has made a big influence on the podcasting and live streaming industry, I feel,” says host Don Terrell.  

Being a young person of color and not seeing other creators or characters that looked like me, it inspired me to create a show that helps other young people of color…a show that I would have wanted to see when I was young and just getting interested in cartoons & animation. 

Terrell is excited about the future of podcasting and live streaming with more blacks and people of color starting to share their passions and voices – and making a big impact on pop culture. 

“The future is looking bright for content creators of color!”  he says. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/donterrell

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecolorofmotion

https://www.thecolorofmotion.net

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorofmotion

 

You Are A Lawyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You Are A Lawyer is an interview-based podcast that celebrates lawyers with extraordinary interests like becoming art sculptors, travel bloggers, filmmakers, wedding planners, and running beauty companies.

“…as a Black podcaster…I bring inclusion and a new perspective…I’ve interviewed an HBCU law graduate every season for the last five seasons…the You Are A Lawyer podcast audience is diverse, and every season is a chance to introduce the audience to an HBCU school or HBCU graduate,” says host Kyla Denanyoh.

As an indie podcaster in an affluent career community, Denanyoh talks to lawyers about what happens outside of the office. When she worked in Big Law, she wasn’t expected to have any work-life balance. 

“I’ve interviewed more than 80 lawyers with exciting side hustles and creative hobbies, and every episode inspires listeners to pursue creativity too,” she says. 

In terms of black voices, Denanyoh believes they will become more desired and “required contributors” in the future of podcasting. She ends with:  

I expect media, radio, and podcast companies to pursue Black podcasters for board member seats and marketing contributors to ensure that Black voices and interests are recognized and included.

 

https://www.youarealawyer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/youarealawyer/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/you-are-a-lawyer/

 

 

An Intimate Conversation With Women Of Color

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(An Intimate Conversation with Women of Color) is an empowering podcast for women of color who have been waiting to live boldly. In each episode, hear from women of different backgrounds as they share their stories of empowerment, overcoming, and their path to living a dream life (style).

In 2017, Deneen L. Garrett created a panel for LGBTQ+ WOC and Allies to provide a platform to use their voices. 

“Black attendees made up about 5% of the 6,000 in attendance at the conference. 1% were there because of me and my panel,” Garrett explains. 

Three years later, she launched her podcast to offer women of color a bigger platform.

I like to say, “from panel to podcast, this is my journey.” 

It’s a journey of a Black woman creating space for Black and “of Color” women in places they don’t occupy in abundance. 

“Although my focus for my podcast has centered on the guests, I am disrupting the podcasting industry by declaring in open forums such as podcast conferences and social media who my audience is and who I speak for, Women of Color and especially Black women.”

I’m unapologetic about it (Just ask my LinkedIn community). 

As I continue to accept more speaking and media opportunities, I get to use my voice to elevate the voices of WOC on grander stages. This influences the podcasting industry and amplifies the importance of our voices.  

Black voices are just getting started. 

 

We are realizing we are not on an island and that more of us exist. I met several Black women a few weeks ago at a conference…[who didn’t know] about WOC Podcasters, the Podcast Association, or BIPOC Podcast Creators. They do now. 

We are coming together and building. The world has seen what we can accomplish when we band together. Look out world!  We’re here to stay!!”

 

 https://deneenconsults.com/home

 https://www.deneenlgarrett.com/

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/deneenlgarrett/

 

Women Of Color Podcasters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danielle Desir Corbett is a podcast marketing coach, founder of WOC Podcasters, and host of the 4x grant-funded and award-winning affordable luxury travel and personal finance podcast, “The Thought Card.”

Danielle also hosts “Women of Color Podcasters” a podcast that highlights the contributions and achievements of Women of Color in the podcasting industry, and how they are shaping how we create and consume podcasts.

In 2018, Corbett founded WOC Podcasters. She says: 

“My experiences as a Black podcaster, especially seeing the challenges and obstacles we face, have led me to advocate and support the creation of much-needed spaces for Black podcasters and other People of Color. “

Whether that’s calling for conference organizers to diversify their lineup of speakers, speaking up when the work of Black audio creators and professionals is overlooked, mentoring and coaching Black podcasters, and even co-producing a virtual summit promoting emerging BIPOC podcasting thought leaders called Podthon. 

I believe it’s essential to speak up and be willing to lead the change you want to see in the industry or support the trailblazers advocating on our behalf. 

As an indie podcaster and community organizer, I see Black voices continuing to influence the podcasting movement —  not only the content we create but also the technology we develop and the sponsorship and advertisement dollars we command.”

She ends on a powerful note – one that we fully support and believe. Garrett says:

 

Podcast advertisement is a multi-billion dollar industry. I foresee Black podcasters claiming a more significant percentage of the pie. 

 

 www.wocpodcasters.co 

 www.thoughtcard.com