BLK LIT

The Black Effect Network

BLK LIT highlights the creative wordsmiths of our current and past generations. We will delve into the history, purpose, and personalities behind each literary work, spending an intimate amount of time with each writer’s expression through orated excerpts or reenactments, content dissection, direct dialogue with the writers, and the host’s final thoughts. BLK LIT is the home for lovers of literature by wordsmiths of culture. 

  1. 27/08/2025

    Roundtable Discussion: Sky Full of Elephants

    In this lively roundtable discussion, host Jacquees Thomas sits down with some of her favorite book influencers to unpack the fictional novel Sky Full of Elephants. Joining the conversation are Jordan Hernandez, founder of Completely Booked; Chase Griffin and Shaquille Anderson, co-founders of Booked and Busy Book Club; and Anne, creator of LaGringaBaiana. Together, they dive into each guest’s personal journey and the inspirations behind their literary platforms while exploring the complex themes woven into Cebo Campbell’s Sky Full of Elephants. The discussion highlights the layered perspectives of characters like Sydney and Charlie, the emotional weight of forgiveness and identity, and the possibility of adapting the novel into a series. The panel also reflects on the unspoken influence of setting; how Alabama’s charged history and the ocean’s symbolic presence act as characters of their own, shaping the narrative’s depth and impact. This episode offers an intimate look at the power of literature to inspire community and culture—and how that same community can uplift an artist’s perspective, even in the absence of mainstream media support. Connect: Jacquees "Peace" Thomas @_ThatsPeace  Jordan Hernandez @_CompletelyBooked  Chase Griffin & Shaquille Anderson @BookedandBusyBookClub_ Anne @LaGringaBaiana Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS  Learn More: CeboCampbell.com Special Thanks to @CeboCampbell  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  2. 07/08/2025

    The Book Clubs Selected: Sky Full Of Elephants

    In this episode of BLK LIT, host Jacquees Thomas delves into the life and work of Cebo Campbell, author, creative director, and award-winning poet. Best known for his debut novel, Sky Full of Elephants, Campbell’s work has captured the attention of book clubs and literary influencers across the country. The episode explores Campbell’s creative journey, including the personal experiences that shaped his voice, the inspiration behind his storytelling, and the challenges he faced while promoting his work. With powerful insights from Campbell himself and reflections from book influencers, this conversation examines themes of identity, culture, and the intentional removal of the white gaze in storytelling. As the dialogue unfolds, listeners gain a deeper understanding of Campbell’s process, his richly drawn characters, and the emotional weight his work carries, on the page and beyond. Connect: @_ThatsPeace @CeboCampbell  Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS  Learn More: CeboCampbell.com Special Thanks To: Jordan Hernandez @_CompletelyBooked  Chase Griffin & Shaquille Anderson @BookedandBusyBookClub_ Anne @LaGringaBaiana See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    58 min

  3. 15/07/2025

    The Becoming of Cebo Campbell

    Who is Cebo Campbell? What inspired him to write the novel Sky Full of Elephants? In this conversation, we explore his upbringing and the world that shaped his brilliant mind and unique perspective. Cebo reflects on his journey and the profound significance of identity, family, and cultural heritage in informing his work. He speaks to the audacity of Black existence, the search for solace, and the responsibility of holding Black culture sacred through storytelling. Drawing from personal experience and the lasting influence of literary giants like Toni Morrison, Colson Whitehead, and Octavia Butler, Cebo underscores the importance of collective identity and expansive imagination. He reminds us that the future of Black literature depends on bold artistic expression and a commitment to honoring our shared cultural legacy. While sports once defined his early years, writing quickly became his sanctuary—and now, it’s our privilege to receive his words. Sky Full of Elephants is Campbell’s debut novel. It opens with a cataclysmic event: all of the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water. The premise grabs you immediately—and so does Cebo, in this first episode, as we journey deeper into his work and the vision that drives it. Connect: @_ThatsPeace @CeboCampbell  Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS  Learn More: CeboCampbell.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min

  4. 01/07/2025

    A Possibility Model with George M Johnson

    In this episode, New York Times bestselling author George M. Johnson joins Jacquees Thomas for a powerful conversation about identity, imagination, and the role of literature in shaping culture. George reflects on their upbringing in New Jersey, the strength of family support, and how writing became both a refuge and a form of rebellion. Together, they explore the challenges of being a queer writer, the importance of storytelling across generations, and the urgent need to foster empathy—especially in a time of rising book bans and societal censorship. From generational shifts to the evolving understanding of gender and identity, this conversation dives deep into how literature can challenge norms, affirm truths, and spark collective healing. At its core, this episode is about the radical act of writing with authenticity—and the freedom that comes from owning your story. Connect @_thatsPeace @iamgmjohnson Read: All Boys Aren't Blue and Flamboyants Listen: Fighting Words  Learn More: About George M Johnson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  5. 13/05/2025

    Black AF History with Michael Harriot

    In this episode, Jacquees and Producer Jason Torres join the conversation to unpack the power of Black history with Michael Harriot, the absurdity of whitewashed narratives, and why understanding the past is the real flex. They break down the term “Drapetomania”—the so-called “mental illness” that doctors once claimed made enslaved people want to escape—and how this twisted concept still echoes in today’s political landscape, where erasing uncomfortable truths is big business. Harriot, known for his sharp wit and cutting commentary, pulls back the curtain on his latest book, “Black as Fuck History”—a deep dive into the parts of our past that mainstream textbooks like to skip. He shares surprising discoveries from his research, the power of storytelling, and why centering Black voices isn’t just about history—it’s about our collective future. If you’re ready to flip the script on what you thought you knew, this episode is for you. Get ready for laughs, hard truths, and the kind of perspective shift you didn’t know you needed. Connect @_thatsPeace @MichaelHarriot Read: Black AF History  Listen: Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History Learn More: MichaelHarriot.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    BLK LIT - Phillis Wheatley - The Letters

    The Black Effect Presents... BLK LIT! The discussion centers on the friendship between Phyllis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, highlighting their intellectual exchange and the significance of their letters during the Revolutionary War. The episode delves into themes of legacy, faith, and the power of Black joy, illustrating how these women navigated their identities and built a lasting impact through their words. CREDITS Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science David Waldstreicher - Professor of History, Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies, Biography and Memoir, American Studies at CUNY Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa. Halimah Shabazz - Special Guest  Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh READ  The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence By David Waldstreicher Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith CHAPTERS 00:00 The Broader Landscape of Black Literature02:53 Friendship and Resilience in Letters05:50 Phyllis Wheatley: A Voice of Power09:14 Legacy and the Importance of Correspondence11:55 Faith and Reclamation of Power14:50 The Impact of Black Joy and Friendship TEAM BLK LIT Jason Torres: @JNTNY Jabari Davis @JabariADavis Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace  Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min

  7. 29/04/2025

    Prose To The People By Katie Mitchell

    Katie Mitchell discusses her newly released book 'Pros to the People,' a powerful tribute to the legacy of Black bookstores in America, exploring their rich history and cultural significance. She shares the personal journey that led her to write the book and reflects on the deep cultural impact these spaces have had as hubs for knowledge, resistance, and community. Katie doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—like the history of FBI surveillance—but also brings light to the beauty of visual storytelling and the enduring spirit of Black literature. It’s a moving dialogue about preservation, purpose, and what the future holds for Black bookstores in a changing world. Read Prose To The People  Connect @_thatsPEACE @goodbooksatl See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  8. 08/04/2025

    Reimagining Phillis Wheatley - Let's Discuss!

    In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, our panel dives deep into the legacy of Phillis Wheatley—not just as a poet but as a cultural ancestor whose words still echo today. Together, they explore how her work continues to shape Black literature while confronting the historical erasure of Black women writers and the complex ways their stories have been told—or left untold. Listeners are invited into a powerful dialogue about the tension between visibility and silence, shame and pride, and memory and forgetting. Through personal reflections and academic insights, the speakers share how their own relationships with Wheatley have evolved and what it means to teach her work in classrooms shaped by censorship, skepticism, and cultural loss. But this isn’t just a story of struggle. It’s also about joy—reimagining historical narratives centered on Black creativity, agency, and pleasure. The conversation honors Wheatley’s poetic brilliance while calling for a future where Black literature is not only preserved but lived, felt, and passed on with purpose. Whether you're an educator, a reader, or someone discovering Wheatley for the first time, this episode offers a rich and resonant reminder: Storytelling is resistance, remembrance, and restoration. CREDITS Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa. Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh READ  Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith TEAM BLK LIT Jacquees Thomas - HOST & PRODUCER: @_ThatsPeace  Jabari Davis - PRODUCER: @JabariADavis Jason Torres - PRODUCER: @JNTNY Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 18m
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About

BLK LIT highlights the creative wordsmiths of our current and past generations. We will delve into the history, purpose, and personalities behind each literary work, spending an intimate amount of time with each writer’s expression through orated excerpts or reenactments, content dissection, direct dialogue with the writers, and the host’s final thoughts. BLK LIT is the home for lovers of literature by wordsmiths of culture. 

Information

  • Channel
    The Black Effect Network
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    BLK LIT
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

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