WOCU Podcast

Women Of Color Unite
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Women of Color Unite Podcast: How Hollywood Works… Or Doesn't hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman, pulls back the velvet curtain on the entertainment industry: the wins, the wild stories, and the “you can’t make this up” moments that define life behind the scenes. The show brings you real talk from people who live it, love it, and occasionally have to fight it. Each episode dives into creativity, career chaos, and those rare moments when visibility, innovation, and access actually align.

  1. 5H AGO

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Courtney M. Franklin, Gail Shand, Austin Davoren & Scott Sudduth

    Film productions are massive machines with one million moving parts all kept organized by the 1st AD (First Assistant Director) . Today we are joined by four 1st ADs who have coordinated sets ranging from small commercial shoots to multi-million dollar productions. The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. ⁠The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    1h 54m

  2. FEB 5

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Ben Watkins

    Today's episode will be helmed by award-winning journalist Mary C. Curtis as she interviews Ben Watkins, the creator and showrunner of the crime thriller 'Cross', starring Aldis Hodge. Season 2 of 'Cross' premieres on February 11th on Prime Video. Links: - Mary C. Curtis' Instagram - Ben Watkins' Instagram - Blue Monday Productions Instagram - Prime Video Instagram The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. ⁠The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    1h 5m

  3. JAN 22

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Divas with Disabilities

    Today we are joined by Divas with Disabilities--Tameka Citchen-Spruce, Zazel-Chavah O'Garra and Samiyah Muhammed. They discuss the ups and downs of navigating life and the entertainment industry with disabilities and how Hollywood often gets it wrong when it comes to representing women of color with disabilities. These Divas are making great strides to bring factual representation to the screen and stage for themselves and other divas with disabilities! Links mentioned: Tameka Citchen-Spruce Divas in the City Samiyah's Youtube Dating While Disabled Zazel-Chavah O’Garra The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    1h 42m

  4. JAN 8

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Lana Walker & Amy Malone

    For every article, interview or story, there is a publicist working behind the scenes to shape, control, and promote the public perception of a celebrity, film, or brand. They are the vital link between talent and the media, ensuring a consistent and positive narrative in the highly competitive entertainment world. Today we are joined by veteran Hollywood publicists Lana Walker and Amy Malone who have worked behind the scenes for some of the biggest names in the industry. The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. ⁠The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    2h 12m

  5. 12/18/2025

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Angela Meryl, Eddie Perez, Damion Poitier & Noelle Kim

    Behind every jaw-dropping action sequence are the professionals risking everything without the spotlight. Today, we are joined by three of the industry's busiest stunt performers, coordinators, and agents. Links mentioned: - Angela Meryl's ⁠Instagram⁠ - Eddie Perez's Instagram - Noelle Kim's Instagram The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    1h 47m

  6. 12/04/2025

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Bill Duke

    Bill Duke is an award-winning actor, director, producer, and humanitarian whose career has shaped American film and television for over five decades. Known for his commanding on-screen presence in classics like Predator, Commando, and American Gigolo, Duke is equally celebrated behind the camera, directing landmark projects such as Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem, and Sister Act 2. A pioneer of Black storytelling in Hollywood, he has championed representation, mentored emerging filmmakers, and founded the Duke Media Foundation to equip young people with media and financial literacy skills. His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including recognition from the Directors Guild of America and appointments to national arts commissions. A true multi-hyphenate, Bill Duke continues to influence culture through his creative work, advocacy, and commitment to empowering future generations. Links mentioned: - Bill Duke's Instagram - Menace Trailer - Commando Trailer - Short Film Trailer Transcript The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    44 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Oz Scott and Matty Rich

    In today’s episode, we’re bringing you an extraordinary lineup of trailblazing directors whose vision, craft, and boundary-breaking work have shaped film and television for decades. These storytellers haven’t just created iconic films and TV—they’ve opened doors, shifted culture, and inspired future generations of filmmakers. The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ Links mentioned: Oz Scott InstagramMatty Rich's Instagram The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠https://wocunite.org⁠⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    1h 57m

  8. 11/06/2025

    How Hollywood Works... or Doesn't with Kareem Grimes, Christopher Ammanuel, and Damion Poitier

    In today's episode, we are joined by three powerhouse actors, Kareem Grimes, Christopher Ammanuel, and Damion Poitier. They share their experiences navigating the entertainment industry as Black actors, including the challenges and rewards of their craft. Transcript Links mentioned: Kareem Grimes' Scene from All American Kareem's Charity: My Friend's House LA Christopher's Charity: Inspire the Fire Damion's Go Fund Me for Sammi The Women of Color Unite Podcast is produced by Nwabata Nnani and edited by Lauren Bonett. It’s hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman. ⁠The transcript for this episode will be available the day following the airdate.⁠ If you want to submit responses to any of our episodes - either written or a voice note - you can send them to ⁠podcast@wocunite.com⁠.  Find out more about Women of Color Unite: ⁠https://wocunite.org⁠ Donate to Women of Color Unite: ⁠https://wocunite.org/donate⁠ Music by Oh Yeah featuring Nyuta  Follow us on social media: @wocupodcast, @wocuniteorg @gypsycarpetbagger and @Cheryl_CLBP.

    2h 30m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Women of Color Unite Podcast: How Hollywood Works… Or Doesn't hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford and Nicci Freeman, pulls back the velvet curtain on the entertainment industry: the wins, the wild stories, and the “you can’t make this up” moments that define life behind the scenes. The show brings you real talk from people who live it, love it, and occasionally have to fight it. Each episode dives into creativity, career chaos, and those rare moments when visibility, innovation, and access actually align.

Information

  • Creator
    Women Of Color Unite
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Women Of Color Unite
  • Show Website
    WOCU Podcast