Blacktivities

Black Panache Pods
  • 3.7 (73)
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Blacktivities is where Black women gather to talk about life, history, and everything in between. It’s a celebration of Black culture, Black perspectives, and the shared experiences that shape how we move through the world. With the perfect balance of humor and depth, Blacktivities connects Black America’s past to the present through conversations that are thoughtful, relatable, and sometimes nostalgic. We talk about everyday life, current issues, and cultural moments the way they’re actually discussed off-mic. Hosted by Shannon, Lisa, and Karen, the show centers Black women’s voices while showing that no two experiences are the same. Different viewpoints, real dialogue, and honest reactions all live here. If you enjoy smart conversations that don’t feel preachy, cultural commentary that still knows how to laugh, and a podcast that feels like home, welcome to Blacktivities. Press play. Stay awhile.

  1. 6D AGO

    Black Books & Literature: Identity, Access, and Book Bans

    There was a time in the U.S. when Black people could be punished for learning to read. Today, books by Black authors are among the most challenged in schools. In this episode, we talk about Black literature, how it shapes identity, and why access to our stories has always mattered. In this episode we discuss: Anti-literacy laws during slavery and why literacy was seen as “dangerous”Frederick Douglass (1845) and Harriet Jacobs (1861) as examples of early Black narrative documentationThe Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston)Why representation in books matters for identity developmentModern book bans and what it means when access to stories is restrictedKeisha’s recommendations across genres, plus why “listening is still reading” Listener question: What’s the first Black book that made you feel seen? Guest: Keisha Green Instagram: @plantedbookedrooted 📚 Keisha’s Recommendations: - Fast by Millie Belizaire https://a.co/d/032SKqAK - Gravity by AshleyNicole https://a.co/d/00tISPDN - Dominion by Addie E Citchens https://a.co/d/02W15LfX - Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward https://a.co/d/0h2K27c8 - Last Stop From Innocence by Takerra Allen https://a.co/d/05MYnhi9 - Secret World of Maggie Grey by Granger https://a.co/d/0d1tjGKG - Losin' Control by Ladii Nesha https://a.co/d/0b6w8vlP - Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby https://a.co/d/084XkbG4 - Savvy Summers by Sandra Jackson-Opaoku https://a.co/d/0iXHNezx Banned Book List: https://pen.org/book-bans/ Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities Sources mentioned in this episode:Zinn Education Project – “April 7, 1831: Virginia Literacy Ban Enacted” (on Virginia’s anti‑literacy law for enslaved and free Black people after Nat Turner’s rebellion, and why white lawmakers feared Black literacy).​ https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/virginia-literacy-ban-enacted/ National Humanities Center – “Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs: American Slave Narrators” (overview of slave narratives written by Douglass and Jacobs, and how first‑person accounts by enslaved people documented slavery from the inside).​ https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/education-material/frederick-douglass-and-harriet-jacobs-american-slave-narrators/ Margo Anderson & Robert A. Margo – “Race and Schooling in the South: A Review of the Evidence” (National Bureau of Economic Research; documents rapid gains in Black literacy after emancipation and majority literacy by around 1900).​ https://www.nber.org/system/files/chapters/c8792/c8792.pdf Encyclopaedia‑style overview of the Harlem Renaissance and Black literature (for context on Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Beloved, and Morrison’s 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature as the first Black woman laureate).​ https://www.britannica.com/summary/Harlem-Renaissance-Causes-and-Effects PEN America – “The 10 Most Banned Books of the 2021–2022 School Year” (on thousands of school book bans since 2021 and frequently banned titles including The Bluest Eye and The Hate U Give).​ https://pen.org/banned-books-list-2022/ Smith College – “The Role of Fictional Narratives in Adolescent Identity Formation” (research on how stories and representation in books shape identity, belonging, and self‑concept in young readers).​ https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/653/ Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    52 min

  2. FEB 23

    Black Joy Is Resistance

    When Black stories get told, the spotlight usually lands on struggle, trauma, and survival. This week on Blacktivities, Shannon and Mona Lisa (with KK joining mid-episode) center what often gets left out: Black joy. The cookout laughter. The line dancing. The group chat jokes. The deep exhale that reminds us we are still here. In “Big Facts,” Shannon traces Black joy from slavery to the Jim Crow era and beyond, showing how music, movement, community, and recreation weren’t “extras.” They were survival. Then the hosts unpack why Black joy can make people uncomfortable, the difference between happiness and joy, and how protecting your joy is part of protecting your humanity.In This Episode Join the ConversationHow do you define Black joy? What are your favorite Black joy memories (funny ones included)? Drop a comment. We read them and respond, and we may feature your responses in a future bonus episode. Support the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, follow/subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder to breathe and laugh.] Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities A Short History of Black HappinessA Paradox of Pleasure: Black Joy during “the Nadir,” 1875‒1905 | The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era | Cambridge CoreBlack Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation | National Museum of African American History and CultureWhat ‘Black Joy’ Means and How It Grew – The SASH Lab Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    44 min

  3. FEB 9

    What Was the Education System Really Built For? | Black Kids, Big Facts, & Hard Truths

    Right now in this country, black students are more likely to be suspended, mislabeled, and denied access to advanced opportunities. But the question isn’t whether black kids can learn. The real question is what the education system was actually designed to do. In the season eight premiere of Blacktivities, we break down the history and present-day realities of American education and how its original design still impacts black students today. From slavery-era laws banning literacy, to segregation, to modern book bans, the end of affirmative action, and the rise of school vouchers, we connect the dots between past and present. This episode’s Big Facts unpack how public education was built to train workers, maintain social order, and protect power, not to develop everyone equally. We also discuss discipline gaps, special education labeling, curriculum control, and why “choice” policies often leave black kids behind. Then we get into the real conversation: Is school failing black kids, or are we expecting it to do something it was never built to do?What responsibility do parents and communities have outside the classroom?Should traditional schooling still be the primary path to success?What are the alternatives, and how do we prepare our kids for a system that wasn’t designed for them? If you care about black children, education, and telling the truth without sugarcoating it, this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation. 📣 Drop a comment and tell us: What’s something school never taught you that you had to learn later? Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities Black students are punished more often - UC Berkeley researcher surfaces widespread disparitiesK-12 Education: Nationally, Black Girls Receive More Frequent and More Severe Discipline in School Than Other Girls | U.S. GAOEducate to Indoctrinate: Education Systems Were First Designed to Suppress DissentPEN America – “Banned in the USA” - Tracks book bans and state-level censorship in schoolsU.S. Department of Education – Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) - Primary federal source for discipline disparities, access, and achievement gaps Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    1h 3m
  4. Unmasked: Safe Spaces, DEI, and Being Our Authentic Selves

    08/04/2025

    Unmasked: Safe Spaces, DEI, and Being Our Authentic Selves

    In Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem “We Wear the Mask,” he wrote of a smile that “grins and lies” referring to our inability to show our authentic selves and feelings. This week on Blacktivities, we talk about what it means to take off the mask—especially while moving through workplaces and the world. Shannon, Lisa, and KK talk finding safe spaces, what diversity and inclusion was supposed to look like, and how culture and food can bring people together. We also share our own “unmasking” moments, from podcasting to showing up more authentically at work, plus a hilarious conversation about why Carnival Cruise thinks y’all are doing too much. Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    44 min
  5. I’m Not One of Your Little Friends: Why So Many of Us Need Therapy Now

    07/28/2025

    I’m Not One of Your Little Friends: Why So Many of Us Need Therapy Now

    In this episode of Blacktivities, Shannon, Lisa, and KK unpack the parenting phrases we grew up hearing—and how many of them still echo in our adult lives and therapy sessions. From “Because I said so” to “I brought you in this world, I can take you out,” we’re talking about how generational trauma gets passed down, sometimes biologically, and how we’re working to break the cycle for the next generation. We dive into: Common phrases Black parents said—and what they really meantThe mental health gap in the Black community and why so few seek therapyEpigenetics: how trauma gets passed through generationsShifting from survival-based parenting to emotionally healthy communicationWhy Black folks need therapy, support, and permission to grow Plus, Mona Lisa delivers a beautiful off-the-cuff poetic moment about Black motherhood and resilience. And of course, we leave you with powerful calls to action for the culture. CALL TO ACTION: Let’s talk—what’s something your parents used to say that stuck with you (for better or worse)? Drop a comment, DM us, or leave a review. Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities The Struggle of Growing Up With Black ParentsHow Parents' Trauma Leaves Biological Traces in Children | Scientific AmericanCan trauma Be Inherited Through Genes?Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms - PMCUnderstanding Mental Health in Black Communities Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    37 min
  6. Black Card Confessions

    07/14/2025

    Black Card Confessions

    We all got 'em—those moments where our Black card might get snatched! In this lighter episode of Blacktivities, Shannon and KK trade Black Card Confessions—from not knowing how to play Spades to secret love for Wilson Phillips and white folks' footwear. But as always, we keep it rooted with a Big Facts segment on the history of the "Black card" and how it connects to the One-Drop Rule. The episode dives into: The cultural remix of the "Black card" and its historical rootsSpades, oxtails, Birkenstocks, and other so-called violationsThe Wire, The Chi, BMF, and why TV taste is not a revocable offenseMusic confessions, 90s love, and why Kendrick’s anthem might’ve been a little overplayedThe fine line between levity and trauma, and a heartfelt call to keep spreading Black joy Call to Action: Got a Black Card Confession? Leave us a 5-star review and drop your “violations” in the comments or tag us on socials @blacktivitiespod. We might read yours on the next show! #blacktivities #blackcardconfessions #spadesrules #blackjoy #blackpodcasts #onedroprule #blackculture Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities "Crossing the Color Line: Racial Migration and the One-Drop Rule, 1600-" by Daniel J. SharfsteinThe 'One Drop Rule' in America, a story - African American Registry Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    43 min
  7. The Fetishization of Black Men

    07/07/2025

    The Fetishization of Black Men

    In this episode of Blacktivities, Shannon, Mona Lisa, and KK dive into a conversation that’s long overdue — the fetishization of Black men. From historical roots to what it looks like in dating, porn, and pop culture today, the hosts unpack the ways Black men are turned into objects instead of being seen as full, complex people. They share personal stories, research-backed facts, and a few laughs along the way. Spoiler: it’s not a compliment. It’s a call for respect. Key Takeaways: Fetishization has deep roots in slavery and colonialism.It still shows up in media, dating apps, and everyday conversations.Black men often get objectified based on myths about their bodies or masculinity.Some men might be into it, but many aren’t — and it’s not the same as genuine attraction.Even we, as Black folks, sometimes repeat harmful stereotypes without realizing it.It’s time to see Black men as more than just a “look” or a “vibe.” They’re thinkers, builders, creators — full human beings. Call to Action: Black men — have you experienced fetishization? How did it make you feel? Drop a comment, DM, or email us your story. This convo ain’t over. Sound Bites: “Why are people searching Mandingo porn and finding us?”“Live your truth, know your worth, King.”“You want a Black baby, but can you protect a Black child?” Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome Back, Blacktivities!02:12 – The Big Facts: Fetishization of Black Men08:47 – Real Talk & Personal Stories14:13 – Do Some Men Like It?22:42 – Do We Reinforce These Stereotypes?26:30 – Private Conversations with Black Men33:00 – Celebs, Media, and Jamie Foxx?!36:26 – Lisa’s Pieces: “Dear Black Man” (Poem)41:53 – Call 2 Action 4 The Culture Tags: #BlackMen #Fetishization #BlackLove #RespectBlackMen #Blacktivities Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities No, Not the Broadcasting Company: A Brief History of Black Men’s Hypersexualization — Sexual Health AllianceThe Fetishization of Black MenWhat Is Fetishization And How Does It Contribute To Racism?Feeling Like a Fetish: Racialized Feelings, Fetishization, and the Contours of Sexual Racism on Gay Dating AppsThe fetishisation of black masculinity | British GQ Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    40 min
  8. Backlash Against Black: Fighting Erasure and Reclaiming the Narrative

    06/30/2025

    Backlash Against Black: Fighting Erasure and Reclaiming the Narrative

    In this powerful episode of Blacktivities, Shannon welcomes special guest Rick Willis — a proud HBCU alum, veteran, journalist, and outspoken advocate for Black empowerment — to unpack the growing backlash against Black culture, history, and unity. From banned books and rewritten curriculums to erasure in media and targeted attacks on Black progress, this conversation exposes the patterns of fear, propaganda, and historical amnesia that continue to impact our communities. Through storytelling, facts, and unapologetic truth-telling, Shannon and Rick examine the difference between playing the victim and naming injustice, the danger of the "white victimhood" narrative, and what Black folks can do to resist erasure, restore pride, and go on offense. Topics Covered: The historical and modern-day backlash against Black progressBig Facts: documented attacks on Black political power and educationWhy white fear is fueling efforts to silence Black truthThe myth of meritocracy and the reality of stolen opportunityThe emotional and strategic dilemma of protecting Black spacesDEI, CRT, and the "incompetence" narrativeWhat solidarity between Black men and women should look likeThe call to action: love each other louder, lead with truth, and educate our own Guest Info: Follow Rick Willis on Facebook and Instagram: Facebook: Rick WillisInstagram: @rodinman5 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share to support the movement. Bring Blacktivities to your inbox - stay posted on what's happening with the pod... more black culture, black history, black perspectives, and black panache! Other Ways to Join in the Blacktivities:Share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth is the best tool for growth.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on social media.Donate to the cause and help amplify more black voices. Hear more episodes - Blacktivities website About the Hosts Blacktivities is a Black Panache original production - a podcast network with a lineup of black-hosted shows sharing black stories and tackling black issues. For more information on shows like our newest production, Fat Lies Matter, visit blackpanache.com. Continue the Conversation on Social Media: Instagram - @blacktivitiespod Follow Shannon - @justshanofficial Follow Lisa - @monalisathepoet Follow Karen - @theekkroberts Threads - @blacktivitiespod Facebook - Blacktivities White Supremacy, Terrorism, and the Failure of Reconstruction in the United Stateshttps://www.levin-center.org/congress-investigates-kkk-violence-during-reconstruction/Nearly 2,000 Black Americans Were Lynched During ReconstructionDocumenting Reconstruction Violence - Equal Justice Initiative Reports Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC

    47 min
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3.7
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

Blacktivities is where Black women gather to talk about life, history, and everything in between. It’s a celebration of Black culture, Black perspectives, and the shared experiences that shape how we move through the world. With the perfect balance of humor and depth, Blacktivities connects Black America’s past to the present through conversations that are thoughtful, relatable, and sometimes nostalgic. We talk about everyday life, current issues, and cultural moments the way they’re actually discussed off-mic. Hosted by Shannon, Lisa, and Karen, the show centers Black women’s voices while showing that no two experiences are the same. Different viewpoints, real dialogue, and honest reactions all live here. If you enjoy smart conversations that don’t feel preachy, cultural commentary that still knows how to laugh, and a podcast that feels like home, welcome to Blacktivities. Press play. Stay awhile.

Information

  • Channel
    Black Panache Pods
  • Creator
    Shannon Chatmon, Talisa Hale, and Karen Roberts
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022-2026 Black Panache, LLC
  • Show Website
    Blacktivities
  • Provider
    Shannon Chatmon

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