We're taking a brief break, but please don't leave us. We'll be back soon!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

59. Solving Black Nerd Problems, With William Evans and Omar Holmon

Dec 2nd, 2021 37m 28s

This week we're talking with the co-founders of Black Nerd Problems, Omar Holmon and William Evans, about their aptly named new book, Black Nerd Problems. Listen to hear the talented poets and writers talk about how their new collection of essa

58. Nathan Harris on The Sweetness of Water

Nov 25th, 2021 25m 16s

This week we're joined by Nathan Harris, whose debut novel, The Sweetness of Water, has been a breakout hit of 2021. Not only was the book an instant New York Times bestseller, but it was also an Oprah's Book Club pick, named on Barack Obama's

57. Keke Palmer on Slinging Southern Belle Insults

Nov 18th, 2021 20m 10s

This week we're talking with Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, TV show host, and writer, Keke Palmer. Though Keke is perhaps best known for her roles in films like Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers and the Scream Queens series, Keke is also an ac

56. Writing Cack-Handed, With Gina Yashere

Nov 11th, 2021 37m 36s

This week we have the pleasure of being joined by the very funny and talented Gina Yashere. Gina is a standup comedian, TV writer, and actress. She has three self-produced comedy specials, is well known as the British Correspondent on The Daily

55. Dr. Keisha N. Blain on Reviving the Story of Fannie Lou Hamer

Nov 4th, 2021 32m 14s

This week we're talking with award-winning historian Dr. Keisha N. Blain about her latest book, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America. Listen to hear Dr. Blain talk about why she felt compelled to tell the story of Fan

54. Creating Worlds, With Namina Forna

Oct 28th, 2021 36m 7s

This week we're talking with the talented fantasy author, Namina Forna, about her debut YA novel The Gilded Ones, which was an instant New York Times bestseller. Listen to hear Namina talk about why she's so passionate about writing for the fan

53. The Joy of Bamboozling, With Yvonne Orji

Oct 21st, 2021 32m 5s

This week we're talking to the talented and hilarious Yvonne Orji on the show. Many people know Yvonne best for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Molly Carter on HBO's Insecure, but Yvonne also happens to be a stand-up comedian and now author as

52. Keith Boykin on the Race Against Time

Oct 14th, 2021 32m 55s

This week we have the brilliant author and political commentator Keith Boykin on the show to talk about his 5th and latest book, Race Against Time: The Politics of a Darkening America. Listen to hear Keith talk about what motivated him to write

51. Why Fantasy is the Next Frontier, With Ayana Gray

Oct 7th, 2021 38m 46s

This week we have Beasts of Prey author Ayana Gray on the show. Ayana's debut novel has already generated a ton of buzz, including from the esteemed O Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Netflix—which is already working on the film adaptation. Listen

50. How Phoebe Robinson is Getting Us All Tiny Reparations

Sep 30th, 2021 36m 38s

This week we have the hilarious and multi-talented Phoebe Robinson on the show! Listen to hear Phoebe talk about how she came to write her third and most recent collection of essays, Please Don't Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes, what she

49. Alicia Garza Explains the Purpose of Power

Sep 23rd, 2021 41m 6s

This week we're speaking with the ever-inspiring Alicia Garza. Alicia is an activist who is perhaps best known for co-creating the Black Lives Matter movement alongside Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. She’s also a principal at the Black Futur

48. We Can't Unfollow Jill Louise Busby

Sep 16th, 2021 38m 54s

This week we have the brilliant Jill Louise Busby (aka jillisblack) on to talk about her debut collection of essays, Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity. Listen to hear Jill talk about the experience of being a prominent voice on social media, th

47. Gabrielle Union is Back With Something Stronger

Sep 9th, 2021 33m 58s

This week we're sitting down with the lovely and multi-talented Gabrielle Union to talk about her latest memoir, You Got Anything Stronger? which is a follow-up to her 2017 New York Times bestselling memoir, We're Going to Need More Wine. Liste

Poetically Justified, With Nikki Giovanni (RECAST)

Sep 2nd, 2021 43m 41s

Hello, It's Lit listeners! We've been on a bit of a hiatus but we are returning next week with some brand new episodes. Thanks for sticking with us, and we can't wait to bring you some new conversations with some amazing writers next week!RECAS

Jason Reynolds On Why Kids Are The Best Audience To Write For (RECAST)

Aug 26th, 2021 40m 1s

This week we're talking with award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Jason Reynolds. Best known as a prolific YA writer, Jason is the author of numerous books including Ghost, Long Way Down, Look Both Ways, and As Brave As You, and

Getting Crunk With Brittney Cooper (RECAST)

Aug 19th, 2021 34m 50s

This week on It's Lit we're joined by author, academic, “crunk feminist” and 2017 Root 100 honoree Brittney Cooper, author of the New York Times bestseller Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower. Listen to hear Brittney talk a

Searching For The Color Purple, With Salamishah Tillet (RECAST)

Aug 12th, 2021 40m 15s

This week we're speaking with the brilliant Salamishah Tillet to talk about her latest book, In Search of The Color Purple: The Story of an American Masterpiece, which is a deep dive into the history of Alice Walker’s famous novel, as well as a

46. Rekindling Romance and Writing Sex, With Tia Williams

Aug 5th, 2021 33m 32s

This week we're sitting down with the talented and prolific fiction writer, Tia Williams. Tia is truly a writer in every sense of the word—she’s been a beauty editor for magazines like Elle, Glamour, Essence, and Lucky, and she’s currently the

45. Revisiting '80s Music, Androgyny and Art, with Adrian Loving

Jul 29th, 2021 23m 48s

This week we're speaking with artist, music historian, and DJ Adrian Loving about his new book, Fade 2 Grey: Androgyny, Style and Art in 80's Pop Music. Listen to hear Adrian and Maiysha dive into their love of '80s music and Gen X culture, and

44. Exploring the Ethereal With Akwaeke Emezi

Jul 22nd, 2021 42m 54s

This week we're talking with artist and New York Times bestselling author Akwaeke Emezi. Akwaeke has been a rising star in the literary world with popular novels like Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji. Now, Akwaeke has published their first

43. Speaking to Everyman, With M Shelly Conner

Jul 15th, 2021 29m 58s

This week we're sitting down with writer and humorist M Shelly Conner about her new novel, Everyman, which is a brilliant work of historical fiction about heritage, identity, and The Great Migration. In addition to her written work, M Shelly is

42. Carol Anderson and the Fatal Inequality of The Second Amendment

Jul 8th, 2021 36m 20s

This week we're talking with historian Carol Anderson about her latest book, The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Carol is the author of the New York Times bestseller White Rage, as well as the Charles Howard Candler Professo

41. Clint Smith Tells Us How the Word Is Passed

Jul 1st, 2021 33m 42s

This week we have the brilliant poet, journalist, and author Clint Smith on the show to talk about his latest book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. Listen to hear Clint talk about the original ins

40. Kiley Reid Takes Us Through ‘Such A Fun Age’

Jun 24th, 2021 26m 54s

This week we sit down with Kiley Reid, author of Such a Fun Age. Kiley's debut novel took 2020 by storm—not only was it an instant New York Times bestseller, but it was also named Best Book of the Year by outlets like NPR, The Washington Post,