Blk Pod Collective's 2020 Top 40 Black Podcasts
Author: Ona Oghogho
With 2020 coming to a close, we thought it was only right that we compiled a list of The Collectives Top 40 Podcast. This list was curated by our overall community and our founder; Ona Oghogho.
Each category isn’t in order by ranking, but to provide a list of old and new favorites. Take the time to add these to your rotation as they are sure to keep you entertained, informed and empowered.
Africa
I said What I Said:
The unsolicited Opinions of Jolla & Feyikemi, you didn't ask them but they’re here to tell you anyway.
Why We Love It
Each week these ladies dive into the Lagos Millennial experience and their take on the current happenings in Nigerian society.
Africa Cliches
Takes you on the glorious history of African continent. This podcast is vital in helping develop your knowledge of African history and better understand the continent today.
Why We Love it:
Host Tolu does an amazing job of dispelling many misconceptions about Africa and the stories behind many historical events.
Pod Save Africa
A Podcast about Africans by Africans. Great conversations with Africans of various walks of life on African issues with a focus on progression.
Why We Love it
Pod Save Africa does a great job of blending the past and looking towards the future of Africa and those in the diaspora.
Afro Queer
AfroQueer is a podcast about Queer Africans living, loving, surviving and thriving on the African Continent and in the Diaspora.
Why We Love It
The courage to speak and create content around what many within the African culture see as taboo; not only takes courage, but also helps to be a vehicle to bring the culture into the 21st century.
Wellness & Wahala
Public Health Advisor and former Diplomat, Dr. Tomi Ademokun (OmoOba), gives you the best public health Wellness and Wahala gist! Wahala in Nigerian Pidgin English means issues or problems.
Why We Love It
Dr. Tomi provides insights and advice on healthcare issues, with a flare of laughter and fun.
Ado Veli
Ado Veli Podcast is the number 1 weekly Kenyan music podcast show.
Why We Love it
Pesh, Michelle Rwenji and Ado Veli curate an amazing playlist of Kenyan music, its truly a podcast like no other and serves as a great avenue to just vibe.
Blk Pod Collective Members
Blk Pod Collective: The Podcast
A how to podcast for podcasters, that provides insights, resources and instruction to those looking for guidance in starting, growing and sustaining their podcast.
Why We Love It
We may be a little biased here, but our podcast really does an amazing job of providing actionable steps for podcasters. We want every podcaster who tunes in to walk away empowered with the right tools to start, grow & sustain their podcast.
Brown Girls guide to Politics
A one stop shop for women of color who want to hear and talk about the world of politics. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics.
Why We Love It
The behind the scenes conversations with politicians, candidates, and political influencers. Host, A’shanti does a great job of breaking down information and educating the audience.
Living Corporate
A multimedia diversity, equity, and inclusion platform that centers and amplifies black and brown professionals in the workplace through narrative storytelling.
Why We Love It
This podcast is the reminder that you are not alone in your experiences in Corporate America. It removes the feeling of isolation that we can at times feel with some of the challenges we experience.
Stitch Please
Fills a niche and need for black women sewists while educating all listeners about issues of consequence in the lives of Black people. The podcast combines detailed sewing and creative discussions with black affirming and antiracist converstion. This balance is important because, like most American institutions and practices, the needle arts of sewing, quilting and knitting has a long history of minimizing, erasing and silencing Black women.
Why We Love It
Lisa Woolfork, provides listeners with expert content about sewing while providing insights about how to dismantle the racism that is prominent in the sewing community.
Black & Highly Dangerous
Takes everyday questions, conversations, and debates and attempt to provide answers by including up-to-date research along with occasional interviews from experts.
Why We Love It
Host Tyrell and Daphne do a great job of entertaining while educating their audience around the world of academia.
Dem Black Mamas
They answer all the questions yo mama won't! From sex & dream catching to adulting & raising free Black children in an unfree world.
Why We Love It
Crystal Tennille Irby, NeKisha Killings, & Thea Monyee, really take you on a magical journey each episode, from providing insights to items we’ve all had questions about to things we didn’t even know we needed.
The Food Truck Scholar
Is where food, business, and stories collide. Each episode host Ariel D. Smith peels back the cultural, social, economic, and political layers of the food truck industry. From Food Network contestants and former bank executives to self-trained and formally trained chefs- The Food Truck Scholar Podcast introduces you to entrepreneurs from all walks life.
Why We Love It
Who knew the food truck industry was so complex. Host Ariel Smith really takes it beyond the food and sheds light on the business and cultural implications of this new movement.
Be Well Sis
After being consistently left out of wellness conversations, Be Well Sis is a podcast dedicated to providing resources for Black millennial women to be their best selves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Hosted by Dr. Cassandre Dunbar, the conversations are candid, informative, and unapologetically Black.
Why We Love It
Black women and wellness have not always been a topic in the forefront of conversation; however, as the times shift so does the need to have insights on how to not only be well, but also put ourselves first. Cassandre does an amazing job of shedding light in what traditionally has been considered taboo to discuss.
Journey to Jupiter
A podcast for teens and twentysomethings who are figuring out who they want to be when they grow up..
Why We Love It
Host Jetaun, speaks directly to the teenager in all of us. She provides guidance to help teens and young adults figure out what’s next; while highlighting unique career paths.
Business
Black Women Talk Work
Candidly exploring the experiences of Black women at work while highlighting their success stories along the way! Host Myriha Burce interviews women across different industries and at various stages of their careers, offering insightful conversation into career pathing, diversity and inclusion, and reimagining the world of work, with candor, authenticity and purpose
Why We Love It
A great companion tool on a day that the workplace may be beating you down. Its your reminder that you’re not alone in these struggles of navigating work.
Content Queens
A weekly chat about all things social media. Join hosts, TheNotoriousKia & VicStyles, two seasoned creators as they give you practical and strategic tips on how to grow your social following and create engaging content.
Why We Love It
2020 has been all things content creation as a tool to engage your audience and this podcast really provides you with the tools to level up your content and strategically align your platform.
The Shine Online Podcast
Host Natasha, interviews the brightest entrepreneurs she knows to bring you no-fluff advice; honest discussions about the mental health and lifestyle aspect of entrepreneurship; and actionable strategies and success stories of those who’ve mastered the art of shining online.
Why We Love It
Host Natasha does an amazing job of mixing storytelling while also giving very direct and valuable information to the listeners.
Health & Wellness
Let’s Talk Bruh
Conversations on mental health/therapy, black male privilege, vulnerability, patriarchy's impact on black women, friendship, sex and much more with a type of vulnerability rarely heard in the podcast space. Their conversations are designed to create a space where Black Men can have deeper conversations, vent, laugh, cry, celebrate each other AND call each other for problematic behavior.
Why We Love It
It provides a safe space for Black men to share and hear from others that look like them and may share the same struggles.
Black Girl Bravado
Candid conversations on self-care, self-love, mental health x wellness, spirituality, humor, entrepreneurship + much more.
Why We Love It
Wraps up all elements of the human experience into one neat package. From the humor to the importance of self-care; Black Girl Bravado is the escape we all need.
Truth’s Table
A podcast by Black Christian women who love truth and seek it out wherever it leads them. They share their perspectives on race, politics, gender, current events, and pop culture that are filtered through their Christian faith. So pull up a chair and have a seat at the table with us.
Why We Love It
Take your church aunts and add a little flare and you’ve got Truths Table. They have authentic conversations and provide insights from a Christian perspective.
Hey, Girl The Podcast
Unites the voices of phenomenal women near and far. Created with sisterhood and storytelling in mind, author Alex Elle sits down with people who inspire her. From friends to family members and strangers, the hey, girl. guests give us a peek into their stories through candid and intimate conversations.
Why We Love It
If you’ve followed Alex Elle’s journey you know she exudes love, grace and resiliency; well her podcast is no different. This podcast reminds us all to be gentle with ourselves.
History/Documentary
Black History Buff
A fun and thrilling journey through time. Covering the full historical tapestry of the African Diaspora, you’ll hear tales covering everything from African Samurai to pistol-wielding poets. More than just a podcast, the show is a bridge that links communities throughout the African diaspora and enlightens and empowers its friends.
Why We Love It
As we’ve gotten older we’ve noticed a gap in our formal education as it relates to Black history and the Black experience. Well this podcast steps in to fill in the gap, while providing you with a bit of entertainment.
Girl Trek's Black History
An epic 21-day walking meditation series to remember where we came from and to gather strength for the road ahead. They celebrate Black stories and the lessons of their ancestors to help guide them through these uncertain times. Each episode, is a conversation on learning, living and elevating to their highest self with guidance from lessons of the past.
Why We Love It
Morgan and Vanessa create a therapeutic space that is both cathartic and informative.
Floodlines
Some call it Hurricane Katrina. Some call it the Federal Flood. Others call it the day the levees broke. On August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was submerged. That story of hubris, incompetence, and nature's wrath is now etched into the national consciousness. But the people who lived through the flood and its aftermath have a different story to tell. A story of rumors, betrayal, and one of the most misunderstood events in American history. Hosted by Vann R. Newkirk II.
Why We Love It
The intrigue and conspiracy. Many knew what happened but this podcast sheds light on the story once the cameras and volunteers left. The true story of Hurricane Katrina.
Natal Stories
A docuseries about having a baby while Black in the United States. They pass the mic to Black parents, to tell their stories in their own words, about their pregnancy, birthing, and postpartum care. The docuseries also highlights the birthworkers, medical professionals, researchers, and advocates fighting daily for better care for Black birthing parents.
Why We Love It
As more stories of Black women dying from childbirth emerges; Natal shes light on the various aspects of the birthing journey.
The United States of Anxiety
A show about the unfinished business of our history, and its grip on our future. Each week, host Kai Wright invites listeners to gather for intimate conversations and deeply reported stories about the choices we’ve made as a society -- and the new choices we can imagine now. We’re learning from our past, meeting our neighbors, and sharing the joy (and the work!) of living in a plural society.
Why We Love It
With the truths of what America was built on being broadcasted to the world via social media, we love this show for the deep dive it takes on the social and cultural impact America’s past has in today’s climate..
News & Politics
Democracy-ish
democracy-ish is a countdown to the anxiety and rage producing 2020 election season from a Black and Brown progressive perspective. Consider Danielle Moodie and Touré as your tour guides, flight attendants and or therapists as we move through this dumpster fire of an election cycle—together!
Why We Love It
They breakdown the political climate in an engaging and easy to understand format that makes it palatable for all.
Dear Culture
A weekly pod about news and issues impacting Black America from the reporters and producers at theGrio. Smart, relevant and dedicated to the culture.
Why We Love It
With so much information coming from so many sources, Dear Culture pulls in the information into one centralized hub on all things that impact Black Americans.
Pod Save The People
Organizer and activist DeRay Mckesson explores news, culture, social justice, and politics with analysis from Sam Sinyangwe, Kaya Henderson, and De’Ara Balenger. Then he sits down for deep conversations with experts, influencers, and diverse local and national leaders.
Why We Love It
The perspective of a modern day activist telling the story of American politics and cultural news from a lens we can all relate to, as Black people in America.
Science
Dope Labs
In each episode, they serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they’ll take what’s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends.
Why We Love It
Everyone needs to understand the science behind it all, but when you add the humor that Titi and Zakiya bring, you’re in for a good time.
In Those Genes
Uses genetics to decode the lost histories AND futures of African descended Americans through the lens of Black culture.
Why We Love It
Think ancestry.com with a mix of investigative work and you have In Those Genes. We love how each episode takes us on an explorative journey of our history through our genetics.
Sip N Sci
A hilarious drunken podcast about science stuff.
Why We Love It
Who doesn’t love a little wine and a lot of information
Society & Culture
The Atlanta Podcast
Beer fueled, unfiltered, and funny. TAP talks news and culture in the city of ATL with some of the city’s dopest people.
Why We Love It
Forever I love Atlanta! TAP literally brings together all things that make Atlanta what it is today into a great conversational podcast.
The Roommates
A late-night conversation taking you behind the scenes of "becoming" featuring all the people, conversations, and perspectives you’d experience on the way.
Why We Love It
It’s the coming of age experience of most millennials and hearing how these two roommates tackle each journey is both intriguing and yet eye opening
While Black
A seriously opinionated podcast bringing you the real and the sometimes raw on anything happening while black.
Why We Love It
Art and Vince speak directly to all things Black, from police brutality to entertainment. Their no holds bar conversations allows us to peel back the bs and get right to the root of the matter.
Technology
Techish
A podcast by two millennials talking about all things tech, pop culture, and life.
Why We Love It
Who ever knew that tech could be filled with so much humor.
Travel
Let’s Go Together
Let’s Go Together, a new podcast from Travel + Leisure, features diverse voices sharing their unique travel experiences and inspiring others to explore the world.
Why We Love It
Kellee intertwines exploration with knowledge and insights about the people and places we should all have on our bucket list; while empowering the audience to take the leap.
On She Goes
On She Goes; a travel & lifestyle podcast made for women of color, by women of color. The goal of On She Goes is to uplift the voices of ALL women of color, and to encourage women of color to travel more confidently, more adventurously and more often.
Why We Love It
On she goes leaves you feeling like you can jump out of a plane in Bali at end of each episode.
Passing Through
Nneka Julia shares revelations and wisdom collected through travel, conversation, and self-education.
Why We Love It
Nneka is the definition of a storyteller, with each episode she takes you on a vivid journey of exploration.