Blacktivities

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:

1. Anti-literacy laws during slavery and why litera...

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, mo...

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 studen...

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 brin...

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...

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 re...

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 n...

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 amn...

Black creativity has always been the blueprint. From the music we vibe to, to the dances that go viral, to the art that shapes culture—Black folks have BEEN leading the way. But history shows us a pattern: when the genius comes from Black communities, the credit often goes elsewhere.

In this episode of Blacktivities, Shannon, Lisa, and KK unpack the long, painful legacy of cultural appropriation in the arts as we celebrate Blac...

We’re back—and a lot has gone down.

In this season opener, we catch you up on the major stories that have shaped Black culture, politics, and resistance since our last episode. From boycotts and burning plantations to Black dandyism on the red carpet, we connect the dots between history and the headlines.

In this episode:

• Boycott of Dollar General: Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant is leading a boycott over the rollback of DEI initiatives, ...

At the beginning of the season, we said black women were going on a break, but the sabbatical is over! Lately, it seems like blackness is under attack and our civil rights are being threatened. We're sending out the bat signal for the 92%! It's all hands on deck... time to resist! Shan, Lisa, and KK discuss how our ancestors did it on the plantation, how our grandparents' generation did it during the Civil Rights Movement, and how ...

Social media has made us more connected, but it has also brought some new problems into the mix. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, among those whose partner uses social media, 23% say they have felt jealous or unsure of their relationship because of the way their current partner interacts with others on social media. From "single" married men jumping into DMs and "couple goals" to the fetishization of black men and ...

Kofi Siriboe, the chocolate brotha who played Ralph Angel in Queen Sugar and is in the current season of Harlem as Seth, recently became part of a headline because he said he practices ethical non-monogamy. Singer Ne-Yo has also made some headlines recently for having four girlfriends. So what is it? And is this what we're doing now? Shannon breaks down polyamory and what it entails, and the girls discuss whether they are really ab...

Zora Neale Hurston, a writer during the Harlem Renaissance, coined the term “All my skinfolk ain’t kinfolk” when she talked about black folks that didn’t agree with her views about how to advance black interests or were not trying to advance black interests at all. We've seen various iterations of these characters throughout history. From tropes like Sambo and Stepin Fetchit to the examples we see in our community today. Shannon, L...

On January 20 and 21, 2025, the President signed two executive orders with the intention of getting rid of DEI in all government entities and even some private sector companies. Shannon, Lisa, and KK discuss their thoughts on merit-based hiring and efforts to kill diversity, equity, and inclusion. Also, Lisa shares what happened when she was asked if she was a DEI hire.

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Another Valentine's Day has come and gone, but the ladies of Blacktivities will always promote black love. In this episode, Shannon, Lisa, and KK take a dive into the lyrics of old soul love songs with licensed therapist Mattie Finn to try and gain some insight into how we can have thriving relationships.

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Black women are tired!!! We are taking a break from all the demands society has put on us. From out working everybody else, to having to be overqualified and still being overlooked, to organizing movements and getting little recognition, to enduring abuse... In the understood words of the former First Lady Michelle Obama... we ain't going! Ladies, this is a season of self-care.

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Happy Black History Month! The ladies of Blacktivities are back with Season 6, serving up a hilarious yet honest intervention for the culture! From over-the-top lashes to social media drama, Shannon, Lisa, and Karen break down what needs to stay in 2024. Listen for unfiltered commentary on everything from beauty trends to relationship dynamics in the Black community.

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Blacktivities returns in February!!! Check out the third episode of Shannon's newest podcast, RIGHTing Narratives in this bonus episode.

Isaiah Mack is an NFL defensive tackle and former standout at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During his college career, Mack earned All-American honors and was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Known for his resilience and disruptive play on the defens...