For our first guest, we welcomed the wonderful Monica Wisdom, host extraordinaire of the Black Women Amplified podcast. Monica shared her journey to becoming a podcast host, her process for publishing her episodes and her insights into the future of podcasting. She gave the students advice on starting their own podcasts. Monica also discussed her approach to interviewing and storytelling. Check out our very first episode!
The Black Pod Class podcast is hosted and produced by the students and professor of the Black Podcasts class, taught at the University of Maryland by Dr. Briana Barner.
Monica's bio:
Monica's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and her diverse career has taken her through various industries, placing her among giants in the field. Her adventurous spirit has led her into the realms of cosmetology, publishing, and the music industry.
Monica's expertise and dedication earned her a prestigious role as part of the esteemed educators' team at Sebastian International. Later, she assumed the position of Director of Education for Salon Resources, the distributor for Sebastian International. In this capacity, she crafted classes, workshops, and product launches that left an indelible mark.
As a multifaceted professional, Monica has collaborated with celebrities and renowned companies, including The Isley Brothers, Lela Rochon, Kevin Mayes (Black Panther), Nina Gancy (The Matrix), Great Lengths Hair Extensions, Carole’s Daughter, Atlantic Records, Yoruba Records, and DreamWorks Records. Her mastery caught the attention of major news outlets such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Clear Channel, and Fox, leading to interviews and features across her wide range of expertise.
Monica's career also encompassed influential roles as the Director of Operations for In Magazine and Today in Church Magazine. In these positions, she played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the magazines, ensuring brand continuity and compelling features. Monica had the privilege of interviewing notable celebrities about their spiritual lives, including Kirk Whalum, Eric Roberson, Evander Holyfield, and Isaac Bruce, to name a few. Her work shared space alongside contributions from renowned figures like Joyce Meyers, TD Jakes, and Joel Olsten.
Amid her multifaceted career, Monica embarked on a profound spiritual journey, confronting the scars of her traumatic childhood and generational wounds. This inner exploration led her to a profound study of the Divine Feminine under the guidance of world-renowned teachers, Dr. Caroline ‘Isis’ Fuqua and Bettie Spruill. Monica also became an initiate of Transcendental Meditation and a devoted student of Yogini Nithyananda.
This spiritual evolution culminated in Monica's role as the creator and founder of the Black Women Amplified podcast, where remarkable black women from around the world share their incredible stories. Distinguished guests such as best-selling author Jayne Allen, Tony Award-winning actor Tonya Pinkins, and Leatrice Ellzy, the Director of Programming at the Iconic Apollo Theater, have graced the podcast.
Monica's unwavering desire to empower Black women to share their stories, be seen, and embrace their power gave birth to The Amplify Academy, an extension of Black Women Amplified. This platform is dedicated to centering Black women and offers masterclasses, VIP coaching, and an upcoming membership, all designed to uplift and empower.
