Shows
Black & PublishedBonus: Writing Past Rejection with Nikesha Elise WilliamsIn this bonus episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is sharing her story about becoming a writer and finding her way in the publishing industry. From exploring and utilizing both traditional and independent avenues, Nikesha discusses when she knew she was a writer, the 7-year-long journey of publishing her debut novel, Four Women, founding her company, NEW Reads Publications, and how she has kept going despite lots of rejection to publish four more novels, a poetry collection, and four other authors in addition to doing all the things in life, love, career, and the pursuit of dreams. 2024-10-2348 minBlack & PublishedThe Dancer is a Writer with Nicole CuffyThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Nicole Cuffy, author of Dances. Nicole is a D.C.-based writer with a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from The New School. She is a lecturer at the University of Maryland and American University. Her work can be found in Mason’s Road, The Master’s Review Volume VI (curated by Roxane Gay), Chautauqua, and Blue Mesa Review, and her chapbook, Atlas of the Body, won the Chautauqua Janus Prize and was a finalist for the Black River Chapbook Competition. When she...2023-05-1647 minBlack & PublishedRespecting the Ancestors with Rhonda McKnightThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Rhonda McKnight, author of The Thing About Home. Rhonda is also the author of twenty-five traditional and indie-published award-winning bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend, What Kind of Fool, and Unbreak My Heart. She is a two-time winner of the Emma award in the categories of Inspirational Romance of the Year (2015) and Debut Author (2010). She writes inspirational book club fiction and Christian romance about complex characters in crisis.In our conversation, we discuss the kind of internal commitment it takes to truly become...2023-05-0950 minBlack & PublishedAn Urban Author Myth with Nikki MayThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Nikki May, author of Wahala. Born in Bristol and raised in Lagos, Nikki May is Anglo-Nigerian. At twenty, she dropped out of medical school, moved to London, and began a career in advertising, going on to run a successful agency. Her debut novel Wahala was inspired by a long boozy lunch with friends.In our conversation, we discuss how her overnight success in the literary world is really due to her 57 years of life on Earth. Plus why she revels in "frivolous"...2023-05-0248 minBlack & PublishedEverything Can Be Forgotten with Caseen GainesThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Caseen Gaines, author of When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World. Caseen Gaines is an author, director, educator, and pop culture historian. He is the author of We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy, A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic and Inside Pee-wee's Playhouse, which earned Caseen a 2012 Independent Publisher Book Award. In our conversation we discuss how Caseen landed his first book deal b...2023-04-2545 minBlack & PublishedLearning the Continent with Yessoh G.D.This week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Yessoh G.D. author of the African fantastical suspense thriller, Ta Lé Book One: Knowledge. Yessoh grew up in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, a country on the southern coast of West Africa. He believes that books have the power to change people for the betterment of the whole. When he is not day-dreaming about stories and the world, he is a visual effects artist and a gamer. He specializes in 3-D animation and visual effects and has worked on many films, television sho...2023-04-1837 minBlack & PublishedThe Cat Daddy Lounge with Derrick HarriellThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Derrick Harriell author of the poetry collection, Come Kingdom. Derrick Harriell is the Ottilie Schillig Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi. His previous collections of poems include Stripper in Wonderland, Cotton, and Ropes, winner of the 2014 Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Poetry Book AwardDuring our conversation, Derrick opens up about being bitten by the poetry bug at an open mic night when he was just 19 years old, the vulnerability he experienced...2023-04-1149 minBlack & PublishedA Good Push with Dior J. StephensThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Dior J. Stephens author of the poetry collection, CRUEL/CRUEL. Dior J is the author of the chapbooks SCREAMS & lavender, 001, and CANNON!. They proudly serve as the Managing Poetry Editor of Foglifter Journal and Press and are a fellow of Cave Canem and Lambda Literary's Emerging LGBTQ Voices Fellowship. In our conversation, Dior discusses writing poems to popular music as a child, how confronting his rage and anger helped him publish his debut collection, and encouraging his students to fail as much a...2023-04-0451 minBlack & PublishedThe Horror of History is Complex with Victor LaValleThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Victor LaValle author of the novel Lone Women. As the writer behind six other works of fiction, Victor's novels have been included in best-of-the-year lists by The New York Times Book Review, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Nation, and Publishers Weekly, among others. He has been the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, an American Book Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Key to Southeast Queens. He lives in the Bronx with his wife and kids and teaches at Columbia...2023-03-2847 minBlack & PublishedWriting is Like Breathing with Laura WarrellThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Laura Warrell, author of the novel, Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm, which was named a ‘best’ or ‘must-read’ book by Vanity Fair, People, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and more. The novel was chosen as a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and Laura was named a “Writer to Watch” by Publishers Weekly. She grew up in Kent and Columbus, Ohio.In our conversation, Laura discusses her 25 year journey to publishing her debut novel. What it means now that her big dream has com...2023-03-2148 minBlack & PublishedAfrica Did it First with Yvette Lisa NdlovuThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, author of the short story collection, Drinking from Graveyard Wells (University Press of Kentucky, Spring 2023) which was selected for the 2021 UPK New Poetry & Prose Series. Yvette is a Zimbabwean sarungano (storyteller). Her novel manuscript in progress was selected by George RR Martin for the Worldbuilder Scholarship. She is pursuing her MFA at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where she teaches in the Writing Program. In our conversation, Yvette discusses why she's forcing readers to come to her, the collaborative model sh...2023-03-1448 minBlack & PublishedWielding Magic with Sophfronia ScottThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Sophronia Scott, author of the novel, Wild, Beautiful and Free. Sophfronia holds a BA in English from Harvard and an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She began her career as an award-winning magazine journalist for Time, and People. When her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2004 Sophfronia was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards. Sophfronia’s other books include The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conv...2023-03-0746 minBlack & Published9 Years in a Drawer with Diane Marie BrownThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Diane Marie Brown, author of the novel, Black Candle Women. A professor at Orange Coast College and a public health professional for the Long Beach Health Department, Diane has a BA and MPH from UCLA and a degree in fiction from USC’s Master of Professional Writing Program. She grew up in Stockton and now lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, their four daughters, and their dog, Brownie. Black Candle Women is her debut novel.In our conversation, Diane discusses the...2023-02-2846 minBlack & PublishedEffortless is Not Easy with Destiny O. BirdsongThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Destiny O. Birdsong, author of the triptych novel Nobody's Magic. She's also a poet and essayist, and her workhas either appeared or is forthcoming in the Paris Review Daily, Poets & Writers, African American Review, The Best American Poetry 2021, and elsewhere. Nobody’s Magic, was published by Grand Central in February 2022 and was longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize.In our conversation, Destiny discusses the deal she made with herself to write whatever came to her m...2023-02-2149 minBlack & PublishedLook for the Glow with Danyel SmithThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Danyel Smith, author of the Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. Danyel is anaward-winning journalist, and producer. She’s the creator and host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast, a music and talk show that centers black women in music. Danyel has served as editor of Billboard, editor at large at Time Inc., and editor in chief of Vibe. She's also the author of two novels—More Like Wrestling (2003), and Bliss (2005).In our conversation, Danyel discusses growing up r...2023-02-1454 minBlack & PublishedOrdained for Success with Tia WilliamsThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Tia Williams, author of the New York Times bestselling novel Seven Days in June. Tia had a fifteen-year career as a beauty editor for magazines including Elle, Glamour, and Essence. She also wrote the bestselling novel, The Accidental Diva, and penned two YA novels: It Chicks, and Sixteen Candles. Her award-winning novel, The Perfect Find, will be adapted into a Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union this year.In our conversation, Tia discusses how living with chronic pain pushes her to accomplish everything...2023-02-0743 minBlack & PublishedMorally Gray Characters with Janay HardenThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Janay Harden, author of the novel Forty-Two Minutes. As a licensed clinical social worker, Janay works as a mental health therapist. She is the CEO of Restoring Your Destiny Counseling and Consulting and has over ten years of experience working in the mental health field with children, families, and schools. She's translated her background in mental health into accessible stories for children and teens. In our conversation, Janay discusses why she wants to be known as the storytelling therapist, the generational inheritances sh...2023-01-3137 minBlack & PublishedThe Shape of a Story with Ladee HubbardThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Ladee Hubbard, author of the short story collection, The Last Suspicious Holdout. Ladee is also the author of the novels The Talented Ribkins which received the 2018 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction and The Rib King. Her writing has appeared in Oxford American, Guernica, Virginia Quarterly and Callaloo among other venues. Born in Massachusetts and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, She currently lives in New Orleans. In our conversation, La...2023-01-2445 minBlack & PublishedThe Holistic Power of Poetry with Mant¿sThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Mant¿s, author of the poetry collection, The Rootwork Stretched. Mant¿s writes from the intersections of Black, femme, queer, and artist. They are Pittsburgh born, and Hill District raised. They have performed their poetry at universities, open mics, launch parties, book tours, and featured showcases throughout Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New York City. Mant¿s creates work that reflects their healing.In our conversation Mant¿s discusses how poetry is a form of holistic health care she gives to herself, the importance of v...2023-01-1739 minBlack & PublishedNo More Nice Girls with C.M. LockhartThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with C.M. Lockhart, author of the novel, We Are the Origin. C.M. (also known as Chelsea) is a Black writer of fantasy. She loves creating worlds, exploring relationships, and writing stories about Black girls who aren't all that nice. She is the founder of Written in Melanin LLC — which encompasses a weekly podcast and YouTube channel as well as an online database of books written by Black authors.In our conversation C.M. discusses the reprieve she finds in writing high fa...2023-01-1048 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: The 14-Year Journey with MbinguniIn this debut episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni, about her debut novel, Looking for Hope. Mbinguni is a natural storyteller with roots in West Africa and the Gullah-Geechee region of Georgia's barrier islands. Her novel, Looking for Hope, follows the life of young Hannah "Mouse" Maynard in this coming of age tale where Mouse transforms from a shy, quiet, girl into a strong assertive woman. Through the course of the conversation, Mbinguni reveals why it took her 14 years to tell the story of Mouse, how she overcame her own insecurities to...2023-01-0337 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: Holding on to Joy with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-GiggettsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts, author of the essay collection, Black Joy. Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA. She's come up through the indie author ranks, has served as a celebrity ghostwriter, and is the author of 15 other titles. During the Conversation, Tracey opens up about the happenstance opportunity that propelled her from relative anonymity to major book deal visibility, how joy feels in her body, and the ways she's creating legacy for her daughter. Support the show...2022-12-2745 minBlack & PublishedControlling the Wild with Cleyvis NateraThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Cleyvis Natera, author of the novel, Neruda on the Park. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Cleyvis has received honors from PEN America, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Hermitage Artist Retreat, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA). Her fiction, essays and criticism have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, URSA Fiction, The Rumpus, and more. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College and a Master of Fine Arts from...2022-12-2049 minBlack & PublishedLeaning Into Self with Remica Bingham-RisherThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Remica Bingham-Risher, author of the memoir, Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books and Questions that Grew Me Up. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Remica is a Cave Canem fellow and Affrilachian Poet. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Writer’s Chronicle, Callaloo and Essence. She has written three poetry collections and is the Director of Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she resides with her husband and children. In our conversation we disc...2022-12-1346 minBlack & PublishedThe Truth is in the Jokes with Shola GbemiThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Shola Gbemi, author of the novel, They Were Chosen. A New York native of Nigerian descent, his novel focuses on the twin movements of social justice and sexual assault while following fictional characters on an HBCU campus.During our conversation, Shola explains why writing his novel was a seven year process. What he learned from the council of women who checked him over the course of the writing to create female characters with nuance and depth, plus the research he did that h...2022-12-0639 minBlack & PublishedThe Next Act with Toni Ann JohnsonThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Toni Ann Johnson, author of the short story collection, Light Skinned Gone to Waste. The collection won the 2021 Flannery O'Connor Award for short fiction. Toni Ann's novella, Homegoing, won Accents Publishing's inaugural novella contest and was published in 2021. Toni Ann was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her novel, Remedy for a Broken Angel. During our conversation, Toni Ann opens up about how she was able to overcome her insecurity as a writer, how her collection c...2022-11-2946 minBlack & PublishedOverqualified & Under-Resourced with George McCalmanThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with George McCalman, author of the book, Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen. The work collects 145 of George's original portraits of Black pioneers alongside stirring profiles of why these individuals matter. A classically trained artist, his studio, McCalman.co creates long-lasting brands for clients across arts, lifestyle, food, and mobile media. He is a senior lecturer in graphic design at California College of Art and is the author and illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle’s monthly “Observed” column. During o...2022-11-2248 minBlack & PublishedConjurin' the Sauce with Tracy CrossThis week on Black and Published, Nikesha speaks with Tracy Cross, author of the horror novella Rootwork. Tracy has had several stories published in mass market anthologies and contributed to many horror podcasts. Her debut novella, Rootwork, is a folk horror homage to her late grandmother. She lives in Washington, DC and is a huge Prince fan. During our conversation, Tracy opens up about growing up practicing hoodoo rituals she calls earth magic, why it was important for her characters to get the revenge her grandmother couldn't, and why you will n...2022-11-1547 minBlack & PublishedGiving Black Women a Voice with Lizzie Damilola BlackburnOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of the novel, Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? Lizzie is a British-Nigerian writer who has been at the receiving end of the question in the title of her novel many times. Born and raised in London, she now lives with her husband in Milton Keynes, England. In our conversation, Lizzie explains why her novel is an unconventional love story. The three traits she believes every writer needs to have. And she explains why she chose to tackle colorism, the importance of mental he...2022-11-0837 minBlack & PublishedThe Male Perspective with Chinedu AchebeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Chinedu Achebe, author of the novel, The Miseducation of Obi Ifeanyi. Chinedu is Nigerian-American. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors degree in Economics. He published his first book, Blunted on Reality in 2012. Chinedu has also written articles in the Huffington Post, Medium, and Bella Naija. He currently lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and son.In our conversation, he discusses the historical event that inspired his writing, why he doesn't mind if readers have problems...2022-11-0144 minBlack & PublishedMaking the Words Dance with Lisa Williamson RosenbergOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Lisa Williamson Rosenberg, author of the novel, Embers on the Wind. Becoming a novelist is Lisa's third career. Before writing, she was a professional ballet dancer with the Pennsylvania and Pacific Northwest Ballet Companies. She also has a Masters in Social Work and works as a psychotherapist. Lisa is biracial and Jewish and her writing on identity has been published in Longreads, Narrative.ly, Literary Mama and The Piltdown Review, where she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.In our conversation, Lisa di...2022-10-2547 minBlack & PublishedGoing In & Going Hard with Mateo AskaripourOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Mateo Askaripour, author of the novel, Black Buck. The New York Times bestseller takes on racism in corporate America with humor and wit. Askaripour was chosen as one of Entertainment Weekly’s “10 rising stars to make waves,” and Black Buck was a Read With Jenna Today Show book club pick. He lives in Brooklyn. In our conversation, Mateo discusses the fine line between cult and culture in corporate America, the key dates he will always remember along his writing journey, and how...2022-10-1848 minBlack & PublishedConsumed by Characters with Maisy CardOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Maisy Card, author of the novel, These Ghosts Are Family which won an American Book Award, the 2021 OCM Bocas Prize in fiction and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, among others. Maisy's writing has appeared in The Paris Review Daily, The New York Times, and other publications. She was born in Portmore, Jamaica but was raised in Queens, NY. In our conversation, Maisy discusses the difference between the fun and work of writing, telling a family story to s...2022-10-1140 minBlack & PublishedWriting Past Imposter SyndromeOn this BONUS episode of Black & Published, Nikesha talks about the release of her new book, Mardi Gras Indians, coming out from LSU Press on October 5, 2022. She details the journey since her last bonus episode detailing her own Black & Published story about how the book started with an essay about food, evolved through a global pandemic and pregnancy, and left her with doubts and fears about whether she'd really be able to tell a story older than America. Support the showFollow the Show: IG...2022-10-0430 minBlack & PublishedA Matter of Survival with Katerina CanyonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Katerina Canyon, author of the poetry collection, Surviving Home. Katerina is a 2020 and 2019 Pushcart Prize Nominee. Her stories have been published in New York Times and Huffington Post. She also served as the Poet Laureate of Sunland-Tujunga from 2000 - 2003. She has published multiple chapbooks and an album.In our conversation, Katerina explains why she doesn't believe she has to be happy, how she was tricked into being committed to a psychiatric ward by her own therapist, and how she's learning to take p...2022-09-2749 minBlack & PublishedOf People & Place with Dawn TurnerOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Dawn Turner, author of the memoir, Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood. An award-winning author and journalist who's reported all over the world, Dawn is a former columnist for the Chicago Tribune where she spent 15 years writing about race, politics and people whose stories are often dismissed and ignored. In 2018, she established the Dawn M. Turner and Kim D. Turner Endowed Scholarship in Media at her alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In o...2022-09-2045 minBlack & PublishedBlack Culture is on a Continuum with Marita GoldenOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks Marita Golden, author of the novel, A Woman's Place, which was first published in 1986 and is now being re-released by McSweeney's. Marita is the author of six novels as wells as memoirs and other non-fiction works. She's also the co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and works with writers all over the world facilitating workshops to help them get their stories out. During our conversation, Marita discusses the ruthlessness she had in writing her memoir based on what she was living t...2022-09-1346 minBlack & PublishedBut Are You Black Everyday? with Natasha MarinOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Natasha Marin, curator of the Black Powerful anthology; the latest installment in her Black Imagination artist series. A conceptual artist whose people-centered projects have circled the globe, Natasha's focus is on amplifying, centering, and holding sacred space for a diverse sample of voices including LGBTQIA+ Black youth, incarcerated Black women, Black folks with disabilities, unsheltered Black folks, and Black children. She pays the bills by helping individuals and institutions achieve their antiracism goals through creative consulting (NONWHITEWORKS).During our conversation, Na...2022-09-0647 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: Burning Bridges with Georgia DawkinsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Georgia Dawkins, about her memoir, Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position. Georgia is The Purpose Producer. From ABC’s Good Morning America to Will Packer’s Central Ave, Georgia has worked within a multitude of television genres including local news, network news, talk shows, reality television, and entertainment news. In 2018 she published Everybody Knows while at the same time launching Georgia Dawkins Media to cement herself as a young media tycoon in the making. During the conver...2022-08-2348 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: Own Your Power with Jenee DardenOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with poet, essayist, and journalist Jeneé Darden about her book, When a Purple Rose Blooms. An Oakland native, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a masters's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has reported for NPR, Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Ebony and more. The National Book Foundation awarded Jeneé a summer writing fellowship in 2003 and her award-winning short documentary, Where is East Oakland? was screened at the Oakland International Film Festi...2022-08-1648 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: Finding Soft Places to Land with Jessica LynnOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author and poet Jessica Lynn about her novel, Kissing Frogs: The Thirteenth. A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and an educator for over 10 years, Jessica Lynn used her experiences, the experiences of friends, and others to craft a literary drama that takes readers to the ancestral realm, on thrilling adventures, and sexy exploits to interrogate what it means to love, lose, and love all over again. During the conversation, Jessica discusses how she wrote a happy ending f...2022-08-0955 minBlack & PublishedREWIND: Never Sitting Down with Tamika NewhouseIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Tamika Newhouse, about how she went from teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty. The author of 17 novels, including her latest romance collection, Suga Hill, Tamika Newhouse opens up about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, her battle with mental illness and depression while fulfilling her dreams, and making sure Black women take agency over their own sexuality by creating characters who aren't afraid to ask, get, or even take exactly what they want. Tamika explains why she b...2022-08-021h 03Black & PublishedREWIND: Honest AF with Ebony Payne-EnglishOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, performer, playwright, and educator Ebony Payne-English, about her journey as a literary artist that has led her to publish a poetry collection (Secrets of Ma'at), a graphic novel (The Random Happenings), and release six studio albums. Her latest offering, Kuongoza, dropped March 28, 2021 and is available on all streaming platforms. With 17 years of professional experience from Black on Black Rhyme to HBO's Brave New Voices, Ebony, is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist whose performance credits include the renowned N...2022-07-261h 19Black & PublishedREWIND: The Power of Voice & Validation with Khalisa RaeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae. An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems. Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Inkand the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Episode Notes2022-07-191h 05Black & PublishedREWIND: Exploring the Layers with Morgan JerkinsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with writer, editor, and New York Times Bestselling author Morgan Jerkins. Jerkins, who previously wrote the essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing and the memoir Wandering in Strange Lands, marks her fiction debut with Caul Baby. The Senior Culture Editor for ESPN's The Undefeated and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Jerkins' work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, ELLE, Esquire and...2022-07-141h 01Black & PublishedREWIND: Have a Plan with Angela Jackson BrownOn this throwback episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author Angela Jackson-Brown. She is the author of the novel, Drinking From a Bitter Cup, and the award-winning poetry collection, House Repairs. Her novel, When Stars Rain Down, was published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of Harper Collins, on April 13, 2021. Angela teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and has an MFA from the Spalding low-residency program in Creative Writing. Over the course of the conversation, Angela discusses first g...2022-07-061h 12Black & PublishedYou Should be Horrified with Zakiya Dalila HarrisOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of the novel, The Other Black Girl. Zakiya spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday before leaving to write her debut novel. Prior to working in publishing, Zakiya received her MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Guernica, and The Rumpus. During the conversation, Zakiya discusses how the main setting of her novel is really a placeholder for any white/male dominated industry. The liberation she found in h...2022-06-2845 minBlack & PublishedRooting for Horrible People with Carlos AllendeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Carlos Allende, author of the novel, Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love. Carlos is is a media psychology scholar and a writer of fiction. He has written two previous novels: Cuadrillas y Contradanzas, a historical melodrama set during the War of Reform, in Mexico, and Love, or the Witches of Windward Circle, a horror farce set in Venice, California. He teaches in the Writers’ Program at UCLA Extension and lives in Santa Monica with his husband.During the conversation, Carlos opens up about the chi...2022-06-2146 minBlack & PublishedLearning to Trust with Asantewaa BoykinOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Asantewaa Boykin, author of the poetry collection, Love, Lyric & Liberation. Asantewaa Boykin is a proud San Diego native who found her voice in Oakland, CA. Her poetry and art combines her love of words, storytelling, and resistance. Exploring topics like; space-travel, black-femme militancy, & motherhood. During the conversation, Asantewaa discusses how she discovered her passion for writing in the pages of her nursing notebook, her tenuous relationship with organized religion, and why her poems are the one thing in the world she can a...2022-06-1441 minBlack & PublishedA Better Black Man with Brian BroomeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Brian Broome, author of the award winning memoir, Punch Me Up to the Gods. Brian is a poet and screenwriter. He has been a finalist in The Moth storytelling competition and won the grand prize in Carnegie Mellon University’s Martin Luther King Writing Awards. He also won a VANN Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation for journalism in 2019. He is currently a columnist for The Washington Post. Over the course of the conversation, Brian opens up about growing up a you...2022-06-0747 minBlack & PublishedGood Writing Isn't Dated with Chyrel Jackson & Lyris WallaceOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Chicago area sisters Chyrel Jackson and Lyris Wallace, who wrote the poetry collections Different Sides of the Same Coin and Mirrored Images. The sisters said they came to their love of writing from their love of reading authors and poets like Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Terri McMillan and more. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Chicago area sisters Chyrel Jackson and Lyris Wallace, who wrote the poetry collections Different S...2022-05-3146 minBlack & PublishedThe College Come Up with Kristen R. LeeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Kristen R. Lee author of the YA novel, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman. A novel she began as a way to process her undergraduate experience at MTSU. The novel focuses on systemic racism and Black culture. As a Memphis native, Kristen writes stories that reflect her upbringing. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Kristen R. Lee author of the YA novel, Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman...2022-05-2446 minBlack & PublishedWho's in the History Books with Marc Curtis LittleOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Marc Curtis Little, author of the award-winning novel, The Bootlegger's Mistress. Among being a popular independent writer, Marc Curtis Little also worked as a radio broadcaster for fifteen years in a career that was highlighted with seven Billboard Magazine awards for on-air performance and programming. Little also owned and managed a public relations and advertising agency for twenty years. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Marc Curtis Little, author of...2022-05-1746 minBlack & PublishedI Don't Care What Men Think with Preston ClarkOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Preston Clark, author of the novel Vinnie: A Love Letter. Preston is a screenwriter and poet who also works full time as a high school Humanities teacher at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in Chicago. He was a 2021 Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Voices of Color Fellow and his first novel, Vinnie: a love letter, placed in the 28th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards in 2020. Born and raised in San Diego and a graduate of Hampton Univer...2022-05-1046 minBlack & PublishedThe Book is a Breakdown with Adiba NelsonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Adiba Nelson, author of the motherhood memoir, Ain't That a Mother: Postpartum, palsy, and Everything in Between. Adiba Nelson is an author, screenwriter, retired burlesque performer, disability rights advocate, and most recently, the subject of the Emmy winning documentary, The Full Nelson. She wrote and self-published her first children’s book, Meet ClaraBelle in 2013 and has penned several articles for Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The Lily, Parents magazine and others. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of 2022-05-0346 minBlack & PublishedStick to Your Own Voice with Lola Akinmade ÅkerströmOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Lola Akinmade Åkerström, author of the novel, In Every Mirror She's Black. Lola has lived on three different continents — Africa, North America, and now Europe — for extended periods of time. As a Nigerian-American author who is now based in Sweden Lọlá is the author of the 2018 Lowell Thomas Award winner for best travel book, Due North and the bestselling, LAGOM: Swedish Secret of Living Well. She is drawn to the complexities and nuances of culture and how they manifest themselves within relationships. She has wri...2022-04-2644 minBlack & PublishedAcross the Tracks with Lawrence JacksonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Lawrence Jackson, author of the memoir, Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland, Baltimore. Jackson is a biographer and critic whose work has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, n+1, and Best American Essays. He teaches English and history at Johns Hopkins and founded the Billie Holiday Project for Liberation Arts.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Lawrence Jackson, author of the memoir, Shelter: A Black Tale of Homeland, Baltimore. Jackson is a biog...2022-04-1936 minBlack & PublishedAn Ode to Black Skin with Ashanti AndersonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha continues National Poetry Month highlighting Ashanti Anderson, whose debut chapbook Black Under was the winner of the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition hosted by Black Lawrence Press. Ashanti is a Black Queer Disabled poet. Her poems have appeared in World Literature Today, POETRY magazine, and elsewhere in print and on the web. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha continues National Poetry Month highlighting Ashanti Anderson, whose debut chapbook Black Under2022-04-1245 minBlack & PublishedThe Othered Point of View with Andy RojasOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha kicks off National Poetry month with Andres "Andy" Rojas, author of the poetry collection, Third Winter in our Second Country. Andy was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. at age 13. He holds an MFA from the University of Florida and currently edits for Poetry Is Currency. By day he's a lawyer who works for the IRS.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha kicks off National Poetry month with Andres "Andy" Rojas2022-04-0545 minBlack & PublishedI Don't Write Bad Sentences with Nana NkwetiOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Nana Nkweti, author of the short story collection, Walking on Cowrie Shells. Nana is a Caine Prize finalist and alumna of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her work has garnered fellowships from MacDowell, Kimbilio, Ucross, and the Wurlitzer Foundation, among others. She is a professor of English at the University of Alabama.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Nana Nkweti, author of the short story collection, Walking on Cowrie Sh...2022-03-2944 minBlack & PublishedFinding Freedom with Rahman JohnsonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Rahman Johnson, author of the poetry collection, Living, Loving, Letting Go. Rahman is a Jacksonville native. A trained journalist and news anchor, Rahman is also an actor. Currently, he's a professor at Edward Waters University. His poetry collection earned the 2021 Poetry eBook Literary Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Rahman Johnson, author of the poetry collection, Living, Loving...2022-03-2245 minBlack & PublishedAn Offering of Love with Farah Jasmine GriffinOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin, author of the book, Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature. Dr. Griffin is the William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. She is also the author of five books, the most recent being one that intermixes critical literary analysis with personal narrative. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin, author of...2022-03-1545 minBlack & PublishedA Higher Calling with Vanessa MillerOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Vanessa Miller, author of the Christian fiction novel, Something Good. Vanessa is a best-selling author of 51 books, an entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has centered themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of...2022-03-0837 minBlack & PublishedYou Don't Know New Orleans with Maurice Carlos RuffinOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of the short story collection, The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You. Maurice, is a New Orleans Native, an attorney by trade turned writer who holds an MFA and is a professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University. His 2019 debut novel, We Cast a Shadow was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode o...2022-03-0145 minBlack & PublishedI Felt Like Quitting with Jayne AllenOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Jayne Allen, author of the Tabitha Walker novel series, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted and Black Girls Must be Magic. Originally from Detroit, Jayne writes fiction from her life experiences. Her desire is to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to contemporary women’s fiction with dynamic female protagonists who also happen to be black.Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Jayne Allen, author of the Tabitha Walker no...2022-02-2246 minBlack & PublishedBlack, Christian, Loving & Free with Danté StewartOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Danté Stewart, author of the memoir, Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle . Danté is a speaker and writer whose work in the areas of race, religion, and politics has been featured on CNN and in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Sojourners, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, Comment, and elsewhere. He received his BA in sociology from Clemson University and is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.Episode Notes 2022-02-1545 minBlack & PublishedDeeply Profound with Honorée Fannone JeffersOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Honorée Fannone Jeffers, author of the epic novel,The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois. Honorée is also the author of five critically acclaimed books of poetry, including the award-winning collection, The Age of Phillis, based on the life and times of Phillis Wheatley Peters. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Honorée Fannone Jeffers, author of the epic novel,The Love Songs of...2022-02-0847 minBlack & PublishedHolding on to Joy with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-GiggettsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts, author of the essay collection, Black Joy. Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA. She's come up through the indie author ranks, has served as a celebrity ghostwriter, and is the author of 15 other titles. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts, author of the essay collection, Black Joy. Tracey, holds both an MBA and an MFA...2022-02-0145 minBlack & PublishedWriting Without Goals with Chris StuckOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with author Chris Stuck, author of the short story collection, Give My Love to the Savages. Chris, holds an MFA from George Mason University and was also a fiction fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center. In his work, Chris was intentional about exploring race, sexuality, masculinity and the intersections therein. Episode Notes _________________________On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with author Chris Stuck, author of the short story collection, Give My Love t...2022-01-2544 minBlack & PublishedDoing Language with Kelly Harris-DeBerryOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha speaks with poet Kelly Harris-DeBerry, author of the collection, Freedom Knows My Name. Kelly, originally from Cleveland but now living in New Orleans, said she wanted her collection to be one for her folks and her people. The Cave Canem fellow works as the New Orleans Literary Coordinator for Poets & Writers. She also freelances and owns a small communications boutique that serves nonprofits and artists. Episode NotesOn this episode...2022-01-1843 minBlack & PublishedSeason 2 Is That You :)Welcome back to Black & Published. The weekly interview format podcast bringing you the journeys of BIPOC writers, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds. Hosted by two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and award-winning author Nikesha Elise Williams. Full Episodes return January 18, 2022. ***Keep Up with UsFollow NikeshaTwitter: @Nikesha_Elise Instagram: @nikesha_eliseFollow Black & PublishedTwitter: @BLKandPublishedInstagram: @blkandpublishedSupport the showFollow the Show: IG: @blkandpublished Twitter: @BLKandPublished Follow Me:IG...2022-01-1103 minBlack & PublishedWriting Past RejectionIn this bonus episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is sharing her story about becoming a writer and finding her way in the publishing industry. From exploring and utilizing both traditional and independent avenues, Nikesha discusses when she knew she was a writer, the 7-year-long journey of publishing her debut novel, Four Women, founding her company, NEW Reads Publications, and how she has kept going despite lots of rejection to publish four more novels, a poetry collection, and four other authors in addition to doing all the things in life, love, career, and the...2021-08-0348 minBlack & PublishedLiving Creatively with Dawnie WaltonOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with journalist and author, Dawnie Walton about her debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. Dawnie is a Jacksonville native. She worked as an executive-level editor for magazine and multimedia brands including Essence, Entertainment Weekly, Getty Images, and LIFE before she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue her passion for fiction. A MacDowell Colony fellow (2015) and Tin House Scholar (2017), Dawnie earned her MFA from the Iowa Writers's Workshop in 2018. She has been hailed as a "bold new voice i...2021-07-271h 11Black & PublishedEveryman is a Black Woman with M Shelly ConnerOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with M Shelly Conner about her debut novel, everyman. M Shelly is a Chicago native who spent her summers bouncing between her grandmother in Memphis and relatives in Los Angeles, reveling in the sprawl of the Great Migration. That sprawl informs the work in everyman which M Shelly began working on first in 2005 and seriously during her PhD program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. An excerpt of everyman appears in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the...2021-07-201h 10Black & PublishedGo Find It with Dantiel W. MonizOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with Dantiel W. Moniz about her debut short story collection, Milk Blood Heat. Dantiel is a Jacksonville native who attended FSU for undergrad and received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work has appeared in the Paris Review, Harper’s Bazaar, Tin House, The Yale Review, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and elsewhere. Described as wise and subversive, spiritual and seductive Milk Blood Heat has been hailed a "m...2021-07-1354 minBlack & PublishedCorrecting the Record with Dr. Kim MackOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with Dr. Kim Mack about her book, Fictional Blues: Narrative Self-Invention from Bessie Smith to Jack White. Dr. Mack is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo where she specializes in African American literature and culture, twentieth- and twenty-first-century ethnic American literature, autobiographical narratives, and American popular music. Her academic career comes after a journey that includes screen- and playwriting and music criticism. A self-professed rock fan, it was her love of what seemed to be a "white" music genre that led to...2021-07-061h 08Black & PublishedRebelling in Black with Robert Jones, Jr.On this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author Robert Jones, Jr. His debut novel, The Prophets, was published in January by G.P. Putnam Sons, an imprint of Penguin RandomHouse. The Prophets has been hailed for its spellbinding mix of lyricism, rawness, and authenticity, that is immediately reminiscent of the late, great Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. Robert is from New York City and has a BFA in creative writing and a MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College. His work has appeared in The New York Times2021-06-291h 25Black & PublishedHave a Plan with Angela Jackson-BrownOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author Angela Jackson-Brown. She is the author of the novel, Drinking From a Bitter Cup, and the award-winning poetry collection, House Repairs. Her latest novel, When Stars Rain Down, was published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of Harper Collins, on April 13, 2021. Angela teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and has an MFA from the Spalding low-residency program in Creative Writing. Episode NotesOn this episode of B...2021-06-221h 12Black & PublishedExploring the Layers with Morgan JerkinsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with writer, editor, and New York Times Bestselling author Morgan Jerkins. Jerkins, who previously wrote the essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing and the memoir Wandering in Strange Lands, marks her fiction debut with Caul Baby. The Senior Culture Editor for ESPN's The Undefeated and a visiting professor at Columbia University, Jerkins' work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, ELLE, Esquire and more. She is currently...2021-06-151h 01Black & PublishedBlack Girl Magic with Tina Wells & Stephanie SmithOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with marketing maven Tina Wells and journalist and author of 300 Sandwiches: A Multi-Layered Love Story, Stephanie Smith. Tina and Stephanie have been friends and collaborators for 15 years. Their current project is the middle-grade fiction series The Zee Files published by West Margin Press and available at Target. Episode NotesOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with marketing maven Tina Wells and journalist and author of 300 Sandwiches: A...2021-06-0851 minBlack & PublishedThe Power of Voice & Validation with Khalisa RaeOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with multi-genre literary artist Khalisa Rae. An essayist, journalist, budding novelist, and poet, Khalisa is the author of the chapbook Real Girls Have Real Problems. Her debut full-length poetry collection, Ghost in a Black Girl's Throat is out now from Red Hen Press. Khalisa, who is based in Durham, NC is the founder of Think In Ink and the Women Speak Reading series and Writing Center Director at Shaw University. Episode Notes2021-06-011h 05Black & PublishedOwn Your Power with Jeneé DardenOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with poet, essayist, and journalist Jeneé Darden about her book, When a Purple Rose Blooms. An Oakland native and daughter of O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a masters's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She has reported for NPR, Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Ebony and more. The National Book Foundation awarded Jeneé a summer writing fellowship in 2003 and her award-winning short documentary, Where is East Oakl...2021-05-2548 minBlack & PublishedFor the Love of Literature with Carla M. CherryOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with poet Carla M. Cherry about her latest collection, Stardust & Skin. A Bronx native, an educator and academic, Carla is a graduate of Spelman College, NYU, Lehman College, and is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at the City College of New York. She says her goal is to make poetry accessible and help young girls of color give voice to their insecurities and vulnerabilities. Episode NotesOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is spe...2021-05-1830 minBlack & PublishedFinding Soft Places to Land with Jessica LynnOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author and poet Jessica Lynn about her novel, Kissing Frogs: The Thirteenth. A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and an educator for over 10 years, Jessica Lynn used her experiences, the experiences of friends, and others to craft a literary drama that takes readers to the ancestral realm, on thrilling adventures, and sexy exploits to interrogate what it means to love, lose, and love all over again. Episode NotesOn this episode of Black & Published...2021-05-1155 minBlack & PublishedNothing is in Vain with Candis McDowOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author Candis McDow about her book, Half the Battle: A Memoir. In this deeply personal story, Candis takes the reader through her journey of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a family vacation. A writer from age six, Candis was first published in the anthology series, Chicken Soup for the Soul. She says her goal as a writer is to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to show others that they can live their dreams too. Episode N...2021-05-0443 minBlack & PublishedSkinning the Constitution with Teri Ellen Cross DavisOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with award-winning poet Teri Ellen Cross Davis about her new poetry collection, a more perfect Union. The collection explores the experiential intersection of the lives of Black women in the United States. A Cave Canem fellow with work published in dozens of journals and anthologies, Teri is a member of the Black Ladies Brunch Collective and currently serves as the Poetry Coordinator for the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. Episode NotesOn this episode o...2021-04-2755 minBlack & PublishedI Don't Look Like Who I've Been Through with Iman MilnerOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with actress, writer and poet Iman N. Milner about her new poetry collection, on breaking back together. The collection on faith, love, loss, and self-preservation is soul-shattering and brutally honest. The work helps fulfill Iman's mission to heal herself in her own work as well as inspire others to prioritize their own healing. An actress from the age of 8, she sees her work on stage, TV, film, and in print--be it articles she's written or poetry she's penned--as part of the interconnected s...2021-04-2056 minBlack & PublishedBecause I Write with Rosamond S. KingOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with creative, critical writer, poet, and performer Rosamond S. King about her new poetry collection, All The Rage. The collection was inspired by the lack of indictments handed down in the death of Eric Garner who was killed by police officers in New York in 2014. From that singular incident she crafted a collection set in the fictional world of the abattoir to discuss Black joy and Black pain living in tandem. She sees the collection as an extension of her work as...2021-04-1351 minBlack & PublishedHonest AF with Ebony Payne-EnglishOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, performer, playwright, and educator Ebony Payne-English, about her journey as a literary artist that has led her to publish a poetry collection (Secrets of Ma'at), a graphic novel (The Random Happenings), and release six studio albums. Her latest offering, Kuongoza, dropped March 28, 2021 and is available on all streaming platforms. With 17 years of professional experience from Black on Black Rhyme to HBO's Brave New Voices, Ebony, is a nationally acclaimed spoken word artist whose performance credits include the renowned N...2021-04-061h 19Black & PublishedBlack Power Flower Child with TaRessa StovallOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, TaRessa Stovall, about her memoir, Swirl Girl: Coming of Race in the USA. TaRessa was born a jazz baby in Seattle, Washington and is a self-proclaimed Black Power Flower Child. (All Power to the People). TaRessa identified herself as an author from the age of seven and got her start in the industry by self-publishing her poetry as a young adult. She has gone on to publish independently and traditionally writing a children's book (The Buffalo Soldiers), a novel (T...2021-03-301h 24Black & PublishedBurning Bridges with Georgia DawkinsOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Georgia Dawkins, about her memoir, Everybody Knows: The Power of Being in Position. Georgia is The Purpose Producer. From ABC’s Good Morning America to Will Packer’s Central Ave, Georgia has worked within a multitude of television genres including local news, network news, talk shows, reality television, and entertainment news. In 2018 she published Everybody Knows while at the same time launching Georgia Dawkins Media to cement herself as a young media tycoon in the making. Episode Notes2021-03-2348 minBlack & PublishedLonging for Home with Wandeka GayleOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Wandeka Gayle, about her short story collection, Motherland and Other Stories. Wandeka is an artist in every since of the word. A Jamaican writer, visual artist, pianist, and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Spelman College, she has received numerous fellowships including from Kimbilio Fiction, Callaloo, and the Hurston/Wright Foundation. She has a Ph.D. in English/Creative Writing. Her work has appeared in Prairie Schooner and The Rumpus and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.Episode...2021-03-161h 07Black & PublishedMaking Work an Option with Monica M. BrownOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Monica M. Brown, about her book, Only One: How to Be a Bad Ass Boss in Corporate America. Monica is a deeply-accomplished and results driven senior executive with 20+ years of experience in tech and has worked for several Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Comcast NBCUniversal, and SiriusXM Pandora. Episode NotesOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Monica M. Brown, about her book, Only One: How to B...2021-03-0934 minBlack & PublishedBreaking the Cycle of Sacrifice with Naima CosterOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Naima Coster, about the release of her second novel, What's Mine and Yours. (SPOILER ALERT) Naima's stories and essays have appeared in the New York Times, The Sunday Times, The Paris Review Daily and more. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree for 2020 and her debut novel, Halsey Street, was a finalist for the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Episode NotesOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking w...2021-03-0246 minBlack & PublishedA Return to Etiquette with Enitan Bereola, IIOn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Enitan Bereola, II, about how he got the words out of his head and onto the page to turn his lifestyle into brand that took him from social media influencer to global storyteller. Enitan is the author of three bestselling books that the Obama's, Oprah, and the Zuckerburgs own including 2009's Bereolaesque: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette Book for the Urban Sophisticate, 2013's Gentlewoman: Etiquette for a Lady, from a Gentleman, and 2016's The Gray: A Relationship Etiquette Study. Episode NotesO...2021-02-231h 03Black & PublishedNever Sitting Down with Tamika NewhouseIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Tamika Newhouse, about how she went from teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty. The author of 17 novels, including her latest romance collection, Suga Hill, Tamika Newhouse opens up about the pros and cons of the publishing industry, her battle with mental illness and depression while fulfilling her dreams, and making sure Black women take agency over their own sexuality by creating characters who aren't afraid to ask, get, or even take exactly what they want. Episode Notes2021-02-161h 03Black & PublishedThe Doors of the Church are Open with Deesha PhilyawIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Deesha Philyaw, about her phenomenal journey with her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award and the 2020/2021 Story Prize. Episode NotesIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Deesha Philyaw, about her phenomenal journey with her short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award and the 2020/2021 Story Prize. 2021-02-0951 minBlack & PublishedNo One is Looking for Your Book with Roy GlennIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Roy Glenn, about his long career that started when he self-published his debut novel, Is it a Crime, in 1994 in part as a response to Waiting to Exhale. Glenn, who is a multi-genre author and is known as the master of suspense, has published more than 70 novels both independently and traditionally. Episode NotesIn this episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Roy Glenn, about his long career that started when he self-published his d...2021-02-021h 14Black & PublishedThe 14-Year Journey with MbinguniIn this debut episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni, about her debut novel, Looking for Hope. Mbinguni is a natural storyteller with roots in West Africa and the Gullah-Geechee region of Georgia's barrier islands. Her novel, Looking for Hope, follows the life of young Hannah, "Mouse," Maynard in this coming of age tale where Mouse transforms from a shy, quiet, girl into a strong assertive woman. Episode NotesIn this debut episode of Black & Published, Nikesha is speaking with author, Mbinguni, about her debut novel, L...2021-01-2637 min
Black & PublishedIntroducing Black & PublishedBlack & Published will bring you the untold stories of BIPOC authors, poets, playwrights, and storytellers of all kinds, hosted by two-time Emmy award winning producer and award winning author Nikesha Elise Williams. Conversations will center on what it means to be a writer, the writing process, and how exactly you get published.Black & Published Host: Nikesha Elise Williams (@Nikesha_Elise)Logo Design: Gisette Gomez (@zodiacstudiosco)Theme Music: DJ EnerJi (@iamenerji) Follow Us: Twitter @BLKandpublishedIG: @blkandpublishedSupport the showFollow the Show: IG: @bl...2021-01-1104 min