#black podcasts

[theshedding]

The Power of Black Dissent

For years I have talked about the “power of dissent” and the act of speaking truth to power. Over the years a large part of my speaking out has specifically been through the lens of religious dissent. For this is an under-appreciated legacy that has animated Civil Rights and social justice movements all over the African Diaspora for generations and (at least) hundreds of years following enslavement of African and indigenous peoples. It is not lost to irony that I write this entry on the day after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s federal holiday; himself an activist who’s greatest known speech was due in large part to the work of A. Phillip Randolph, a Black secularist. For all that Black religion has been said to offer we would likewise be nowhere, if not for the dissenting power of non-religious, Black, secular, doubting people and their activism.

I talk about this in detail on a new podcast and since the 2010′s I have enjoyed a kind of ‘wind at my back’ through Black Nonbelievers, a leading “non-profit” social justice organization that works to reframe culture, identity and Black advocacy through the lens of religious dissent, education and representation. Since 2011 it has been a thrilling ride; one that initially gave me “a place to land” as I transitioned out of a faith tradition that demonstrably caused harm and no longer served me socially, ethically or logically. Later, after years of fellowship and feeling like Black Nonbelievers (BN) was a place of refuge and strength-I sought to lead the local group in Washington, DC with the hopes of amplifying our visibility, legislative advocacy and community outreach. 

I am an activist. And I have worked in Black empowerment spaces, groups and non-profit organizations for most of my life; from being an actor in Black community theater (DC); to being a Treasurer and later President of the Black Student Union at Berklee College of Music in my undergrad years; to working at the “College Path” non-profit org at the YMCA helping Black and Latinx youth prepare for college and professional careers; to being a professional music educator and even  Minister of Music for 20+ years working with-and mentoring young people all over the East Coast...working and “holding space” for community, education, enlightenment and Black uplift has been a lifestyle throughout my life. Therefore, being the Director of Black Nonbelievers of DC was a natural outgrowth of previous work and identity. And it felt authentic...especially as a nonbeliever.

I had heard some “things” here and there; gripes from some people who came and went from the org. Most of those gripes did not check-out and were often framed and viewed as in-fighting by incredible people; other gripes were at worst, unresolved or un-investigable. I focused on my local group and the people within it, and we were good. Overall, I genuinely felt comfortable with the BN landscape and justified my continued work in the org. We did good work I thought; liberation work, Black empowerment work, educational work. That said, I quietly stopped donating to the org around 2019/20-partly because my “donation” was already paid for with my labor (e.g. time, volunteering, attending legislative and interfaith events on Capitol Hill, public organizing, marching in the streets, etc.), but also because deep down inside I started to feel something wasn’t quite right with the management and transparency of the org’s resources. Looking back, that was my mistake. 

Still, I continued to work for my local group. Because I took that work SERIOUSLY. I still enjoy(ed) our fellowship, the “work” and the overall sense of affirmation, belonging and “wind at my back” that came from an established platform like BN. Our work was noble, empowering and it made my own conversations about non-belief with my family and outsiders easier to have than they would have been if I were just a lone Black atheist ranting about atheism and church/state separation. 

So I stayed. 

_____

Given all that, one could understand why after over 10 years of membership and 5 years of being an “Affiliate Director” within this organization, I was devastated to learn that people were in fact, demonstrably being harmed within the fellowship. Black Nonbelievers, it came to my attention this December by Mandisa Thomas herself, was actively being corrupted by its own head of leadership-in a deliberate and unconscionable way-routinely, for personal gain.

As I have learned from December 2022 until (literally) yesterday (1/16/23), the “goings-on” behind the scenes with BN founder and president Mrs. Thomas are of an unacceptable nature and magnitude. They are not merely incidental or “personal”. They are systemic and they are long-standing. 

Excerpted from the preliminary findings of the BNDC Incident Report (Dec 2022):

I attest to the following:

That all six (6) organizers during our initial investigative process agreed Mrs. Mandisa Thomas’s alleged behaviors were credible in their claims, and valid and unacceptable for the organization going forward. To varying degrees, myself along with all six organizers were witnesses-to these behaviors and/or personally informed of them by Mrs. Thomas herself. Furthermore, that following the departure of five (5) organizers, I continued our investigation of Mrs. Mandisa Thomas to verify warrant for our decision(s).

Regarding Black Nonbelievers of DC (BNDC), these and other related claims, the following actions are credible and made demonstrable. That Mrs. Mandisa Thomas:

Routinely blurred personal and professional lines with both organizers and members concerning detailed sexual histories.

Promoted consensual sexual interaction(s) of two or more members at official events (e.g. BNSeaCon).

Misappropriated organizational resources to facilitate or engage in consensual interactions with BN member(s).

Manipulated key narratives to gain loyalties and leverage collegial support for desired personal outcome(s) among members and organizers.

Arbitrarily expelled members from the organization and its events without board or leadership review.

Arbitrarily expelled members from the organization and events without board or leadership review due to private sexual and/or romantic dynamics.

Provided “a safe and nurturing space for Black people without faith and leaving religion” contingent upon adherence to romantic dynamics favorable to Mrs. Thomas.

Neglected to publish or implement quarterly reviews of organizational health and sustainability for BNDC affiliate members and organizers.

Neglected publishing or implementing method(s) of impartial review for grievances among leaders and members.

Neglected publishing or implementing means of financial transparency and review to board or organizers.

Failing to heed advice from organizers regarding public confrontation of BN member(s) and associates on private relationships between Mrs. Thomas and a BN member.

Regarding acts, these conclusions implicate Mrs. Thomas’ indiscretions of a personal or intimate nature with (1) members (2) organizers and (3) associates, regarding (4) multiple incidents of mismanagement. These conclusions also suggest a convergence of these relationships with official BN resources used to facilitate them. In other instances, a separate but not necessarily unrelated pattern of secret expulsion from BN portrays a (5) lack of institutional safeguards and review processes for Black Nonbelievers and by extension, Black Nonbelievers of DC. These incidents-combined with an absence of transparency of resources and financial reporting for the organization and/or its affiliates merit both my departure and this report.

-Danile (”Ro”) // BNDC Affiliate Director 2017-2022 // BN Member 2011-2022

___________

There are receipts. Sadly, they keep coming.

Also excerpted from the BNDC Incident Report (re: “Supporting Documents, Item No.4″)

I will not stand by -nor- stand for an organization with this brand of leadership and abuse of power. And any movement of fellow advocates, personalities and organizations that would platform or, stand-by a leader like this and deliberately choose not to publicly scrutinize these claims with haste is highly suspect of perpetuating the exact same type of malfeasance, hypocrisy and systemic rot that it seeks to publicly oppose in churches, mosques and other problematic institutions.

_________

I like ‘people work’. And as noted, my professional history of working-with and helping people dates back over thirty years. Surely, people will make mistakes; institutions will have to be checked; programs need to be evaluated and systems need regulation. But to write off these claims, as many have done (and others seem to be doing) is more than troubling inside a movement self-identified by “humanism” and higher ethics...which is what the atheist movement at large proudly claims to be doing. Furthermore, shrugging off these accounts in service of ((__insert favorite celebrity here__)) for fear of dissent, cult following and public regard, racial scarcity or “cultural diversity” bona fides is well...gross and disgusting. 

Most importantly, to assemble unassuming people and White allies around you as a defense shield against claims by fellow Black people in a credible, ongoing ethics investigation whilst Black people are left victimized by your trauma is to do the exact opposite of the “Black liberation” and “empowerment” work Black Nonbelievers was founded to perform.

But...it is exactly the reason why I, and nearly all other BN affiliate directors resigned and wrote this incident report(s). Even as atheists. Especially as Black Atheists.

We dissent.

#Black Atheist #Black Nonbelievers #Black Secular Collective #The Friendly Atheist #Matt Dillahunty #Truth and Reconciliation #White Supremacy #Healing #Accountability #Black History Month #Where We're Headed #Black Podcasts #Black Secular #Black Freethinker #Activism #Black Power #Black Activist #Deplorable #The Black Church #Interfaith Dialogue #Dissent #Sikivu Hutchinson #1619 Project #Self-Awareness #cultsim #Celebrity Worship #religion news #mandisa thomas

[seanshakur]

#hip hop #rap #california #los angeles #the marathon clothing #earn your leisure #earn your leisure podcast #black sam #nipsey hussle #rip nipsey hussle #black business #rashad bilal #black podcasts #joe budden podcast #the marathon continues #tmc #the marathon #black finance #finance #crenshaw #los angeles rap #black men #west coast #slauson #victory lap #air jordans #jordan 12 #assets over liabilities #amb clothing #blacc sam

[thecurvycritic]

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is Cute, Summer Fun for All Ages

Mermaids, Kraken and life lessons make for a fun trip under the surface for all ages #teenagekrakenmovie

As a kid, I remember vividly being an awkward teen trying to fit in after transferring into new schools. The awkwardness continued into college after transferring from an all-white institution into ‘The Mecca” aka Howard University. You never feel quite cool enough for the cool kids, nor for that one person who all you want is to be noticed. But, what would happen if they all found out you had a…

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#animated feature #animation #black podcasts #dreamworks #jane fonda #lana dondor #liza koshy #mermaids #podcasts #ruby gillman #ruby gillman teenage kraken #teenage kraken #toni collette

[dakaribarnes]

Black & Proud

New podcast episode on Being Black In America. LINK IN BIO 🧠

#black in america #blackisbeautiful #black guys #black men #blacklivesmatter #black podcasts #blackpodcast

[allyour-pleasures]

Merry Christmas from Thee Pleasure Princesses 👸🏾 What’d you ask Santa for this year 👀 Court wants a pair of AirPods Max & for her TollTag bill to magically disappear! Lex wants a fatter wallet and smaller tits! ✨We’re manifesting all this✨ We’re really missing you guys during this holiday break but we promise we’re working hard to bring you some exclusive sugar and spice all 2023!!!

🎄 want to be a guest on the pod? DM us for more information 🎄 talk soon bestie!

#queer podcast #lgbtq #femme4femme #podcast #black women in luxury #black women in art #black podcasts #queer pride #non bianry #bisexual #education #well being #you deserve it #all yours

[lrk-chronicle]

‘You’re Safe Here’ podcast 🖤

Szn 3 Episode 2 • Comfortably Toxic

Link: li.sten.to/safeherepod

#black tumblr #blackout #love #self love #photography #melanin #black love #therapy #friendships #black podcasts #comedy

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

Black Bloggers & Vloggers Masterlist

Disclaimer: I don’t know most of these people and have been using word of mouth to include them on the blog, because I do believe that Black content creators need to be spoken about and shared. That being said, I don’t personally usually make a lot of time to sit with content that youtubers and tiktokers put out. But, I will make space for them where I have space. 

 Bloggers | Vloggers | Influencers: 

Anayka She | Asmara

Emmerly Tinglin | Ena Da

Harriyanna Hook

Jackie Aina | Janea Brown (jnaydaily) 

KaeNotBae | Kennie J.D.

Lipglossssssssss

MelinaPendulum | Melinda Berry (Melrose) |  Myesha Tiara

Nyma Tang

Slim Rashae

Other Youtubers

Podcasts: 

Black, Broke, and Brilliant | Black Gals Livin | Black Girl Finance |  Black Girl Gone: A True Crime Podcast | Black Girl Songbook | Black Women Working | Brown Sugar Doc | Crime Noir | Dope Black Woman | Nightlight Podcast | Scam Goddess | Seasoned Sessions | Sistas Who Kill Podcast | Somebody | Therapy for Black Girls |  The Truer Crime Podcast

HOUSEKEEPING: Unite Tags!!! blogger(s), content creator(s), vlogger(s)

Most of the content creators here have been shared with me through friends: 

#Black Bloggers and Vloggers Masterlist #black content creators #black vloggers #black podcasts #List will be updated as needed #Girl That's Queuedt #WIPs

[plumgoode]

The Gourmet Goober is Featured on Apple Music This Month!

Congratulations to the Gourmet Goober Podcast team, who will be featured in the "In Everything" collection on Apple Podcasts during Black History Month! Check them out here: apple.co/-InEverything !! Thank you, Apple, for including our show on this distinguished list of Black creators. 

#podsincolor #podcast of tumblr #black podcasts #support black podcasts #support black creatives #black history month

[angelicsaggie]

Ujamaa 2022-23

Today is the 4th day of Kwanzaa, thus the second red candle is lit to represent the bloodline that keeps us connected to our ancestors. It is disgusting that their crafts have been ignored, retaught, and hidden from us. Thankfully, we still carry their traits, talents, and knowledge because the truth is always there and will vividly come to the light as it is now. Ujamaa reminds us that it is a must to strive with integrity and honesty so we can attract a positive outcome for our community and ourselves. 

Journal Prompt: Be honest with yourself and open to improving yourself.

1) What are my strengths and weakness and how can I improve them?

2) What am I insecure about? What responsibilities am I neglecting? 

—

Symbolization:

Your Subconscious (Read the article to find out about the symbolization of today)

—

More Posts

Receiving Messages During Your Spiritual Journey

Kwanzaa Master List

Black & African Excellence Master List

Spirituality Master List

Last Kwanzaa 22-23 Post

#to read #happy kwanzaa #happy kwanza #kwanzaa 2022 #kwanzaar #ujima #nguzo saba #nguzosaba #black spirituality #african spirituality #black woman power #locs #black podcasts #black poets on tumblr #black posts #black positivity #black power #black artist #spirituality #spiritual guide #freeform locs #blackholidays #blackgirlbloggers #blackgirlmagic #spiritualjourney #black unity #black writing #african #natural hair #black woman writer

[reasoningdaily]

Black History Month | Smithsonian Institution

Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins and his fan club in a jam session, 1940s-50s. Photograph by Mitchell Studios. Gift of W. Allen Taylor, son of "Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins," The First Black Disc Jockey of Cleveland, Ohio

Celebrate Black History Month with Smithsonian events, resources, exhibitions, and podcasts. The 2024 theme is "African Americans and the Arts" spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.

#Celebrate Black History Month with Smithsonian events #resources #exhibitions #Black podcasts #smithsonian #BHM24 #2024 #Black History Month

[thecurvycritic]

Jeremy Jordan and Jay Pharoah Are Spectacular in 70's Biopic Spinning Gold

Did you know that Midnight Train to Georgia was almost coming out of Houston ? Or that only one of the Village People could sing? Spinning Gold spills all the tea. #spinninggold

Donna Summer, Bill Withers, KISS, The Isley Brothers, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic had one thing in common – Neil Bogart. A mastermind marketing genius, Bogart signed these acts to his Casablanca and/or Buddha record labels during the 70’s literally defining the disco era and beyond with hit records like “Love to Love Ya Baby,’ “Lean on Me.” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “It’s Your Thang”…

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#bill withers #black podcasts #buddha records #casablanca records #disco #donna summer #geroge clinton #jay pharoah #jeremy jordan #kiss #ledisi #neil bogart #parliament funkadelic #podcasts #spinning gold #spinning gold movie #tim bogart

[bakanokiwami]

[2023] TOP 20 PODCASTS ON AO3 FOUND IN FANDOMS > OTHER MEDIA

To make this ranking, all series titles in Other Media were copy-pasted to Google Sheets, rearranged according to number of fanworks, and then manually filtered since not all podcasts were marked as such.

The numbers under each rank indicate how much they rose/fell in the rankings based on last year's (Oct. 24, 2023) rankings, which can be found here. The gray numbers in parenthesis indicate how much fanworks it gained since last year.

The data for this year and last year's rankings were taken while logged in, so lcoked fanworks are included in the count.

A few web series like Critical Role and Dimensions 20 released audio-only versions of their works too, but I left them out since they were listed was a web series on ao3 and more known as one too.

Cabin Pressure has also been left off the list this time since its podcast format was only released in 2019, years after it aired on the radio.

All nonfiction podcasts have also been excluded (Not that there were many), because with RPFs, it’s hard to tell if the fic in question is just based on the podcast or because of the things the person has done outside of it. Last year, I accidentally included The Misfits in the list since I didn't realize from its description that it was nonfiction.

The Two Princes (Podcast) ranks 21st in the rankings this year, and actually ranked 20th last year when the rankings are adjusted to exclude Cabin Pressure and The Misfits.

The College Tapes is actually a spinoff of The Bright Sessions.

Thanks for understanding and hopefully I didn’t mess up anywhere! 🙏

#podcasts #ao3 #archive of our own #the magnus archives #the adventure zone #welcome to night vale #rusty quill gaming #the penumbra podcast #just roll with it #wolf 359 #friends at the table #dungeons and daddies #malevolent #the bright sessions #king falls am #not another dnd podcast #campaign podcast #the black tapes #stellar firma #wooden overcoats #the thrilling adventure hour #hello from the hallowoods #the college tapes #the two princes #the college tapes are technically a spinoff of the bright sessions #so i thought itd be good if i mentioned what ranked 21st as well #i was supposed to get oct24 data this year but was busy and forgot #for shame lol #keeping a walker et al for fatt fans lol #anyway hopefully i didnt make any big mistakes this time cause i got so rattled from the heat i got for not excluding something last year

[nieshas-corner]

I'm super proud of this podcast that I co-host with my friend Kellie called Behind the Tech Scenes.

We talk about tech in a super casual and natural way for us.

What I really like about this podcast is that you don't have to work in tech or even have an interest to work in the field to enjoy it.

We keep it real about our experiences and our views on what's going on in these tech streets.

We're two Black women, a demographic often overlooked in tech and I hope this podcast can help people feel seen and provide some laughs and insights.

Check us out!

#black women in tech #black in tech #tech podcast #diversity in tech #tech entertainment #black podcasts

[blacknerdscreate]

#WizardTeam is a Black magical podcast for Black magical stories. Listen to a new episode every Wednesday as we discuss Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston!

Black Magical Stories #Fantasy #Black Authors #Podcasts #Black Podcasts

#Black Magical Stories #Fantasy #Black Authors #Podcasts #Black Podcasts #Amari and the Night Brothers #Middle grade

[dakaribarnes]

NEW PODCAST EPISODE on Black Men & Self Awareness - LINK BELOW

linktr.ee/iamdkbarnes

#black men #black in america #black guys #black podcasts #podcast #podcasterslife #wellness #self improvement #self growth #self discovery #self awareness