Black in a Box

We needed to talk about some Daves. Dave Chappelle's monologue on SNL generated heat with some commentators saying it engaged in anti-semitic tropes whilst others praised its nuance. We discuss it and how Chappelle's skill as a comedian doesn't always translate. (5:22) We then get onto David Baddiel, his appearance on Jason Lee's podcast, his documentary "Jews Don't Count" and how the effects of h...

Lock in for a journey through astrology, living the life that fulfils you, lunar travel, pirates and miscellaneous money and so much more with Jason “Scully” Kavuma. Scully – one of the voices behind the rise of lockdown internet sensation #NS10v10 at No Signal – cut his teeth as a new media dabbler at Vice before becoming a presenter and A&R as well as a producer on the rise. It has to be said th...

The one where we talk about football. Football podcasting great and award-winning writer Musa Okwonga joined the pod at the start of the season for a wide-ranging deep dive on the relationship of our game, media and the England team with Black Britain. We begin talking about how Blackness has permeated football culture (5:17), charting from Wenger's Arsenal through Nike's Londoner advert to now. W...

The Tory leadership contest has seemingly been a showcase for diversity. Our guest, Nels Abbey, a celebrated author and essayist joins the team to talk through the candidates. We start off with "Black out the Box" where we celebrate the best of Britain, big and small (1:30). Then we ask whether the ethnic diversity in the contest makes us feel represented (10:31) and we have an in depth discussion...

As we reflect on the anniversary of Grenfell, we are joined by guest Ewa Effiom, architect and expert on the built environment, to discuss his success as a Black face in a predominantly white industry, as well as housing and development issues affecting Black and Brown people. First we get to know Ewa as he takes us through his rise, experiences and observations as a prominent Black architect (6:0...

We follow up our March episode with Symeon Brown and Neef Ekpoudom, in which we discussed the plight of young people chasing fame and money as influencers, by welcoming former BBC Apprentice contestant, businesswoman Joanna Jarjue. Joanna joins Alahna, Dan and Dom to talk about achieving through adversity. We begin with her journey growing up in Wakefield after leaving Gambia (8:46), before moving...

In a shorter episode this week and a body short, with Alahna back in the mean-streets of Palm City, we discuss what is an exciting time for rap powerhouse - Top Dawg Entertainment. Last week, BIAB favourite, Isaiah Rashad, made a heart-warming return on the one of the world's biggest stages - the influencer olympics...Coachella (01:16). We discuss how he did, or didn't, address the leaked video an...

We know you're probably sick of it by now and we are too, but we had a hiccup with the recording so we're a week late...but anyway, we start with the spectacle on everyone’s feeds…the SLAP heard around the world (01:26). Such a brief moment, yet so much to unpack...or maybe not? We get into it nevertheless. We then discuss the disgusting, disturbing, but not so surprising case of Child Q and the s...

This week we are joined by author of 'Get Rich or Lie Trying' Symeon Brown and second time guest, Aniefiok 'Neef' Ekpoudom FRSA, newly anointed Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and, more importantly, friend of the pod. We talk Symeon’s inspiration for about his new book (2:21), what even is an influencer (8:49), as well as the limitation of moments built on influencers (17:54), the new mark...

WE BACK! It’s a New Year and a new season of Black in a Box and there’s already an abundance of f*ckry to unpack. Starting off with a look at Kurt Zouma and the many woes his candid cruelty has drudged up (3:05), we then get into the tearful confessions of Thandiwe Newton (18:00). At (33:40), Angelo has a few things to get off his chest about the Labour Party and we share a raised eyebrow at the B...

Merry Christmas, happy new year and all dem ting deh! Glad to see the back of 2021? Us too. We got together for a year-end wrap up, discussing all of the highs and lows of another crazy lap around the sun. We kick things off with our individual reflections and give flowers to SimplySayo, Mark Phillips of RDC World, Jadakiss amongst others, then we jump into our regular end of year music segment, w...

As we approach the end of another year, the Black in a Box crew reflect on some big questions in this episode. What were our childhoods like and what do we want the future to look like for our children and future generations? Is there maybe some futility in procreating given the state of the planet (5:30) We discuss the merit in mentoring future generations and creating intergenerational communiti...

How do you solve a problem like institutional racism? Deny, deny, deny then reaccuse if the Azeem Rafiq Yorkshire County Cricket club experience is anything to go by. The team got together for Series 3 Episode 10 to discuss the mishandling of the scandal, what constitutes “banter” and whether things will change from here. The performative tears of American teen shooter Kyle Rittenhouse at his tria...

Blackfishing. Appropriation. Transphobia. What a week it’s been for shenanigans and the good friends at Black in a Box get into it all in this latest episode. We start by addressing the minstrel show that came in the form of Jesy Nelson's “Boyz” music video (1:00) before discussing the difference between appropriation and appreciation (17:00). Then we get into the uncomfortable truth that Dave Cha...

"We have to be able to walk and chew gum." In the latest episode of Black in a Box, we discuss Chimamanda Adichie's blistering essay on cancel culture, after a friend and apparent mentee of hers took to the internet to denigrate her for, what she perceived as, dangerous and transphobic rhetoric (03:25). We then jump into Michaela Coel finally getting her flowers after winning the Emmy for Outstand...

“But the game is out there, and it’s either play or get played” Michael K. Williams was one of the great small screen actors of his time. And yet, even with characters as compelling as the legendary Omar Little, Chalky White, Bobby McCray and Montrose Freeman on his resume, he was so much more. The pod took to the mics to talk about the loss of a man who redefined black masculinity for an entire g...

Season 3 Episode 6 covers a topic hot on all our minds... TRAVEL (finally!) Alahna, Angelo, Dan and Dom explore the ups and downs of traveling whilst Black and share their upcoming holiday plans and places they'd love to visit. We start with each of the BIAB hosts sharing a quintessential 'traveling whilst Black' anecdote and how that experience was shaped or influenced by their Blackness (8:22)....

Season 2 Episode 5 is the wellness episode and Black in a Box are joined by guest Dora Atim, founder of UltraBlackRunning. Alahna, Dan and Dom hear about how and why Dora began to build a thriving trail running community that catered for mental wellness as well as fitness for Black women and Black non-binary people.  A sadly topical issue is that of safety for women when out running after the kill...

This episode is a tribute to Nate. Talking as a podcast about your friend who is no longer here to talk back is not something you ever think you’ll have to do. The world lost one of its brightest with the death of our friend and fellow pod founder Nate Alexander Sterling. We wanted to get together out of respect for a man that meant so much to us and so many others and share some thoughts, stories...

The abduction and murder of Sarah Everard and the national response to it led us to recording a special episode, joined once again by guest contributor Shabazz. We open up the episode by providing a space for Alahna and Shabazz to express how they feel (4:15). Next Dan talks about his experience of being at Sarah Everard's vigil at Clapham Common (15:46). As violence against women is a men's issue...

In this Women’s Day episode, midwife and baker elite, Shabazz Irving and actor and writer, Yana Penrose join us in the Box to discuss a few issues at the intersection of race and gender. We open up the episode with a discussion on toxic masculinity in the workplace (03:06). Next Shabazz guides us through an understanding of racism and sexism within the medical profession (33:00) and how to ensure...

Chiedu Oraka, “The Black Yorkshireman”, one of the UK’s most exciting musicians joins Angelo to talk about his motivation to make music during lockdown and how to make it in music. First up we talk about what caused him to make music during the lockdown than he did in the year prior (01:27) Next, Chiedu speaks on how lockdown has helped him innovate and how he has learned not to put too much focus...

DJ Cueball joins Alahna, Angelo, Dan, Dom and Nate to talk about creativity and methods and motivations behind making music during lockdown. We open up talking about the Golden Globes snubbing of I MAY DESTROY YOU and whether it is down racism or the nature of the content and audiences today. Next Cue gets into how lockdown hit the music industry (26:40) and how he kept his creativity up regardles...

New year, new series. Black in a Box welcome 2021 with Series 3 and the whole cast celebrating Angelo’s cameo performance and writing in Netflix feature Death to 2020. Recorded the day after the Inauguration (18:19) Black in a Box seek the view of our resident American Alahna now that Joe Biden has been confirmed as the 46th US President. The pod gang talk through goal setting and our respective s...

A designer, a management consultant, a marketing guru and teacher embark on a multimedia venture. As far as origin stories, it is lacking. All of them are black. Slightly more interesting, but so what? Three of them are proud Yorkshireman. Ok, I’m listening. Black Guys in a Box is the lovechild of Dan, Dom and Nate, three friends from university and Alahna and Angelo, who came along for the ride....