Dear Culture

This Memorial Day Dear Culture speaks to a pair of veterans serving the Wounded Warrior Project about military life and the resources and support available to those in need. Internal struggles are often overlooked as veterans focus on physical injuries but Tonya Oxendine and Wilton Williamson stress that mental health care is vital to a successful recovery and productive future post-combat. 

Legendary music journalist Touré and Black Studies Professor Dr. Stefan Bradley join Panama Jackson to discuss the birth of hip-hop and its role in shaping the political and cultural climate of the 1980s.

Since exploding onto the scene in 2015 with the film 'Dope' Shameik Moore has solidified his place in Hollywood. The Atlanta-born actor joins Dear Culture to talk about his decision to pause his music career for acting and how he's landed some of the biggest roles impacting Black culture including voicing the Spider-Man Miles Morales character and portraying Raekwon in Hulu's 'Wu-Tang: An American...

Award-winning writer, producer, director, comedian, and TV host W. Kamau Bell joins Dear Culture to talk about his latest project for HBO Max. The documentary '1000% Me' shines a light on mixed raced children. In true Bell style, the doc provides laughs and hard truths. 

Music executive Whitney-Gayle Benta has spent more than 20 years in the music business working for some of the most influential companies in the game, including MTV, Def Jam, and Spotify. She joins Panama Jackson to talk about her journey to the big leagues and the future of music and investment. Whitney explains how music lovers will soon have the chance to invest in music royalties with the comp...

Little Brother, the iconic rap group from North Carolina is back on tour and celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album "The Listening." Both Phonte and Big Pooh join Panama Jackson to talk about their journey from a trio to a duo, their evolution as artists, and their impact on stars like Kanye West. 

Writer and cultural critic Jamilah Lemieux has never shied away from sharing her opinions, popular or not. Panama Jackson chats with the outspoken blogger turned professional writer about some of her biggest controversies and achievements. Including her work centered on R Kelly, Bill Cosby and her war of words with the Republican Party. 

As Dear Culture continues to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, Panama Jackson introduces his listeners to the card game 'Univeristy of Dope.' The game's co-founder A.V. Perkins tells the origin story of the only card game dedicated to hip-hop music. Plus, A.V. and Panama play a few rounds, who's team would you be on?

With decades of experience in the business, executive producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks joins Dear Culture to talk about his pivotal role in some of Hollywood's most popular TV shows including Queen Sugar and Bel-Air. He also talks his commitment to telling Black stories and the significance of representation in entertainment.   

With more than 30 years in the music and book publishing industry author and journalist Aliya King Neil joins Panama Jackson to talk about the good ol' days when The Source, Vibe, and XXL Magazine were in their prime. She shares some behind-the-scenes stories and even pinpoints the exact moment she claims hip-hop journalism died.

Panama Jackson is joined by The King of Black Twitter and theGrio Daily host, Micahel Harriot to analyze some of Hollywood's top money-making movies. They explore the relationship between white and Black characters who are meant to save each other. While it may make for a good story, is the concept of the white savior and magical nego actually hurting the culture?

Kier Gaines is a husband, father, therapist, and social media favorite who is introducing therapy to the masses. After going viral in 2020, Kier now uses his platform to reach people who may have shied away from getting vulnerable and prioritizing their mental health. He's raw, honest, and shares with Panama Jackson that he doesn't always get it right, and you won't either and that's ok!

Legendary music journalist Touré and Black Studies Professor Dr. Stefan Bradley join Panama Jackson to discuss the birth of hip-hop and its role in shaping the political and cultural climate of the 1980s.

The Tru'ish Black Stories series concludes with the serve heard 'round the world as Dear Culture looks back on the dance battle classic of the early 2000's 'You Got Served.' These dance battles were about more than just bragging rights. 

Actress Kyla Pratt joins Dear Culture to talk about her 30-plus years in Hollywood and the continued success of The Proud Family. She also weighs in on the argument that the animated show's theme song featuring Solange and Destiny's Child is the best of all time.

Being the national spelling bee champion may not be the dream of every kid growing up in South Los Angeles, but Akeelah was special. Dear Culture speaks to several people, including her rival Kyla Pratt about what Akeelah's accomplishments and spelling bee co-win meant for the culture.

Is Randy Watson's rendition of "The Greatest Love of All" better than Whitney's? It's the pop culture debate you didn't know you needed, as Dear Culture continues to analyze classic Black films that changed the culture.

Dear Culture takes a look at classic Black films that have shaped the culture and we start with John Singleton's 'Boyz N The Hood.' More specifically the story of Ricky Baker, who died on the streets of South Central Los Angeles in the early ’90s. Most people know Ricky’s tragic outcome, but with the help of various guests and "people who lived it," Panama Jackson examines what his death meant for...

As part of theGrio's month long series, Africa Amplified, Dear Culture host Panama Jackson invites his Ghanaian wife to chat about her journey to America as a child. Simona Noce Wright also shares some of her experiences both good and bad after living in the United States for more than 20 years.

The daughters of pop and R&B royalty are sharing their lives with the world on the podcast, Do Everything With Love. Crediting Panama Jackson with helping mentor them, Deja Riley and Genevieve Jackson talk about their mission to spread positivity and uplift the culture. 

The culture is buzzing about the return of the fictitious friend group we were first introduced to in 1999 with the cult classic film The Best Man. With the third and likely final installment of the franchise, Panama Jackson dishes on what he loved & what he could have done without.

Blackfessions, a confession about your Blackness, is one of the most entertaining and oftentimes memorable moments of each Dear Culture episode. So here's a wrap-up of some of our favorites.

Panama Jackson is joined by fellow podcast hosts Dr. Christina Greer and Michael Harriot to talk all things Kwanzaa. Panama celebrated for the first time last year and quickly realized there's more to it than just lighting candles. 

Award-winning actor and host Anthony Anderson joins Panama Jackson to talk about HBCUs, a wild sneaker collection, his new film, and a trip on The Obama's Air Force Two that may win top Blackfession. 

NFL Hall of Fame player and college coach Deion Sanders rocked the football world with his move from Jackson State University to the University of Colorado Boulder. Opinions are flying and everyone is talking about what the change will mean for the culture of HBCU football. Panama Jackson is joined by several former college athletes to debate the controversial move.