Naked Sports with Cari Champion

This week's episode is a NAKED REPLAY / a reminder of the importance of VOTING!  Learn More: WhenWeAllVote.org Connect: @CariChampion   @WhenWeAllVote Subscribe: Cari Champion's YouTube Channel NOTE: This episode originally aired in 2022 - The dates mentioned do not reflect present-day elections, be sure to check your local area scheduling for up and upcoming dates.  See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Zainab Johnson and Cari came up in the same circles as they made efforts to make names for themselves in their respective fields. Fast forward she affirms her success by recognizing the growth of her peers. Zainab is an actress and comedian, she joins us today to celebrate her new special, Hijabs Off now available on Amazon Prime.  Connect: @CariChampion @ZainabJohnson Learn More: ZainabJohnson.co...

The road to becoming a comedian started as a “hobby” or at least that’s what Aida Rodriguez called it, in order to protect her dream. It’s no secret that her candid pursuit has blossomed into a successful career. Fast forward she now holds several titles, comedian, actress, activist, and now an author.  Aida doesn’t hold back from her truth in this episode or in her book, “Legitimate Kid” and she...

Broadway is evolving. With artists like Michael R Jackson, Jordan E Cooper, and our guest today, Jocelyn Bioh, Broadway is becoming a home for our stories.  As a Harlem native, Bioh was inspired to tell the story of the women we all have encountered, if/when you've ever visited Harlem. The women who feed the economy of the neighborhood and provide a quintessential need. Every person who has visite...

Muni Long speaks with us today about the frequencies of creating and how she channels the lyrics for the music she writes for others and now for herself. Long has spent the last decade writing for various artists from; Rihanna, Madonna, Ariana Grande, and many more. And is now fully standing in her artistry, releasing her new single, "Made For Me" Long has enough points on the board to now set a s...

The revolution needs not to be sponsored by anger or aggression. Bethann Hardison is considered to be an activist, she revolutionized fashion, and some refer to her as the Godmother of Fashion, and yes she indeed is all these things and deserves these titles. However, she didn’t gain them through force. Her approach was always to educate and inspire change within her industry. She has indelibly ma...

We catch up with Steven Melendez at the New York Theatre of Ballet, where he started his career at the early age of seven years old. His journey with the NYTB has come full circle after being appointed the Artistic Director in 2022, where he now mentors and guides the careers of young dancers. As a young Puerto Rican boy from the Bronx, it wasn’t likely for him to pursue and gain success in the wo...

Michael Jai White is a unique leader within his lane. White holds eight black belts and many titles as an Independent filmmaker.  In this episode, we talk about White's life prior to acting including his work as a security guard for Oprah. He also shares some of the challenges he faced as an alpha black male earlier in his career. Fast forward White didn't wait for a role to be handed to him, he d...

A child of the arts with inspiration from all directions. Growing up with a musical family and entering the game at an early age.  Mya recently celebrated the 25th year Anniversary of her first album, released a new single, and unreleased projects she can’t wait to share! In this episode, Mya defines what being an artist means to her and how important it has been to start her own independent label...

Phoebe Robinson returns to the podcast and she is back on tour! We love having her join us and being witness to her genius. Robinson is having a good time developing spaces for her creativity to thrive and it's allowing her to live and work outside of any specific box or idea. When Phoebe entered the indie comedy scene in 2008 it wasn't her ideal, but now she has hit her stride.   Connect: @CariCh...

Tommy Davidson was raised in an era where quality came first as an entertainer, he prides his work and longevity based on the company and talent he group up with.  We learn about his life from the beginning; from being adopted to learning racism and what his skin color meant in the world, to his early start as a comedian making his friend laugh that pushed him to the stage. Read: Living in Color:...

Stephanie Mills is a household name, she has been making history since her appearance at the Apollo Theatre at eleven years old to her role as Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway and winning Grammy’s for her music as a solo artist.  Mills has so many stories from over the years in business; from dating Michael Jackson, being on set with Diana Ross, a love fest with Motown, and more. She shares these mo...

This is a very special edition of NAKED, it is different from our normal format. We are introducing a new segment and conversation but what really makes this episode special is the intimacy between Cari Champion and her dear friend Jessica Thorpe. The topic is dating and the search to find, “the one”.  Thorpe shares her very unique insight into the single black female hula-hoops, that are prevalen...

Larry Willmore has helped shaped television comedy over the last 3o years.  He is a veteran and a champion in the game working on household favorites such as, In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show, The Office, Insecure, Grown-ish, and many many more. He is a Writer, Producer, and basketball enthusiast. Wilmore joins us today to discuss the WGA writer’s strike, some of the black women in Hollywood h...

Sasheer Zamata is an actress, singer, and comedian.  In this episode, she shares her experiences coming up as a black woman in improv, her time at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and SNL. Similar to all thespians as the SAG and WGA strike continues, we couldn't discuss her upcoming roles. We were able to celebrate her new podcast, "Best Friends" with Nicole Byer, and her new self-produced stand-up s...

Kokomo City is a documentary about four transwomen, the black community, our phobias, and our “conditioned ideas” towards alternative lifestyles.   D. Smith’s personal story as a transwoman has not been easy, she has been blacklisted, discarded, embarrassed and etc, but this road led her to her truth as a storyteller and Director. While listening if any portion of this episode makes you feel disco...

Ice Cube is a pioneer in hip-hop. He has been able to thrive in the music and film industry and is now expanding into sports.   In 2017, Cube founded, "The Big3" - a black-owned three-on-three-premier global league that features many of the most popular and skilled athletes of all time. The league offers an opportunity for great ballers to coach and continue playing the game they love in front of...

A Musical Director translates the moments from the studio to the live performance. Blackstone facilitates the whole creative process whether it's for theater or a Superbowl live performance, he is the man behind the music directing the experience for some of the top artists of our time. Blackstone is also a Grammy nominated solo artist, a father and is putting in the work to ensure music stays in...

Major is a singer, songwriter, and actor who is also known to offer a good sermon. He shares how things in the industry changed for him after releasing his single, "Why I Love You". Despite the single going platinum, he speaks colorfully about how the song introduced him to Stevie Wonder and that made it everything. He also addresses some hilarious rumors about Mr. Wonder that you want to hear! Co...

Angie Stone is a singer, songwriter, actress, and a legend in her own right.  You may remember her song, “Brotha” an anthem to uplift our brothers, sons, and fathers.  Angie Stone has been consistent with creating art that aligns with her soul, black love, and culture. Her new album, "Love Languages" is now available!   Connect: @carichampion @theangiestone Learn More: TheAngieStone.com Listen:  A...

Gina Yashere is not an overnight name; her resume reigns long in the comedy world. However after humble beginnings, she attempted to make her mother proud by pursuing a career in Engineering, but the comedy bug bit her and there was no turning back. Once Yashere established her name in England, she knew America was next. She learned very quickly the difference between the LA vs NYC comedy circuit....

Lexi Underwood is young, gifted, and black, and with the love and support of her family, she is on her way to greatness. Eight years ago after booking her role in, "The Lion King" her family decided to move to LA to further extend her career. Underwood is just getting started and as she leaves her teenage years behind, she readies herself for a softer life with focused intentions. She is an actres...

How are we going to get there? How are we going to reach our goals together?  That was the question that started a love that would blossom into a success. Devale Ellis knew very early on what he wanted to do and once he started down that path, he attracted his now wife, Khadeen Ellis. As a couple, they created a plan and those steps led them to a co-written best-selling book, We Over Me , and thei...

Larry Willmore has helped shaped television comedy over the last 3o years.  He is a veteran and a champion in the game working on household favorites such as, In Living Color, The Bernie Mac Show, The Office, Insecure, Grown-ish, and many many more. He is a Writer, Producer, and basketball enthusiast. Wilmore joins us today to discuss the WGA writer’s strike, some of the black women in Hollywood h...

Styles P's name is synonymous with the Lox, New York, Hip Hop, and now a healthy lifestyle. Styles didn't grow up vegan/plant-based, but after making small changes over the years he adopted the lifestyle in order to intentionally transition his health, mind, and energy. In this episode, Styles elaborates on how he ventured into the business of creating healthier options in the neighborhoods that n...