Remarkable Receptions

A brief take on the limited presence of Black-authored novels in a Chicago airport bookstore. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the media’s narrow focus on a select few Black writers Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm  

A brief take on the challenges of periodizing African American literature, exploring when the current literary era began and how it might be defined. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Between the World and Me sparked layered reactions, with Coates critiquing the fixation on white readers’ responses to his Black-centered narrative. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Invisible Man, Beloved, and The Color Purple top Wikipedia’s views for African American novels, showcasing their lasting impact. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Matt Baker, the first Black superhero comic artist, whose work on Phantom Lady and Voodah shaped the industry. Script by Stephyn Phillips  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Andrew Theising’s collection of East St. Louis postcards, now a vital visual archive of the city’s history. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Africa’s independence movements and leaders like Lumumba inspired the creation of Black Panther and Wakanda. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues,” a frequently anthologized story exploring brotherhood, identity, and the power of the blues. Script by Kenton Rambsy  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Orrin C. Evans, a pioneering journalist and creator of All-Negro Comics, the first comic book with an all-Black creative team and characters. Script by Stephyn Phillips  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Black Panther run introduced a Wakanda map, deepening its world-building and legacy. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on 30 essential African American novels, from Toni Morrison to Colson Whitehead, as an entry point to a rich literary tradition and the journeys ahead. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how college professors navigate the abundance of African American literary works, using survey courses, special topics, and evolving syllabi to introduce students to this rich and expansive field. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how generations of Black creators—novelists, poets, filmmakers, and musicians—have drawn inspiration from the subject of slavery, producing works that highlight its horrors, reimagine its history, and elevate African American artistic expression. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the extraordinary literary achievements of Black women writers from 1969 to 1994, a period marked by groundbreaking works and unprecedented critical and popular acclaim. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on George Herriman, the Black Creole creator of Krazy Kat, whose influential comic strip tackled humor, racial tensions, and left an enduring mark on American comics history. Script by Stephyn Phillips  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Huey Freeman, the sharp-tongued, afro-wearing 10-year-old from The Boondocks , whose biting critiques of society made him a highly visible (fictive) Black militant. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Michelle Burford, the writer behind memoirs by Cicely Tyson, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and others, whose collaborative storytelling gives voice to the life experiences of prominent Black women, among others.  Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Zora Neale Hurston’s Sweat, first published in the 1926 magazine Fire!!, which showcased realities of Black life and paved the way for enduring discussions in African American literature. Script by Kenton Rambsy  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Jackie Ormes, the trailblazing first Black female cartoonist, whose comic strips Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger addressed social issues and left an enduring legacy in American comics. Script by Stephyn Phillips  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on the need for a sociology of Black novelists to better understand the challenges and limited recognition faced by the vast majority of Black writers. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on Edward P. Jones’s intricate storytelling and his role as a chronicler of Washington, D.C.’s neighborhoods and landmarks. Script by Kenton Rambsy  Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how studying African American literature opens doors to diverse careers, from digital editing to brand strategy, while enhancing analytical skills and cultural understanding. Script by Howard Rambsy II Read by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how the 2000s ushered in a new era of diversity in comic books, spotlighting groundbreaking characters like Mr. Terrific, Shuri, and the Blue Marvel. Script by Stephyn Phillips  Voiceover by Kassandra Timm

A brief take on how Edward P. Jones’s short stories document and celebrate the history and culture of Washington, D.C.’s Black neighborhoods, resurrecting forgotten landmarks and local heritage. Script by Kenton Rambsy  Read by Kassandra Timm