The Blk Powerhouse Podcast

What does it really take to build a successful career as a ghostwriter? In this episode of The Blk Powerhouse Podcast, Leah Hernandez sits down with ghostwriter, editor, and author Leah Lakins, whose clients include Steve Harvey, Pinky Cole, Roland Martin, and Van Lathan. Leah pulls back the curtain on the ghostwriting industry and shares practical advice for writers, editors, freelancers, and pub...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Kyle Colley, Co-Founder & CEO of Bookum — a social reading app and virtual book club platform connecting authors, readers, and book influencers all in one place. We discuss how bestselling authors like S.A. Cosby, Cebo Campbell, and Wallo have used the platform to host live conversations and connect directly with readers. This episode dives into why...

In this episode, filmmaker, author, and brand builder Cebo Campbell takes us behind the scenes of how stories move from the page to the screen. He shares how he used his background in hospitality and brand development to build his identity as an author and creative entrepreneur — leading to powerful partnerships, including a book-to-film deal with Laurence Fishburne.  Listeners will gain insight i...

Everyone in publishing talks about bestsellers —but few people actually know how those lists are made. In this episode, I’m joined by Troy Johnson , Founder of the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), and Linda Duggins , longtime publishing executive, to unpack what really goes into making a book a “bestseller.” Together, they created The BLK Bestsellers List —a list spotlighting the top...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Brandes , Founder & CEO of Jacaranda Books , a Black-owned independent publishing company based in London. In our conversation, Valerie shares her journey of starting and growing her press, how she’s overcome challenges like distribution, publishing 20 books during a pandemic, and the ways indie publishers can connect with their audiences to grow sale...

In this episode of The Blk Powerhouse podcast, I’m joined by Wale Okerayi — licensed therapist, book influencer, and speaker at The Blk Powerhouse Summit. We talk about her journey blending literature with mental health through bibliotherapy, the realities of influencer compensation, and how she stays grounded and authentic online. We also explore what life might look like without social media and...

Camari Carter Hawkins — author, and founder of Audacious Writers Circle & Mama’s Kitchen Press — joins us to talk about why so many writers struggle to finish their books and how community can be the key to getting through the draft. We dig into her path into publishing—starting at a small press—what it takes to finish a book when “life gets to lifing,” and how the chaos is part of the process...

This week on The Blk Powerhouse Podcast, Leah dives into the world of event and conference planning, sharing the behind-the-scenes journey of creating The Blk Powerhouse Summit—a  gathering that united the entire Black book ecosystem.

In today's episode, I sat down with Helena Brantley, a seasoned communications professional who left corporate publishing to launch her own boutique publicity firm, Red Pencil Publicity + Marketing. Helena walks us through her career journey, starting with her time managing campaigns at HarperCollins and Nolo Press, and what ultimately led her to build a business on her own terms—collaboratin...

This episode highlights the challenges and triumphs of Black voices in the publishing industry, featuring insights from Malaika about her journey from an HBCU student to a seasoned publishing professional. Our conversation touches on navigating micro aggressions, the importance of sales skills, and the value of building genuine relationships in a predominantly white industry. • Examining the impac...