Writing Black with Maiysha Kai

Journalist, guest writer for Rolling Stones Magazine and author Ernest Owens joins Writing Black to talk about his new book "The Case For Cancel Culture." After his Twitter feud with Elon Musk, Owens decided to talk with Maiysha about the importance of cancel culture, how cancel culture has been around for centuries, how it can get abused and why so many people in power like Dave Chappelle, Joe Ro...

Former NAACP Chairman and author Ben Jealous sits down with Maiysha Kai to talk about his new book, being confused for Dave Chappelle's bodyguard and how he is related to Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jefferson. 

Maiysha Kai sits down with Mr. and Mrs. KevOnStage to talk about their new book "Marriage Be Hard" which is about the ups and downs of marriage. They also discuss how they couldn't afford dinner on their honeymoon, KevOnStage being compared to Idris Elba, how parents can cause unintentional trauma and growing up in the church. 

Valentine's Day is here and Writing Black host Maiysha Kai has some great Valentine's Day book recommendations that are all about Black love! Sit down and have a nice read with your Valentine with these great books about Black love! 

Acclaimed authors and Washington Post journalist Robert Samuels and Tolu Olorunnipa wrote a riveting book about the life of George Floyd called "His Name is George Floyd." With the tragic death of Tyre Nichols by the hands of Memphis police officers, Maiysha and Robert and Tolu had a candid conversation about George Floyd, Georgi's life, policing in America and how what happened to George Floyd ha...

Writing Black is an entertaining and compelling podcast featuring Black writers that showcases the myriad of ways Black people tell their stories. Each week, host Maiysha Kai, theGrio’s lifestyle editor, talks to some of the best playwrights, songwriters, comics, journalists, and authors about their creative process, popular culture, publishing, and how race inherently inspires and informs their w...

Maiysha talks with renowned historian Peniel Joseph about his critically acclaimed book "The Third Reconstruction." They also dive deep in the history of white resistance, why he thinks we are currently in the third reconstruction period, steps we can take to move forward, how the Black Lives Matter movement is very similar to past movements and more.

We are highlighting the brilliant talents that come from Africa and on this episode of Writing Black we are amplifying the talented and critically acclaimed Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo. Adebayo's new novel "A Spell of Good Things" brings to life the culture and communities of Nigeria following two families through the struggles of class, wealth and political struggles. Adebayo also talks to Ma...

As we honor MLK Day, Maiysha chats with civil rights legend and renowned journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. She shares with Maiysha gut-wrenching stories of being the first Black student to attend the University of Georgia;  from dorm life to life-threatening attacks, her stories cement her place in the history book and anthology of extraordinary, brave Black women In her new book "My People," Hun...

Maiysha Kai talks with Wall Street giant and now critically acclaimed author Cin Fabré about her debut memoir "Wolf Hustle" which is about her time being one of the few Black women on Wall Street and how the industry is very cutthroat. They discuss Cin's excitement for her book going Hollywood and becoming a feature film and what led to her leaving Wall Street. 

Maiysha sits down with award winning chef Keith Corbin about his new memoir "California Soul" documenting his life growing up in the streets of Watts, to going to prison and then changing his life after prison to become one of the top chefs in the world. Chef Corbin tells Maiysha all the ups and downs he endured on his way to becoming a top chef

Maiysha Kai chats with Grammy award winner singer Rhiannon Giddens about her new opera "Omar" about a African enslaved Muslim, what it took to transition from songwriting to developing an opera, her new children's book "Build a Home" which is based on her song of that she collaborated with Yo Yo Ma of the same title, how white people co-opted Folk music from Black people. 

Maiysha sits down with world renowned ballerina Misty Copeland to talk about her book "The Wind At My Back" which is about her life as well as her mentor's life Raven Wilkinson, who was first Black woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Misty and Maiysha also discussed Misty breaking racial barriers in ballet, opening up doors for others and the progress that has been made in ballet....

Maiysha brings on world renowned journalist and author Toure to speak about his riveting true crime book "Ivy League Counterfeiter" which is about an Ivy League alum who turned to the world of crime as a professional counterfeiter. Toure details how this counterfeiter was a person who he grew up with and the world of crime was something that many didn't expect.

Maiysha sits down with the husband and wife duo that is taking over interior designing, Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason. The couple talks about their new book "AphroChic", their time working with HGTV, telling Black stories through the Black home, being Black in a space that you don't see many Black people in, the founding of decorative brand "AphroChic" and more. 

Maiysha brings on professor and writer of the Feminist Manifesto for Black Women, Shanita Hubbard. Maiysha and Shanita have a very candid conversation about being a "Ride or Die Chick," what it means to be a Black woman in America and how we need to break so many cultural "norms" that actually hurt Black women. 

Maiysha talks with political powerhouse Bakari Sellers about his new children's book, mixing activism and politics, balancing family and work and more. 

Maiysha has a candid conversation with Political Commentator and Author Keith Boykin about bringing his identity into politics, why quiet quitting and just plain out quitting your job is important, his numerous books including his newest one "Quitting", how he navigates social media and more.

Maiysha Kai sits down with This Is Us writer Eboni Freeman about getting into the writing industry, what it was like writing for This Is Us and how she brings her identity and life experiences to the writing room.

Maiysha brings on Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson to talk about his musical "A Strange Loop" that he calls a "Big, Black and Queer American Broadway Show," his character Usher's love/hate relationship with Tyler Perry, breaking into a space where there aren't many Black people, his love for Motown and more. This is a one of a kind conversation that you do not want to miss! 

Maiysha sits down with New York Times bestselling Young Adult author Ayana Gray about her two fantasy novels Beasts of Prey and Beasts of Ruin. Two books that center around an all Black fantasy world. Ayana speaks about how it is being a young Black author in a genre that doesn't see a lot of Black women writers, making sure Black people are represented in her novels, her time in Ghana, her books...

Maiysha talks with award winning Washington Post journalists and critically acclaimed authors Robert Samuels and Tolu Olorunnipa about their book "His Name is George Floyd," what it was like to speak with the family and friends of George Floyd, how did writing such a powerful book affect their lives and how George Floyd was much more than the 10 minute video that affected the entire world. 

Maiysha sits down with best selling author Candice Carty-Williams about her new book "People Person," what made her start writing, her Black British musical that is being picked up by Netflix, how the United Kingdom teaches Russian history before Black history and the genesis behind her critically acclaimed best seller "Queenie."

Maiysha speaks with Disability Rights Advocate and best-selling author Keah Brown about finding her writer's voice, making space for those who are disabled, the backlash she received for wanting Lizzo and Beyonce to remove an ableist slur from their songs and how going viral has impacted her life.

Maiysha Kai sits down with legendary Actor Omar Epps. You may know him from "Juice" or "Love and Basketball" or the "The Wood." But now you will know him as the author of the new Afrofuturistic book "Nubia: The Awakening." In this interview Omar Epps gives an introspective look on his love for hip-hop, the film industry and the importance of being prepared for success. This is an interview you for...