You Had Me at Black

At 25, Niema planned the rest of her life out. At 28, she panicked when it didn't go as planned, until changed her perspective and the very thing causing her anxiety became her source of reassurance. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: @micholiano Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmea...

For years, Aridy suffered from depression. During that time, Lin Manuel-Miranda's music was her refuge. Her story teaches us that sometimes joy comes when you put yourself out there in the most unexpected places. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Music & Scoring by: @phdirac Photo by: @ witty.media Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and libe...

This summer we teamed up with the good people at Clouds- a new TV series about a guy who creates a dating app after breaking up with his fiance- to pay homage to the Town that birthed our respective projects, Oakland, CA. We threw a party yea we threw a party. People came over yea we threw a party. We hosted a storytelling and film event to share stories about Oakland. This week we're sharing the...

Growing up, Juliet turned to A Different World as an escape from the academic and social pressures of her Nigerian parents. She desperately wanted to be Denise Huxtable and thought she knew what it'd take to get to college, until her high school advisor gave her some honest feedback and a tough pill to swallow. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @properperspective Music & scoring by: @phdirac...

In 2005 Pen was a first year college student unsure of his calling and not doing much with his time. Then, an invitation to attend and report on the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March in Washington DC changed everything, igniting a fire in him for reasons he never expected. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @micholiano Music & scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Join The Kinship Our digital com...

Welcome to Season 2 of You Had Me at Black! Over the last 8 weeks we've recorded stories from over 2 dozen people from all around the country. Despite their different backgrounds, they all share two things in common: love for their Blackness and belief in the power of storytelling. Starting today, you can look forward to 2 stories each week, and a video story each month. Make sure you get all of o...

16 years after NWA’s ‘Fuck tha Police’ rocked the nation, Sinclair is pulled over by LAPD. It’s Halloween, and he’s dressed as none other than Eazy-E. In this ironic set of events, you’ll never guess what saved him. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Scored By: Makeda Kaya Photo by: @micholiano Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate....

Growing up queer femme and black in Alabama, Ian learned very quickly what it means to love, but not be loved back. That is, until one day they became the center of their own love story. Produced by: Britney Abrahams Photo by: @properperspective Music & scoring by: @topshelfcuzo Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeat...

For our final episode of Season 1, tune in to hear the stories shared at our live storytelling event in Oakland, CA! First up is Dani, who you may remember from "Wanderlost." This time, she shares a story about not taking any sh*t from her racist South African landlord. The second story you'll hear is by Dara from the season 1 hit, "No Thank You;" who at the tender age of three experienced her fir...

Alex and her friends started off what should've been an ordinary Saturday night out at a popular bar in Oakland, CA. Singled out by a bartender for their attire, the situation escalated and ended up with Alex in the back of a cop car. With a growing spotlight on and record of police brutality, Alex's emotional story brings us right to the delicate line between self defense and self preservation. J...

Depression does not discriminate. But like many of us, Bie grew up hearing and believing that it’s something only white people experience. So, she pushed the idea of depression out of her mind as she struggled to heal from death and heartbreak as an adult, until an episode of Real Housewives opened her eyes and motivated her to take action. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired...

We all have that one friend who falls in love every time he walks down the street. The type to spend days talking about the future he's about to have with some random woman he saw on the subway. Who every week swears he found wifey, and vows to let all his previous imaginary wifeys go. Tennyson is that friend. He fell in love for the first time in 2nd grade. To profess his love, he made his crush...

Corey woke up one Saturday expecting to grab a burrito and bum around all day... until he ran into some Black Lives Matter activists and followed them to a rally in San Francisco. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...

While studying abroad in South Africa, Dani set out on a trip across the border to neighboring Mozambique and the esteemed Tofo Beach. Expecting a smooth journey, she experienced hiccup after hiccup, only to have an epiphany on what it really means to be an adventurer. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/...

Dissuaded by a college advisor, Keyaira drops her dream of becoming a professional writer for a marketing career in NY that can bring in the big bucks. But after a series of failed jobs don't deliver the satisfaction or financial security she’d hoped, Keyaira quickly learns what happens to a dream deferred. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, h...

Welcome to You Had Me at Black, the podcast where Black Millennials tell true-life stories. Our co-founder Martina explains our inspiration for the podcast. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...

A new anchor in a rural North Carolina newsroom, Averi overhears troubling comments about the effect her Blackness has on the station. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youha...

What’s your favorite memory from college? For Spencer, his was a party at 12 Bryant St at Howard University. He recounts the most memorable party ever, Bacardi Gras. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

What happens when new tenants and businesses appropriate the cultures of the displaced? Nnenna knows firsthand. What started off as a fun way to celebrate a friend’s birthday turned into an isolating and humiliating experience in a San Francisco dance studio. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship Th...

An unexpected Myspace message leads Adha to his first house party in high school. It ends up being his best night ever, but in the most bittersweet way. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

After waking up in paralyzing pain one morning, Dara refuses to accept an unlikely diagnosis from her doctor. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack.com

Amidst mental illness breaking her family apart, Sharell's Grandmother's love and resilience provided a safe haven. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack...

A self-dubbed pyro, 10 year old Jazz loved playing with fire and would do so at any chance she could get. Then one day a game of ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board’ became way.too.lit. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub...

Amidst mental illness breaking her family apart, Sharell's Grandmother's love and resilience provided a safe haven. Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kinship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youhadmeatblack.substack...

A self-dubbed pyro, 10 year old Jazz loved playing with fire and would do so at any chance she could get. Then one day a game of ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board’ became way.too.lit. Here’s an exclusive clip for our earliest supporters, from “Lit as a Feather.” Join The Kinship Our digital community for folks inspired to use storytelling to connect, heal, and liberate. youhadmeatblack.com/kin...