Recapping The Black Effect Podcast Network’s "Thrill of Possibility" Summit

 One of the many attributes I admire about podcasting is that the medium offers a louder and more vibrant voice for communities that are not white men. I'm talking African-American, Hispanic, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, women, and neurodivergent, as well as other groups too numerous to record here. 

Television has made some inroads but in fits and starts, such as Reservation Dogs, Black-ish, and even Apple TV's Foundation with its diverse cast. For those White Lives Matters folks, I don't think that having BET (Black Entertainment Television) suffices for representation on TV shows.

Podcasting had a rough start with representation, but it has shown the ability to serve audiences that may be smaller in number but stronger in cultural homogeneity.

For example, The Black Effect Podcast Network is "the first podcast network specifically built for Black listeners, bringing together the most talented and trusted voices in Black culture for critical conversations on social justice, pop culture, and more."

Its mission includes: "We’ve curated influential Black voices and tastemakers and will continue to do so as we expand to include not only voices you know but voices you should."

The network is a partnership between Charlamagne and iHeartRadio, created from a vision to amplify, elevate, and empower emerging and established talent.

Their stated goal is to "shift the narrative from Black creators signing transactional deals, to instead forming legacy partnerships that build generational wealth while allowing each creative to have an equitable stake in their future."

  Here's a quick recap of The Black Effect Podcast Network’s Thrill of Possibility Summit presented by Nissan (BE) that took place last weekend at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN.

At the event, The Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio and Nissan welcomed 50 HBCU students from across the country to participate in a STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math) industry mentorship event featuring professional development and personal success panels, 1:1 career mentorship sessions, informative iHeartMedia and Nissan internship discussions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and notable HBCU alumni.

VIP attendees included:

Conal Byrne, CEO, iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group
Charlamagne Tha God, Founder, The Black Effect Podcast Network
Dollie S. Bishop, President, The Black Effect Podcast Network
Daymond John, American Entrepreneur and Star of ABC Network’s “Shark Tank” John Hope Bryant, CEO, Operation HOPE and Board Member, The Black Effect Podcast Network, Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President, Programming, iHeartMedia
Chandra Vasser, Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Nissan Marisstella Marinkovic, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Nissan Jennifer McMillan, Senior Manager, Quality Strategy Management, Nissan Lanae Williamson, Senior Manager, Multicultural Marketing Strategy, Nissan
Danielle Austen, Managing Partner, fluent360
Devi Brown, Host, “Dropping Gems,” The Black Effect Podcast Network, Ellen Wagner, Creative Designer, fluent360
Tiara Simms, HBCU Student and Returning Scholar 

Highlights included:

• The “Changing the Game & Elevating” panel discussed strategies for breaking through barriers to progress in the workplace and all areas of life. The panel included Dollie S. Bishop, John Hope Bryant, Daymond John, Danielle Austen and Jennifer McMillan.
   
• “The Importance of Career Preparation” panel discussed the importance of groundwork, inner self work and career readiness. Moderated by Lanae Williamson, the panel featured Charlamagne Tha God, Devi Brown, Tiara Simms and Ellen Wagner.
• Daymond John hosted a surprise live podcast taping of "That Moment with Daymond John" featuring Lanae Williamson, with participation from the HBCU scholars.
• National recording artist OWENN gave a special musical performance at the closing party. 
  
  You can check the Black Podcast Directory for a more complete list of all Black podcasts. Also, check out TheGrio Black Podcast Network.
  

  

  Photo by The Tyler Twins