Black Podcasting Awards Celebrates Its 2025 Winners with First In-Person Ceremony

 There are numerous awards in the podcasting industry, and all are well-deserved. Yet, the most prestigious and deserving awards are for podcasters who are part of a group that has been neglected, a victim of discrimination, and whose creators have not received their due recognition for excellence.

For example, in 2023, African Americans represented an estimated 13.7% of the total U.S. population.

 

"Black podcasts only represent one-half of one percent of all active podcasts," states Demetrius Bagley, Executive Director of the Black Podcasting Awards. "That's a problem."

 

"Black people are big supporters of podcasting," explains Demetrius.  "According to the Infinite Dial survey, 45% of Black Americans in the U.S. age 12+ have listened to podcasts in the last month, and 28% have listened in the past week."

 

Demetrius then tells us that, according to Infinite Dial, the top ten podcasts among Black listeners include familiar shows to all audiences like Joe Rogan, Crime Junkie, and The Daily. It also includes shows -- The Breakfast Club, Drink Champs, The Joe Budden podcast, and the Steve Harvey Morning Show -- focused on Black audiences.

 

Here's where the Black Podcasting Awards (BPA) come in. Before the award ceremony last weekend, there have been 350 nominees, 36 award categories, 126 winners, and 76 volunteer judges. 

 

BPA also has a vibrant Substack newsletter, and a  free newsletter --BPAwards Opportunities shares info about award programs, grants, and speaking gigs for podcasters. Subscribe and receive it on Saturday mornings at apply.blackpodawards.com and, for journalists, All Hear. 

Demetrius Bagley, the executive director, is an award-winning documentary movie producer, nationally recognized events producer, and an accomplished fundraiser + crowdfunder.

Demetrius produced the Stars on Fire, Black Astrologers Today, as well as Astrology Brooklyn podcasts. He also published astrology columns for VIBE Magazine. He has been -- and continues to be -- an excellent steward for the awards. 

 

Black Podcasting Awards (BPAwards) reached a new milestone last weekend, bringing dozens of podcasters and fans together in Baltimore for its first-ever in-person ceremony, held during the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival. The standing-room crowd filled the historic Motor House’s Black Box Theater to honor the voices shaping Black podcasting, from indie creators and breakout shows to leaders redefining the medium itself.

As enthusiastic supporters of independent podcasts, it's important to note that many of the award winners are independent podcasters.

With 45 awards bestowed on 29 podcasts, 5 podcasters, and 1 network, the evening showcased the brilliance and breadth of Black podcasting. Anna DeShawn (Queer News) earned four honors, including the prestigious Legend Award. Fellow indie podcaster Lisa Woolfork (Stitch Please) echoed DeShawn’s big night, sweeping all 3 of her categories.

Music and culture favorite We Sound Crazy Podcast also scored three awards, including the coveted Podcast of the Year. Longtime creator Dominic Lawson (Black Is America) received three new awards, including the peer-voted Podcaster of the Year, bringing his career total to 42.

While over a dozen award acceptance speeches were shared in person, two other winners shared reflections on what the honors meant to them.

“Podcasting is more than a notion!” said Christin Smallwood, host of Untoxicify Your Relationship, which earned Best Religion & Spirituality Podcast. “Creating this body of work has been a labor of love — one that has stretched and strengthened me, and I pray empowers others seeking sustainable, grace-filled relationships.”

“After six years and four other shows, The Mediocre Black Woman — the fifth podcast I’ve hosted — was the first time I ever felt called to submit my work,” said Goddess Theadora, winner of Best Personal Journals Podcast. “To be seen and celebrated by the Black Podcasting Awards means so much. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when you lead with intuition, trust, and faith.”

Follow Black Podcasting Awards on social media @BlackPodAwards to stay updated. Apply for a chance to win at the 2026 Black Podcasting Awards starting May 26, 2026.

CONTACT: Demetrius Bagley, Co-Founder & Executive Director
win@blackpodawards.com

Black Podcasting Awards (BPAwards) celebrate, spotlight, and bolster Black podcasts for more wins and successes. It achieves this primarily by producing an annual awards program and ceremony. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

FULL LIST OF 2025 BLACK PODCASTING AWARD WINNERS

45 award wins in 43 award categories for 29 podcasts, 5 podcasters, and 1 podcast network

Find winners’ photos, podcast covers, and hyperlinks at 2025noms.BlackPodAwards.com

2025 LEGEND AWARD
Anna DeShawn
Bernard P. Achampong
Wize Grazette

BEST ARTS PODCAST
Stitch Please

BEST BLACK GIRL MAGIC PODCAST
Stitch Please

BEST BLERD PODCAST
Vaguely Nerdy

BEST BUSINESS PODCAST
How I Crushed It

BEST CULTURE PODCAST
We Sound Crazy Podcast

BEST EDUCATION PODCAST
The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators

BEST ENTREPRENEUR PODCAST
Build to Enough

BEST EPISODE OF THE YEAR
Black Is America

BEST FAMILY AND PARENTING PODCAST
Early Risers

BEST FILM AND TELEVISION PODCAST
Vaguely Nerdy

BEST GUEST APPEARANCE
Dr. Ed Garnes on How Y’all Healing?™️

BEST HEALTH AND WELLNESS PODCAST
It’s About DAMN Time

BEST HISTORY PODCAST
Our Ancestors Were Messy

BEST HOSTING DUO
U Stuck Wit Me!

BEST HOSTING TEAM
We Sound Crazy Podcast

BEST INDIE PODCAST
Un(con)Trolled (NOTE: Un(con)Trolled is also a 2025 Ear Worthy Award winner.)

BEST INTERNATIONAL PODCAST
Rigour & Flow with Aiwan and Tamanda (Note: Also a 2025 Ear Worthy Award Winner)

BEST LGBTQ PODCAST
Queer News

BEST LIMITED SERIES PODCAST
LA Made: The Other Moonshot

BEST LITERARY PODCAST
...But Make It Books

BEST LONGTIME PODCAST
Stitch Please

BEST MUSIC PODCAST
R&B N' Chill

BEST NEW PODCAST
Thrive with Joy

BEST NEWS & POLITICS PODCAST
Queer News

BEST PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PODCAST
The Letters & Layers Podcast

BEST PERSONAL JOURNALS PODCAST
The Mediocre Black Woman

BEST PODCAST COVER ART
...But Make It Books

BEST PODCAST NETWORK
Owls Education Company

BEST PRODUCER
Quincy L. Lewis

BEST RELATIONSHIP PODCAST
Love, The Amazing Clarks

BEST RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY PODCAST
Untoxicify Your Relationship

BEST SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PODCAST
B The Way Forward

BEST SCRIPTED FICTION PODCAST
Alpha 8

BEST SEX PODCAST
Love, The Amazing Clarks

BEST SOLO HOST
Queer News

BEST SOUND DESIGN
Our Ancestors Were Messy

BEST SPORTS PODCAST
Club 520 Podcast

BEST TRUE CRIME PODCAST
Cold and Untold

BEST VIDEO PODCAST
Dear Content Creator

BEST YOUTH PODCAST
What's Poppin' Penny?

PODCAST OF THE YEAR
We Sound Crazy Podcast

PODCASTER OF THE YEAR (VIP VOTE)
Dominic Lawson (Black Is America)

 

Follow Black Podcasting Awards on social media @BlackPodAwards to stay updated. Apply for a chance to win at the 2026 Black Podcasting Awards starting May 26, 2026.

CONTACT

Demetrius Bagley, Co-Founder & Executive Director

win@blackpodawards.com