Dear Culture

Even with a star-studded cast, is Soul Plane one of the worst movies ever made? Dear Culture welcomes author Damon Young to dive into the shenanigans that fostered some laughs but didn't even break even at the box office.  Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Black American Princesses kicks off the Dear Culture series, dedicated to movies that Black people can't agree on. Panama Jackson breaks down B*A*P*S with a critical eye to better understand if the movie starring Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle was mocking the culture or just a rags-to-riches story with a Black cast. Cultural critic and movie maker Brooke Obie joins the conversation to defend the film and share why she believes, unlike in the late 90s, Black content is shrinking. Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

We've got basketball on the brain as the NBA playoffs approach, so we're sharing a Dear Culture rewind with BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube. The legendary rapper is pleased with BIG3's progress but is frustrated with the lack of respect he says the 3-on-3 league has yet to feel from the NBA. Ice Cube doesn't hold back as he shares his thoughts with Panama Jackson about the roadblocks he believes are being put in place to stunt BIG3's success. Originally recorded June 2023. Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Baltimore filmmaker Alvin Gray has mastered turning viral moments into independent films at lightning speed. His latest project, "The Actor that Got Chased Around the City," has garnered big buzz, and he dropped the news he was working on it right here on Dear Culture. We revisit our conversation with Gray, who talks about the power of Tubi and discusses the drama that ensued when one of his projects was banned from the streaming platform before it was even released.  Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

As Bravo's Summer House: Martha's Vineyard kicks off season two, we revisit our conversation with lawyer, queer civil rights advocate, and reality TV star Preston Mitchum. The fan favorite dishes about his reality TV experience, including the responsibility he feels to represent the Black community positively. The Ohio native also discusses the allure and exclusivity he and his friends found on Martha's Vineyard. While their adventures on the island make great TV, is Massachusetts' vacation oasis a place where outsiders can feel comfortable?

Harlem and Moscow is an audio drama based on the true story of the Harlem Renaissance in the Soviet Union. Red Flags, is the official companion podcast to Harlem and Moscow.  In this episode of Harlem and Moscow: Red Flags, host Panama Jackson is talking to experts about the people of the Harlem Renaissance who went on this trip to Moscow back in 1932. We learn more about Dorothy West, Langston Hughes, Henry Lee Moon, Louise Thompson, and others who journeyed to the Soviet Union. We also talk about other Black artists in the “Harlem and Moscow” circle like Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen, Paul Robeson, and many others. Plus we dish on the gossip of the era and how surprisingly shady folks in that time were! Panama is joined by the playwright of “Harlem and Moscow” Alle Mims as well as historian, cultural critic, and author of  “Our Secret Society,” Tanisha C. Ford.  Music Courtesy Of: Transition "Fantastic Voyage” Lakeside BMG Gold Songs, H&R Lastrada Music, Tiemeyer McCain Publishing Fred Alexander, Norman Paul Beavers, Marvin Craig, Frederick E. Lewis, Tiemeyer Le’Mart, Thomas Oliver Shelby, Stephen Preston Shockley, Otis Stokes, Mark Adam Wood

The title alone caught Panama Jackson's attention; we're talking about 'The American Society of Magical Negroes.' Some call it one of the worst films ever made, so Jackson and Wypipologist Michael Harriot spent their hard-earned money on movie tickets to answer the question, just how bad is this movie? Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Who created Freaknik? Where did it go wrong? Will it ever make a comeback? Dear Culture is answering all your questions about the legendary picnic-turned-street party that took over Atlanta during spring break in the late '80s and early '90s. The announcement of the Hulu documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told made people panic as flashbacks of their wild behavior were feared to be exposed. However, now that the documentary has dropped, should people be worried? The doc's co-creator and producer, Jay Allen, joins Panama Jackson and cultural critic Monique Judge to discuss what the documentary taught us.

With 11 albums under his belt, rapper and educator Dee-1 is here to stay. The New Orleans native uses his platform to spread positivity in hip-hop and has no problem calling out successful artists he feels are hurting the culture. He isn't shy about his mission to rid the most popular music genre in the country of drugs, violence, and misogyny, which often finds him on the receiving end of anger and insults. Instead of buckling under the pushback, Dee-1 is doubling down with his Platinum Pledge, which asks music fans to commit to a new kind of hip-hop. Dee-1 joins Dear Culture to share an honest and passionate message, "We can do better." Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Kelly Rowland enters Tyler Perry's world in the Netflix legal drama, "Mea Culpa'' and as a Black movie fanatic, Panama Jackson is excited to see if it delivers the crazy and unexpected ride Perry has promised. In true Perry fashion, the film's title is a play on words, incorporating the first name of Rowland's character. This got Panama's creative juices flowing, and he's offering up several film ideas with the same play on words for Perry's consideration. Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Beyoncé's instant success on the country music charts has sparked a conversation about Black artists in the genre. Panama Jackson addressed this with country music artist Rissi Palmer last year. The pair had an enlightening conversation about what's needed to bridge the racial gap in country music, and discussed the repeated racist incidents Palmer has endured throughout her 20-plus years in the business.  Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Women of hip-hop are examined through the eyes of Gen Z author Nadirah Simmon's in her debut book, "First Things First: Hip Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game." Simmons, who grew up immersed in rap culture in New Jersey and Philadelphia, set out to create a unique look at the historical impact of female MCs like Lil' Kim, Queen Latifah, Nicki Minaj, and more. She analyzes their influence on fashion, TV, film, and comedy. Simmons says her book is for those who want to know more than just the surface-level history or controversy the media tends to focus on.  Connect with theGrio's Black Podcast Network

Black voters are always crucial, not just in an election year, and that's a message the Hip-Hop Caucus is spreading across the country. On this episode of Dear Culture, meet some of the non-profit's key players using hip-hop's power to ignite change and promote political activism. Singer, songwriter, and former member of Danity Kane, Dawn Richard, is a part of the initiative and shares with Panama Jackson the importance of using her platform to reach Black America and combat voter suppression and misinformation. With pivotal voting dates fast approaching, including the South Carolina Primary and Super Tuesday, now is the time to get active and let your voice be heard.  Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Following several viral moments, Baltimore filmmaker Alvin Gray joins Dear Culture to talk about the ups and downs of creating independent films. His projects "The Rapper Who Got Shot in the Heel" and "The Nurse That Saw the Baby on the Highway" have garnered much attention, but not always the good kind. Gray and Panama Jackson also debate the power of Tubi and discuss the drama that ensued when one of Gray's projects got banned from the streaming platform before it was even released.  Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

Lawyer, queer civil rights advocate, and reality TV star Preston Mitchum is unapologetically Black, and we're here for it! Mitchum is a fan favorite on Bravo's Summer House: Martha's Vineyard, and he dishes about his reality TV experience, which includes the responsibility he feels to represent the Black community positively. The Ohio native also discusses the allure and exclusivity he and his friends found on Martha's Vineyard. While their adventures on the island make great TV, is Massachusetts' vacation oasis a place where outsiders can feel comfortable? Connect with theGrio Black Podcast Network

You know what they say, "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." So, to start 2024 off on the right foot, Panama Jackson and theGrio Daily host Michael Harriot are dissecting the Blackest moments of 2023. Let's learn from the past and make this year our best and Blackest yet!

The 50th anniversary of hip-hop may be ending, but 'Univeristy of Dope' is a fun way to keep celebrating the genre for years to come. Panama Jackson introduces his listeners to the one-of-a-kind card game and welcomes co-founder A.V. Perkins, who dishes on the origin story of the only card game dedicated to hip-hop music. Plus, A.V. and Panama play a few rounds! Which team would you be on?

Since becoming a fan favorite on Living Single more than 30 years ago, Erika Alexander has remained a constant fixture in Hollywood. In recent years, she's shifted her focus to the fight for equality, specifically, the push for reparations. She joins Dear Culture to discuss her current TV and film projects and her dedication to positively impacting culture.

Panama Jackson is joined by theGrio Daily host and New York Times best-selling author Micahel Harriot to analyze some of Hollywood's top money-making movies. They explore the relationship between white and Black characters who are meant to save each other. While it may make for a good story, is the concept of the white savior and magical nego hurting the culture?

Panama Jackson never knows what's going to come next when he asks each guest, "Do you have a confession about your Blackness?" Blackfessions have become synonymous with Dear Culture, and we've rounded up some of our favorites from the year, including W. Kamau Bell, Shameik Moore, and Eboni K. Williams. Enjoy!