LOS ANGELES, CA — Byron Allen’s TheGrio Black Podcast Network (TGBPN) proudly
announces its newest podcast, “Writing Black” with virtuoso host Maiysha Kai
(Twitter:@maiysha), premiering Sunday, August 14. Kai is not only known as the Lifestyle
Editor for theGrio but has cemented herself as an expert on arts, culture and aesthetics. With a
background in modeling, singing and songwriting, being a published author and editor in her
own right and even having a Grammy nomination under her belt, her conversations are worth
listening to for all audiences.
As “griot” is a West African term referring to one who carries and communicates the
experiences and legacies of their people, “Writing Black” epitomizes theGrio’s ethos as a
platform centering the stories and lives of Black people. With weekly episodes featuring
wordsmiths across mediums and genres, Kai’s podcast will showcase the myriad ways Black
people tell their stories, and how identity both informs and intersects with craft and language.
Each episode will be a unique conversation with Black authors, journalists, poets, playwrights,
songwriters, comics and more speaking from across the spectrum of Black culture and
experience.
Upcoming episodes include:
J. Ivy debuts August 14
Maiysha debuts her newest podcast with special guest and Grammy-nominated poet,
songwriter and writer of the hit Netflix Kanye West documentary “#Jeenyuhs” J. Ivy.
Sam Jay debuts August 21
Maiysha sits down with comedian and TV writer Sam Jay about her HBO series “Pause”
and “Bust Down” on Peacock, as well as making space in comedy for others.
Robert Jones
Maiysha talks with best-selling author Robert Jones about his book “The Prophet,” how
his identity influences his writing, and writers that influenced him.
Keith Boykin
Maiysha has a candid conversation with political commentator Keith Boykins about
bringing his identity into politics, his numerous books, and how he navigates social
media.
Ayana Gray
Maiysha sits down with New York Times bestselling young adult author Ayana Gray as
they chat about her life, her novels being picked up by Netflix and a discussion about her
favorite authors.
Bakari Sellers
Maiysha talks with political powerhouse Bakari Sellers about his new children’s book,
mixing activism and politics and his hectic schedule.
Candice Carty-Williams
Maiysha sits down with British best selling author Candice Carty-Williams about her new
book “People Person” and her TV show being picked up by Netflix.
Listeners can look forward to additional podcasts available on theGrio’s free mobile app and
everywhere they find their favorite podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. To download
theGrio Black Podcast Network or for more information about our podcasts visit theGrio.com.
Follow TGBPN on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or join the conversation with the following
hashtags #TheGrio, #TheGrioBlackPodcastNetwork and #BlackCultureAmplified.
About theGrio
In 2016, Byron Allen and Allen Media Group purchased theGrio, a highly-rated digital
video-centric news community platform devoted to providing African-Americans with compelling
stories and perspectives currently underrepresented in existing national news
outlets. TheGrio features news and opinion pieces on lifestyle, politics, health, business, and
entertainment. The digital platform informs more than 100 million visitors annually. Month over
month, theGrio is the number one Black news site in its competitive set. TheGrio is available
everywhere you watch—as an over-the-air television network, on the web, a mobile app,
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, streaming on Roku, Amazon Fire TV,
AppleTV, and now as a cable television network, TheGrio network. TheGrio network is now
available on Charter/Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Vizio,
AT&T U-verse, FreebieTV, TiVo, IMDB.tv and Redbox, as well as select local over-the-air
broadcast television stations. TheGrio is also streaming on Amazon Prime Video, DirecTV
STREAM, Fire TV, Freevee (IMDB), Freecast (SelectTV), Local Now, PlutoTV, TiVo and
XUMO. TheGrio is everywhere you watch, anyway you want to watch, no paywall, free. Check
your local listings.
For more information, visit:
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Martine Charles, martine@marcglobalcommunications.com direct: 206-295-9114
Mitch Messinger, mitchell@marcglobalcommunications.com direct: 818-601-6661
and then 