Culturati

Veteran media maven, editor and cultural critic Kierna Mayo hosts Culturati: Conversations with Kierna Mayo, a colorful sonic world where Black women from Gen X to Gen Z— bougie and ratchet notwithstanding—are the official standard-bearers. Culturati explores cultural hot topics from the socio-political to the not-safe-for-work through provocative conversations with an array of fascinating thought-leaders, activists and celebrated artists, such as comedian and television host W. Kamau Bell, foodie feminist Tanya Fields, Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, and Honey magazine co-founder Joicelyn Dingle. Guided by Mayo, with her (dope AF) Hip-Hop Generation Black feminist sensibility, these candid talks flip conventional thinking on race, sex, and power. Culturati is a bi-weekly audio podcast produced in partnership with PRX. New episodes are released every other Tuesday.

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Episodes

Culture’s Gifts 2021: The Year in Culture

The 2021 Year in Culture, Culturati style! From the first Black and Asian American female Vice President, Kamala Harris, to honoring the passing of Cicely Tyson, to celebrating Missy Elliot's Hollywood Walk of Fame star; this list might spark a mash up of emotion—holiday cheer and maybe a good year-end cry. A smattering of big moments and small wonders. Like the fact that Kierna, um, sings! Happy Holidays to you and you and you from the whole Culturati team. We will be back with more episodes of...

Dec 15, 2021•35 min

Abstract & Personal with Q-Tip

In this special episode, Kierna has a revealing conversation with one of her real life besties-- and one of hip-hop’s true legends-- Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. The episode chronicles how they met as teenagers in NYC, and explores the evolution of their devoted three decade-long friendship. Through this initimate snapshot of Black creatives, we remember that vintage friendships, though rare, fulfill us in unique ways. Join Kierna and Q-Tip as they sip on tequila and reminisce about time, lo...

Nov 30, 2021•37 min

A Ho/Heaux Evolution

This week, school is in session as Kierna gets a sex education from Sam Ridell, an award-winning podcast producer and principal host of the critically-acclaimed, queer Black-feminist focused sexuality podcast, Inner Hoe Uprising. This epsiode explores what Kierna jokingly calls ""Critical Race WAP"" —a space casually conflating ideas about race in America and sex-positivity among Black women. Prepare for a grown-up, intergenerational, perhaps not-suitable-for-work conversation that will require ...

Nov 16, 2021•36 min

Chasing Freedom with Tanya Fields

Today’s episode kicks off a radical, emo series we’re calling “Chasing Freedom,” where Kierna profiles fascinating women and femmes in the culture who personally inspire her own sense of liberation. This time, Kierna is joined by mother, writer and foodie feminist from the Bronx, Tanya Denise Fields, founder of the Black Feminist Project and community gathering spot, the Alice Fields Community Center. Seen on The Rachel Ray Show and a featured essayist in You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke ...

Nov 02, 2021•38 min

The Dilemma of Black Storytellers: W. Kamau Bell Opens Up

This week, Kierna kicks it with W. Kamau Bell, sociopolitical comedian, host and executive producer of CNN’s Emmy-winning documentary series United Shades of America. The two discuss the deep dilemmas of Black media makers—particularly those currently in the trenches of covering race and identity—and how telling such stories often impacts their mental and emotional well-being. We get a more private side of Bell, not only as funny-man host staying the course during some of the country's most chal...

Oct 19, 2021•36 min

The History of Honey Magazine, PT. 2: The Sticky Edition

"Every good drama has an anti-hero, and the same goes for the story of Honey magazine. This week, after having unanswered questions for more than 20 years, Kierna finally sits down with Keith Clinkscales, entrepreneur, media executive, former president of Vibe Ventures and former CEO of Revolt, to get the true story of how Kierna and her best friend, Joicelyn Dingle, ultimately lost their magazine. To him. Look for Kierna Mayo on Twitter and Instagram @kiernamayo."

Oct 05, 2021•40 min

The History of Honey Magazine, PT 1: The Sweet Edition

In 1999, Lauryn Hill graced the cover of the preview issue of Honey, billed as a "fearless entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle magazine for young, urban women." A first of its kind on American newsstands, Honey earned instant acclaim and quickly developed a devoted readership. On the inaugural episode of Culturati, host Kierna Mayo tells the story of how she started the now cult-classic publication with her best friend, Joicelyn Dingle—and how their early magazine dreams ultimately helped defi...

Oct 05, 2021•36 min

Culturati - Trailer

Veteran media maven and cultural critic Kierna Mayo hosts “Culturati,” a sonically rich world where Black women from Gen X to Gen Z— “bougie and ratchet” notwithstanding—are the official standard bearers. Through engrossing conversations with an array of fascinating thought-leaders and some of the culture’s leading voices, such as comedian and television host W. Kamau Bell, foodie feminist Tanya Fields, Q-Tip from Tribe Called Quest, and Honey co-founder Joicelyn Dingle, these discussions flip c...

Sep 20, 2021•3 min

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