In this episode, New York Times bestselling author George M. Johnson joins Jacquees Thomas for a powerful conversation about identity, imagination, and the role of literature in shaping culture. George reflects on their upbringing in New Jersey, the strength of family support, and how writing became both a refuge and a form of rebellion. Together, they explore the challenges of being a queer writer, the importance of storytelling across generations, and the urgent need to foster empathy—especially in a time of rising book bans and societal censorship. From generational shifts to the evolving understanding of gender and identity, this conversation dives deep into how literature can challenge norms, affirm truths, and spark collective healing. At its core, this episode is about the radical act of writing with authenticity—and the freedom that comes from owning your story. Connect @_thatsPeace @iamgmjohnson Read: All Boys Aren't Blue and Flamboyants Listen: Fighting Words Learn More: About George M JohnsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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47:21
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47:21
Black AF History with Michael Harriot
In this episode, Jacquees and Producer Jason Torres join the conversation to unpack the power of Black history with Michael Harriot, the absurdity of whitewashed narratives, and why understanding the past is the real flex. They break down the term “Drapetomania”—the so-called “mental illness” that doctors once claimed made enslaved people want to escape—and how this twisted concept still echoes in today’s political landscape, where erasing uncomfortable truths is big business. Harriot, known for his sharp wit and cutting commentary, pulls back the curtain on his latest book, “Black as Fuck History”—a deep dive into the parts of our past that mainstream textbooks like to skip. He shares surprising discoveries from his research, the power of storytelling, and why centering Black voices isn’t just about history—it’s about our collective future. If you’re ready to flip the script on what you thought you knew, this episode is for you. Get ready for laughs, hard truths, and the kind of perspective shift you didn’t know you needed. Connect @_thatsPeace @MichaelHarriot Read: Black AF History Listen: Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History Learn More: MichaelHarriot.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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55:22
BLK LIT - Phillis Wheatley - The Letters
The Black Effect Presents... BLK LIT! The discussion centers on the friendship between Phyllis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, highlighting their intellectual exchange and the significance of their letters during the Revolutionary War. The episode delves into themes of legacy, faith, and the power of Black joy, illustrating how these women navigated their identities and built a lasting impact through their words. CREDITS Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science David Waldstreicher - Professor of History, Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies, Biography and Memoir, American Studies at CUNY Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama Tara Bynum - Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa. Halimah Shabazz - Special Guest Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh READ The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence By David Waldstreicher Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith CHAPTERS 00:00 The Broader Landscape of Black Literature02:53 Friendship and Resilience in Letters05:50 Phyllis Wheatley: A Voice of Power09:14 Legacy and the Importance of Correspondence11:55 Faith and Reclamation of Power14:50 The Impact of Black Joy and Friendship TEAM BLK LIT Jason Torres: @JNTNY Jabari Davis @JabariADavis Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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26:40
Prose To The People By Katie Mitchell
Katie Mitchell discusses her newly released book 'Pros to the People,' a powerful tribute to the legacy of Black bookstores in America, exploring their rich history and cultural significance. She shares the personal journey that led her to write the book and reflects on the deep cultural impact these spaces have had as hubs for knowledge, resistance, and community. Katie doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—like the history of FBI surveillance—but also brings light to the beauty of visual storytelling and the enduring spirit of Black literature. It’s a moving dialogue about preservation, purpose, and what the future holds for Black bookstores in a changing world. Read Prose To The People Connect @_thatsPEACE @goodbooksatlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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32:50
Reimagining Phillis Wheatley - Let's Discuss!
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, our panel dives deep into the legacy of Phillis Wheatley—not just as a poet but as a cultural ancestor whose words still echo today. Together, they explore how her work continues to shape Black literature while confronting the historical erasure of Black women writers and the complex ways their stories have been told—or left untold. Listeners are invited into a powerful dialogue about the tension between visibility and silence, shame and pride, and memory and forgetting. Through personal reflections and academic insights, the speakers share how their own relationships with Wheatley have evolved and what it means to teach her work in classrooms shaped by censorship, skepticism, and cultural loss. But this isn’t just a story of struggle. It’s also about joy—reimagining historical narratives centered on Black creativity, agency, and pleasure. The conversation honors Wheatley’s poetic brilliance while calling for a future where Black literature is not only preserved but lived, felt, and passed on with purpose. Whether you're an educator, a reader, or someone discovering Wheatley for the first time, this episode offers a rich and resonant reminder: Storytelling is resistance, remembrance, and restoration. CREDITS Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama Tara Bynum - Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa. Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh READ Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith TEAM BLK LIT Jacquees Thomas - HOST & PRODUCER: @_ThatsPeace Jabari Davis - PRODUCER: @JabariADavis Jason Torres - PRODUCER: @JNTNY Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BLK LIT highlights the creative wordsmiths of our current and past generations. We will delve into the history, purpose, and personalities behind each literary work, spending an intimate amount of time with each writer’s expression through orated excerpts or reenactments, content dissection, direct dialogue with the writers, and the host’s final thoughts. BLK LIT is the home for lovers of literature by wordsmiths of culture.
South Africa