Prepping the Podcast

For the last few years, Colors of Influence has existed in the blogosphere: offering interviews with diverse leaders of color, updates on critical issues, invitations to events and conversations, even featuring the occasional book or film review. The Colors of Influence blog and associated social media presence had been the container of all my divergent interests, a labor of love for all my Black, Brown, indigenous and immigrant people of color.

This summer, I had an amazing opportunity to learn about podcasting, a new medium for Colors of Influence. I'm grateful for Denver's House of Pod and Ampe d for offering the opportunity to participate in the six-week podcast incubator for women of color, "From the Margins to the Center." In the second year of the incubator's existence, I'm honored to be one of eight women selected for the 2020 cohort.

The past few weeks went by quickly, filled with weekly classes and workshops, deadlines and critiques of works in progress. In addition to guidance on podcast storytelling, sound design, marketing, etc., the program also offered mentorship, access to studio space, and one-on-one consultations with podcast experts and radio veterans. Also thankful for the chance to sit for a photo shoot with esteemed Denver and New York-based photographer Brien Hollowell.

The women of color podcast incubator concludes this week, and it's a bittersweet time of celebrating accomplishments and fond goodbyes. Last night, House of Pod hosted a listening party featuring trailers and sample episodes from podcasts emerging from the 2020 incubator. What a great experience to hear the results of hard work, creativity, and passion exhibited by every member of our cohort. Listen to the podcast samples here.

Developing a sample, proof-of-concept audio file truly tested my novice skills at creating and publishing audio. Colors of Influence maintains an interview format to showcase the stories of leaders of color sharing narratives of purpose and intention. My goal is to have the Colors of Influence podcast up-and-running by October 2020. The first season will feature five interviews. Here's a sneak peek/sample audio features a portion of the first episode featuring Yolanda Chase, founder of Diversity Way-Maker.

Watch this space for updates on the podcast launch. Email us to send your suggestions for future profiles.

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...

A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga

The modern practice of yoga in Western culture is often criticized for disconnecting from its cultural, historical, and spiritual roots. In many studios and gyms, yoga is reduced to a fitness routine—focused on stretching rather than its original purpose of enlightening the mind. In "A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga," celebrated practitioner Nikita Desai reconnects readers with yoga’s ancient Indian origins. Drawing on her Indian heritage, Desai explores the deeper meanings behind yoga’s forms, postures, and intentions, offering a rich historical and philosophical context for those seeking a more authentic practice. Desai shares her personal journey of reclaiming yoga’s essence, inviting readers to do the same by integrating cultural awareness into their practice. Her tone is welcoming and nonjudgmental, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Although I do not practice yoga, my meditation roots lie in Zen Buddhism. Through conversations with prac...

Wash

Ebony Stewart’s "Wash" is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart’s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships. What struck me most was Stewart’s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one’s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience. As a celebrated spoken word ...

Colors of Influence Reviews

Search This Blog