Culturati

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 Culturati: Conversations with Kierna Mayo in the New Year.

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, love, loss and living the creative life forever. Follow Q-Tip on Twitter @QtipTheAbstract and Instagram, @qtiptheabstract. Look for Kierna Mayo on Twitter and Instagram @kiernamayo.

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 intelligent open-mindedness—and that you leave your pearls on the nightstand. Take notes as Sam offers a 101 sex and sexuality education from a 20-something queer Black woman's perspective, and she and Kierna, in between laughs, tackle the cultural evolution of the term ""ho"", its multiple meanings and significance today. Follow Inner Hoe Uprising on Twitter @InnerHoeUprisin and Instagram, innerhoeuprising. Look for Kierna Mayo on Twitter and Instagram @kiernamayo.

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 and Brene Brown, Fields' ""bughetto"" star is fast-rising. Take notes as she offers up a gritty, grown, no-holds-barred invitation into her life as a survivor—and a boss—revealing how she overcame internal struggle and external beef in order to disrupt the martyr complex that lives within too many of us.Look for Tanya Denise Fields on Instagram @tanyadenisefields. Follow Kierna Mayo on Twitter and Instagram @kiernamayo.

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 challenging times, but as a father of daughters, and, well, how should we say this? A Black man in America.Follow W. Kamau Bell on Twitter and Instagram @wkamaubell and stream United Shades of America on HBO Max. Look for Kierna Mayo on Twitter and Instagram @kiernamayo.