The Root Presents: It's Lit!
Here at The Root we’ve always loved, praised, and centered Black literature in the broader conversation. Each week host Maiysha Kai sits down with an author we love to talk about their work, what inspires them, and what they hope to contribute to the culture at large. Guests so far include Nikole Hannah Jones, Brittney Cooper, Stacey Abrams, Ibram X. Kendi, Ijeoma Oluo, Morgan Jerkins, and Claudia Rankine.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 33 minutes
- Episodes
- 65
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2021
A Message For Our Listeners
We're taking a brief break, but please don't leave us. We'll be back soon!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i…
00:00:29 |
Thu 09 Dec 2021
59. Solving Black Nerd Problems, With William Evans and Omar Holmon
This week we're talking with the co-founders of Black Nerd Problems, Omar Holmon and William Evans, about their aptly named new book, Black Nerd Problems. Listen to hear the talented poets and writer…
00:37:28 |
Thu 02 Dec 2021
58. Nathan Harris on The Sweetness of Water
This week we're joined by Nathan Harris, whose debut novel, The Sweetness of Water, has been a breakout hit of 2021. Not only was the book an instant New York Times bestseller, but it was also an Opr…
00:25:16 |
Thu 25 Nov 2021
57. Keke Palmer on Slinging Southern Belle Insults
This week we're talking with Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, TV show host, and writer, Keke Palmer. Though Keke is perhaps best known for her roles in films like Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers and…
00:20:10 |
Thu 18 Nov 2021
56. Writing Cack-Handed, With Gina Yashere
This week we have the pleasure of being joined by the very funny and talented Gina Yashere. Gina is a standup comedian, TV writer, and actress. She has three self-produced comedy specials, is well kn…
00:37:36 |
Thu 11 Nov 2021
55. Dr. Keisha N. Blain on Reviving the Story of Fannie Lou Hamer
This week we're talking with award-winning historian Dr. Keisha N. Blain about her latest book, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America. Listen to hear Dr. Blain talk about wh…
00:32:14 |
Thu 04 Nov 2021
54. Creating Worlds, With Namina Forna
This week we're talking with the talented fantasy author, Namina Forna, about her debut YA novel The Gilded Ones, which was an instant New York Times bestseller. Listen to hear Namina talk about why …
00:36:07 |
Thu 28 Oct 2021
53. The Joy of Bamboozling, With Yvonne Orji
This week we're talking to the talented and hilarious Yvonne Orji on the show. Many people know Yvonne best for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Molly Carter on HBO's Insecure, but Yvonne also happens…
00:32:05 |
Thu 21 Oct 2021
52. Keith Boykin on the Race Against Time
This week we have the brilliant author and political commentator Keith Boykin on the show to talk about his 5th and latest book, Race Against Time: The Politics of a Darkening America. Listen to hear…
00:32:55 |
Thu 14 Oct 2021
51. Why Fantasy is the Next Frontier, With Ayana Gray
This week we have Beasts of Prey author Ayana Gray on the show. Ayana's debut novel has already generated a ton of buzz, including from the esteemed O Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Netflix—which is a…
00:38:46 |
Thu 07 Oct 2021
50. How Phoebe Robinson is Getting Us All Tiny Reparations
This week we have the hilarious and multi-talented Phoebe Robinson on the show! Listen to hear Phoebe talk about how she came to write her third and most recent collection of essays, Please Don't Sit…
00:36:38 |
Thu 30 Sep 2021
49. Alicia Garza Explains the Purpose of Power
This week we're speaking with the ever-inspiring Alicia Garza. Alicia is an activist who is perhaps best known for co-creating the Black Lives Matter movement alongside Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tome…
00:41:06 |
Thu 23 Sep 2021
48. We Can't Unfollow Jill Louise Busby
This week we have the brilliant Jill Louise Busby (aka jillisblack) on to talk about her debut collection of essays, Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity. Listen to hear Jill talk about the experience o…
00:38:54 |
Thu 16 Sep 2021
47. Gabrielle Union is Back With Something Stronger
This week we're sitting down with the lovely and multi-talented Gabrielle Union to talk about her latest memoir, You Got Anything Stronger? which is a follow-up to her 2017 New York Times bestselling…
00:33:58 |
Thu 09 Sep 2021
Poetically Justified, With Nikki Giovanni (RECAST)
Hello, It's Lit listeners! We've been on a bit of a hiatus but we are returning next week with some brand new episodes. Thanks for sticking with us, and we can't wait to bring you some new conversati…
00:43:41 |
Thu 02 Sep 2021
Jason Reynolds On Why Kids Are The Best Audience To Write For (RECAST)
This week we're talking with award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Jason Reynolds. Best known as a prolific YA writer, Jason is the author of numerous books including Ghost, Long Way D…
00:40:01 |
Thu 26 Aug 2021
Getting Crunk With Brittney Cooper (RECAST)
This week on It's Lit we're joined by author, academic, “crunk feminist” and 2017 Root 100 honoree Brittney Cooper, author of the New York Times bestseller Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers H…
00:34:50 |
Thu 19 Aug 2021
Searching For The Color Purple, With Salamishah Tillet (RECAST)
This week we're speaking with the brilliant Salamishah Tillet to talk about her latest book, In Search of The Color Purple: The Story of an American Masterpiece, which is a deep dive into the history…
00:40:15 |
Thu 12 Aug 2021
46. Rekindling Romance and Writing Sex, With Tia Williams
This week we're sitting down with the talented and prolific fiction writer, Tia Williams. Tia is truly a writer in every sense of the word—she’s been a beauty editor for magazines like Elle, Glamour,…
00:33:32 |
Thu 05 Aug 2021
45. Revisiting '80s Music, Androgyny and Art, with Adrian Loving
This week we're speaking with artist, music historian, and DJ Adrian Loving about his new book, Fade 2 Grey: Androgyny, Style and Art in 80's Pop Music. Listen to hear Adrian and Maiysha dive into th…
00:23:48 |
Thu 29 Jul 2021
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of The Root. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.