The Root Presents: It's Lit!

A Message For Our Listeners Dec 09, 2021

We're taking a brief break, but please don't leave us. We'll be back soon!

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59. Solving Black Nerd Problems, With William Evans and Omar Holmon Dec 02, 2021

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 writers talk about how their new collection of essays came to be, their opinions on everything from X-Men's Storm to Candyman, and why it's so important to embrace nerd-dom.

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58. Nathan Harris on The Sweetness of Water Nov 25, 2021

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 Oprah's Book Club pick, named on Barack Obama's Summer 2021 Reading List, and has been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Listen to hear Nathan talk about how he went about capturing the different characters he created, and why he chose to write about the post-Civil War era of history.

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57. Keke Palmer on Slinging Southern Belle Insults Nov 18, 2021

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 the Scream Queens series, Keke is also an accomplished writer. She's recently partnered with romance novelist Jasmine Guillory to produce a collection of short stories, called Southern Belle Insults, which is available to listen to or read for free on Amazon. Listen to hear Keke talk about how the character of Lady Miss Jacqueline came to be, and where she hopes to take her next.

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56. Writing Cack-Handed, With Gina Yashere Nov 11, 2021

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 known as the British Correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and is also known for writing and performing on CBS’s sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola. Now, Gina has a memoir out titled Cack-Handed, which details her Nigerian British upbringing, and her hard-won career success.

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55. Dr. Keisha N. Blain on Reviving the Story of Fannie Lou Hamer Nov 04, 2021

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 why she felt compelled to tell the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, and what most people don't realize about the significance of the complicated activist's legacy.

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54. Creating Worlds, With Namina Forna Oct 28, 2021

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 she's so passionate about writing for the fantasy and YA genres, and how her upbringing in Sierra Leone and Georgia influenced the stunning first book in her upcoming trilogy, which has already been optioned for a film adaptation.

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53. The Joy of Bamboozling, With Yvonne Orji Oct 21, 2021

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 to be a stand-up comedian and now author as well. Listen to hear Yvonne talk about writing her new memoir, Bamboozled By Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams, as well as how her faith has carried her throughout her career.

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52. Keith Boykin on the Race Against Time Oct 14, 2021

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 Keith talk about what motivated him to write this particular book at this particular point in history, and why it's more important now than ever for both sides of the aisle to take the Black vote more seriously. Keith is CNN political commentator, an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, and the co-founder and first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition.

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51. Why Fantasy is the Next Frontier, With Ayana Gray Oct 07, 2021

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 already working on the film adaptation. Listen to hear Ayana talk about what inspired the sweeping Pan-African-inspired fantasy, how she feels the YA genre has evolved over the past 15 years, and how she finds the discipline to finish these epic novels.

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50. How Phoebe Robinson is Getting Us All Tiny Reparations Sep 30, 2021

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 On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes, what she hopes broader society starts to realize about women in their 30s, and why she's so excited about her publishing imprint with Penguin Random House, Tiny Reparations Books.

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49. Alicia Garza Explains the Purpose of Power Sep 23, 2021

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 Tometi. She’s also a principal at the Black Futures Lab, and the strategy and partnerships director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Alicia's book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When Things Fall Apart came out in October of last year, and just this month was released in paperback.

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48. We Can't Unfollow Jill Louise Busby Sep 16, 2021

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 of being a prominent voice on social media, the social scripts we give to non-Black people and how that impacts us, and the varied ways in which we discuss and use identity.

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47. Gabrielle Union is Back With Something Stronger Sep 09, 2021

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 memoir, We're Going to Need More Wine. Listen to hear Gabrielle talk about the intense experiences that inspired the book, the heavy realizations she's had about her career, and why she felt compelled to be so open and honest about her own life.

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Poetically Justified, With Nikki Giovanni (RECAST) Sep 02, 2021

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 conversations with some amazing writers next week!

RECAST: This week we have the legendary, award-winning poet Nikki Giovanni joining us on It's Lit. Nikki is the author of over 30 collections of poetry including the New York Times bestselling Bicycles: Love Poems, and has a brand new volume out called Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose. Listen to hear the iconic writer talk about her perspective on where we are currently as a country, the advice she gives to young writers, and why food plays such an integral role in her work.

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Jason Reynolds On Why Kids Are The Best Audience To Write For (RECAST) Aug 26, 2021

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 Down, Look Both Ways, and As Brave As You, and he is also the 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Jason's latest book is an adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped From the Beginning called Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Listen to hear Jason speak with Danielle and Maiysha about why he loves writing for middle-grade audiences, the arduous process of adapting an award-winning piece of literature, and the unique magnificence of Black children.

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Getting Crunk With Brittney Cooper (RECAST) Aug 19, 2021

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 Her Superpower. Listen to hear Brittney talk about Black women's political power, the importance of emphasizing Black feminism, and why she will always ride for Beyoncé in spite of her critics.

https://www.theroot.com/c/its-lit

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Searching For The Color Purple, With Salamishah Tillet (RECAST) Aug 12, 2021

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 of Alice Walker’s famous novel, as well as an examination of the cultural response to the book, and the movie and musical that followed. Listen to hear Salamishah talk about how the project came to her, the process of researching the beloved book's backstory, and what it was like to interview Alice Walker herself.

In addition to being an author, Salamishah is also a professor at Rutgers University, a contributing critic-at-large for the New York Times, and is the co-founder of A Long Walk Home, which is an organization focused on empowering young artists and activists to end violence against all girls and women.

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46. Rekindling Romance and Writing Sex, With Tia Williams Aug 05, 2021

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, Essence, and Lucky, and she’s currently the Editorial Director at Estee Lauder. She’s also written five critically lauded novels, including the African American Literary Award-winning novel The Perfect Find. Tia's latest romance novel is the instant New York Times bestseller, Seven Days in June, and we had the honor of getting to talk to her about how the inspiration for the story came to her, her approach to writing sex scenes, and how she musters the discipline to write a full novel while also having another full-time job in addition to being a mother.

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45. Revisiting '80s Music, Androgyny and Art, with Adrian Loving Jul 29, 2021

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 their love of '80s music and Gen X culture, and talk about how we can learn to appreciate some of the iconic artists of the decade—from Prince to Bowie to Grace jones—on a whole new level.

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44. Exploring the Ethereal With Akwaeke Emezi Jul 22, 2021

This week we're talking with artist and New York Times bestselling author Akwaeke Emezi. Akwaeke has been a rising star in the literary world with popular novels like Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji. Now, Akwaeke has published their first memoir called Dear Senthuran, which is an evocative telling of a creative spirit making their way in a human world. Listen to hear Akwaeke discuss Igbo spirituality, how they hope the Black community will start to see trans people, and why they chose to work exclusively with Black media for the publicity of this book.

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43. Speaking to Everyman, With M Shelly Conner Jul 15, 2021

This week we're sitting down with writer and humorist M Shelly Conner about her new novel, Everyman, which is a brilliant work of historical fiction about heritage, identity, and The Great Migration. In addition to her written work, M Shelly is also an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Central Arkansas, and has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and she's also the creator of a web series called Quare Life, about four queer women of color living in Chicago.

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42. Carol Anderson and the Fatal Inequality of The Second Amendment Jul 08, 2021

This week we're talking with historian Carol Anderson about her latest book, The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Carol is the author of the New York Times bestseller White Rage, as well as the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University. Listen to hear Carol break down the vast disparity in how the Second Amendment treats white citizens vs. Black citizens, and why this truth is so crucial in our reframing of how we understand the policies that govern our way of life.

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41. Clint Smith Tells Us How the Word Is Passed Jul 01, 2021

This week we have the brilliant poet, journalist, and author Clint Smith on the show to talk about his latest book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. Listen to hear Clint talk about the original inspiration behind this historical deep dive, his experience of researching the book (which involved going to some intense places of the past and present), and how he hopes this book will be used.

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40. Kiley Reid Takes Us Through ‘Such A Fun Age’ Jun 24, 2021

This week we sit down with Kiley Reid, author of Such a Fun Age. Kiley's debut novel took 2020 by storm—not only was it an instant New York Times bestseller, but it was also named Best Book of the Year by outlets like NPR, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Slate, Elle, and the Chicago Tribune. Listen to hear Kiley talk about how she first found inspiration for the book, her writing process, and who she thinks is the real villain of Such a Fun Age.

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39. Dawnie Walton Takes Us On an Imagined Trip Through Black Rock History In ‘The Final Revival of Opal and Nev’ Jun 17, 2021

This week we sit down with the very talented Dawnie Walton, whose brilliant debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, has been named one of the most anticipated books of 2021 by Essence, Vogue, O Magazine, Elle, Lit Hub, and The Independent. Listen to hear Dawnie talk about making the career transition from journalism to fiction author, how the story of Opal & Nev came to be, and the approach she takes to crafting a novel.

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38. Hanif Abdurraqib Illuminates the History of Black Entertainment With ‘A Little Devil in America’ Jun 10, 2021

This week we're speaking with award-winning poet, essayist, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib. Hanif's previous works have garnered widespread praise, including 2017's Book of the Year They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, and his 2019 New York Times bestseller Go Ahead In The Rain: Notes To A Tribe Called Quest. Hanif's latest book, A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance, explores the varied individual histories of Black entertainers, and we had the pleasure of speaking with him about the impact of Soul Train, his deep admiration for Josephine Baker, and the joy he derived from the process of researching this book.

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37. Zakiya Dalila Harris Makes Us Think Twice With ‘The Other Black Girl’ Jun 04, 2021

This week we're talking with Zakiya Dalila Harris, whose debut novel 'The Other Black Girl' is one of the most highly-anticipated books of the summer. The literary thriller is so gripping, in fact, that it's already been optioned for TV by Hulu. Listen to hear Zakiya discuss the inspiration behind the novel and its characters, and what she hopes both Black and non-Black readers take away from the book.

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36. Deesha Philyaw Talks The Secret Lives of Church Ladies May 28, 2021

This week we're talking with the immensely talented Deesha Philyaw. In 2020, Deesha published her debut collection of short stories, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Though initially, it took Deesha and her agent several months to find a firm that would publish the book, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies dominated the 2020 literary awards season, winning the 2020 Story Prize, the 2020 L.A. Times Book Prize for First Fiction, and the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award. Listen to hear Deesha talk about the church ladies who inspired the book, how the short story collection came to be, and what she hopes readers take away from the book.

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35. Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade on Honesty, Storytelling, and Their Sweet Shady Baby May 21, 2021

This week we're joined by power couple Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade. The talented duo has written their first children's book together called Shady Baby about their youngest daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, and we had the honor of getting to talk to them about it. Listen to hear Gabrielle and Dwyane discuss the process of collaborating on the book, why they care so deeply about being able to be transparent with their fans, and what they hope kids and parents alike take away from Shady Baby.

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34. Stacey Abrams Is the Hero We Need, Writing the Heroes She Wishes She’d Had May 14, 2021

This week we're joined by the one and only Stacey Abrams. As if fighting for voting rights and defending American democracy weren't enough, Stacey also happens to be a New York Times bestselling author. In addition to two bestselling non-fiction books, including 2020's Our Time is Now, Stacey's also published eight romance novels under the pen name Selena Montgomery. Stacey's latest novel, While Justice Sleeps, is a riveting political thriller under her own name, and we had the honor of talking to her about the inspiration for the book, how her literary career got started, and what drives her to write.

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33. Jasmine Mans Calls Us Closer With “Black Girl, Call Home” May 07, 2021

This week we have the super talented Jasmine Mans on the show to talk about her latest collection of poems, Black Girl, Call Home. Listen to hear Jasmine talk about how she came to love poetry as a form of expression, the stunning response to her earlier work about queer Black girl love, and what she hopes readers will get out of her latest book. In addition to being an accomplished poet in print, Jasmine is also a visual artist, a performance poet, and is the resident poet at the Newark Public Library.

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32. Tarana Burke and Tanya Fields Remind Us “You Are Your Best Thing” Apr 30, 2021

This week we're talking with two incredible women, Tarana Burke and Tanya Fields. Tarana is the founder of the Me Too movement and a former Root 100 honoree, and Tanya is the founder of the Black Feminist Project. Both have come together recently in a new collection of essays called You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience(which Tarana edited along with Brené Brown), and they join us this week to talk about the many reasons why it is necessary for us to move past our shame.

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31. Robert Jones, Jr. Talks Baldwin, Black Queerness and Why Antebellum Slavery Must Be Remembered Apr 23, 2021

This week we have the brilliant and beautiful writer Robert Jones, Jr.—creator of the blog Son of Baldwin, and author of New York Times bestseller The Prophets. Listen to hear Robert discuss the backstory behind his stunning debut novel, how the perception of queerness varies greatly across cultures and why it's so important to continue telling slave narratives.

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30. Getting Good With Money, With Tiffany Aliche Apr 16, 2021

This week we're talking with the brilliant Tiffany Aliche—personal finance educator, and author of the new book Get Good With Money: 10 Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole. Listen to hear how Tiffany moved from self-publishing to working with one of the biggest publishing houses in the world, why she felt the urgency to write this particular book, and her own personal journey of going from crushing debt to financial security and success.

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29. Zerlina Maxwell Wants to Heal Our Liberal Divide Apr 09, 2021

This week we're sitting down with Zerlina Maxwell—political analyst, Director of Progressive Programming for SiriusXM, and co-host of Sirius XM’s award-winning show Signal Boost. Zerlina is also the host of her own news show on Peacock, Zerlina., as well as an author. Her new book is called The End of White Politics: How to Heal Our Liberal Divide, and she joined us recently to talk about it.

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28. Exploring the Disordered Cosmos, With Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Apr 02, 2021

This week we're talking with the brilliant Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, a theoretical physicist whose research focuses on understanding the origin of spacetime and the particles that populate it. Her new popular science book is called The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred, which takes a holistic look at the doing of particle physics and cosmology. Listen to hear Chanda talk about her experience being a Black woman in the physical sciences, why it's so incredibly important to have better representation in the sciences, and how we as humans are such unique and magnificent phenomena in the physical world. Chanda is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Core Faculty Member in Women’s Studies at the University of New Hampshire.

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27. Studying the Book of Bevelations, With Bevy Smith Mar 26, 2021

This week we're joined by the one and only Bevy Smith, Gracie Award-winner and host of the Sirius XM show Bevelations on Radio Andy. Listen to hear Bevy talk about why she made a career pivot after climbing the ranks at Vibe and Rolling Stone, the philosophies she lives by, and what she hopes readers get out of her new book, Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie.

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26. Karyn Parsons' Story Is Fresher Than Hilary Banks Mar 19, 2021

This week we're joined by actress/author Karyn Parsons. Karyn is perhaps best known for playing the hilarious Hilary Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but she also happens to be the founder and president of Sweet Blackberry—a creative nonprofit that produces animated films for children about unsung Black heroes from history. Last year, Karyn published two books for children and young adults—Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dreams Took Flight, and How High the Moon. Listen to hear Karyn discuss how she went from acting to writing, and why she's so excited to be bringing these lesser-known Black heroes to life for kids.

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25. Talking Ida B. and Queen Tings, With Michelle Duster Mar 12, 2021

This week we're joined by award-winning historian, activist, and author Michelle Duster, to talk about her new book, Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells. Listen to hear Michelle—who happens to be the great-granddaughter of the legendary journalist—talk about her approach to writing her great grandmother's story for a young adult audience, and the many ways in which we're still fighting Ida's fight today.

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24. Searching For The Color Purple, With Salamishah Tillet Mar 05, 2021

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 of Alice Walker’s famous novel, as well as an examination of the cultural response to the book, and the movie and musical that followed. Listen to hear Salamishah talk about how the project came to her, the process of researching the beloved book's backstory, and what it was like to interview Alice Walker herself.

In addition to being an author, Salamishah is also a professor at Rutgers University, a contributing critic-at-large for the New York Times, and is the co-founder of A Long Walk Home, which is an organization focused on empowering young artists and activists to end violence against all girls and women.

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23. Alice Randall Takes Us To The Black Bottom Feb 26, 2021

This week we have the multi-talented Alice Randall on It's Lit! Alice is the bestselling author of The Wind Done Gone, Ada's Rules, and Rebel Yell. In addition to being a writer, Alice is also a food activist, cookbook author, and award-winning songwriter. Tune in to hear Alice talk about her latest book, Black Bottom Saints, and the many personal inspirations that drove her to write this historical novel about Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood.

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22. The Next Great Migration, With Charles Blow Feb 19, 2021

This week we're talking with esteemed journalist and author Charles M. Blow. Charles is a longtime New York Times Op-Ed columnist and is author of the award-winning memoir, Fire Shut Up In My Bones. Charles' new book, The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, is a thrilling call to action for Black communities to consider an alternate future of true equality. Listen to Charles talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how a return to the south by Black people could fuel real and lasting positive change.

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21. Drs. Keisha Blain and Ibram X. Kendi Talk 400 Years and 400 Souls Feb 12, 2021

This week we're talking to two venerable scholars, Dr. Keisha Blain and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, about their new collaboration, Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019. Listen to hear Drs. Blain and Kendi discuss how this historical project came together, why they chose to put this book together in its unique format, and what they hope readers take away from the book.

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20. Clover Hope Brings Us The Motherlode Feb 05, 2021

This week we're speaking with the brilliant writer Clover Hope, co-writer of Beyoncé's Black is King, and author of the new book, The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop. Listen to hear Clover discuss what it was like to collaborate with other writers and creatives on Black is King, the incredible research that went into The Motherlode, and why criticism is in actuality an honor.

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19. Talking Prose, Passing and the Power of Black Women, With Brit Bennett Jan 29, 2021

This week we chat with the incredibly talented Brit Bennett. Brit is the author of two bestselling novels, 2016's The Mothersand 2020's The Vanishing Half. Listen to hear Brit talk about the inspiration behind The Vanishing Half, what she hopes readers understand about her message around colorism and her newest venture into writing for TV.

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18. Into Thick of It, With Michelle Buteau Jan 22, 2021

This week we're joined by the talented and hilarious Michelle Buteau. Listen to hear the comedian, actress, and author talk about what inspired her new book, Survival of the Thickest, how she defies society's basic opinions, and why now is a better time than any to go after what you've been dreaming of pursuing.

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17. Kenrya Rankin Wants to Have a Word About Anti-Racism Jan 15, 2021

This week we sit down with award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster Kenrya Rankin to talk about her latest book, Anti-Racism: Powerful Voices, Inspiring Ideas. Listen to hear Kenrya talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how her latest book came to be, what it really means to be anti-racist, and the importance of Black self-love.

Kenrya is the author of five books, including How We Fight White Supremacy: A Field Guide to Black Resistance, and her journalistic work has appeared in outlets like Fast Company, Ebony, and Glamour. She also co-hosts The Turn on Podcast with sex educator Erica Easter.

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16. The Transcendent Work of Yaa Gyasi Jan 08, 2021

This week we sit down with the incredibly gifted writer Yaa Gyasi to talk about the craft of writing. Yaa's first book, Homegoing, was a New York Times Notable Book, one of Oprah’s Best Books of the Year, and won a PEN/Hemingway award. Listen to hear Yaa talk with Danielle and Maiysha about her latest book, Transcendent Kingdom, and the incredible journey she undertook during the process of researching and writing it.

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15. Two is Better Than One, With Maika and Maritza Moulite Jan 01, 2021

This week we're chatting with the very talented writing duo, Maika and Maritza Moulite. Listen as the Moulites speak with Danielle and Maiysha about their co-writing process, the inspiration for their first young adult novel, Dear Haiti, Love Alaine, and the research that went into their latest book,One of the Good Ones.

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14. A Special Holiday Episode from It's Lit! Dec 25, 2020

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from It's Lit! This week we're bringing you a special episode in which Maiysha and Danielle discuss the page-turners they couldn't put down this year, the year's most giftable books, the classics they recommend and the books they predict will be future classics.

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13. Poetically Justified, With Nikki Giovanni Dec 18, 2020

This week we have the legendary, award-winning poet Nikki Giovanni joining us on It's Lit. Nikki is the author of over 30 collections of poetry including the New York Times bestselling Bicycles: Love Poems, and has a brand new volume out called Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose. Listen to hear the iconic writer talk about her perspective on where we are currently as a country, the advice she gives to young writers, and why food plays such an integral role in her work.

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12. Unlocking the Mystery of Writing, With Walter Mosley Dec 11, 2020

This week we're speaking with the illustrious, award-winning author Walter Mosley. The prolific writer of over 60 books and counting, including the bestselling Easy Rawlins and Fearless Jones mystery series, is now sharing his revered approach to writing with a brand new MasterClass. And, fortunately, with us too! Listen to hear Walter talk about why being a writer doesn't require a particular background, the genius of science fiction, and why everyone should take a stab at writing a novel.

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11. Michaela Angela Davis on the Meaning of Mariah Carey Dec 04, 2020

This week we sit down with fashion, beauty and activism icon, Michaela Angela Davis. Michaela is the co-author of Mariah Carey’s new memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Listen to hear her talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how she met Mariah, the careful and collaborative process of writing the book, and the significance of the singer being able to tell her own story.

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10. Going Black to the Future, With Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham Nov 27, 2020

This week we're joined by two remarkable women who have recently collaborated on a project that isn’t so much a book or a novel as it is a gorgeous, mixed-media zine called Black Futures. Listen to hear curator and activist Kimberly Drew and New York Times journalist and podcast host Jenna Wortham talk about how Black Futures came to be, what they hope people take away from the collection, and the immense value of amplifying Black voices.

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9. Jason Reynolds On Why Kids Are The Best Audience To Write For Nov 20, 2020

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 Down, Look Both Ways, and As Brave As You, and he is also the 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Jason's latest book is an adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped From the Beginning called Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Listen to hear Jason speak with Danielle and Maiysha about why he loves writing for middle-grade audiences, the arduous process of adapting an award-winning piece of literature, and the unique magnificence of Black children.

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8. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings on Whether We're Better Than This Nov 13, 2020

This week we sit down with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings—politician, entrepreneur and and wife of the late congressman Elijah E. Cummings. Maya was key in seeing through the publication of Congressman Cummings' memoir, We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy, after his passing last year. Listen to hear Maya talk with Maiysha and Danielle about her husband's powerful message, what Kamala Harris's win means for Black women, and what the path forward should look like for our new leaders.

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7. How Marley Dias Gets It Done Nov 06, 2020

This week we sit down with Marley Dias, the 15-year-old author and activist who is changing the literary landscape for kids. Marley is the founder of the 1000 Black Girl Books campaign, and author of Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!Listen to hear Danielle and Maiysha's conversation with Marley about the changes she's seen since starting #1000 Black Girl Books, who inspires her, and her new Netflix series Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.

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6. George M. Johnson on Purpose, Pronouns and the Power of Identity Oct 30, 2020

We have the brilliant author, journalist and activist George M. Johnson on It's Lit this week to talk about their book, All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto. Listen to George talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how they came to recognize their purpose, the importance of destroying the idea of the monolithic Black identity, and navigating the transition from writing for print to writing for TV.

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5. So You Want to Talk About Ijeoma Oluo Oct 23, 2020

We're speaking with the brilliant and astute Ijeoma Oluo this week, author of the bestselling So You Want to Talk About Race. Listen to hear Ijeoma talk about the importance of taking care of yourself as a Black woman, what the left continues to get wrong in the Black Lives Matter movement, and the backstory of her forthcoming book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America.

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4. Just Us: Talking Justice With Claudia Rankine Oct 16, 2020

This week we're speaking with award-winning poet, author and playwright Claudia Rankine. Claudia's latest book, Just Us: An American Conversationis a stunning collection of poems, essays and images that address the meaning of whiteness and all of its impacts. Listen to hear Claudia talk with Danielle and Maiysha about white male privilege, entitlement and the importance of digging into uncomfortable conversations.

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3. Wandering in Strange Lands, With Morgan Jerkins Oct 09, 2020

This week we're joined by author Morgan Jerkins—Senior Editor at ZORA, and author of the New York Times bestseller This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America. Listen to hear Morgan talk with Danielle and Maiysha about her latest book, Wandering in Strange Lands, which chronicles her journey to uncover her roots by following the footsteps of The Great Migration. It's an eye-opening journey through a history that remains largely untold.

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2. Getting Crunk with Brittney Cooper Oct 02, 2020

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 Her Superpower. Listen to hear Brittney talk about Black women's political power, the importance of emphasizing Black feminism, and why she will always ride for Beyoncé in spite of her critics.

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1. 401 Years a Slave, With Nikole Hannah-Jones Sep 25, 2020

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones joins us for our very first episode of The Root Presents: It's Lit! Tune in to hear her talk about the development and progression of the 1619 project, the immense debt that is owed to Black Americans, and the importance of reframing history and our electoral process in a more honest way.

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Introducing The Root Presents: It's Lit! Sep 14, 2020

The Root is bringing you something lit this September.

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