Heard!: Afros & Audio Interview Series with Talib Jasir

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Minista Jazz, founder of Much Different World, to examine voice ownership, consent, and intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence. Minista shares how a personal experience with image theft led her to build infrastructure designed to protect creators from unauthorized use of their voice and likeness. The conversation explores voice as intellectual property, how AI systems are trained on creator data, and why consent must be foundational in emerging technologies. Talib and Minista discuss the concept of a Voice Data Trust, the Tennessee Elvis Act, digital double technology, and what creators must understand about platform agreements and IP protections. The episode centers the economic realities facing independent creators and the importance of protecting creative assets before harm occurs. This conversation is essential listening for podcasters, audio professionals, digital creators, and founders navigating AI-driven platforms and seeking clarity around digital rights and ownership. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Minista Jazz and Much Different World 05:00 How Image Theft Sparked a Tech Movement 10:00 Why Your Voice Is Intellectual Property 15:00 Building a Voice Data Trust 20:00 AI, Consent & Creator Power 25:00 Designing Technology for Marginalized Communities 30:00 Digital Double Case Study 35:00 Protecting Your Voice Before It's Cloned 40:00 The Tennessee Elvis Act and Legal Protections 45:00 The Future of Voice Technology 50:00 What Creators Must Do Now 55:00 Final Reflections and Call to Action Protect Your Voice. Own Your IP. Minista Jazz is offering a limited opportunity for podcasters to register and protect their voice inside the Sisterhood Voice Data Trust. The first 10 podcasters can register their voice for free using Afros & Audio's promo code mentioned in the episode. Use code AFROSANDAUDIO when you register your voice at: https://muchdifferentworld.com Explore the Sister Safe Registry: https://sisterhoodsitin.com Support Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest: https://bwiclafffest.com/ Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ministajazz Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform. Paid Promo Ad: CON417 Where Music Never Sleeps! Visit: www.edgarsdiaz.com Follow on Instagram @edgarsdiazmusic

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Derrick Young, co-founder of MahoganyBooks, to discuss Black literature, media ownership, book bans, and building a lasting cultural institution. Mahogany Books began as an online Black-owned bookstore and has grown into a physical retail space, community hub, and podcast network committed to preserving and amplifying Black voices. Derrick shares how access to Black literature shapes identity, why storytelling influences freedom, and how gathering in joy becomes an act of cultural affirmation. The conversation explores narrative control, the decline of Black bookstores, the rise of book banning across the country, and how independent Black businesses can scale without losing mission alignment. Derrick also discusses launching a podcast network from a bookstore, building brand trust through community economics, and maintaining long-term vision in a culture driven by speed. This episode is essential listening for creators, entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone invested in Black media, publishing, podcasting, and cultural preservation. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Meeting Derrick Young 05:00 From Bookstore to Podcast Network 10:00 Miseducation, Narrative Control & Black History 15:00 Fiction, Heritage & Cultural Memory 20:00 Technology, AI & Disrupting the Book Industry 25:00 Black Resilience & Historical Publishing Resistance 30:00 Joyful Gathering as Cultural Affirmation 35:00 Community Economics & Brand Trust 40:00 Long-Term Vision vs Hustle Culture 45:00 Afros & Audio, Media Expansion & Scaling 50:00 Mahogany Books Locations & Final Reflections To learn more visit: www.MahoganyBooksMedia.com Visit MahoganyBooks Retail Store: 121 American Way Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Follow on Social Media: IG: @derrickyoung.dc, @mahoganybooks, @mahoganybookspodcastnetwork Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.

In Episode 13 of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir speaks with Fanshen Cox, Charlie T. Savage, and Ashanti Groves, the creators of Sista Brunch to explore how intentional conversation builds community through podcasting. This episode centers the power of Black women-led audio platforms, the responsibility of holding space in public dialogue, and the balance between creativity, entrepreneurship, and sisterhood. From documenting lived experiences to sustaining meaningful conversations over time, this discussion highlights how podcasting becomes both archive and connective tissue. Talib and the Sista Brunch team discuss growth, collaboration, visibility, and what it means to create something rooted in culture while navigating expansion. The conversation offers insight for podcasters, creators, and anyone building community through media. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:00 The Origin of Sista Brunch 10:00 Creating Space for Honest Conversations 15:00 Sisterhood, Entrepreneurship, and Balance 20:00 Building Community Through Podcasting 25:00 Challenges of Visibility and Growth 30:00 The Responsibility of Holding Space 35:00 Collaboration and Expanding the Platform 40:00 Lessons Learned in Podcasting 45:00 The Future of Sista Brunch 50:00 Final Reflections and Where to Connect Subscribe to Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform. Leave a review to support the show and help new listeners discover these conversations. To learn more about Sista Brunch visit: https://www.sistabrunch.com To donate to Season 7 of Sista Brunch: https://givebutter.com/sistabrunch Subscribe to TruJuLoMedia https://www.youtube.com/@TruJuLoMedia Join the Sista Brunch Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/sistabrunch Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/sistabrunchpodcast https://www.facebook.com/sistabrunchpodcast 🎧 Listen on YouTube or your preferred streaming platform. 💬 Leave a comment sharing what resonated with you. 📌 Subscribe for more conversations with creators shaping the future of audio.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Tonya McKenzie, PR strategist, community leader, and founder of Sand & Shores, for a grounded conversation about narrative control, credibility, and visibility in media-driven spaces. Tonya brings nearly three decades of experience across public relations, sports media, nonprofit leadership, and public service, including her work as an LA County Commissioner for Alcohol and Other Drugs. She shares how creators, founders, athletes, and organizations often misunderstand media exposure, and why owning your narrative requires more than attention or press coverage. The conversation explores the difference between PR and marketing, the long-term nature of reputation building, and why authenticity, consistency, and clarity matter when your story is being told with or without you. Talib and Tonya also discuss how digital media has shifted expectations around visibility, credibility, and public trust, and what it takes to remain aligned while being seen. This episode is especially relevant for podcasters, creatives, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and anyone navigating public-facing work who wants to be intentional about how their story is shaped and shared. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 Tonya McKenzie's Role and Expertise 01:39 The Power of Crafting Your Own Narrative 03:01 Tonya's Journey Into PR and Leadership 04:59 College, Early Career, and Political Awareness 07:14 Life's Work, Impact, and Community Responsibility 09:16 Authenticity, Reputation, and Control 24:40 Client Success Stories and PR Strategy 27:13 What Authentic PR Really Looks Like 27:46 Building Legacy Through Community Work 30:25 The Reality of Media Coverage 33:31 How PR Has Changed in the Digital Age 35:56 Consistency, Visibility, and Credibility 43:55 Humility, Confidence, and Owning Your Wins 48:05 Adapting to Shifts in Media and Audience Behavior 52:05 Final Reflections and How to Connect To learn more about Tonya McKenzie and Sand and Shores visit: https://sandandshores.com Follow on Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyamckenziepr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonyamckenziepr1920 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyamckenziepr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyamckenziespeaks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyamckenzie Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform. Watch now on YouTube or listen on your preferred streaming platform.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Tamika Carlton, creator and host of The Real Connect, for an honest conversation about connection, care, and what it means to build relationships in a time defined by distance and distraction. Tamika reflects on how her life across Seattle, Chicago, and Atlanta shaped her perspective on community and belonging. Together, Talib and Tamika explore why meaningful connection is a human need, how podcasting creates space for vulnerability, and why showing up with intention matters more than chasing visibility or metrics. The conversation moves through loneliness, leadership, creative burnout, trusting intuition, and the pressure creators feel to follow trends around video, AI, and constant output. Tamika also shares how she is expanding The Real Connect beyond audio through live experiences, including her upcoming brunch tour, as a way to bring people back into shared physical spaces. This episode speaks to podcasters, creatives, community builders, and anyone thinking deeply about how to stay grounded, connected, and human while navigating modern media. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:00 Disconnection, Community, and Shared Responsibility 10:00 Leadership, Care, and Why Connection Matters 15:00 Creating Honest Conversations Through Audio 20:00 Audience Size, Impact, and Representation 25:00 Trusting Energy, Burnout, and Creative Pauses 30:00 Expanding Podcasts Beyond Audio 35:00 Final Reflections and Afros & Audio Experience To learn more about Tamika visit: https://tamikacarlton.com/ Listen to The Real Connect podcast visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PnxPVcDa4Yng9o3lralbc Follow on www.Instagram.com/tamika_carltonjbp Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Faybeo'n Mickens, a award-winning audio marketing creative and podcast growth strategist, former music marketer, and the founder of PodBae, an emerging AI-powered revenue and matchmaking platform for independent podcasters. Fay shares her perspective on why micro and nano podcasters often hold deeper audience trust than larger shows, and how long-form audio creates a different value proposition for brands. The conversation explores the realities of podcast monetization outside of celebrity-driven models, including the structural barriers that keep many creators out of revenue conversations before they ever begin. This episode also examines how podcasting functions as a cultural archive, why download counts are an incomplete measure of impact, and how ethical AI tools like PodBae aim to help creators identify monetization opportunities, live event venues, and aligned brand partnerships earlier in their journey. It's a grounded conversation for podcasters and audio professionals thinking seriously about sustainability, ownership, and long-term growth. Episode Topics Defining micro and nano podcasters in today's ecosystem Audience trust and long-form listening behavior Podcast monetization beyond ads and network deals Structural gaps and gatekeeping in the podcast industry Ethical uses of AI for creator support and revenue forecasting Live podcasting, local audiences, and sustainable growth models Podcasting as a cultural and historical archive Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:00 Introducing Fay / Faybeo'n Mickens 03:12 Background in Music Marketing and Audio 06:08 Discovering Podcasting as a Strategic Tool 10:04 Why Download Counts Limit Monetization 15:22 Micro and Nano Podcasters and Audience Trust 20:18 Podcasting vs Advertising Mindsets 24:07 "Your Podcast Is Not a Commercial" 28:41 Brand Alignment and Long-Term Value 33:12 Ethical Uses of AI in Podcasting 38:05 Building PodBae and Creator Matchmaking 43:36 Live Podcasting and Local Audiences 48:29 Podcasting as Cultural Archive 53:44 Sustainability, Ownership, and Longevity 58:12 Final Reflections and How to Connect To learn more about Faybeo'n Mickens visit: https://faybeonmickens.com To learn more about PodBae visit: www.podbae.love To connect contact support@podbae.love Follow Faybeo'n on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gullahisland Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform.

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir sits down with Colah B. Tawkin, creator and host of Black In the Garden, for a grounded conversation about culture, land, representation, and creative sustainability. Colah shares how the absence of Black voices in gardening and nature media inspired her to create a podcast that connects Black culture and horticulture. The conversation explores her podcasting journey, the cultural significance of land and nature in Black identity, and how intentional storytelling can expand who feels welcome in outdoor and environmental spaces. This episode also covers content strategy, delegation, memorable interviews including Ananda Lewis, innovative podcast merchandise like the Black In the Garden Coloring Experience, and what it takes to sustain a long-running podcast rooted in purpose and care. It's a thoughtful conversation for podcasters, creatives, and anyone interested in how culture, creativity, and nature intersect. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Plant Girl 00:55 Starting the Podcast Journey 03:23 Challenges and Observations in Gardening 09:24 Representation and Cultural Impact 11:59 Evolution and Strategy in Content Creation 22:36 The Importance of Support and Delegation 26:47 Memorable Interviews and Legacy 35:23 Encouragement for Creators 36:13 Exploring Black Identity and Connection to Land 39:33 The Importance of Touching Grass 42:22 Innovative Podcast Merch Ideas 47:32 The Intimacy of Podcasting 53:20 Challenges and Opportunities in Podcasting 59:32 Reflections on Afros and Audio Conference 01:03:19 Final Thoughts and How to Connect Watch on YouTube or Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred streaming platform. To learn more about Colah B. Tawkin and Black in the Garden visit: blkinthegarden.com To contact Colah: hello@blkinthegarden To follow on Social Media: linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/colah-b-tawkin-838668231 IG: @blackinthegarden

In this episode of Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, host Talib Jasir speaks with founder and media strategist Kenneth Groom, creator of Beyond Normal Media, about podcasting, storytelling, and supporting small business owners and founders through audio. Kenny shares his transition from data analytics and banking into media and storytelling, and how Beyond Normal Media grew from a podcast into a full-service media company. The conversation explores why audio remains a strong foundation for content strategy, how founders can tell authentic stories without chasing trends, and what gets lost when businesses prioritize polish over meaning. This episode also covers podcasting for founders, B2B storytelling, sustainability in podcasting, the role of AI in creative workflows, and why everyday businesses often hold the most overlooked stories. It's a grounded conversation for founders, creators, and service providers thinking about long-term value and clarity in their content. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Interview Series 00:12 Meet Kenneth Groom and Beyond Normal Media 01:14 From Data Analytics to Storytelling 03:02 The Mission Behind Beyond Normal Media 04:10 Supporting Black and Brown Founders 07:20 Why Audio Still Matters 10:06 Podcasting Opportunities and Evolution 15:48 The Birth of the Beyond Normal Podcast 19:53 Untold Stories of Founders 22:55 Storytelling and Brand Identity 23:40 AI, Convenience, and Creativity 26:59 The Future of Podcasting 33:28 Authenticity Over Perfection 38:01 Sustainability and Creator Burnout 43:01 Reflections on Afros & Audio 44:52 Closing and Where to Connect To learn more about Kenny Groom and Beyond Normal Media visit: https://www.beyondnormalmedia.com Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/beyondnormalmedia/ https://www.youtube.com/@beyondnormalmedia/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-normal-media/ https://beyondnormalmedia.substack.com/