73. The Sounds of Us
From Intersectionality Matters! by African American Policy Forum
December 18, 2025 · 1h 5m
About this episode
This episode celebrates the Black roots of country, blues, and folk music, featuring a discussion with various artists and scholars about the legacy of Black artistic achievement.
Music has long been central to the fight for freedom—the rhythmic heartbeat of the struggle for justice. From Beyoncé to Shaboozey to L’il Nas X and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, Black artists have sparked a much-needed conversation about the rich legacy of Black artistic achievement in multiple genres of American music. This episode celebrates the Black roots of country, blues and folk music by bringing together a dynamic group of artists and scholars to reclaim this often ignored history. Guests: Jake Blount (Musician and Historian), Amythyst Kiah (Banjo Player and Historian), Amanda Ewing (Luthier), Tim Wise ( Writer and Racial Justice Educator), Denitia Odigie (Musician). Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, produced by the team at the African American Policy Forum Sr. Podcast Producer /Mixer Nicole Edwards Find more on our show and the African American Policy Forum at aapf.org Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Beyoncé, DeFord Bailey. Follow the podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky Check out our special series on the attack against CRT and DEI called United States of Amnesia: The Real Histories of Critical Race Theory Donate to our show
People in this episode
Host: Kimberlé Crenshaw
Guests: Jake Blount, Amythyst Kiah, Amanda Ewing, Tim Wise, Denitia Odigie
Topics covered
- Black artistic achievement
- music history
- country music
- blues
- folk music
- freedom struggle
- racial justice
Keywords
- music
- Black history
- artistic legacy
- justice
- country
- blues
- folk
- freedom
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: African American Policy Forum, Blue Dot Sessions
Books & works: Sinners
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