In this 2-part episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome DC Comics superstars Ashley Romans and Anjelika Washington. Segment 1: Ashley Romans stars as Agent 355 in the FX/Hulu series 'Y: The Last Man'.  A drama series based on DC Comics’ acclaimed series of the same name by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, Y: The Last Man traverses a post-apocalyptic world in which a cataclysmic event kills every mammal with a Y chromosome except for one cisgender man and his pet monkey. The series follows the survivors in this new world as they struggle with their efforts to restore what was lost and the opportunity to build something better. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Anjelika Washington stars as Beth Chapel/Dr. Mid-Nite in the CW series 'DC's Stargirl'. The story follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore and her stepfather Pat Dugan as she leads an unlikely group of young heroes to take on the legacy of DC’s very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America. In the thrilling second season, Courtney and her friends take on one of the most frightening adversaries in DC’s mythology – the dark entity of corruption known as Eclipso. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax 

Black Girl Nerds

266: 'Y: The Last Man's' Ashley Romans and 'DC's Stargirl's' Anjelika Washington

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast we chat with the cast and crew of the highly-anticipated series 'Hightown' on STARZ. Featured in the episode are: Writer and Creator: Rebecca Perry Cutler and Executive Producer Gary Lennon. And featuring cast members: Monica Raymund, Riley Voelkel, James Badge Dale, Amaury Nolasco, Atkins Estimond, and Dohn Norwood. In the second season of 'Hightown', the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clashes with its off-season reality. Jackie Quinones (Monica Raymund), achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, is out to do some good in this world. Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, Jackie is laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man Jackie holds responsible for the death of her best friend, Junior. For Jackie, it is personal but then again, for Jackie, everything is personal.  Hosted by: Stacey Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

265: The Cast and Crew of 'Hightown' on STARZ

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds Podcast, we welcome co-founder and COO of the cryptocurrency/crowdfunding startup Polinate. Polinate is a next-generation crowdfunding platform designed to discover, launch and empower creatives globally in a permissionless way. Azeem Khan is a New York-based entrepreneur who's worked in tech, blockchain, biotech, esports/gaming, and entertainment. Most recently he ran partnerships and growth at Aglet, doing deals with the likes of Gucci and Stadium Goods. Host: Jamie  Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax 

264: Polinate Co-Founder and COO Azeem Khan

The Black Girl Nerds Podcast welcomes actor Milan Ray.  The Baltimore native has starred alongside Hollywood legends including Alison Janney and Viola Davis in Amazon’s 'Troop Zero' that followed a group of young ladies competing for the town’s prized possession of Birdie Scouts Leader. Up Next, ABC’s highly anticipated re-boot, 'The Wonder Years.' She’s the new Winnie, the love interest of Dean Williams — the one for which Dean tries so hard to connect with.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

263: Actor Milan Ray

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome stand-up comedian and author Gina Yashere. Standup comedian Gina Yashere recently released her memoir Cack-Handed, which chronicles the story of growing up as a child of Nigerian immigrants in working-class London to becoming the first female engineer with the UK branch of Otis, the largest elevator company in the world. Her time at Otis was a baptism by fire dealing with racist and sexist co-workers, so she left to become a stand-up comic and became one of the top comedians in the UK. Gina then came to the U.S. as a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2007 and never left! A few years ago, Chuck Lorre found her standup online and reached out to her to co-create, produce, write and act in the CBS comedy series 'Bob Hearts Abishola'. The show captures the heart of the Nigerian immigrant experience and many of the stories are pulled from Gina's personal life.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax 

262: Comedian and Author Gina Yashere

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, as we cover the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, we welcome actor, director, and writer Justine Bateman to talk about her directorial feature film 'Violet'. Justine Bateman has an impressive resume that includes 'Family Ties', 'Satisfaction' and 'Arrested Development', and many more. She has earned a Golden Globe nomination and two Emmy® nominations. An advocate for Net Neutrality, Justine holds a degree from UCLA in Computer Science and Digital Media Management. VIOLET, Bateman’s directorial feature film debut of her own script, stars Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, and Justin Theroux. It premiered at SXSW 2021 and has its International Premiere at TIFF 2021. Host: Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax 

261: Actor, Director and Writer Justine Bateman

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome  Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, and author Yvonne Orji. On television, she stars in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy series 'Insecure'. A distinguished standup comedian, Yvonne previously opened for Chris Rock on various stops of his Total Blackout Tour and headlined her first comedy tour, Lagos To Laurel, at the top of 2020. She subsequently debuted her first one-hour HBO standup special, Momma, I Made It!, in June 2020. Earlier this year, Orji released her faith-based advice book, Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams, and can currently be seen in the Hulu film 'Vacation Friends', alongside Lil Rel and John Cena. In September 2018, Yvonne made her feature film debut in Universal’s 'Night School' alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish. She is also the co-host of the podcast Jesus & Jollof alongside Luvvie Ajayi. Outside of her creative work, Orji is dedicated to her charitable efforts. In 2008 she spent six months working in post-conflict Liberia with Population Services International (PSI), an NGO that utilizes social marketing in the adoption of healthy behaviors. While in Liberia, she worked with a group of talented youth to help build a mentoring program as well as a weekly talk show that helped educate and prevent teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Orji has brought her work with the youth community back to the states, where she is currently involved with (RED) campaigns and faith-based youth ministries. Before moving to Los Angeles, Yvonne earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Masters of Public Health from George Washington University. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

260: Actor, Comedian and Author Yvonne Orji

In this week's episode of the BGN Podcast, we welcome filmmaker Jonathan Levine and Candace "The Six Figure Spa Chick" Holyfield. Segment 1: Levine’s most recent film, LONG SHOT, starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, debuted at SXSW in 2019, where it won the Audience Award. His latest project is the Hulu series 'Nine Perfect Strangers'. Based on The New York Times bestselling book by author Liane Moriarty, the series takes place at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation as nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living.  Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Candace Holyfield-Parker started her journey with very humble beginnings.  As a single mother from Memphis, TN, Candace had big dreams to elevate her family from government assistance to a life of freedom and wealth.  Candace studied Massage Therapy, opened her first spa, and within her first few years, she became known as the Massage Therapist to the stars. As she began to learn the nuances of business and branding she quickly built her Six-Figure Spa business with multiple locations across the country. Candace was able to earn her first $300,000 by using Groupon successfully.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

259: Director Jonathan Levine and The Six Figure Spa Chick

This week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast is all about public and community service.  This 2-segment episode features Katrina Williams, founder of Changing The Faces of Homelessness and Cedric Richmond, advisor to the President and  director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Segment 1: Changing the Faces of Homelessness was founded by Katrina Williams, a Mental Health Case Manager who worked with the Regional Behavioral Health Authority under Value Options and Magellan Health Services for over 15 years in Phoenix, AZ.  Katrina Williams recently relocated to Los Angeles CA and began working for Volunteers of America as a Case Manager for the Hope for Homes Shelter Program in Pomona CA.  During her employment with VOA one of her clients ended their life via suicide with her client's sudden death, she realized the severity of the Los Angeles homeless crisis and developed the CFH supportive housing Program where she provides realistic resources (employment, counseling etc.) to meet her residents' realistic goals with housing.  Host: Jamie Segment 2: Cedric Richmond serves as a Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Richmond served as the National Co-Chairman of the Biden-Harris Campaign and a Co-Chair of the Biden-Harris Transition Team. Since 2011, Richmond has represented Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, Richmond served on the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on the Judiciary. He was the House Democratic Assistant to the Majority Whip, a member of the New Democratic Coalition, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and, most recently, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax 

258: Homelessness Advocate Katrina Williams and Advisor to the President Cedric Richmond

This week's Black Girl Nerds podcast welcomes comic book creator and screenwriter Tyler Martin and Ms. Pat of 'The Ms. Pat Show'. Segment 1: Tyler F. Martin is a comic book and screenplay writer, publisher, editor, and creative director based in Atlanta Georgia. An avid Star Wars fan, self-proclaimed Blerd, and lover of all things comics, he is most notably recognized for founding Godhood Comics. An Atlanta-based publishing company and one of the fastest-growing and Black-owned independent comic book publishers in the U.S. Godhood Comics was founded in 2014 and designed to highlight diversity in comics by focusing on telling stories around BIPOC (Black and indigenous people of color) characters and concepts. Creator of titles such as Mega Woman, Sharpshooter, Galactic Patrol Delta, and the extremely popular comic series The Antagonists. Host: Ryanne Segment 2: Based on Ms. Pat’s stand-up comedy and memoir, The Ms. Pat Show is the story of a former convicted felon turned suburban mom and stand-up comedian, whose hustle and resilient spirit was forged on the streets of Atlanta. To much reserve, she now finds herself in conservative middle America alongside her penny-pinching husband played by J. Bernard Calloway (City On A Hill), a struggle of a sister played by Tami Roman (The Family Business), and two distinct sets of kids played by Theodore Barnes (The Prince of Peoria), newcomer Briyana Guadalupe and Vince Swann (50 Central), raised under very different circumstances.  Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Ryanne Bennett

257: Comics Creator Tyler Martin and Ms. Pat of 'The Ms. Pat Show'

BGN interviews Brian David-Marshall (President & Publisher of InterPop) and Rachel Gluckstern (Group Editor, Emergents). InterPop is forging the future of digital fandom with comic, game, and collectible NFTs minted responsibly on the Tezos blockchain. Brian David-Marshall serves as President and publisher, creating multiple digital CCGs and is excited to bring all his gaming and comic experiences to bear on the Emergents TCG and comic universe.  Rachel Gluckstern serves as group editor of InterPop's line of digital comics. She also developed the Charmz imprint for Papercutz and spearheaded the graphic novel program for Little Bee Books, acquiring the critically acclaimed "Always Human". Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Ryanne Bennett 

256: InterPop Comics with Brian David-Marshall and Rachel Gluckstern

This week on the BGN Podcast we welcome actor Carlacia Grant of 'Outer Banks' and filmmaker Jamila Wignot of 'Ailey'. Segment 1:  “Outer Banks” follows a tight-knight group of local teens, dubbed the “Pogues,” in the beach vacation destination of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. On the small screen, Carlacia appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s well-received megachurch drama series “Greenleaf” as well as the critically acclaimed miniseries “Roots” alongside legendary actors Laurence Fishburne and Forest Whitaker. Host: Stacey Yvonne Segment 2: Many know the name Alvin Ailey, but how many know the man? Ailey’s commitment to searching for truth in movement resulted in pioneering and enduring choreography that centers on African American experiences. Director Jamila Wignot’s resonant biography grants artful access to the elusive visionary who founded one of the world’s most renowned dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Host: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

255: Actor Carlacia Grant and Filmmaker Jamila Wignot

This week on the Black Girl Nerds podcast we host a 3-segment episode featuring actors Kristin Dodson (Flatbush Misdemeanors), Hannaha Hall and Tai Davis (The Chi). Segment 1: Kristin was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and is currently a 3rd year in Columbia’s MFA Acting program. She has numerous television and film credits under her belt, including Cartoon Network’s The Shivering Truth and Netflix’s Roxanne Roxanne. Kristin is also an accredited theatre actor. Segment 2: Hannaha Hall is a native of the South Side of Chicago. Best known for her work as Tiff on the hit SHOWTIME drama series THE CHI, she attended the famed Lee Strasberg school in New York. She has appeared on the drama series Chicago Med. Segment 3: Tai Davis  is a Chicago native born and raised on the city's south side. She began her acting career at the age of eight when she booked her first national campaign for McDonald’s. A proud member of SAG/AFTRA, she has been in projects such as Cupid (ABC) Roll Bounce (FoxSearchlight), Save The Last Dance (MTV Productions/ Paramount Pictures) Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (TBS), and Chicago Med (NBC) You can currently catch Davis as Tracy on the hit Showtime drama series The Chi. As an established voiceover talent, you can hear Davis on national campaigns all over the world for brands like McDonalds, Xfinity, Toyota, and Pantene. All three segments are hosted by Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

254: Kristin Dodson of 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' and Hannaha Hall and Tai Davis of 'The Chi'

In this 2-segment episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome actors Patina Miller and Jay Ellis! Segment 1: Patina will lead the latest chapter of Starz’s POWER saga, POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN, as ‘Raquel Thomas’, the fierce and compelling mother of the nefarious ‘Kanan’, who was portrayed by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in the original series. Starz’s tentpole POWER franchise is the most-watched show on premium cable and has a dedicated, wide fanbase.  Hosted by: Ryanne Segment 2: The new podcast series "Written Off" is hosted by Walter Thompson-Hernández (NAACP Image Award-nominee) and co-created and co-produced by Insecure's Jay Ellis and his production company Black Bar Mitzvah. The show will spotlight the creative writing of formerly incarcerated young writers in the LA area who have been impacted and silenced by the prison system in the United States and each episode will feature a different influential creative performing their writing. Hosted by: Jeandra Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

253: Actor Patina Miller and Jay Ellis

Season 1 of Marvel Studios' 'Loki' has wrapped and we're already waiting with bated breath for season 2!  In this BGN Podcast Extra, we interview Costume Designer Christine Wada and Production Designer  Kasra Farahani. Hosted by: Ryanne Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax

252: BGN Podcast Extra: The Creative Team Behind Marvel Studios' Loki

Black Girl Nerds is an online community devoted to promoting nerdiness among Black women & people of color. Check us out on blackgirlnerds.com and play with us on social media by following us on Twitter @blackgirlnerds!

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