Ungentrified With Kent Johnson

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Rondel Holder (), founder of Soul Society 101 and documentarian to chat about the pilgrimage he took to Africa after receiving the results of a DNA test he took. We discuss his experience going to Benin & Togo after learning his DNA results, why the Black community is hesitant about DNA testing companies, his perspective on Black people traveling back to Africa, and whether or not the trip “home” has changed him.  Listen and give us your opinion! Guest: Rondel Holder () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Shoe Dog, a book by Phil Knight Tugela Fairy by Simmy Abducted in Plain Sight on Netflix African Ancestry DNA Testing ()   Watch Rondel’s Heritage Journey documentary here: Part 2:   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .

Ndaba: a Zulu word, meaning “a meeting of the minds to discuss a very important topic.”   On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Bheki Dube (), owner of Curiocity, a network of hostels in South Africa and Vuyo Mpantsha & Fhatuwani Mukheli of I See A Different You (), a marketing & design firm dedicated to sharing uniquely South African stories to chat about exposing the world to Johannesburg’s buzzing creative scene.   We discuss how media often negatively influences the world’s view of Africa and why people should meet South Africa for themselves, how Soweto and the Maboneng District are two areas that define the creative pulse of Johannesburg, why the vibe in Joburg can’t be duplicated and the feeling as a creative when your idea has been copied. Listen and give us your opinion! Guests: Bheki Dube (), owner of Curiocity, a network of hostels in South Africa andVuyo Mpantsha & Fhatuwani Mukheliof I See A Different You () Websites: Learn more about Curiocity Hostels at  and learn more abo

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Kellita Smith (), Peabody Award winning actress for her role on the Emmy award winning Bernie Mac show, and current lead actress on SyFy’s Z Nation to chat about being the first Black lead actor in a series on the network.   We discuss how Hollywood still has quite a way to go for Black women, what it’s like transitioning from comedic roles to science fiction, when she found out she was the first Black actor (male or female) in a lead role on the network, what position she’d play in her survival squad if a zombie apocalypse really jumped off, and Kellita drops gems about finding your passion that you need to hear.  Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Kellita Smith () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Shirley Horne You can catch Kellita on Bounce TV’s and SyFy’s , which is now in season 5. Catch up on past seasons of Z Nation on .   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us y

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Chris Classic (), the American Music Award winner, creator of the fragrance Savoir Faire and social media maven to chat about the ups and downs of being a social media “influencer” for the Black community. We discuss how the Black community creates & consumes media, his perspective on social media as an individual with a massive following, and the moment when people share a little too much online.  Listen and give us your opinion! Guest: Chris Classic () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Cautious Clay You can find out more about Chris’ fragrance, Savoir Faire at .   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Jason Swann (), founder of Rising Routes to talk about the Black community’s relationship with hiking and nature based activities. We discuss why nature based activities are automatically labeled as “white people stuff,” how Black women lead the charge of connecting with nature, and the unforgettable experience that pushed him to create his company. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Jason Swann () Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Nature Based Groups/Clubs for People of Color: You can find out more about Jason’s company, Rising Routes at .    Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Episode Sponsor: Black & Abroad Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Fredara Hadley (), Doctor of Ethnomusicology, and noted professor of Black music to talk about the theory that we all stop checking for new music at the age of 33 and the impact of 90s R&B on Black culture. We discuss research done by Spotify on the listening habits of adults, why our teenage years build our love for music, how 90s R&B fits into the lives of Black 30-somethings, and why our demographic was never supposed to two step to Lil Uzi Vert. Listen and give us your opinion! Guest: Dr. Fredara Hadley () Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast:   Amber Mark’s “Put You On” feat. Dram   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Jerris Madison (@jerrismogul), photographer, creative director, and Editor in Chief of Obvious Magazine to chat about his life-changing experience of becoming one of the least represented types of amputees. We discuss his discovery that he was living with the incredibly rare cancer Chondrosarcoma, the problem with medical misdiagnosis for Black patients, what he did when he first learned he’d have to receive an amputation, and where he’s at 4 years after the procedure. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Jerris Madison () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson Amber Mark’s “Put You On” feat. Dram Chondrosarcoma American Cancer Society You can find out more about Jerris’ magazine, Obvious at .   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Tanisha Colon-Bibb (), the entrepreneur who recently wrote an article about why she changed her name to something “less black” to avoid racism & discrimination in the workplace and get ahead in business, and her journey back to using her original name. We discuss the response she got from her article, Black-on-Black name discrimination, the history of “ghetto” names in the Black community, and whether or not Oprah’s resume would get tossed in the trash. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Tanisha Colon-Bibb () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Two applicants receive rejections letters stating their names are “too ghetto”:   Tanisha’s article on why she changed her name to something “less black” to be successful:   , where I discuss the history of the movie Boomerang with entertainment writer Kay-B. , where I chat with Cindy Wilson, a Korean woman who was adopted by a Black family when she was a baby, and ended up coming of age

Episode 022: HAIRLINE FRACTURE On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Wade Menendez (), business owner, philanthropist, celebrity barber and one of the first to offer custom hair units for men, also known as the “man-weave.” We discuss the fear of losing your hairline, what goes into getting a “man-weave,” and which celebrity he’d design a custom hair unit for. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Wade Menendez () Website:     Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: You can find out more about Wade’s services, including his instructional courses at .    Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 8 RECAP: GHOST-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the eighth episode (and season finale) of Insecure’s Season 3, “Ghost-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. Check out our thoughts on this episode, the entire third season and our predictions for the next season!   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Anthony Burrell (), the world renowned choreographer, creative director, and actor to chat about his career in the dance industry. We discuss his journey from South Philly to Alvin Ailey, racism in the dance industry, his experience working for Beyoncé & Mariah Carey, and why he chose Atlanta to open up his new dance studio. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Anthony Burrell () Website:  //   Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: Netflix’s “Follow This” HBO’s & Terrance Nance’s Random Acts of Flyness   You can find out more about Anthony’s new dance studio in Atlanta, the Anthony Burrell Center for Dance at .    Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Episode Sponsor: Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 7 RECAP: OBSESSED-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the seventh episode of Insecure’s Season 3, “Obsessed-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs. Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the season finale!   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 6 RECAP: READY-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the sixth episode of Insecure’s Season 3, “Ready-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs. Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the remainder of the season!   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Dhonielle Clayton (), author of The Belles and the Tiny Pretty Things series and noted voice in Young Adult lit to chat about navigating the book industry as a black woman. We discuss why publishers are clamoring for black stories yet refusing to hire black authors to create them, literary code-switching, and her role in making sure all authors portray black life realistically in books. Listen and give us your opinion! Guest: Dhonielle Clayton () Website:    Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: You can find Dhonielle’s books, Tiny Pretty Things and its sequel, Shiny Broken Pieces, as well as the first book in her newest series, The Belles, on .   The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Episode Sponsor: Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 5 RECAP: HIGH-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the fifth episode of Insecure’s Season 3, “High-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs. Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the remainder of the season!   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by Cindy Wilson (), author of the autobiography “Too Much Soul” to chat about her experience as a Korean child adopted by a Black family and living in the dirty South. We discuss her book, growing up in an all Black family, going to an HBCU, who defines culture, and her feelings on Rachel Dolezal. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: Cindy Wilson () Website:     Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: You can find out more about Too Much Soul, Cindy’s book at , and you can purchase a copy on .   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Episode Sponsor: Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 4 RECAP: FRESH-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the fourth episode of Insecure’s Season 3, “Fresh-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs.   Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the remainder of the season!   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 3 RECAP: BACKWARDS-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the third episode of Insecure’s Season 3, "Backwards-Like," with my best friend, Bianca. This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs. Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the remainder of the season! Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()

On this episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I am joined by James Bland (), the Emmy nominated actor, creator, showrunner and star of the hit digital drama series to chat about Black art and our community’s duty to support. We discuss whether or not we have to unabashedly support Black media, if he feels his projects are supported by the community, and what the future holds for Black creativity. Listen and give us your opinion!   Guest: James Bland () Website:  //     Resources/People/Articles Mentioned in Podcast: HBO & Issa Rae’s Insecure HBO’s & Terrance Nance’s Random Acts of Flyness AJ+’s breakdown of representation in Hollywood: You can find out more about Giants, the series created by and starring James at .   Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Episode Sponsor: Theme Music by Nas550 ()

INSECURE SEASON 3, EPISODE 2 RECAP: FAMILIAR-LIKE On a very special episode of UNGENTRIFIED, I recap the second episode of Insecure’s Season 3, "Familiar-Like," with my best friend, Bianca.  This will be a special series of episodes for the duration of the season, dropping every Monday after an episode airs. Check out our thoughts on this episode and our predictions for the remainder of the season! Follow the conversation: @ungentrifiedpod on / @kentwjohnson on /   #ungentrifiedpod   Email us your questions/comments at .   Theme Music by Nas550 ()