Black Writers Read

Send us Fan Mail This episode features our conversation with Dr. Rachel Laryea, which was live-streamed on June 26, 2026. Dr. Rachel Laryea is a thought leader who specializes in race and money, ethical entrepreneurship, and social good. After cutting her teeth on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs, she went on to receive her dual Ph.D. in African American Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology at Yale University. Her ethnographic research aims to understand nuanced forms of Black participation in ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features our conversation with Nikesha Elise Williams, which was live-streamed on June 22, 2026. Nikesha Elise Williams is a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer, an award-winning author, and the producer and host of the Black and Published podcast. A narrative strategist by day and journalist always, her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Bitter Southerner, Essence, and Vox. Nikesha’s work has been supported by the Kimbilio Fiction Fellowship, the ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features our conversation with Michelle McGill-Vargas, which was live-streamed on May 2, 2026. Michelle McGill-Vargas writes speculative historical fiction, short stories, and flash fiction. Her work has appeared in Splickety Magazine, The Copperfield Review, and Typehouse Literary. She is a board member of the Midwest Writers Workshop and Historical Novel Society-North America. Michelle is also a writing coach for Writing Day Workshops. She currently resides in ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features our conversation with Johnzelle Anderson, which was live-streamed on April 19, 2026. Johnzelle is a licensed therapist by trade, and believes in the power of storytelling to heal, imagine, disrupt, and inspire. His writing focuses on mental health, race, relationships, and identity. He’s an avid reader and reads approximately 100 books annually. He lives in Virginia with his daughter and an energetic Sheprador. During this episode, we discussed Johnzelle...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features our conversation with our 100th guest, children’s book author Nikki McPhetridge, which was live-streamed on March 21, 2026. Nikki McPhetridge is a first-time author, storyteller, and creator of Maya's Birthday Wish (Bookfox Press, August 2025). As a mother, dreamer, and believer in the power of play. Nikki brings heartfelt stories to life that celebrate kindness and imagination. As Maya's birthday approaches, she wonders what to wish for - toys, treats, ...