How do you make a America whiter without saying you're making it whiter? In this first episode of 2025, during Black History Month, we dissect what does Trump's dismatling of DEI and the self-sabotaging deportation crusade, mean or businesses and media?And how much damage will be done to Blacks and Latinos before they get their way? Then we discuss why the backlash to the 13-time Oscar-nominated Netflix musical "Emilia Perez" isn't about "foreigners stealing Latino stories." It's about the power to define, represent, and shape how a culture is perceived. Whoever controls the story, controls the power. We break down why "Emilia Perez" has ignited a battle for the soul of cultural storytelling.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite movies and TV shows we’re currently watching or bingeing. Hopefully, you’ll find something to add to your Thanksgiving watchlist. From Black documentaries on 70s cinema and military-style action TV shows to a surreal film tackling female ageism, we’ve included a mix of Latino, Black, and mainstream selections that we enjoyed. We think that after watching these, you’ll have a lot to talk about over the holidays.

It’s November 7, 2024. Latinos are clearly becoming the next ‘whites’ and represent what the Republican Party may look like in the future. This episode promises to challenge everything you thought you knew about Latino identity in the U.S. Back in April 2024, we spoke to Political Psychologist Efren Perez, a UCLA Professor of Political Science and Psychology, who holds a PhD from Duke University, about his research on what are the true psychological and political factors that are driving many Latinos to "whiteness." Is it a survival mechanism or is it status-seeking? What are the long-term implications of this negotiation of identity and the Census?

What does responsible AI use look like in the music world? This week, we sit down with Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the man at the helm of one of music's most revered institutions, to discuss AI’s current and future impact on the music industry - especially for creators of color - and how the Recording Academy is confronting this challenge head-on. Harvey reveals what’s at stake: artist rights, the moral challenges AI presents, and how the Grammys are preparing for the inevitable surge of AI-generated music. If you're in the music industry, a fan of pop culture, or following the AI disruption drama, this eye-opening conversation will make you rethink the future of music and creativity in the digital age.

Land, land, land. What if your ancestors kept the land they were promised? How would your life be different? In this episode, we speak with Mother Jones Editorial Director, Jamila King, about a story meant to be hidden in the annals of history. She and her investigative team used AI to unearth evidence that could force the nation into a reckoning with reparations and finally confront its buried truths.

What happens when a pandemic exposes the realities that wealth and privilege usually hide? Author Regina Porter stops by our show to discuss her provocative new novel, "The Rich People Have Gone Away," New Yorkers who are forced to confront their own moral complexities about privilege, identity, and class, set against the backdrop of COVID-19 in New York City in 2020.

With the recent announcement of WB’s "La Bamba" remake, we ask: Did Hollywood whitewash Luis Valdez’s 1987 film classic, and will the remake do better? And how much of your identity would you sacrifice to be seen by mainstream media?

In this episode, we explore how pop culture and social media are driving Kamala Harris's potential presidential election and how her multicultural background (Black and Indian) is challenging the power structures in American politics. We also examine the new lawsuit involving Flamin' Hot Cheetos creator Richard Montañez and PepsiCo for defamation as he fights for recognition as the product's creator. How crucial is Montañez's court case win for Latino representation?

Kimberly Bryant, the founder of "Black Girls Code" and the "Black Innovation Lab," joins us for a can't-miss conversation about the real threat AI poses to people of color if we don't wake up now. This episode is a wake-up call. We dissect the implications of the recent news headlines involving FKA Twigs and the misuse of Tupac's voice by Drake. Plus, how to design laws, ethics, that will not allow us to be left behind. Will we be able act with the urgency needed before it's too late?

Has white privilege sabotaged Beyoncé? In this episode, we analyze the recent revelation how AMC's CEO undermined Beyoncé's Renaissance concert film, costing her millions, while protecting Taylor Swift's release. Was this decision based on business or unconscious bias?

In this episode, we discuss the Census Bureau's recent announcement of their proposed changes to the race and ethnicity categories, particularly for Hispanics. What potential risks will that on the Afro-Latino community? Will 2030 see Hispanic/Latinos in the United States be pressured to conform to White or will they double down on Latino identity?

Are Latinos becoming the next whites, and what role does politics play in this ideological shift? We talk to Political psychologist Efren Perez, a UCLA Professor of Political Science and Psychology, who holds a PhD from Duke University. His research focuses on race, ethnicity, politics, and society. He recently wrote an article in Newsweek titled "Why the Politics of Republican Latinos Suggests They Want to be White." In it, he argues that some Latinos view whiteness not as a race but as an ideology associated with power, privilege, and dominance?

Sheila E broke barriers as both a talented percussionist and an Afro-Latina artist. In this fascinating podcast episode, she reveals the personal motivations behind her first salsa album, Bailar, and explores her relationship with Latin music and identity. Her insights offer a unique window into the challenges and triumphs of embracing heritage through music.

In tribute to the life and career of legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., we are re-airing our 2020 interview with him regarding his role as Luis Garcia in 'The Cuban'. In this conversation, Mr. Gossett Jr. shared his insights on embracing international cultures and his love for Cuba.

Daymé Arocena on her new album Alkemi

In this episode, progress vs. preservation. We discuss the alarming white backlash targeting Latino interns and how AI is impacting the film industry and creators of color. We explore how these two stories set the stage for a broader debate on diversity in the digital age.

Colman Domingo: Black Man or Afro-Latino?

How This Year's Nominations, Winners and Shows Reflect Hollywood's Shifting Perspectives on Diversity and Inclusion

This week Mike and Jack examine why Netflix is depositing $100 million dollars into Black banks; Lin-Manuel Miranda's revered Broadway musical 'Hamilton' has been released on Disney+ and is receiving backlash from historians for glorifying slave-owners. Has art become more significant than historical facts? And in 1983, artist David Bowie challenged MTV VJ Mark Goodman on why MTV didn't play Black music in primetime. Chuck Creekmur, co-founder and co-CEO of AllHipHop.com joins the show to explain how racism still oppresses black and brown music in the music industry today. References: David Bowie Criticizes MTV for Not Playing Videos by Black Artists https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGiVzIr8Qg "The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap" by Mehrsa Baradaran https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674237476 Correcting ‘Hamilton’ (Historian Annette Gordon-Reed Interviewed) https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/10/correcting-hamilton/ "What Is Owed" by Nikole Hannah-Jones https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/24/magazine/reparations-slavery.html Marianne Williamson Speech on Reparations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmu9hXtnbvo&feature=emb_title Reach out to us: Follow us on Twitter @brownblackpod Follow us on Instagram @brownblackpodcast Follow us on YouTube @brownblackpodcast Follow Jack Rico on Twitter @jackricofficial Follow Mike Sargent Twitter @mikeonscreen

In this episode, we share our top Latino and Black films of 2023.

Legendary storyboard artist Warren Drummond joins the show to discuss his new book, 'A Hard Day's Work,' in which he offers a rare glimpse into his artistry, the perseverance and resilience that led to his breakthrough in Hollywood, and his thoughts on the existential threat of AI replacing storyboard artists.

Listen to this heated discussion on the controversial reverse discrimination lawsuit from white employees against Gannett for its diversity efforts in news, plus we tackle the 'woke' backlash of the film 'The Marvels' for its focus on diverse female superheroes. We ask, is DE&I under attack?

This month, we take you back to our classic 2020 Halloween episode, where we delve deep into the world of Latin and Black horror cinema, grounding ourselves in the folklore of our own chilling tales. From influential Latin horror films like "El Orfanato" and "La Casa Muda" and Black horror classics like "Ganja & Hess" and Jordan Peele's "Get Out," we list each others best three horror films for your viewing nightmares, er, pleasure.

Chasing relevance. We're all guilty of it at some point, desperately trying to stay current and be noticed. But what's the cost? In this episode of Brown & Black, we'll peel back the layers on society's obsession with relevance, specifically for people of color in media and entertainment today. Why does it matter to so many people? Do we really need to stay relevant and what happens if we don't?

In this special episode, our co-host Mike Sargent discusses his new horror film "From the Shadows" which he directed, produced and co-wrote. He shares some behind-the-scenes stories of making the film, including directing horror legends Keith David and Bruce Davison and what it’s like to direct an independent feature. Plus, find out which stories Mike is itching to tell next.