Podcasts are having a moment right now. The format has seen a surge in popularity in recent years because of several factors, including easier access for both creators (who can even record audio on their smartphones) and listeners (who are just a few taps away from opening most podcasts).
Part of the beauty of podcasts is that they allow in-depth exploration of topics in ways that are not always possible through written features. And creators have, in turn, used the format to focus on niche or overlooked topics, which is particularly important to communities of color that don’t often see their stories reflected in the media.
To kick off Black History Month – which tends to exclude the stories of Afro-Latinxs – we scoured the internet and found a few podcasts hosted by Afro-Latinxs that are taking control of their narratives. Check them out below.
1
Bag Ladiez
Estephanie and Lina are two Afro-Latinas from the Bronx. In their podcast, Bag Ladiez, they break down baggage in the many forms it takes. The podcast started three years ago.
2
Afrosaya
Alejandro Gutierrez, an academic, hosts the Afrosaya podcast, which aims to showcase the African roots across the Americas.
3
Serotonin Vibes
Mental health is not always explored within communities of color, so with her podcast Destiny Corporan – an Afro-Latina, who as she says on her Instagram page, “lives for spiritual healing” – discusses this topic. She focuses on positivity and helps her followers learn how to be more confident, speak up for themselves, and how to do great things for themselves if they are dealing with depression or anxiety.
4
Chombita Chronicles
Though Yovy D has already been at the podcasting game for about a year with The Yovy D Show, where she chats with entrepreneurs, she is now starting the Chombita Chronicles, where she’ll document her life as an Afro-Latina. In the Spanish-language show, she’ll collaborate with other Afro-Latinas who have worked in corporate media.
5
We Come From Queens
While hosts Cadacia and Monique recently said goodbye to We Come From Queens, the podcast is still very much worth listening to. The show, which covered topics relevant to millennials, tracked their growth over the last four years.