Black Women Amplified Podcast

by Monica Wisdom

Season 8

Eshe Light on her Hip Hop Legacy and the Women Who Expanded the Culture

There are certain artists whose presence lives beyond the stage. Their work becomes part of the cultural fabric, shaping how we see ourselves, how we move, and what we believe is possible. Eshe Light is one of those artists. Long before conversations about women’s empowerment in hip hop became mainstream, Eshe was already living it. As an original member of Arrested Development, she helped to expand the landscape of hip hop in the early 1990s, one rooted in consciousness, artistry, storytelling, and cultural pride. At a time when the industry often reduced women to one dimension, Eshe moved differently. Through movement, style, creativity, and presence, she expanded what Black women in hip hop could look and feel like. The group would go on to make history, earning two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, and becoming the first hip hop group to receive the honor. Their music shifted the sound and opened the door for artists who wanted to create from a place of depth, identity, and purpose. But Eshe’s journey stretches far beyond awards and accolades. Raised in the world of dance through her mother’s studio, dance became her language. Over the course of a groundbreaking career spanning more than three decades, she has traveled the world as a performer, creative force, choreographer, director, and visionary, helping shape some of the most memorable moments in music and culture. Her work has intersected with icons, filmmakers, and major cultural movements, including the groundbreaking collaboration between Spike Lee and Arrested Development for the Malcolm X era. But what makes Eshe’s story resonate is not simply where she has been. It is how she has sustained herself creatively while continuing to evolve. In this episode of Black Women Amplified, we talk about the evolution of hip hop over the last fifty years, the power and responsibility of artists, and the women whose contributions helped shape the culture who rarely receive the same level of recognition. We also talk about reinvention, longevity, and what it means to continue creating in a world that is constantly changing. This conversation is layered with wisdom, honesty, artistry, and legacy. It is a reminder that culture is not built overnight. It is shaped by the people courageous enough to create something different before the world is ready to receive it. And Eshe Light has been doing exactly that for decades. Visit blackwomenamplified.com to explore more conversations, sign up for our email list, and shop the Black Women Amplified merchandise collection designed for women who move through the world with intention, creativity, and power. IN THIS EPISODE The evolution of hip hop and its cultural impact over 50 years How Arrested Development changed the sound and direction of hip hop The role of women in shaping hip hop culture and creative expression Longevity, reinvention, and sustaining a creative life Dance, movement, and artistry as forms of storytelling The intersection of music, activism, and cultural identity Building legacy while continuing to evolve creatively

S8 · E176

May 12, 2026

1:08:37

Denny S. Bryce on Ella Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, and “Can’t We Be Friends”

I’m really excited to introduce you to this week’s guest, Denny S. Bryce. She is brilliant, thoughtful, and the kind of writer who knows how to place our stories back where they belong. If you are drawn to the worlds of Bridgerton or The Gilded Age, this conversation will feel familiar, but richer. There is a depth here that goes beyond the aesthetic and into the truth of who we have always been. Fresh off the heels of The Other Princess, Denny joins me to talk about her writing process, her perspective on historical fiction, and her newest book, Can’t We Be Friends, co-written with Eliza Knight. This novel brings to life the unexpected and powerful friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. Set in the 1950s, it explores what it meant for two women, both navigating fame, pressure, and limitation, to find connection and understanding in each other. On the surface, they lived very different lives, but beneath the surface, they were both fighting for agency, respect, and the right to define themselves. What I love about this conversation is that it reminds us that a story is that these women are not just famous but dear friends who, despite the times, were there for each other. Take a moment to listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who has impacted your journey. What We Cover in This Episode: The story behind Can’t We Be Friends and the bond between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe Denny S. Bryce’s approach to historical fiction and storytelling Why reclaiming narrative matters now The deeper connection between story, identity, and legacy Listen and Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms. Share the Conversation: If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend or someone who has helped shape your life. If you are interested in starting your own podcast, please visit www.rethinkpodcasting.com to schedule a discovery call with Monica Wisdom, Podcast Advisor and Strategist.

S8 · E175

Apr 30, 2026

56:17

Elaine Meryl Brown & Rhonda Joy McLean: Empowering Black Women Leaders in Corporate America

The legends are here. Elaine Meryl Brown and Rhonda Joy McLean have spent decades doing the latter. These are not surface-level careers. These are rooms entered, decisions made, systems navigated, and influence built over time. They are pioneers in their respective fields, women who did not simply rise through the ranks but learned how to move within them with precision, strategy, and staying power. In this conversation, Monica Wisdom sits with Elaine Meryl Brown and Rhonda Joy McLean, co-authors of The Next Little Black Book of Success, to talk about what it really takes to build a career that lasts. Elaine Meryl Brown built her career at the highest levels of media, shaping stories and strategy inside HBO and beyond. Rhonda Joy McLean spent decades inside corporate law at Time Inc., advising global brands and leading at the highest levels of decision-making. Together, along with the late Marsha Haygood, they have spent more than a decade documenting what it actually takes to lead, advance, and sustain success. This is a conversation about experience. The kind you only earn by staying in the room. They speak openly about what it required to build their careers, what they had to learn that no one teaches, and how their understanding of success has evolved. The conversation moves through the women who shaped them, the decisions that defined them, and the realities behind navigating professional spaces with clarity and intention. Their latest book, The Next Little Black Book of Success, is not a theory. It is a continuation of a body of work rooted in lived experience, offering direct insight into how to move, lead, and think in today’s workplace. This episode is not about quick wins. It is about perspective. It is about longevity. And it is about learning from women who have done the work and stayed long enough to understand it. What You Will Hear in This Episode ✓ The truth about what is shifting in the workforce and why so many are being forced to pivot ✓ How to navigate authenticity, visibility, and emotional wellness in high-pressure spaces ✓ What it means to begin again and move forward with clarity in uncertain times About the Guests Elaine Meryl Brown is an award-winning writer, producer, and former HBO executive with a career spanning media, storytelling, and leadership development. She has received more than 40 industry awards and has dedicated her work to helping women expand their vision and step into leadership with clarity and intention. Rhonda Joy McLean is President and CEO of RJMLEADS LLC and former Deputy General Counsel of Time Inc., where she advised global brands including Time, Fortune, People, and Essence. She has spent decades working at the intersection of law, leadership, and career advancement, guiding executives, organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Together with the late Marsha Haygood, they are the authors of the Little Black Book of Success series, a body of work that has guided women across industries for more than a decade. Featured Book The Next Little Black Book of Success: A practical and direct guide to navigating leadership, power, and career advancement in today’s evolving workplace. Order your book HERE. If You Are Ready to Start Your Own Podcast If this conversation sparked something in you and you are thinking about building your own platform, your voice matters. Visit www.rethinkpodcasting.com and schedule a one-on-one advising session with Monica Wisdom, Producer and Host of Black Women Amplified.

S8 · E174

Apr 23, 2026

49:35

Rissi Palmer: The Fight for Her Name and Her Place as a Black Woman in Country Music

There is a moment in every woman’s life when she has to decide if she will shrink to fit the space or expand until the space meets her. This week on Black Women Amplified, I sit down with Rissi Palmer for a conversation that is as honest as it is necessary. Rissi knew early that country music was hers. Not as a trend or an experiment, but as a true expression of who she is. When she stepped into the industry, she did so with clarity. What she could not control was how the industry would respond. In 2007, her debut single “Country Girl” charted on Billboard, marking a rare moment of visibility. For many, that would have been the breakthrough. For Rissi, it was the beginning of a different kind of journey. One that required resilience, patience, and a deep belief in her own voice. She shares what it meant to be seen and still have to prove that she belonged. To carry the weight of expectation while navigating an industry that was not always ready to fully receive her. There is no bitterness in how she tells it. There is perspective. There is truth. And there is a quiet strength that comes from staying rooted in yourself when everything around you asks you to shift. What stands out most in this conversation is how she chose to respond. She did not walk away from country music. She built a deeper relationship with it. Over the years, she has continued to create on her own terms, releasing projects that reflect her growth as both an artist and a woman. Her music carries a sense of ease and conviction that only comes from doing the work and trusting your voice. Her impact extends beyond her own catalog. Through Color Me Country, her radio show on Apple Music, she has created a space where artists of color are not pushed to the margins but brought to the center. The conversations are layered, thoughtful, and grounded in truth. It is not about proving anything. It is about telling the full story. She has also put real support behind that vision through the Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund, investing in artists who are building their careers without the benefit of traditional systems. This is what evolution looks like. Not just success, but intention. Not just presence, but purpose. This conversation is about staying power. About knowing who you are before the world has the chance to define you. And about doing the work to make sure the path is wider for the women coming behind you. In This Episode, We Explore: ✔ The moment she chose country music and committed to her sound ✔ What her early success revealed about the industry ✔ The emotional and professional reality of fighting for your name ✔ How she continued to build when the path was not clearly laid out ✔ The intention behind Color Me Country and why it matters ✔ The importance of creating access and support for emerging artists ✔ What it means to expand a space instead of asking permission to enter it About Rissi Palmer Rissi Palmer is a country music artist, songwriter, and media voice whose career spans nearly two decades. She gained national recognition with her debut single “Country Girl,” becoming one of the few Black women to chart on Billboard’s country charts at the time. She has performed on some of the most respected stages in the world, including the Grand Ole Opry, the White House, and Lincoln Center. Her independent projects reflect her evolution as an artist, and her work continues to center authenticity, storytelling, and cultural impact. Listen Now Available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who understands what it takes to stay true to yourself and build anyway.

S8 · E172

Apr 14, 2026

44:15

Author Vanessa Riley on Fire, Sword & Sea: a Historical Fiction

In this episode of Black Women Amplified Podcast, Monica sits down with award-winning author Vanessa Riley for a conversation that moves beyond storytelling and into history, power, and truth. Vanessa Riley joins the show to talk about her latest novel, Fire, Sword & Sea, a sweeping historical fiction story inspired by the real-life pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. Set in the 17th-century Caribbean, the book brings a hidden woman back into the conversation and places her where she belongs. This is not the version of history most of us were taught. Together, Monica and Vanessa unpack the realities of piracy, the transatlantic slave trade, and how entire economies were built on power, currency, and human lives. They also explore what it means to tell stories about women who were not waiting to be saved, but were making decisions, taking risks, and choosing their own lives. Vanessa also shares her journey from mechanical engineer to bestselling author, and what it takes to commit to telling stories that shift how we understand the past. What We Talk About in This Episode The real history of piracy in the Caribbean and what is often left out How the transatlantic slave trade shaped global economies The truth behind the idea of “currency” and human lives Writing women in history as decision makers, not just victims Why representation in historical fiction matters Vanessa Riley’s transition from engineering to writing The discipline and research behind writing historical novels How history mirrors what we are experiencing today Why ambition in women is often misunderstood The importance of restoring hidden figures to the historical record Key Takeaways History is often simplified, but the truth is layered and complex Women in history were making strategic decisions even inside oppressive systems You do not have to be extraordinary to change your life; you have to be prepared Stories shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible There are still untold stories that deserve to be brought forward About Vanessa Riley Vanessa Riley is an award-winning historical fiction author known for bringing overlooked stories of women into the cultural conversation. She holds a PhD from Stanford University and began her writing career while working as a mechanical engineer. She is the author of multiple bestselling novels, including Island Queen, Queen of Exiles, and Sister Mother Warrior. Her work has been recognized by major media outlets, including The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and The New York Times. Her latest novel, Fire, Sword & Sea, continues her work of restoring overlooked women to history through deeply researched and immersive storytelling. Listen to the Episode Listen to Season 8 Episode on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Audible

S8 · E171

Apr 14, 2026

55:54

Lisane Basquiat: Staying Grounded When Everything Feels Loud

In this episode of Black Women Amplified, I sit down with Lisane Basquiat, founder of Shaping Freedom, for a grounded and necessary conversation about boundaries, balance, focus, and self-leadership in uncertain times. Lisane is a board-certified Master Practitioner and teacher of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a certified professional coach, a former corporate executive, and an entrepreneur who has built a body of work centered on clarity, personal responsibility, and transformation. She is also the owner of a women-centered business space, a respected facilitator, and a woman who has been recognized for her leadership and impact, including having a day named after her. At the same time, she holds a unique cultural responsibility as a steward of her brother, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s legacy, helping to bring his work to new generations while continuing to build her own voice with intention. That balance alone is a conversation. What makes this episode land is not just what Lisane has done, but how she thinks. She does not approach boundaries as reactions or emotional shutdowns. She speaks about them as decisions. As standards. As personal accountability. And she is clear that balance is not something you fall into. It is something you practice daily, through how you care for yourself and what you choose to engage in. This conversation moves beyond surface-level ideas of self-care and gets into the real work. The patterns we inherit. The ways we overextend. The habit of listening just to respond instead of listening to understand. And the quiet truth that many of us are showing up for everything while disconnected from ourselves. In this episode, we explore: ✔ What balance actually looks like when life feels unstable ✔ Why boundaries are about how you show up, not controlling others ✔ The cost of over-functioning and constant accessibility ✔ How inherited family patterns shape your relationships and decisions ✔ Listening as a discipline, not a performance ✔ Why focus is required in a culture designed to distract you ✔ How to remain whole while navigating responsibility, visibility, and pressure If you have been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or pulled in too many directions, this conversation will meet you there and bring you back to center. This is about learning how to stay steady when everything around you is loud. For more on Lisane Basquiat and her work, visit shapingfreedom.com. Visit www.blackwomenamplified.com for merchandise, journals, and trainings.

S8 · E170

Apr 6, 2026

1:00:21

Deborah Gregory: Author of the Cheetah Girls Shares the Truth About Writing in Hollywood

In this unforgettable episode of Black Women Amplified, Monica Wisdom welcomes the legendary Deborah Gregory, a visionary writer, journalist, producer, performer, and creative force whose life story is as powerful as the stories she tells. Many know Deborah Gregory as the award-winning author of The Cheetah Girls, the beloved 22-book series published by Disney Publishing Worldwide that followed a group of talented young girls chasing their dreams, sisterhood, and stardom. The series became a cultural phenomenon and was later adapted into three Disney Channel original movies, with the first produced in conjunction with Whitney Houston. Deborah also served as a co-producer on the project, helping bring the world she created from page to screen. But long before The Cheetah Girls became a franchise, Deborah Gregory was already building a life defined by reinvention. A survivor of the New York City foster care system, she learned early how to navigate instability, imagine beyond her circumstances, and create possibilities where there seemed to be none. With resilience and determination, she rewrote her personal story and transformed pain into power. In this conversation, Deborah shares how her journey took her from foster care to the global fashion world, where she worked as an international model in Italy and around the world. That experience opened her eyes to beauty, style, culture, and self-invention in a way that would later shape her creative voice. From there, she went on to open a boutique in Manhattan for full-figured women, creating style and access for women who were too often ignored by mainstream fashion. That entrepreneurial chapter became another turning point and ultimately helped lead her into editorial work and a long, celebrated career in media. Deborah is also an NABJ award-winning contributing writer for ESSENCE, where she has written since 1992. Her work has also appeared in VIBE, MORE, Heart & Soul, Entertainment Weekly, US, and GRACE magazine, where her pop culture column The Diva Diaries became a signature expression of her voice, wit, and cultural insight. Across publishing, fashion, and entertainment, Deborah has remained a woman who understands how to shape culture while telling the truth. In this episode, she opens up about the real story behind success, what it means to reinvent yourself again and again, and the truth about being a writer in Hollywood. This is a conversation about survival, style, creativity, ambition, identity, and what it takes to build a life that reflects who you truly are. In This Episode ✔ Deborah Gregory’s journey through the New York City foster care system and how it shaped her worldview ✔ How fashion became a doorway to a bigger life through modeling in Italy and around the globe ✔ Why opening a boutique for full-figured women in Manhattan was both personal and revolutionary ✔ The path from fashion entrepreneur to award-winning journalist and contributing writer at ESSENCE ✔ The creation of The Cheetah Girls and how the book series became a global brand ✔ What it was like to help bring The Cheetah Girls to the screen as a co-producer alongside Whitney Houston Share the Episode If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Be sure to subscribe to Black Women Amplified and leave a review so more people can discover these powerful conversations.

S8 · E169

Apr 6, 2026

59:44

1 of 6

Black Women Amplified Podcast

Eshe Light on her Hip Hop Legacy and the Women Who Expanded the Culture

Denny S. Bryce on Ella Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, and “Can’t We Be Friends”

Elaine Meryl Brown & Rhonda Joy McLean: Empowering Black Women Leaders in Corporate America

Rissi Palmer: The Fight for Her Name and Her Place as a Black Woman in Country Music

Author Vanessa Riley on Fire, Sword & Sea: a Historical Fiction

Lisane Basquiat: Staying Grounded When Everything Feels Loud

Deborah Gregory: Author of the Cheetah Girls Shares the Truth About Writing in Hollywood

Wendy Moten: A Voice That Refused to Be Boxed In

The Costume Designer Behind 80+ Productions Shares Her Story | Icey Parks

Liv Warfield: International Performer