Black Land: A New Podcast Telling Black Stories
I spoke with the Emmy-Award winning host, Vanessa Tyler, to learn more about the new podcast
“I don’t always want to point out the sadness, I want to point out the joy” - Vanessa Tyler
Vanessa Tyler might be one of the best storytellers in our community. And she has an Emmy to back it up. Her award-winning journalism has brought untold stories from the Black community to TV viewers and radio listeners around the country and now, she’s teamed up with the Black Information Network to bring a new podcast about our stories to the audio world. It’s called ‘Black Land’.
The Black Land podcast taps into the lives of ordinary people and brings to life their extraordinary tales of triumph and circumstance. Each week, Vanessa Tyler dives deep into uncharted stories and gives an overdue and deserving voice to those who have often experienced the other side of the American dream.
Recently, I sat down with Tyler to learn more about her story, what this podcast means for the Black community, and what it’s like being in podcasting vs TV & radio.
“I couldn’t think of what else I would do if I wasn’t doing news, interviewing people, or producing stories.” Vanessa Tyler knew she wanted to be on television since she was 11. What started as a love for writing and a dream to be a news reporter took her from winning essay contests in elementary school to winning an Emmy award. Her work has received several nominations, but the story that won the award was a piece about a family that was traveling the country to help families understand how drug use is actively harming our communities.
With the launch of the Black Land podcast, Vanessa is taking her artful journalism to tell the stories of people from the past and present who have gone from struggle to triumph. The very first episode features a story of how HIV advocacy and education have helped many people learn about preventative measures you can take, but there are still many Black women who are only learning about the disease after contracting it. “A lot of people probably think HIV, like Covid, has just gone away. You know, people don’t realize it’s still a thing”.
Vanessa also shares that she brought on a guest with a triumphant family legacy. Listeners get to hear the story of 19-year-old Adolphus Stroud, a Black man who was denied funding and transportation preventing him from making the 2000-mile trip to compete in the 1927 Olympic Trials. Stroud’s descendant Frank Shines tells the story of how what happened next became a pivotal moment in his family legacy and how his relative made it to Harvard Stadium to compete in the 5K race despite the odds stacked against him.
Vanessa Tyler and the Black Information Network have found a way to bring a new story of triumph from everyday people in our community. Listen to Black Land on the free iHeartRadio app. New episodes are released every Friday. You can also listen to Vanessa Tyler on the Black Information Network, available on the iHeartRadio app or iHeartRadio.com.
Black Land isn't just a podcast; it's a platform to celebrate the resilience and triumphs of Black people. Tune in and be inspired by the stories that unfold each week.
Listen to the full interview with Vanessa Tyler on the Boss Locks, Story of New Growth, podcast.