Blackness? cover art

Blackness?

Blackness?

By: Zion Kanyana
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About this listen

"Blackness?"


Blackness is a podcast series that dives deep into the diverse, multifaceted experiences of Black individuals and communities, exploring the stories that challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be Black in today’s world. Hosted by Zion Kanyana, the series amplifies voices that reflect the resilience, creativity, and power of Black identity, while addressing the social, cultural, and systemic barriers that often shape those experiences.


Each episode features personal stories and conversations with trailblazers, advocates, and everyday people who are breaking barriers, rewriting narratives, and showing that Blackness is not a monolith—it’s expansive, dynamic, and unapologetically authentic. Whether you’re here to learn, reflect, or simply celebrate Black identity in all its forms, this podcast offers a space to grow and connect.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zion Kanyana Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Hustle Speaks Louder than Words: Shannon Forman II

    Hustle Speaks Louder than Words: Shannon Forman II
    May 28 2025

    This week on “Blackness?” I sit down with Shannon Forman, a former ASU football player, coach, and founder of TFLDL Training, to discuss what it truly means to persevere when the lights fade and the crowd is gone.

    Shannon shares how moving from Louisiana to Arizona brought challenges he didn’t expect and growth he didn’t know he needed. He reflects on his time as a player, the shift into coaching, and how building his own football development program became a way to give back and build forward.

    This episode is about grit. It’s about growth. And it’s about the work we do when no one’s watching, the kind of hustle that speaks for us louder than any words ever could.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    57 mins
  • Bigger Boy by Nature: Tobi Aluko

    Bigger Boy by Nature: Tobi Aluko
    Apr 19 2025
    In this episode, Tobi Aluko shares what it means to move through the world as a creative, student, and leader while unapologetically Black. We talk about breaking free from the pressure to fit into a single mold, the intersections of art and identity, and how he’s building community through Culture Kitchen AZ. It’s a conversation about self-definition, staying grounded, and choosing authenticity every time.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    49 mins
  • Forged by Action, Not Perception : Dr. Battinto Batts

    Forged by Action, Not Perception : Dr. Battinto Batts
    Feb 26 2025

    In this episode, we interview Dr. Battinto Batts, the Dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. As a trailblazing Black leader in the media industry, Dr. Bats shares his unique perspective on navigating identity, representation, and breaking down societal barriers through tangible action and authenticity.

    Dr. Batts emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, pursuing excellence, and rejecting the limiting "boxes" that often constrain how Blackness is perceived.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    57 mins
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