BACKTalk Podcast by Successful Black Parenting Magazine

As parents, we send our children to college with hopes of safety, inclusion, and opportunity—but today’s campuses are under siege. With DEI rollbacks, the end of affirmative action, and rising mental health concerns, Black students face unprecedented challenges.In this episode of BACKtalk, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum—acclaimed psychologist, former Spelman College president, and author of the new book Peril and Promise: College Leaders...

What if hip-hop could be more than music? In this episode of BACKtalk, we sit down with Dave Joisil — better known as Mr. J — whose YouTube channel Hey! It’s Mr. J! has earned over 1 million views for blending fitness, hip-hop, and social-emotional learning. He shows parents how rhythm, movement, and positivity can transform everyday moments into lessons of confidence, discipline, and joy. From healthy habits to emotional regulatio...

What if the system is stacked against your child before they ever step into a classroom? In this episode of BACKtalk, Dr. Terence Lester—once a high school dropout who faced homelessness and gangs, now a PhD, author, and founder of Love Beyond Walls—teaches Black parents how to break generational cycles of poverty, trauma, and educational inequality.From navigating schools that fail our kids, to building confidence in children born...

Autism doesn’t discriminate—but Black families often face late diagnoses, stigma, and fewer resources. In this episode of BACKtalk, Alisha Simpson-Watt, LCSW, BCBA, LBA, shares real strategies every Black parent can use to advocate for their child, build support systems, and break down barriers in schools and healthcare. Learn how to recognize early signs, push past systemic roadblocks, and create a thriving environment for your ch...

If your child could write your co-parenting rules, what would they say? Author and child-of-co-parents Kylar Denae joins BACKtalk to flip the script—sharing the simple, science-backed shifts that make kids feel safe, seen, and stable after separation. We get real about boundaries (not beef), handoffs without drama, talking to your child without weaponizing them, new partners, holidays, and breaking generational patterns so your fam...

She’s a world-famous ballerina, a bestselling author, and a history-maker as the first Black woman Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre—but Misty Copeland just told me she’s… clumsy. And yet, that didn’t stop her from becoming great. Listen to this episode and come and get some of this Black girl magic!

In this episode of BACKtalk, Misty opens up about her new children’s book Bunheads, Act 2: The Dance of Courage, how she...

Khadijah VanBrakle is a Black Muslim woman and contemporary young adult author living in the Southwestern United States. Born and raised in Canada to American parents, she writes stories that reflect the dual marginalization of Black American Muslim teens, because for far too long, those voices have been missing from the shelves. Her 2023 debut novel, Fatima Tate Takes The Cake, and her upcoming release, My Perfect Family (out Augu...

What if Black mothers didn’t have to do it all alone? In this powerful episode of BACKtalk, Trishay “Mama Yata” Young—Founder of Melanin Mothers Meet and warrior for Black maternal health—shares how to reclaim rest and activate your village after childbirth. From delegating tasks to building community rituals that protect your peace, Mama Yata drops wisdom every parent needs to hear. Tune in to learn how her home birth and breastfe...

Black youth are under pressure—and the mental health cost is rising. From the relentless grip of social media to the weight of racial trauma and cultural stigma, many of our children are suffering in silence. In this powerful BACKtalk episode, we sit down with Dr. Cedric X. Bryant, CEO of the American Council on Exercise and a leading expert in behavior-change science, to unpack the real stressors Black children face today—and what...

https://www.SuccessfulBlackParenting.com -- Award-winning author Derrick Barnes joins BACKtalk to share the powerful story behind his newest picture book, I Got You: A Brother’s Promise. Inspired by his own four sons—aka the Mighty Barnes Brothers—this heartwarming tale celebrates brotherhood, empathy, and the ups and downs of growing up Black and brilliant.

We talked about:

- The importance of showing Black boy joy in literature

- Ho...

He walked in space, but hates roller coasters. 🚀 Go figure!

In this episode of BACKtalk, we sit down with Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., the first African American to walk in space, to talk about his surprising fears, his journey from humble beginnings to NASA astronaut, and why his biggest mission today is helping Black and Brown kids unlock their potential through STEM, education, and mentorship.

Dr. Harris shares powerful adv...

What does it take to become the first Black woman puppeteer on Sesame Street—and then use that platform to change lives?

In this powerful episode of BACKtalk, we sit down with Megan Piphus, the 4x Emmy-winning performer, producer, and author who voices Gabrielle on Sesame Street and inspires millions of children worldwide.

But Megan is more than a voice behind a puppet—she’s a movement. From going viral as a ventriloquist to producin...

Are we parenting with purpose—or by default? Join host Janice Robinson-Celeste and guest Mama Bolanle Ambonisye, founder of Tapping Our Parental Power (TOPP), for a transformational conversation on how to break generational trauma and raise empowered, emotionally resilient Black children. Learn how her new parenting manual is equipping families with the tools to create nurturing homes, set healthy boundaries, and guide children thr...

A special Father’s Day week episode of BACKtalk: Host Janice Robinson-Celeste sits down with Javon Fraizer, founder of Maestro Media, to explore how play becomes a powerful love language in family life.

From adapting popular video games into record-breaking tabletop experiences to co-developing with fans, Javon reveals how laughter, board games, and spontaneous fun can strengthen bonds, lower stress, and boost well-being.

He also sha...

Phnewfula, founder of Happy Mango and mom of two, keeps it real about raising Black children with pride, setting boundaries (no pink bussdowns at 10!), and breaking stereotypes—all while running a business. From school bias to social media image battles, this episode is a must for every Black mom raising the next generation.

#BACKtalkPodcast #BlackMomVoices #ParentingUnfiltered #RealMomTalk #MomLifePodcast #ParentingDifferences #NoP...

This literature review from the National Black Child Development Institute’s Black Infant and Maternal Health Task Force takes a hard look at Black maternal and infant health disparities through the lenses of anti-Black racism, intersectionality, and Afrofuturism.

You’ll learn how structural racism and racial trauma drive adverse birth outcomes, like low birth weight, and contribute to preventable maternal deaths. We’ll also explor...

Being a single Black mom is rarely framed as powerful or successful, but Dr. Vicki Wright-Hamilton is here to change that.

In this inspiring episode of BACKtalk, host Janice Robinson-Celeste speaks with Dr. Vicki about her groundbreaking book and documentary Diary of Successful Black Single Mothers. They dive into the truth behind single motherhood, breaking stereotypes, and how to define success on your own terms. From launching a ...