We are thrilled to be connecting with Highkey Woke again. Highkey Woke is a Podcast and Blog Platform and is also a content partner. Content partners help Voyage in so many ways from spreading the word about the work that we do, sponsoring our mission and collaborating with us on content like this. Check out our conversation with the Highkey Woke team below.
Thank you so much for sitting down with us again. For folks who might have missed our initial interview, can you start by briefly introducing yourself?
Highkey Woke is a multimedia platform that creates content centered around topics in Corporate America, Politics, and Culture that affect the Black Experience. Home to a Podcast and blog — Highkey Woke produces content to meet the needs of our audience.
Where do you see the podcast and platform going in the next 1-2 years? What is the platform?
The opportunities are endless for us; we dream big when it comes to the podcast and platform.
For the podcast, we definitely want to continue to grow our reach and audience both nationally and internationally. To date we have listenership in all 50 states as well as 35+ countries; we want to see this reach grow and strengthen. We want to continue developing content that is high value and not just entertaining. From a guest perspective, we will continue to bring on guests that can share valuable insights and experiences with our listeners.
For the platform or brand as a whole, we have plans on giving back to our communities and coordinating efforts that allow our audience to do the same. Our starting point is the Metro-Atlanta area however as we grow as a brand and develop partnerships outside of Atlanta, we will look to establish opportunities in these respective cities for our audience to give back.
Lastly, at some point we will explore the possibility of growing the team. As the podcast and platform grow, there will be a need to have more hands to carry out the overall mission and day to day activities.
Why is it important to you to give a voice to the Black Experience? What is the Black Experience?
First, the Black Experience is exactly that. It is a culmination of successes, trials, traditions, etc. from the perspective of Black bodies that make up a full experience. The experience takes into account the historical aspect of being Black while gleaning on the present in order to inform the future of Black beings.
We’re empowered to give a voice to the Black Experience because we know that historically the systems of this country have worked to silence the Black voice. We’re in a unique time in our generation where more and more Black bodies are getting “woke”, where people are questioning the status quo, and looking to dismantle the systems that still oppress.
What we’re doing (through talking about being Black in the workplace, talking about why our votes matter and why we should be politically informed, and talking through our cultural makeup) is providing our listeners with information so they can feel charged to use their voice for change.
Which 1 or 2 episodes would you refer to a new listener and why?
S2 E17 – Juneteenth: A Way Forward This episode was recorded and inspired by the 2020 killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. We talked in depth about police brutality, systemic racism, and the black community. We explored the different perspectives on what moving forward looks like for Black bodies and allies. This would be a great episode to tune into not only because we explored some of the devastating things aspects that plague the Black community but listeners also get a chance to feel our energy as the hosts.
S3 E5 – Election Day 2020: Electoral College, Popular Vote, & Battleground States
This is a great educational episode. As mentioned before, we aim to bring our audience information that ensures that they are politically informed. This episode, while the context is the 2020 election, is still a great resource for learning about what goes into a presidential election.
What keeps you going creatively? Specifically, for moments when there is a creative block.
Remembering the why. Receiving feedback from our audience, friends, and family on how much our content resonates with them. We’re also fans of taking breaks, nothing hurts creativity more than burn out which is why we are seasonal. We use the few months between seasons to rest and regroup.
What aspects of Corporate America, Politics, & Culture are you trying to communicate to your audience?
Corporate America – Your experience is not unique to just you so you shouldn’t feel the need to hide it. More than anything we’re here to remind you that you are smart enough, qualified enough, and strong enough for the spaces that you are in. We’re committed to giving you the tools and information that will help you thrive and survive the workplace.
Politics – The time to get woke is now. We can’t keep sleeping because the things going on in Politics affect us daily. We break things down from the 10000 ft to easily digestible pieces so you can be informed.
Culture – Media tends to highlight the bad; we look to highlight the bad and the good. This is where we become family, this is our shared experience.
What advice would you have for someone interested in starting a podcast?
Start anyway. The podcasting journey is very iterative so even if you get it “wrong” now, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to learn from that and pivot. Set a launch date and march to that date. Lack of timelines typical leads to procrastination which ultimately leads to never starting.
It was so great to reconnect. One last question – how can our readers connect with you, learn more or support you?
Website – highkeywoke.co
Instagram – highkeywokeco
Facebook – Highkey Woke Co
Contact Info:
- Website: highkeywoke.co
- Facebook: Highkey Woke Co
Image Credits
@brichphotography
