Previously, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Google and PRX, a leader in podcast content, training, and technology were looking for multicultural podcast creators to participate in the accelerator portion of the Google Podcasts creator program. Well, it seems they are locked and loaded. Here are the participating teams:
AfroQueer, Nairobi, Kenya
AfroQueer, Maeve Francis, Aida Holly-Nambi, Selly Thiam (Image: Google)A reported, narrative-driven podcast about queer Africans living, loving, surviving and thriving on the African continent and in the diaspora.
Las Raras, Santiago, Chile
Las Raras, Martin Cruz, Catalina May (Image: Google)This Spanish-language, non-fiction podcast tells stories of “The Weird Ones,” the people who live on the margins of society because of their background or life choices, and how these stories challenge social norms.
Timestorm, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Timestorm, Michael Aquino, Dania Ramos (Image: Google)This audio fiction series tells the story of 12-year-old twins, Alexa and Beni Ventura, who travel through time to uncover hidden moments in the history of Puerto Rican culture.
Long Distance, Los Angeles, California
Long Distance, Patrick Epino, Paola Mardo (Image: Google)This reported, narrative podcast uncovers unknown histories and present-day realities about life in the Filipino diaspora.
The Colored Girl Beautiful, Baltimore, Maryland
The Colored Girl Beautiful, Baltimore, Maryland (Image: Google)Explores black women’s concepts of beauty, then and now, using Emma Azalia Hackley’s 1916 book The Colored Girl Beautiful as a framework.
Who Taught You How To Drive?! Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Who Taught You How To Drive?!, Tanikka Charraé, Melissa Tsuei, Tezarah Wilkins (Image: Google)A humorous interview podcast about how we get around told through the stories of drivers, walkers, riders, and bikers and their habits on the road.
“The teams selected for the first round show incredible promise, and we couldn’t be more excited to help these producers develop and grow their shows,” said Zack Reneau-Wedeen, Product Manager of Google Podcasts which launched in June 2018. “This program is one of the ways we hope to ensure that our millions of listeners have access to a variety of content for all types of global audiences.”
The program is funded by Google and run independently by PRX. The creator program aims to remove barriers to podcasting, increase the diversity of voices in the industry, and make sure content is available for all audiences through a series of educational programs, including a 20-week podcast training and accelerator program.