Bob Celestin is a first-generation Haitian-American New Yorker whose parents pushed education hard, setting him up to become a pre-med Yale student (1977–81)
Category: My Friends Are Better Than Yours
The Creative Economy: Why Newark is America’s Most Vibrant Art City
Kim J. Ford emphasizes Newark’s recognition as one of America’s most vibrant arts cities
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis vs. L.A. Reid & Babyface: Were They Really Rivals? #JimmyJam #Babyface
Jimmy Jam explains how fan magazines created perceived rivalries between successful production duos
Why the Howard University Connection in Entertainment Never Fades | Kamal Harris Speaks
Kamal Harris highlights the significance of the Howard University network, describing it as a close-knit community that spans various professions and regions
Hip-Hop 30 Years Later: Evolution or Decline? Tek (Smif-N-Wessun) Speaks
Smif-N-Wessun’s Tek reflects on hip-hop’s enduring, evolving culture over the past 30 years
From 5X to Fit at 55: DJ Chubby Chub on Food Addiction, Nightlife Habits & Why ‘We Gotta Do Better’
DJ Chubby Chub shares his own dramatic transformation: he once wore 5X sweaters and 52-inch pants and now fits into large shirts and 34–36 pants after starting his journey in his mid-50s
The Dark Side of AI: Are You Ready for the Shift? #AI #artificialintelligence
The dark side of AI is discussed between Mrs. Deveter Brown and BIG CED
The Force MDs on Their 40th Anniversary: Why They Are Still the Soundtrack to Our Lives
The Force MDs celebrated their 40th-anniversary show at Sony Hall in New York City on August 31, 2026
The Golden Era of Vibe: How We Built a Cultural Icon
Kim J. Ford, who got her start as an intern during VIBE magazine’s early days speaks about The Golden Era of Vibe
Why Denene Millner is the Most Important Voice in Publishing Right Now
Denene Millner discusses founding Denene Millner Books at Simon & Schuster and other topics of discussion
Inside Uptown Records: The Real Story of the Early Days
Bob Celestin breaks down his path from Columbia Law School and a Park Avenue corporate law firm to the front office at Uptown Records
Attika J. Torrence: Why I Don’t Sell My Books on Amazon: Independence as an Author
Attika J. Torrence has sold hundreds of books directly to the school system
The Force MDs: How a Chance Encounter on the Staten Island Ferry Launched a Career
The Force MDs formed in 1981 in Staten Island, mixing doo-wop harmonies with hip-hop and prefiguring new jack swing
Why Black Culture Built the Music Industry
Entertainment attorney Bob Celestin explains how a Yale junior-year course on Black culture, taught by a white professor transformed his understanding of Black creativity
From the White House to the Hip Hop Museum | Bryna Jean-Marie on Storytelling, Journalism & Black Culture
Bryna Jean-Marie details how a friend at Howard University helped redirect her from business school into journalism, setting the stage for a diverse and impactful career