Podcast: One to Grow On – Why Black Studies Matter When Working and Living in Black Communities

Author

Celia E. Ceballos, CUNY Graduate CenterFollow

Date of Degree

6-2025

Document Type

Master's Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Nathalie Etoke

Subject Categories

Africana Studies | African History | Civic and Community Engagement | Community-Based Learning | Inequality and Stratification | Liberal Studies | Other American Studies | Politics and Social Change | Race and Ethnicity | Social History | Social Justice | Sociology of Culture | United States History

Keywords

Black Studies, podcasting, community engagement, decolonial methodology, racial justice, lived experience, oral history, Black Radical Tradition, cultural humility, storytelling.

Abstract

This paper examines the transformative potential of Black Studies in enhancing community work within Black and Brown communities in New York City. The research is driven by the author's firsthand experiences and the realization of the importance of Black Studies, which was largely absent from earlier education. Through the interdisciplinary approach of the Graduate Center’s MALS program, the author has gained a deeper understanding of key topics such as the legacy of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movements, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. This journey inspired the creation of a capstone project, a podcast titled “One to Grow On: Why Black Studies Matter When Working and Living in Black Communities,” focusing on storytelling, community engagement, and bridging academic knowledge with lived experiences.

The capstone project amplifies diverse narratives within the Black community through podcasting, inspired by June Jordan’s essay, “Black Studies: Bringing Back the Person.” It highlights the voices of community leaders, providing a foundational overview of the importance of Black Studies in predominantly Black communities. The project employs qualitative methodologies, integrating oral history, reflection, and analysis to produce knowledge that is both academically informed and practical.

The theoretical framework is rooted in the historical context of Black Studies, born from the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s. The project emphasizes storytelling, lived experiences, reflexivity, and decolonial approaches to knowledge production.

By leveraging podcasting as an accessible medium, the project ensures that Black Studies remains an active and community-centered discipline. Through oral history, reflective practice, and decolonial methodologies, the capstone project embodies the transformative potential of Black Studies in academia and community work, fostering cultural humility, meaningful connections, and transformation in Black communities.

Recommended Citation

Ceballos, Celia E., "Podcast: One to Grow On – Why Black Studies Matter When Working and Living in Black Communities" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6235