MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — In honor of Black History Month, a new podcasting platform chose to launch on February 1.
"We're actually going to be making history in Black History Month and I'm so excited about that," said Sheletta Brundidge.
Brundidge is the founder and CEO of Sheletta Makes Me Laugh.
Brundidge is currently a producer at WCCO Radio and host of the Two Haute Mamas podcast. She also appears on TPT's Almanac and writes for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Even with more than 20 years of radio experience, Brundidge said she kept getting passed up for on-air opportunities.
Inspired by a Tyler Perry speech, instead of fighting for a seat at the table, Brundidge built her own.
"Sheletta has brought together an incredible group of bold, brilliant, black people who are telling their story... We no longer have to wait on traditional media to tell our story anymore," said Dr. Verna Cornelia Price, host of the Dr. Verna's Virtues podcast.
Brundidge was frustrated with the lack of diversity in traditional media and, as a result, stories that weren't being told.
"Going to be talking about things that are important to people in communities of color, specifically the African American community," Brundidge said. "I started this platform and this podcast and all these podcasts so that people who look like me can have a place to go to talk about issues that are important to them."
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com features seven podcasts covering a range of topics. The podcasts include: J.E.T. Setting Divas, Life After Loss, The Teen Whisperer, Mommy & Me, Laughing with Letta & Lindy, Dr. Verna's Virtues and Taking Authority Over Autism.
"Every person on this Earth was born with potential and you were born with a purpose... and my goal is to empower you with these small lessons that are like edible... things that you can digest," Dr. Verna Cornelia Price said.
Brundidge's son, 13-year-old Andrew Brundidge, will be hosting a show with his mom called "Mommy & Me."
The show is about strengthening the bond between parents and their teens. But Andrew also wants to spotlight young black men.
"I watch the news every morning and I only see a positive thing about a young black man about once a week. I wanted to help shine the spotlight on some of them and help them be known for what they're doing," Andrew said.
Lindy Vincent, who will be co-hosting Laughing with Letta & Lindy, said their podcast will be about living life as a black mom and black woman in America.
"It's an opportunity for us to educate, to share. It's not all heavy and serious. We laugh a lot. There's so much in the world that's joyful and funny but then there are also subjects that are hard to tackle that we are willing to talk about," Vincent said.
Brundidge said these podcasts will have something for everyone. When thinking back to Perry's quote about building your own table, Brundidge said, "This podcasting platform is my table."
You can find all the podcasts at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com and can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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