Podcasting has become the new wave for global storytelling and keeping up with all things in current events. To stay up-to-date with the trend, media company theGrio is venturing deeper into the culture with the launch of their new podcast, “Dear Culture.”

The podcast dedicated to everything in Black news and stories hosted by a staff of theGrio’s award-winning journalists and media personalities such as Natasha S. Alford, Blue Telusma, Gerren Keith Gaynor, Shana Pinnock, Todd Johnson, and Cortney Wills.

Topics for the podcast align with theGrio’s core values demonstrating enlightened views of news, politics, pop culture, and more through the lens of Black tastemakers.

There appears to be a shift towards more creators that help engage Black audiences in meaningful conversations as more and more Black-run podcasts enter the cultural space. Edison Research reported that 12 percent of podcast listeners were Black back in 2018 and those numbers continue to rise today.

theGrio’s hope for this new podcast is to fill a void in the Black community in regards to podcast content.

“Dear Culture provides thoughtful storytelling, original reporting, and expert commentary,” the platform said.

For their first episode, “Dear Culture” brought on special guest Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom for an in-depth conversation on the obstacles Black communities are facing while trying to survive the coronavirus pandemic. This as well as future conversations on the podcast will explore taboo topics and Black issues listeners can relate to.

Listen to the first episode below.