Rooted

GBH News · wgbh.org

Paris Alston hosts this weekly series that serves up Black intellect, culture and joy. Rooted covers Black news and culture from down the block to around the diaspora. In a global news cycle that’s always cooking up new headlines, Rooted brings you the recipes you don’t want to lose: the stories, the voices, the dialogue that keep us connected. Tell us what you think and what you’d like to hear on future episodes at Rooted@wgbh.org . Find more content and subscribe to our YouTube channel .

47 episodes

10d ago latest

weekly cadence

English language

▶ Play latestRSS feed Website Society Culture

https://feeds.wgbh.org/170/feed-rss.xml

Episodes 48

How are churches using AI to reach Gen Z?
4d ago · 20:31
Can AI help fill church pews without replacing the people in them? Paris Alston talks with Rev. Chris Hope about his new app “100 Days,” an AI-powered tool designed to support new Christians during the critical first months of their faith journey. This episode explore the tensions between innovation and tradition, trust and skepticism, and whether AI can help religious institutions engage a generation that increasingly lives online while still preserving the value of community.
Why are curves celebrated on some women but stigmatized on others?
10d ago · 18:42
In this episode created by GBH News interns, Ava Francin and Autumn Greene, Rooted explores the psychology of the BBL. Host, Paris Alston discusses the obsession with the butt and why the hourglass figure distinguishes desirability amongst Black women and the effects of an idealized body image in the Black community with Dr. Salomé Wilfred.
Chains to Change Part 2: What hidden Black history still lives across Boston today?
17d ago · 27:01
Part 2 of Chains to Change follows the fight for freedom through the experiences of Black Bostonians who served their country, built strong communities, and challenged the barriers that stood in the way of equality. From historic neighborhoods to enduring landmarks, their stories reveal how generations of residents shaped Boston's civic, cultural, and political landscape while pushing the nation to live up to its founding ideals. Stay until the end for a conversation with Reverend Chris Hope, Executive Director of The Loop Lab, who shares behind-the-scenes insights into the research, storytell
Chains to Change Part #1: How did Black Bostonians help shape America's fight for freedom?
25d ago · 22:11
Produced by The Loop Lab and hosted by GBH News Rooted, Chains to Change uncovers the stories that often get left out of Boston's revolutionary narrative. As America marks 250 years since independence, the struggle for freedom is traced through the lives of Black Bostonians who fought on the battlefield, built thriving communities, challenged inequality, and pushed the nation closer to its ideals. The journey moves through iconic landmarks, where monuments, neighborhoods, and historic sites illuminate generations of activism, resilience, and community building. Together, they tell a fuller sto
Why are Black men still the most misunderstood voters in America?
1mo ago · 25:26
For decades, Black men have been treated as one voting bloc—but the reality is far more complex. This week on Rooted, Tyree Rush sits down with Michael Bland, executive director of Black Men Vote, to unpack new research challenging some of the biggest assumptions about Black male voters. Together, they explore political independence, economic priorities, representation, voter engagement, and why so many Black men feel misunderstood by both political parties. As the 2026 midterms approach and the road to 2028 begins, this conversation asks a bigger question: Are we finally listening to Black me
Has Black music been exploited for decades—and who really deserves the credit?
1mo ago · 23:39
Award-winning composer and vocalist Candice Hoyes joins Paris Alston to explore how Black artists can preserve, reclaim, and honor their musical legacy. From the story of “Hound Dog” and Big Mama Thornton to modern debates about sampling, cover songs, copyright, and Beyoncé’s spotlight on overlooked Black pioneers, Hoyes examines the difference between paying tribute and commodifying culture. The conversation also dives into her album Expecting, the enduring influence of Minnie Riperton and Charles Stepney, and why intentional remembrance is essential to protecting Black music’s history and fu
Should Black women be on PrEP? Why HIV prevention is still failing the women most at risk
1mo ago · 27:40
Despite major advances in HIV prevention, Black women remain disproportionately affected and often overlooked in conversations about PrEP. In this episode of Rooted, researcher Dr. Whitney Irie explains why risk is shaped less by behavior and more by social networks, access, and systemic inequities. The conversation explores stigma, gaps in provider awareness, and why many women are never told PrEP is an option. From policy to culture, the barriers are complex and urgent. So what would it take to close the gap? GBH News wants to hear from YOU! We are conducting our annual audience survey 📝 ht
Can 300,000 voices redefine democracy for Black America?
1mo ago · 25:30
Alexsis Rodgers explains how the Black Census Project is helping Black communities turn their experiences into real policy change. Instead of just counting people, it asks what they actually want, like better wages, safer communities, and improved health. The goal is to reach 300,000 voices and build a shared vision for the future. At a time of low trust in institutions, this project is all about putting power back in people’s hands. Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on Instagram Listen to Rooted on Spotify Follow Rooted on Threads Follow Rooted on TikTok
Is the World Cup in the U.S. covering up serious human rights issues?
2mo ago · 19:40
Political activist Ajamu Baraka and the Black Alliance for peace is calling for a boycott of the U.S.-hosted World Cup arguing the tournament is helping “normalize” global human rights abuses. He accuses FIFA of double standards and warns the games are being used as “sportswashing.” Despite that, he tells fans to enjoy the matches—but stay politically aware. So can you love the game and still challenge the system? Or is watching part of the problem?
Is the DNC 2024 autopsy a warning sign for Black voters?
2mo ago · 26:24
In an exclusive sit down with Rooted, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley breaks down the Democratic Party’s 2024 election autopsy and what it reveals about shifting Black voter support, economic frustration, and messaging failures. She challenges the idea that identity politics is to blame, arguing that issues like reproductive rights and racial equity are fundamentally economic, while highlighting voter turnout gaps, misinformation, and growing distrust within the party’s base. The conversation also explores the political impact of the Gaza crisis, Supreme Court decisions, and calls for court refo
For Black women farmers, tending the land is ancestral and healing
2mo ago · 27:06
A lineage rooted in soil stretches from ancestral farmland to modern city plots, where Black women are reclaiming their role as stewards, healers, and innovators. Generations of knowledge—once carried in seeds and sustained through resilience—now face the weight of historic land loss and systemic barriers to access. Yet across communities, a new movement is taking hold, blending tradition with policy, grassroots action with economic ambition—from community gardens to land trusts, and from micro plots to broader reform. GBH News Rooted’s Paris Alston talks to Leah Penniman, the co-director and
Can kink be the safest space for Black disabled women?
2mo ago · 23:16
Rooted digs into the overlooked intersection of Black womanhood, disability, and sexual autonomy—spaces where desire is policed, consent is unevenly taught, and safety is too often denied. Through a candid conversation with disability and kink advocate Nyla Morton, the episode explores how Black disabled women navigate a world that misreads their bodies, and why some find more agency in kink communities than in mainstream dating culture. It’s a conversation about power, pleasure, and the systems that decide who gets to feel free. Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow
What does 'AI literacy' really mean for the future of work and education?
3mo ago · 25:48
As Boston Public Schools moves to introduce AI literacy districtwide, Rooted examines what artificial intelligence education really means for Black and brown students whose futures are being reshaped by automation. Host Paris Austin speaks with a former Department of Labor innovation leader and a Harvard labor economist about whether AI literacy is becoming a baseline requirement for economic survival, how algorithmic bias and surveillance threaten equity, and why both white‑collar and blue‑collar jobs are being transformed at the task level. The conversation challenges schools to rethink asse
Can the World Cup really unite Haiti while the U.S. bans Haitians?
3mo ago · 20:13
Can the World Cup really unite Haiti while the U.S. bans Haitians?
Is gaming’s “woke” backlash hiding a bigger race problem?
3mo ago · 21:11
As Black “blerd” culture pushes further into the mainstream, questions about who gets to belong and who gets left out are becoming impossible to ignore. From toxic gaming environments where harassment remains widespread to culture‑war backlash over diverse characters and stories, the fight for representation has collided with a broader debate over identity, power, and ownership in fandom spaces. At the same time, a new wave of Black creators, gamers, and fans are building their own ecosystems challenging industry gatekeeping, expanding what heroism looks like, and redefining nerd culture on th
Is Don Lemon redefining what a Black journalist can be?
3mo ago · 22:20
Paris Alston sits down with longtime journalist Don Lemon for a candid conversation about truth‑telling in a political era that punishes it. Lemon opens up about his arrest during immigration‑crackdown coverage, his complicated evolution since Ferguson, and why his new partnership with comedian D.L. Hughley works despite — or because of — their disagreements. Together, they unpack what it means to be a Black journalist navigating bias, backlash, and a media landscape where credibility is constantly under attack. Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helping middle and high school
Is anyone actually 100% Black? Henry Louis Gates Jr. on DNA, race, and power
4mo ago · 26:46
Paris speaks with renowned historian and public intellectual Henry Louis Gates Jr. about race, identity, and how history continues to shape American life. Gates challenges long‑held assumptions about Blackness, explaining why race is not a biological fact but a social construct rooted in power and history. Drawing on genetic ancestry research, he unpacks what DNA reveals about African American identity, including the lasting impact of slavery and racial hierarchy. The conversation also surfaces often‑erased stories of Black and Indigenous people in early American history, particularly during t
Why do we exist? Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi on the universe, Black representation, and access to science
4mo ago · 26:46
Paris sits down with acclaimed astrophysicist and NOVA’s Particles of Thought host Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi for a wide‑ranging, thought‑provoking conversation that bridges cutting‑edge science, identity, and purpose. Drawing from his new book, Why Do We Exist?: The Nine Realms of Universe that Make You Possible, Dr. Oluseyi unpacks the hidden layers of the cosmos, from subatomic particles to the vast structure of space‑time and connects them to the very real question of who gets to participate in these discoveries. Together, Paris and Hakeem explore why making science accessible to Black communities
What the capture of Maduro reveals about U.S. fear of Black sovereignty
4mo ago · 26:46
Four months after the capture of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, debates over corruption and authoritarianism have dominated headlines. On Rooted, scholars Dr. Layla Brown, Dr. Tony Van Der Meer, and Yvette Modestin look deeper examining the Bolivarian Movement’s roots, its central relationship to Afro‑Venezuelan identity, and the long U.S. tradition of intervening when Black‑led movements reshape power across Latin America. Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helping middle and high school students to explore their passions, try out career paths, and make confident decis
Why does America celebrate Black music 50 years late?
4mo ago · 26:46
In this episode of Rooted, we ask what it really means to make jazz now. From Boston jazz clubs and basement jam sessions to TikTok lives and global stages, Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis breaks down how jazz continues to evolve across generations, cultures, and continents. We explore jazz’s deep roots in Black American history, its ties to the African diaspora, and why America so often waits decades to celebrate Black innovation. If jazz was born from resistance, community, and improvisation—what does that look like in 2026? Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helpi
Why are Black women in reality TV held to a higher standard of accountability?
5mo ago · 26:46
Rooted digs into reality TV accountability, revisiting America’s Next Top Model through a critical lens that centers Black women and power. Our panel unpacks the now‑iconic “We were all rooting for you!” moment, how a new documentary reframes Tyra Banks and the early‑2000s modeling industry, and what accountability looks like when those traditionally marginalized are positioned as gatekeepers. Subscribe to the Rooted YouTube channel: •GBH News Rooted Follow Rooted on Instagram Listen to Rooted on Spotify Follow Rooted on Threads Follow Rooted on TikTok Subscribe to the Rooted newsletter Suppor
Is America losing its history? Fired librarian of Congress warns of the risks under a Trump 2.0 presidency
5mo ago · 26:46
Just days before she was fired by President Trump, Carla Hayden - the first woman and the first African American to serve as the librarian of Congress - warned about the risk of losing important parts of U.S. history. Hayden and Noelle Trent, the head of Boston's Museum of African American History, spoke with GBH News Rooted Host Paris Alston about their efforts to preserve Black history. Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helping middle and high school students to explore their passions, try out career paths, and make confident decisions about their future. To learn more, vis
A new era? What the 2026 Oscars mean for Black cinema, representation, and Hollywood’s future
5mo ago · 23:54
Callie Crossley guest hosts Rooted in leading a panel that breaks down the biggest surprises of the 2026 Oscars, from Michael B. Jordan’s groundbreaking win and Ruth E. Carter’s historic nomination milestone to the heated debates around Teyana Taylor’s role, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweep, and whether the new casting category can push Hollywood toward real representation—all while questioning what the Oscars' move to YouTube means for the future of film Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helping middle and high school students to explore their passions, try out career paths, and
Bluey to Baddies: Why is there no 'tween' media?
5mo ago · 26:46
On Rooted, we’re unpacking the “Bluey‑to‑Baddies” pipeline—and why tween media feels impossible to find in a world drowning in YouTube algorithms and AI‑generated slop. Paris taps award‑winning animator Chaz Bottoms to break down the brutal realities of making it in cartoons, especially for creators of color. Then Genie Deez and Thy Than, showrunners of the new PBS Kids series Phoebe & Jay, join her to ask the big question: Can public media’s hand‑crafted, mission‑driven storytelling still compete with the algorithm? Rooted is brought to you by our sponsor, Britebound—helping middle and high s
88% Women, Majority Women of Color — So of Course Their Degrees Got Devalued
6mo ago · 26:46
The federal government just slashed how much future nurses, counselors, educators, and social workers can borrow — a move that hits women, Black students, and entire communities like a punch to the gut. Paris Alston digs into how a bureaucratic “reclassification” could gut the nursing pipeline, deepen care shortages, and widen racial health disparities. Then we head to Roxbury, where Children’s Services is doing what Washington won’t: creating a free, community‑rooted pathway to grow Black and brown mental health providers. When institutions make care harder to access, the community builds its