Hey Black Child: The Podcast
By Lakshmi Hutchinson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Young hosts celebrate Black history-makers past and present.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this podcast.
Where to Listen
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What’s It About?
HEY BLACK CHILD: THE PODCAST was created to fill a void in the podcast space for Black children. Unable to find podcasts celebrating Black history and achievements specifically aimed at children, the two young hosts (Avery and Jackson Ausmer) created their own with the help of their family. Most episodes introduce a figure or movement from Black history. Listeners may be familiar with some names, like Colin Powell, but other episodes focus on lesser-known trailblazers like the first African American stars on Broadway. In addition to historical topics, some episodes cover more personal areas like taking care of your mental health and learning how to be smart with your money. The hosts make sure to provide context and explain new vocabulary (there is a "term of the day" feature), making it easy for kids to understand. The younger sibling, Jackson, often asks follow-up questions of Avery, which she then answers to help clarify topics. There's often a pop quiz at the end of the episode to review what was learned. The hosts joke with each other and bring lighthearted humor to this educational podcast.
Is It Any Good?
This is a creative and informative podcast for children who want to learn about Black history as well as current-day African American innovators and heroes. When listening to Hey Black Child: The Podcast it is clear how much effort Avery and Jackson put into preparing for each episode, and their enthusiasm and love of learning is infectious. They stress the importance of knowing your history—especially the parts that may not be taught in school. They also do a good job of making discussions of complex topics like racism and social justice kid-friendly without oversimplifying. It's rare to find a show hosted by kids that actually works to keep adults interested too, but this podcast manages that and lends itself to further family conversation about the issues.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the creators of Hey Black Child: The Podcast felt such a show was needed. Where else can African American children go to find their history represented and celebrated?
One episode discusses the Black Lives Matter movement. Can you think of other movements where people have protested to bring about change? How have they been represented in the media?
History isn't just about the past—history is still being made today. Have you watched any history-making events on TV with your family? What makes someone a trailblazer?
How does it feel to hear two kids hosting their own podcast? Did it help you relate more to the show? If you had your own podcast, what would you talk about?
Podcast Details
- Release date: July 1, 2020
- Genre: Kids & Family
- Average Run Time: 7 minutes
- Website: https://www.nicoleausmer.com/hey-black-child-the-podcast
- Hosts: Avery Ausmer, Jackson Ausmer
- Publisher: Independent
- Topics: Activism, Arts and Dance, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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Where to Listen
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