Lena Waithe’s ‘Legacy Talk’ Podcast Celebrates the Stories, Strength and Influence of Black Women – Essence

Lena Waithe doesn’t just aim to entertain together with her latest project – she’s keen to create real connection, each public and deeply meaningful, about legacy and impact. With his recent podcast The Emmy-winning creator invites listeners into intimate conversations with the most influential women of color in the industry. “These aren’t just interviews,” he says. “These are conversations – you get a chance to listen to two black women really having fun and having a dialogue.”

Produced by Hillman, graduatethe series delves into the journeys of iconic characters akin to Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jada Pinkett Smith and Debbie Allen. For Waithe, these guests are greater than just celebrities; these are individuals who had a huge effect on her life. “These are all women I know and are currently in the community with,” she explains. “But before I met them, I watched them, admired their work and was inspired by it.”

This program is greater than only a profession retrospective; is a tribute to the creativity and resilience that fuel these extraordinary women. The series offers listeners insight beyond industry insights, allowing them to attach with these women’s life journeys and understand how their experiences shape their artistry.

Preparing for every episode required Waithe to deeply immerse herself in her guests’ work. For example, before her session with Jada Pinkett, Smith revisited movies like , and others, discovering recent perspectives and ideas for conversation. “I can’t talk about everything because each podcast would be 10 hours long,” Waithe states. “But I really wanted to focus on a few projects where I felt like there was a theme or something unique that was worth exploring.”

During a one-on-one conversation with Jada, Waithe mentioned one of her co-stars, prompting an emotional response that surprised each women. “You never know what recalling a memory will bring to someone,” he reflects. This moment captures the essence of the series – it’s about reaching out to individual stories and witnessing the stories that bring them to life, each for the speaker and the listener.

A partnership between Hillman Grad and Lemonade media went easily, and each teams were committed to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling. Waithe expresses her appreciation for the network, saying, “They’ve been great at finding brands and companies that make sense to me and what these conversations are really about.” This collaboration reinforces the series’ goal of preserving narratives and wisdom often missed by mainstream platforms.

The podcast celebrates the power of dialogue and the value of mentorship. Waithe anticipates that listeners across generations will feel inspired by this exchange and encourages them to succeed in out to their mentors, even in the event that they will not be recorded. “I hope to inspire people to talk to each other,” he says.

For Waithe, it’s a reminder that connecting with our inner selves allows us to create from a spot of authenticity. She hopes her listeners can even absorb this data. “It’s not just career advice — it’s their stories,” he says. The journeys of these extraordinary women are closely linked to their creative work, showing that legacy isn’t about fame; it’s about the memories we make and the lives we touch along the way.