Baldwin & Co. Ideas Explored

Grammy-nominated vocalist Tonya Boyd-Cannon and celebrated visual artist Charly Palmer engage in a riveting, soul-baring conversation that moves between art, ancestry, mental health, and creative purpose. With disarming honesty, they explore how grief, trauma, and generational memory shape their work—and why Black artists must create from spirit, not ego. From Palmer’s reflections on using flowers as both beauty and protection, to Boyd-Cannon’s revelation of how roses became emotional triggers, the two uncover how creation becomes a sacred act of survival and healing. The conversation crescendos into a powerful meditation on legacy, water as a spiritual medium, the sa...

In a wide-ranging, unguarded conversation, Malcolm Gladwell and former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu use the city itself as a lens to examine America’s deeper fractures. What begins as a meditation on why New Orleans remains stubbornly, almost defiantly distinctive—resisting the cultural flattening seen in cities like Austin and Nashville—quickly expands into a larger argument: culture, not capital, is what holds societies together. Music, food, sport, and place are not luxuries, they argue, but the glue that sustains democracy when institutions falter. In New Orleans, joy and pain live side by side, producing a civic soul that c...

Dr. Daniel Black and Avery Young" "This conversation is a masterclass in Black language, music, spirituality, and survival. Dr. Daniel Black and Avery Young explore how Black people have always communicated with more than words—through rhythm, silence, gesture, melody, and the body itself. From church songs and blues traditions to humming, repetition, and coded speech, they break down how Black expression became a form of protection, resistance, and joy when speech alone wasn’t safe. Moving between personal stories, theology, music, and history, they reveal how gospel and blues are really the same language spoken in different places, and...

Robert F. Smith is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and one of the most influential investors and philanthropists in technology and education today.

Dr. Monique Guillory is an educator, cultural scholar, and university president known for her leadership in higher education and her work at the intersection of Black studies, innovation, and institutional transformation.

This wide-ranging conversation brings together history, technology, education, and moral leadership to confront a single reality: the world is changing faster than our institutions are willing to admit. Robert Smith—in conversation with the President of Dillard Un...

This conversation traces a sweeping and urgent history of Black women as architects of the global human rights movement, long before the language of “human rights” became mainstream. Historian Keisha N. Blain explains how her book Without Fear uncovers the forgotten women—activists, writers, missionaries, and organizers—who refused to limit their demands to U.S. civil rights and instead framed Black freedom as a universal human claim.

Moving from the 19th century to the present, the discussion highlights figures like Ida B. Wells, Madam C.J. Walker, Maria Stewart, Margaret Cartwright, and Katie Diallo, revealing how these wo...

What happens when two of America’s sharpest thinkers get brutally honest about race, power, hope—and the lie of progress? In this electric, no-holds-barred conversation, Charles Blow and Don Lemon blow the lid off respectability politics, coalition fatigue, and the myth of a post-racial America. From the illusion of diversity to the erasure of Black history, they lay bare the truth: we’re not returning from the edge—we’re going over it.

Charles Blow, a New York Times columnist and bestselling author known for his sharp, uncompromising analysis of race and politics, and Don Lemon, is an Emmy...

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Imani Perry and Maurice Carlos Ruffin delivered a conversation that was part history lesson, part cultural critique, and part sermon on survival. Imani Perry, with her blend of razor-sharp intellect and poetic cadence, challenged the myths America tells itself about freedom and progress, while Maurice Ruffin brought wit and piercing clarity to the lived realities of race, class...

In a sharp, witty, and unflinching conversation at Baldwin & Co. bookstore, W. Kamau Bell and Cebo Campbell dissected the deep roots and modern manifestations of privilege, power, and race in America. Drawing parallels between environmental mismanagement and cultural erasure, they lamented how indigenous wisdom and Black creativity are often ignored or co-opted, while white privilege continues to reward audacity and mediocrity—evident in everything from Silicon Valley scams to the myth-making of American media. Cebo reflected on the inspiration for his book, “Sky Full of Elephants,” revealing how the simple act of swapping a Black protagonist into a classic white...

This conversation with Dr. Daniel Black moves through the delicate and difficult terrain of healing—across bloodlines, across memory, across time. Drawing from his novel Isaac’s Song, Dr. Black explores what it means to face generational wounds without letting them define us. He breaks open the quiet myths of Black masculinity, the fear of vulnerability, the stories we fabricate to survive, and the ancestral technologies that still guide us toward freedom.

Through intimate storytelling and sharp cultural insight, Dr. Black unpacks power, forgiveness, usefulness, memory, and the ritual genius of Black people. This is a conversation abou...

Order Ta-Nehisi Coates Books Here: https://bookshop.org/a/20190/9780593230381
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If you’re not ready for the truth, stay in your bubble. But if you want to witness the most unfiltered, unapologetic, and necessary conversation of our time, then buckle up. Ta-Nehisi Coates and Joy-Ann Reid just dropped what can only be described as the Dialogue of the Decade at Baldwin & Co. bookstore in New Orleans—a conversation so r...

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Bestselling author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah doesn’t just tell stories—he dissects the systems that shape our reality. In this electrifying conversation with Jerid P. Woods (aka Akili Nzuri), the two dive deep into why Nana’s work thrives at the intersection of fiction and brutal truth. From the dystopian horrors of capitalism to the everyday absurdities of American injustice, they unpack why the world’s most pressing...

Join us for a powerful and timely podcast discussion between Jarvis Deberry and Bakari Sellers as they dive into the critical themes of When Dictatorship Becomes a Fact, Revolution Becomes a Right. In this conversation, they’ll explore the historical and modern-day implications of authoritarianism, the resilience of marginalized communities, and the urgent need for collective action in the face of oppression. Their insights will challenge, inspire, and spark dialogue about what it truly means to stand up for justice. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion—tune in and be part of the conversation!

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Food has always been more than just nourishment—it’s a universal language that brings people together. In this engaging discussion, Tamron Hall and Lish Steiling explore how food has become the ultimate friendship glue, fostering deep connections and lifelong memories.

From shared meals that strengthen bonds to the magic of cooking together, they dive into the ways food shapes relationships, sparks conversations, and creates moments that last a lifetime. Whether it’s the comfort of a home-cooked dish, the adventure of trying new flavors with friends, or the joy of gathering around the table, this conver...

On this powerful episode of the Baldwin & Co. Podcast, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. and Imani Perry engage in a transformative conversation about imagining freedom in captivity. With unmatched depth and clarity, they explore how the human spirit envisions liberation even within the confines of oppression—whether through history, culture, or personal struggle.

This isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a profound dialogue that challenges the very fabric of American identity and dares us to reconsider what freedom truly means. Their compelling insights and raw honesty will stir your soul, expand your mind, and leave you reflec...

In this thought-provoking episode of Author Dialogues, presented by Baldwin & Co. Foundation, bestselling authors Rebecca F. Kuang (Yellowface, Babel) and Vaishnavi Patel (Kaikeyi, Goddess of the River) dive into the pressing issues of racism in publishing, the historical cycles of storytelling, and the deeper reasons why authors choose to publish. They also explore the importance of reading books in translation, revealing how expanding our literary horizons can challenge dominant narratives and foster greater cultural understanding.

This enlightening conversation is a must-listen for readers, writers, and anyone passionate about the future of books and ideas. Tune in and...

Join award-winning authors Jesmyn Ward and Clint Smith in an intimate and thought-provoking podcast conversation about Writing Our Roots. Together, they explore the power of storytelling to preserve history, honor ancestry, and shed light on the lived experiences of Black communities across generations. From the Deep South to the broader African diaspora, Ward and Smith discuss how their personal journeys influence their writing, the importance of historical memory, and the role of literature in shaping cultural identity. Tune in for a compelling dialogue that delves into themes of resilience, legacy, and the profound connection between place and narrative.

The Baldwin & Co.: Author Dialogues invites you to an electrifying episode featuring two of the most profound voices in literature and social commentary today: Nikole Hannah-Jones and Dr. Daniel Black.
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Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project and a trailblazer in reframing America’s history through the lens of Black resilience and contributions, sits down with Dr. Daniel Black, the acclaimed author of Isaac’s Song and a masterful stor...

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In this inspiring episode of Baldwin & Co. Author Dialogues, we sit down with Nicole Richie and Cleo Wade to explore the transformative power of reading and how it can unlock personal growth, foster intentional living, and help you find alignment in every aspect of life.

Nicole Richie, the daughter of Lionel Richie is a creative powerhouse—a television personality, actress, and designer. She’s known for her wit, authenticity, and ability to seamlessly blend humor with heartfelt reflections on life, family, and pers...

If you’ve ever walked into Baldwin & Co., you know it’s more than just a bookstore. It’s a space where stories live, ideas spark, and conversations connect us all. That’s exactly what we’re bringing to your headphones with this podcast—a front-row seat to the minds of today’s most brilliant authors and thought leaders.  

From bestselling writers to rising literary stars, we’ll go beyond the book covers to dive into the stories behind the stories. What inspired them? What keeps them up at night? What wisdom can they share with us?  <...