Ep 2: Danyel Smith on Being An Ambitious Black Woman
Felicia Pride chats with award winning journalist Danyel Smith about how GOOD her three decades long tenure as a champion for the Culture has been and the role music has played in her life. The two also discuss the wisdom and grace that comes with age, being GOOD with ambition, and Danyel’s latest adventure: learning to drive post 50.
SHOW NOTES:
(0:00) Show intro
(3:11) On her love of the Culture and the start of her career
(6:44) On being comfortable with ambition and staying true to her mission
(8:11) On the adventure of going back to school in her 30s
(11:23) On how she stays forever of the Culture and for the Culture
(17:25) On the lessons of being a young bride and the choices we make when we don't know ourselves
(25:07) On her advice to her younger self
(27:05) On why her second marriage works
(29:41) On there being no safe space for an ambitious Black woman
(31:12) On the evolution of Shine Bright and finally being publicly vulnerable
(36:47) On her love of music and how it saved her life
(42:42) On her latest adventure: learning to drive at 59
(49:35) On her future adventures and committing to doing her best creative work
(51:28) On her deepest desires and what brings her pleasure
(53:26) On what's getting better for her as a Honey
(53:58) On what she swears by as a Honey
(55:14) Guest close out
GUEST INFO: Instagram, Website, Substack
DANYEL’S PODCAST & BOOKS
Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop
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