Podcasting is currently exploding. Everyone has one. Much like the boom of Bloggers in the early 2000s; podcasters are everywhere. Even though 51% of Americans have listened to Podcasts according to the 2019 Podcast Consumer Report of 2019, representation is still lacking amongst podcasters.
The podcast listener is typically educated, full time employed, and urban. There is no lack of people who fit these categories amongst black folk. As podcasters grow and topics continue be niched and the podosphere (coined term by yours truly) grows, it is time to really think about representation.
Of course, my weekly listens of over 10 podcasts is very diverse, I am inclined to listen to shows that have hosts with similar interests as mine. However, many of the that are educational, not conversational, or professional are not lead by those who share my background.
The most popular podcasts among Black people are Joe Budden, The Read, and Another Round (which has been off the air for over a year). Although these podcast are pioneering and creating a space for us that was not made before, the table is still being built and we can all have a seat. The group of individuals who listen to podcast is growing rapidly.
Much like the representation in media for everyone demographic is important, this is the same in podcasting.
