Explore every episode of the podcast NAACP+ Inside The Industry
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Van Peebles: New Jack City, His Father's Legacy & Why Black Stories Must Be Owned | 01 Jul 2026 | 01:02:29 | |
Thirty-five years after New Jack City changed Hollywood, Mario Van Peebles is still at it — and this conversation proves exactly why. In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with actor, director, writer, and producer Mario Van Peebles for one of the most wide-ranging, genuinely funny, and deeply important conversations in the series so far. Mario gets into: → What it felt like to direct New Jack City for Warner Brothers at the same time his father, Melvin, made Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song the top-grossing independent hit of 1971 — twenty years apart, same game → The iconic turkey giveaway scene that almost didn't happen — and how a warehouse fire, rain, and some street hustle made it legendary → Why he cast Ice-T as the cop and Wesley Snipes as the gangster — and how he had to convince them both → How playing his own father in Baadasssss was "psychotherapy on celluloid" → The two questions he asked Melvin in the Mojave Desert after graduating from Columbia — and the answers that shaped everything → What his father taught him about joy, bitterness, and why "pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional" → His philosophy on building a 40-year career: love what you do, work with people you love, say something you love → Why Black storytellers controlling their own imagery is the most urgent issue in entertainment right now → The Huxtables, Obama, and the direct line between what we see on screen and what we believe is possible → Directing Nemesis for Netflix, Power's Raising Kanan, and what keeps him coming back to the Power universe → Why AI will never replace what happened on Lenox Avenue the day everything went wrong → His advice to every aspiring filmmaker, actor, and creative watching right now This is the episode for anyone who has ever wondered what it means to build a legacy — and fight to protect it at the same time. ️ Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations Guest: Mario Van Peebles — New Jack City, Posse, Panther, Baadasssss, Roots, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Nemesis New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus
| |||
| Casting Is the First Act of Storytelling — The Woman Who Cast Black Hollywood | Robi Reed | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:38:25 | |
Before Beyoncé was Beyoncé. Before Jamie Foxx was Jamie Foxx.Before Halle Berry won her Oscar. Someone saw them first. That someone is Robi Reed — and in this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, she finally steps into the spotlight. Host Ariana Drummond sits down with Emmy Award-winning casting director and producer Robi Reed — one of two Black women in history to win an Emmy for casting, a Hampton University alumna, and the woman responsible for some of the most culturally defining films and television in Black Hollywood history. Robi breaks down: → What a casting director actually does — from breakdown to callback to chemistry read → How she started calling herself a casting director at 15 before she ever became one, and why that mindset matters → The night she introduced Spike Lee to Ruth E. Carter and how that one moment changed everything → What it was like to cast School Daze, Malcolm X, Do the Right Thing, Love Jones, Set It Off, Soul Food, The Best Man, For Colored Girls, and all 125 episodes of In Living Color → Why casting is the first act of storytelling — and what happens when Black casting directors aren't in the room → The BET Experience Open Casting Call she created and why she built it → The biggest mistakes talented people make when they finally get in the room → Her audition advice: if it's not going right, just stop and start again — you don't need permission → What she would tell her younger self during every moment of self-doubt → Why you should never want to be the smartest person in the room → The Don King project that almost made her quit — and what stopped her → What she hopes never changes about the role of the casting director This is the episode for every actor, every aspiring creative, and every person who has ever wondered who really decides who gets to be a star. ️ Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations Guest: Robi Reed — Emmy Award-winning Casting Director New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus #InsideTheIndustry #NAACPPlus #RobiReed #CastingDirector #BlackHollywood #ArianaDrummond #BlackCreatives Chapters
| |||
| 50+ Shows. No Film School. How Tony McCuin Became One of TV's Most Powerful Live Directors | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:54:52 | |
Most people have watched the NAACP Image Awards for years without knowing his name. Tony McCuin is the director who makes it all happen — and in this episode, he finally steps out from behind the camera. In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with an award-winning live television director, Tony McCuin — the man behind the NAACP Image Awards, Password with Keke Palmer, Big Brother, the Super Bowl, BET's Celebration of Gospel, Soul Train Awards, and over 50 major productions — for one of the most behind-the-scenes conversations we've ever had. Tony breaks down: → What a live TV director actually does during a telecast while the show is happening in real time → Why the NAACP Image Awards "just hit different" and how he shoots it almost entirely in the round → The night Whitney Houston walked out, and he couldn't take the camera off her — not for a single reaction shot → What it felt like to be the first Black man directing Password — TV history in real time → How Big Brother taught him to let the audience pick the shots they wanted to see → The Deon Cole and Leslie Jones moment that went viral — and how he set it up in advance → His philosophy on protecting your talent – no matter what → Why he treats every act like its own separate little show → How he went from South Central to public access cable to the Super Bowl without ever going to college → "Pray Rich" — his spiritual philosophy that has carried him through 40+ years in television → The team of angels around him that keeps him going This is the episode for every aspiring director, camera operator, and behind-the-camera creative who has ever wondered what it really looks like to command a live set. ️ Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations Guest: Tony McCuin — NAACP Image Awards, Password, Big Brother, Super Bowl, BET Celebration of Gospel, Soul Train Awards New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. ️ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=a5a8e1df47ba4084 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Watch the full playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T&si=nge5yZhBmU8SIZ9D Learn more about NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus Follow Tony McCuin: https://www.instagram.com/tonymccuin/ Follow Ariana Drummond: https://www.instagram.com/arianad_pr/ #InsideTheIndustry #NAACPPlus #TonyMcCuin #LiveTV #NaacpImageAwards #BlackDirectors #BehindTheCamera #Password #BigBrother #WhitneyHouston #ArianaDrummond #BlackCreatives #TVDirector #EntertainmentIndustry #BlackExcellence Chapters
| |||
| Algee Smith: From Broke in LA to Euphoria, Jamie Foxx & Owning His Music | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:56:06 | |
Algee Smith has never played it safe — and this conversation proves exactly why that's his superpower. From sleeping on a friend's couch in North Hollywood, surviving on El Pollo Loco and 7-Eleven Slurpees, to booking the New Edition Story AND Detroit in the same month — Algee's journey is one of radical faith, relentless study, and a refusal to shrink. In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with the actor, recording artist, and NAACP Image Award nominee to talk craft, ownership, representation, and what it really takes to build a career across two industries. In this episode, we unpack: → How Algee chooses roles — and why the script always comes first → Working with Jamie Foxx on Netflix's Fight for 84 and what he learned watching Jamie set the tone on set with a boombox → The story behind his EP Love Lost — the breakup, the healing, and why men needed to hear it → Flying from Atlanta to Connecticut just to track down clearance for a sample on 'Spiraling.' → What it felt like to book New Edition and Detroit while broke and days away from flying home → How playing both a Black Panther and a cop forced him to wrestle with his own identity → His tribute to late co-star James Van Der Beek and the gems shared in an RV between scenes → The real difference between working on Black-led sets versus majority-white productions → Why ownership is legacy — and why he's never signing another deal without equity → Practical advice on contracts, AI, community building, and protecting your peace in Hollywood Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T ️ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow Algee Smith: https://www.instagram.com/itsalgee/ https://youtube.com/@itsalgee?si=se6LrU3mfdh-2oxu Follow Ariana Drummond: https://www.instagram.com/arianad_pr/ Learn more about NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/naacpplus/ Chapters
| |||
| Hollywood's Top Publicist Reveals What It Really Takes to Make Stars | Shannon Barr | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:44:31 | |
What does it actually take to shape the careers of Hollywood's biggest stars — and survive the chaos behind the scenes? Veteran publicist Shannon Barr pulls back the curtain on 20+ years in entertainment PR, from her early days at ICM to managing crises at 3 am, losing client John Singleton, and what it really costs to get the press you deserve. In this episode, Shannon covers: → How she got her start — and the friend named Caprice who changed everything → The toxic ICM boss she finally quit on (out loud, by accident) → Why braids cost her job opportunities and the racism she faced climbing Hollywood's ladder → What publicists actually do during a celebrity crisis (yes, the Will Smith slap comes up) → Why PR is a marathon, not a sprint — and what that means for your career → The real cost of hiring a publicist and why boutique pricing matters → Her 20-year relationship with Kenya Moore and why she fell in love with her instantly → The deeply emotional story of losing John Singleton and writing his final statement → How she represented Damson Idris, Isaiah John, and Malcolm Mays as emerging talent → What she wants her legacy to be as a star maker ️ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Watch the full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T Learn more about NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/naacpplus/ Follow Shannon Barr: https://www.instagram.com/sbarr06/?hl=en Follow Ariana Drummond: https://www.instagram.com/arianad_pr/ Chapters
| |||
| From Interning at Hot 97 to the Met Gala with Rihanna — Entertainment Journalist Gia Peppers | 27 May 2026 | 00:51:11 | |
What does it actually take to build a two-decade career in entertainment journalism — across NBC's Today Show, Hot 97, Essence, Access Hollywood, BET, and the Met Gala red carpet with Rihanna?
→ How she went from overnight shifts at CBS Radio News to the Met Gala carpet — and what happened in between → What her dad's 23 years at NPR taught her about storytelling before she ever stepped into a newsroom → How she co-created Black Girl Podcast before Black women podcasting was even a thing — and what it feels like to have built a blueprint you don't always get credit for → What it was really like interviewing Rihanna, Kobe Bryant, and Vice President Kamala Harris → How to navigate microaggressions as a Black woman in media without losing your voice or your career → Why she did the New York to D.C. commute for four years straight while working at Hot 97, Essence, and hosting for the Washington Wizards simultaneously → The pay equity conversation that changed how she thinks about negotiating forever → Why she's launching Creatives of Faith — and what it means to keep creatives on assignment from God → The state of Black media right now and what we all need to do about it → Why dragging the rooms you want to be in is her most unpopular industry opinion Plus — her most honest reflection on legacy, what she still wants to build, and the moment at her friend's funeral that made her decide to go all the way in on her dreams.
Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations Guest: Gia Peppers — Today Show, Hot 97, Essence, More Than That with Gia Peppers, Healed Girl Era, Black Girl Podcast New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus Chapters
| |||
| Tribeca Film Festival Programmer Reveals Why Your Film Really Got Rejected | 20 May 2026 | 01:06:04 | |
If your film has been rejected by festival after festival, this episode is going to change how you think about everything. In this episode of NAACP+'s Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with Kimberley Browning — veteran film programmer, festival director, and Senior Associate Short Film Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival — to pull back the curtain on how film festivals actually work, what programmers are really looking for, and the costly mistakes filmmakers make that have nothing to do with the quality of their films. Kimberley breaks down: → How programmers actually decide which films get selected → Why most festival rejections have nothing to do with your filmmaking → The biggest mistake filmmakers make when building a festival strategy → Why you should stop obsessing over the top 10 festivals you can name → How to build a festival strategy unique to the film you actually made → What really happens after your film gets accepted to a major festival → How to qualify for the Oscars without spending thousands of dollars → The insider tip on completion dates that most filmmakers don't know → Why submitting a rough cut could cost you more than just this festival → How film festivals are evolving in the streaming era → What the rise of virtual festivals means for filmmakers worldwide → The one music licensing mistake that's killing independent films
Guest: Kimberley Browning — Tribeca Film Festival, HBO, AFI, ABFF
Subscribe so you never miss one. Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed&nd=1&dlsi=316fca0df52b4a1e Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus
| |||
| Ted Lasso Writer Reveals What Hollywood Won't Tell You About Breaking In | 11 May 2026 | 00:54:54 | |
What does it actually take to become a working television writer in Hollywood? In this episode of NAACP+'s Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with writer and producer Chuck Hayward — whose credits include Ted Lasso, WandaVision, and Dear White People — for one of the most honest conversations we've had about the realities of building a writing career.
→ How TV writers actually get staffed on shows → The difference between a spec script and a pilot (and which one to write first) → What showrunners are really looking for when they read your script → How to handle notes without killing your creative vision → The mistakes that quietly stall careers — even for talented writers → Why the streaming bubble burst changed everything for writers → How to stay competitive when the industry is shrinking Plus, Chuck shares the writing philosophy that drives everything he does: more Black weirdos on screen. And why writing authentically — not to the market— is the only strategy that actually works long term. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a creative trying to break in, or someone already in the industry looking to level up, this episode is your blueprint. Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations Guest: Chuck Hayward — Ted Lasso, WandaVision, Dear White People New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnLI7v57zoc&list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T&pp=sAgC Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807 Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus
| |||
| He Started as an Intern - here’s What Changed Everything | 06 May 2026 | 00:59:38 | |
DeVon Franklin rose from intern to executive producer in Hollywood—but how did that actually happen? In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, DeVon Franklin—producer behind films like "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Moneyball," and "The Karate Kid"—shares what it really takes to grow in this business, navigate opportunity, and build a career with purpose. We'll cover topics such as: - What it takes to stand out early in your career - What ownership means in today’s entertainment industry - Where the biggest opportunities are for creatives right now From studio systems to independent production, this conversation breaks down what it takes to create and lead projects at the highest level of filmmaking. About Devon Franklin: Devon Franklin is a producer, author, and former studio executive at Columbia Pictures. His work spans major box office films, faith-based storytelling, and independent production, with a focus on purpose-driven content and long-term impact. Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, and digital media. Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry Instagram: @naacpplus YouTube: @naacpplus Chapters
| |||
| The Making of a Fashion Powerhouse | Brandon Gray on Building House of Gray and Dressing Hollywood | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:51:49 | |
The making of a fashion powerhouse—how does a designer go from starting out to dressing Hollywood’s biggest stars? Brandon Gray has built a brand that commands attention on the red carpet—from the NAACP Image Awards to the Oscars and the Met Gala. But behind those moments is a story of persistence, strategy, and learning how to build in an industry that rarely gives you a clear path. In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Brandon Gray breaks down how he turned House of Gray into a sought-after fashion brand, how he broke into the industry without connections, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in fashion. We'll also cover: If you’re a designer, creative, or entrepreneur trying to build something of your own, this conversation gives you a real look at what it takes to go from starting out to becoming a recognized name. About Brandon Gray: Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, fashion, and digital media. Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
| |||
| Breaking Into Hollywood without Connections | Inside the Industry with James Swoope | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:46:04 | |
How do you break into Hollywood without connections? For most people, the biggest barrier to entering the entertainment industry isn’t talent—it’s access. So how do careers actually get started when you don’t know anyone? In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, James Swoope—Partner at M88—breaks down how aspiring creatives can break into Hollywood, how talent managers identify potential, and how opportunities are built behind the scenes. From building relationships to creating leverage without traditional access, this conversation reveals how careers gain traction in today’s entertainment industry. We cover:
If you’re trying to get into the entertainment industry—or build a career from the ground up—this is your starting point. About James Swoope: James Swoope is a Partner at M88, where he helps guide talent strategy, package projects, and build opportunities for clients across entertainment and sports. Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, music, and digital media. Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
| |||
| How Vertical Storytelling Is Changing Hollywood | Inside the Industry with Wendy Calhoun | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:52:47 | |
Welcome to the vertical storytelling era. But how do you actually break into vertical storytelling and short-form content right now? In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Wendy Calhoun—writer, showrunner, and co-executive producer behind Empire—shares how she built a powerhouse career across traditional television and the rapidly growing world of micro dramas. We cover:
If you’re a writer, producer, or creative trying to understand how to get into vertical storytelling and short-form content, this conversation gives you a clear look at where the industry might be headed. About Wendy Calhoun: This episode explores vertical storytelling, short-form content, and micro dramas, and how these formats are changing the entertainment industry. If you’re interested in TV writing, digital storytelling, or building a career in film and television, this conversation breaks down how the industry is evolving.
Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
| |||
| Introducing NAACP+ Inside the Industry | A New Original Podcast Series (Official Teaser) | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:00:36 | |
What does it take to build a career in entertainment today? NAACP+ Inside The Industry is a new original series exploring how film, television, music, fashion, and digital culture actually operate—through conversations with the professionals shaping the business. Hosted by Ariana Drummond, a publicist with over 15 years of experience across multiple areas of the industry, the series connects the dots between creative work and the business behind it. Each episode features real stories, practical insight, and the decisions that define long-term success across entertainment careers. Guests include producers, executives, designers, and creatives working at the highest levels of the industry. - New episodes drop weekly on NAACP+. Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
| |||