Join gal-dem and Spotify for The Creator’s Table and hear the voices of black women in podcasting

gal-dem is partnering with Spotify’s Sound Up, a programme aimed at amplifying the voices of next-generation podcasters, focusing on those from underrepresented communities.

On 20 July, applications for Spotify’s Sound Up will open as it returns to the UK and Ireland. They are particularly looking for aspiring Black women and non-binary people to get involved. The opportunity offers education, workshops and support to help propel new podcasters to dizzying heights.

Titi Shodiya, of educational podcast Dope Labs, described her experience on the programme in 2018 as “amazing”. “I came into it knowing absolutely nothing about podcasting and I left feeling like we had everything I needed to get our podcast off the ground. Everyone involved was so knowledgeable and nurturing, it was the perfect place to learn and grow as a podcaster.”

To celebrate this amazing learning initiative, gal-dem and Spotify will be bringing some of the core learnings and themes from the Sound Up course to a shared audience through The Creator’s Table.

The Creator’s Table

gal-dem will be hosting a digital Creators’ Table on Monday 20 July (today), starring some incredible names from the podcasting world, including Yomi Adegoke – host of Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast, our very own Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff – host of growing up with gal-dem and Henrie Kwushue – host of Spotify Original, Who We Be TALKS_, alongside podcast producer and sound technician, Aiwan Obinyan, the founder of AiAi Studios.

This remarkable line-up will tackle big questions such as what it is like to be a Black woman in podcasting.

Clarissa Pabi, a podcast developer and marketer and a guest on Monday’s roundtable told gal-dem: “I know first-hand what it takes to launch a successful podcast, and the power these masterclasses can have, having helped to launch Aclass Black and Womxn last year.”

She added: “I’m excited to share my knowledge with the aspiring podcasters and listen to their ideas and I’m really proud to be working with gal-dem and the other trailblazing women they’ve brought together in their Creator’s Table series.”

Spotify’s Sound Up global manager and roundtable guest, Abi Ogunmwonyi, added: “Sound Up is one of many steps Spotify is taking to making the audio industry more equitable and to amplify under-represented voices. Through providing the right resources and support, Sound Up gives unrepresented podcasters the opportunity to get their voices heard and pave the way for the next generation. Now in its third year, we can’t wait to hear what voices will emerge from the 2020 programme”

This highly anticipated talk is the first of three free roundtable events which aim to shed light into what is being done to amplify black women in the audio space.

Spotify conducted bespoke research which found that three-quarters of BAME women feel underrepresented in podcasting, with almost 60% agreeing that there are significant barriers for BAME women wanting to enter the industry.

gal-dem and Spotify hope that these roundtables will open up discussion about how those in the industry found their route to success and allow them to share their advice for podcast enthusiasts and careerists of the future generation.

Monday’s event will be hosted online. It will start at 5:30pm and will last 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Get a ticket to this virtual event!