NEW YORK - October 9, 2023 - Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia celebrate the third anniversary of The Black Effect Podcast Network. Charlamagne Tha God and iHeartMedia teamed up in 2020 to launch the network with the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s largest podcast publisher dedicated to Black listeners, bringing together the most influential and trusted voices in Black culture for stimulating conversations around social justice, pop culture, sports, mental health, news, comedy and more.
Three years into its mission, The Black Effect has cemented itself as the premiere destination for Black talent and Black listeners, launching over 30 exceptional shows – including “Carefully Reckless,” “All The Smoke,” and “Reasonably Shady” – that cover a wide range of topics and amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Ten of these shows are on the top podcast charts in recognition of their exceptional storytelling and impact.
“As we celebrate three years of The Black Effect Podcast Network, we honor the power of representation, the resilience of our community, and the unwavering commitment to truth and excellence,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “Together, we’ve amplified voices and paved the way for a future where our narratives flourish.”
Some of The Black Effect’s other notable accomplishments, under the leadership of co-founder Charlamagne Tha God and President of Production and Creative Development Dollie S. Bishop, include:
- Building powerful brand partnerships and collaborating with major consumer brands like AT&T, Nissan, State Farm, American Express, and Molson indicates the trust and respect The Black Effect has earned in the industry.
- Successful events that highlight vital voices and perspectives, including the inaugural Black Effect Podcast Festival, which brought together a vibrant community of thousands of podcast creators and enthusiasts to celebrate the power of storytelling, and the Thrill of Possibility Summit, in partnership with Nissan, which brought together 50 HBCU students in STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) for a weekend of networking with Nissan employees, Black Effect podcast talent and culturally relevant Black voices.
- 800 million+ downloads and over 2.3 million monthly listeners, a testament to the profound impact The Black Effect Podcast Network has had on our listeners, communities, and society at large.
“These milestones reflect The Black Effect Podcast Network’s commitment to excellence and its tremendous impact on the podcasting landscape,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As we look to the future, we're excited to continue pushing boundaries, elevating diverse voices, and making a difference through our content – and we want to congratulate and thank Charlamagne, Dollie, and the entire Black Effect Podcast Network team for their unwavering commitment and passion.”
The Black Effect Podcast Network is available on the iHeartRadio app, iHeart.com, and everywhere podcasts are heard.
About The Black Effect Podcast Network
The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author, and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God and in a historic joint venture with the world’s number one commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia, Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the most essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, politics, entertainment, sports and pop culture. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative vision have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform, and empower.