Ibram X. Kendi

In “Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi,” the esteemed writer and scholar dissects the policies that contribute to racial inequity and injustice, and proposes policies and platforms that can lead us toward an antiracist future

NEW YORK – May 3, 2021 –  iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Pushkin Industries, the audio production company co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg, today announced a new co-produced iHeartRadio Original Podcast “Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi.” The new thought-provoking podcast will be hosted by Ibram X. Kendi — one of America’s foremost historians and Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. Dr Kendi’s books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller How to Be an Antiracist, have become seminal texts on the myths of a post-racial America. The show’s first episode will premiere on June 9.

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi,” is a weekly interview show that will build on his extensive body of antiracist work, challenging listeners to consider what an antiracist society might look like and how individuals and communities can play an active role in building it. For ten episodes Kendi will be joined by notable guests from the worlds of politics, academia, journalism and beyond to discuss the antiracist policies, platforms and narratives human beings should rally around to build a just and equitable world.

“After a year that laid bare the pervasive racial inequity that continues to plague our nation, we must continue the difficult but necessary conversations that will allow us to imagine and erect a truly antiracist society,” said Ibram X. Kendi. “I look forward to exploring these topics with guests whose work I deeply admire and digging deep with them and with listeners.”

“‘Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi’ will bring Dr. Kendi’s essential insights to millions of listeners around the world,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “The show speaks to many of the deeply-rooted issues the past year has brought to light and enables listeners to benefit from the perspectives of some truly unparalleled guests.”

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi” is the first co-produced show in the expansive slate of podcasts that will join the iHeartPodcast Network as part of the two-year co-production and distribution partnership between iHeartMedia and Pushkin Industries announced last November.

"Over the past few years, Ibram X. Kendi has emerged as America's most influential thinker on race, racism, and anti-racism,” said Pushkin Industries CEO Jacob Weisberg. “Pushkin is thrilled to help Dr. Kendi expand the conversation his books have ignited. We hope the show will empower listeners to effect change in their own communities and beyond."  

“Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi” will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network to all podcast platforms starting on June 9. Fans can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the official trailer on their favorite device.

About Ibram X. Kendi

Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News contributor. He is the author of many books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and four #1 New York Times bestsellers, How to Be an Antiracist; Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored with Jason Reynolds; Antiracist Baby, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky; and Four Hundred Souls: A Community history of African America, 1619-2019, edited with Keisha N. Blain. In 2020, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

About Pushkin Industries

Pushkin Industries is an audio production company dedicated to creating premium content in a collaborative environment. Co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018, Pushkin has launched seven new shows into the top 10 on Apple Podcasts (Against the Rules, The Happiness Lab, Solvable, Cautionary Tales, Deep Cover, The Last Archive, and Lost Hills), in addition to producing the hugely successful Revisionist History. Pushkin’s growing audiobook catalogue includes the bestselling biography “Fauci,” by Michael Specter and “The Bomber Mafia” by Malcolm Gladwell. Pushkin is dedicated to producing audio in any format that challenges listeners and inspires curiosity and joy. For more information visit pushkin.fm or follow us on Twitter @pushkinpods.