We Be Griots
We Be Griots"––hosted by Esi Lewis of the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center for Black History and Culture, and in collaboration with Brett Barry (Lecturer, DMJ) who is audio producing the podcast series, plus the Episcopal Campus Ministries and the SUNY New Paltz Department of Digital Media and Journalism.
Episode 1 - Interview With Ciesta Quinn
A "griot" is a West African storyteller who preserves the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people. "We Be Griots" is a series of conversations about the Black experience in our region; it's named after a poem by the same name from Ulster County's first poet laureate, Kate Hymes. Episcopal Campus Ministries' Allison Moore is consulting producer, and two LA&S students––Sierra DeVito and Marietou Sacko––are production interns.
Season 1 features 8 episodes, beginning February 2026 and will be available YOUTUBE. We Be Griots will expand to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms before the end 2026.
Visit The MWL Center to Learn More About The Black Historical Work in New Paltz, NY. LINK: MWLcenter.org