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.
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. The name of this podcast comes from a poem of the same name from Ulster County's first poet laureate, Kate Hymes. Donations from the Episcopal Campus Ministries' Allison Moore and two LA&S student interns ––Sierra DeVito and Marietou Sacko––have helped make this production possible.
Season 1 features 8 episodes, starting in February 2026, these episodes are now available. Find "We Be Griots" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other major podcast platforms.