A (New) Cult of Personality

The BLK IRL Podcast

The BLK IRL Podcast is an audio docuseries that explores the business of “influencing” and the power dynamics at play in the act of cultural exchange. Join host Anuli Akanegbu as she dissects themes related to race in the influencer economy through research-supported commentary and intimate interviews with predominantly Black content creators, scholars, entrepreneurs, activists, marketing experts, and cultural critics.

This is the first full episode of Season 1! In this episode, Anuli talks to culture writer Shamira Ibrahim about how influencing has become the new cult of personality and how the exploitation of Black people and Black creative labor has become central to the inner workings of Internet culture.

You can find citations for the reference materials mentioned in this episode as well as some additional background reading on the BLK IRL website (www.blkirl.com). Stay updated on all things BLK IRL by following the podcast on Instagram (@blkirl) and Twitter (@blkirl).

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