Black Is America
The Black Is America podcast highlights little-known African-American figures and stories. This podcast helps tell the story of America through the lens of the African American experience. Be prepared to hear stories of inventors, heroes, scientists, entrepreneurs, and so many more.
In Season 1, we feature the stories of Lt. John Fox, Marian Anderson, Wendell Scott, Bessie Coleman, and more. In each episode, we also make mention of other exceptional African Americans that are related. Be prepared to be inspired and amazed with an engaging listening experience.
Welcome to Black Is America, where African American history is American history.
Episodes
Lt. John Fox: An All-American Hero
Marian Anderson: The American Contralto Part 1
Marian Anderson: The American Contralto Part 2
Wendell Scott: An American Racing Legend
That Time Black America Created Memorial Day
Listen On
Recent Blog Posts
A Young Flo Jo: The Moment a Little Girl in Watts Discovered Her Wings
Before she became the fastest woman the world had ever seen… before the sleek one-legged race suits, the record-breaking sprints, and the iconic hair and nails that would become part of pop culture history… Florence Griffith was just a…
Second Chances: The Tony Robinson Story and the Power of Redemption
In Black Is America’s episode, "Doug Williams: The American Quarterback," we are reintroduced to Tony Robinson, a quarterback whose story is one of immense talent, a fall from grace, and an unexpected shot at redemption. His journey remin…
Doug Williams: The American Quarterback – Episode Preview
Breaking Barriers on the Gridiron In the world of professional football, few positions carry as much weight as the quarterback. It’s the ultimate test of leadership, skill, and mental acuity. But for decades, Black quarterbacks were told they…
About the Host
Dominic Lawson
Podcast Creator & Host
Dominic Lawson is an award-winning podcast host, producer, and editor based in Memphis, Tennessee. A U.S. Army veteran, he studied business administration at National American University before discovering his passion for podcasting in 2016. That year, he launched "The Startup Life Podcast," providing listeners with insights into building businesses and advancing in their careers. Throughout the show's run, Lawson interviewed notable figures such as Marc Randolph, co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, and Tom Golisano, founder and chairman of Paychex.
In 2021, Lawson joined Meadows Behavioral Healthcare as a podcast producer, editor, and host. He took the helm of the "Beyond Theory" podcast, facilitating in-depth conversations with experts in mental health and addiction recovery. His innovative approach led to the launch of "Recovery Replay" in April 2022, a groundbreaking podcast that chronicles personal recovery stories from three distinct perspectives.
Demonstrating his versatility, Lawson introduced the "Black Is America" podcast on February 1, 2022, shedding light on lesser-known African American figures and narratives. The podcast garnered significant acclaim, earning multiple awards, including the 2023 Webby Award for Best Podcast-Individual Episode.
Lawson's work has been recognized with numerous accolades:
Black Is America:
2022 Communicator Awards: Gold for Writing, Storytelling, and Host; Silver for Documentary Episode: Lt. John Fox
2022 w3 Awards: Gold for General Series: History and Best Use of Writing; Best in Show for Documentary Episode: Wendell Scott
2022 Memphis Excellence Awards: Podcast of the Year
2023 Signal Awards: Gold for Craft-Best Host (Documentary) and General-History; Silver for Craft-Best Editing, General-Documentary, and General-Best Indie Podcast; Bronze for Craft-Best Trailer
2023 Black Podcasting Awards: Best Editing and Best Sound Design
2024 The Ambies: Best DIY (Nomination)
2024 Signal Award: Silver for Best Writing
Recovery Replay:
2022 w3 Awards: Gold for General Series: Health & Wellness; Silver for Best General Series
Beyond Theory:
2023 Communicator Awards: Silver for Best Health and Wellness Series; Gold for Best Individual Episode "Racial Trauma Within the Black Community"
In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Lawson became a member of the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts in November 2022. He has shared his expertise at events such as SXSW, Podcast Movement, and the University of Memphis.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Lawson is dedicated to mentoring emerging podcasters, offering guidance on content creation and storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of meticulous attention to detail, advocating for the "2/3 minute" rule to maintain listener engagement.
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Outside of podcasting, Lawson enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games, watching movies—particularly Marvel and Hindi films—and exploring new podcast concepts. His commitment to storytelling and excellence continues to inspire and inform audiences, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the podcasting community.