Gettin’ Grown – “MOPOP” (feat. Michele Y. Smith)
Podcast: Gettin’ Grown (Loud Speakers Network)
Hosts: Jade and Kia
Guest: Michele Y. Smith (CEO, Museum of Pop Culture - MoPOP)
Date: March 11, 2025
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode blends the show’s signature Black woman-centered authenticity and humor with a meaningful conversation about inclusive leadership, culture, and self-care. At the Kitchen Table, Jade and Kia welcome Michele Y. Smith, CEO of Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). They discuss the future of museums, the democratization of philanthropy, representation in leadership, and Black women’s wellness — all anchored in community, joy, and the messy business of adulthood.
Key Segments & Timestamps
- [01:38] Reflections on Angie Stone and Black musical legacy
- [04:15] Kia in Austin for SXSW Edu; Black Austin stories
- [11:24] Jade’s Black History Month Keynote experience
- [17:32] Women’s History Month & MoPOP guest intro
- [23:08] Kitchen Table Talk with Michele Y. Smith (Main Interview)
- [56:41] Black Women Self Care segment with Michele
- [63:31] Post-interview talk, Seattle travel, and Black community
- [90:04] Petty Peeves
- [97:05-101:30+] TV recs, food, and cultural nostalgia
Podcast Breakdown
1. Opening Reflections (Loss of Angie Stone)
[01:38 – 03:51]
- The hosts express shock and sadness over the news of Angie Stone’s tragic passing, honoring her contributions to R&B and soul:
“Honestly, Angie Stone has been cemented in the R&B and soul world for over 20 years now. The respect is always there.” – Jade [02:23]
- Extended love and prayers to her family and fans.
2. Life Updates & Black Communities
[04:15 – 11:20]
- Kia is in Austin for SXSW Edu, reflecting on Texas’s unique whiteness and vibrant Black community:
“There’s a really solid Black community in Austin… when you find them.” – Jade [05:43]
- Jade recounts a wild college-era bar fight in Austin (with color and humor), illustrating her younger years and lessons learned.
3. Black History Month, Representation, and Uplift
[11:24 – 17:31]
- Jade shares her candid, empowering experience keynoting a school Black History Month event, emphasizing:
“Never allow anybody to reduce you.” – Jade [12:45]
- She humorously recounts handling an off-track comment from a white student, noting the perseverance required to keep Black narratives centered.
- Extended solidarity for Muslims globally, especially in Sudan and Gaza, noting ongoing conflicts and sharing ways listeners can stay informed and donate.
4. Introduction to Women’s History Month & Michele Y. Smith
[17:32 – 23:08]
- Transition into Women’s History Month and the spirit of Black history all year.
- Jade gives an enthusiastic intro for their guest:
“Smith is a mission-focused leader…her people-centered leadership approach is the driving force behind her work at MoPOP, which emphasizes a steadfast dedication to the democratization of philanthropy, the universal language of pop culture, DEI and accessibility and mentorship of emerging leaders.” [21:19]
Main Interview: Michele Y. Smith at the Kitchen Table
[23:08 – 61:04]
A. Michele’s Roots & Pop Culture Upbringing
[23:43 – 25:58]
- Philadelphia native, lifelong “Dirty Bird,” lover of cheesesteaks, and “global citizen.”
- Grew up during the rise of hip hop, MTV, R&B, and grunge. Experience spans for-profit and nonprofit worlds, with time living in San Francisco, Dublin, LA — and always traveling.
B. Positive Disruptor: Redefining Museums
[27:01 – 30:41]
- Michele brands herself as a “positive disruptor”:
“When people think about museums, they think about just some dusty painting…What we’re doing here is really changing the game.” [27:12]
- Advocates for museums as spaces where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and all communities can “see themselves reflected.”
- Emphasizes narrative storytelling over static exhibits.
C. The Power of Pop Culture
[29:40 – 30:41]
- “Pop culture has always been a reflection of society…It defines us, and we in turn define it.” – Michele Y. Smith [29:40]
- MoPOP’s mission: preserve and showcase moments that shape lives, make spaces inclusive, ensure accessibility, and allow communities to engage with what resonates.
D. Leading Through Change
[31:35 – 33:27]
- Leadership under social/political pressure—“a lot of things changing with executive orders”:
“We’re going to do what we’ve always done, serve our community and keep it moving.” – Michele Y. Smith [31:35]
- Commitment to MoPOP’s mission and not wavering in the face of opposition.
E. Leadership Style as a Black Woman
[34:06 – 36:08]
- Transparent, inclusive, people-centric leadership.
- “Praise in public and refine in private.”
- Post-pandemic emphasis on mental health, burnout, and self-care for staff:
“I decided that when I became a CEO I was not going to do the wrongs that were done to me.” [35:39]
F. Michele’s Journey to the C-Suite
[36:49 – 39:22]
- Started in contracts in Philadelphia; leap to United Airlines in San Francisco pre-9/11 (and the crisis management that shaped her adaptability).
- Built travel industry experience at Expedia and Royal Caribbean; developed a habit of learning every role.
- Parlayed business development and leadership into nonprofit and global roles, always “adding to her toolbox.”
G. What Does a CEO of a Museum Actually Do?
[40:06 – 42:54]
- Sets the vision, leads rebranding, expands access, builds community partnerships, ensures operational effectiveness through a strong executive team.
- MoPOP’s legacy: first museum to feature a hip hop exhibit (2000!).
- Focus on “democratization of philanthropy”—making cultural support accessible at all income levels.
H. Teamwork, Innovation & Representation
[43:11 – 46:12]
- Michele doesn’t micromanage — she “hires people smarter than me” and lets her team innovate (“I usually speak last,” [43:11]), encourages risk-taking, and workshops ideas as a group.
- Developed her leadership style through hard-knocks as “often the only Black woman in the room.”
I. Zookeeper to Culture Keeper
[46:27 – 49:13]
- Pivoted from LA/international life to Seattle as business finance manager at Woodland Park Zoo.
- Used creativity and events (“Whiskey and Wildlife”, “Brew at the Zoo”) to make conservation relevant and community-driven.
- Pandemic taught flexibility and crisis adaptation.
J. Inside MoPOP: Current & Upcoming Exhibits
[49:44 – 53:26]
- MoPOP’s 25th anniversary in June 2025.
- “Asian Comics” exhibit (cross-Asia comics history), “Never Turn Back” (gospel, blues, jazz, and soul), new hip hop exhibit (with curator Sarita Gates).
- MoPOP as more than museum — a hub for music, film, gaming, parties, food (partnering with local chefs/restaurants), mixology classes, lectures, family events, and community discounts.
K. Leadership, Humanity & Representation
[56:07] On what makes Black women’s leadership special:
“All people should be leading this way…we know what it’s like to not be treated as human beings in the workplace.” – Jade
Black Women Self Care Talk (with Michele)
[56:41 – 61:04]
-
Friday night is her sacred quiet time — no events, just rest and intentional solitude.
-
Weekly self-care:
- “I romanticize – candles, slow mornings, making my own pizza, foot mask, coffee with a Puget Sound view.”
- Sunday = meal prep for health, reflecting, and celebration:
“Once a month I celebrate myself. People ask, what are you celebrating? I say, myself.” – Michele Y. Smith [59:31]
-
Notable Quote:
“We work so hard, and we forget about ourselves… I would like to thank me.” [60:00]
Final Reflections, Travel & Seattle Blackness
[63:31 – 66:32]
- Kia plans to visit MoPOP in Seattle, highlighting the city’s underappreciated Black history.
- Encouragement to listeners: “Let’s learn from Seattle’s PNW Black community!”
Nostalgia, Food, and Black Home Ownership
[67:10+]
- Heartfelt discussion on domestic routines, DIY home improvements, and the joy of “enjoying my mortgage.”
- Black family food traditions (the sacredness of a cold Pepsi, cooking with turkey tails, fried chicken and collard greens).
- “It’s giving: I am squarely in my Big Mama season!” – Kia [74:53]
Petty Peeves
[90:04 – 97:05]
1. Jade:
- “The corners of my mouth are raw!” – dryness, winter weather, and dehydration.
2. Kia:
- Petty annoyance with a rude, space-hogging man on a flight:
“If you know you need that much space, get a first-class ticket, my dude.” [93:58]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Pop culture has always been a reflection of society…It defines us, and we in turn define it.” – Michele Y. Smith [29:40]
- “We are positive disruptors…advancing pop culture. Pop culture is fluid and always changing. We need to keep up with the culture, and we want to make sure that we’re relevant. We don’t want to be the blockbusters of the world.” – Michele Y. Smith [44:20]
- “When I became a CEO I was not going to do the wrongs that were done to me.” – Michele Y. Smith [35:39]
- “Flowers and celebration — people ask, what are you celebrating? I say, myself.” – Michele Y. Smith [59:31]
Takeaways & Resources
MoPOP as a Model:
- MoPOP is a leader in inclusive, community-centric arts and culture, refusing to back down from mission or dilute representation.
- Black women’s leadership is people-first, focused on community, wellness, humanity, and innovation.
Self-Care Mantras:
- “Boundaries make self-care possible.”
- “Celebrate yourself — routinely, intentionally.”
Listener Call to Action:
- Visit MoPOP in Seattle
- Support accessible cultural institutions
- Keep learning and uplifting Black history — Black365!
How to Connect
- Michele Y. Smith:
- mopop.org
- LinkedIn: Michelle Y. Smith
- Instagram: @chelldiva
- Follow Gettin’ Grown on Patreon for visuals and bonus content
Episode Vibe
Candid, joyful, deeply Black, and invested in nurturing both community and self. Uplifting the necessity of visionary Black women in leadership, with plenty of laughter, food, nostalgia, and practical self-care — a warm seat at the kitchen table for all.
For more:
Check the episode description for resource links on Sudan and Gaza and ways to support global Black and marginalized communities.