Gettin’ Grown – “No White Hoochies”
Feat. Zorine Truly, The Hoochie Historian (April 28, 2026)
Episode Overview
In this episode of Gettin’ Grown, hosts Jade and Kia invite Zorine Truly—the self-proclaimed Hoochie Historian—for a spirited, celebratory, and deeply nuanced discussion on “hoochie culture” and its foundational Black feminine roots. The conversation weaves together cultural reclamation, community healing, and the dynamics of agency, sexuality, and self-expression among Black women, while also addressing heavier themes such as safety, patriarchy, and the ongoing realities of violence against Black women. Throughout, the tone remains joyful and affirming, with genuine laughter, personal anecdotes, and insightful commentary.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
I. Reflections on Black Women in Music & Media
(02:00–07:29)
- The hosts reminisce about music from the '90s and the influence of icons like Mary J. Blige.
- They touch on the struggles and resilience of women in the industry, discussing themes of loyalty, survival, and trauma.
- Notable quote:
“There’s a sadness behind the eyes...I think the exhaustion is rooted in just being proximate to this kind of toxicity for so long.”
— Kia (04:50)
II. Collective Grief, Safety, & Societal Pathologies
(09:19–22:58)
- Kia and Jade process recent news around femicide, especially impacting Black women.
- They contextualize this violence within patriarchy, systemic oppression, and the proliferation of misogynistic “red pill” content.
- Discussed alarming statistics: 299 Black people killed by police vs. 288 Black women killed by partners in 2023.
- Call to name the problem as systemic, not isolated, and create spaces for healing and safety.
- Notable quote:
“We can’t be the only ones having the conversation if we’re the ones getting killed.”
— Jade (18:06)
III. Introduction to Hoochie Culture
(27:18–34:41)
- Introducing Zorine Truly: Memphis-born, LA-based digital archivist, and founder of Hoochie Con Festival. She documents and elevates “hoochie culture” through archiving beauty, style, and agency in Black feminine life.
- The hosts gush over finding Zorine’s work online and her documentation of culture for the “Nuance Podcast.”
- On defining “hoochie”:
- Zorine resists rigid definitions, emphasizing energy, ownership, and community-determined standards:
“Hoochie culture is defined by ownership…black femininity…womanhood…aesthetics…whatever the fuck we want to define it by.”
(32:17)
- Cultural references: “Avon hoochies,” hair, nails, and church beauty standards.
IV. Reclaiming and Expanding Hoochie Identity
(35:57–43:41)
- The term “hoochie” historically pejorative is reclaimed as joyful, expansive, and liberatory.
- Zorine notes how mainstream culture co-opts Black style as “costume” (e.g., “ghetto gold” on Sex and the City) without recognizing or crediting Black origins.
- The loss in translation and erasure of Black creativity in aesthetic trends is critiqued.
V. Power, Sexuality & Subverting Stereotypes
(39:51–42:57)
- Zorine encourages the fullness of Black sexual agency, refusing reductive definitions:
“There’s power in Black feminine sexuality…Hoochie culture is not solely sexual, but there’s power in it.”
(40:41)
- She advocates for centering Black joy, pleasure, and multidimensionality.
VI. Challenging Colorism & Beauty Standards
(48:46–52:26)
- Kia shares personal stories of being told dark-skinned women “couldn’t” wear red nails—how hoochie culture refutes these restrictions.
- Zorine highlights the ongoing need for inclusive celebration, recalling how Black women like Whoopi Goldberg and Maya Angelou were maligned but ultimately foundational.
VII. Building Hoochie Con & Archival Practice
(52:31–60:22)
- Hoochie Con: Evolved from Zorine’s archival Instagram project into a real-life festival (rotating cities: LA, Memphis, potentially New Orleans, Atlanta, Detroit)—celebrating Black art, beauty, and entrepreneurship.
- Features include gallery exhibitions, vendor market (press-ons, bundles, food), dance party, and community talk-back.
- Zorine:
“I found my community…so we get to celebrate.”
(57:56)
VIII. Owning Self, Finding Community, & Facing Backlash
(63:06–73:32)
- Zorine reflects on her journey from internalizing shame to celebrating her “ghetto”/hoochie identity.
- The affirming moment: seeing Hoochie Con attendees understanding the culture with no need for explanation.
- She discusses the online backlash she received, being grouped with “undeserving” viral figures, and choosing to serve the community who “gets it” over appeasing detractors.
- Notable moment:
“I realized…none of that means shit to me…That would have broken me before.”
(72:13)
IX. Naming Black Feminine Agency
(73:32–77:09)
- Kia connects hoochie culture to academic life and the pressure to prove Black womanhood as respectable.
- Both hosts recount refusing to compartmentalize their authentic selves (e.g., wearing “Dr. Robinson” only vs. “Kia”).
- Zorine emphasizes the power of showing up as one’s full self—bonnet, nails, hair, whatever.
X. Hoochie Ancestors and Living Legends
(78:47–83:49)
- The group names “hoochie ancestors” who inspire: Maya Angelou, Eartha Kitt, Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, Whitney Houston.
- Living legends: Lunell, Jackée Harry, Lisa Landry, Aretha Franklin.
- Importance of names, honoring unique Black names despite societal pushback.
XI. Sexual Assault Awareness & Hoochie Liberation
(87:31–93:45)
- Zorine powerfully addresses the intersection of hoochie culture and Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
- Sexual liberation is hard-won, and violence cannot be ignored.
- Media and society still suggest hoochie self-presentation invites harm—Zorine insists on fighting this narrative.
- She uses her platform to offset harmful representations and support young girls:
“I have a responsibility…to remind them that domestic violence, sexual assault…it don’t come with this culture.”
- She is open about her own survival and the work still needed for true liberation.
XII. Community Connections, Self-Care & Joy Amid Heaviness
(100:01–112:39)
- Hosts and guest reflect on the importance of intentional joy, chosen family, and community connections as self-care strategies.
- They humorously debate beauty products for sensitive skin, share advice, and poke fun at confusing English words (“phthalate”).
- The episode closes on affirmations:
- Moisturize your mind (mind your business),
- Drink your water (“keep your insides moisturized”),
- Moisturize your skin, "your Black will crack if it’s dry and problematic and anti-Black."
XIII. Zorine’s Parting Words
(94:37–98:21, 96:58)
- Zorine encourages listeners to check out hoochicon.com (with hand-printed merch!) and underscores the legitimacy and dynamism of hoochie culture.
- Memorable closer:
“And don’t forget…there are no white hoochies. I think that’s very important for me to end on.”
— Zorine Truly (96:58)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “This red pill content on the Internet…this mannish bullshit is out of control.” — Jade (13:07)
- “I love the reclamation—it's not rooted in sexuality, it is about self-expression, doing what we want, and the celebration of our culture.” — Kia (36:56)
- “If you have ever smelled Skin So Soft, then you are part of hoochie culture.” — Zorine (34:26)
- “You can't tell me you going door to door so you can get a pink Cadillac and you not a part of hoochie culture.” — Zorine (34:13)
- “No white hoochies. Mentioned that at the beginning—it's a Black ass culture.” — Zorine (97:18)
Key Timestamps
- 02:00–07:29: Music/media reflections on Black women’s resilience
- 09:19–22:58: Collective processing of violences and patriarchy
- 27:18–34:41: Zorine’s intro + hoochie culture defined
- 35:57–43:41: Reclaiming pejorative language + cultural appropriation critique
- 63:06–73:32: Zorine’s journey to authentic selfhood, backlash & community
- 78:47–83:49: Hoochie ancestors and significance of naming/identity
- 87:31–93:45: Addressing Sexual Assault Awareness, safety, and liberation
- 100:01–112:39: Self-care, family, everyday joys, and humorous tangents
- 94:37–98:21: Zorine’s message to listeners + merch plug
- 96:58: “No white hoochies” sign-off
Episode Tone & Community Invitation
The discussion is lively, affirming, and deeply rooted in Black womanist joy and survival. The hosts invite listeners to process difficult societal realities collectively, celebrate Black cultural riches, and redefine what liberation and agency look like—one bonafide Hoochie at a time.
Listeners are encouraged to chime in with questions, stories, and connections—because ‘getting grown’ is always a communal practice.
Connect with Zorine Truly & Hoochie Con:
- Website: hoochicon.com
- Merch: (Hand-printed, by hoochie. Period.)
- Next Hoochie Con: 2027, location TBA (watch for city announcements)
- Social: Instagram @hoochiehistorian
Final Words:
“There are no white hoochies.” — Zorine
“Moisturize your mind and your skin. Mind your business. Your Black will crack if it’s dry and problematic and anti-Black.” — Kia
(For petitions to have the word “phthalate” banned, please apply at the kitchen table.)