Grits and Eggs Podcast, Episode 123

Guest: Ashley Allison
Host: Deante’ Kyle
Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This rich and wide-ranging episode features Deante’ Kyle in conversation with media executive and advocate Ashley Allison. The two dig into pop culture, independent Black media, gatekeeping, collaboration, the significance of owning intellectual property, and the transformative power of Black stories. The conversation moves fluidly through Ashley’s unconventional career arc—from teaching in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn to law school, to the Obama White House, to becoming a significant new owner in Black-led media. This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, vulnerability, and the importance of building platforms for community and collective growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Gatekeeping, Scarcity Mindset & Black Collaboration

• Scarcity and Community Mindset:
  • Ashley and Deante’ discuss how poverty and lack can create a sense of scarcity, leading people to guard opportunity rather than open doors for others.
  • “There's so many doors that are not locked, that are locked. There's so many doors we don't even know about. Why are we, like, pulling it close? To keep you out. ... We can grow together.” (A, 05:39)
• Collaboration over Competition:
  • Both emphasize the necessity of supporting emerging creatives without gatekeeping.
  • “I don't gain anything by holding people out.” (B, 06:22)

Ownership & The Evolution of Black Media

• Owning IP:
  • Ashley speaks on her experience acquiring The Root and her deliberate effort to create fair, non-exploitative deals for Black creatives.
  • “Owning your IP is a game changer… People used to take our crafts, take our exploit as we get 5 cents on the dollar but they would own the IP.” (A, 09:00)
• Independence vs. Mainstream:
  • Deante’ shares his determination to stay independent to control his voice and content.
  • “I like being able to say whatever I wanna say. And the only person that can lose is me.” (B, 08:10)

Pan-Africanism & the Power of Broader Collaboration

• Niche vs. Expansiveness:
  • Isolation limits potential—whether in media, culture, or activism.
  • “If you isolate yourself from people, not only are you easier to exploit, you're easier to attack, you're easier to divide, but you also like lack the strengths of collaboration.” (B, 12:00)
• Sports as Analogy:
  • Ashley compares limited recruiting in sports to the risks of insular thinking in media/politics: “If you narrow your talent pool, if you narrow your idea pool... you're going to lose.” (A, 13:06)

Ashley Allison’s Career Journey

• From Ohio State to Brooklyn Classrooms:
  • “If you can get a high school student to follow your instructions, you can get the president of the United States to follow your instructions.” (A, 16:36)
• Discovering True Passions:
  • Ashley realized her drive was not classroom teaching, but fixing systemic injustices she witnessed as an educator.
  • Her pivot to law school came from wanting to address systemic issues like police violence and housing displacement.

Organizing & Political Impact

• Obama Campaign:
  • Ashley’s organizing grew Black voter turnout in Ohio by 4% from 2008 to 2012, using creative, collaborative strategies learned as a teacher lacking resources (A, 20:10–20:39).
• Flow State and Purpose:
  • The feeling of finding true purpose—a “flow state”—infuses both their work and life.
  • “You can't bottle that up.” (B, 23:15)
  • “But that is. That piece of me is some. A piece that a lot of people don't know about. But I have a very strong spiritual and mental practice to stay clear, to get in the flow.” (A, 25:13)

The Case for Diverse Leadership in Government

• Beyond Lawyers:
  • Both challenge the dominance of lawyers in politics, calling for more teachers, doctors, STEM workers, and others to run for office and shape policy.
  • “I don't want a lawyer talking to me about nutrition.” (B, 34:10)
  • “You don't tell a story...with one character. ... People who are in STEM, people who are in the arts, people who are in law...should all explore opportunities to work in public service.” (A, 38:07)

Vulnerability, Representation, and Literacy

• Normalizing Struggle and Learning:
  • The hosts discuss the importance of admitting what you don't know and making growth visible—citing Kasanet’s public literacy journey as a positive example.
  • “It takes a certain amount of bravery to admit you don't know. Yeah, but also, this is the pathway to intelligence.” (B, 44:35)
• The Power of Representation:
  • Black boys seeing figures they relate to—like Kasanet—struggle and improve is key for future generations.

The Root 100 & Celebrating Black Excellence

• Impostor Syndrome & Validation:
  • Deante’ describes feeling nervous about being honored but ultimately recognizes his place in the room.
  • “You crushed it, though.” (A, 48:07)
  • “It is fine for you to feel nervous going into that room, but I also feel like: talk your shit.” (A, 49:35)
• Designing Black Joy in Hard Times:
  • The Root 100 event—a room full of Black achievement and joy—was intentionally crafted as a space for celebration, even as the world outside faces challenges.
  • “The world can be in shambles, and you can still have fun.” (A, 54:05)
  • “As the Great Depression is happening, so is the Harlem Renaissance.” (B, 54:33)

The Urgency & Future of Independent Black Media

• Why Tell Our Own Stories:
  • “Somebody is going to tell our story. Somebody's gonna tell it. So why not it be us?” (A, 60:47)
• Watering Hole Media’s Ethos:
  • The platform aims to be intergenerational, intersectional, and open to all perspectives, not a monolith.
  • “We always say Black people are not a monolith, but we often make people operate monolithically.” (A, 61:53)
• The Importance of Safe Spaces and Authentic Platforms:
  • Both stress the need for safe, supportive, non-exploitative forums for Black thinkers and creators.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Owning your IP is a game-changer.” (A, 09:00)
• “If you isolate yourself from people, not only are you easier to exploit, you're easier to attack, you're easier to divide...” (B, 12:00)
• “If you can get a high school student to follow your instructions, you can get the president of the United States to follow your instructions.” (A, 16:36)
• “It takes a certain amount of bravery to admit you don't know. ... This is the pathway to intelligence.” (B, 44:27–44:35)
• “The world can be in shambles, and you can still have fun.” (A, 54:05)
• “As the Great Depression is happening, so is the Harlem Renaissance.” (B, 54:33)
• “Somebody is going to tell our story. Somebody's gonna tell it. So why not it be us?” (A, 60:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Scarcity Mindset & Black Gatekeeping: 03:39–06:46
• On Ownership & IP: 08:48–10:16
• Pan-Africanism & Sports Analogy: 11:24–14:18
• Ashley’s Career Path (teaching, pivot to law): 14:26–18:25
• Obama Campaign, Organizing: 20:08–21:20
• Finding Your Flow State & Spiritual Practices: 23:15–25:33
• Should Government Only Be Lawyers?: 33:28–39:46
• Vulnerability & Representation (Kasanet’s Literacy): 43:10–45:45
• Impostor Syndrome at Root 100: 47:04–49:35
• Black Joy vs. Hard Times & The Harlem Renaissance: 54:05–55:20
• Why Black-owned Media Matters: 60:40–61:53

The Importance of This Conversation

This episode is overflowing with wisdom on building, owning, and sharing Black spaces; the necessity for collaboration over competition; and the critical need for diverse Black voices in media and public life. The rapport between Deante’ and Ashley brings out both laughter and depth, from stories of career pivots and parties to the reality of being seen on the biggest stages. The call to empower, encourage, and tell one’s own story underscores every moment.

Episode Links

• The Root: theroot.com
• Watering Hole Media: (Find on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok)
• Ashley Allison on Twitter/Instagram: @ashleyrallison

For anyone building, dreaming, or striving: let this episode be inspiration to take up space, build new tables, and remember the joy, even when the world outside is heavy.