Joe and Jada Podcast

Episode: Jesse Williams on BLM & BET Awards Speech, 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Hotel Costiera'
Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Fat Joe & Jadakiss
Guest: Jesse Williams

Episode Overview

This lively episode features actor, activist, and former educator Jesse Williams, best known for his role on "Grey's Anatomy" and his passionate speech at the BET Awards. Joe, Jada, and Jesse dive deep into Jesse's upbringing, his journey as a Black biracial American, the importance of teaching Black history, activism in entertainment, and his new international project, "Hotel Costiera." The trio mixes humor, real talk, and cultural reflection, making for an episode that is both insightful and entertaining.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesse Williams’ Upbringing & Identity (04:35–07:51)

• Chicago Roots: Jesse discusses growing up in 80s Chicago during the crack era, describing it as "rough" but formative.
  • “That shit was rough. I mean, that was the 80s crack era Chicago.” – Jesse Williams (04:44)
• Move to Massachusetts & Temple: Leaving Chicago for Massachusetts after his parents’ divorce, Jesse talks about his adaptability and blending in with a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
• Temple University Era: Jesse reminisces about Temple University during the Neo-Soul movement, mentioning contemporaries like The Roots, Jill Scott, and Common.
  • “There was just like, this renaissance. Free shows everywhere... Real music. Place to be — ill hip-hop all the time.” – Jesse Williams (05:53)
• Teaching in Philly: Williams describes teaching high school kids in inner-city Philadelphia as “the best job I ever had,” emphasizing his passion for education and positive impact on youth.

2. The Critical Need for Black History in Education (07:51–12:26)

• Jesse details his efforts to infuse African and African-American history into his teaching, noting the transformative effect on students' confidence and sense of belonging.
  • “Every class… I would have turned everything into African history. And it was beautiful. It just changed everything.” – Jesse Williams (07:46)
• The hosts and guest reflect on historical erasure within the US education system, like the omission of Emmett Till and Black inventors from textbooks.
  • “None of this shit works if they know... what we created.” – Jesse Williams (08:43)
• Jesse and the hosts share examples of Black innovation, from the traffic light (Garrett Morgan) to advances in medicine (Charles Drew).

3. Hip-Hop: Then and Now – Consciousness in Music (13:03–17:47)

• The crew critiques the shift in hip-hop from conscious and socially aware lyricism to today’s focus on materialism and drug use.
  • “It just went from an art form that was created by poor people… and now people is all thinking about…it’s a bag, it’s a lick. They're not preserving the culture." – Fat Joe (15:07)
• They discuss the influence of early artists (KRS-One, Public Enemy) versus today, pondering how to reinspire meaningful, positive messages in music.
• “We have to remember, make anti-Blackness…uncool.” – Jesse Williams (16:33)

4. Jesse’s Journey into Acting (18:31–23:14)

• Unplanned Path: Jesse entered acting in his late twenties after working various jobs, including in law firms and education.
• Diversity Showcases: He credits an ABC diversity showcase for his initial break, where non-white actors were spotlighted.
  • “I never took an acting class...I didn’t even want to be an actor.” – Jesse Williams (18:36)
• Typecasting: Jesse’s first roles typecast him as criminal characters, reflecting the industry’s limited imagination for Black actors.
  • “My first like seven auditions were like robbing white people...” – Jesse Williams (20:04)
• He emphasizes passing on roles he deems stereotypical or detrimental to his community.
  • “I'm not doing that’s detrimental to my people... Many times I've had to tell agents and producers: that's just racist.” – Jesse Williams (22:02)

5. Staying True to Himself – Activism and BET Awards Speech (28:10–32:44)

• Fat Joe recounts being moved by Jesse’s BET Awards speech. Jesse discusses balancing high-profile acting work with outspoken activism, especially concerning Black Lives Matter, describing the fearlessness that comes from his upbringing.
• Jesse recalls facing threats and calls for his firing, commending Shonda Rhimes (creator of "Grey’s Anatomy") for supporting him.
  • “Having a Black boss is very valuable in moments like that.” – Jesse Williams (25:17)
• “I'm not scared of white people. And so many of us are terrified of white folks at the real core of it, because it's a scary, powerful hammer that can flatten you..." – Jesse Williams (29:16)

6. Race, Identity & Self-Love (51:36–54:14)

• Jesse offers advice for biracial youth seeking identity, emphasizing spending time with the Black community and not letting external narratives divide or diminish self-worth.
  • “You can't go wrong. Just get with your people.” – Jesse Williams (51:51)
• “It's just spreading love, loving yourself enough to demand respect. There's no people in the history of the world that have ever gotten respect that don't respect themselves and don't demonstrate it.” – Jesse Williams (53:34)
• The discussion also touches on the pressures and confusion caused by modern media’s “us vs. them” narratives.

7. New Project: "Hotel Costiera" (40:50–44:35)

• Jesse introduces his new Prime Video show, "Hotel Costiera," set on Italy's Amalfi Coast.
  • “A lot of my life is real serious...I wanted to make something light...there’s a big, big, beautiful world out there.” – Jesse Williams (40:55)
• He stars as Daniel DeLuca, a former Marine navigating an adventure-mystery in a luxury hotel, in a multilingual, multicultural setting.
• The conversation shifts to the joys of international travel and cultural appreciation, peppered with Fat Joe’s humorous take on flying and global cuisine.

8. Cultural Comedy: Classic Sitcom Face-Off (54:25–56:00)

• The episode closes with the trio debating classic Black sitcoms—Cosby Show vs. Good Times, Sanford & Son vs. Wayans Brothers, and Fresh Prince vs. Different Strokes—highlighting generational touchstones and nostalgic moments.
  • “Cosby show is one of the greatest sitcoms ever.” – Jesse Williams (54:29)
  • “Sanford and Son... that boy was the—That’s Red Fox.” – Jesse Williams (55:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Teaching and History:
  "The whole hustle of this society and white supremacy — the con doesn't work if you actually understand the role, the contributions that Black folks... Actual history is the foundation of all this shit." – Jesse Williams (08:43)

• On Typecasting:
  "My first like seven auditions were like robbing white people in New York shows... Damn, y'all. Like, this is the only way." – Jesse Williams (20:04)

• On the BET Awards speech and activism:
  "To have such an intelligent person as the creator [Shonda Rhimes], as somebody you can look up to and talk to...when I gave that BET speech...she was like, hell no, that's not happening. Having a Black boss is very valuable in moments like that." – Jesse Williams (25:17)

• On Role Choices:
  "My job is to not be me...but I'm not doing that's detrimental to my people." – Jesse Williams (22:00)

• On Biracial Identity:
  "It ain't us versus them ... It's just spreading love, loving yourself enough to demand respect." – Jesse Williams (53:34)

• On "Hotel Costiera":
  "I wanted to make something that was kind of like growing up as a kid. I liked action movies ... Former Marine ... hotel owner's daughter goes missing ... he’s hired to find her... in this beautiful Amalfi Coast." – Jesse Williams (41:00–41:44)

• Humor and Chemistry:
  "If I had hair right now, first of all, my name wouldn’t be Fat Joe." – Fat Joe (47:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jesse's Childhood, Chicago to Massachusetts: 04:35–05:16
• Temple University, Neo-Soul Era: 05:50–06:33
• Teaching High School in Philly: 06:45–07:51
• Black History in Schools, Culture & Inventions: 07:52–12:26
• Hip-Hop, Consciousness, and Generational Shift: 13:03–17:47
• Acting Breakthrough, Diversity Showcases: 18:31–23:14
• Rejecting Stereotypical Roles: 20:04–22:02
• BET Award Speech & Shonda Rhimes Support: 25:07–29:16
• Advice for Biracial Youth: 51:36–54:14
• "Hotel Costiera" Show Intro: 40:50–44:35
• Sitcom Face-Off, Cultural Debate: 54:25–56:00

Overall Tone

The episode blends raw honesty with wit, characteristic banter between Joe and Jada, and Jesse Williams' thoughtful, grounded reflections. The chemistry is palpable—whether unpacking serious systemic issues or laughing over travel mishaps and sitcom nostalgia.

Episode Summary

A must-listen for fans of hip-hop, Black culture, and Jesse Williams, this episode is both inspiring and entertaining, covering everything from educational reform and music culture to Hollywood stereotypes and global experiences. Williams advocates for self-love, community connection, and taking risks, while the hosts bring humor and realness to every topic.

Check out Jesse Williams in "Hotel Costiera" on Prime Video.