The Breakfast Club: "Rooting For Everyone Black"

Episode Date: March 16, 2026
Host: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts
Featured Guests: Lauren LaRosa, Dr. Moore, Ciara

Episode Overview

This episode is a celebration and deep-dive into Black excellence at the Oscars and the critical role of pop culture in amplifying health conversations, particularly around HIV prevention. Lauren LaRosa gives her unique perspective on the groundbreaking moments from this year’s Oscars and the power of representation. The episode also features a candid, insightful panel discussion from SXSW with Ciara and Dr. Moore, exploring the intersection of music, media, and public health, urging listeners to break taboos and advocate for their communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oscars 2026: Wins, Representation, and Moments that Matter ([03:02]–[07:33])

• Celebrating Black Achievements:

  • Teyana Taylor’s performance and nomination for Best Supporting Actress is praised, despite her not taking home the trophy. Lauren says her energy shows that “Sis already won. She understood the assignment. She did award season very fashionably, very clean.” ([03:34])
  • Significant Oscar milestones: Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor at his first nomination, Ryan Coogler wins Original Screenplay — historic victories for Black creatives.

• Reflection on Awards’ Importance:

  • Lauren urges listeners to “think about what causing the conversation means,” highlighting how just being nominated breaks barriers for future generations.

  • Notable Quote:

    “As much as people say this stuff doesn’t matter, I feel like this stuff matters. It puts your work amongst the greats and hangs them in great places.”
    — Lauren LaRosa ([07:33])

  • Discussing how rarely Black directors win: “If Ryan Coogler had won best director, he would have been the first Black man to win best director in 98 years of the Oscars.” ([07:45])

• Michael B. Jordan on the Value of Recognition:

  • Notable Quote:

    “My father always told me, don’t expect anything to be handed to you. Do the work, and everything else is going to figure itself out...you can’t take anybody’s blessings away from anybody else. So I’m just, like, walking my path, man, and just trying to be locked in.”
    — Michael B. Jordan, via Lauren ([06:03])

2. SXSW “Real Conversations” — Ciara, Dr. Moore, and Lauren on Music & HIV Stigma ([07:33]–[41:44])

Music as a Vehicle for Change

• Ciara Pushes the Conversation Forward:

  • Using her hit “1, 2 Step” in an HIV awareness campaign, Ciara discusses how music and pop culture are perfect entry points for important conversations.

  • Notable Quote:

    “I’ve always said there’s the three M’s of the most powerful forces on earth: Music, money, and medicine. And…music can be a healing source for those that may be suffering from terminal illnesses that medicine can’t even cure.”
    — Ciara ([16:35])

  • Lauren notes:

    “If you’re having conversations the right way and you’re utilizing pop culture the right way, you can literally change somebody’s life.” ([15:31])

The Power — and Responsibility — of Media & Platforms

• Leveraging Influence:
  • Ciara and Lauren agree it’s vital for those with platforms to normalize health conversations and use music/media to end taboos.
  • “There’s something about the power of urban pop culture. Pop culture is able to...sometimes the message just travels faster through music.” — Ciara ([16:35])
  • “If you have a platform, that is the best thing that you could do for people because there’s so much other noise out there.” — Lauren ([31:13])

Breaking Down HIV Prevention Myths

• Sobering Stats:

  • Dr. Moore shares that in 2023, Black women accounted for 50% of new HIV diagnoses, yet less than 2% were using PrEP as prevention. ([28:59])

  • Notable Quote:

    “Knowing is the most important thing. Once you know, we have treatment, we have prevention available, that HIV is not a death sentence.”
    — Dr. Moore ([28:20])

  • Ciara adds it’s not just a Black issue; the Latino community is also heavily impacted. ([30:07])

  • Both stress that sharing stories and facts is crucial—hearing firsthand accounts (like Hadiya’s) changes perceptions and saves lives. ([33:13])

Addressing Stigma & Accessibility

• Cultural Barriers:
  • Lauren admits many in her group chat have never even discussed getting tested; she raises the importance of “dumb questions” and safe spaces to learn. ([26:04])
  • The group discusses the fear of knowing one’s status and urges moving past this for the sake of empowerment and health. ([28:20])
• Advocacy Amid Policy Rollbacks:
  • As some states roll back support for HIV care, Dr. Moore and Ciara call for doubling down on advocacy and ensuring health messages reach where “they need to go.” ([39:52–41:35])
  • Notable Quote:

    “We have to make noise. We have to make ourselves big enough to be seen and be heard and for that impact to be felt at that level.”
    — Dr. Moore ([40:29])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Lauren LaRosa:

  "To use [the song] to have a conversation that should belong to everybody as well, I think it was a great correlation, and it’s catchy. So that works." ([14:48])

• Ciara:

  "My legacy...the thread through is my health. If I don't have my health right, then I can't be great in all those areas." ([25:19])

• On Storytelling & Advocacy:

  “We gotta just, it’s on us now. Like we just gotta do it.” — Lauren LaRosa ([34:41])

• On the urgency of communication:

  “Culture and media is like our love language amongst all of us…so if you’re on these platforms, like, tell people…what are you really providing for people?” — Lauren LaRosa ([41:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:02–07:33]: Lauren recaps Oscars results, historic wins, significance
• [07:33–10:04]: Discussion of why representation and conversation matter; Michael B. Jordan’s perspective
• [14:03–17:41]: SXSW: How “1, 2 Step” became “1, 2 PrEP” — using music in health messaging
• [18:19–20:22]: Music as a catalyst in healthcare education; personal caregiving and spreading information
• [24:08–26:04]: Making health “cool,” confidence through staying informed about one’s status
• [28:20–29:37]: Data on Black women and HIV, underutilization of PrEP
• [39:52–41:44]: Policy barriers to HIV care, need for media advocacy and cultural action

Conclusion

This episode balances celebratory energy with urgent calls to action. The wins at the Oscars signal progress but also highlight ongoing gaps in representation. The SXSW panel makes clear the power of pop culture and music for igniting change—especially crucial as some states restrict access to HIV care. Listeners are called to leverage their platforms and voices, educate themselves and others, and keep pushing for health equity and deeper conversations in the community.