Juneteenth Joy: Celebrating Our Stories, Our Freedom & Our Future

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Latest with Loren LoRosa
Episode: Juneteenth Joy — Celebrating Our Stories, Our Freedom & Our Future
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Host: Loren LaRosa
Network: The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This Juneteenth special centers Black stories, storytellers, and the essential act of celebrating Black joy, resilience, and culture. Loren LaRosa reflects on the profound history of Juneteenth, highlights its modern-day significance, and curates moving conversations with Black creatives—actor Jason Weaver, producer and actress Marsai Martin, and podcaster/actress Crystal Renee Hayslett. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful exchanges, the episode explores generational progress, the importance of authentic storytelling, and navigating both challenges and victories in Black life and media.

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Key Topics & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why Juneteenth and Black Storytelling Matter

(03:00 – 11:30)

• Loren expresses pride in intentionally platforming Black stories, rooted in her upbringing and family traditions around Juneteenth, which “have always been consistent in our family, even before people was getting off work for it."
• Powerful contextualization of Juneteenth's meaning and origins, highlighting:
  • The delay in freedom despite the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and Civil War’s end.
  • The importance of information access and community building for Black liberation—then and now.
  • Juneteenth’s recognition as a federal holiday only in 2021, underscoring ongoing delays and denials for Black Americans.

"If you let it, if you allow people to tell you who you are and who you are not, if you allow people to hide information and education from you, they will always be able to control you." — Loren LaRosa, (06:49)

• Celebration of Black joy as “something at the forefront of our lives,” set alongside a call to continue conversations about ongoing inequities.

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Honoring Dr. Opal Lee, “Grandmother of Juneteenth”

(11:30 – 13:05)

• Loren replays a message from Dr. Opal Lee, honoring her years of activism leading up to Juneteenth’s federal recognition.
• Dr. Lee and President Biden are remembered for making Juneteenth official in 2021.

"Black history is America's history. And you know, what is being denied and delayed when it comes to black people isn't a black people’s problem. It's an American problem." — Loren LaRosa, (11:10)

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Featured Conversations with Black Creatives

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1. Elevating Black Community Through Storytelling: Jason Weaver ('The Chi')

(15:13 – 25:23)

Topics Explored:

• The Importance of Authentic Representation:
  • Weaver celebrates ‘The Chi’ for offering nuanced depictions of Chicago, balancing acknowledgment of hardship with warmth, beauty, and communal strength.
  • He credits Lena Waithe and the creative team for combating reductive mainstream narratives.

"We are showing the beauty of the community. We are showing the solidarity and the unity that does exist...There's also communities there with heart...stories that have never been told, they've never been acknowledged, and they haven't been told in a...beautiful way." — Jason Weaver, (17:54)

• Career Growth & Uncertainty:

  • Shares how his character transitioned from “recurring” to “series regular,” shaped by story, fan response, and showrunner trust.
  • Discusses the unpredictability of his role on ‘The Chi’ and Lena Waithe’s ethos: "Nothing's guaranteed. Nobody's guaranteed." (22:32)

• Impact on Viewers:

  • Weaver reflects on the significance of telling stories of formerly incarcerated men, and the resonance that honest representation brings to viewers.

"Not a lot of those stories are told from an honest and respectful point of view...through, you know, watching the show in some kind of way, it maybe gave them, you know, some additional insight or maybe gave them, you know, some more hope..." — Jason Weaver, (23:35)

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2. Youthful Ambition & Intentionality: Marsai Martin on Creative Empowerment

(25:23 – 39:00)

Topics Explored:

• Early Start & Navigating Industry Challenges:
  • Marsai began acting at 5, experiencing sacrifices like relocation and shifts in education.
  • Details the nuanced, behind-the-scenes barriers for young Black artists, like authentic hair care and emotional adaptation.

"A lot of people don't know how to do black people's hair. And then when, you know, we're able to fix that with the amazing Roxy Lindsey...there's so many things that you could talk about and...relate to." — Marsai Martin, (26:42)

• The Power of Self-Knowledge:
  • Encourages young creatives to “constantly learn yourself. Don’t rush your process,” describing journaling and voice memos for self-reflection.

“Before saying what I had to say to everybody else...I had to learn...because I was a person that would say something, and then someone would ask me why, and I was like, I don't know." — Marsai Martin, (31:13)

• Shift to Producing & Building for Others:

  • Describes the transformative experience of developing and starring in 'Little' at age 13, leading to founding her own production company.

• Major Advice:

  • Stresses the importance of connections, trusted teams, and following your heart.

"What's for you is what's for you, and what's for you won't miss you...I realized, like, you know, as long as I follow my path, as long as I trust in God...no pressure, just do what is at hand." — Marsai Martin, (36:18)

Memorable Moment

• Marsai and her mom share the significance of “using your resources”—turning networks and opportunities into real outcomes.

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3. Spaces for Healing & Sisterhood: Conversation with Crystal Renee Hayslett (‘Keep It Positive Sweetie’ Podcast)

(41:45 – 52:00)

Topics Explored:

• Creating Space for Vulnerability:
  • Loren celebrates Crystal’s unique ability to foster real, nonjudgmental, heartfelt conversation, breaking away from both trauma-only narratives and empty glamour.

"I really enjoy people who just give you a breath of fresh air sometimes...it's always amazing when there are spaces...that allow you to take that off and just feel and just be a person." — Loren LaRosa, (41:45)

• Conflict, Empathy, and Sisterhood in Black Media:
  • Loren recounts her own professional conflicts (TMZ, Breakfast Club), emphasizing empathy, business realism, and public perceptions of tension between Black women.

"I want to show people that...you can have a issue, but, like, we don't have to allow it to, like...at the end of the day, you going to go through some things that only I will understand. I'm gonna go through some things that only you will understand, because we're both here in this space. We look like each other." — Loren LaRosa, (48:39)

• Advocating for Collaboration:
  • Stresses the need to reject false scarcity (“it’s us or nothing”) and encourage partnership and mutual uplifitng in Black media.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “To me, you know, I think it's always gold to see those stories be told by people who have the same mission and that same energy of, you know, what is the why and how do we keep the progression going?” — Loren LaRosa, (05:20)
• “Black history is America's history. And...what is being denied and delayed when it comes to black people isn't a black people’s problem. It's an American problem.” — Loren LaRosa, (11:10)
• "We are showing the beauty of the community. We are showing the solidarity and the unity that does exist..." — Jason Weaver, (17:54)
• "Don't rush your process. I think it definitely helps in the long run and just your growth as a whole..." — Marsai Martin, (32:38)
• “What's for you is what's for you, and what's for you won't miss you.” — Marsai Martin, (36:18)
• "We gotta learn that, like, it's us or it's nothing. They cutting platforms. They taking Black people out of media. They... they're shutting our voices down. They don't want people like me and Jess." — Loren LaRosa, (51:30)

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Segment Timestamps for Key Discussions

• Juneteenth history and reflection: 03:00 – 11:30
• Dr. Opal Lee’s message & context: 11:30 – 13:05
• Jason Weaver on ‘The Chi’ and community: 15:13 – 25:23
• Marsai Martin at Howard & creative empowerment: 25:23 – 39:00
• Crystal Renee Hayslett: Representation, sisterhood, empathy: 41:45 – 52:00

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Conclusion: Celebration, Rest, and Continuity

(54:32 – End)
Loren closes by encouraging listeners, especially Black listeners, to claim joy, rest, and pride—not just in struggle, but in the kaleidoscope of Black experiences and achievement. She reminds the audience:

“I hope you’re listening to this conversation and you’re feeling happy and proud to be Black and happy and proud to…feel like that. I tell you guys, every single episode, y’all could be anywhere, but y’all always choose to be right here with me. I appreciate that so much.”

Happy Juneteenth!

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This summary covers all major content and conversations, excludes ad reads and generic promos, and highlights the impactful, lively, and intentional tone of the speakers throughout the Juneteenth celebratory episode.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Marseille Martin]

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[Jason Weaver]

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[Marseille Martin]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Radhi Devlukia]

The answer?

[Lauren LaRosa]

The ingredients. But fear not true crime enthusiasts. This story has a happy Ending Miracle grow organic raised bed in garden soil. It's made with quality organic ingredients from

[Marseille Martin]

upcycled green waste like compost and aged bark.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Unlike the other guys who can't say the same.

[Marseille Martin]

Looks like bad dirt's murdering days are

[Lauren LaRosa]

over, thanks to miracle gro. Join us next time on plant killers. I'm the home girl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody, you

[Marseille Martin]

know, if you don't lie about that, right?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Lauren came in hot. Hey, y'.

[Marseille Martin]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daddy D on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now, today, we are blackity, blackity black, y'. All. I mean, we black every day. It's the black effect, period. Like, we are so intentional. I am so intentional about a lot of things that I do in my life, but especially when it comes to platforming. Growing up in a household that was black as hell and a family that was black as hell. Juneteenth and the celebration of Juneteenth have always been something that have been consistent in our family, even before people was getting off work for it. So I'm really excited today to bring you guys this episode and center black storytellers and storytelling and black storytellers who are doing it in a way that is a progression. I think, you know, we can have various conversations about whether or not you love every black story you see or how it's told or, you know, do we lean into trauma? Do we lean in the joy? I think, you know, black people are full of so much of everything, from the good, the bad, the ugly. And our stories deserve to be told because it all stems from a place, a place of not the opposite of progression, a place of being held down, a place of being told what we could not do and how we could not do it and being put in positions, you know, from the abilities to not be able to do things like vote or learn or read or, you know, even get together in community and fellowship because we were looked at as threats if and when we did. It all stems from that. So to me, you know, I think it's always gold to see those stories be told by people who have the same mission and that same energy of, you know, what is the why and how do we keep the progression going? By understanding that our stories stem from something that is so deep, over 400 years deep. And that's what we're going to do today. On the Latest with Lauren LaRosa, the podcast. Y' all love the conversations that shake the room. And today I will be highlighting them, a few of them that we've been blessed to have here at the Latest with Lauren LaRosa on the podcast. Now I want to talk a bit about Juneteenth before we get into the highlighting of those interviews. And latest. And normally here at the latest with Lauren laros that we check in behind the scenes of the grind, which is where we ask the question, how are you really doing? Like, what's the check in? Like? So today we're going to check in behind the scenes of the ground, but we're going to educate. We're going to talk about what is Juneteenth and why it's important to celebrate. Let's get into it. So Juneteenth officially is the celebration marking the day, June 19, 1865, where the Union, under the leadership of Gordon Granger, arrived to slaves in Galveston, Texas, and informed them that they were free, that they were no longer enslaved people. Now, this is important because we know about the Emancipation proclamation that happened January 1, 1863, and we know that the civil war ended in April of 1865. So a lot of people are probably wondering, well, how were there people that were still enslaved? Well, like I said, black people weren't allowed to do much. And I know you guys have heard these stories where, you know, we weren't allowed to educate, we weren't allowed to read. They limited how much we, you know, were able to. To build community and. And talk amongst each other. And our information traveled, which is why things like the underground railroad, you know, created, you know, people who traveled the underground railroad created their own languages and songs and passageways and ways to communicate and signal various things because the people that were keeping us down knew that the more that we could educate, the more that we could fellowship, the more that we could come together, the more that we could understand and know about ourselves and the more that we knew what should be awarded to us, things would change and we could no longer be owned or controlled. But legally, we were no longer supposed to be being owned or controlled. But the message was delayed. And yes, so this was one year after the Senate passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery on April 18, 1864, when those slaves in Texas were alerted six months after it was passed in the House on January 31, 1865. But the people, the powers that be in Texas, they knew. They knew what was going on. They knew what was up, but they chose not to. Because, again. And it's so crazy how, like, you know, some of the monikers from those day, from. From that day in that time still exist today within our communities. If you let it, if you allow people to tell you who you are and who you are not, if you allow people to hide information and education from you, they will always be able to control you. And I know then back in 1865, it wasn't about what was allowed because people were literally being slaughtered and killed. Families were being separated. People were being sold as if they were pieces of cloth, you know, so we didn't have much to try and rebel with, even though there were people that did, that tried, that successfully did. But those stories are not told. But, you know, I think celebrating holidays like Juneteenth are So important, number one, because I think all days of the year, 365, Black Joy should be something at the forefront of our lives. But if not all days, I think of all the holidays, Juneteenth, you know, is one of them where it should be, you know, just a day of joy, because you have the right to literally, if no other reason why, just because of that. But also, I think it's a day to continue to have the conversations of the fact that there were things that were denied then and delayed then when it came to the freedom and the allowance and what was allowed of black people. And there are still things being denied and delayed today in 2026. So when we're having these celebrations today, when we are being blacky, blackity, black, y', all, when we are talking about Juneteenth, it is important to understand why we are doing it and. And to know where to put our foot down and to still rebel and have conversations and push back against certain things that we are not seeing today, although very different, and we always are, you know, so thankful and honor our ancestors who made that a possibility for us, which is, you know, I think, where the joy of this holiday comes from. It's like we've been through so much. Our people before us, enslaved people before us, people that lost their lives, fighting to make sure we had what we have now, went through so much that we deserve to celebrate and. And just feel a peace of mind for that, although there is still more work to do. You know what I mean? So today, I want this episode to feel like that behind the scenes of the grind. You know, normally on Juneteenth, I'm out, I'm celebrating, I'm barbecuing, I'm a, you know, electric sliding Today, I'm literally just taking the time to rest and to be with family and people I love and that be my joy and my peace for the day, but also just really being grateful and thankful for what I, as a black woman, am allowed to accomplish and do in the world today and thinking about the people who made that possible for me to be able to do that. There was a video that was posted by Shonda Rhimes last year on Juneteenth that I saved to put on the podcast here today, but also repost across social media this year for Juneteenth. And the video is of Dr. Opal Lee. She is also known as the Grandmother Juneteenth. She spent a lifetime advocating for Juneteenth's national recognition through decades of grassroots work because it's a federal holiday and some people, not all do have work off work on this day, but this didn't happen until 2021. That's what I mean by things being delayed. For us still, even though we celebrate what we get, we are very honest about what we still are owed. So in. In 2021, Dr. Opal's efforts were honored as she stood beside President Biden when Juneteenth was finally signed into law. Black history is America's history. And you know, what is being denied and delayed when it comes to black people isn't a black people's problem. It's an American problem. We should always put that at the forefront of our celebrations today and every day and of our conversations. So let's take a listen to Dr. Opali and then we'll get into some other conversations with, you know, some black creators and artists that are doing the work through, through their storytelling, like Marseille Martin, like Jason Weaver, like podcaster and actress Crystal Renee Hayslett. Let's take a listen to Dr. Opali. There may be some of you who don't know what Juneteenth is. The enslaved in Texas were told they were free for two and a half

[Jason Weaver]

years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed them. They watched at churches and they pray

[Lauren LaRosa]

for freedom to come.

[Jason Weaver]

And it finally did when General Gordon

[Lauren LaRosa]

Granger and 7,000 colored troops from New

[Jason Weaver]

Jersey and New York made their way to Galveston, Texas.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And he read General order number three

[Jason Weaver]

that said all slaves suffering.

[Lauren LaRosa]

When those people came in from their

[Jason Weaver]

labor and somebody read that to them, we started celebrating. And we've been celebrating everything.

[Marseille Martin]

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[Radhi Devlukia]

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[Marseille Martin]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Radhi Devlukia]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

All right y', all, now it's time to get into the conversations that are going to shake the room as if the room has not already been shaken. Okay, if you are not feeling, you know, educated about Juneteenth and like as a black person, you know, you getting all the hugs and all the loves and all the things so far in this episode, the the rest of this conversation will definitely do that for you. So let's get on into a conversation that I had with Jason Weaver. Now we know Jason Weaver as the voice of young Simba in the Lion King. Just can't wait to be king. We've heard the story about the amazing business deal that set him up for a lifetime of amazing payment that his mom negotiated around that time for him. But more recently, we have seen him portray a character in this. In the Shy a. A show that. That is entering its eighth and final season, created by an amazing black storyteller, Lena Waith. And the Shy does an amazing job of talking about Chicago, which is an inner city that is often talked about. So dark and so cold. And, you know, you hear about the, you know, the number of black people killing black people and all those. All those things. But this show adds warmth and love and community and substance and presence of real community to Chicago. And Jason Weaver's character, Shy does an amazing job of showing a man trying to come up against the odds in the midst of all of that. So let's talk to him a bit or flashback to when I talked to him a little bit. And you guys can catch this full episode on a previous episode of the ladies with Lauren LaRosa if you want it. But here is a preview of that conversation. Let's get into it. So you talk a bit about, you know, just being from Chicago and the authenticity of the show and all the things I think a common question I hear the casket ask are like, you know, how do you keep it authentic? And, you know, stuff like that. But what are some of the, like, responsibilities that you feel as a person that, you know, I. I got a chance to talk to the younger cast. Right. And I know a lot of them are from Chicago. But you being older, seeing the changing of times of how black television goes from something like a Steve Harvey show to, you know, what we do or don't have now, and you're from Chicago, it's like a double whammy there. It's like you understand the importance of a show like the shot, but you also are from Chicago, understand the importance of that as well, too. So what you. What are you dealing with when you're walking on set day to day because of that?

[Jason Weaver]

Oh, man, that's another great question. I think that one of the things I'm most proud of with our show and being in Chicago is that, you know, we explore the elements of violence in street life.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Jason Weaver]

Which is a reality in Chicago. And everybody knows that. That seems to be amplified more in mainstream media than anything when people are referencing Chicago. But one of the things that I'm really, really proud about is that we are showing the beauty of the community. We are showing the solidarity and the unity that does exist in the community, you know. Yeah. The south side and west side and some of the more underserved communities in Chicago. And the Chicagoland surrounding Chicag area. Yeah. Are plagued with violence in. In certain ways. But, you know, there's also communities there with heart, like the community of Inglewood has heart in history. The community of. Of Woodlawn Park Manor, Chatham. You know, I mean, there's so many communities there that are comprised of. Of black and brown people where, you know, those stories have never been told, they've never been acknowledged, and they haven't been told in a. In a beautiful way, too, the way that they're depicted visually. You know, I think Lena and the directors and the producers do an amazing job of actually presenting the south side as a thriving, beautiful, and colorful community. You know, even when the show is, like, set in the wintertime, the things that are shot interior, they feel very warm. The homes feel welcoming. You know, the conversations within the home feel relatable, even if you're not from the south side of Chicago. So that's one the many things that makes me very proud to. To be associated with the show and represent on behalf of it as well.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So your character. First, I have a question. Last year, or maybe even been earlier this year, I can pull up the. Let me see what the date on that was. I would have to pull it back up, but I saw it was like one of the trades, obviously, like Deadline or Variety, they announced that you and what's her name, hall or Pick Word, now going to be series regulars. But you have been a regular on the show already.

[Jason Weaver]

Well, that's. That's what a lot of people. That's what a lot of people had assumed. I was always technically. Since I first came on the show on season four, I was always technically and contractually referred to as a recurring character.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Wow.

[Jason Weaver]

What. What ended up happening was is that I think, you know, because with the shy, everything is kind of unpredictable. And I think Lena plays a lot on synergy and connection and flow and authenticity in her ability to tell a story. And I just think over time, the type of character shot is or was, and how his story was so relatable to a lot of people, but also because he was so layered as a character and nuanced, you know, as a character, I think it just made for interesting stories to be built around him, and the audience responded well to that. And so over time, they just kind of kept me on.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Right.

[Jason Weaver]

And, you know, I. I think when season eight finally came around and they realized that that character in particular contributes so much to the overall story, arc and storyline of the show, that's when they decided to promote Me to series regular, which I'm very grateful for. I'm very grateful that I got the opportunity to be recognized in that regard in the last season. But even prior to that, prior to becoming a series regular, I was still very honored and proud to be a part of the show. And anything that was required of me, whether it was heavy lifting or just playing more of a supportive role, you know, I was, I was always enthusiastic, you know, to meet the challenge, because, again, you know, for me, it's about telling a great story and it's about, you know, representing something that, you know, that I believe in and that I'm proud of. So, you know, because I'm the regular

[Lauren LaRosa]

folk watching, I'm like, hold on now. I mean, did that because I want the reason why I brought that up because I was like, I know that the shy has, like, so many twists and turns in the storyline, so I wonder if you on the talent side were ever like, okay, I know I'm here, and I know I'm a part of the story, but is this something that happens just in case it'd be like, no.

[Jason Weaver]

Bang, bang. I mean, that, that's exactly what it is. I, I, you, you hit the nail on the head. I mean, you know, Lena has this saying during our table read. She was like, yeah, y', all, you know, knock out these lines, get it right. You know, sell these lines, because, you know, anything can happen on the shot. Nothing's guaranteed.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Nobody's guaranteed.

[Jason Weaver]

And, and you know, as an actor, it keeps you on edge because, you know, each and every week, you gotta come with it. You know, there's never a relaxed position that you should ever find yourself in as a creative period. But, you know, especially on that show, you were always kinda, well, man, is my character gonna make it next week? Am I gonna get killed or. And I think a lot of that was based on your performance and how the audience reacted to you and their engagement with your character. So, thankfully for me, I think, you know, a lot of people liked genuinely like, shot and could see that at his core, he was a good guy, and, and they ended up kind of rooting for him. So that gave me, you know, that, that ability to stay around a lot longer.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I think with Shot, it's like you feel like everybody, everybody has a shot in their family or knows a shot. Like somebody who just honestly is just, like, trying to do the right thing. But you, you play in the cards you were dealt to a certain extent. But you, you are you. There is a boundary or a cut off with you as a human.

[Jason Weaver]

Yes. Yes. No. It's so funny that you would mention that. I have so many. I have so many black men in particular that range in age, you know, who have dealt with similar circumstances in their personal lives, you know, that. That. That kind of run parallel maybe to what Shot has experienced even being incarcerated maybe at one point in their lives and trying to re. Enter back into society and be given a second ch. Not a lot of those stories are told from an honest and respectful point of view, you know what I mean? I think with Shot's character, it really showed in a very authentic way the obstacles that he was being confronted with and that he had to hurdle over. And even the decisions that he made in his mind, whether to sway left or right, whether to stay legit, or whether you go back into the gangster world. Even when we explored those things, they were explored in a very honest and respectful and authentic way, which I think allowed especially a lot of the. The. The black men who became later on familiar with our show find something to connect with, you know what I'm saying, in the show. So. So that was good. And I. And I was happy that I was able to serve in that regard as an actor and helping to tell that story, because, you know, that does impact me. It does matter to me when other brothers come up to me and they. And they share their stories with me and how through, you know, watching the show in some kind of way, it maybe gave them, you know, some additional insight or maybe gave them, you know, some more hope, you know, and knowing that there. There's a silver lining, that there's light at the end of the tunnel, even for them. So I'm glad that I was able to serve in that regard.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Now, next up, we have a conversation with Ms. Marseille Martin, who is one of my favorite, my favorite creators in Hollywood. And I say that all the time, not just because she's amazing as an actress and on camera, but I think, you know, she is so young, but she is so intentional. She does a lot of work in the community when it comes to HBCUs and black students and black conversations and centering, you know, people that are trying to work and continue to tell stories in Hollywood as. As black people young and old. And she's just done so much in such a little time because she's so young. But I just love her energy, I love her spirit, and I love how she cares about us. For real. For real. So we were at the campus of Howard University, which is a renowned HBCU historically Black college University. And we were having a conversation for the HBCU First Look Film Festival, which is an amazing organization that centers black storytellers and helps, you know, funding when it comes to that as well. And we talked a lot about her journey and, you know, what it looks like for her to be doing everything that she's doing and being intentional about being black while doing it. Let's take a listen. So you embarked on your career at a really young age. And we talk about, you know, in the business and being able to do all these things, but what were some of the opportunities or challenges that came with the opportunities of being in the spotlight so young?

[Marseille Martin]

Oh, my goodness. I mean, I, I will put it in perspective that I started when I was five. So the, the complications that we, we had going from, I mean, Dallas to LA and then going from Huntington beach to like Burbank, which is a two hour drive going back and forth from the studio. I mean, it was just a lot of sacrifice that came to it as it is for anybody who has a passion. And I believe, I mean, there's, there's things in the little details that like, a lot of people don't even think of, such as, like, you know, who's doing your hair? You know, how's your, how's your hair going? Look, a lot of people don't know how to do black people's hair. And then when, you know, we're able to fix that with the amazing Roxy Lindsey, who is such a, like, per. Like a perfectionist when it comes to black women hair, of course. But I mean, there's just, there's so many things that you could talk about and, you know, relate to when it comes to just what it was like growing up in that space. But I feel like just as a whole, the things that you don't even think about, such as just your childhood just switching, you know, just shifting from. With me being a little girl from Dallas, Texas, going from a public school that I was at for many years and then going to homeschool, you know, such as that and just like the different shifts that that puts on a perfect person and what it takes on. So I feel like it was a lot of changes that happened, but I think with me being an old soul and always around, I'm not gonna say old grown people all the time. I used to be around my aunties and I was like 8 years old and they was telling me about their divorce stories and stuff, and I'm like, exactly, girl. Like, this is what you have to do. So going from that to then going on a set that, you know, it's legendary, that I also saw as, like, my aunties, like Jennifer Lewis, it was basically the same thing, you know? So I think it. Just being able to kind of change my mindset at such a young age and not really thinking about how crazy the shift is from someone else who meets the eye, but just, you know, having fun, trying to find the fun in everything that I do, I think that was the most important thing.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You talk about the shift. I can't imagine at such a young age what that feeling was like. But do you remember when you were like, oh, things are different for me than the kids that I started going to school with. Like, when you kind of realize, like, okay, I'm a celebrity, these things are happening.

[Marseille Martin]

Okay, I will say when I went from my public school in Dallas, Texas, where I was with the same people for many, many years, and then moved to Huntington beach, where it was just a bunch of white kids, I went to, like, a ymca and I had, like, this, like, white feature, very, like, out there.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Jolly.

[Marseille Martin]

Yes, baby happy. And most of. And sometimes. Sometimes I would be, you know, absent because I would have to work. So when I come back, I was like, I was working, and, you know, I was a middle school kid talking about I had. I had to work. You know, I was at work. So that's when I kind of realized the shift and how different I was from just other kids. And, you know, it was different at the time, but I was. There was something in me that was very vocal about being, like, talking to my parents and being like, listen, y', all, this. This ain't gonna work. I was like, this is not gonna work. I need to find something else. And that's when I moved into homeschool, and then my mom became my teacher. And then we had some amazing, amazing tutors on the black ish set that helped me out so much. And I Then eventually I had the same T tutor up until I was finished with school. So at the end, it was very helpful, you know, but that was definitely the shift of, like, wow, this is. This is different.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So growing up in the industry and growing up around the arts, you said something important. Like, you said you were able to go to your parents and say, this is not working for me. Like, I need to change schools, because whatever just wasn't on point for you to do what you needed to do, Right?

[Jason Weaver]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

As a creative. And a lot of, you know, the students and the people here are probably creators of businesses, and they're Young, and they're figuring things out. What would be your. Be your message to them about being able to say, hey, this is not working for me, so that they're their best selves when they're showing up and trying to create their projects and. And do different things? Because you did that at a very young age.

[Marseille Martin]

Yeah. I think it starts with understanding the question behind the question of, like, okay, this isn't working. Why isn't it working? What are you feeling like? Tell me what the perfect scenario is. How do we get to that point? And I think even at that age, it was trying to understand myself before saying what I had to say to everybody else outside of that. Right. Which I definitely had to learn. You know, just growing up, because I was a person that would say something, and then someone would ask me why, and I was like, I don't know. So I think to be able to understand where it's coming from, the feelings that are rooted into it, um, it's helped me so, so much. Whether I'm. I'm learning with journaling or even, like, I'll do these voice memo diaries of just me talking. Just. It can be like the most crazy ramble or whatever.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Is it like a diary or, like, what. Talk us through the.

[Marseille Martin]

It's like a voice memo. I would. I mean, I guess you can call it a diary, but it's just a brain dump of things that I have on my mind because, I mean, it could be very overwhelming at times, so. And then you'll have all these questions that I'm like, okay, how do we. How do we come to the solution?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Marseille Martin]

And. And just go from layer to layer to later to layer. Because it's truly like an onion, you know, just trying to figure out what is the core. The core situation.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Right.

[Marseille Martin]

Which has helped me. Which has helped me so much. So I think that would be my advice to people, is to learn yourself. Constantly learn yourself. Don't rush your process. Don't rush into making a decision. I think it just. It definitely helps in the long run. And just your growth as a whole,

[Lauren LaRosa]

Deciding to get behind the camera for you and, you know, creating projects and producing. Was that something that you were always doing, or was that something that, you know, one day you were like, hmm, what is this? I want to try it. Like, how did that come about?

[Marseille Martin]

When I created little with my family, that was honestly the peak of everything, was being able to actually see something that me and my parents created in our living room turn into something that we go to Atlanta and we're filming for three months, and you are just really seeing your dreams come to reality, which was very surreal for me. And if you've watched little before, there's one scene in particular where I. It's literally when Jordyn wakes up and she has these big old clothes on. She got this huge hair, and she's just now waking up. She's trying to look for her glasses, and then she tries to see herself in the mirror, and she's just shook.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yeah.

[Marseille Martin]

And even I think that was one of the first scenes that we shot, and I was like, wow, I cannot believe. I just remember me and my mom going band for band on. Like, what she was gonna wear, what she's looking, like, what is she saying? And then me actually doing that with a whole production, everybody saying, like, doing it for takes on takes, and it just was so special. And then to have that and then to realize, like, oh, I could do this over and over and over again. Like, this is fun. That's how genius productions came about. And I could do it for other people. Not just for me to feel this, but for other young black girls who want to be in front and behind the camera, other black boys who want to pursue anything, anything that they want. It's like I understood what that energy was and how much I wanted to share that with other people.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What are things that you. So when you're doing little, you, mom, your family, your home, y' all figuring it out, and then you're on set, Right? What were some things that you were realizing that you had been learning all along the way that helped you a lot at that time that somebody right here, right now could be, like, hyper focusing on, because it'll get them to a point where they could go out and do a production with friends next month, next week. What are some of those, like, core things that you were like, I see what you did there. God, I didn't even know that this was preparing me.

[Marseille Martin]

Ooh. Oh, that's a tough one.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Mom said, use your resources.

[Marseille Martin]

Oh, look, my mom is right here.

[Lauren LaRosa]

She's like, yeah, mom's right here in the front, y'.

[Marseille Martin]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Mom is right here in the front.

[Marseille Martin]

The fan is killing me.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Absolutely.

[Marseille Martin]

Yeah. I mean, like, my mom was saying, definitely using your resources. I think connection is everything. The reason even why Little came about is because of Kenya Barris and Will Packer. And, of course, Kenya created Black.

[Radhi Devlukia]

Ish.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Marseille Martin]

So we had the idea, but it wouldn't have been able to come to fruition the way it did without the team behind It. And it's genuine people who want to see you win, you know, it's not just there. We're in it for the money or they were in it because I'm a prodigy or, you know, or whatever. The. Whatever story you make in your head.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Marseille Martin]

But it's.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You better claim that.

[Marseille Martin]

Wow.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Y' all heard that?

[Marseille Martin]

I mean, I was. Yeah, nine. I was nine when that. That conversation started, you know, So a lot of people can see that in different ways. You know, they can see it and, you know, go with some kind of story that it's not true, or I'm just the face or whatever, but they saw a girl with a passion, with an idea, and wanted to follow suit with it, you know, And I think that is the most important thing is just following your heart with people who want to protect it, you know, because that's not. I mean, that's not around a lot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You know, we were just talking about that.

[Marseille Martin]

Yeah, good people. Absolutely. Just genuine good people who you just want to be around. You know, you never want to be around.

[Radhi Devlukia]

No.

[Marseille Martin]

Fake people, of course. But I think it's just important to just curate your team. Find your team, find your energy that you want to be around and just create your plans and go from there. We had a plan.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Marseille Martin]

And I think that was. That was important. So I think that was. One thing is using your resources. Another thing my mom says a lot is what's for you is what's for you, and what's for you won't miss you. I say it every time, and I say it here because there was a minute where, I mean, I was just on Black Ish for, like, it was, what, nine years of my life? Almost 10. And I feel like I was starting to, as an actor, become stagnant or, like, you know, as a whole, I'm growing up in front of everybody's eyes as Diane, not as Marseille, you know, So I think, as a whole, I had to sit back and it was more of a complicated experience to find myself because of it and little in creating my production company and also turning into the person I truly want to be. Yes. Which is an overall creator. I'm just a creator at heart. I just like having fun building businesses and stuff. That's just really just what I want to do, you know, And I just. I think, as a whole, that's what I wanted to be and what I was destined to be. And I. I realized, like, you know, as long as I follow my path, as long as I trust in God, as long as I don't stress about it, no pressure, just do what is at hand. And then if I, I know that God is not going to put anything in my heart, in my mind, in my gut, that it's not supposed to be amen, it's not supposed to be there. You know, it's everything that I think, everything that I feel, it's like, okay, this is, this is here for a reason. I'm feeling this way for a reason. So when everything came about, I was just like, wow, this is just really God's journey. And even though I created little at nine, I didn't film it until I was 13. I didn't get the record until I was 14. You know, I didn't create my production company until I was 14, 15. I didn't start actually selling stuff until I was 16, 17, you know, I didn't start getting the recognition for it until I was 18, 19, you know, so I think to be able to trust the plan. Yeah, trust the process, Find joy in the process is what's the, what's the most important thing? Because then you realize like, wow, this is perfect timing and what's the rush when it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know, your choices matter. You're the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our ingredients at Good to Know Fat. No spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts. For more than 140 beverage ingredients, visit goodtokknowfacts.org

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Radhi Devlukia]

Really?

[Marseille Martin]

I can get super specific with dealer

[Radhi Devlukia]

listings and see cars based on my budget.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You can really have it delivered or pick it up. I think kid is walking up the slide, really.

[Marseille Martin]

Autotrader, buy your car online.

[Jason Weaver]

Really?

[Radhi Devlukia]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Now last but not least, we got my girl Crystal Renee Hasley from the Keep it Positive Sweetie podcast, which she's one of our Black Effect cousins. And what I love about Crystal is that, you know, she's spiritual, she's fashionable, she's such a girl's girl. But she's also like non judgmental and just a real person to have a good conversation, a heart felt conversation with. And I think, you know, sometimes like I know me, I can only speak for myself. I don't want to speak for all black people because I hate when people do that. For myself as a black woman that is navigating so much in life on a daily basis and family, you know, personal, professional, all the things I really enjoy. People who just give you a breath of fresh air sometimes, like it's not about the struggle though I don't mind talking about that. I'm not one of those people that feel like you can't. It's, it's not about all of the hype in the entertainment glitz and glam with Christopher Nay Haysley. It's really just about a subs, like a conversation full of substance and depth in feeling and allows you to feel. And I think sometimes when you walking into the world, I mean, I know like I get up on a daily sometimes and instantly I'm on like a. The world is not going to humble me. I'm a black woman and it's like dang like, you know and I know black men that you walk into the world as well and there's like a let me protect myself or shield myself or get myself ready for the world. So it's, it's always amazing when there are spaces or conversations created that allow you to take that off and just feel and just be a person. And Christopher Nay Haisley is that I got a chance to talk to her during the Finland at Sea cruise, which was a cruise, all black women. 1500 black women on a cruise, baby. Nothing but Good vibes. Double Dutch drinks and electric slides. Okay, y' all hear me shout out to Heather Lowry, who put that together under the F food program. But we. We had a really great conversation just about spirituality, career, go growth, and, yeah, it was just like a real girlfriend chat. So let's get on into it right now.

[Radhi Devlukia]

So. Okay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I'll just preface this conversation with saying that I get asked about this a lot, and I. I don't ever mind talking about it because I feel like all of y' all that watched it were able to learn something from it and be able to see yourself in it. And that's why I never mind talking about it. Even though me and Jess are, in a way, different spaces. So I'll say that first. We love her, too. Of course we do. But, you know, I think if I'm being real, it was like, I understood. Like, I was able to sit that day and have the conversation the way that we did. And even throughout the process, when little moments was happening and it was going viral and I was like, you know, acting like I didn't know what was happening. I was having. For me, it was like, if I were in her place, how would I feel? And I had actually been in her place, not to that extent. When my mom got sick when I was working at tmz, my mom was battling cancer. She's good now. But when I. Thank you. But when I was working at peace, I remember I had to take leave from work to be with my mom. I got to porcupine, I think, day to day. Like, literally. So I was like, yo, I'm, like, trying to Skype in tmz, live in the hospital and all that. And I'm like, I can't do it anymore. Like, I'm not myself right now. I needed to be with her and go through this. They hired another girl. They hired another black girl. Not only did they hire her, they sat her right where I was sitting, and they would give her all. And, you know, they might as hell. So they don't even. Like, they, like. Because, you know, it's like white people that, like, be around black people, and it's like the white white people, they're like. Like, yeah, so they're very. Like, sometimes they can. I think people in those spaces can be kind of tone deaf to what they're doing, image wise, right? So you have people that are really upset calling me. Like, why would they sit her? Like, they just pop one black girl out, pop another one in, right? And it was causing. Like, she was there and she was being put in positions to do things and, like, whatever, and she wasn't comfortable. But I had already talked to her a bit before I stepped out, so we had a little bit of a rapport. But I remember the fans of the show, they were making it at tnt. They were making it such a thing with me and her. Her name is Cash McLay. She works in Indianapolis now, Tennessee. She's somewhere, you know, she's in. My favorite reporter for USA Today, though she's doing very well after tmz. But I remember reaching out to her and just being like, look, even when I come back into my. My role or if I don't ever come back, I want you to understand that, like, I have no issue with. Business is business. You know what I'm saying? And I know it's not you. I know that there are things happening around you that you might not be aware of. Even if you're aware, there's nothing you can do. You're just showing up every day to work.

[Marseille Martin]

So.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So fast forward into the Breakfast Club situation. I'm like, okay, God, now I see why you had me in that situation a few years back, because now I'm able to be here and be like, okay, you're showing up every day to work. You're not really in control of what's happening, but you can't act like you don't know what's happening. Right? So I had to have a certain empathy for Jess and just understanding that, like, that was also my first time being that up close in nothing. No, not pregnant.

[Marseille Martin]

Not yet. That didn't.

[Lauren LaRosa]

No, not yet. No, that was my first time being that up close and personal with someone who was pregnant and then just recently had a baby. And going back, I never experienced that. That close. So I'm like, oh, like, when people talk about all of the things that happen, like, I'm like, oh, that's a real thing. And I'm watching it happen. So as a woman, I'm like, bro, it's no way that even though I know she's upset and she don't want me here right now, if I can step in, she's having us up there. If I can step in. If I can. She saves it to this day. Like, you were so hard to be mad at because you were coming every day so refreshed. And I'm like, well, one of us had to. Because, like, I knew that it wasn't us personally, and I knew that I wasn't her problem. I was actually her partner in that. But she just wasn't at the place where that was. Was something she wanted to. You know what I mean? And I couldn't force that. And I also felt like, too. Like it was above us. I just was getting the brunt of it because I was a physical representation of what needed to happen from a bigger standpoint, way above our behavior. That wasn't happening. So as I took all that into mind, you know, when everything happened, I was just like, look, I'm not going to win in this by making this a me versus you. So what can I. What I can do is, like, I have to come in here and be honest about how I felt, because, I mean, the world is seeing it. There's nothing I can do now. Everything's out there on the table, so, you know, let's do it. But for me, it was important that in doing that, it was like, this is how I feel, and this is why. I'm sorry. This is how I feel, and this is why I don't f. With it. But, like, at the end of the

[Marseille Martin]

day,

[Lauren LaRosa]

that's why I go to the bar before this. But at the end of the day, I want, like, there's going to be other women that are going to go through some real tough times with somebody else. And even if we walk away from this not liking each other at all, and it's not that, but in my mind, I was like, even if that's the case, if we never decide to be friends in real life, I want to show people that. That, like, you can have a. A issue, but, like, we don't have to allow it to, like. Like, you know what I mean? Like, at the end of the day, you going to go through some things that only I will understand. I'm gonna go through some things that only you will understand, because we're. We're both here in this space. We look like each other. We both, like. I remember sitting down and talking to her the first time we met in real life, and she was like, ooh, just like me. And I'm like, yeah, girl. Just because I be reporting doesn't mean she like, oh, so you really from around? Yes. Like, but I think that women don't get to see that often because normally it is only room for one of us. So y' all got to. In real life, see, like, okay, the conversation is really room for one of us. It's there, but it's like, how long are we gonna sit in that? Like. Cause for real. For real, what Jess does and what she's great at, is what she does and what she's great at. What I do and what I'm great at is what I do and what I'm great at. And when you marry the. And people have began to see that. Like, now we have the comedic relief, we have the news, we have the mental health, we have the, like, we all bring this big, you know, mixture into the pot and it works. But in real life, I was like, man, I worked really hard to get here. I can't let this situation control and change everything I worked for. It cannot.

[Marseille Martin]

Like, I have so many other places to go. I love that.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Thank you for that. And I think so many women can say something a lot of things in what you just said, but I love how you showed we can have conflict resolution. There's going to be conflicts. It's inevitable. But there's a way that we can. And then you realize we're actually more alike than not. And a lot of times I think people that we have situations with, the conflicts with, once we actually sit down with that person, we see so many different similarities. And we're like, wow, I actually see myself in you. And you know what else too? Coming on this cruise, I was like, man, I know Heather. So I know it's going to be like real. Cuz sometimes you come these faith and everything, it's like, oh, my God, I'm in apartment. We're all in white. And it's like, y' all not even nice. For real. If I walk past you on the street, you know what I mean? But being here in this space and cuz I know Heather and would she be on? I'm like, no, she going to curate this where it's like, if that is your personality, she gonna break you down. But before we get back to where we going on Monday, right? And that's why I was excited to come here. But that was my. My energy too. With that. I'm like, yo, we can do all the other. The mean girl stuff and all of that, but at the end of the day, it's like, we gotta learn that, like, it's us or it's nothing. They cutting platforms. They taking black people out of media. They.

[Jason Weaver]

They.

[Lauren LaRosa]

They're shutting our voices down. They don't want people like me and Jess. People got mad at me because I said, I love the fact that you got two. We real black girls. Like, and not because of our skin tone, because light skin, dark skin. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about, like, we really, from around, we talk how we talk. We come from certain things. We eat certain things. Our nails, our hair, our lashes, the edges is laid like we doing all of that on this mainstream media platform and you don't see that. So imagine if like we're showing it and now you see it more and so now we don't all got to be in white smiling and don't really care for each other. We know how to work them with us. Exactly. I'm a wife. It's the wife. It's the wife. It's the wife. It's the wife. The wife got y'. All. Cause y' all know what I'm talking about. If he hooker there and grits and

[Radhi Devlukia]

shrimp,

[Lauren LaRosa]

y' all know exactly what I'm talking about. You actually funny too.

[Marseille Martin]

When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know, your choices matter. You're the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our [e-mail] no spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts. For more than 140 beverage ingredients, visit goodtonowfacts.org

[Lauren LaRosa]

the all new tropical Butterfly Refresher is now at Starbucks. Dive into juicy guava and Peshawar fruit flavors with mango, pineapple, popping pearls bursting in every sip. Ice cold, instantly refreshing and impossible to put down. Made for summer only at Starbucks. Are you really buying a car online on autotrader right now?

[Radhi Devlukia]

Really?

[Marseille Martin]

I can get super specific with dealer

[Lauren LaRosa]

listings and see cars based on my budget. You can really have it delivered or pick it up. Kid is walking up the slide.

[Marseille Martin]

Really?

[Radhi Devlukia]

Auto trader?

[Lauren LaRosa]

Buy your car online.

[Marseille Martin]

Really?

[Radhi Devlukia]

A lot of wellness routines start with motivation and end somewhere between week two and a half. Use supplement drawer. Groons was created to make daily nutrition simpler. Instead of pills or chalky green drinks, groons packs over 20 essential vitamins and minerals, greens and prebiotics into a snack pack of delicious gummies. It feels approachable and not demanding. The convenient comprehensive formula supports gut health, beauty, energy immunity, recovery and cognition in one daily habit. Groons contain six grams of fibre, which is more than two cups of broccoli and the ingredients in Groons are backed by 35,000 research publications which is part of what makes the formula so intentional. Groons is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut free and made without artificial colors or flavours. Plus it's methylated so key nutrients like B12 and folate are informed. Your body can actually use it's comprehensive nutrition designed for routines you can actually stick with, get up to 52% off with code CRY at Groons. CO. That's code CRY R U N S CO Y'.

[Jason Weaver]

ALL.

[Lauren LaRosa]

This has been another episode, a very special episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa, your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room in celebration edition of juneteenth. So I hope if you are listening to this you somewhere you know, whether you're just getting off work, you spent the day off work, just resting, whatever, doing whatever brings you joy. I hope you're listening to this conversation and you're feeling happy and proud to be black and happy and proud to, you know, take today to just, you know what I mean? Like we a one clock it just take the day to feel like that. I tell you guys, every single episode. Y' all could be anywhere with any old body talking about all of these things, but y' all always choose to be right here with me. I appreciate that so much, my low riders. I'll see you guys in my next episode. Happy Juneteenth.

[Marseille Martin]

When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter. You're the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our [e-mail] no spin, no judgments. Just the facts straight from the experts. For more than 140 beverage ingredients, visit

[Lauren LaRosa]

goodtokknowfacts.org Running a business shouldn't feel like surviving a software group project. One app for accounting, another for inventory, another for sales, and somehow none of them talk to each other. That's where Odoo comes in. An all in one business management software that brings every part of your business together, from sales and accounting to inventory and marketing, all in one powerful platform. No messy integrations, no bouncing between tabs, and best of all, no spreadsheets. Stop managing software and start managing your business with one unified system. Try for free [e-mail] iheartradio that's O-O-O-O.com iheartradio we learned how to love dogs from the dogs that loved us and waited for us to get home from school. They were the dogs that raised us. We returned the love with pedigree dog food. It was good then. It's better now. For 40 years, pedigree has been bringing out the goodness in dogs. Every bowl serves up 100% of the nutrition your dog needs. Supporting six health essentials. That's the pedigree goodness Promise. Good then better now.

[Radhi Devlukia]

This is Radhi Devlukia from a really good Cry. Most wellness routines fail somewhere between day one motivation and where did I put that powder? That's where Groons comes in. Groons packs over 20 vitamins and minerals, greens and prebiotic into a snack pack of tiny, delicious gummies. No powders, no pills. Just a simple way to support gut health, beauty, energy, immunity, recovery and cognition. Plus, the ingredients in Groons are backed by over 35,000 research publications. It's a convenient, comprehensive formula designed for real life. Get up to 52% off with code Cry at Groons Co. That's Code Cryruns co.

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.