Episode Title: Ep. 384 Black Genius Is Not an Outlier with Trey Johnson
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Traci Thomas
Guest: Trey Johnson, Author of Black Genius Essays on an American Legacy

Introduction to Black Genius Essays on an American Legacy

Traci Thomas opens the episode by introducing Trey Johnson and his debut nonfiction book, Black Genius Essays on an American Legacy. The book explores the concept of cultural genius within the Black American community, delving into various facets from comic books to digital technology, and highlighting the inventive and resilient spirit found in everyday Black experiences.

Defining Black Genius

Trey Johnson elaborates on his book's premise, stating:

"Black Genius, my nonfiction debut book. It's a nine chapter book about cultural genius in the black American community... it’s just my exploration around cultural, emotional, cerebral genius as I've seen it in the black community." ([04:06])

Traci appreciates that the book doesn't focus on widely recognized Black geniuses like James Baldwin or Toni Morrison but instead spotlighting everyday brilliance:

"You're not going through and like listing genius black athletes or genius black podcasters like myself... You're going... to like households." ([04:33])

The Concept of Genius vs. Joy

Tracy probes why Trey chose to center his book around "genius" instead of "joy" or "celebrating blackness." Trey responds by highlighting the societal tendency to underappreciate Black intellect and creativity:

"We get undercut as black folks all the time for how sharp and inventive and amazing we are." ([07:23])

He emphasizes that celebrating genius inherently includes joy and opportunities, breaking the misconception that genius is an isolated trait:

"Through the unpacking of genius, is to understand that joy does exist inside of that. It's not one versus the other." ([07:23])

Challenging Stereotypes and Recognition

Tracy connects Trey’s work to broader societal stereotypes, noting how narratives around Black geniuses often require validation from white acknowledgment. Trey agrees and discusses how this external validation can position Black geniuses as outliers:

"The fixation on the celebrity nature of black genius can kind of make people seem like outliers to the black American experience." ([09:08])

He further critiques how Black individuals often need to attain recognition through significant personal struggles or public controversies to be acknowledged as geniuses, contrasting this with the more readily attributed genius in white narratives.

Code-Switching vs. Streaml

A pivotal part of the conversation explores code-switching and Trey’s concept of "Streaml" (a blend of street smarts and formal education). He explains:

"Streaml disavows the need to trade off aspects of yourself to appease an outside audience." ([44:32])

Tracy and Trey discuss the negative connotations of code-switching and how it often forces Black individuals to suppress parts of their identity, which can lead to personal and creative fractures:

"Sustained code switching requires you to trade off aspects of yourself in order to appease an outside audience." ([49:07])

Trey shares personal anecdotes and insights, including the impact of code-switching on creative individuals like Lauryn Hill and Kanye West, suggesting that continual suppression of one’s true self can lead to public breakdowns.

The Writing Journey and Challenges

Trey delves into the arduous process of writing his book while managing a full-time job, expressing the emotional and mental toll it took:

"I spent probably like two years working full time, and then probably like nights, mornings, nights, weekends, working on the book." ([17:22])

He discusses the pivotal moment that led him to quit his job—from a transformative sunrise hike in Bali—and the subsequent challenges of sustaining his writing without a steady income:

"I got to leave my job. I got to leave my job." ([24:06])

Trey elaborates on the support system that helped him transition, highlighting the importance of community and personal resilience in overcoming financial and emotional barriers.

Audience and Intentions

When discussing his intended audience, Trey states:

"My audience is black people. And then I think it's people who love black people." ([35:11])

He reflects on the initial pressure to cater to white audiences but ultimately emphasizes writing authentically for his community and supporters:

"I was writing to a love letter of appreciation to my family and my friends." ([36:56])

Unwritten Elements and Further Explorations

Trey shares aspects he wished to include in his book, such as deeper dives into topics like blackface in historical contexts and the struggles of Black adult film stars, which were ultimately edited out for clarity and focus.

Writing Habits and Routines

Traci inquires about Trey’s writing habits, both during his full-time job and after transitioning to writing full-time. Trey describes his disciplined approach:

"I stuck to what I call my compassionate routine, which is like I no matter what, I started no later than 10 and then I usually stopped around 7pm each day." ([55:38])

He emphasizes the importance of walks and setting boundaries to maintain mental clarity and productivity:

"I often found, like, the best way to reset myself was to step away, go for a walk." ([57:36])

Book Recommendations and Personal Reflections

Towards the end of the episode, Trey recommends other works that resonate with the themes of his book, such as Black Women Writers at Work. He also shares a heartfelt desire for his late father to read his book, viewing it as an opportunity to reconnect:

"I wish he was here to read it." ([59:20])

Closing Remarks

Traci concludes by encouraging listeners to purchase Trey’s book and engage with his work, highlighting the significance of recognizing and celebrating Black genius in all its forms.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Trey Johnson ([04:06]): "Black Genius, my nonfiction debut book... it's just my exploration around cultural, emotional, cerebral genius as I've seen it in the black community."

• Traci Thomas ([07:25]): "Why did you want to write about black genius and not a book about black joy or like celebrating blackness?"

• Trey Johnson ([09:08]): "The fixation on the celebrity nature of black genius can kind of make people seem like outliers to the black American experience."

• Tracy Thomas ([35:11]): "Who is your audience? How were you thinking about audience and how has that shifted..."

• Trey Johnson ([44:32]): "Streaml disavows the need to trade off aspects of yourself to appease an outside audience."

• Trey Johnson ([57:36]): "The best way to reset myself was to step away, go for a walk."

• Tracy Thomas ([59:20]): "If you could have one person, dead or alive read this book. Who would you want it to be?"

Conclusion

This episode of The Stacks offers a profound exploration of Black genius through Trey Johnson’s insightful discussions on his book, Black Genius Essays on an American Legacy. The conversation navigates complex themes such as cultural recognition, code-switching, and the personal struggles intertwined with creative expression. For listeners interested in understanding the nuanced layers of Black intellect and creativity, this episode serves as an enriching and enlightening resource.

For more details on The Stacks and upcoming Book Club picks, visit www.thestackspodcast.com.