'A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine' Podcast to Bid Adieu in 2025

A bittersweet farewell

For over a decade, I’ve dedicated myself to empowering Black creatives and entrepreneurs. My most recent project, “A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine,” is more than just a podcast. It’s a platform with over 200 episodes of Black excellence offering refreshing perspectives on navigating the professional world.

However, with Season 10 coming up in 2025, I’m making a bittersweet announcement. This upcoming season will mark the finale of the show, paving the way for me to explore new avenues in storytelling.

This journey began long before podcasts were mainstream. In 2011, my best friend Robert Williams and I launched “SelfGoOdd Radio.” This multifaceted platform, hosted on Blog Talk Radio, offered motivational advice and fostered a community of diverse career professionals. It was a valuable training ground, allowing me to connect with listeners and hone my skills as a host and mentor.

Fast forward to 2020. The social and media landscape focused heavily on Black trauma, neglecting the richness of the Black experience. Inspired by my 15+ years in advertising, social media, PR and entertainment, I decided to revive my talk show concept for the booming podcast landscape.

Thus “A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine” was born.

The show quickly became a haven for Black creatives in marketing, advertising, PR, entertainment and tech. I curate engaging conversations, exploring everything from iconic campaigns to the cultural significance of Black culture, HBCUs, Drake vs. Kendrick, AI and C-suites with Black executives. These lighthearted discussions feature career insights, delving into the journeys of Black professionals and the secrets behind their award-winning work.

The podcast offers more than entertainment. It shines a spotlight on overlooked Black talent and provides a platform for emerging voices. The show fosters a safe space for open conversations, addressing contemporary issues like diversity initiatives and career obstacles. It celebrates Black stories and dismantles stereotypical narratives. Over the last nine seasons, we’ve had the honor to partner with organizations such as the Ebony/Jet – Johnson Publishing Co., American Advertising Federation, ADCOLOR, the 4As Foundation and The One Club.

With over 200 episodes across eight platforms, “A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine” stands as a testament to uplifting Black voices and promoting great creative work. Season 9, titled “Black To Business,” featured conversations with Clio Award judges and winners, exploring their secrets to creating award-winning work.

While Season 10 marks the end of the current format, this is not the end of my storytelling journey. “A Dose of Black Joy & Caffeine” has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to share my passion for storytelling and uplift my community. Through the show, I’ve learned the power of highlighting Black joy and creating a platform for diverse voices. This journey has been an incredible stepping stone personally and professionally, and I’m excited to see what the future holds as I explore new avenues for storytelling.  

“As a Black woman in 2020, being a guest on Adu’s podcast, was a refreshing retreat, not from reality, but from the idea that I had to stay mad and on guard constantly—it was a moment of relief. In a year filled with so much turmoil and uncertainty, the podcast became a safe space for me to reflect, and openly share my dreams,” says Candace D. Queen, founder & creator-in-chief, Tabernacle. “I was barely a year in with Tabernacle, and fighting to keep that dream alive. Being able to share my story and hear so many others served as a powerful reminder of the importance of finding joy and holding onto hope, even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.”

I’ll miss hosting the podcast and executive producing it but in the tone and sentiment once said by GloRilla but in my own words “At the end of the day the day and podcast have to end.”

Fill your cup here: Spotify, Apple and Amazon) and if you’d like to learn more or be a guest on the final season contact Adu Adu (Host and Executive Producer at contactaduyou@gmail.com)