Worker of the Word: Rewriting the Stories We Carry

What does it mean to work the word when your story holds so many layers?

Hosts Shani McIlwain and Jesy Littlejohn sit down with special guest Micheal J. Ivory Jr.—a proud queer Black man, first-generation college graduate, and Duke-trained writer and teacher—for a conversation rooted in truth, identity, and lived experience.

Raised in a Pentecostal tradition, Micheal brings a powerful perspective on how language, faith, and culture shape the stories we carry. Together, they explore how deeply held narratives influence the way we see ourselves and each other—while honoring the beauty, complexity, and brilliance within Black life.

This episode is thoughtful, real, and full of that undeniable Black excellence—where language isn’t just spoken, it’s worked. Where stories aren’t just told, they’re owned.

Because around here, words aren’t just words—they’re a little bit of magic.