Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Imaeyen Ibanga (AJ+) joins Esther Dillard to discuss her acclaimed documentary series Zip Codes, which explores the Haitian immigration crisis and the realities Black immigrants face in America.

We talk about:

• The human impact of ICE raids and deportations
• How U.S. history and policy shape Haiti’s struggles today
• Why Haitian voices must be centered in immigration conversations

This is a timely and powerful interview that connects history, policy, and humanity.

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🔔 Subscribe to the podcast for more enlightening talks and join us in exploring how historical narratives shape our future. You can also watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thecolorbetweenthelines

In this episode of The Color Between the Lines, host Esther Dillard speaks with Contessa Gayles, the Emmy-nominated director and producer behind the acclaimed documentary The Debutantes.

Through powerful storytelling and intimate visuals, The Debutantes reimagines the legacy of Black debutante culture—exploring how young women of color use these traditions to assert their identity, build community, and challenge stereotypes.

Gayles discusses the inspiration for the film, the historical context of Black debutante balls, and the deeply personal stories that emerged during production. She also reflects on the importance of centering Black women’s voices in media and what it means to create art that celebrates cultural pride while sparking conversation.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The history and evolution of Black debutante balls
• How The Debutantes reframes a tradition often overlooked in mainstream media
• Why representation and cultural ownership matter in storytelling
• Behind-the-scenes insights from an Emmy-nominated filmmaker
• The power of art to preserve history and inspire the next generation

Whether you love documentaries, Black history, or stories of women reclaiming tradition, this conversation will move and inspire you.

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast for more enlightening talks and join us in exploring how historical narratives shape our future. You can also watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thecolorbetweenthelines

In this inspiring episode of The Color Between the Lines, host Esther Dillard speaks with award-winning journalist and author A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker.

A’Lelia shares her journey of preserving and telling her family’s history, the untold stories behind Madam C.J. Walker’s rise as America’s first self-made female millionaire, and why Black women’s narratives remain essential to understanding American history.

📚 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Madam C.J. Walker built her beauty empire and influenced generations of Black entrepreneurs
• The role of family archives and historical research in keeping legacies alive
• Why telling authentic stories matters now more than ever
• A’Lelia Bundles’ personal reflections on identity, heritage, and cultural preservation
• Advice for writers and historians committed to telling underrepresented stories

Whether you’re passionate about Black history, women’s entrepreneurship, or the power of storytelling, this conversation will leave you inspired to preserve your own family’s legacy.

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast for more enlightening talks and join us in exploring how historical narratives shape our future. You can also watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thecolorbetweenthelines