#32 - Simone Hicks, HBCU Athlete-Activist: Black Trauma, Resilience, and Protest on ‘All American: Homecoming’

Maria is once again joined by childhood friend Dondré Taylor-Stewart to talk about the often-political ALL AMERICAN universe, and specifically the HBCU spin-off ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING (2022-2024). We trace Simone Hicks’ journey as an HBCU athlete-activist, as she emerges as a leader during two separate experiences of collective Black trauma: a bomb threat and a cop stop. We discuss the show’s depiction of Black joy, resilience, and protest in the aftermath of these traumatizing events, shaping Simone into an activist who eventually pursues a career in sports advocacy for athletes of color. We also discuss the show’s powerful centering of mental health and community, and Simone getting to have both her political activism and an endgame love story with Lando Johnson. 

For this episode, we recommend you first watch ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING Seasons 1-3, streaming on Netflix, but especially episodes 2x04 “We Shall Not Be Moved,” 2x05 “No More Drama,” 2x13 “Lose to Win,” 2x14 “Stand Up for Something,” and 3x02 “Level Up.”

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. 

DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a Jersey-born, Jamaican-raised TV writer in Los Angeles. His writing focuses on Black and queer characters finding themselves amid society's margins. By day, he works in environmental public policy; by night, he's busy crafting original pilots and DJ-ing. IG & TWITTER: oxtail_papi 

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.

CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.

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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• 5 Things To Know: HBCU Edition
• HBCU History Timeline, HBCU First
• March 20, 2023, Deadline, ‘All American: Homecoming’ Bosses Break Down Impacts Of Tennis Team’s Police Stop, Fraternity Hazing & Enlisting Coco Gauff To Guest Star by Katie Campione 
• August 20, 2024, Screenrant, Seriously, Will All American Ever Give Simone A Break?! by Nadica Terzieva
• September 30, 2024, TVLine, All American: Homecoming Recap: Simone Goes Out on a Triumphant Note in Series Finale — Grade It! By Rebecca Iannucci