A FRESH TAKE

The Second Draft Podcast

The Second Draft Podcast is a student-produced project from Dr. Allissa Richardson’s Second Draft Project course, a groundbreaking class now a permanent part of the USC Annenberg catalog and set to return in Fall 2025.

Rewriting the narrative, one story at a time

The Second Draft Podcast is a student-produced project from Dr. Allissa Richardson’s Second Draft Project course, a groundbreaking class now a permanent part of the USC Annenberg catalog, set to return in Fall 2025. Dr. Richardson co-teaches the course with one of her former students, Prof. Jameela Hammond, to guide the class in producing a four-episode season that reexamines the complex legacy of a Black media figure.

Season 1

Our first season dives into the life and legacy of Malcolm X, chronicling his impact and the creation of his daughter Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz’s Interactive Interview with the Bass Lab. Through interviews and archival exploration, students uncover new dimensions of Malcolm X’s story while examining the power of memory and media representation.

Dr. Richardson and her co-instructor, Prof. Jameela Hammond, took the Second Draft podcast students to USC Fisher Museum to view Kara Walker’s provocative exhibit, Cut to the Quick, which features stark images of slavery in the Antebellum South. Students created photogrammetry scans of pieces that resonated with their podcast episode, and then presented them to the class.
Prof. Hammond interviews Shaniek Brown about her artwork choice. Brown shared that many of Walker’s pieces made her think of Malcolm X’s famous quote, about Black women being the most disrespected woman in the world. For her second draft episode, she said she was determined to pay homage to both Malcolm X and his daughters.

Season 1 | Malcolm X’s Second Draft

Season 2 | Nipsey Hussle’s Second Draft

Season 2 shifts the focus to Nipsey Hussle, marking five years since his passing and exploring his profound influence on Los Angeles and beyond. Through conversations with historians, activists, and those personally impacted by his work, students dissect his contributions to music, entrepreneurship, and social justice, showcasing how his legacy continues to shape communities today.

By amplifying marginalized voices and reclaiming historical narratives, The Second Draft Podcast demonstrates the power of student-driven journalism in setting the record straight—one episode at a time.

More to Explore

The Second Draft Project

The Second Draft Class

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