Identity Unboxed

About Identity Unboxed

Welcome to Identity Unboxed. Through the pursuit of Black liberation, we amplify Black voices, highlight the journeys and achievements of remarkable Black individuals, and preserve our narratives to expand access to diverse career pathways through storytelling. This is an affinity space for Black individuals to engage in vibrant discussions rooted in equity, justice, liberation, and healing. From the corporate world to creatives, we are committed to documenting Black contributions that elevate Black humanity across the diaspora while preserving our narratives through engaging conversations.

Publisher

Identity Unboxed

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Sept 2023

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

81 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Embracing Transformation in the Public Eye with Fannita Leggett

   Thank you for tuning into this episode of Identity Unboxed. Through the pursuit of Black liberation, we amplify Black voices, highlight the journeys and achievements of outstanding Black individuals, and preserve our narratives to expand access to diverse career pathways through storytelling. This is an affinity space for Black individuals to engage in vibrant discussions meant to ignite the audacious leaders innate within us to move toward sustained prosperity for our community rooted in equity, justice, and liberation. From the corporate world to creatives, we are committed to documenting Black contributions that elevate Black humanity across the diaspora. Biography: Fannita Leggett is a social media personality, content creator, and podcast host known for her humor, honesty, and pop culture commentary. She rose to prominence on TikTok and has built a strong platform through her relatable content, a bold personality, and conversations about confidence, lifestyle, and entertainment. Career Advice: “Everything is achievable; it just depends on how hard you’re willing to work for it.”

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Telling the Story of the Black Diaspora Through Pizza with Isaiah Ruffin

   Thank you for tuning into this episode of Identity Unboxed. Through the pursuit of Black liberation, we amplify Black voices, highlight the journeys and achievements of outstanding Black individuals, and preserve our narratives to expand access to diverse career pathways through storytelling. This is an affinity space for Black individuals to engage in vibrant discussions meant to ignite the audacious leaders innate within us to move toward sustained prosperity for our community rooted in equity, justice, and liberation. From the corporate world to creatives, we are committed to documenting Black contributions that elevate Black humanity across the diaspora. Biography: Chef Isaiah Ruffin is a classically trained culinary chef and the co-owner of Pizza by Ruffin in Seattle, Washington. His journey to becoming a celebrated chef in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood is a story of military service, global exploration, and a deep commitment to community.Ruffin began his culinary career in the U.S. Army before earning his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University. He honed his skills in restaurants worldwide, including in Italy, Denver, and Washington, D.C. With his wife and business partner, Colleen Constant, he first made a name for himself operating a wood-fired pizza food truck from a converted school bus in Colorado.Seeking a more vibrant and diverse food scene, the couple relocated to Seattle. They officially opened Pizza by Ruffin in October 2024 after a successful Pi Day pop-up in South Lake Union. The restaurant serves Roman-style pizza that features a light, crispy crust developed through a labor-intensive 48-hour cold fermentation process. Ruffin’s menu is a culinary exploration of the Black diaspora, featuring globally inspired creations like "The Doro" with Ethiopian chicken stew and a Somali lamb pizza. All meats are halal (excluding pork), and ingredients are sourced locally.Beyond the kitchen, Ruffin is dedicated to community building. He and his wife do not accept tips; instead, they direct funds to their nonprofit, the Food Lit Foundation, which supports school gardens and food literacy. "Community is one of the reasons we moved to Seattle in the first place," Ruffin explains. "Not just to be a part of one, but to help build it, make it bigger and stronger." Career Advice: “Always ask: How can you use your position to make the industry and your community stronger and more inclusive for the next generation? It's about being unapologetically yourself and using your heritage as a source of strength and innovation, not a hurdle. My greatest piece of advice is to build a career that serves your life, not the other way around, and to use your platform to lift others as you climb. Last but not least, learn some electrical and plumbing.”

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Encapsulating the Beauty of South Africa Through the Lens of Artistic Vision with Aisha Yahaya

   Thank you for tuning into this episode of Identity Unboxed. Through the pursuit of Black liberation, we amplify Black voices, highlight the journeys and achievements of outstanding Black individuals, and preserve our narratives to expand access to diverse career pathways through storytelling. This is an affinity space for Black individuals to engage in vibrant discussions meant to ignite the audacious leaders innate within us to move toward sustained prosperity for our community rooted in equity, justice, and liberation. From the corporate world to creatives, we are committed to documenting Black contributions that elevate Black humanity across the diaspora. Biography: Aisha Yahaya is a photographer and visual storyteller based in Cape Town, South Africa. Aisha earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Mixed Media from the University of Cape Town in 2024. Whether it’s capturing live events or producing engaging visual content for schools, Aisha believes that creativity is a powerful tool for learning, expression, and connection. To combine her artistic background with formal education, she returned to the University of Cape Town in 2025 and earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Aisha uses art as a vessel to capture the beauty of the human experience and illuminate Cape Town's rich culture and history in Cape Town, South Africa. Career Advice: My greatest piece of advice for Black professionals is to KEEP GOING. As a freelance photographer, there are times when imposter syndrome kicks in, and I felt like I did not belong in certain spaces, especially in Cape Town where there are so many talented creatives; it's so easy to feel less than. I realize that if I had taken a step back and given up, I would not have reached the level of confidence I feel in my work.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

600

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

61

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

77