See the vision, hear the story & tune into the frequency. This monthly podcast amplifies the voices of Black and minority designers who make up only four percent of the industry. Hosted by Sunni, each episode shares stories of creativity, legacy, and community, from personal journeys to conversations with design experts and change makers.
AI can make logos. AI can build websites. AI can generate a whole brand identity in 30 seconds. So what do we do?
In this solo episode, Sunni gets real about the AI conversation that the creative industry keeps oversimplifying. She breaks down the difference between AI, machine learning, generative AI, and LLMs, talks about the environmental cost of data centers nobody wants to mention, and shares why picking up a pencil again reminded her of something no prompt can replace.
From Lauren Horn's "Not a Sketchbook but an Art Class" to the stretched Sports font flyers we've all seen, this episode is about inspiration, discipline, and knowing when to use the tool vs. when the tool is using you.
No guest. Just thoughts. Let's get into it.
27 Aug 2026
Why Is Creative Work Still Undervalued?
Have you ever noticed how creative work gets treated differently depending on the room it's in?
In one setting it's protected, elevated, treated as essential. In another, it's squeezed for time, brought in late, expected to execute. The work doesn't change. The room does.
In this episode, we're joined by Tameka Edwards, whose career spans the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and now Product Manager for Marketing Technology at the NFL.
We explore:
What it looks like when creatives are brought in too late and treated as executors, not strategists
How strategy shapes product vision: setting priorities, deciding what problem to solve next
Why cross-functional coordination is the job, not a side skill, for designers on product teams
Design is infrastructure. It shapes how people feel, decide, and trust. So why is it still treated like decoration?
23 Jul 2026
Why Does Everything Look & Feel the Same?
Have you noticed that everything is starting to look the same?
From brand identities to social feeds, we're surrounded by the same colors, layouts, fonts, and trends. It's not necessarily because creativity is disappearing. It's because the systems we create within increasingly reward what's familiar over what's different.
In this episode, we're talking about how we got here, what algorithm culture has done to visual creativity, and why so much of today's design feels interchangeable.
We also explore the business reasons behind playing it safe, what this shift says about creative culture, and whether this moment is actually creating new opportunities for people willing to think differently.
We explore:
Why so much of today's visual culture feels the same
How algorithms shape the work we make and the work we see
The business case for safe, familiar design
Whether originality is becoming more valuable, not less
If everything looks the same, what does it really take to create something people remember?
11 Jun 2026
Season 2 Trailer
We're back and better than ever. Season 2 of The Four Percent Amplified has officially arrived, and this time, we're bringing you a visual podcast experience.
Last season, we amplified BIPOC voices in design. This season, we're going deeper into the creative process itself. Creativity isn't only shaped by the people making things. It's also influenced by the people who experience them.
Throughout the season, we'll dive into questions like:
How do we keep evolving while staying true to who we are?
How do we navigate change and uncertainty?
How do we develop new ideas and solutions?
Join us as we uncover the perspectives and challenges that shape the creative journey.
11 Nov 2025
Beyond the Screen: Humanity in Design
Designer and storyteller Isaiah McClean discusses the importance of humanity in design, emphasizing intention and care to foster genuine connection, in this interview episode.
20 Oct 2025
Color Outside the Algorithm
Zanade Mann, marketing strategist, discusses building authentic influence and staying true to your message on social media, guiding listeners to leverage their unique story and voice in the digital landscape in this interview.
6 Oct 2025
The Future of Design Education
Amir Hoagland, Associate Director at Pivotal Labs, discusses the evolving landscape of design education, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and representation for aspiring designers in an interview with the hosts.
22 Sept 2025
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Advocating For Yourself
Keisha Whaley, founder of Brass Tacks Collective, discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and self-advocacy, highlighting the importance of mentorship and community in building confidence for underrepresented designers in an interview with the host.
25 Aug 2025
Visualize the Vibe: The Art of Seeing Sound
Host Sunni Aesthetics explores how sound inspires her design process, revealing the visual worlds within music.
11 Aug 2025
Designing for the Future: How BIPOC Designers Are Shaping Tomorrow
Host Sunni interviews Esosa, Creative Director of Iconiq Creative Group, discussing how culture-driven branding and authentic leadership build genuine connection for social impact.
28 Jul 2025
Business of Design: Entrepreneurship, Freelancing, Agencies & Getting Paid What You’re Worth
UX design manager Marvin Hassan discusses building a sustainable design career with host Sunni Brown, focusing on overcoming mid-career plateaus and recognizing one's worth in the design field in this interview.
23 Jun 2025
Designing for Accessibility: “Making the Industry Inclusive”
Leadership coach Rachel Radaway shares her experiences with neurodivergence and how it informs her approach to inclusive design and leadership, emphasizing empathy and justice in this interview with Sunni.
9 Jun 2025
Branding with Purpose: When Activism Becomes the Brand
Leila Kharem, founder of KHI Design Group, discusses how branding honors legacy and amplifies underrepresented voices, exploring design as a tool for activism and social change in this interview episode.
26 May 2025
Thriving Together, BIPOC Excellence in Business & Legacy Building
Host Sunni interviews Natesha Mortimer, Founder of Data Swale, and Doneil Chapman, a freelance frontend software engineer, about building intentional communities that foster connection, mentorship, and resource sharing for underrepresented minority entrepreneurs, leading to resilience and growth.
12 May 2025
Common Sense Isn’t So Common – Misinformation, Critical Thinking, and AI Bias
In this episode of The 4% Amplified, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most urgent issues of our digital age: misinformation—and why ‘common sense’ isn’t cutting it anymore.
Your host, Sunni, dives deep into how misinformation shapes our beliefs, biases, and behaviors—and how AI is complicating an already messy landscape. But this isn’t just about calling out the problem. It’s about rethinking how we process information in a world where truth feels increasingly subjective.
This is a bold, eye-opening conversation about media literacy, tech accountability, and the power of critical thinking. Sunni is joined by two insightful guests:
Risha Brown, creator of Currently Processing Podcast and Founder of 40 Greens, a wellness and sustainability brand.
Itwela Ibowu, a freelance designer and developer working at the intersections of tech, culture, and identity.
Together, they unpack the invisible forces shaping our perception of reality—from clickbait headlines to algorithmic bias.
You'll learn:
Why “common sense” no longer protects us in the misinformation age
How deepfakes, echo chambers, and AI bias are warping our trust in truth
The role of cognitive bias in why we fall for false information
Real-world consequences of misinformation—political, financial, and personal
Love what you heard? Listen, rate, and subscribe to The 4% Amplified on your favorite podcast platform! Every subscription and review helps elevate underrepresented voices in design.
28 Apr 2025
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Navigating the Design World as a Black Creative
In this episode of 4% Amplified, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the design industry’s biggest problem: the lack of representation of Black and marginalized creatives.
Sunni, your host, gets real about what it means to navigate a career in an industry that often overlooks talent from underrepresented backgrounds. But this isn’t just about obstacles it’s about transformation.
This is a powerful and honest conversation about representation, resilience, and why we can’t rely on good intentions alone. Sunni shares her personal journey, the systemic issues she’s faced, and the deep need for community, mentorship, and real accountability in corporate DEI efforts.
By the end of this episode, you’ll be inspired to take action whether in your company, your classroom, your creative circles, or your own life.
You’ll learn:
Why diversity efforts often fail and how to fix them. How representation in media and design shapes our worldview. The power of mentorship and community for marginalized creatives. How to hold companies (and yourself) accountable for real change.
Resources & References from This Episode
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Labor Force data by race and ethnicity (00:00:25)
AIGA Design Census 2021 – Snapshot of diversity in the design industry (00:01:00)
U.S. Department of Labor – Affirmative action study showing white women as primary beneficiaries (00:03:07)
McKinsey & Company – Diversity Wins Report – Only 20% of companies had actionable DEI strategies (00:04:00)
Birth of a Nation (1915) – Discussed as one of the earliest films spreading harmful racial stereotypes (00:10:21)
IATSE Union – Shared in the context of design union work in film and TV (00:15:00)
Love what you heard? Listen, rate, and subscribe to The 4% Amplified on your favorite podcast platform! Every subscription and review helps elevate underrepresented voices in design.
20 Apr 2025
Trailer
The 4% Amplified is a podcast dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices, challenging industry norms, and exploring how design can create positive change. Through real stories and impactful conversations, we celebrate diverse perspectives and spotlight designers and allies working to make a difference. Join us as we break barriers and inspire change.
Stay tuned: The first episode drops on April 28, 2025.
Who has been a guest on The 4% Amplified Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Isaiah McClean
Zanade Mann
Amir Hoagland
Keisha Whaley
Esosa
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about The 4% Amplified Podcast
Who hosts The 4% Amplified Podcast?
Sunni host the show. Published by Sunni🌞.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does The 4% Amplified Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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