Author: Anthony Frasier

We have exciting news to share! ABF Creative, your trusted multicultural kids and family podcast network and production company is proud to announce our involvement in Audible’s new program. But that’s not all: we have also secured a significant investment from this global leader in spoken-word media and entertainment!

This strategic partnership is a major milestone for ABF Creative and a ringing endorsement of our mission to deliver culturally resonant and emotionally engaging content. We are honored to align ourselves with an industry giant like Audible, and this partnership is a testament to our team’s passion, creativity, and dedication to excellence.

In the midst of this landmark development, it’s also important to reflect on our recent achievements that have led us to this point. As we venture into the audiobook business, our first meditation audiobook, “Slumber Steps,” is set to captivate listeners this fall. Our contributions have stretched into the realm of historical exploration as our research underpinned the narrative of African American video game pioneer Jerry Lawson in the History Channel’s series “Toys That Built America.” Our inspiring daily affirmations podcast “Charm Words” did not just win us the Black Podcast Award but also secured distribution with American Public Media. In partnership with Wondery, we unveiled “The Adventures of Cairo,” their first Black-led children’s audio fiction series. Moreover, our commitment to diverse narratives has been epitomized by producing Ben & Jerry’s podcast “Into The Mix.” All this while, the increased Hollywood interest in our original intellectual property is a thrilling precursor of new exciting opportunities.

Audible’s investment is a game-changing development that empowers us to continue innovating in the podcast industry, amplifying diverse voices and stories that inspire and entertain. As proud members of Newark’s thriving tech scene, we are excited about this opportunity to contribute further to its growth, diversity, and vitality.

With Audible’s support, we anticipate breaking even more barriers and leaving an indelible mark on the audio and podcast industry. Stay tuned because the best is still on the horizon!

African Folktales With Miss Jo Jo, the hit multicultural children’s podcast from ABF Creative, is returning for another long fun third season of cultural stories. Narrated by award-winning voice actress Heidi Kwiat known to well over half a million kids as Miss Jo Jo, the podcast has proved a runaway success since the first season was launched during COVID in June 2020.

Aiming to inspire kids with lessons on telling the truth, greediness, anti-bullying and more, each week the podcast will share ancient folktales modernized with charismatic storytelling and attention-grabbing sound design. Season two introduced interactive quizzes to each episode, season 3 expands on that concept and adds longer stories to the mix which was one of the most requested asks from parents and kids alike.

This season also doesn’t just stick to Africa. The podcast will explore folktales from Haiti, Jamaica, and Ethiopia as a way to expand the universe of the show and create more narrative opportunities for the IP’s main character Miss Jo Jo.

African Folktales With Miss Jo Jo has quickly inspired a growing diverse community of listeners and fans, adding even more accolades after its 2021 Webby Award win for diversity and inclusion. Common Sense Media, the authority in children’s media ranked the podcast 4 out of 5 stars stating “These stories are absolutely worth a listen for their entertainment, moral, and cultural value.”

African Folktales With Miss Jo Jo is a podcast from ABF Creative, the fast-growing multicultural podcast company based in Newark, NJ. ABF Creatives’ other notable multicultural kids & family efforts include “Adventures of Cairo” which was awarded Common Sense Media’s distinguished Selections seal of excellence to recognize outstanding kids and family centered podcast programs. Also, the firm released a daily affirmations podcast Charm Words which Parents Magazine recognized as 1 of 7 realistic media representations for Black kids.

Anthony Frasier, CEO of ABF Creative, celebrated the show: “We absolutely love creating this show and love how much it appeals to kids of all backgrounds. We can’t wait for kids to go on adventures with Miss Jo Jo this season. This show has transcended what it means to be a multicultural-focused podcast. The audience and reach go beyond just BIPOC children. This shows that cultural stories have the potential to appeal to the world. We anticipate Miss Jo Jo on other platforms very soon.”

African Folktales With Miss Jo Jo will be available on Tuesday, July 19th on Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms. Subscribers of ABF Fam, on Apple Podcasts, can enjoy ad-free 1-week early access.

An Unsung Hero of Gaming History Deserves a Higher Profile

Press Start

If you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, you remember the cartridge era. Without cartridges, games like Super Mario Bros., Mega Man, Metroid, Sonic the Hedgehog, Madden NFL, and Street Fighter II would never have been possible. And without Jerry Lawson, cartridges would not have been possible.

In August, Anthony Frasier, a Black tech and media entrepreneur from Newark, New Jersey, created and narrated Raising the Game, an Audible original podcast. He wonders aloud why few understand Lawson’s impact. Lawson, the true inventor and engineer of the video game cartridge, created an essential component of the multibillion-dollar gaming industry. Why, then, are his accomplishments hidden behind a wall of white?

Frasier says that he discovered Lawson’s story while working in Silicon Valley trying to build his tech startup. He attended a memorial service for Lawson even though he was just some random guy who never knew him. “I left that day inspired, but angry I had been robbed of examples like this to model my career after. I wanted to put an end to that.” Though he started the project back in 2019, when he first got connected with Audible, all of the research and lining up all the interviews couldn’t be completed until this year, the 10th anniversary of Lawson’s death.

Read the full article on WIRED.

Charm Words was recently featured in a list carefully crafted by Parent Magazine titled “7 Realistic Media Representations of Black Kids for Them To Read, Listen to, and Watch.”

It’s normal to deal with bad feelings from time to time. We’ve got a podcast recommendation to help kids make it to the other side. Charm Words meets children where they are and gives them empowering words in the form of daily affirmations, like “Challenges help me to learn and grow,” and breathing exercises that combat negative thoughts. The podcast is a “daily reminder to be good to themselves and others.” The short 2-3 minute episodes, which explore topics like feeling good in your body, doing your best, and listening to feelings, are just short enough to keep little ones’ attention.

Read the full feature here on Parents.com

Daily Podcast Encourages Healthy Mental Health Routines For Kids Through Positive Affirmations

NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 10, 2022 — ABF Creative, the first and only A.I.-driven podcast network of multicultural audio content announced its new podcast ‘Charm Words’ , a daily show designed to empower the young minds of children of color through affirmations and breathing exercises.

‘Charm Words’ encourages kids to be the authors of their own stories by replacing negative-self talk with empowering affirmations. Each episode includes a short breathing exercise and positive affirmations. The show looks to help parents and educators  take  advantage of the transformational benefits positive affirmations can have on their children by creating an easily accessible podcast they can tune into every morning.

“After reading how affirmations of worth had so much impact on young people, especially children of color, it really inspired us to find a way to make content that is intentional and accessible to all children! Charm Words helps us achieve that goal.” – Anthony Fraiser, CEO ABF Creative

The series will touch on topics of self worth, building confidence, bullying, celebrating diversity, managing your emotions and more. Each 2-5 minute episode features an animated and energetic narrator who guides the listener through breathing techniques and inspiring affirmations.

“Establishing a positive sense of self and the ability to question, probe and problem-solve are essential to the foundation of managing an ever changing world and becoming lifelong learners. Affirmations can be pathways to the positive, proactive development of racial identity, social interactions, resilience and agency in children and youth. They may also help establish,  strengthen and reinforce a self-affirming, confidence-building sense of individual strength, confidence, and self-worth – Dr. Ed Greene, PHD

Available on Spotify, Youtube Kids, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and anywhere you listen to your podcasts.  Charm Words will include episodes, releasing daily beginning Monday, January 10, 2022. 

ABOUT ABF CREATIVE

America’s first and only A.I.-driven producer of multicultural audio content, ABF Creative is a Webby award winning podcast network. ABF Creative offers advertisers national opportunities through its range of media assets creating comprehensive, innovative campaigns for some of the country’s largest companies. Our proprietary production framework, creative vision, and deep understanding of our audience’s unique tastes enable us to deliver award-winning audio entertainment that engages listeners and provides our advertisers/sponsors/partners with effective vehicles for their brand messaging. To learn more about ABF Creative visit abfcreative.com  & follow us on Instagram, Twitter & Youtube

Nielson has released it’s most recent Seen on Screen 2021 report which revealed what we always have known, people look for content that they can identify and see themselves in. Podcasts are not only one of the fastest rising media platforms, it’s also becoming more and more relevant to audiences of color. So Black listeners are expecting the same representation in audio that they are growing to expect from television and movies. If large audio platforms and companies marketing through audio continue to ignore this audience it won’t only be a cultural misstep, it could be an costly one.

Nielson’s report reveals that podcast popularity is booming among Black audiences. This is mostly because Black viewers are searching for the commentary and community around their favorite visual content. Once that audience goes to audio platforms, they need a reason to stay, and we should give it to them. Why? Black podcast listeners are not just streaming more than other groups, they are responding to brands and advertisements more than any other group as well. We are talking about an audience with a $1T buying power averaging a 73% brand recall for podcast ads. This is partly why ABF Creative creates for this audience, but also help brands make that cultural connection.

Some interesting “can’t be ignored” stats from the study:

• Black men are more likely to listen to podcasts 6-7x per month
• Black men spend 8-10 hours listening to podcasts per week

I’m looking forward to learning even more from Nielson this year, as well as our own studies we’ll be releasing around Black podcast listenership.

From PC Mag:

The video game industry as we know it would not exist without the pioneering work of African-American engineer Jerry Lawson. Author Anthony Frasier joins us to talk about his new audiobook, Raising the Game, that sheds light on Lawson’s untold story.

I had the opportunity to talk with PC Magazine’s show “The Pop Off” about our latest Audible Original “Raising The Game.” The 3 part documentary series is available now exclusively on Audible.