A Q&A with Podcast Producer Keisha “TK” Dutes

By TueNight Crew

 

Age: Grown.

Basic bio: TK is a creator at heart. If she can think of it, she’ll try to do it. Her podcast Open World is a fiction anthology exploring hopeful futures through science and tech with co-host Rose Eveleth. Most recently she executive produced Good Words with Kirk Franklin and Headspace’s HiberNation. 

Beyond the bio: The great thing about becoming a woman of a certain age — or as I call it entering the thunderdome — is feeling comfortable in my own skin. I am absolutely sure about who I am and when I’m having a great day, I feel like a superhero for myself.

What makes you a grown-ass lady? 

Boundaries. One Halloween my brother and I knocked on the neighbor lady’s door too late, and she answered in her silky grown ass lady robe. As I peeked inside her single lady house with all the art and cool stuff from her travels, she told us with kindness, to scram. That’s when I knew I was meeting a grown ass lady. It’s one of my favorite lessons about boundaries ever.

1. On the nightstand: Humidifier, empty vape pen, a book called Black Fortunes.

2. Can’t stop/won’t stop: Trying new things.

3. Jam of the minute: “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak).

4. Thing I miss: Friday trips to the supermarket with my grandma.

5. ‘80s crush: There weren’t that many people for me to have crushes on. But I did identify with “Rudy” from The Cosby Show.

6. Current crush: Drake and Niecy Nash.

7. Latest fave find: Resin art. It’s my third pandemic hobby, I make little trays and candle holders for friends. Before that, I made ice cream and put things in the air fryer.

8. Last thing you lost: My credit card! Yikes!

9. Best thing that happened recently: I went to the Caribbean for the first time, on vacation to Jamaica.

10. Looking forward to: Moving to a bigger apartment, I’m done decorating this one. I need a clean slate.

Originally Published June 14, 2021. Updated June 18, 2021.