Akilah Hughes

Los Angeles

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

I miss Neopets. | Founding Host of ‘What a Day’ from @crookedmedia | @SundanceOrg Alum | OBVIOUSLY 📗 | Rebel Spirit podcast out now 🩵

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Articles

FINAL HOURS: Vote for Rebel Spirit at the Webbys

1 week ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Alright, my final plea at the end of democracy and in the midst of what is an absolutely hideous time in America is a frivolous ask, I know:Things are awful, and tbh this little award is something to look forward to in the hellscape for a number of reasons, not the least of which being we are still waiting on a season 2 order, and awards help. Because we were kinda ramrodded into a “DEI” category because I’m Black, which kinda misses the point.
We're in 2nd Place. Diva Down!

1 week ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Popping in during a constitutional crisis to ask for your vote in a relatively low-stakes awards push feels weird, but hey, it’s 2025 babay. Rebel Spirit, my podcast about changing a Confederate mascot in a state that wasn’t even in the Confederacy is currently in 2nd place for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging category at the Webbys. I know. Nuts. Don’t even ask me what PAC sponsored chat show is beating us. It’s not great.
The Time I Scared Stephen King IRL

2 weeks ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

I spent 80 hours writing, shooting, and editing this video. Pls pop some popcorn, get cozy, and enjoy:The next episode will be about the time I met Quentin Tarantino at Friendsgiving. I swear!
...But we're not allowed to say "I told you so"

2 weeks ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

I’m a virgo. I’m part of the 92%. I can read. Therefore I am not built for this moment of watching the inevitable play out. Rebel Spirit,the most personal and profound project of my life, is nominated for a Webby Award this year! The website is surely convoluted, and you basically have to hit the voting button, use the search option, and look up Rebel Spirit to vote for us in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion podcast category—probably the last time it’ll be legal to have a DEI category.
It's More than Luigi vs. Insurance Companies

1 month ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Luigi Mangione is back in court today for the federal charges against him in connection to his alleged murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare.
The Kinds of People Who Get Scammed

1 month ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Waking up everyday to the horrors™️ has not been great for any of our mental health. But one thing that I think has helped me zoom out has been watching the slow realization, that, for many, they got scammed. Whether they thought not voting was some sort of progressive action or they actually thought Donald Trump was going to improve their lives, the acceptance phase of being sold a lemon has started to set in.
re: planes falling out of the sky

1 month ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

I spent literally 40 hours working on this, do me a solid and watch. Also, consider subscribing, liking, commenting, and helping me punch the right-wing media complex online (my old stomping grounds). You like this? Consider subscribing, throw me a few bucks:Speaking of, tomorrow is the State of the Union. I’m hosting a fun, concurrent chat with Senators Chris Murphy and Brian Schatz for MoveOn.org/TrumpBS starting at 8:15ET/5:15PT. Come hang out. xxAP.S.: still porting this over to a new platform.
You Don't Know American History

2 months ago | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Black people do not have the luxury of ignoring reality in their politics. For the short period of time that we’ve had the right to vote, the overwhelming majority of the choices involved holding our nose and selecting the lesser of two evils. You see, Black people understand the importance of mitigating damage, because damage is the world we live in. Unfortunately the lesser of two evils lost. We don’t need to keep re-litigating it. I’ve been really angry lately. There are plenty of reasons for this.
On the eve of the Love is Blind S6 Finale

Jan 23, 2025 | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

I will start with a confession: I find today’s era of reality shows tedious. Maybe it’s because I’m an adult now, and when I was 10 and too young to be as obsessed as I was with The Real World and Flavor of Love, I wasn’t as hyper-aware of how heavy-handed producers and editors are, and I was naive enough to believe falling in love on camera was something possible for anybody casting decided on. I also had never been drunk and had less awareness of how many mistakes people make while inebriated.
Why Diss Tracks are Good for This Era

Jan 23, 2025 | thespitestack.substack.com | Akilah Hughes

Once upon a time, a friend of mine assessed my internet presence. He said, as diplomatically as he could, “I think people would be surprised how nice you are in real life.” which was a nice way of saying I’m a bitch online. The Spite Stack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I mean, maybe not always, but I definitely am aware of the fact that I’ve fought publicly on the internet.