All Things Culture, All Things Millennial

By Ramona Roberts

2020 took away everything we knew as normal, but it also brought about some of the most creative forms of digital content. We all know what we’re used to seeing when we think of a talk show, but “PYNK N’ Sip” quickly came on the scene and introduced us to a new type of webseries perfect for the times we live in. I was able to chat with producers and cast about what “PYNK N’ Sip” is all about.

PYNK Lemonade Production Director, Khrystina Blanks, explains the idea of “PYNK N’ Sip” came to her in the summer of 2019. With her working in music she was constantly seeing new projects coming out such as podcasts and YouTube shows, but felt it wasn’t content for people her age. “I [didn’t] see anybody our age talking our mess saying what we want to see in pop culture. So I thought it be really cool to get a group of millennials over some drinks and talk our sh*t. I just saw how pop culture was moving and I wanted to provide a platform for our age group from all walks of life because the cast is very diverse.”

Working also as the host of this talk show, she points out the diversity is what makes the show so special and the start to other generations putting respect on millennials’ names. “I just wanted to show millennials don’t live in a vacuum, we’re spread out across so many different avenues. They like to think we don’t know what we’re talking about but we’re the ones actually making changes, we’re the ones fighting for what we believe in. No disrespect to our elders but yea. Something new, something fresh and something poppin’.”

Visual Content Producer, Sherdrain Johnson, talks on how that diversity was very intentional when casting the show. “We were looking for people that can give different perspectives on any topic without hearing people sounding repetitive. That was the main thing. From appearance to what you said out of your mouth [all] had to be different than the next person, and that’s how we went about it.

PYNK N’ Sip consists of a cast of six individuals all unique in their own ways. With the show being produced during the pandemic and most communication all virtual, you would think an authentic mesh would be hard to create. However, both producers emphasize they not only worked well together, but everyone just naturally clicked.

“Every month we kept up the group chat, like we’re friends, because at this point we are! All of the people could’ve been frustrated...they could’ve just dipped. But they didn’t, everybody stayed. And that shows me this is supposed to happen, it’s needed, and we’re just working on making it grow bigger and making it better.”

With a little liquid courage, this cast isn’t shy about sharing their opinion, discussing everything from dating and social media to exploring different avenues of cultural experiences. It’s fair to say they’re letting the world know they have something to say.

Munir Smith - The Life of the Party

This 28-year-old virgo is all about the positive vibes. Munir enjoys sharing love, laughter and life with everyone he engages with.

Why is the diversity of this show so special?

“Although we all identify as Black/poc, it’s not one dimensional. We all have different factors that make us who we are. So there’s not one stereotypical picture of a Black/brown person person that we all fit. We are all diverse and have different things going on. And that’s okay! I feel like we all have an unapologetic attitude which really encompasses what a millennial person is.”

Britney Renea - The Hustlin' Mama

Bossy & Flossy are the best words to describe Ms. Renea. Being a mother of two, she brings a nurturer approach still staying bold to who she is and how she feels. This 28-year-old virgo is all about the positive vibes. Munir enjoys sharing love, laughter and life with everyone he engages with.

What do you want people to take away from the show?

“I want people to take away our stories. We all have different stories to tell, we’ve all been through something completely different.”

Myriah Martin - The Woke Unicorn

Myriah is Brooklyn born and raised, and the sober drinker of the group. Having majored in African American studies at Temple University, she brings a very afrocentric perspective to the show.

How does this show represent millennials?

“I think a lot of times people have a misconception of who we are, and what we like, what we think, how we view the world. I think this show is a great opportunity to be the voice that probably doesn’t get heard often. We’re not debating, we’re not trying to go back and forth, we’re not combative. We’re expressing how we feel, we’re respectful of each other and that’s a big representation of what the millennial generation is right now. We may be different, we all have the same thinking that there has to be change and we know the only way that happens is if we all get an understanding of each other.”

Amina Hunt - The Hood Healer

Amina identifies herself as the balance of the show bringing a cool perspective. Working as an actress in films and series’ featured on Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix, she feels she is on the path of working in her passion.

How do you balance being a drinking show and addressing important conversations?

“I feel like because we come off that we take things so lightly, they think we can’t be serious. So I wanted to show that we do care about important factors of life in a topic and can still have a light hearted approach. Everybody can have different opinions and still have the same goal.” The Guys’ Guy Kyrie is Newark bred and brings a light comedic approach to sensitive topics. Although coming from a less creative background working corporate banking, he titles himself as the funniest person of the show.

Kyree Jones - The Guys' Guy

Kyrie is Newark bred and brings a light comedic approach to sensitive topics. Although coming from a less creative background working corporate banking, he titles himself as the funniest person of the show.

What do you want people to take away from what you bring to the show?

“I want people to take away the personality. I know here I’m the jokester for the most part, but outside and in real life I’m actually kind of quiet. But when I come to this show I get to be me, where as in my work life I ain’t joking around as much. So I just want to put my personality in the world, let people feel who I am.”

Ernie Poche - The Boogie Down Bronx Mami

The Boogie Down Bronx Mami Hailing from the Bronx, Erni is a campaigner for change.org and describes herself as the peacemaker of the group.

Where do you want to see PNS in the future?

“We want Issa Rae to sponsor and take the show...I want us to be a staple to where our voices have weight!”

Make sure you subscribe to the PYNK Lemonade YouTube channel and catch up on all the episodes from season one, because season two is on the way!