Story and Photos by Marika N. Johnson
The lights were low, the music was loud and the room was full on Wednesday night at Hoover’s Stardome, a space typically reserved for stand-up comedy. But this was not a comedy show. Instead, the crowd gathered for a live experience of Deante Kyle’s Grits and Eggs Podcast, a platform centered on honest conversations about community, purpose, and personal growth.
Kyle has grown his voice from humble beginnings, previously recording in his truck, to building a platform that leans into real conversations that challenge and connect. That evolution was on full display during his stop at the Stardome, where a sold-out crowd left both enlightened and reflective.
“Because of the Civil Rights Movement, people think impact has to be big. People don’t look at the amount of time it takes to make an impact; it’s also the small steps,” Kyle shared, grounding the evening in perspective and intention.
Part of the First Cousins Tour, the night balanced moments of humor with a largely serious tone. Kyle moved seamlessly between crowd interactions and deeper conversation, even pausing at one point to remind an outspoken attendee, “This ain’t a comedy show — this is a town hall.” The moment underscored the purpose behind his work, creating space for dialogue, not just entertainment.
The goal of Kyle’s live events is to bring the podcast into a shared, in-person setting where conversation becomes collective. Throughout the evening, he encouraged attendees to be present and intentional, offering both reflection and challenge. “Put your phones down!” he called out. “Hug a tree!” he exclaimed, reinforcing the importance of disconnecting from constant distractions and reconnecting with what matters.
What sets Kyle apart is his raw, unfiltered lens on the world we live in. He doesn’t dress up hard truths — he confronts them, offering insight on how to navigate a culture filled with distractions. From reconnecting with nature and staying grounded to emphasizing the importance of community and conserving personal energy amid the trivial distractions of social media and even the negativity found in advertisements, his message feels both practical and necessary.
He referenced a recently released sports ad that featured an image of an African American man with logos seemingly etched into his back, bearing a resemblance to imagery associated with the scars of slavery. Kyle noted that images like these, even when negative, are designed to create engagement, which ultimately serves the interests of those behind them.
Kyle’s message is rooted in his journey. He began with limited resources, recording episodes from his truck before steadily building Grits and Eggs into a growing platform. Now residing in Georgia, he shared that he once lived in Gadsden, Alabama, a connection that adds a layer of familiarity to his presence in the Birmingham area.
Kyle urges everyone in Birmingham “to come to more events where people are talking and doing things for the community… get involved in the politics that are happening locally that actually impact your way of living.” His journey reflects the very message he delivers: impact doesn’t always start big –it starts consistently and intentionally –but above all, Kyle says, “just start somewhere.”
