Meet the Team

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michael leach

FOUNDER - CO-HOST - HE/HIM

I am 1/3 host of The Extra Curricular podcast, a space I created to feel like a classroom, a group chat, and a chosen family all at once. As a host, I lead conversations that are honest, curious, and unapologetically fun—where culture, relationships, ambition, and identity all get a seat at the table. I don’t aim to talk at people; I talk with them. Whether I’m kiki-ing with friends, unpacking real-life lessons, or spotlighting voices that deserve more attention, my goal is always to make listeners feel seen, included, and encouraged to show up as their full selves.

Being a Black queer person in New York City shapes everything I bring to the mic. NYC is loud, fast, beautiful, and unforgiving—and navigating it while holding multiple marginalized identities teaches you resilience, humor, and perspective. My lived experiences inform the way I listen, the questions I ask, and the stories I choose to amplify. I understand what it means to take up space in rooms not built for you, to redefine success on your own terms, and to find joy and softness in a world that often demands toughness. That perspective is not theoretical—it’s lived, daily, and deeply personal.

Having my voice heard matters because Black queer stories deserve more than survival narratives—we deserve joy, nuance, messiness, and fun. The Extra Curricular is my way of saying we can be thoughtful and unserious, healing and hilarious, all at the same time. This platform lets me speak freely, love loudly, and invite others to do the same. And with that, I’m excited to pass the mic to my incredible co-host, Ahmya (they/them), who brings their own brilliance, perspective, and energy to the conversation—because class is always better when more voices are heard.

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AHMYA MCCOY

CO-HOST - THEY/THEM

As one of the co-hosts of The Extra Curricular, this space feels especially close to home for me. Growing up, extracurricular activities were where I found my footing—where I felt grounded, seen, and like I truly belonged outside of the classroom. In many ways, this podcast carries that same energy. The Extra Curricular is where conversation, community, and creativity meet, and as a host, I intend to help foster honest dialogue, shared learning, and a space where Black queer stories can live freely and unapologetically.

Being raised in NYC allowed me to witness a world slowly becoming more open to people living authentically. Even with that progress, space wasn’t always guaranteed—especially for those of us navigating identity and purpose. That’s why creating your own space matters. This podcast exists for the people who don’t always see themselves reflected but know their stories deserve room to exist, be heard, and be respected.

As a Black non-binary person, it’s important to me that The Extra Curricular uplifts queer people of color—especially my trans sisters and brothers. This platform is about truth, care, and accountability: holding space for hard conversations without losing joy, humor, or humanity. We show up ready to learn, unlearn, and grow together, knowing that storytelling is both healing and powerful. And with that, I pass the mic to my co-host Cyan (He/They), whose Southern charm, grounded realness, and undeniable presence help carry The Extra Curricular forward and invite you deeper into the conversation.

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CYan hunter

CO- HOST - HE/THEY

Black queer voices have always shifted culture, even when they were pushed to the margins. As the final co-host of The Extra Curricular , I am excited to be part of something new in the podcast industry—one that intentionally centers those voices rather than treating them as an afterthought. As a participant in media and culture, I have often felt there was something missing in the algorithm: too many voices that don’t reflect the communities I belong to. I eventually realized that what was missing from the algorithm was myself—and more importantly, people who look like me and move through the world in similar ways.

Growing up in the South, I didn’t have access to a queer community that could foster and grow alongside me, which often felt isolating. Even social media at the time couldn’t help me discover other queer voices. I spent much of my time finding myself outside of school, and extracurricular activities became essential spaces where I could explore identity, creativity, and belonging beyond the classroom. Through clubs and a dance company, my identity evolved from student to artist. It wasn’t until I moved to New York and continued my education in the arts that I fully began to form as an individual. There, I found my people and experienced the power of being seen, supported, and cared for in truly safe spaces.

The Extra Curricular is a necessary podcast for the times we live in—when it’s often easier to isolate in fear than to reach for love and connection. This space will foster real, raw, and informative conversations that push the boundaries of what it means to be Black and queer today. Black queer voices deserve to be at the forefront of these conversations because we don’t just participate in culture—we shape it. For the little queer person who doesn’t yet have access to community, Michael, Ahmya, and I stand as a visible reminder that taking up space boldly is not only possible, but powerful.