CUNY TV's Black America

Anyone who has ever searched in vain for their name on a souvenir keychain or had it mispronounced because it's unique will relate to Luvvie Ajayi Jones' latest book, Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name.

New York Times bestselling author Frederick Joseph joins us to dive into his powerful new book, This Thing of Ours.

Melicia Whitt-Glover, executive director of the Council on Black Health, talks about her work to improve health outcomes in Black communities, the challenges of health disparities, and the power of culturally-centered research and community leadership.

Artist and Professor Sophia Victor explores the power of art to give voice to those often forgotten.

Author and historian Martha S. Jones discusses her latest book, The Trouble with Color: An American Family Memoir.

Jamia Wilson discusses her book, "Make Good Trouble", a powerful and inspiring book aimed at young readers to encourage them to stand up for justice, equality, and human rights, drawing on the legacy of civil rights leaders like John Lewis.

Anna Glass, Executive Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, discusses the Theatre's evolution into one of the most dynamic cultural institutions of our time.

Photographer Deborah Willis, along with journalist Kevin Merida, collaborate to co-author the compelling book Kamala: Her Historic, Joyful, and Auspicious Sprint to the White House.

New York Times best-selling author Renée Watson talks about her book All the Blues in the Sky, which follows 13-year-old Sage as she navigates the pain and sorrow of losing her best friend. Also joined by Sharice Simpson and Dr. Charles Barrett.

Executive Producer, Kamilah Forbes discusses the legacy and future of the Apollo Theater and her work as a director.

American photographer and visual artist Chester Higgins discusses his journey documenting African and African-American history and culture over five decades, his book The Sacred Nile, and the significance of preserving these histories through visual art.

Award-winning children's and young adult author Leah Johnson discusses her journey as a writer, her upcoming anthology Black Girl Power, and the importance of representation for Black girls in literature.

Paulana Lamonier, CEO and Founder of Black People Will Swim, discusses the work her organization is doing to promote water safety, increase access to swimming lessons, and challenge cultural barriers within the Black community.

Emmy® award-winning choreographer and founder of the Black Iris Project, Jeremy McQueen, discusses his company's upcoming premiere of Blood in the Soil, a ballet that honors the history and legacy of Black and Indigenous farmers and their deep connection

Lurie Daniel Favors, Lawyer, Activist, and Executive Director of The Center for Law and Social Justice at CUNY's Medgar Evers College, discusses organizing efforts, voting and the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.

Emmy® and Tony Award winner Courtney B. Vance returns to Black America to discuss his role in Ryan Murphy's FX and Hulu series "Grotesquerie", the impact James Earl Jones had on his career, the challenges Black men face with mental health and more.

Jonnel C. Doris, CEO of START Treatment & Recovery Centers, discusses the urgent social challenges affecting New Yorkers and the need for comprehensive solutions to these interconnected health issues.

Dr. Jervette R. Ward, Chair of the Black Studies Department at City College, explores the transition from a program to a full-fledged department and the role five key demands from Black and Hispanic students played in this shift.

In this episode of Black America, we revisit Season 9 and highlight key moments and conversations that challenged our perspectives.

Tony Award-winning actress Nikki M. James delivers a powerful performance as Ida B. Wells in Shaina Taub's "Suffs," a musical that explores the 1913 Women's Movement.

Historian and New York Times bestselling author Nell I. Painter explores her latest book, "I Just Keep Talking: A Life in Essays," delving into decades of her historical research with original sketches and more.

New York Times bestselling and award winning author, Renée Watson joins host Carol Jenkins to discuss her novel, "Skin & Bones".

Gilda N. Squire, Founder of Squire Media & Management Inc. Gilda is one of the few Black women who has reached to upper echelons of public relations. Her professional network has pushed the careers of many celebrities, history makers, authors and more.

Maleek Washington is a performer, choreographer and teaching artist whose creative footprint extends from the stages of Broadway to off-Broadway productions like "Soul Train: The Hippest Trip", "Hell's Kitchen" and "For Colored Girls."

For many years, Rikers Island has remained at the epicenter of human rights violations. In this episode, Stanley Richards, President/CEO of The Fortune Society shares his experience working on his mission to reintegrate formerly imprisoned into society.

Marc Morial, President and CEO of The National Urban League discusses their "State of Black America" Report, home ownership, wealth gap, moving to Harlem, and other important topics with host Carol Jenkins.

Join us for the 2nd half as we dive into the importance of the Black vote and what it means for voting rights, the Supreme Court, IVF, and other key issues with three political experts.

As the 2024 election approaches, we dive into the importance of the Black vote and what it means for voting rights, the Supreme Court, IVF, and other key issues with three political experts, Dr. Basil Smikle, Errol Louis and Dr. Christina Greer.

Janet Dewart Bell shares her collection of speeches by Black women in her latest work, "Blackbirds Singing: Inspiring Black Women's Speeches from the Civil War to the Twenty-first Century".

Our host, Carol Jenkins sits with Dr. Jonathan Quash, Director of CUNY's Black Male Initiative (BMI), and James Viafara, a student at Medgar Evers College to discuss the program's significance, its historical roots, and its broader impact beyond people of color.

Dr. Uché Blackstock discusses the devastating cycle of racism in our health care system in her memoir, "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine".

Taking a look at Black academia and what it looks like for Black Faculty with host Carol Jenkins. Joined by June Cross, Errol Olton Dr. Marcus D. Allen

Award-winning journalist and senior television producer, Marquita Pool-Eckert shares her journey in television as a woman of color who has worked in 15 countries, breaking major news events and Sr. Producer of Sunday Morning at CBS News for 30 years.

Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Co-Founder of Higher Heights discusses Black women in politics and her new role as the Chair of Reproductive Freedom for All; formerly known as NARAL.

Marlon Taylor-Wiles, Experiential Designer & Founder of "Flying Under the Radar" (FUTR) discusses how he combines his love for fashion, dance and art through his work.

Spike Lee discusses his personal collection featured in the Brooklyn Museum, his work and legacy.

Raven Jemison, an experienced sports business executive, joins host Carol Jenkins to discuss her book, "More Than Representation: The Cheat Codes to Own Your Seat at the Table".

Kazem Abdullah discusses his role as Conductor in "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X" to the Metropolitan Opera for a groundbreaking performance.

Denene Millner is a New York Times Bestselling author who has written over 30 books for countless celebrities and now debuts her first solo book entitled "One Blood".

Author, Kristal Brent Zook joins host Carol Jenkins to discuss "Girl in the Yellow Poncho: A Memoir" that takes us through her life as a young girl who navigates what it means to be biracial while trying to overcome trauma on her journey to healing.

New York Times Best Selling Author, Jacqueline Woodson joins us to discuss being named NYS Author and her latest book, "Remember Us" along with Patricia Spears Jones who shares her latest work, "The Beloved Community" and being named NYS Poet.

Rachel L. Swarns discusses her latest book, "The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Church". A story of the American Catholic Church and one family's will to survive.