CUNY TV's Mike Gilliam: Let It Rip

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Veteran journalist Mike Gilliam and his guests look at issues that are impacting our everyday lives through a lens that looks beyond the headlines. A no-holds-barred discussion seeking to get at the root of issues that matter the most.

CUNY TV


    • May 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 69 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from CUNY TV's Mike Gilliam: Let It Rip

    NYC Mayoral Candidates Black Agenda

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 28:56


    Brad Lander and Michael Blake join LET IT RIP to make their case to black voters on why they are the best candidates for mayor. We tackle their Black agenda and hear their plans to address key issues impacting Black New Yorkers. Topics include affordable housing, education, economic opportunity, and racial justice.

    Mass Deportations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 27:38


    Let It Rip takes a deep dive into the Trump administration's deportation efforts of dissenting voices by international students, the targeting of free speech on college campuses by Elon Musk, and the growing resistance of citizens pushing back against what some believe is authoritative actions from Donald Trump. How far will the state go to silence dissent—and how far will the people go to fight back?

    NYC Mayoral Race Heats Up As Trump Battles Democratic Party

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 24:46


    Let It Rip breaks down the very contentious Mayoral race in New York City as former Govenor, Andrew Cuomo, officially puts his hat in the ring against an embattled Eric Adams. We also take a deep dive into the fractured Democratic Party infighting as President Donald Trump doubles down on his controversial executive orders.

    TRUMP's Crackdown On BirthRight Citizenship And DEI

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 26:20


    Let it Rip examines the return of Donald Trump to the white house and the sweeping executive orders to end Diversity equity and inclusion programs, Birthright citizenship and the recent raids by ICE to execute mass deportation of undocumented immigrants. Guests include former Speaker of the New York City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito; Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), Linda Tigani; and anti-racist historian, Ernest Crim.

    Robert Brooks And The Push For Prison Reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 25:50


    Let It Rip kicks off the new year with a new host, Angelo Pinto, and a powerful conversation examining the recent killing of a black inmate, Robert Brooks, by correctional officers in a New York State prison. Guest include, an exclusive interview with the father of Robert Brooks, Robert Ricks; NY Assembly member, Khaleel Anderson; Hip-Hop Artist, Mysonne Linen; Former NYPD Officer, Edwin Raymond; Fredricka Martinez; Frans Sital; and Gerard Domond; a Brooklyn native that was exonerated after serving 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

    Election 2024: A Trump Mandate Or Democratic Party Failure?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 26:01


    Let It Rip goes beyond the mainstream headlines to breakdown the 2024 Presidential election results and its impact on New York City, along with race relations in America. Guests include NYC Council member Althea Stevens; former NYS Assembly member, Adam Clayton Powell; and Chairperson of the December 12th movement, Omowale Clay.

    Feds Charge NYC Mayor Eric Adams & Calls For His Resignation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 25:16


    Let It Rip debates the political chaos surrounding the recent federal charges against Mayor Eric Adams, calls for his resignation, and the growing concerns by some viewing this as a larger attack against Black political representation in New York City. Guests include NYC Council Member, Sandy Nurse; and Attorney, Angelo Pinto.

    Kamala Harris & The Haitian Dominican Republic Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 27:09


    Let It Rip examines the political significance of Kamala Harris' Presidential candidacy and the historical tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

    Budget Talk With Mayor Eric Adams and The Progressive Caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 27:54


    Let It Rip sits down with Mayor, Eric Adams, for an exclusive interview to discuss the recently passed $112.4 Billion city budget, along with two members of the progressive caucus, to hear why they voted against this record-breaking budget.

    Trump vs Biden: The Battle for Black and Latino Voters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 25:03


    In a passionate debate, Let It Rip tackles the ongoing push to woo Black and Latino voters by presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Guests include NY Assembly member, Landon Dais; Chairman of the NY Young Republican Hispanic Caucus, Adam Solis; CUNY Professor Reece Peck; and community organizer, Jordan Wright.

    Israel - Hamas War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 25:22


    Let It Rip debates the political impact the Israel - Hamas war is having on America, along with the Pro-Palestinian encampment protests taken place across college campuses with New York City Council member, Inna Vernikov and New York State Senator, Jabari Brisport.

    Fireside Chat With The Hood Caucus & Ingrid Martin-Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 25:34


    Let It Rip sits down with the newly formed New York City Council "Hood Caucus" to share how they are reshaping conventional politics and challenging the government to do more for underserved neighborhoods, along with an in-depth chat with Mayor Adams' Chief Advisor, Ingrid Martin-Lewis.

    Young Voters Onx The Biden vs Trump Rematch

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 27:19


    Let It Rip sits down with young voters for a passionate conversation to hear their thoughts on the upcoming 2024 presidential election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Guests include two PhD CUNY candidates, Tanzeem Ajmiri and Alexandria Lockhart; along with Republican strategist, Vanessa Simon.

    Tackling The Racial Wealth Gap

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 26:23


    Let It Rip examines the racial wealth and pay gap facing New Yorkers of color, particularly women, and the impact it may have on the presidential election. Guests include NYC Comptroller, Brad Lander; NYC Council Member, Althea Stevens, and Vice President of Government Relations at The Parkside Group, Kalima Johnson.

    City Council Clashes With Mayor Eric Adams

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 26:34


    Let It Rip examines the political tension between Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council in what has been a months-long battle over recent budget cuts and oversight of the NYPD. Joining us in discussion are City Council members, Yusef Salaam, Sandy Nurse, and Chi Ossé.

    Reproductive Rights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 26:39


    Let It Rip examines the impact Reproductive Rights and the turnout of people of color will have on the 2024 presidential election.

    Prison Industrial Complex

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 25:01


    Let It Rip examines the foster care to prison pipeline and the rapidly growing aging prison population in America.

    Political Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 25:01


    Let It Rip breaks down the disarray consuming the Republican party with the ouster of the former speaker, Kevin McCarthy, and the MAGA hardliners pushing both the Republican and Democratic parties further to the right. Guests include John Jay College student and Managing Editor of the Sentinel, Alexandra Cortese; New York City Council Member Charles Barron; and former NY Assembly Member Adam Clayton Powell, IV.

    Rudy Giuliani, Proud Boys, and Domestic Terrorism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 26:06


    Let It Rip examines the rise and fall of indicted Ex NYC Mayor, Rudy Giuliani and the historical similarities between the 1992 City Hall police riots and the January 6 insurrection. We also take a deep dive into the growing concerns around homegrown violent extremist organizations like the Proud Boys.

    Affirmative Action and Legacy Admissions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 58:21


    Let It Rip sits down with NY Assembly Member, Latrice Walker; NYC Council Member, Eric Dinowitz; Hunter College Professor, Margaret Chin; and York College Dean, George White to discuss proposed legislation to end Legacy Admissions and the recent overturning of race based college admissions by the Supreme Court. We also announce the new host of Let It Rip, Kiiru Gichuru, and chat with Mike Gilliam about his new show, “A Slice of New York.

    NYPD Commissioner's Resignation & Affordable Housing Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2023 26:50


    Let It Rip examines the unexpected resignation of NYPD Commissioner, Keechant Sewell, along with the recently approved rent hike by the Rent Guidelines Board impacting over 1 million New Yorkers living in rent stabilized apartments in the city. Guests include New York City Council member, Chi Ossé; Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater NY, Chivona Newsome, and Vice President of The NYPD Guardians Association, Eric Blake.

    NYC Council District 9 Candidate's Debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 58:21


    Let It Rip, presented by CUNY TV, is thrilled to present the only televised Democratic primary District 9, New York City Council Candidate's Debate for 2023.

    Trump's Indictment and The Expulsion of Tennessee Lawmakers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 25:18


    Let It Rip examines the irony of the criminal investigation into Donald Trump and the connection to the exoneration of the Central Park 5. We will also analyze the expulsion and reinstatement of two Black Tennessee representatives and what it reveals about race and democracy.

    Fox News Lawsuit & The Banking Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 26:24


    Let It Rip examines the $1.6 Billion dollar defamation lawsuit against Fox corporation, brought by Dominion Voting System, that claims various Fox entities peddled election falsehoods and lies around Dominion's voting machines during the 2020 elections. Let It Rip also sits down with NY State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, to discuss the recent Bank failures and the various attacks by the GOP on so-called “woke” capitalism.

    Tyre Nichols and Police Reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 25:59


    In a passion filled discussion, Let It Rip examines the recent killing of Tyre Nichols by Memphis, Tennessee Police officers and debates Police reform with retired NYPD Officer, Priscilla Harden; NYC Council Member, Charles Barron; John Jay College Professor, Felipe Rodriquez; City College Professor, Herb Boyd; and Co-Founder Of Black Lives Matter of Greater NY, Hawk Newsome.

    Black History Month Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 26:55


    Let It Rip celebrates Black History Month by highlighting the great accomplishments Black Art has contributed to civil and human rights. Let It Rip also sits down with the newly appointed President of Medgar Evers College, Dr. Patricia Ramsey to discuss her vision for the college and the legacy of Civil Rights Advocate, Medgar Evers.

    Labor Crisis, Brittney Griner Update, and Dr. King's Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2023 26:53


    Let It Rip takes a deep dive into the latest unemployment data in NYC, examines the recent release of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner from a Russian penal colony and the needed push for Cannabis reform. We also highlight the historical contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to labor struggles and worker's rights.

    Midterm Election Results and Political Weaponizing Of Crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 26:52


    Let It Rip examines the recent midterm election results, and spotlights the weaponization of crime used by both Republican and Democratic candidates for votes. Guests include NY State Senator, Jabari Brisport, CUNY Professor, Alexandra Moffet-Bateau, former NY Assemblyman, Adam Clayton Powell, and Community activist, Lawrence Hamm.

    U.S. Midterm Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 25:58


    Let It Rip examines the upcoming midterm elections, along with the impact the Economy, Reproductive Rights and Social Justice issues will have on voters. We will also sit down with two CUNY Students to hear their top political concerns and outlook on the current political climate.

    Environmental Racism & Criminal Justice Reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 25:46


    Let It Rip breaks down how decades of systemic racism is at the root of Jackson, Mississippi's water crisis and the recent mass exoneration by the Brooklyn DA to overturn almost 400 convictions due to false testimony by NYPD officers.

    Trump, Brittney Griner, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 26:41


    Let It Rip takes a summer recap of the Trump Mar-a-Lago investigation, the Brittney Griner's Russian conviction, the indictments of the killer cops of Breonna Taylor by the FBI and the convictions of the murderers of Ahmaud Arbery. Also there will be a musical performance by Neo Soul artist, Rob Clove, performing “Little Black Boy”.

    Abortion Rights & Gun Violence Prevention

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 27:00


    Let It Rip examines the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade with CUNY Law Professors, Natalie Gomez-Velez and Cynthia Soohoo. We also sit down with the newly appointed Gun Czar of NYC, Andre T. Mitchell. Live in-studio musical performance by Reggae Artist, Ras Droppa.

    Public Safety & Reparations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 26:38


    Let It Rip takes a hard look into the rise in Crime in New York City and recently passed Reparations legislations for African-Americans.

    Ukraine Refugee Crisis & Ketanji Brown Jackson Nomination

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 26:36


    Let It Rip examines the refugee crisis in Ukraine and the discrimination nonwhite Students in Ukraine face while fleeing the war. Let It Rip also celebrates the historic Supreme Court nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

    Crime & Cannabis Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 26:47


    Let It Rip takes a hard look at the uptick in crime with NYPD Detective, Eric Blake and Violence interrupter, Jibreel Jalloh. We also highlight the first-ever cannabis minor degree program for a CUNY campus, which introduces students and members of the community to the great entrepreneurial opportunities in the Cannabis industry.

    Omicron & Voting Rights

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 25:14


    Let It Rip takes a hard look into the new Omicron variant with NYC Councilwoman Gale Brewer; CUNY's Executive Director of ISPH, Denis Nash; and Johns Hopkins University's Law Professor, Stacey Lee. We also examined the fight for Voting Rights with Atlanta Councilman, Antonio Lewis and The Poor Peoples's Campaign Co-Chair, Rev. Liz TheoHarris.

    Inflation Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 23:47


    Let It Rip examines America's inflation crisis and the impact rising cost of goods is having on low-income communities with Lehman College Professor, Mine Doyran; Deputy District Manager of Community Board 5, Keron Alleyne; and CEO of Brock Logistic, Christopher Brock.

    NFL & Social Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 26:24


    Let It Rip sits down with Giants Super Bowl Champion, Chris Canty; Retired ESPN commentator, Bill Daughtry; York College Professor, Michele Gregory, and Brooklyn College Professor, Lawrence Johnson, to discuss the recent racist and homophobic emails from former NFL Coach, Jon Gruden which led to his resignation from the Las Vegas, Raiders football team.

    Vaccine Mandates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 26:43


    Let It Rip debates vaccine mandates with Henry Garrido, D.C. 37 Executive Director; Dr. Pamela Foster, Public Health Physician; Janet Calvo, CUNY Professor of Health Law; and Community Organizer, Brenda Walker.

    Political Shakeup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 26:51


    Let It Rip examines the ascension of Kathy Hochul, to NY Governor, and the rise of women and people of color to political leadership in New York State.

    The Fight Against Voter Suppression

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 26:38


    Let It Rip examines the various attacks on Voting Rights and the collective fight by activists, clergy, and the business Community to provide greater Voter access for people of color.

    Biden's First 100 Days

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 26:21


    Let It Rip examines the first 100 days of the Biden's administration and his handling of the economy, Covid, and vaccine distributions. We also take a hard look into the Derek Chauvin's murder verdict, and what this conviction does or does not signal regarding police brutality moving forward.

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