CUNY TV's Mike Gilliam: Let It Rip

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.