Real Black News

Episode 144 pops up for Men's Mental Health Month spotlighting Anti-Violence Ventures, a non-profit dedicated to helping young Black men stop the cycle of violence. Special guests Ajamn Johnson and George Granberry, III break down the group's work with Black teenagers dealing with violence in their homes, communities, and the world. Other topics discussed include the nationwide protests against ICE raids, No Kings Day, Anti-Blackness in the Latino community, and the Diddy trial. Follow Real Black News on Instagram @realblacknews #RealBlackNews #AntiViolenceVentures #CaliforniaBlackWomensHealthProject #ICERaids #DiddyTrial #NoKingsDay #MensMentalHealthMonth #Juneteenth #Juneteenth2025

Ep. 143 of Real Black News with Raqiyah Mays features 5 empowering Black news stories from South Central LA, Egypt, Philly, The UK, and South Sudan.  In celebration of Women's History Month, lawyer and immigrant rights activist Rebecca Alemayehu joins the podcast to share her work as the first Black attorney on the ground at the US-Mexico border helping Black asylum seekers and children in detention centers across the US. As the founder of Alemayehu African Dream and Co-founder of the Habesha Asylum Seeker Fund, Rebecca has made it her mission to raise awareness of the immigration crisis affecting the Black community. #RealBlackNews

In this first episode (and therapy session) of 2025, psychotherapist Dr. Camille Banks Lee provides critical tips for supporting children, adults, and all affected – physically and emotionally - by the trauma of the LA Wildfires. Other topics discussed: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the ceasefire in Gaza. #MLKDay 

Ep. 141, The Black Friday Episode of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, pops up to reclaim the day after Thanksgiving dedicated to shopping and flips it to dedicate it to Black businesses and funding.

Ep. 140 of Real Black News features the New York Times Bestselling author of the sci-fi novel Blood at the Root LaDarrion Williams. Known as the “Black Harry Potter,” Blood at the Root hit the NY Times Bestseller list in the Spring of 2024 and stayed as Audible's #1 audiobook for multiple weeks this summer. As he works on the sequel, Williams joins the podcast to discuss the process that led him to write Blood at the Root in 12 days, how he used rejection to motivate him, and his mission to put Black Boys on book covers.

  Ep.139 marks the Season 6 premiere of Real Black News. Host Raqiyah Mays digs into P. Diddy's legal drama, Suge Knight's reaction, Eric Adams' indictment, Trump voters, and five empowering Black news stories from Wales, Oklahoma, Zanzibar, Washington, DC, and Cote d'Ivoire.

This repost of Episode 82 from May 2020, honors the life of hip hop's legendary voice, the late Fatman Scoop. The two-time Grammy-winning MC, radio personality, and legendary hype man passed on August 30, 2024. In this episode recorded on April 30, 2020, during the Covid-19 quarantine, Scoop reflects on life. He discusses his career, kids, divorce, beating diabetes, working with Mariah, Diddy, Mya, and the repercussions of starring on reality TV.  Scoop also shares his perspective on news stories including Nigeria's multi-billion dollar gain and Color of Change's latest petition to help welfare recipients. #RIP #FatmanScoop

Episode 137 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, features a conversation about Kamala Harris' run for president and what we stand to lose if Trump wins the election. Five time Emmy-winning actor Wayne Brady joins the podcast to discuss his new show “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix,” coming out as pansexual, mental health in the community, and his fight against what it means to be Black.

Episode 136 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, posts on June 19, Juneteenth 2024, featuring stories about the first HBCU in California, the Ghanaian genius in the Guinness Book of World Records, Lebron James' Akron school milestone, the Mississippi girl saving the world, and more from the top 5 uplifting Black news stories from around the world with newsmakers from the worlds of entertainment, journalism, activism, politics, and beyond. #RealBlackNews

In this Special Edition bonus episiode of Real Black News, one of Hollywood's hottest up-and-coming directors, Stefon Bristol, discusses his new sci-fi movie "Breathe" starring Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Common, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Sam Worthington in theaters April 26. He shares details on his training from Spike Lee, the nuances of working with A-list actors, and tips on manuevering Hollywood's current climate.

On Episode 134 host Raqiyah Mays shares the top five empowering Black news stories from around the world including this episode's picks from Cameroon, Morocco, Washington, DC, Ghana, Newark, NJ, and even Dubai. Plus discussions on Wendy Williams, Black Girls Rock, and more.

Pop-up episode 133 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, brings uplifting news stories about people of African descent from Ghana, Sweden, Brazil, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Queens, New York. Psychotherapist Camille Banks Lee joins the episode to share three tips for staying empowered and manifesting the positive in 2024 and beyond.

Real Black News returns with host Raqiyah Mays after a year-and-a-half hiatus. The pop-up episode features five empowering Black news stories from around the world. #RealBlackNews

Writer and director Reggie Rock Bythewood drops knowledge and discusses everything from his coming-of-age Apple TV show "Swagger" and dedicating his work in film and TV to spotlighting and uplifting the Black community, to learning from Sidney Poitier, elders like James Earl Jones and Harry Belafonte, telling the story of Emmett Till, working with his wife, director Gina Prince Bythewood, teaching his son Black history and empowerment, along with powerful tips for writers and producers.

Episode 130 of Real Black News ends the year and begins 2022 with tips on manifesting and tapping into the moment with Therapist Camille Banks-Lee who gives guidance on everything from how to deal with anxiety and Intuitive eating to adolescent brains and mental health. This is an inspiring free therapy session. Other good news topics include the doula grants to help Black mamas, Black dads taking over schools, the indigenous fight to find the missing, and Africa's award-winning adolescent girl reporters, plus more of the top 5 empowering Real Black and Brown good news stories! #RealBlackNews

The new season of Real Black News launches with Ep. 129 and the dynamic power couple behind ABFF (The American Black Film Festival), Jeff & Nicole Friday. Celebrating twenty-five years of lifting Black Hollywood, Jeff & Nicole join Real Black News to discuss the history and success that's landed ABFF in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC, finding talent before the mainstream like Ryan Coogler, Halle Berry, & Will Packer; and how they juggle parenting, marriage, and business as a Black power couple. (Interview starts: 9:12) Other topics include Howard University's student protest, Jay-Z's job fair, Tanzania's billionaires, Indigenous History Month, Leonard Peltier, and 5 empowering Black & Brown News stories. #RealBlackNews

Ep 128 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and this week's two guests. The first is writer and director Malcolm Lee who discusses his new mega movie Space Jam:  A New Legacy.  He talks the ins and outs of directing for animation, plus his new journey and lessons in television as he writes and produces his upcoming TV show The Best Man: Final Chapters based on his classic film The Best Man (starts 8:27). While Sascha Penn, the Showrunner of one of this summer's hottest shows, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, joins the podcast to break down the making of the latest installment in the Power franchise with Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cent. Plus he shares golden, must-listen advice for writers (starts 31:25). Other topics include Jamaica's reparations, Black Girls Lead, the NAACP's Bail Fund, Virginia's entrepreneur fair for youth business owners, plus more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep 127 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and this week's guests: Entrepreneur, commercial real estate investor, and CEO of The Chicago TREND Corporation, Lyneir Richardson, who discusses his work empowering urban retail development via Black and Brown real estate investors. Balancing his mission while working as a professor at Rutgers Business School, Lyneir joins the podcast to discusses his success partnering with Black and Brown investors via crowdfunding to buy shopping malls nationwide to take reclaim our power. While real estate attorney Darryl Scipio shares three crucial tips for working with a real estate attorney. Other topics include the business man pushing for Black-owned social media platforms, Kenya's electricity milestone, Prairie View A&M University's partnership with multiple colleges in Africa, and more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep 126 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and this week's guests: Emmy-nominated Actor Asante Blackk who discusses life as a Gen Z'er and bringing attention to Adolescent Mental Health with his fiction podcast "Here Comes the Break". Asante discusses life after starring in "This Is Us" and "When They See Us". He provides tips to both parents and teens for communicating and managing mental health (starts 40:42). While actress Jasmine Carmichael, star of the new film "Real Talk" with Loretta Devine, Michael Beach, and Macy Gray, discusses the movie's informative take on everything from herpes to adolescent depression. Other topics include the three-year anniversary of Real Black News, the indigenous tribe that bought a 140 acre Island, Newark's Business Hub for Black women, and more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week.

Ep 125 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and this week's guest, hip hop music, and radio legend Doctor Dre' who shares his health journey and tips surviving Type 2 diabetes, blindness, and losing a limb. Blessed to see 57, he takes a trip down hip hop memory lane sharing stories of going to college with Chuck D, rolling with Public Enemy, New York morning radio with Ed Lover, Yo! MTV Raps, and often forgotten hip hop history heroes (starts 9:29). Other topics include Darnella Frazier's Pulitzer, Cherokee Nation money, HBCU's and ice hockey, plus more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week.

Ep 124 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and this week’s three guests: Author Ronda Racha Penrice discusses her timely second book, Black American History for Dummies, where she breaks down historical facts that shaped America (starts 22:46). While therapist Camille Banks-Lee soothes the soul just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month with an important conversation about healthy ways to heal from and maneuver through racial trauma (starts 48:10). And civil rights lawyer Shavar Jeffries discusses legislation, policy wins, and battles since the murder of George Floyd (starts 1:11:40). Other topics include Africa Day, the first HBCU-made beer, Black farmers, and more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep 123 of Real Black News features Geneva Solomon, co-owner of Redstone Firearms, who joins the podcast after recently speaking to Congress about gun violence to share her thoughts as a liberal on why she stays armed, trains, and suggests more women do the same (starts 24:43). Other topics include the increase in Black gun owners, the huge financial win for Maryland HBCUs, the problem with shaming people for vaccine hesitancy, and more of the top five empowering Black News stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep 123 of Real Black News features Geneva Solomon, co-owner of Redstone Firearms, who joins the podcast after recently speaking to Congress about gun violence to share her thoughts as a liberal on why she stays armed, trains, and suggests more women do the same (starts 24:43). Other topics include the increase in Black gun owners, the huge financial win for Maryland HBCUs, the problem with shaming people for vaccine hesitancy, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep 122 The State of Black Activism: This week's episode of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black News stories of the week and this week’s guest: Black Puerto Rican Activist, soon-to-be PhD, and associate producer of the two-time Oscar-winning film Judas and the Black Messiah, Rosa Clemente (starts 24:16). She returns to the podcast to talk about the journey to making the movie and how her co-sign and connection to Fred Hampton’s family was the key to the film finally getting made. Rosa also discusses attempts to erase Afro-Latinos, calling out Latina actresses in Hollywood, activist PTSD, why parents should “racially socialize” their children, and her thoughts on the drama surrounding Black Lives Matter and its leaders. Other topics include the Young Black Panther Party, Gambia’s cure for the blind, Black entrepreneurs who house and hire the formerly incarcerated, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week. #RealBlackNews

Ep. 121 of Real Black News features the top five empowering Black news stories of the week and two dope guests who use their art to lift women and black culture. This week, Image Award-winning screenwriter, Emmy nominated producer, journalist, and playwright Keli Goff discusses her critically acclaimed new play The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks & Curls. She talks inspiration behind her success lifting Black women when writing for numerous TV shows. While actress Adepero Oduye discusses her role opposite Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson’s sister on The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. She breaks down being Nigerian in America and her groundbreaking role starring as a Black lesbian teen in the award-winning movie Pariah. Other topics include Ma'Khia Bryant, mutual aid in Louisiana, HBCU’s training aviators, and more of the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week. 

Ep. 120 of Real Black News features conversations about tracking and fighting White Supremacists with two guests, including the president and CEO of The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Margaret Huang. She discusses the tactics they use to track hate groups, the history of white supremacists in the military, and where the SPLC stands with the Nation of Islam on their map of hate groups in America (interview begins at 9:46). While lawyer, Harvard professor, and former president of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks, discusses executive producing the four-part CNN original series The People v. The Klan and the black woman - Beulah Mae Donald - who won the fight (interview begins at 44:13). After taking down White supremacy, we focus on building up our money as a community via crowdfunding with real estate and business lawyer Darryl Scipio and his campaign to build an apartment building - Savers Village - in Newark, NJ, that gives money back to its tenants. He also shares three tips on launching a crowdfunding campaign (interview begins at 1:11:04). Plus, North Carolina A&T’s history-making track team, activists getting Hollywood production deals, and more of the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week. 

Recognizing triumph after survival, Ep. 119 of Real Black News features writer and executive producer Jenny Lumet, who discusses everything from her legendary family and grandmother Lena Horne to Black families on TV and how her trauma that came with pointing a finger at a mogul and surviving sexual assault inspired the vision when writing her CBS TV show, Clarice (15:36). While therapist Camille Banks-Lee of CBL Psychotherapy shares tips to cope and manage all types of trauma (49:43). Other topics include Virginia abolishing the death penalty, the Jersey non-profit teaching the hood emergency first aid, the superhero teen in Florida, muMs, Kenny Armwood, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

Ep 118 of Real Black News features Award-winning DJ and Community Organizer, DJ Kuttin Kandi, who joins the podcast to discuss coalition building in light of the rise of hateful violence against Asian-Americans. She discusses her work uniting with the Black Community via the Asian Solidarity Collective and the tough conversations both communities need to have to build trust, heal tensions, and unite coalitions necessary to effectively fight White Supremacy. While French journalist Epee Dingong zooms in from Paris to report on Europe’s recent lockdowns due to COVID, the Variants, and Europe’s vaccine distribution drama. Other topics include the rise of ethnic studies curriculums in high schools across the country, cannabis companies partnering with HBCUs, Black child geniuses in Chicago, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.  

Ep 117 of Real Black News provides an update on Mississippi's water crisis, where some see hints of an end. Jackson, Mississippi councilman DeKeither Stamps joins the podcast to give an update (interview begins at 59:27). While hip hop journalist and author Clover Hope discusses her new book "The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip Hop" and how she documents the history of ladies on the mic from Sha Rock and Sheri Sher to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Clover, a writer on Beyonce’s Grammy-nominated musical film "Black is King," gives respect and light to women on the mic who’ve been overlooked or dismissed (interview begins at 31:25). Other topics include the weekly White Supremacy Report, Octavia Butler, Judas and the Black Messiah, the 78-year-old sista who’s a weight lifting champion, politicians pushing to return a portion of LA’s Manhattan Beach to descendants of Black former owners, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

Ep 116 spotlights mental health and wellness with psychotherapist Camille Banks-Lee who shares tips on staying emotionally fit. While entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice talks upcoming TV shows and films to watch for decompression. And Drew Glover, Principle Coordinator for the Selma Jubilee, March 5-7, discusses this year’s virtual civil rights celebration. Plus the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 115 of Real Black News features Snowfall actor Amin Joseph discussing his role as Uncle Jerome Saint on season four. He talks about the personal influence of Hollywood legend John Singleton and making Snowfall without him, crack in the Black community, acting, and survival tips for thespians plus some of this week’s news stories. Topics include new information on the NYPD & FBI’s involvement in the murder of Malcolm X, Los Angeles’ move to defund and remove police from schools, Togo, the fight for 15 protests, the NAACP, KKK, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week

Ep 114 features Jonathan Solomon, California president of the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA). Along with his wife Geneva, he owns LA's popular spot for Black gun enthusiasts, Redstone Firearms. Jonathan discusses the rising number of black gun owners, the national gun & ammo shortage, double standards, how to have a firearm with a child in the home, & more. Other topics include "Judas & the Black Messiah", the latest on #EndSars, & the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 113 of Real Black News is all about investing in the community. This week’s “Black Wall Street Report” with former investment banker and CEO of Kids Who Bank, Jatali Bellanton, discusses Gamestop, brokerage firms connected to hate groups, and tips on investing. While author Kerwyn Phillip joins the podcast to talk about his great new book Malik’s First Job: Financial Principles for Teens and how parents can teach their kids about money. Other topics include extremists in the military, books to fight colorism, billion-dollar Black businesses, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 112 of Real Black News features actor Gary Dourdan who talks about starring in his latest movie Redemption Day. He gives advice on being a Black artist, discusses making it through personal struggles, and shares tips on what others can do to make it through too. Other topics include the new Civil War, Black pastors pushing back against White pastors, the NAACP, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 111 of Real Black News breaks down the New Civil War, the Capitol Hill Riots, and how religion is behind White Supremacist plans to take back America violently. This episode breaks down who they are, how they think, and how to be prepared to protect yourself by any means necessary. Two former soldiers join the show to give perspective. Former Army medic and author of Waging Peace, Diana Oestreich, shares how God and guns go hand-in-hand among the Christian Evangelicals who took over the Capitol. While former Navy Officer, personal protection expert, and Fruit of Islam soldier, James Claggion offers a Muslim perspective and crucial tips on protecting yourself during wartime. The episode ends with the premiere of “A Different World,” a new single inspired by the Capitol Hill riots, written and produced by Grammy-winning MC Speech Thomas of Arrested Development.

Episode 110 of Real Black News is the last show of 2020 featuring correspondents from across the world sharing updates on their countries and the outlook for 2021. Journalist Ann Marie Collymore reports from Canada. Podcaster Toby Buckle zooms in from the UK. Photographer Charlene Winfred breaks down Singapore. Travel entrepreneur Rashad McCrorey skypes in from Ghana. And marketing expert Autumn Marie shares her view from Rwanda. Five reports from across the world plus the top five empowering black news stories of the week.  

Episode 109 of Real Black News features 2x author Sonia Alleyne discussing her book I Kick Ass at Work: A Strategy Journal for Career Professionals. Sonia shares crucial career tips for 2021 related to everything from salary negotiation and documenting successes, to leaving a job, working in non-diversified spaces, and why professionals should always be looking for the next opportunity. Other topics include billionaire Robert F. Smith, Morgan State, DACA’s first Rhodes Scholar, and more of the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 108 of Real Black News features French correspondent Epee Dingong reporting on the youth uprising in Paris, France over police brutality and a measure that outlaws filming the police. He also gives an update on the response to COVID-19 and the vaccine in France and the UK. Other topics include the teen who recorded George Floyd’s death, Darnella Frazier, Colin Kaepernick, black business job opportunities from Fortune 500 companies, and more.

Episode 107 of Real Black News features the legendary George C. Wolfe. A five-time Tony Award-winning director and playwright of shows like Jelly’s Last Jam, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk, and films such as HBO’s Lackawanna Blues, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, he discusses directing his latest movie "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" for Netflix produced by Denzel Washington. Wolfe discusses working with Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, their process, how he operates as a director, staying focused during the pandemic, and why he chooses to tell stories about the Black experience. Other topics include defunding the police, rebounding from Prison, Mellody Hobson, Black boy geniuses, and more.

Episode 107 of Real Black News features the legendary George C. Wolfe. A five-time Tony Award-winning director and playwright of shows like Jelly’s Last Jam, Bring in Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk, and films such as  HBO’s Lackawanna Blues, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, he discusses directing his latest movie Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for Netflix and working with Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. Wolfe shares their process, how he operates as a director, staying focused during the pandemic, and why he chooses to tell stories about the Black experience. Other topics include defunding the police, rebounding from Prison, and more.  

Episode 106 of Real Black News features Finance Guru Lynnette Khalfani-Cox. Author of fifteen books and the New York Times Besteller Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom, Lynnette shares crucial tips for those at every financial level to manage or grow their money in 2021. She also gives perspective on Biden’s effect on the economy, companies that give to Black entrepreneurs in response to racial reckoning, owning seven homes, and the mindset that has led to the success of her financial education and consulting company TheMoneyCoach.net LLC. Journalist Ronda Racha Penrice shares movies we should be watching from director Steve McQueen and Debbie Allen. Other topics include the connection between good health and HBCUs, Salt-N-Pepa, and more from the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

Episode 105 of Real Black News features Black and Native American activist/author, Queen Yonasda, who talks about the Native American vote that helped Biden win despite some tribes voting Republican. She shares an update on the Dakota Access Pipeline,  water protectors who contracted cancer, corporate terrorism, Revolutionary Healing, and her biggest fight as a single mother battling lung cancer. Other topics include Morris Brown University, an update on #EndSARS, the first Black astronaut on SpaceX, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.

 Episode 104 of Real Black News features a special celebration of Trump’s soon-to-come departure and the historic win of President-elect Joe Biden and the first woman, Black, and South Asian Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Correspondents from across the nation and world chime in from their respective states and countries. Atlanta-based reporter Ronda Racha Penrice discusses Georgia’s turn to blue, the past, and future of her state. While Paris-based journalist Epee Dingong reveals the Parisian outlook on the election and the state of emergency lockdown in France as it currently leads Europe in Covid-19 cases. While Brit Jatali Bellanton shares the outlook from NY and the UK while giving a comprehensive Black Wall Street Report on how Biden’s win will affect your money. Other topics include Black gun clubs created at churches, India’s spiritual response to VP Harris, Africa’s reaction to President Biden, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week.   

Episode 103 of Real Black News features hip hop record label legend and co-founder of Ruff Ryders Records Chivon Dean. She thinks back on her time starting the label with her brothers Waah and Dee, provides tips on building a family business and LLC. And she discusses her journey transitioning from hip hop into social services work in the alcohol and substance abuse field along with providing an outlook on DMX’s mental health struggles and status of past and present. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice recommends what to watch on TV or VOD to help relieve pandemic boredom. Other topics include Darnella Frazier, Nas’ marijuana legislation stance, Walter Wallace, the latest HBCU lift, the election, and the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week. Click a link below to listen.  #RealBlackNews

Episode 102 of Real Black News features a talk with Dr. Monique Morris, Author and Executive Producer of the PBS Documentary Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools. Dr. Morris discusses her work, how she’s raised her daughters to have options, and she provides tips for parents on how to work with schools and prepare their children to deal with and overcome bias in school systems – whether virtual or in person. While former investment banker and the CEO of Kids Who Bank, Jatali Bellanton, joins the “The Black Wall Street Report” to share diversified investment advice and predictions based on who wins the election – Biden or Trump. Plus the top 5 Black News stories of the week.

Episode 101 of Real Black News features an intimate conversation with the Rza who reflects on raising his son during the pandemic, lessons learned from fathering multiple children, the future of Wu-Tang: An American Saga, politics, hip hop, and directing his new film Cut Throat City. While civil rights lawyer and president of Democrats for Education Reform, Shavar Jeffries, discusses the Black male vote and the problem behind some brothers not wanting to vote blue. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins “The Screen Grab” to share new TV shows and films to help relieve pandemic boredom. Plus the top 5 empowering Black news stories of the week. 

Episode 100 of Real Black News features a celebration of listener love, 100 episodes, and a serious conversation with legendary hip hop pioneer and founding member of the first all-female Hip Hop group Mercedes Ladies, Sheri Sher. A sexual assault survivor featured in the movie On the Record, Sheri shares why she didn’t initially come out against Russell Simmons, how she works to heal, the problem with calling the police on Black men, Black girl tears, WAP, and some of the top five black news stories of the week.

Episode 99 of Real Black News features screenwriter and NY Times bestselling author of The Color of Water James McBride whose TV show based on his National Book Award-winning novel The Good Lord Bird premieres on Showtime in October starring Ethan Hawke. McBride discusses the problem with most Hollywood slave narratives, why his story about abolitionist John Brown is different, Breonna Taylor, and how he creatively focuses during times of trauma against Black lives. Journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins the screengrab to suggest TV shows and new movies to watch to cure Covid boredom. Other topics include the reopening of Eric garner’s case, women’s rights in Botswana, Delaware’s first Muslim elected to office and more.

Episode 98 of Real Black News features Golden Globe-nominated actor and star of Tenet, John David Washington, who shares details of being the first black lead in a Chris Nolan film, acting tips from his parents Pauletta & Denzel Washington, managing asthma and dyslexia, the first time he was called the N-Word, and thoughts on this week’s top 5 black news stories of the week. While former investment banker and the CEO of Kids Who Bank, Jatali Bellanton, joins “The Black Wall Street Report” to share leads on grants and loans for Black Businesses.

Episode 97 of Real Black News features veteran journalist, writer, editor, executive producer, and showrunner of the Lena Horne Prize for Artists Creating Social Impact, Kierna Mayo. She discusses the state of Black media, sexual assault in hip hop, her appearance in the movie On the Record, and the sexuality awakening. Other topics include Chadwick Boseman, All Black Lives Matter, Africa eradicating polio, and more.

Episode 96 of Real Black News features Alabama activist Chikesia Clemons who discusses her run for city council after physically and emotionally surviving the trauma of a viral police assault at Waffle House in Prichard, AL. Chikesia shares how she bounced back, her fitness regime, issues in her community, solutions, advice for assault survivors, and the conversations she’s had with her daughter. Other topics include the March on Washington, reparations rejected, increased black college enrollment, Kentucky protests, free Ivy League help for black businesses, and more.