First Of All with Victor Blackwell

The crew of Artemis II is back on Earth after a historic journey. Victor gets the first reaction from the father of pilot Victor Glover, the first Black astronaut to travel to the moon. As talks get underway between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan, Dr. Bishara Bahbah, leader of the group formerly known as "Arab Americans for Trump,” joins Victor to explain why he thinks President Trump was “played” into entering the war, and feels his community is now reassessing their electoral support.Plus, Victor gets analysis of the Iran war from Air Force veteran Kelvin King, and retired Brigadier General Shawn Harris, who also weighs in on the impact of his tight race to flip the congressional seat formerly held by Marjorie Taylor Greene.Victor later shares an update on the only Black student government in the U.S. being stripped of their funding at the University of Missouri.And Victor speaks to Calvin Duncan, who successfully proved his innocence after serving nearly 30 years in prison and was inspired to run for office, only to have his recent election win in limbo, because Republicans in Louisiana want to eliminate the office that he’s due to be sworn in to in May.In “Art is Life” this week, Victor shares the perfect soundtrack to get your baby in formation! Lisa Roth tells Victor about the inspiration behind a new album that takes the songs from Beyoncé’s "Lemonade" album and turns them into lullabies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TSA employees are waiting to see if they're finally going to get paid after missing two checks due to the DHS funding fight on Capitol Hill. TSA officer and union steward at Atlanta’s airport, Yolanda Keaton, joins Victor to share what she's been experiencing, and her reaction to ICE agents called in to help ease long lines at airports nationwide. Republican Senate candidate and retired Brigadier General Jonathan McColumn and cybersecurity and counter-terrorism expert, veteran and Mableton Mayor Michael Owens join Victor to debate President Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. Democratic Senator Cory Booker sits down in studio with Victor to discuss the war and dueling legislation to finally start paying TSA employees again. Plus, they discuss the latest round of “No Kings” protests nationwide and Senator Booker’s new book “Stand”. Later, Victor goes one-on-one with entertainer and activist Ts Madison. They talk about how she plans to fight back against anti-trans legislation and rhetoric ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st. And in our “Art is Life” series this week, photographer Bessie Akuba Winn and Actress Terri J. Vaughn tell Victor about their “Our Kind of Women” project that celebrates Black women over 40 in a unique way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could the federal government do with $200 billion? Right now, the Trump Administration says they need that amount for the war with Iran. But as debate over that request starts in congress, Victor walks through the programs that money could go toward instead. From statues taken down to tribute events canceled, the backlash to Cesar Chavez after revelations of alleged sexual abuse decades ago was swift and significant. Victor walks through the seismic change in how people are viewing his legacy with New York Times reporter Sarah Hurtes and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, both of whom spoke with fellow labor leader and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta about her decision to come forward with her story. Cuba is struggling right now. Nearly three months after the U.S. effectively imposed an oil blockade, a convoy is heading to Havana to help bring aid. But there are mixed feelings about that effort. Victor gets reaction from a leader of the exile movement in Miami, Ramón Saúl Sánchez from Movimiento Democracia. The trucking industry is already facing higher gas prices, now add thousands of truckers starting to lose their licenses due to new restrictions on immigrant drivers. Attorney Wendy Lui from the Public Citizen Litigation Group joins Victor to explain her legal challenge and the potential economic impacts. Later, BTS is out with their first album and tour in years. The trailer for “Arirang” pays tribute to the story of “Seven Koreans at Howard,” but there are some mixed feelings about how they portrayed the HBCU. Victor walks through the internet reaction, and speaks with a current Korean American student at Howard University in DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pastor Jamal Bryant joins Victor one-on-one to explain his decision to end his Target “fast” and responds to the backlash over his announcement as leaders of a national boycott over the retailer’s rollback of DEI initiatives vow to persist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. is reeling from terror attacks at a synagogue in Michigan and the campus of Old Dominion University. Carlos Ortiz was friends with the victim of the ODU attack, ROTC Instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Carlos joins Victor to share his memories of training with Shah when they were cadets and maintaining that friendship years later. Spring Break travel rush: this weekend, TSA employees are missing their full first paycheck due to the funding fight over the Department of Homeland Security. Aaron Barker, president of the union at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta, explains why he thinks this shutdown is worse than the recent government shutdowns TSA employees are still recovering from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the State of the Union, Victor checks-in on the state of "Black MAGA". Washington Post Columnist Theodore R. Johnson says the President's support among the Black voters who backed Trump in 2024 is starting to "crater". Is that true? He joins Victor to discuss. There is a frustrating lack of answers in the search for Nancy Guthrie, and Arizona's Native American community has unique perspective on what that is like. Victor speaks with April Ignacio, a member of Arizona's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force, about the disparity in the number of people missing and the amount of resources dedicating to finding them. Could Uncle Luke soon be Congressman Luke? Rapper Luther Campbell talks to Victor about his plans to run for Congress representing South Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right now, the Department of Homeland Security is shut down after lawmakers left town without a funding deal. It's not just immigration agencies being impacted. I'll speak to a former TSA officer about the toll of yet another shutdown with employee pay in limbo. You'll hear from U.S. Army Reserve Pilot Chris Busby, who is fighting to get his wife, Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez, out of ICE detention.Former campaign manager, including for Julián Castro’s 2020 Presidential Campaign, Maya Rupert joins Victor to discuss her new book "The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Victor opens the show with a question for Republican lawmakers, specifically those wavering on condemning President Trump for a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes that stayed up on his social media feed for hours. Victor also discusses the political pressure for an apology with Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Eugene Robinson, who is out with a new book “Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America”. A U.S. Army veteran who was just deported this week joins Victor live from Jamaica to talk about his months in ICE detention, and what he plans to do now. Godfrey Wade’s daughter Christian Wade and fiancé April Watkins join Victor in studio as they ask the Trump Administration to allow him his day in court.On this Super Bowl weekend, Victor takes stock of diversity among NFL head coaches. Bomani Jones reacts to the headline that No Black head coaches were hired as the 2025 season wraps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's an immigration case that hasn't gotten a lot of attention compared to others yet, but it's emblematic of why a growing number of Americans think President Trump's immigration crackdown is going too far. Victor speaks with Delaware Governor Matt Meyer and Kaley Miller-Schaeffer, the attorney of a Delaware resident named Victor Acurio Suárez who was detained by ICE and is now facing deportation despite being developmentally disabled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As millions of people deal with the impacts of a massive winter storm, Victor takes a closer look at how disadvantaged or under-served communities will feel more of an impact. Professor Scott Ganz shares the findings of his study into the disparity in who deals with power outages for longer than others. Plus, Minneapolis civil rights attorney, activist and anti-ICE protest leader Nekima Levy Armstrong is out of jail and sharing a new video that shows what agents were telling her as she was arrested this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Protests in Minneapolis against ICE are spreading nationwide after the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Victor speaks with a Minneapolis mom and ICE observer Flannery Clark who says what happened to Good could have happened to her, but is still vowing to keep up her work to alert neighbors when agents are nearby.Plus, as state officials in Minnesota fight to get a role investigating the shooting alongside the feds, Victor gets perspective from Kristen Clarke, who recently served in the Biden Administration as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice.Also happening now, the flu is breaking records. Victor shares his own personal experience battling the illness recently and speaks with Dr. Chris T Pernell about the disproportionate impact the flu has on people of color.Black women dying in childbirth is a real crisis right now, and the death of a woman who dedicated her life to finding solutions is a heartbreaking reminder of that. Victor shares the story of Dr. Janell Green Smith and speaks with Dr. Nichole Wardlaw, a member of the Smith family and a certified midwife herself.And for “Art is Life” this week, Victor goes one-on-one with shoe designer and creative Salehe Bembury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says he wants all people from Somalia out of the country and calls Somali people “garbage”. How does a Republican Somali-American who supported Trump in 2024 feel about that? Victor asks Salman Fiqy, a business owner in Minnesota who says the President’s rhetoric has “crossed a line”. Immigration enforcement is surging in the New Orleans area, and a U.S. citizen got caught up in it this week. Home security camera video shows the moment a woman is chased into her home by federal agents, before her stepfather came out to confront them. Both Jacelynn and Juan Carlos Anglin join Victor to talk about what happened and react to an explanation offered by the Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration's crackdown on programs and initiatives seen as "DEI" appears to have made its way to the University of Alabama. The school is shutting down two university-funded student magazines, citing "legal obligations". Victor speaks with the current editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine, Gabrielle Gunter, and the founding editor of Nineteen Fifty-Six Magazine, Tionna Taite, about the concern among students that their first amendment rights are being violated. Victor follows-up on the story of Mercedes Wells, the mom who was escorted out of an Indiana hospital while in labor, only to give birth minutes later. Her husband Leon Wells and attorney Cannon Lambert share their reaction to a meeting the family just had with hospital leadership, and an update on the health of Mercedes and her newborn. Plus, there are reports that "Rush Hour 4" could soon be a thing, apparently at the urging of President Trump. Does bringing back the franchise make sense in this era? Victor speaks to writer Isaac Rouse, who says it's not the right time for that kind of comedy. And in our “Art is Life” series this week, Victor shares the story of a performance that asks: What would it sound like if Franklin produced the soundtrack to the iconic holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a special holiday edition of the show, there is a new movement calling out Target, Home Depot and Amazon during the busiest shopping time of the year. Victor speaks with LaTosha Brown, an organizer of “We Ain’t Buying It”. She explains why we shouldn’t call the movement a “boycott”. Plus, “Beyond the Gates” actor Brandon Claybon talks to Victor about his personal connection to Alzheimer's and his mission to raise awareness of the disproportionate impacts of the disease on Black Americans. Later, Chef Shawn Osbey reacts to Victor’s very controversial opinion of certain classic holiday recipes and shares some alternatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The story of Mercedes Wells went viral this week, after video showed the mom being led out of a hospital in Indiana despite saying she was in labor. Minutes after leaving, she gave birth on the side of the road to a baby girl. The hospital is now apologizing and taking action. Victor speaks with Mercedes and her husband Leon, along with their attorney Cannon Lambert. Plus, Charlotte business owner T.R. Burns explains to Victor his decision to close his restaurant to protect Latino employees fearful of federal law enforcement cracking down on immigrants. 18-year-old landscaper and U.S. citizen Fernando Vazquez speaks out about being detained by immigration enforcement, only to be left behind in a wooded area a short time later. Victor also gets perspective from Allison Socol on new research revealing how race can be a factor in which students get access to algebra classes.And the first known Native American woman to have a production on Broadway, Larissa FastHorse, explains the inspiration behind “The Thanksgiving Play,” which imagines the struggles of four white people trying to stage a "politically correct" holiday performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Victor sits down with TSA worker Aaron Barker, who just missed a second full paycheck due to the federal government shutdown. He describes to Victor why he and his colleagues are struggling to make ends meet while in “crisis mode”.Meanwhile, Democrats in the Senate say they'll agree to end the shutdown if Republicans agree to a one-year extension on Obamacare subsidies. Victor asks Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries if he agrees with the proposal from his Senate colleagues.Native American communities are facing an especially uncertain time with SNAP benefits suspended. Victor speaks with Conscious Alliance’s Pine Ridge Reservation Field Director Natalie Hand, who is trying to help feed families on the reservation, which is feeling the impact of this ongoing shutdown harder than most places. Plus, Grammy award-winning artist Shaggy joins Victor after visiting Jamaica to help with hurricane relief. He shares what he saw, and information on how others can help. Later, the family of Norman Rockwell is calling out the Trump Administration for using the iconic painter’s artwork in their social media posts. For “Art is Life” this week, Victor asks Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter, Daisy, why she says the Department of Homeland Security is “twisting” his legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the first of the month and there are millions of people whose food benefits are in now limbo, with no clear solution coming quickly to ensure SNAP recipients get the aid they depend on in November. Victor speaks with SNAP recipient Laterese Johnson, Hope Atlanta’s Elizabeth Banks, and the director of a childcare center, LaToya Logan. Plus, actress Karen Pittman joins Victor to share her personal story, as families deal with food insecurity like she once did as a single mom. A Houston teen says he was roughed up by immigration agents, even as he told them he's a U.S. citizen. 16-year-old Arnoldo Bazán and his sister Maria join Victor to share the story of what they say happened. Former President Barack Obama is heading back to the campaign trail ahead of this year’s elections, and there is new CNN reporting that’s raising the question: should he be the leader of the Democratic party…again? Abby Phillip makes a special appearance to talk about that, and her new book on Jesse Jackson and Black political power titled “A Dream Deferred”. And this week’s edition of “Art is Life” features the Day of the Dead. Victor speaks with Ofelia Esparza, whose altars helped popularize Día de los Muertos in the United States. The 93-year-old reflects on the new retrospective of her art now on view at East L.A.’s Vincent Price Art Museum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 16-year-old in Chicago who is fighting cancer has a message for immigration officials after her father was arrested. Victor shares the story of Ofelia Torres and gets reaction from her father’s attorney, Kalman Resnick, to a judge’s ruling saying the mandatory detention of Ruben Torres Maldonado was “unlawful”. Plus, hear President Trump's short answer to a question about funding SNAP as we're just a week away from millions of Americans losing food benefits and the government shutdown drags on. Victor speaks with founder and CEO of The Baby Pantry, Chlorey Campbell, about what she’s hearing from people coming to her organization for help. After a deadly crash, right-wing voices are speaking out against immigrant truck drivers, particularly those from India. Bhupinder Kaur of UNITED SIKHS joins Victor to share her concerns about the rhetoric. In our latest installment of The Algorithm, Victor speaks with a content creator who says there are social media accounts “stealing my face” with AI. 200 years after transforming the United States, commemorations of the Erie Canal anniversary in New York are also taking stock of the impact the waterway had on Native Americans. Victor speaks with Brian Trzeciak of the Buffalo Maritime Center about balancing remembrances of that history, as he gets close to wrapping up a 33-day trip on a boat called the "Seneca Chief". And later, Victor speaks with Hamza Walker about a new exhibit called “Monuments” that is putting decommissioned confederate symbols back on display in unexpected new ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some Black women say they're debating whether to take part in “No Kings” Anti-Trump protests after feeling let down by the results of the 2024 election. Victor discusses “the 92%” with Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, RISE CEO Mary-Pat Hector and AJC Reporter Brooke Leigh Howard. Plus, South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn joins Victor to talk about the President's threats to “Democrat” programs during the shutdown, tension over the state of voting rights, and his new book “The First Eight”. Victor also shares an update on the devastating damage done to Native Alaskan villages, and the role climate change is playing in determining whether residents will ever be able to return home. Plus, Victor takes a moment to pay tribute to D'Angelo and get real about the risks Black people face from pancreatic cancer, and what to do about it. Later, Rafael Gomes from SCAD shares with Victor the story behind a new exhibit honoring fashion icon André Leon Talley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Civilians in Gaza are making the journey to see what's left of their homes as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds. Victor discusses what comes next with Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American running for governor who got national attention when she was denied a slot to speak about Gaza at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and Republican Georgia official John F. King, a retired major general in the Army National guard and a former Police chief. Thousands of federal workers are getting fired as the government shutdown drags on. President Trump says his administration is focusing on jobs that are quote "Democrat oriented". Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal workers, joins Victor to respond in his first interview since layoffs began. A right-wing group is pitching an "All American" Super Bowl performance as an alternative to Bad Bunny. Michaela Angela Davis joins Victor to react and discuss her new memoir, “Tenderheaded”. Hispanic residents in Mobile County, Alabama are speaking out against an ICE-themed Halloween display. Victor explains why the identity of the couple that put up the decorations is a big reason why. Plus, a new mural that’s meant to teach people about a racist massacre that happened more than 100 years ago is sparking debate. Critics argue the inclusion of violent imagery is problematic, and the community should have had more input. Victor speaks to the artist, Fabian Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions over ICE are heating up as the feds crack down on protests in and around Chicago. Victor speaks to a protest leader and Illinois congressional candidate, Kat Abughazaleh, about the new threats from Trump administration officials against those rallying at ICE facilities like the one in Broadview, Illinois.Georgia Democratic Representative Nikema Williams joins Victor to explain where Democrats stand on talks with Republicans to end the government shutdown. And as the Trump White House is threatening to fire thousands of federal workers, Victor gets perspective from Leo Smith, the former Director of Minority Engagement for the GOP in Georgia, and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.Right-wing influencers are upset about Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl, and the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has a message for the artist and his fans. Journalist Suzy Exposito has interviewed the Puerto Rican superstar multiple times and shares her reaction.Images of former President Barack Obama making his DJ “debut” crossed Victor’s algorithm this week. Victor speaks with the content creator behind the viral posts.And has the music of Xania Monet crossed your playlist yet? The singer is getting millions of song streams, recently signed a major record deal … and is entirely A.I. generated. Victor speaks with Xania Monet’s real-life manager, Romel Murphy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says he's putting his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago aside for now and will instead turn his administration’s attention to Memphis. Victor asks Mayor Paul Young about the President’s claims that he’s "happy" about using federal troops to crackdown on crime in Memphis. Victor also discusses the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, plus the role of cashless bail in the rhetoric over crime with Former Dallas Police Chief Renée Hall, who is also President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Former Dekalb County District Attorney Robert James, and conservative political commentator Janelle King. There is a lot of concern in Latino communities right now amid a crackdown on immigration. But in East Chicago, art is still happening this weekend despite event cancellations in nearby communities. For “Art is Life” this week, Victor speaks with a member of Ballet Folklórico Yolotzin about why they felt it was still important to celebrate their Mexican culture ahead of Mexican Independence Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month. Plus, Victor introduces you Kembriah Parker, and her fellow, new Tuskegee airmen and airwomen, who are the first to complete a pilot training program at the legendary HBCU in 80 years.Abby Phillip also introduces us to Myla Flores, one of CNN's “Champions for Change” who is helping address the disproportionate danger women of color face during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The August jobs report reveals that a growing number of Americans are unemployed. The rate is highest among Black workers, and a disproportionate number are Black women. Victor discusses the new jobs data with the Co-founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha Brown, conservative Stephanie Donegan and Capital B National Editor Dalila Paul.Plus – Victor speaks with Dr. Jerome Adams. He served as the U.S. Surgeon General during President Trump’s first term and the Covid pandemic. Dr. Adams tells Victor the President should “absolutely” fire current Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and explains his concerns for public health, especially among communities of color, under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership. Later, Victor shares the story of a town in Louisiana struggling to clean up after an explosion at a factory nearby. Victor speaks with Capital B reporter Adam Mahoney, who recently visited Roseland and spoke with residents there. And our “I See You!” series is back. Victor meets Donna Carol, who is introducing teen girls in Memphis to the business of hair braiding through “Teens Slay U”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is reportedly preparing to send in the Feds to tackle crime and immigration enforcement in Chicago. State and city leaders say they do not want that to happen. Trump says beautiful “African American Ladies” in Chicago do. Victor speaks to Danielle Carter-Walters of Chicago Flips Red, who says the President was referring to her. First - a look at whether Trump’s words about fighting crime match actual actions towards curbing gun violence. Victor gets perspective from Kasim Reed, the former mayor of Atlanta, Leo Smith, former minority engagement director for the Georgia GOP, and Jason “Jah” Lee, senior editor of Bossip. Plus, lawmakers in Washington State want more answers after 2 members of a crew helping contain a wildfire were arrested by Border Patrol. State Representative Shaun Scott joins Victor to explain why he thinks both parties have blame for what's going on. And for "Art is Life" this week, we're wondering: is signing your signature soon going to be a lost art? Victor speaks to Terrell and Chelsea Whittington about Cursive Academy, and their effort to get more kids to learn the skill being taught in a decreasing number of schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says he may expand his federal law enforcement takeover to Chicago, because “African American ladies, beautiful ladies” are asking him to do so. Victor discusses this and other topics, including redistricting and Target’s handling of DEI, with LaTosha Brown, Cory Ruth and Pastor Jamal Bryant. A former FBI Supervisory Special Agent says the agency's anti-DEI stance could make the country less safe. L. Nicole Dunn joins Victor to share her warning, and she reveals the reason she says she was recently ousted from her role at the bureau. Plus, there's a housing development in Arkansas looking for new residents. The catch: you have to be straight and white. Is that ... legal? New York Times Reporter Debra Kamin recently visited the “Return to the Land” community, and shares with Victor what she learned. And in “Art is Life” this week, Victor speaks with Rigoberto A. Gonzalez whose immigration-themed piece previously honored by the Smithsonian is now getting singled out by the White House as proof the Smithsonian is “out of control”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could President Trump's meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin have “just been an email,” or is something substantive starting to emerge after their summit in Alaska? Victor speaks with Retired Brigadier General and Democratic candidate for Congress Shawn Harris, political commentator Janelle King and author Charles Blow. They also discuss President Trump’s escalating effort to reshape the presentation of history and culture at Smithsonian museums. Plus, Victor goes one-on-one with Spike Lee. Why the acclaimed director says the U.S. under President Trump is no longer a “beacon of democracy”. Spike Lee also explains why he plans to vote for Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, and we also discuss his new joint “Highest 2 Lowest” and working with “greatest living actor” Denzel Washington for a 5th time, along with A$AP Rocky for the 1st time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black unemployment rose again in the latest jobs report. Victor breaks down the concern this raises for every racial group with writers Ernie Suggs, Michael Harriot and Jason “Jah” Lee. The guys also weigh in on the decision by former Vice President Kamala Harris to skip a run for governor of California. Plus, the controversy over American Eagle’s “Great Jeans” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney. While schools like Columbia and Brown are cutting deals with the Trump administration, one university president targeted over "DEI" policies is not only pushing back but getting a raise. Victor discusses the probe of George Mason University’s Gregory Washington with the school’s faculty senate president, Solon Simmons. Did this post hit your algorithm this week? The story of an allegedly missing Black trucker started spreading on social media. Victor went down a rabbit hole looking into the story and what he discovered kept surprising him the more he kept looking. He shares what he found out about “Eric Darnell”. Victor also speaks with a woman who says she was kicked off a flight because of her race. Dr. Briana Hicks and her attorney Lauren Bateman make their case. And in “Art is Life” this week, artist Nick Weber takes us inside his Hamptons studio where he’s painting portraits of immigrant neighbors to honor them and share their stories of perseverance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in Gaza are starving. A ceasefire would help to restart the flow of aid, but the U.S. just withdrew from talks. Now President Trump is saying Israel should "finish the job" against Hamas. Victor discusses the crisis with Dr. Bashara Bahbah. the leader of “Arab Americans for Peace,” formerly called "Arab Americans for Trump". What is life like for the migrants being held in a detention facility deep in the Florida Everglades? We're starting to hear from some of the men held there. Victor shares the findings from a CNN investigation by Priscilla Alvarez. Is dance an appropriate way to call for change after the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas? Ahead of an upcoming performance, Victor speaks with Madi Frampton-Herrera, the creator of "Echoes of Justice: Unanswered For 77 The Time Between” and Javier Cazares, the father of 9-year-old Uvalde victim Jacklyn Cazares, about reaction to the project. Later, Victor compares reaction to a “Manifest Destiny” artwork posted by the Trump Administration, and the alleged censorship of a portrait by Amy Sherald depicting a Black, transgender Statue of Liberty. Plus, Asian American farmer Mai Nguyen joins Victor to push back on the USDA saying support for minority farmers is no longer needed, because past disparities have been "sufficiently" handled. And we remember Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Most of us knew him as the actor who played Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”. But the “Biological Misfits” knew him as a great musician. They came together to share a side of him you likely have not heard much about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loved ones gather to remember Jabari Peoples, a teen shot and killed by police in Alabama. Even after he's laid to rest, the questions surrounding his death remain. Police won't show them the bodycam footage and a state lawmaker says one of their lawyers may be partly to blame. Victor speaks with that state representative and the family attorney. Plus, Head Start is a vital resource for millions of low income families across the U.S. Under a new mandate from the Trump administration, undocumented children could lose access to that and other services. The former head of Head Start under the first Trump administration speaks with Victor to explore the ramifications. A confederate group is suing a state park in Georgia over its plans to add an exhibit on slavery and segregation. They accuse the park of "going woke." Victor is joining by a spokesperson of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As much as artificial intelligence is supposed to help us into the future, it is also dragging along with it, society's current problems. Now, the internet trolls are creating their own content... Perpetuating derogatory stereotypes. Victor is joined by a leading voice in digital technoculture. And a group of indigenous kayakers have completed a journey that was impossible for the past century: Paddling the entire Klamath river. An organization called Paddle Tribal Waters led dozens of 13 to 20 year olds down the Klamath, traveling 300 miles from southern Oregon to the northern California coast. I spoke with two of the young kayakers and one of the organizers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One family's legacy is closely tied to the Supreme Court ruling that just gave President Trump more power by restricting lower courts. Victor speaks with Norman Wong, the great-grandson of the man whose case led to a landmark decision on birthright citizenship more than 100 years ago, Wong Kim Ark. Plus, Florida's tribes are speaking out against construction of a migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz". The Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe, Talbert Cypress, joins Victor to explain why they’re so alarmed. Legal expert Monique Pressley shares her analysis on the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial as it heads to a jury, along with her prediction on what the verdict may be. And Victor speaks with U.S. Army Veteran Sae Joon Park on his decision to leave the country as President Trump’s immigration crackdown ramps up. Later, Victor speaks with a family demanding answers from police in Alabama after the death of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples. They want to see video showing the officer-involved shooting. Jabari’s mother, sister and the family's attorney speak out. And in this week’s “Art is Life,” Victor shares how Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is highlighting Black history with a showcase of African American quilts despite federal funding cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right now, a journalist who has reported on immigration issues in Georgia for years is facing deportation after being arrested while covering a protest. Mario Guevara’s attorney says he is in the U.S. legally yet remains in ICE custody. Victor speaks with Guevara’s lawyer, Giovanni Díaz, along with Alondra Madrigal who works closely with Mario as a reporter with MG News and Guevara's son, Oscar Guevara Saenz, who is also a photojournalist for his father's news site. After protests and this week's face-off with federal agents who pulled up in their parking lot, the Los Angeles Dodgers just announced how they plan to support the immigrant community that makes up such a large part of their fan base. Los Angeles Times Sports Columnist Dylan Hernández joins Victor to react. Thomas Clardy was recently freed from prison after nearly two decades when his conviction was tossed out. That decision has now been reversed, and he could be put back in prison for a crime he says he did not commit. Clardy joins Victor, along with his attorney Jessica Van Dyke of the Tennessee Innocence Project, to discuss the case. Plus, Victor takes on President Trump’s Juneteenth complaint of "too many" holidays, a grocery store’s cake decorations that are going viral for all the wrong reasons, and shares his report on a meeting between two women with a special connection to each other, and the events of June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas. And in our “Art is Life” segment this week, Victor shares the story of a new exhibit that's a product of tough conversations about our history. “Out of Whole Cloth” is set in a former plantation in Alabama that is now a place of healing thanks to a partnership between the descendant of a sharecropper and the descendant of an enslaver. Victor speaks to Harpersville, Alabama Mayor Theoangelo Perkins, Nell Gottlieb and Ebony Howard of the Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flag Day is marked by “No Kings” protests nationwide as President Trump hosts a massive military parade. DC Councilmember Christina Henderson, who is also the daughter of an Army veteran, joins Victor. Plus – Victor speaks to Black Marine veteran Phillip E. Thompson. He’ll explain his recent article for the Washington Post saying young Americans of color should “pause and reassess” service in the military. Later, you'll hear from a 21-year-old American whose undocumented mom is set to be deported as of Saturday morning. Her dad was deported to Guatemala just last week. Now Beverly Juarez is left to care for her three younger siblings and run her family's business. She shares her story, and a Father’s Day plea addressed to President Trump. Victor also gets reaction to growing anti-ICE protests from Sarah Saldaña, a former director of the immigration enforcement agency during the Obama administration. “Art is Life” this week has a superhero vibe. Victor shares the incredible yet largely unknown story of Civil War hero Robert Smalls, which is the subject of the new graphic novel “DEFIANT”. Writer Rob Edwards explains why the story is so important to learn, especially ahead of Juneteenth. Also in time for the Juneteenth holiday, Victor speaks with apparel brand founder Lanny Smith and farmer Troy Bridgeforth about their special collaboration to “reclaim cotton” and build a Black-owned supply chain amid President Trump's ongoing trade war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Job Corps is a lifeline for thousands of low-income students, and there is bipartisan concern about a Trump administration effort to close the program. Victor speaks about the legal fight now underway with Donna Hay, President and CEO of the National Job Corps Association. After claiming it was impossible to bring back a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in the U.S. to face federal criminal charges. There is a lot the Department of Justice is alleging and Ben Osorio, a member of Abrego Garcia's legal team, joins Victor to react. Plus, there is a firestorm in California over a high school track star whose state title was pulled because of her celebration with a fire extinguisher. Was it clever? Or unsportsmanlike conduct? Clara Adams, along with her coach and father David, joins Victor to share what they plan to do next. Later, a historic Black community in Virginia says their neighborhood has flooding problems, but a $20 million federal government grant to help fix that just got cut. Mary-Carson stiff says what's happening is unjust, unlawful, and places residents at risk. She joins Victor to share her concerns about what’ll happen now to residents in Aberdeen Gardens and communities like it. And in this week’s “Art is Life” – Victor speaks to the creators of “She Who Dared,” an opera giving voice to Black women who dared to fight segregation but have since been overlooked by history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19-year-old college student Ximena Arias-Cristobal was wrongfully pulled over in Dalton, Georgia recently. She spent weeks in ICE detention. One of her supporters through this ordeal is a Republican. Georgia State Representative Kasey Carpenter joins Ximena and Victor to discuss his opposition to her detention, and their push for meaningful immigration reform. Plus, the fight over Massapequa High School's Native American mascot just escalated. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon is threatening to full funding from New York education officials over their objections to the school’s “Chiefs” name and logo. Victor gets reaction from Germain Smith, the former general council secretary of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and an adviser to the New York Department of Education. Also this week, the Supreme Court declined to stop a land transfer in Arizona that could lead to the destruction of a site sacred to Native Americans. Wendsler Nosie Sr. joins Victor to share why the destruction of Oak Flat to make way for a copper mine is a threat to religious freedom. Should a White actress be allowed to portray Black civil rights icons like Harriet Tubman? Annette Hubbell is the writer and performer of a one-woman show she says was called off due to her race - and now she is suing, claiming discrimination and censorship. Annette Hubbell and her attorney Chris Barnewolt join Victor to explain their case. Victor also shares the story of how the skulls of nineteen Black individuals were finally returned to New Orleans after being sent to Germany in the late 1800s. Plus, an update on Clarksdale, Mississippi’s mission to get a special screening of “Sinners” with Ryan Coogler for the people who live in that town, which lacks a movie theater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 years after the murder of George Floyd, changes made in an effort to make police departments more accountable are being reversed by the Trump administration. Victor speaks with Michael Harrison, an independent law enforcement investigator who has been following police reforms in Minneapolis and cities across the country. After the Mayor of Chicago touted the diverse staff in his office, the Justice Department announced that they are opening an investigation into possible hiring discrimination. Mayor Brandon Johnson joins Victor to react. International students at Harvard are wrestling with their academic futures after a Trump administration threat to ban their enrollment. One of them is co-president of Harvard’s undergraduate student body. Abdullah Shahid Sial got the news while attending a conference in Japan and shares his concerns with Victor. Plus, there is no evidence of a "White genocide" in South Africa. Yet President Trump still confronted the country's leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, with the claim during their Oval Office meeting this week. South Africa's ambassador to the U.S. was recently expelled after calling out Trump, and Ebrahim Rasool joins Victor to react. And in this week’s edition of “Art is Life,” Minneapolis poet laureate Junauda Petrus shares a new poem reflecting on the 5th Anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. She shares with Victor what inspired "Cigarettes and Fireflies", which was commissioned by The Minnesota Star Tribune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin returns to defend the Trump administration's move to expedite refugee status for White South Africans while broadly suspending most other refugee programs. Victor also presses her on alleged plans for a reality show featuring immigrants, and her claims about protesters at an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Plus, Monique Pressley joins Victor to break down the first week of the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial and Cassie Ventura’s emotional testimony. And a Trump-appointed prosecutor is under scrutiny for offering a plea deal to a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy accused of excessive force. His defense attorney, Tom Yu, joins Victor. And civil rights attorney Caree Harper explains to Victor why she thinks the agreement is illegal. Victor also breaks down why Maryland Governor Wes Moore is vetoing a bill to study reparations, plus the backlash to the president-elect of FAMU. And later, Victor speaks with the iconic actor Morgan Freeman about his “Symphonic Blues Experience” that mixes genres you may not expect to go together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration narrative around the arrest of the Mayor of Newark takes a turn when a Department of Homeland Security official floats the possibility of arrest for members of congress who are accused of “body slamming” immigration agents. Victor speaks with the DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin. And just hours after leaving custody, Mayor Ras Baraka responds to McLaughlin’s claims and his arrest. Plus, a woman is confronted about hurling a racial slur at a Black child and the video goes viral. Days later, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised ... for the woman accused of using the N-word. The head of the NAACP in Rochester, Minnesota wants to see charges filed. And Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says hate is being normalized. Both he and Walé Elegbede join Victor to discuss. And later, a conversation with Raymond C. Pierce of the Southern Education Foundation about the end of school desegregation orders as he prepares to take on the Trump administration in court. And a special message to Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and the cast of “Sinners”. Tyler Yarbrough and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy join Victor to explain why the Mississippi city’s residents are asking for a special screening of the hit film. (Note: Warner Bros. Discovery is also CNN’s corporate parent.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Real Women Have Curves” is making Broadway history, both in its casting and story. The musical puts the spotlight on a Hispanic, immigrant family at a timely moment in America. Ahead of the show’s official opening night, Victor speaks with director and choreographer Sergio Trujillo, and stars Tatianna Córdoba and Florencia Cuenca, about how they took what was originally a play and HBO movie starring America Ferrera - and made it a colorful musical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the past 40 days, Pastor Jamal Bryant has been leading a Target “fast” over the retailer’s decision to pull back on DEI. He reveals to Victor what came from a meeting with the company’s CEO and plans for a “second phase” of boycotts. Head Start has helped millions of low-income children get access to an early education. Now a Trump Administration budget draft calls for the elimination of federal funding for the program. Dr. Deborah Bergeron, who led the program under the first Trump Administration, tells Victor why the news caught her “off guard”. Plus, Victor shares the story of Alfredo Orellana. He is a green card holder who helps care for a man with autism, Luke Ferris. Orellana’s wife, Anita, is 7 months pregnant. But now Orellana has been detained for months and faces deportation. The father of the autistic young man he is a caregiver for, along with Orellana’s wife and their attorney, Ben Osorio, share with Victor the impact this is having for both their families ahead of an upcoming hearing. Later, Victor gets reaction from acclaimed environmental justice activist Catherine Coleman Flowers to news that a Justice Department agreement to help Lowndes County, a majority-Black county in Alabama, deal with harmful sewage issues is being dropped, citing DEI. And you’ll hear from 15-year-old Gaby and Miami Arts Studio choral director Cindy Ellis after a video of their high school’s performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” went viral. All the singers are either immigrants or the children of immigrants. And Gaby reveals that her father nearly died in the recent nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic, which adds to the post-performance emotions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new survey of how consumers feel about the economy confirms: the vibes are off. And we know the impact is disproportionately felt by people of color, trying to save for the future and retirement. Victor asks entrepreneur John Hope Bryant if he sees a way forward. An immigration judge in Louisiana says pro-Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported. Members of Khalil’s legal team, Baher Azmy and Ramzi Kassem, tell Victor what the decision means for Khalil and the other students facing deportation for their activism. Victor also shares the devastating case of Victor Perez. The 17-year-old with autism was shot multiple times by police in Idaho. He was seen with a knife, but the family – and even the original 911 caller – say officers totally botched their response. CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Charles Ramsey shares his analysis. Plus, the National Indian Health Board wants to meet with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, which dropped just as National Minority Health Month got underway. Victor speaks with their CEO, A.C. Locklear. And later, Augusta has a new monument to the Black caddies of The Masters. Victor explores their overlooked legacy and the tribute with artist Baruti Tucker in this week’s “Art is Life”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rollout of President Trump’s tariff plans is generating a lot of anxiety on Wall Street and main streets across the country. Victor speaks with economist Valerie Wilson, who lays out the disproportionate risks people of color could face from Trump’s trade war. And Victor gets real-world perspective from Atlanta-based small business owner Felipe Arroyave, who is worried that the tariff whiplash is putting his American dream at risk. Plus, Victor reveals the books that stood out to him from a list of nearly 400 that were pulled from the Naval Academy’s library. The pentagon's first chief DEI officer - who is also a Navy Veteran and current member of congress – Gil Cisneros shares his reaction. And later, Victor catches up with hip hop artist Petey Pablo to talk about how his iconic track "Raise Up" could soon be the official hip-hop song of North Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump Administration is fighting to detain and deport Cornell student activist Momodou Taal. Taal’s attorneys, Eric Lee and Chris Godshall-Bennett, have a warning about other foreign students they say are being targeted across the country. President Trump says he wants to remove "improper ideology" from our nation's top historical and cultural institution, the Smithsonian. Pulitzer-prize winning historian of African American history, David W. Blight, explains why he thinks this is “a political declaration of war.” Latino and Black voters could have a particularly important role to play in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race that’s getting national attention. Victor speaks with Milwaukee County GOP Chairman Hilario Deleon and Angela Lang, the executive director of Black Leaders Organizing Communities in Milwaukee, about their respective outreach. Plus, Actor Malik Yoba got a lot of attention for saying "I’m no longer a Black man." He joins Victor to explain why he thinks people missed his real goal of sparking a conversation about the ongoing purge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. And later, Lisa France and Victor break out their fans to talk about line dancing and Black joy as an act of resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Department of Defense is getting heat for misfiring badly in their rush to scrub DEI from their websites. Former Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, joins Victor to share a warning about the military's diversity purge. After a judge called out the "frightening implications" of President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants, Victor gets perspective from Jose Antonio Vargas, who made headlines after telling the story of his life as an undocumented person. He shares with Victor the concerns he has about the immigrant community, and his own legal status. Plus, Victor speaks with Former Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights, Catherine E. Lhamon, about the impact of President Trump’s order to begin dismantling the Department of Education on schools, districts and children. Later, Disney's "Snow White" is in theatres this weekend. Victor speaks with Patricia Alfonso Tortolani, who interviewed actress Rachel Zegler for a profile in Allure Magazine, about the backlash to the film’s reimagining of “Snow White” with a Latina princess. And from "Chase Dis Money Street" to "We the Best Terrace" – there’s a neighborhood that's re-naming their roads, with some Miami Hip-Hop inspiration. Victor speaks with Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon about why he pushed for this to happen in his community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new executive order scaling back staff and functions at government entities, including the Minority Business Development Agency, dropped just hours after enough Democrats in the senate voted with Republicans to keep the government open. South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn voted "no" when the bill was in the House. He joins Victor to share his opinion of Senator Chuck Schumer’s leadership in this moment. Plus, Victor speaks with attorney Ramzi Kassem, a member of Mahmoud Khalil’s legal team. They’re fighting for the release of the activist who was arrested at protests over the war in Gaza at Columbia University last year, as the Trump administration vows a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters. Later, Victor speaks with Pulitzer-prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones about the “African American Read-in" she's organizing for her hometown today, after an event for first graders during Black History Month was canceled. An attorney helping representing tribes and students in a lawsuit over federal cuts to tribal schools, Jacqueline De León, shares with Victor what the impacts have been. And the leaders of Baltimore Center stage say they’re sticking with their commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion despite the risk to their federal funding. Victor speaks with Adam Frank, the theater's Managing Director, and Stevie Walker-Webb, the theater's Artistic Director. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Kamala Harris have been able to get away with treating the President of Ukraine the same way President Donald Trump did? Independent journalist in Ukraine Terrell Jermaine Starr makes the point in a conversation with Victor and former U.S. Army Major General Dana Pittard about the contentious oval office meeting. Plus, a Native American women's basketball team is caught up in the federal cuts ordered by President Trump. Victor speaks with the coach at Haskell Indian Nations University, Adam Strom, who is still leading his student-athletes as they compete for a championship despite going unpaid. Also being impacted by a Trump administration order is a concert featuring students of color and “The President's Own” United States Marine Band. Victor speaks with two composers, Kevin Charoensri and Carlos Simon, who were going to have their pieces performed before it all got canceled. Later, Victor speaks with “Exonerated 5” member Raymond Santana about his decision to seek political office in New York City. And the story behind a law school portrait that looks unlike any other. Victor speaks Saint Louis University School of Law’s William Johnson and artist Cbabi Bayoc about why they came together to send a racial justice message that a lot of schools across the country are now backing away from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A U.S. veteran in Arizona is facing deportation after being detained by immigration enforcement a month ago. That’s according to his wife, Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, who joins Victor from outside the facility where Marlon Parris is being held to explain what happened. Plus, Victor speaks with the President and CEO of the NAACP. Derrick Johnson reacts to an early legal victory against the Trump Administration's effort to end DEI initiatives, and the shuttering of a database that was meant to track police misconduct. In Maryland, a parade honoring Frederick Douglass is cancelled after the state's national guard said they can't attend. Victor speaks with Tarence Bailey Sr., the 5x great nephew of Frederick Douglass, about the reason why, which is outraging the Douglass family. For the first time in 25 years, a new soap opera is coming to daytime TV! It's the first hour-long soap opera to be centered around a wealthy, Black family. Victor visits the set and speaks with the stars of “Beyond the Gates”. After President Trump installed a board that named him chairman of The Kennedy Center, big names like Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae cut their ties with the performing arts center. But “Liberated Muse” decided their show with a social justice message had to go on. Victor speaks with the group’s founder, Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, about the decision – and her art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deb Haaland is the first former member of President Biden’s cabinet to jump back into campaign politics. If elected Governor of New Mexico, she would be the first Native American woman to be elected governor in the United States. She joins Victor to discuss her campaign, and react to the mass firings of federal workers at the Department of the Interior, which she led during the Biden Administration The Trump Administration’s crusade against diversity programs is impacting everything from the Department of Education to, now, PBS. Diversity and education advocate Sonia Manzano, who millions recognize as "Maria" on Sesame Street, joins Victor to share her concerns. Venezuelan-American voters helped return President Trump to the White House. But now some say they feel blindsided by the president's move to end a program that gave migrants from Venezuela temporary protection from deportation. Rafael Pineyro is a member of the city council in Doral, Florida and joins Victor to discuss what his city is doing to try and get the Trump Administration to change course. The “Becoming Everything You Are Conference”, previously called the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference, attracts top science and engineering students from high schools and colleges. For years it has been a recruiting hub for the U.S. military and defense contractors. Not this year. Victor discusses what changed with the founder of the conference, Tyrone Taborn. And later, class is in session at HillmanTok University. Professor Dr. Leah Barlow explains to Victor how a social media post meant for a class of 35 students - got seen millions of times -- and sparked a “Digital HBCU” movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices