First Of All with Victor Blackwell

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First Of All with Victor Blackwell

Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Incarcerated Firefighters on the Frontlines of the Los Angeles Fires

    As Los Angeles grapples with the devastation of wildfires, Victor highlights the helpers, and the impact on lives that you likely haven’t heard about yet.   There is a surprising number of inmates working as firefighters for little pay. A former member of the California program joins Victor to share what it takes to respond to fire emergencies.   Plus, the chief of the Pechanga Fire Department shares with Victor what he’s been hearing from his crews assisting in Los Angeles, and the unique expertise California’s native tribes have to share.   Many communities and families are forever changed by these fires. Victor speaks with a lifelong resident of Altadena, Zaire Calvin. Zaire lost his home and his sister, Evelyn McClendon, was killed. Zaire shares with Victor what it’s like dealing with that scale of loss, and what he hopes to see happen when it comes time to rebuild homes.   And Victor speaks with a principal in Pasadena who opened up his school to help families in need.   We’re also following a disturbing story out of Puerto Rico, where an alleged arson attack destroyed businesses over the New Year’s holiday and there hasn’t been an arrest. A property owner whose livelihood was impacted shares his emotional message to the alleged arsonist.   And the son of the late Black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey joins Victor. Dr. Julius Garvey explains the action he wants President Biden to take for his father before he leaves office, and why the request has the backing of some lawmakers in Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  2. 28/12/2024

    How to Get Your Money Right for 2025

    2025 is almost here! Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal of “Earn Your Leisure” share their tips with Victor on how we can get our money right regardless of income, and discuss their upcoming book, “You Deserve to be Rich”. Plus, Victor revisits stories we've been committed to covering on "First of All" in 2024 that will continue to impact us in the new year. And later, Victor takes us behind the scenes of the new CNN film “Luther: Never Too Much” which dives deep into the life and music of Luther Vandross. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min

  3. 21/12/2024

    Government Shutdown Avoided; Father Fights to Reunite With Deported Wife and Newborn Twins

    Congressman James Clyburn joins Victor to react to the deal to avoid a government shutdown. As a former leader of Democrats in the House, we get his thoughts on what made it into the agreement, what got left out, the path forward for Democrats next year.   Plus, Victor shares the story of a family separated right before the holidays. A man in Texas says his wife missed an immigration hearing as she recovered from giving birth to twins. She and her children were all deported to Mexico. The father, who is a U.S. citizen, is now fighting to reunite with them and spoke to CNN.   The President of Harvard’s Black Law Students Association joins Victor to explain why the number of Black and Hispanic students in the university’s Class of 2027 concerns him.   And Victor speaks with the founder of an Asian American group that’s leading calls for the suspension of a morning radio host accused of repeatedly making anti-Asian comments on air.   Later, Victor plays some holly jolly music and talks with Naima Cochrane about the divide he’s noticed between Black Christmas classics and the songs considered top Holiday hits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  4. 14/12/2024

    Chicago Mayor Responds to Threats by Trump’s “Border Czar”

    President-elect Trump’s “Border Czar” Tom Homan says the incoming administration’s “mass deportations” will begin in Chicago, and he’s threatening any state and local officials who stand in his way. The Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, joins Victor to respond in his first national interview since Homan’s comments.   Plus, crack cocaine, made by cops, is a real thing that happened decades ago in Broward County. Victor speaks to the state attorney fighting to undo the convictions of people who got caught up in the sting by the Broward County Sheriff's Office.   Also this week, the Biden-Harris administration released the first national strategy to combat Islamophobia and anti-Arab American hate. But one influential advocacy group, The Council on American-Islamic Relations, says it’s “too little too late." The organization’s National Deputy Director joins Victor to explain.   Later, Victor speaks to an education expert about her concerns over a new study showing that diversity among teachers isn’t keeping up with diversity among students.   And visual artist Shinique Smith joins Victor to share her memories of collaborating with the acclaimed poet, activist and academic Nikki Giovanni who passed away this week at 81. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  5. 07/12/2024

    How Black Federal Workers Could Be Disproportionately Impacted by Cuts to Government Jobs

    Federal work has historically been a ladder to the middle class for millions of Americans of all races, but especially Black people. Many of those government employees were watching closely this week as the co-leaders of the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency" or "DOGE" visited Capitol Hill to pitch their plans. Everett Kelley, the National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, joins Victor to react.   Plus, Victor speaks with Ryan Wetzel. His grandfather Walter "Blackie" Wetzel helped design a logo for the NFL’s Washington Commanders. That logo was dropped in 2020, along with the team’s original name. Ryan shares why his family now wants the team to bring the logo back.   Later, the Justice Department says Memphis police need federal oversight. But the city of Memphis is pushing back. Victor speaks with Connie Rice, a civil rights attorney who worked with the Obama White House on police reform.   A descendant of Pearl Harbor hero Doris “Dorie” Miller joins Victor to discuss his family’s push for Miller to posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor.   And Victor checks-in with Rhiannah Gordon, a single mom whose video with her kids emotionally reacting to her passing California’s bar exam is going viral on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  6. 01/12/2024

    Corporate Commitment to Dei Under Scrutiny; Drake-kendrick Lamar Feud Turns Into Legal Fight

    Walmart is the largest corporation yet to roll back commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs. Victor speaks to DEI expert Shaun Harper about the impact, and whether we can expect more companies to follow.   Plus, Melvin Coleman of the Atlanta Black Chambers weighs in on what anti-DEI measures and a second Trump term may mean for entrepreneurs of color on this small business Saturday.   Later, music journalist and author Sowmya Krishnamurthy explains to Victor why the internet is going crazy over a legal petition filed by attorneys for Drake over Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-nominated diss track “Not Like Us”.   And as more people pull back from “X” or social media entirely, can the influential community known as “Black Twitter” survive somewhere else? Victor discusses with researcher and author André Brock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  7. 23/11/2024

    Daymond John’s Mission to Boost Black Businesses

    Daymond John of “Shark Tank” joins Victor in studio after hosting his annual “Black Entrepreneurs Day”. He shares his thoughts on the state of the economy, tips for small businesses and dishes on the refresh of his iconic clothing brand “FUBU”.   First, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke joins Victor to discuss a bill being pushed by Republicans called the “Dismantle DEI Act,” and how she plans to lead the Congressional Black Caucus as a 2nd Trump term approaches.   Plus, Victor shares an update in the story of a father in Las Vegas who was shot and killed by police after calling 911 for help. Brandon Durham’s sister, Diane Wright, reacts to the shooting and lays out what the family wants to see happen next. Also, Victor asks: does an optional curriculum that was just approved for public schools in Texas gloss over the reality of racism and slavery in American history? Texas Tribune reporter Jaden Edison reveals what he found when he dug into the lesson plan for kids K-5. And later, this week’s “I See You!” shoutout is for Sophia Park, who just became the youngest person to pass California’s bar exam…at age 17! And that’s not the only surprising part of this up-and-coming legal star’s story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  8. 16/11/2024

    Veterans React to Trump’s Pentagon Pick and Pete Hegseth’s War on "Woke”

    President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon claims the military and its leaders are "too woke". What does that really mean? And is diversity and equity in the armed forces really the threat Pete Hegseth claims it is? Victor speaks with two combat veterans – Retired Army Captain Mary Tobin and Retired Army Major General Dana Pittard - whose personal stories suggest otherwise.   Plus, a family in Missouri is pleading for both the outgoing governor and incoming governor of the state to reverse their pledge to release a former officer convicted of killing their son. Both leaders say they're considering clemency for Eric Devalkenaere. Victor has an emotional conversation with Cameron Lamb's parents, Aqil and Laurie Bey.   For the first time, Chicago has elected members of its school board. Oscar and Grammy award-winning artist "Rhymefest" is one of them, and he speaks with Victor about the new role and his latest project.   And the creator of the "North American Indigenous Songbook” joins Victor to explain the project’s vision and how the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement inspired it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min
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Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.

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