First Of All with Victor Blackwell

CNN Showcasts
  • 4.3 (15)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 3D AGO

    A “Day of Action” Over Voting Rights Rollback in the South

    A nationwide “Day of Action for Voting Rights” is protesting redrawn voter maps across the South. Victor speaks with Georgia Republican election board member Janelle King and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II about the redistricting battle. In Kansas, former Coldwater mayor Joe Ceballos faces deportation after voting in U.S. elections despite not being a citizen. His wife, Jayne, and interim mayor Britt Lenertz react. After President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing, families of Americans jailed in China for over a decade say their loved ones were ignored during talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Victor also examines concerns that a loophole in the First Step Act may benefit convicted former police officers, speaking with former federal prosecutor Jared Fishman. Later, he interviews seven trailblazing graduates from Spelman College’s Class of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min

  2. MAY 3

    "Jim Crow 2.0": Reaction to Supreme Court’s Voting Rights rollback

    Republicans in states across the South are moving fast to redraw voting maps after a Supreme Court ruling impacting redistricting and voting rights for millions. Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson's district has the largest percentage of Black voters in the country. Is his seat now at risk? He joins Victor to react to what this means for majority-minority districts like his. Victor also covers several major stories, starting with Israel and Max Makoka, two brothers detained by ICE on their way to school who were later released after support from their conservative community in Diamondhead, Mississippi, along with their host mom Gail Baptiste. He also speaks with Kevin McCarthy about the shrinking number of Black Republicans in the House, as none of the current four members are running for re election, raising the possibility that there could be none by 2027. Later, Victor discusses the social media debate sparked by a teaser for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” involving an Asian character, and interviews journalist Lidia Terrazas about her reporting on Wilfredo, a 10 year old forced to represent himself in court to avoid deportation to a country he has never known. In the Art is Life segment, Victor highlights a trio of mariachi brothers who gained national attention after nearly two weeks in ICE custody and are now preparing to perform with Kacey Musgraves, sharing what the opportunity means to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  3. APR 25

    White Mom Files Lawsuit Over Access to California Program for Black Infants

    Who all gon’ be there? President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to head to Pakistan. But it’s still not clear if they’ll actually meet with Iranian negotiators. Victor gets analysis from Tia Mitchell and Charles Carithers on the war with Iran and talks to end it. What does the U.S. government owe Lebanese Americans whose homes are being destroyed by Israeli airstrikes? Victor asks the chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan, Nasser Beydoun, about his own personal loss and his plans to take the issue to court. For the first time as President, Trump says he is going to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Victor speaks to a vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists, Eva D. Coleman, after the group signed on to a letter calling on journalists to take a stand … and not just stand by as he attacks the press. Plus, Victor speaks to Andrew Quinio, the attorney of a white mother who says California's Black Infant Health Program denied her and her newborn baby help, because she's not Black. The movie “Michael” just came out and is already dividing social media. Victor shares the strongest reactions online, and perspective from Michael Jackson collaborator and friend, Travis Payne. And later, you'll meet the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Leon Smith. Why he says teaching high school kids U.S. History and African American Studies matters in this moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  4. APR 18

    Will an Iran Peace Deal Include Release of Detained Iranian Americans?

    Will the release of Iranian Americans detained in Iran be a part of any peace deal? Victor speaks to attorney Ryan Fayhee, who is trying to help free Iranian American journalist Reza Valizadeh. Nearly two years after the police-involved shooting of a teen in St. Louis, only now are we seeing the bodycam video of what happened to 17-year-old Emeshyon Wilkins, and it contradicts what police said happened at the time. The family attorney who obtained the video joins Victor to react. Victor also speaks to Roopal Patel and Nina Froes, two immigration judges who have just been fired from their roles after issuing rulings that blocked the deportations of Pro-Palestinian students Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi. Do they see it as retaliation? Victor and the judges discuss. Ads with references to the KKK and Jim Crow are hitting mailboxes in Virginia, ahead of a big vote on congressional maps next week. Victor looks at what's in the message to Black voters about redistricting - and who is behind it. Plus, Victor gets reaction from Demetre Daskalakis to President Trump’s latest nominee to lead the CDC, Dr. Erica Schwartz. And in “Art is Life” this week, Victor speaks to director Reginald Douglas and actor Michael Bahsil-Cook about their new musical “Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min

  5. APR 11

    Father of Astronaut Victor Glover Reacts to Artemis Crew’s Return to Earth

    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

    44 min

  6. MAR 28

    Senator Cory Booker and Ts Madison Speak Out Ahead of “No Kings” Protests

    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

    43 min

  7. MAR 21

    War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion

    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

    43 min

  8. MAR 17

    Pastor Jamal Bryant Explains Ending Target “Fast" Despite No Change to DEI Rollback

    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

    12 min
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4.3
out of 5
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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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