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. 56M AGO

    Trump Vows Changes to History and Art at the Smithsonian; Actor Malik Yoba Speaks Out

    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

    43 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Former Air Force Secretary Has Warning About Pentagon’s DEI Website Purge

    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

    43 min

  3. MAR 15

    New Government Cuts Ordered as Dems Grapple With Fallout From Spending Vote

    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

    43 min

  4. MAR 2

    Trump Orders Impact a Native American Women’s Basketball Team and a Concert With Students of Color

    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

    43 min

  5. FEB 22

    Wife Says U.S. Veteran Faces Deportation; Go Behind-The-Scenes of “Beyond the Gates”

    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

    43 min

  6. FEB 15

    Former Biden Cabinet Member Launches Campaign; Sesame Street Icon “Maria” Defends Diversity Initiatives

    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

    43 min

  7. FEB 8

    Arab American Trump Supporter Shares Message to President on Gaza; NLRB Leader Fired by Trump Speaks Out on Lawsuit

    The group “Arab Americans for Trump” is now calling themselves “Arab Americans for Peace” after President Trump announced plans to “take over” Gaza and relocate Palestinians. Bishara Bahbah shares a candid message to the man he worked to help elect president. Plus, Victor speaks with the Chair of the National Labor Relations Board who was dismissed by President Trump. Gwynne Wilcox is now suing, and the case could go to the Supreme Court. She tells Victor about the moment she found out she was being ousted from her role at the independent federal agency and reveals whether she thinks Elon Musk played a role.   A grieving mother is now working to raise money for a park memorial in tribute to her murdered daughter after “racist emails" derailed plans for Milwaukee County to help fund the project. Sade Robinson’s mother, Sheena Scarbrough, joins Victor to share her disappointment. Plus, sports columnist and Forbes Contributor Terence Moore joins Victor from New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl. Moore asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the league’s commitment to DEI and shares his blunt reaction to the answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 min

  8. FEB 1

    Trump’s DEI Purge and Baseless Hiring Claims Fuel Debate Over Diversity Programs

    A sign of the times: Black History Month is here, and the White House and Defense Department have different views on how to celebrate. As President Trump and his administration purge "DEI" from the government and blame diversity for this week’s aviation disaster, Victor gets reaction from a supporter of the president - former Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron. Plus, a former pilot and airline manager explains why these DEI programs matter. But first, keep an ear out for a tribute to Kiah Duggins.    Indiana has one predominately Black institution and the state’s governor has allocated no money for Martin University in his budget. Victor speaks with state representative Gregory Porter who says the decision is "racist".   After Target dropped their DEI goals, some activists are now calling for a boycott starting February 1st. Is that the right way to respond? Victor asks bestselling author Frederick Joseph, who is telling readers not to buy his book at their stores.   And later, the story of an opera, believed to be the first complete opera by a Black American, that is finally being performed more than 130 years later. Victor speaks with Givanna Joseph and Patrick Quigley about “Morgiane” by Edmond Dédé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    44 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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