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Ep 119 of Real Black News features legendary writer and executive producer, Jenny Lumet, who discusses everything from family and screenwriting to the inspiration behind her CBS TV show, Clarice, based on the book turned film Silence of the Lambs. Jenny breaks down the parallel between Clarice’s recovery from trauma and her own after courageously telling the world that she was sexually assaulted by Russell Simmons. Sharing a rich and empowering story of survival as an artist and Black woman, Jenny discusses her grandmother Lena Horne, appearing in the documentary On the Record, and upcoming projects via her development deal with CBS and more. (Interview begins at 15:36). While therapist Camille Banks-Lee of CBL Psychotherapy shares four must-hear tips for managing trauma. (Segment starts at 49:43). Other topics include Virginia abolishing the death penalty, the Jersey non-profit training the hood in emergency first aid, and more of the top five empowering Black news stories of the week. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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