Real Black News

Ep. 140 of Real Black News features the New York Times Bestselling author of the sci-fi novel Blood at the Root LaDarrion Williams. Known as the “Black Harry Potter,” Blood at the Root hit the NY Times Bestseller list in the Spring of 2024 and stayed as Audible’s #1 audiobook for multiple weeks this summer. As he works on the sequel, Williams joins the podcast to discuss the process that led him to write Blood at the Root in 12 days, how he used rejection to motivate him, and his mission to put Black Boys on book covers.

Ep.139 marks the Season 6 premiere of Real Black News. Host Raqiyah Mays digs into P. Diddy’s legal drama, Suge Knight’s reaction, Eric Adams’ indictment, Trump voters, and five empowering Black news stories from Wales, Oklahoma, Zanzibar, Washington, DC, and Cote d’Ivoire.

This repost of Episode 82 from May 2020, honors the life of hip hop's legendary voice, the late Fatman Scoop. The two-time Grammy-winning MC, radio personality, and legendary hype man passed on August 30, 2024. In this episode recorded on April 30, 2020, during the Covid-19 quarantine, Scoop reflects on life. He discusses his career, kids, divorce, beating diabetes, working with Mariah, Diddy, Mya, and the repercussions of starring on reality TV.  Scoop also shares his perspective on news stories including Nigeria’s multi-billion dollar gain and Color of Change’s latest petition to help welfare recipients. #RIP #FatmanScoop

Episode 137 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, features a conversation about Kamala Harris’ run for president and what we stand to lose if Trump wins the election. Five time Emmy-winning actor Wayne Brady joins the podcast to discuss his new show “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix,” coming out as pansexual, mental health in the community, and his fight against what it means to be Black.

Episode 136 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, posts on June 19, Juneteenth 2024, featuring stories about the first HBCU in California, the Ghanaian genius in the Guinness Book of World Records, Lebron James’ Akron school milestone, the Mississippi girl saving the world, and more from the top 5 uplifting Black news stories from around the world with newsmakers from the worlds of entertainment, journalism, activism, politics, and beyond. #RealBlackNews

In this Special Edition bonus episiode of Real Black News, one of Hollywood's hottest up-and-coming directors, Stefon Bristol, discusses his new sci-fi movie "Breathe" starring Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Common, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Sam Worthington in theaters April 26. He shares details on his training from Spike Lee, the nuances of working with A-list actors, and tips on manuevering Hollywood's current climate.

On Episode 134 host Raqiyah Mays shares the top five empowering Black news stories from around the world including this episode’s picks from Cameroon, Morocco, Washington, DC, Ghana, Newark, NJ, and even Dubai. Plus discussions on Wendy Williams, Black Girls Rock, and more.

Pop-up episode 133 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, brings uplifting news stories about people of African descent from Ghana, Sweden, Brazil, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Queens, New York. Psychotherapist Camille Banks Lee joins the episode to share three tips for staying empowered and manifesting the positive in 2024 and beyond.

Real Black News returns with host Raqiyah Mays after a year-and-a-half hiatus. The pop-up episode features five empowering Black news stories from around the world. #RealBlackNews

Writer and director Reggie Rock Bythewood drops knowledge and discusses everything from his coming-of-age Apple TV show "Swagger" and dedicating his work in film and TV to spotlighting and uplifting the Black community, to learning from Sidney Poitier, elders like James Earl Jones and Harry Belafonte, telling the story of Emmett Till, working with his wife, director Gina Prince Bythewood, teaching his son Black history and empowerment, along with powerful tips for writers and producers.