Real Black News

Ep. 62 features McKinney Texas Councilman La'Shadion Anthony Shemwell discussing the Texas police union's push to remove him from office after calling for a "Black State of Emergency" in response to the murder of Atatiana Jefferson. He explains why black people should not travel to Texas, the McKinney pool party case with Dajerria Becton, and he sits on the hot seat to answer questions about his criminal record and assault charges. Ronda Racha Penrice joins The Screen Grab to discuss Harriet, Queen & Slim, Sterling K. Brown, & Power. Other topics include NYC's protests against transit police, Johannesburg, the black bank crisis, and John Legends' work to help formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.

Ep. 61 features battle rapper, Ferguson activist turned Missouri politician, and star of the upcoming MTV documentary St. Louis Superman, Bruce Franks Jr. He discusses passing a bill to help inner-city youth, character assassination, the murder of his brother, activist mental health, and why he left office to take care of his health. Former investment banker and the CEO of Kids Who Bank, Jatali Bellanton, joins "The Black Wall Street Report" to give tips on four franchises to build wealth. Other topics include the film Burden, Anita Hill, and Texas' Black State of Emergency.

Episode 60 of Real Black News features two activists making change. Christopher "City" Mungin, one of the faces of BET's new docuseries Copwatch America, discusses his work following and recording the police in Atlanta, knowing your rights, and why he openly carries a gun. While education advocate Virginia Walden Ford, who helped create the nation's first opportunity scholarship program for low-income children in Washington, DC, joins the show to talk about being played by Uzo Aduba in the new movie Miss Virginia. Ford discusses her childhood desegregating schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, how she rallied thousands of parents to push for better schools in DC, George W. Bush's help, and how not initially receiving support from Bill Clinton almost made her give up. Journalist Ronda Racha Penrice reviews Harriet, Watchmen, and Black & Blue. Other topics include the DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, The Million Man March, and the rising suicide rates among black teens.

This week's Episode 59 of Real Black News features a discussion on black children and the school system with the SVP of Policy at the National Black Child Development Institute Cemeré James who discusses the Trump administration taking away data about black children, the rise in black parents homeschooling their kids, mental health, the poor stats on charter schools, and how parents can protect their children in the school system. Entertainment reporter Ronda Racha Penrice joins the Screen Grab to talk TI, Rhythm & Flow, Tyler Perry, Gemini Man, & Yvette Lee Bowser. Other topics include Atatiana Jefferson, Texas police murders, and an update on the Bahamas.

Ep. 58 features host Raqiyah Mays, entertainment reporter Ronda Racha Penrice, & investment expert/CEO of Kids Who Bank Jatali Bellanton, discussing everything from the murder of Botham Jean's neighbor Joshua Brown & Amber Guyger's infamous hug to the atheist group suing the judge for giving that hug. Other topics include The Joker, suicide, billion-dollar black-owned investment firms, investing in Africa, Ryan Coogler, Lupita Nyong'o, & a new app for fighting police brutality.

This week's Episode 57 of Real Black News features actor and Executive Producer of Godfather of Harlem, Markuann Smith, who discusses the show's depictions of Islam, Forest Whitaker, acting, and how his late Godmother - Bumpy Johnson's granddaughter - inspired him to work 18 years to get this show made. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins "The Screen Grab" to talk about the last season of Empire and Raising Deon. Other topics include the Bahamas, Robert K. Smith, police misconduct hearings, and CBS' new shows.

This week's Episode 56 of Real Black News features Paralympic champion swimmer Jamal Hill discussing life training for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, being diagnosed with and hiding his hereditary neurological condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), and his plan to teach one million people to swim. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins "The Screen Grab" to talk about Hustlers, The Urbanworld Film Festival, and Tyler Perry. While investment specialist and the CEO of Kids Who Bank, Jatali Bellanton, discusses robo financial advisors. Other topics include Nigeria, black gun groups, and the cure for malaria.

Episode 55 of Real Black News features activist Erica Ford discussing her 30+ years dedicated to reducing gun violence and healing the hood in South Jamaica Queens via peace mobiles with the NYC Crisis Management System and as the CEO and Founder of Life Camp. She shares details on the latest rash of violence in Queens, working with Deepak Chopra to bring mindfulness training to the hood, ceasing gun violence over a 4-year-period, and reducing crime by 15%. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins "The Screen Grab" to talk about early reviews for Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Dolemite. Other topics include the brown water in Newark NJ, Botham Jean, and South Africa's Xenophobia crisis.

This week's Episode 54 of Real Black News features Peabody and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson discussing his 40-plus year career chronicling the African American experience and his new critically acclaimed film "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool." Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins "The Screen Grab" to talk about the new Wu-Tang Clan TV show, Top Boy, and The Weekend. Investment expert Jatali Bellanton joins "The Black Wall Street Report" to talk about apps for real estate owners and renters. Other topics include the "Straight Pride" parade, Flint, the Charleston AME lawsuit, and Gordan Parks.

This week's Episode 53 of Real Black News features journalist Joy-Ann Reid discussing her life and work hosting AM Joy on MSNBC and her New York Times bestseller The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins "The Screen Grab" to talk about Ballers and the Power premiere, party and concert at Madison Square Garden. Newark, NJ-based Civil Rights Attorney Shavar Jeffries discusses the lead water crisis in Newark and what's happening to those living in the city on water bottles. Other topics include the Chikesia Clemons Waffle House trial, South Africa, and Muslims helping immigrant detainees.