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First Of All with Victor Blackwell

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

By: CNN Podcasts
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About this listen

 Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.2024-2026 CNN Politics & Government
Episodes
  • White Mom Files Lawsuit Over Access to California Program for Black Infants

    White Mom Files Lawsuit Over Access to California Program for Black Infants
    Apr 25 2026
    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
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    44 mins
  • Will an Iran Peace Deal Include Release of Detained Iranian Americans?

    Will an Iran Peace Deal Include Release of Detained Iranian Americans?
    Apr 18 2026
    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
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    43 mins
  • Father of Astronaut Victor Glover Reacts to Artemis Crew’s Return to Earth

    Father of Astronaut Victor Glover Reacts to Artemis Crew’s Return to Earth
    Apr 11 2026
    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
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    44 mins
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