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On this final episode of Season 7, world-renowned hip-hop historian, educator, and author Toni Blackman breaks down the spiritual history of hip-hop as told in her book, "Wisdom of the Cypher." Weaving in ancient history, religion, and global studies, Toni shares passionate insights from over two decades of organizing cyphers worldwide, through her travels to over 50 countries, where she describes the cypher as a form of hip hop prayer and transformative meditation - no matter the country where it takes place.

Ep. 150 of Real Black News features Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee discussing his book, A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America a work that merges memoir with reporting to examine how systemic racism, historical trauma, and gun violence impact Black life. Inspired by his own 38-year-old heart attack, he explores the emotional, physical, and ancestral weight of violence.

Ep. 149 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, features updates on the ICE protests in Minnesota, the shocking arrests of journalists for reporting on these protests, the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month, and an interview with author and former journalist Amy Dubois Barnett, who made history as the first Black woman to helm a mainstream U.S. Magazine. She discusses her debut novel and bestseller, If I Ruled the World, where she pens a juicy story based in the hip hop world of the '90s, focused on a young magazine Editor-in-Chief navigating the glamorous yet dangerous world of hip hop. Amy discusses how she got her book development deal with Hulu and Oscar-winning director Lee Daniels, the state of journalism, and tips to media-makers on maneuvering and positioning oneself in today's world.  #BlackHistoryMonth #RealBlackNews

On this special, first episode of 2026, psychotherapist Dr. Camille Banks-Lee shares tips on setting morning boundaries, intentions, and why she recommends using AI for therapy.

Episode 147 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, features legendary hip-hop MC Dana Dane taking a nostalgic trip discussing his career, coming up with Slick Rick, the highs and lows of fame, and eventually pivoting to film and moving to Rwanda. Other topics include good news from Palm Springs, Guinea, Washington, DC, Tulsa, and more of the top 5 Black news stories from around the world. Follow on IG at @RealBlackNews.

Ep. 146 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, features an intimate discussion with writer and comedian Daheli Hall about her award-winning one-woman show and documentary SPADURA, where she opens up about her struggles with infertility and the courage to publicly share it. News stories this episode highlight Black excellence in NYC, Taiwan, Kenya, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Season 7 premiere of Real Black News features Showrunner Selywn Seyfu Hinds, the creator of the Hulu limited series: Washington Black, an epic adventure co-starring Emmy-Winner Sterling K. Brown about a genius boy who escapes slavery to become a globetrotting scientist. Selwyn discusses the modern-day attempts at erasing black history, survivor's remorse of Black creatives, his learning lessons as a first-time showrunner, and his next project based on Pulitzer-winning author Percival Everett's novel "The Trees." Other episode highlights include 5 empowering Black news stories from Baltimore, the United Kingdom, Los Angeles, Malawi, and Ethiopia.

Episode 144 pops up for Men's Mental Health Month spotlighting Anti-Violence Ventures, a non-profit dedicated to helping young Black men stop the cycle of violence. Special guests Ajamn Johnson and George Granberry, III break down the group's work with Black teenagers dealing with violence in their homes, communities, and the world. Other topics discussed include the nationwide protests against ICE raids, No Kings Day, Anti-Blackness in the Latino community, and the Diddy trial. Follow Real Black News on Instagram @realblacknews #RealBlackNews #AntiViolenceVentures #CaliforniaBlackWomensHealthProject #ICERaids #DiddyTrial #NoKingsDay #MensMentalHealthMonth #Juneteenth #Juneteenth2025

Ep. 143 of Real Black News with Raqiyah Mays features 5 empowering Black news stories from South Central LA, Egypt, Philly, The UK, and South Sudan.  In celebration of Women's History Month, lawyer and immigrant rights activist Rebecca Alemayehu joins the podcast to share her work as the first Black attorney on the ground at the US-Mexico border helping Black asylum seekers and children in detention centers across the US. As the founder of Alemayehu African Dream and Co-founder of the Habesha Asylum Seeker Fund, Rebecca has made it her mission to raise awareness of the immigration crisis affecting the Black community. #RealBlackNews

In this first episode (and therapy session) of 2025, psychotherapist Dr. Camille Banks Lee provides critical tips for supporting children, adults, and all affected – physically and emotionally - by the trauma of the LA Wildfires. Other topics discussed: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the ceasefire in Gaza. #MLKDay

Ep. 141, The Black Friday Episode of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, pops up to reclaim the day after Thanksgiving dedicated to shopping and flips it to dedicate it to Black businesses and funding.

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.