First Of All with Victor Blackwell
Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 40 minutes
- Episodes
- 46
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Former Air Force Secretary Has Warning About Pentagon’s DEI Website Purge
The Department of Defense is getting heat for misfiring badly in their rush to scrub DEI from their websites. Former Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, joins Victor to share a warning about t…
00:41:22 |
Sun 23 Mar 2025
New Government Cuts Ordered as Dems Grapple With Fallout From Spending Vote
A new executive order scaling back staff and functions at government entities, including the Minority Business Development Agency, dropped just hours after enough Democrats in the senate voted with R…
00:40:58 |
Sat 15 Mar 2025
Trump Orders Impact a Native American Women’s Basketball Team and a Concert With Students of Color
Would former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Kamala Harris have been able to get away with treating the President of Ukraine the same way President Donald Trump did? Independent journ…
00:40:51 |
Sun 02 Mar 2025
Wife Says U.S. Veteran Faces Deportation; Go Behind-The-Scenes of “Beyond the Gates”
A U.S. veteran in Arizona is facing deportation after being detained by immigration enforcement a month ago. That’s according to his wife, Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, who joins Victor from outside the f…
00:41:14 |
Sat 22 Feb 2025
Former Biden Cabinet Member Launches Campaign; Sesame Street Icon “Maria” Defends Diversity Initiatives
Deb Haaland is the first former member of President Biden’s cabinet to jump back into campaign politics. If elected Governor of New Mexico, she would be the first Native American woman to be elected …
00:41:21 |
Sat 15 Feb 2025
Arab American Trump Supporter Shares Message to President on Gaza; NLRB Leader Fired by Trump Speaks Out on Lawsuit
The group “Arab Americans for Trump” is now calling themselves “Arab Americans for Peace” after President Trump announced plans to “take over” Gaza and relocate Palestinians. Bishara Bahbah shares a …
00:41:33 |
Sat 08 Feb 2025
Trump’s DEI Purge and Baseless Hiring Claims Fuel Debate Over Diversity Programs
A sign of the times: Black History Month is here, and the White House and Defense Department have different views on how to celebrate. As President Trump and his administration purge "DEI" from the g…
00:41:54 |
Sat 01 Feb 2025
Minorities Face Brunt of President Trump's First Actions Back in Office
Federal agencies are being told to eliminate all DEI offices and positions within 60 days. Michael Leach served as the first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the White House under Presiden…
00:43:12 |
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Tiktok Star Reesa Teesa Reacts to Looming App Ban in U.S.
Millions of American TikTok users are in limbo as a U.S. ban on the app approaches. Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson found viral fame on the platform after the success of her series “Who TF Did I Marry”…
00:42:08 |
Sat 18 Jan 2025
Incarcerated Firefighters on the Frontlines of the Los Angeles Fires
As Los Angeles grapples with the devastation of wildfires, Victor highlights the helpers, and the impact on lives that you likely haven’t heard about yet.
There is a surprising number of inmates wo…
00:41:13 |
Sat 11 Jan 2025
How to Get Your Money Right for 2025
2025 is almost here! Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal of “Earn Your Leisure” share their tips with Victor on how we can get our money right regardless of income, and discuss their upcoming book, “You D…
00:42:51 |
Sat 28 Dec 2024
Government Shutdown Avoided; Father Fights to Reunite With Deported Wife and Newborn Twins
Congressman James Clyburn joins Victor to react to the deal to avoid a government shutdown. As a former leader of Democrats in the House, we get his thoughts on what made it into the agreement, what …
00:40:54 |
Sat 21 Dec 2024
Chicago Mayor Responds to Threats by Trump’s “Border Czar”
President-elect Trump’s “Border Czar” Tom Homan says the incoming administration’s “mass deportations” will begin in Chicago, and he’s threatening any state and local officials who stand in his way. …
00:41:24 |
Sat 14 Dec 2024
How Black Federal Workers Could Be Disproportionately Impacted by Cuts to Government Jobs
Federal work has historically been a ladder to the middle class for millions of Americans of all races, but especially Black people. Many of those government employees were watching closely this week…
00:40:58 |
Sat 07 Dec 2024
Corporate Commitment to Dei Under Scrutiny; Drake-kendrick Lamar Feud Turns Into Legal Fight
Walmart is the largest corporation yet to roll back commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs. Victor speaks to DEI expert Shaun Harper about the impact, and whether we can expect more …
00:41:29 |
Sun 01 Dec 2024
Daymond John’s Mission to Boost Black Businesses
Daymond John of “Shark Tank” joins Victor in studio after hosting his annual “Black Entrepreneurs Day”. He shares his thoughts on the state of the economy, tips for small businesses and dishes on the…
00:41:58 |
Sat 23 Nov 2024
Veterans React to Trump’s Pentagon Pick and Pete Hegseth’s War on "Woke”
President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon claims the military and its leaders are "too woke". What does that really mean? And is diversity and equity in the armed forces really the threat Pet…
00:41:18 |
Sat 16 Nov 2024
Why Many Black Women Say They Feel Frustrated Right Now
According to CNN exit polls, 91 percent of Black women voted for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the first Black woman elected president of the United States. No other demographic voted for ei…
00:41:07 |
Sat 09 Nov 2024
The Early Voting Data That May Reveal Clues About Election Day
“First of All” turns 1 this weekend! Victor has some reflections on all the stories we’ve covered so far over the past year.
But first, three days out from the election, millions of people have alre…
00:41:43 |
Sat 02 Nov 2024
Beyoncé Hits the Trail With Harris; Which Voters Are Still “Undecided”?
With polls only tightening 10 days ahead of the presidential election, Democrats and Republicans are racing to reach any voters still uncertain about going to the polls. Victor speaks with leaders of…
00:41:21 |
Sat 26 Oct 2024
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