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75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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.

news news commentary

All Episodes

43:28

Food Aid Recipient Speaks Out on Funding Limbo;...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/11/01

It's the first of the month and there are millions of people whose food benefits are in now limbo, with no clear solution coming quickly to ensure SNAP recipients get the aid they depend on in November. Victor speaks with SNAP recipient Laterese Johnson, Hope Atlanta’s Elizabeth Banks, and the director of a childcare center, LaToya Logan. Plus, actress Karen Pittman joins Victor to share her personal story, as families deal with food insecurity like she once did as a single mom. A Houston teen says

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40:38

Teen Battling Cancer Fights for Dad’s Release After...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/10/25

A 16-year-old in Chicago who is fighting cancer has a message for immigration officials after her father was arrested. Victor shares the story of Ofelia Torres and gets reaction from her father’s attorney, Kalman Resnick, to a judge’s ruling saying the mandatory detention of Ruben Torres Maldonado was “unlawful”. Plus, hear President Trump's short answer to a question about funding SNAP as we're just a week away from millions of Americans losing food benefits and the government shutdown drags on

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40:57

Rest or Resist: Black Women Speak Out on Trump...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/10/18

Some Black women say they're debating whether to take part in “No Kings” Anti-Trump protests after feeling let down by the results of the 2024 election. Victor discusses “the 92%” with Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, RISE CEO Mary-Pat Hector and AJC Reporter Brooke Leigh Howard. Plus, South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn joins Victor to talk about the President's threats to “Democrat” programs during the shutdown, tension over the state of voting rights, and his new book “The First

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41:14

Leader of Largest Federal Employee Union Reacts to...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/10/11

Civilians in Gaza are making the journey to see what's left of their homes as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds. Victor discusses what comes next with Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American running for governor who got national attention when she was denied a slot to speak about Gaza at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and Republican Georgia official John F. King, a retired major general in the Army National guard and a former Police chief.Thousands of federal workers are getting

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41:07

Residents Describe Intensifying ICE Immigration...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/10/04

Tensions over ICE are heating up as the feds crack down on protests in and around Chicago. Victor speaks to a protest leader and Illinois congressional candidate, Kat Abughazaleh, about the new threats from Trump administration officials against those rallying at ICE facilities like the one in Broadview, Illinois.Georgia Democratic Representative Nikema Williams joins Victor to explain where Democrats stand on talks with Republicans to end the government shutdown. And as the Trump White House is

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41:32

Memphis Mayor Reacts to Trump’s National Guard...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/09/13

President Trump says he's putting his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago aside for now and will instead turn his administration’s attention to Memphis. Victor asks Mayor Paul Young about the President’s claims that he’s "happy" about using federal troops to crackdown on crime in Memphis. Victor also discusses the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, plus the role of cashless bail in the rhetoric over crime with Former Dallas Police Chief Renée Hall, who is also President of the

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41:00

A Warning From Black Women on Rising Unemployment

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/09/06

The August jobs report reveals that a growing number of Americans are unemployed. The rate is highest among Black workers, and a disproportionate number are Black women. Victor discusses the new jobs data with the Co-founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha Brown, conservative Stephanie Donegan and Capital B National Editor Dalila Paul.Plus – Victor speaks with Dr. Jerome Adams. He served as the U.S. Surgeon General during President Trump’s first term and the Covid pandemic. Dr. Adams tells Victor

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42:11

Meet the Black Woman Who Says Trump is Hearing Her...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/08/30

President Trump is reportedly preparing to send in the Feds to tackle crime and immigration enforcement in Chicago. State and city leaders say they do not want that to happen. Trump says beautiful “African American Ladies” in Chicago do. Victor speaks to Danielle Carter-Walters of Chicago Flips Red, who says the President was referring to her. First - a look at whether Trump’s words about fighting crime match actual actions towards curbing gun violence. Victor gets perspective from Kasim Reed, the

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41:28

Trump Reveals Request from Beautiful "African...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/08/23

President Trump says he may expand his federal law enforcement takeover to Chicago, because “African American ladies, beautiful ladies” are asking him to do so. Victor discusses this and other topics, including redistricting and Target’s handling of DEI, with LaTosha Brown, Cory Ruth and Pastor Jamal Bryant. A former FBI Supervisory Special Agent says the agency's anti-DEI stance could make the country less safe. L. Nicole Dunn joins Victor to share her warning, and she reveals the reason she says

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41:02

One-on-One With Director Spike Lee; Trump and Putin...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/08/16

Could President Trump's meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin have “just been an email,” or is something substantive starting to emerge after their summit in Alaska? Victor speaks with Retired Brigadier General and Democratic candidate for Congress Shawn Harris, political commentator Janelle King and author Charles Blow. They also discuss President Trump’s escalating effort to reshape the presentation of history and culture at Smithsonian museums.Plus, Victor goes one-on-one with Spike Lee. Why

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41:30

What Happened When the Story of a Missing Black...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/08/03

Black unemployment rose again in the latest jobs report. Victor breaks down the concern this raises for every racial group with writers Ernie Suggs, Michael Harriot and Jason “Jah” Lee. The guys also weigh in on the decision by former Vice President Kamala Harris to skip a run for governor of California. Plus, the controversy over American Eagle’s “Great Jeans” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney.While schools like Columbia and Brown are cutting deals with the Trump administration, one university

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44:01

World Watches as Gaza Starvation Crisis Worsens

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/07/26

People in Gaza are starving. A ceasefire would help to restart the flow of aid, but the U.S. just withdrew from talks. Now President Trump is saying Israel should "finish the job" against Hamas. Victor discusses the crisis with Dr. Bashara Bahbah. the leader of “Arab Americans for Peace,” formerly called "Arab Americans for Trump".What is life like for the migrants being held in a detention facility deep in the Florida Everglades? We're starting to hear from some of the men held there. Victor

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44:00

Family of Jabari Peoples Demands to See Video of...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/07/12

Loved ones gather to remember Jabari Peoples, a teen shot and killed by police in Alabama. Even after he's laid to rest, the questions surrounding his death remain. Police won't show them the bodycam footage and a state lawmaker says one of their lawyers may be partly to blame. Victor speaks with that state representative and the family attorney. Plus, Head Start is a vital resource for millions of low income families across the U.S. Under a new mandate from the Trump administration,

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44:35

Descendant of Man Whose Case Enshrined Birthright...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/06/28

One family's legacy is closely tied to the Supreme Court ruling that just gave President Trump more power by restricting lower courts. Victor speaks with Norman Wong, the great-grandson of the man whose case led to a landmark decision on birthright citizenship more than 100 years ago, Wong Kim Ark.Plus, Florida's tribes are speaking out against construction of a migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz". The Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe, Talbert Cypress, joins Victor to

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44:35

Journalist Covering Immigration Faces Deportation

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/06/21

Right now, a journalist who has reported on immigration issues in Georgia for years is facing deportation after being arrested while covering a protest. Mario Guevara’s attorney says he is in the U.S. legally yet remains in ICE custody. Victor speaks with Guevara’s lawyer, Giovanni Díaz, along with Alondra Madrigal who works closely with Mario as a reporter with MG News and Guevara's son, Oscar Guevara Saenz, who is also a photojournalist for his father's news site.After protests and this week's

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42:53

21-Year-Old Caring for Siblings After Parents...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/06/14

Flag Day is marked by “No Kings” protests nationwide as President Trump hosts a massive military parade. DC Councilmember Christina Henderson, who is also the daughter of an Army veteran, joins Victor. Plus – Victor speaks to Black Marine veteran Phillip E. Thompson. He’ll explain his recent article for the Washington Post saying young Americans of color should “pause and reassess” service in the military. Later, you'll hear from a 21-year-old American whose undocumented mom is set to be

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43:35

Job Corps "Pause" Puts Lives on Hold Across the Country

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/06/07

Job Corps is a lifeline for thousands of low-income students, and there is bipartisan concern about a Trump administration effort to close the program. Victor speaks about the legal fight now underway with Donna Hay, President and CEO of the National Job Corps Association.After claiming it was impossible to bring back a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in the U.S. to face federal criminal charges. There is a lot the Department of Justice is alleging and Ben

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42:55

White Actress Files Lawsuit After Being Blocked From...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/05/31

19-year-old college student Ximena Arias-Cristobal was wrongfully pulled over in Dalton, Georgia recently. She spent weeks in ICE detention. One of her supporters through this ordeal is a Republican. Georgia State Representative Kasey Carpenter joins Ximena and Victor to discuss his opposition to her detention, and their push for meaningful immigration reform.Plus, the fight over Massapequa High School's Native American mascot just escalated. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon is

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43:50

Are the Changes Made After the Murder of George Floyd...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/05/24

5 years after the murder of George Floyd, changes made in an effort to make police departments more accountable are being reversed by the Trump administration. Victor speaks with Michael Harrison, an independent law enforcement investigator who has been following police reforms in Minneapolis and cities across the country.After the Mayor of Chicago touted the diverse staff in his office, the Justice Department announced that they are opening an investigation into possible hiring discrimination

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43:12

Trump on Afrikaner Refugees: "If They Were Black, I'd...

First Of All with Victor Blackwell ·

2025/05/17

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin returns to defend the Trump administration's move to expedite refugee status for White South Africans while broadly suspending most other refugee programs. Victor also presses her on alleged plans for a reality show featuring immigrants, and her claims about protesters at an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.Plus, Monique Pressley joins Victor to break down the first week of the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial and Cassie

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