Real Black News

About Real Black News

Pop-up episode 133 of Real Black News, hosted by Raqiyah Mays, brings uplifting news stories about people of African descent from Ghana, Sweden, Brazil, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Queens, New York. Psychotherapist Camille Banks Lee joins the episode to share three tips for staying empowered and manifesting the positive in 2024 and beyond.

Publisher

Raqiyah Mays

Category

news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2019

Latest episode

5 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 154 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   5 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   EP. 151 - Toni Blackman, Author, "Wisdom of the Cypher"

   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.

2. 

   1 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 150 Journalist Trymaine Lee - A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America

   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.

3. 

   1 Feb 2026

   Author Amy Dubois Barnett "If I Ruled the World"

   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

Inside a recent episode

EP. 151 - Toni Blackman, Author, "Wisdom of the Cypher"

Published 5 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] The circle is central. Kindergarten teachers use the circle. And then people in training and development put adults in circles for a reason. And for me, the cipher represents 360 degrees. It's about completion of thought, giving and exchanging energy, information, and ideas. And I think I was so deep into it in the beginning that I didn't realize I was deep into it. It was just what it was. The hip hop had... Someone really committed to African oral traditions and culture. Someone who's always been on a spiritual journey, always in seeking what I'm supposed to be embracing and what I'm supposed to be doing. […]

Who has been a guest on Real Black News

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rebecca Alemayehu
• Dr Camille Banks Lee
• LaDarrion Williams
• Fatman Scoop
• Kamala Harris

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

73 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

50

Contact Real Black News

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Real Black News