First Of All with Victor Blackwell Podcast By CNN Podcasts cover art

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

By: CNN Podcasts
Listen for free

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
  • Senator Cory Booker and Ts Madison Speak Out Ahead of “No Kings” Protests

    Senator Cory Booker and Ts Madison Speak Out Ahead of “No Kings” Protests
    Mar 28 2026
    TSA employees are waiting to see if they're finally going to get paid after missing two checks due to the DHS funding fight on Capitol Hill. TSA officer and union steward at Atlanta’s airport, Yolanda Keaton, joins Victor to share what she's been experiencing, and her reaction to ICE agents called in to help ease long lines at airports nationwide. Republican Senate candidate and retired Brigadier General Jonathan McColumn and cybersecurity and counter-terrorism expert, veteran and Mableton Mayor Michael Owens join Victor to debate President Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. Democratic Senator Cory Booker sits down in studio with Victor to discuss the war and dueling legislation to finally start paying TSA employees again. Plus, they discuss the latest round of “No Kings” protests nationwide and Senator Booker’s new book “Stand”. Later, Victor goes one-on-one with entertainer and activist Ts Madison. They talk about how she plans to fight back against anti-trans legislation and rhetoric ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st. And in our “Art is Life” series this week, photographer Bessie Akuba Winn and Actress Terri J. Vaughn tell Victor about their “Our Kind of Women” project that celebrates Black women over 40 in a unique way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion

    War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion
    Mar 21 2026
    What could the federal government do with $200 billion? Right now, the Trump Administration says they need that amount for the war with Iran. But as debate over that request starts in congress, Victor walks through the programs that money could go toward instead. From statues taken down to tribute events canceled, the backlash to Cesar Chavez after revelations of alleged sexual abuse decades ago was swift and significant. Victor walks through the seismic change in how people are viewing his legacy with New York Times reporter Sarah Hurtes and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, both of whom spoke with fellow labor leader and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta about her decision to come forward with her story. Cuba is struggling right now. Nearly three months after the U.S. effectively imposed an oil blockade, a convoy is heading to Havana to help bring aid. But there are mixed feelings about that effort. Victor gets reaction from a leader of the exile movement in Miami, Ramón Saúl Sánchez from Movimiento Democracia. The trucking industry is already facing higher gas prices, now add thousands of truckers starting to lose their licenses due to new restrictions on immigrant drivers. Attorney Wendy Lui from the Public Citizen Litigation Group joins Victor to explain her legal challenge and the potential economic impacts. Later, BTS is out with their first album and tour in years. The trailer for “Arirang” pays tribute to the story of “Seven Koreans at Howard,” but there are some mixed feelings about how they portrayed the HBCU. Victor walks through the internet reaction, and speaks with a current Korean American student at Howard University in DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • Pastor Jamal Bryant Explains Ending Target “Fast" Despite No Change to DEI Rollback

    Pastor Jamal Bryant Explains Ending Target “Fast" Despite No Change to DEI Rollback
    Mar 17 2026
    Pastor Jamal Bryant joins Victor one-on-one to explain his decision to end his Target “fast” and responds to the backlash over his announcement as leaders of a national boycott over the retailer’s rollback of DEI initiatives vow to persist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show more Show less
    12 mins
No reviews yet