Black Politics Today

As a business owner you would want to know the contracts you’re entering into. Don’t just accept terms you don’t understand. Make sure you know what’s in your contracts. And when starting a new business, interview legal counsel to help you get started, and if you’re looking for an image makeover, get a meeting with one of my guests Shavon J. Smith or Jessica Dew.

“Freedom From Hate: Down with The Confederacy” Description: The State of South Carolina finally decided that it would end its long run of hate symbols with the removal of the Confederate Flag from the Capital grounds. Even with the removal of the flag, many legislators still hold onto the premise of white supremacy and slavery. But in spite of their continued effort to keep the Confederacy alive, representatives like Cezar McKnight and Jenny Horne made sure that #HateWontWin. My guest Rep. Cezar McKnight and Bishop Herbert C. Crump, share their views and insight into the moments when the Confederate Flag came down.

Under His Grace Description: Over the past 10 years a total of 34 shootings and burnings occurred at churches across the country. The most significant of them all was the murder of the Emanuel Nine at the Mother Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, SC. Leaving us to ask the questions, are our churches safe? Are we free from harm at our worship centers? Officer Wayne Powell helps us answer these question and more.

The Confederate Flag had ignited a vigorous debate over its true historical meaning and the social impact it has had on society. The recent massacre at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC and the confessed killers allegiance to the Confederacy has charged and prompted the nation to revisit the question, “Why are so many Southern States holding onto such a divisive symbol within their states flag and its states sovereignty?” To help answer that question and others is State Rep. Doug Brannon and Dr. Lonnie Randolph, Jr, President, South Carolina State Conference, NAACP

Race Wars, Civil Rights, the Confederate Flag, and Faith. Each had an impact on the recent events that affected our country. And each signified a social, economic, and political position that had great affects upon people of color. Rachel Dolezal and Dylan Roof embraced and expressed their white privilege and supremacy through their actions with, for and even towards African Americans. One choose to pretend and the other choose to massacre. Both used their whiteness to affect and impact Black America. So, that question is was their actions one in the same?

Why did being twelve years old playing in the park become a death sentence? Because a police department with a history of police brutality, racial bias, and excessive force, decided that state law and its constitution didn’t apply when it came to African Americans. Tamir Rice, was killed in 3 second; he violated no law, was no threat, and yet he was killed for doing what white citizens of Ohio do everyday, why? To answer that question, Pastor Jawanza Colvin, Mr. Joseph Worthy, and Mr. Tom Morris joined me to explore the fuse that lit and set white cops off when it came to black citizens.

Securing enough financing to start and maintain a business is often the main concern of many small business owners. Banks are often unwilling to take the risk and lend to new small businesses. Family members and friends may not be able to help you finance your dream. So, for many small businesses and startups, Crowdfunding has filled the financing gap. If you are thinking of creative ways to finance your business - crowdfunding may work for you. In one year alone, U.S. crowdfunders raised $9.46 billion!! It’s time minority owned businesses get a piece of the economic funding pie to secure their business platform and launch new and exciting ideas. Join us, as we discuss the various types of crowdfunding and the impact on traditional financing; the relevant laws, and what you need to consider before you undertaking a crowdfunding campaign.

If you are unemployed and tired of fighting the rat race? Join the other 1.9M black owned businesses in America and take yourself off the unemployment roll. Start your business. Black businesses generated $135B annually for their families and their future. But, don’t take your business for granted; consult an attorney and plan for the future. Establish your legacy and your companies sustainability, don’t let chance still your dreams. Attorney Shavon J. Smith, Editor-in-Chief Tiffany Boyles, and CEO Rodney Chambers share their insight and expertise on Starting, Building and Sustaining your business, not just for today, but for tomorrow.

A generation of youths that have found themselves in a tumultuous cycle of generational curses from economic to social which impact their lives each and every day. As a result, black communities are heavily impacted economically when our youth are left out of the opportunity cycle. Emmy Award Winning Actor Sorcez Deniro, Professor Omekongo Dibinga, and Author Evangelist Wanda Ross join me to discuss the future of black youth.

In the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray, residents from across the city expressed their anger, disappointment, frustration, sorrow, and love for a man that didn’t deserve to die, and certainly should not have died at the hands of law enforcement. Thousands marched in solidarity for justice, but a few went astray, creating more damage to their own community. When will it stop? When will black lives really matter? Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen Holton and America’s Most Wanted Tom Morris joined me to answer…. When?

In the wake of recent unjust murders of Dontre Hamilton, Michael Brown, Michael Willis, VonDerrit Myers, Malik White, and so many others at the hands of police officers, it was time to take action. The Mother’s for Justice United took action and will descend on Washington DC with the “Million Moms March.” Tonight Mother’s discussed their pain, loss, and the tears they’ve shed for their children killed by police. Join them May 9th and help fund these three women at http://www.gofundme.com/amotherstears so they can share their story with the nation.

All across the nation there is black on black crime, but there is also white on white, Asian on Asian, and Latino on Latino crime. What there shouldn’t be is white on black crime when the white is represented by the oath “sworn to uphold the law.” North Dallas Gazette, reported that black men died at the hands of white police officers at rates of two per week, accounted for more than 700 black men at the hands of law enforcement. Is it an epidemic or coincidence? To answer that question Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews and Florida State Representative Barbara Watson joined me.

Over the past week there has been numerous reports of white police officers shooting and killing unarmed black men. In one state alone, two police officers were charged with murder, while another white officer was charged with man-slaughter, and another in Miami, was put on leave while an investigation is being conducted into that case. In California, a Hispanic man was beaten by 7 white police officers after he had surrendered and put his hands behind his back. Are police officers sworn to Protect and to Serve, or to Kill and to Lie? My guest tonight to discuss that issue are: Mayor Chris Brown of Hawthorne, California, South Carolina State Representative J. Seth Whipper, Brandon Andrews, CEO SWAT, and South Carolina State Representative Justin Bamberg, the attorney for the Walter Scott family.

Continually across this country we are witnessing a dramatic shift in our social, economic, and political atmosphere. GOP Members of Congress, Presidential candidates, and State Legislatures, have all proclaimed “A War on Civil Rights.” Indiana, Arkansas, and many other GOP controlled states are using religion to segregate and discriminate against those they hate. It’s a “21st Century Lifestyle, but A 19th Century Mentality.” How will Americans challenge this rebirth of unbalanced ideology? Arkansas State Senator Linda Chesterfield and Indiana State Representative John Bartlett join me.

We Celebrated Women’s History Month and recognized brilliant women who have contributed to our great history. But, we also challenged the inequalities in America across every sector from unemployment to the most egregious; education, crime, and wealth. People of Color suffered the greatest disparities and with the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) report, which highlighted systemic racial discrimination of African Americans, how will we every know “Liberty and Justice for ALL?” To find out, we discussed the truth about America and the truth about the black culture with Amb. Suzan Johnson Cook and Community Activist, Michael Hassell.

Many American’s dream of owning their own business. From their childhood they saw themselves running their business, but they never took the steps to start it. For some of them, not knowing where to begin or how to put a business plan together, or even, what business to start; have all been a challenges and have impacted their ability to move forward. But for others,it’s been a lack of money and a fear to get started. So often, un-launched dreams are the result of the fear to step out on faith. Tonight, we tackled all of those issues that have prevented you from living your dreams of owning your own business. My guests. Shavon J. Smith, Karen Todd, Enoch Hill, Shavannia Williams, and Doug Dillon together they “Transform Your Dreams into Business.”

Historic Movements within the black community happened because young people made them happen. It wasn't the older generations that ignited changed, it was the younger generations. It was young men and women who stood up and took on leadership roles. Today, we have to re-ignite that same spirit and conviction for leadership in our youth to encourage them to never back away from their roles and responsibilities of their generation. Each generation raises up new leaders. The question becomes, what will the next generation of leaders look like? Tonight my guest discussed the structure, the motivation, and the process of leadership; leadership for a leaderless generation.

There are a number of great African Americans both men and women that have contributed to our Black History, our American History, but rarely did they receive the recognition and credit for their accomplishments that transcended historical bounds that created legacies. Many of our great inventors are black, and yet, you wouldn’t know it from our history books. Is the civil rights legacy relevant today? Will the current generation leave a legacy for the next? How will you be remembered? What will your legacy be? Dr. Willie Jolley, Dr. Estrelda Alexander, and Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort join us to answer these questions.

The Wealth Gap is expanding, the Achievement Gap is increasing and the more you look around, the more you see things moving backwards instead of moving forward. From Civil Rights to Do I Have Rights, the picture for the future of African Americans is becoming less picturesque. The Millennial’s and generations beyond must empower themselves to succeed in this global economy. Without a laser focus on their future, another generation could be lost to the life of drugs and poverty. How do we challenge a culture of African Americans to empower themselves? My guests Col. Warren Christopher and Dr. Wilmer Leon, and Mr. Darius Stanton, explore the pathway to success in this global economy

If you asked them, they are already leading and they aren't waiting for the current leadership to pass them anything, they're ready to SNATCH IT! With the average term of Black Caucus members 10-to-15 years of service, and their average age being 55+; the Next Generation says, they are prepared to move forward with or without the blessings of the current leadership. So, Who is Preparing the Next Generation? They are, said Deon Jones. "We don't need them to pass it, we are prepared to take it." So, is the next generation of leadership prepared to lead the future of Black Politics? Hear what my other guests, Dr. Omar Ali and Brandon Andrews, had to say.