The Ryles Report

In this episode of The Ryles Report , host Richard Ryles welcomes back author Boyah J. Farah for his second appearance on the show to discuss the profound intersections of the African diaspora and the American experience. Farah, who wrote America Made Me a Black Man , shares his unique journey from arriving as a Somali refugee in 1993 to navigating the "psychological warfare" of American racism. T...

On this episode of The Ryles Report , Richard Ryles sits down with Professor Bernadette Atuahene , a property law professor, community organizer, and scholar whose work focuses on land stolen from Black people. Professor Atuahene is the author of Plunder: How Public Finance Became Public Theft , as well as We Want What’s Ours: Learning from South Africa’s Land Restitution Program . Her research ha...

In this episode of The Ryles Report , Richard welcomes ESPN journalist Howard Bryant to discuss his book, Kings and Pawns , which examines the complex intersection of the Cold War and the lives of Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. The conversation explores how Robeson, a brilliant "Renaissance man" and All-American athlete, was effectively erased from history due to his independent political stanc...

In this episode of The Ryles Report, host Richard Ryles welcomes Brian Knowles back to the studio to discuss the critical intersection of historical truth, community agency, and the "immortal" nature of Jim Crow. Together, they examine how false historical narratives are weaponized in public education and explore the urgent need for the Black community to reclaim its own educational and institutio...

We’re back! Season 2 of The Ryles Report kicks off with an unforgettable episode featuring Fabienne Josaphat , acclaimed author of Kingdom of No Tomorrow —a historical fiction novel that has left a lasting impact on host Richard Ryles. In a rare turn, Ryles—who openly admits he doesn’t usually read fiction—reveals that this book has become one of his personal favorites, striking a deeply personal...

In Episode 22 of The Ryles Report , Richard Ryles sits down with attorney and author Walter Pryor for a powerful conversation about legacy, sacrifice, and the life-changing impact of family. From growing up in the rural South to navigating elite institutions, Pryor shares how his grandmother’s handwritten letters, faith, and bold decisions shaped not only his future—but generations after him. This...

In this episode of The Ryles Report , Richard Ryles is joined by Attorney Dedrick Straghn to tackle the intersection of cultural identity and systemic power. They kick things off by dissecting the recent halftime show controversy between Bad Bunny and Turning Point , using the debate to explore the historical reasons why the U.S. has no official federal language. The conversation challenges the id...

In this episode of The Ryles Report , host Richard Ryles sits down with South African creator Sanelisiwe Jobodwana to explore the striking parallels between the African American and South African experiences. From the haunting legacy of Jim Crow to the modern complexities of post-apartheid South Africa, they discuss the universal fight for rights, land, and economic liberation. Sanelisiwe offers a...

In this powerful episode of the Ryles Report, Richard Ryles deconstructs the administration's blatant gaslighting following the ICE shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. While video evidence clearly shows a humanitarian shot while holding a camera, officials have pushed a narrative of "domestic terrorism" to justify federal commandos in our cities. Richard dives into the political betrayal on bo...

In this episode of The Ryles Report , host Richard Ryles sits down with Dr. Julia Gaffield , Associate Professor of History at William & Mary and author of I Have Avenged America . While many history books focus on Toussaint Louverture, Dr. Gaffield reveals the radical truth behind the man who actually finished the fight: Jean-Jacques Dessalines . From his strategic military brilliance in defe...

What really happened in the final 31 hours of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life? In this episode, Richard Ryles is joined by Joseph Rosenbloom, author of Redemption , to retrace the steps of a tragedy that changed history. From the tense atmosphere of 1968 Memphis to the "uncanny sequence of circumstances" that allowed an assassin to succeed, they uncover the human vulnerability behind the civil right...

In this episode of The Ryles Report , Richard Ryles is joined by Anike Robinson, poet, artist, educator, and daughter of civil rights leaders Randall Robinson and Brenda Randolph, for a powerful conversation on legacy, activism, and critical thinking. Anike shares what it was like growing up surrounded by global justice movements, how history and art shape identity, and why teaching young people t...

In this episode of The Ryles Report, Attorney Richard Ryles takes a deeper dive into the story introduced in Episode 13—Boyah J. Farah’s wrongful police encounter and places it within the larger historical machinery of America’s criminal justice system. Tracing a straight line from slavery to Black Codes, Jim Crow, convict leasing, and modern drug laws, Ryles exposes how “law and order” has repeat...

Renowned artist Preston Sampson joins The Ryles Report for a powerful conversation on history, identity, and the creative journey—from Pleasant City roots to international galleries. Hear how culture, community, and legacy shape his work, and why his art continues to speak truth across generations. Tune in and join the conversation. #TheRylesReport

Author Boyah J. Farah joins The Ryles Report to tell a story you don’t hear often: how surviving Somalia’s civil war didn’t prepare him for becoming Black in America. From refugee camps to a nearly all-white Massachusetts town, Farah shares the moments (policing, media stereotypes, quiet humiliation) that taught him what “Black” really means in this country. This episode is raw, poetic, and eye-op...

In this powerful episode of The Ryles Report, former NFL player and current NFLPA executive board member Rob Robertson opens up about his journey from a turbulent childhood in Baton Rouge and Houston to beating the odds and reaching the NFL.  Rob shares raw, personal stories about loss, discrimination, intentional parenting, and the mentors who shaped him—along with the hard truths young athl...

On this episode of The Ryles Report , Richard works to add historical context to today’s political and educational climate with Brian Knowles, educator and cultural practitioner. They dive into how legislation shapes the teaching of African-American history, the myths we were taught in school, and the ongoing fight for community-driven education and liberation. Tune in — and be sure to use #RylesR...

In this episode of The Ryles Report, Richard sits down with Carl Boldin— former college athlete, youth coach, and father of NFL Man of the Year Anquan Boldin—for a candid and insightful conversation on fatherhood, discipline, and the early signs that shaped Anquan’s path to greatness.  This episode offers a powerful look at family legacy, character, and what it really takes to raise focused,...

In this episode of The Ryles Report, hosted by Richard Ryles, we take a powerful and honest look at the phrase “we are not our ancestors” and why it misunderstands the strength, courage, and sacrifice of those who came before us. Attorney Dedrick Straughn joins the conversation to unpack the true history behind our civil rights icons, the fears they lived with daily, and the resilience that fueled...

In this special episode of The Ryles Report , recorded live at the Black Book Bash in Jacksonville, Richard sits down with Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, author of Kamala, the Motherland, and Me . They discuss his journey with Vice President Kamala Harris to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia — and explore powerful themes of identity, heritage, and belonging.

Richard brings Dedrick back for a full report on current events — from rising authoritarianism to the power of community action. Together, they unpack what’s happening in our schools, our politics, and our neighborhoods — and why showing up still makes all the difference. This episode dives deep into the challenges facing Black communities today, the cost of silence, and the urgency of staying inf...

In this captivating episode, Richard Ryles sits down with his new found cousin Bertha French, a genealogist, public health expert, and co-founder of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities of Virginia to uncover how family history can rewrite our understanding of freedom and legacy. From uncovering lost ancestral ties to preserving the stories of the enslaved who built the University of Virginia,...

Former NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith joins The Ryles Report to expose the truth behind pro football — a system built on nepotism, power, privilege, and exploitation. From the 2011 lockout to Colin Kaepernick’s exile, Smith reveals how race and control shape everything inside the NFL 🎙️ Listen to “Truth Behind Pro Football: Race, Power, and the Fight for Players’ Rights...

This episode of The Ryles Report was inspired by Spike Lee’s powerful documentary Come Hell or High Water. After watching it, I knew the conversation around New Orleans and gentrification had to continue. Joining me is Urban Planner, Designer, and Artist Amy Stelly , a proud native of the historic Tremé neighborhood. Together, we unpack the realities of gentrification, urban planning, and the figh...

In this special episode of The Ryles Report , we flew out to California to sit down with my lifelong mentor — Dusty Baker , World Series–winning manager, three-time Manager of the Year, All-Star outfielder, and future Hall of Famer. Dusty takes us through his remarkable journey in baseball: from playing alongside Hank Aaron and other legends, to navigating life as a Black MLB player in the Jim Cro...