All Rev'd Up

As we honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, the Revs call attention to the Black soldiers who helped shape Memorial Day holiday origins.

After the New York Subway murder of Jordan Neely, his attacker claimed that he was being a Good Samaritan, as he felt like his life – and the lives of other riders – was in danger. The Revs discuss their thoughts on the incident, and what they think should happen next.

In light of the shooting of Kansas City teen, Ralph Yarl, The Revs discuss the issues and fears of Black people continually being shot – and possibly losing their lives because they made a mistake. Tiredly and with frustration, they try to come to a conclusion and ask the repetitive question, “when is enough, enough?”

After expressing their dismay regarding gun control, two of the three members of the “Tennessee Three” were expelled from their roles in the state’s House of Representatives. Democratic lawmakers Justin Jones and Justin Pearson – both Black men – demanded stricter laws surrounding guns just six days after another mass shooting in America. The Revs discuss their views on the Representatives’ treatm...

It’s been three years since President Joe Biden was sworn into office with his right-hand woman, Kamala Harris as the Vice President: the first woman and Black person to serve in the role. Though being more than halfway through their term, some ask if Harris is capable of holding this position and other question why the question is even being raised, when Harris has proven herself to be more than...

In a special episode for Black History Month, The Revs discuss “the embrace” from overall blackness to the recently unveiled artwork from Leslie Jones. How do you embrace?

Through another wave of the pandemic, racial unrest, political achievements and everything in between, The Revs discuss 2022 for Blacks in America as the year – and Season 5 of All Rev’d Up – come to a close.

As current Massachusetts residents, The Revs discuss their experiences, initial and current thoughts about the state of Boston with special guest, Boston’s Senior Advisor on Racial Justice in Equity and Inclusion, Lori Nelson.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday – the kick-off of the end-of-the-year holiday season – The Revs discuss the importance of being grateful, what they’re grateful for and what they’re looking forward to in this last part of the year.

The day after the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, The Revs discuss their political party preferences, thoughts on voting over the years, and most importantly: if they voted this year and their reasoning(s) behind the decision.

In a conversation with the Revs, All Rev’d Up producer, Kavontae Smalls discusses his work as a journalist, producer and social media manager, in addition to serving as a producer on All Rev’d Up.

In a conversation with the Revs, All Rev’d Up producer, Kyla L. Wright discusses her work as a journalist, advocate and entrepreneur, in addition to serving as a producer on All Rev’d Up for the last three seasons.

While Kim Kardashian has gained acclaim from social media and scandals to high-profile A-list relationships, the socialite is accused of her rise being on the backs of Black women. The Revs discuss the plight of Kardashian’s career, and how some resolve can come from the relative discourse amid her fame.

As Serena Williams – the greatest tennis player of all time – announced her “evolution” or retirement from the sport, the Revs discuss her legacy, the future of the sport and the barriers Williams has faced and broken as the world’s greatest.

In the Season 5 premiere, The Revs discuss the efforts in getting WNBA superstar Brittany Griner home from Russia, where she’s currently serving a sentence for possession of less than a gram of cannabis oil. Will Griner step foot on US soil again, or will she be forced to serve her recently-appointed nine year sentence?

On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. The landmark 1973 case granting women the legal right to an abortion was struck down in Dobbs v. Jackson case originating in Mississippi. Now without federal protections, many states have placed severe restrictions or outright banned abortions and the hardest to be hit by these laws will be the poor and Black and brown women. In th...

As February winds down, The Revs reconvene for a special episode dedicated to Black History: beyond the month. The month, used by some to complain about being the shortest month to celebrate Black History, but nonetheless is still used to celebrate pillars that came before those today; and The Revs discuss celebrating not only Black History, but the present of Black Americana, as well.

In the season 4 finale, The Rev’s discuss the latest trend on “Black Twitter,” which discussed Black slang, phrases and colloquialisms. The viral topic lead with, “the African American urge…” From “gone with your bad self,” to “my bad,” The Rev’s go tit-for-tat with their favorite sayings and may have introduced the audience to a few new ones; now, give us the 411…what’s your go-to “urge?”

After Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. were found guilty on multiple counts, but specifically in the murder of 25-year-old Amaud Arbery, many ask if the unarmed Black jogger truly received justice. From Black pastors’ presence in the courtroom being questioned, to a defense attorney inhumanely discussing Arbery’s alleged “long, dirty toenails,” The Revs weigh in o...

Kyle Rittenhouse was recently acquitted for two murders and one attempted murder during the Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the August 2020 shooting of Jacob Black, an unarmed Black man. Rittenhouse’s defense pled not guilty on all counts, saying that the then 17-year-old’s yielding and firing of an AR-15 rifle was actually self defense. For this reason, some are callin...

Inspired by the new Netflix film starring Tessa Thompson, “Passing,” The Revs discuss the various ways in life where people potentially “pass” as other things, from race and beyond. Listen, analyze, dissect and ask yourself if you pass as anything.

As an “out” member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lil Nas X has recently been extremely upfront and personal about his life in his music and in his social media posts, which has upset folks like DaBaby and Boosie Badazz. Could it be that Lil Nas and others are defining the holistic view of Black manhood in the 21st Century?

On July 10, 2020 Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith took to the Red Table to share about her “entanglement” with songwriter, singer and rapper, August Alsina, who is 20 years her junior. The Red Table created dialogue about relationships, healing and in many ways, hope for the future. The Revs break down marriage, gender roles, boundaries, and what marriage really is.

On October 5, 2021 Dave Chapelle’s final Netflix comedy special, “The Closer,” dropped. The comedian cracks on the COVID vaccines, DaBaby and feminism but his regular – and controversial – stand-up topic stirred up more drama. Jokes about the LGBTQ+ community yielded social media debates, discussions and debacles about if Chapelle went too far, this time. The Revs discuss their opinion on the topi...

On September 22, 2021, Black cinema lost a legend. Melvin Van Peebles was an unrecognized genius and Renaissance Man. MVP’s “Sweetback” was one the first films about black people that unapologetically and unabashedly to turn away from the white gaze. Case in point: When "Sweetback" drew an X rating from the MPAA (The Motion Picture Association (MPA), MVP used to his benefit. In this episdoe, The R...