Tavis Smiley

Terence Blanchard, world-renowned composer and musician, and the one and only Aaron Neville are back to reflect on their native New Orleans 20 years since Hurricane Katrina. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Virginia Kase Solomón, president of Common Cause, is back with her insider’s view of the national redistricting battle and why her organization is reluctantly going along with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s strategy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Abiodun Oyewole, founding member of The Last Poets, along with longtime member Umar Bin Hassan, recall their anniversary performance at the 2023 ImageNation festival (in the same park where the Last Poets began in May 1968) and reflect on their profound impact on hip hop. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Gregory Gates, executive producer of ImageNation OUTDOORS Film & Music Festival, and Nicole London, the Emmy Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated director of the documentary “The Disappearance of Miss Scott,” preview this weekend’s free outdoor screening of the film in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support...

Ian K. Smith, former co-host of “The Doctors” and author of the bestselling book “Shred: The Revolutionary Diet,” shares the latest project from his successful side hustle as a novelist - “Beyond Midnight,” featuring private investigator Ashe Cayne. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Ken Makin, cultural commentator for the Christian Science Monitor, connects the current attacks on the Smithsonian with a recent conversation he had with his seven-year-old son about slavery and freedom. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Mitch Landrieu, former New Orleans mayor and senior advisor to President Joe Biden, reflects on 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and the future of the Democratic Party. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Gbenga Ajilore, chief economist for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and former senior advisor in the Biden-Harris administration, lays out the challenges and “green shoots” in the U.S. economy, especially when it comes to jobs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Radio host and former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. talks about 2032 and the possibility of NO Blacks in Congress. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Scholar, leading public intellectual, author and special contributor, Dr. Cornel West shares his perspective on the impact of redistricting on Black communities, federal takeover of local law enforcement and more! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Connie Rice, civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Urban Peace Institute, gives her analysis about the FBI’s raid on the home and office of former national security advisor John Bolton, California’s redistricting plan, and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Reggie and Vincent Calloway join Tavis in the studio to share their new single, “6 Pack,” and reveal whether they ever did get love, peace, happiness, and/or “lots and lots of money” after their most famous hit, “I Wanna Be Rich.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Ashley Walters, the Emmy-nominated star of the hit Netflix series “Adolescence,” talks about his critically-acclaimed role as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, as well as his feature directorial debut “Animol” and the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan film “Remain.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Scholar, leading public intellectual, author and special contributor, Dr. Cornel West, shares his analysis on Trump calling for a long-term extension of federalizing police in DC and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Renowned civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network, Nekima Levy Armstrong, discusses the impact of being in a police state and other trending political stories. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Nii-Quartelai Quartey joins Tavis Smiley. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Béchir Sylvain, the Haitian-American co-star of this summer’s megahit “Jurassic World Rebirth” and this year’s host of the Haiti International Film Festival, joins Tavis in the studio with the fest’s creator Jacquil Constant.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Chris Smalls, founder of the Amazon Labor Union, is back, fresh off the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza where he was arrested by Israel Defense Forces. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass offers her advice for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser about how she can handle and prepare Washingtonians for National Guard troops on the streets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Political scientist, associate professor at Fordham University and author Christina Greer gives her analysis about what’s next for D.C. as National Guard troops arrive, along with other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Diane McKinney-Whetstone, acclaimed author, goes inside her latest novel, “Family Spirit: A Novel,” about a Philadelphia family of clairvoyants as they grapple with their “Knowing” — their extraordinary gift passed down through generations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Latham Thomas, world-renowned doula and founder of Mama Glow, takes us inside her new audiobook, “Peaceful Parenting: Mindful Meditations for Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Promoting Harmony at Home.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Elliot Knight and Uli Latukefu, co-stars of the new Amazon Prime series “Countdown,” stop by the studio to celebrate their show’s success and reflect on their previous projects, like Uli’s role in “Young Rock.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Traci A. Curry, director of the new NatGeo series “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time,” takes us back 20 years ago this month in her five-part documentary executive produced by Ryan Coogler. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .

Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and Director of The Center for Urban Journalism at Morgan State University, Leonard Pitts Jr., gives his analysis about Trump's D.C. takeover and other trending political news. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support .