A More Perfect Union with Nii-Quartelai

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Wrestling Superstar Al Snow to discuss his new film "Learning You." Listen to Al’s powerful pivot from the ring to the screen as he advocates for families with autism and special needs. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to the "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KBLA Talk 1580 to never miss an episode. Calling all leaders, learners, and listene...

Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair? In Part Two of this conversation, Tavis Smiley, Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host of KBLA Talk 1580, and KBLA host James Farr lead an Altadena Town Hall on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund. Tavis and James are joined by fire victims, com...

Is SoCal Edison’s “Fast Pay” Program Truly Fast and Fair? In part one in this town hall conversation, KBLA Talk 1580’s Chief Visionary Officer and flagship host, Tavis Smiley, along with KBLA host James Farr, lead an important discussion in Altadena on Thursday, November 6, 2025, where fire survivors are still left without answers to critical questions about SCE’s settlement fund. Tavis and James...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Emmy Award-Winning "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" Producer and Comedian Paul Mecurio to talk about AOC working with Republicans to ban stock trading in congress, U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary RFK, Jr's combative testimony on Capitol Hill, and more. Stick around for my conversation with "Unconventional Grief: Grieving the Loss of A L...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by two Democratic Party rising stars - Former White House trade official and U.S. House Candidate Dylan Hewitt and DNC Vice Chair & Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta. Listen to why Dylan is running to defeat the conservative movement's rising star Rep. Elise Stefanik, why Rep. Kenyatta walked from North Philadelphia to Harrisburg State Capitol over...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by "Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self" Author Suezette Yasmin Robotham to talk about the unleashing the power of authenticity with generous tools and insights for high-achieving professionals ready to move beyond titles. Tap in and be encouraged to lead with vulnerability, clarity, and courage in a time such as this. Download t...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Patrick M. Young Founder of 4 Social Peace to talk about lessons from his community violence intervention work that the media doesn't talk about nearly enough, his work on the frontlines leading the nation's first digital community violence intervention organization, and how he's remembering MLK, Jr. and Emmett Till on this bittersweet anniversary. Download the KBLA...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Tyler Perry's "Beauty in Black" Co-star Richard Lawson to talk about Season 2 on Netflix. Listen to what we can expect, the real-life experiences Richard draws from in creating "Norman" character, and something we don't know about the creative genius of Tyler Perry. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podca...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Attorney & Former D.C. Associate Attorney General Ryan L. Jones to share what he's hearing from the residents of D.C., his take on Trump Administration seeking death penalty in all D.C. murder cases, Trump's executive order to make suspects pay cash bail and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KBLA...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined Cheryl McKissack Daniel, Author of "The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers." Listen to the pioneering story of her family, her reaction to trending national headlines, her observations about developers, and more. Download  the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Civil Rights Attorney and Social Change Executive Director Todd Belcore to talk about President Trump's plan to join D.C. Police patrol, future of policing in Los Angeles vs. D.C., how the Administration is increasing mass deportation efforts by targeting 55 people with U.S. visas and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union"...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Filmmaker and Living Legend Spike Lee to talk about his new film "Highest 2 Lowest" starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and A$OP Rocky. Listen to Spike talk about inspiration for his interpretation of this timeless story, his views on trending news of the day, and what lesson modern Black Hollywood might glean from the making of "Malcolm X...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Former White House Fellow and Gary City Council President William Godwin to talk about Texas State Democrats return to legislature, Trump's vow to end vote-by-mail, Dems emerging path out of the political wilderness, and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KBLA Talk 1580 to never miss an episode. Calli...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Co-Founder of The Alliance for Diplomacy & Justice and Former U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity & Justice Desiree Cormier Smith to talk about the U.S. State Department's latest efforts to slash annual report on human rights, pentagon plan to create military 'reaction force' for civil unrest, the latest on the Trump takover of D...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by "Don't Talk About Politics' Author Sarah Stein Lubrano about what she calls a democracy in crisis becuase we're clinging to the myth that talking about politics changes people's minds. Listen to her research insights and argument for an altertnative way to effect the political landscape. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" pod...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Bassett Vance Productions President Lynnette Ramirez ahead of their much anticipated Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival panel titled "The Business of Storytelling: Producing and Directing for Multiple Platforms." Later, Dr. Quartey is joined by Actor Courtney B. Vance to talk pour into this conversation as a celebrated artist and producer. Plus listen t...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by some of the biggest names raising public consciousness and shaping the culture in the arts, tech, and entertainment. Listen to highlights from some of Dr. Quartey's most memorable conversations this summer with Actor Niecy Nash Betts & Musician Jessica Betts, Spill App's Chief Growth Officer Kenya Parham, Former NY Times Columnist Charles Blow...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by "The Dutchman" film Director/Producer Andre Gaines to talk about this reimagined work originally written by Amiri Baraka in 1964 at the height of the civil rights movement, the day before it screens at the Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival. Listen to his take on psychological safety for Black men and the war on masculinity. Download...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Leah Litman, Author of "Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes." Listen to her take on the Trump Administration's relentless assault on federal agencies, more than 150,000 federal workers who have accepted Trump's resignation incentives, and why every American should care. Later we tap into our conversation with...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Pop Culture Contributor Al Reynolds and South Carolina Democratic Strategist Isaac Wilson to unpack Kamala Harris decision to not run for California Governor, Texas Republicans plan to deliver 5 additional Republican seats at urging of President Trump, likelihood of Diddy receiving a Presidential pardon, and more. Download  the KBLA app to listen...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Tony Award Winning Actor Wendell Pierce to talk about why he thinks “The Wire” shouldn’t come back, how his ownership of WBOK-AM in New Orleans helped him prepare for his role in the new “Superman” blockbuster film, plus listen to him offer his take on the politics shaping the state of the media industry and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Desiree Cormier Smith, Co-Founder of The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice to about Israeli public figures calling for 'crippling sanctions' and learn if this might represent a turning point in the conflict. Later Desiree says the quiet part outloud about food security in Africa and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A M...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by "Nothing More of This Land" Author Joseph Lee to talk about his sweeping exploration of Indigenous identity, weaving in the story of his own family from the beaches of Martha's Vineyard to Alaska to Northern California, the halls of the United Nations and beyond. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KBLA Talk...

In our second hour, Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by "The Life Coach" Writer, Director, Producer Patricia Bebia to talk about relationship between Black masculinity, leadership, what inspired her directorial debut, and more.  Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KBLA Talk 1580 to never miss an episode. Calling all leaders, learners, and list...

Dr. Nii-Quartelai is joined by Immigration Lawyer Allen Orr, Founder of Orr Immigration Law to talk about dropped cases against L.A. Protestors, what it says about competence of federal prosecutors, and impact of ICE raids on L.A. Workers. Listen to his take on Black Americans moving abroad and more. Download the KBLA app to listen live and subscribe to "A More Perfect Union" podcast powered by KB...