First Of All with Victor Blackwell Podcast By CNN Podcasts cover art

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

First Of All with Victor Blackwell

By: CNN Podcasts
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Victor Blackwell brings a fresh perspective on the week's news with a focus on stories affecting communities of color.2024-2026 CNN Politics & Government
Episodes
  • War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion

    War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion
    Mar 21 2026
    What could the federal government do with $200 billion? Right now, the Trump Administration says they need that amount for the war with Iran. But as debate over that request starts in congress, Victor walks through the programs that money could go toward instead. From statues taken down to tribute events canceled, the backlash to Cesar Chavez after revelations of alleged sexual abuse decades ago was swift and significant. Victor walks through the seismic change in how people are viewing his legacy with New York Times reporter Sarah Hurtes and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, both of whom spoke with fellow labor leader and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta about her decision to come forward with her story. Cuba is struggling right now. Nearly three months after the U.S. effectively imposed an oil blockade, a convoy is heading to Havana to help bring aid. But there are mixed feelings about that effort. Victor gets reaction from a leader of the exile movement in Miami, Ramón Saúl Sánchez from Movimiento Democracia. The trucking industry is already facing higher gas prices, now add thousands of truckers starting to lose their licenses due to new restrictions on immigrant drivers. Attorney Wendy Lui from the Public Citizen Litigation Group joins Victor to explain her legal challenge and the potential economic impacts. Later, BTS is out with their first album and tour in years. The trailer for “Arirang” pays tribute to the story of “Seven Koreans at Howard,” but there are some mixed feelings about how they portrayed the HBCU. Victor walks through the internet reaction, and speaks with a current Korean American student at Howard University in DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Pastor Jamal Bryant Explains Ending Target “Fast" Despite No Change to DEI Rollback

    Pastor Jamal Bryant Explains Ending Target “Fast" Despite No Change to DEI Rollback
    Mar 17 2026
    Pastor Jamal Bryant joins Victor one-on-one to explain his decision to end his Target “fast” and responds to the backlash over his announcement as leaders of a national boycott over the retailer’s rollback of DEI initiatives vow to persist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • War With Iran and Terror Attacks in the U.S. How Does This End?

    War With Iran and Terror Attacks in the U.S. How Does This End?
    Mar 14 2026
    The U.S. is reeling from terror attacks at a synagogue in Michigan and the campus of Old Dominion University. Carlos Ortiz was friends with the victim of the ODU attack, ROTC Instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Carlos joins Victor to share his memories of training with Shah when they were cadets and maintaining that friendship years later. Spring Break travel rush: this weekend, TSA employees are missing their full first paycheck due to the funding fight over the Department of Homeland Security. Aaron Barker, president of the union at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta, explains why he thinks this shutdown is worse than the recent government shutdowns TSA employees are still recovering from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
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