Tavis Smiley

Willa Robinson, retired owner of Willa’s Books, and Ryan Sorrell, founder of the Kansas City Defender, tell us how her iconic store will live on as a local newsroom and public archive. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:39:35

Michael Steele joins Tavis Smiley

Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chair and co-host of “The Weeknight” on MSNBC, is back to explain why the current threat to the Voting Rights Act is coming from inside his own party. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:15:22

Mondaire Jones joins Tavis Smiley

Mondaire Jones, U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner, reflects on today’s 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and shares why he co-authored the John Lewis Act when he served in Congress. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:46

Marcus Anthony Hunter & Rodericka Applewhaite join Tavis Smiley

Professor of African American Studies at UCLA and writer Marcus Anthony Hunter gives his analysis about the future of the Voting Rights Act at 60. Rodericka Applewhaite, former Director of Black Media for the Biden-Harris adminstration and now VP of Media Relations at Focal Point Strategy Group, is back to reflect on a profoundly different political landscape since her time inside the White House. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:39:36

Marique Moss joins Tavis Smiley

Marique Moss, Afro-Indigenous educator, cultural strategist, and small business owner, takes us inside her delicious debut book, “Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems,” which even comes with its own soundtrack! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68gSmGehcZVfX6tnD78874 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:37:34

Basil Watson joins Tavis Smiley

Basil Watson reveals the inspiration behind his sculpture of escaped slave and South Carolina lawmaker Robert Smalls, which will become the first statue of a Black individual in the State House. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:02

Michael Fauntroy joins Tavis Smiley

Associate Professor and Founding Director of The Race, Politics, and Policy Center at George Mason University, Dr Michael K. Fauntroy talks about Trump's attack on diversity and Black leadership at George Mason University and the Voting Rights Act at 60 years old. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:04

Victoria Chege joins Tavis Smiley

Victoria Chege, one of the thousands of federal employees who were laid off via email last February, tells us why her TikTok protest videos are gaining traction and how these cuts will devastate services in Black communities. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:28

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) joins Tavis Smiley

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) unveils his “bicameral, bicoastal” resolution to recognize August 11, 2025, as “Hip Hop Celebration Day” and responds to the latest news from Capitol Hill. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:22:57

Lindsey Stewart joins Tavis Smiley

Lindsey Stewart, Black feminist philosopher and an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis, talks about her new book, "The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic" and how Black women's ancestral spiritual beliefs forged a secret well of health and power for modern America. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:38:19

Mayor Eric Adams joins Tavis Smiley

New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins Tavis to talk about the midtown Manhattan shooting, his re-election campaign and Housing Week in NYC. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:27

Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley

Public intellectual, professor and author Dr. Cornel West shares his thoughts about the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and why we must know the truth, regardless of attempts to delete history. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:48

Katrina vanden Heuvel joins Tavis Smiley

The Nation magazine's editorial director and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel gives her analysis about the future of public broadcasting, Gaza and other trending political topics. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:39:19

Marc Morial joins Tavis Smiley

Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and now president of the National Urban League, tells us why Black America is in a State of Emergency with the Trump administration. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:15:04

John E. Jacob joins Tavis Smiley

John E. Jacob, former president of the National Urban League and author of his new memoir, “I Will F.E.A.R. No Evil,” takes us back to 1980 when candidate Ronald Reagan addressed the Urban League’s convention, two days after his seminal Philadelphia, Miss. speech. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:52

Fmr. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush joins Tavis Smiley

Former U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) joins Tavis from the studios of WVON in Chicago to talk about the new memorials and walking tour honoring the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, which he found with Fred Hampton. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:14

Dr. Cornel West joins Tavis Smiley

Public intellectual, professor and author Dr. Cornel West, shares his thoughts about Vice President Kamala Harris' announcement, starvation in Gaza and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:21:42

Bishop William Barber II joins Tavis Smiley

Founder of Repairers of The Breach and Moral Mondays, Bishop William Barber, talks about the latest about the Texas redistricting controversy and their latest moral movement campaign. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Duration:00:17:39

Connie Rice joins Tavis Smiley