Roland Martin Reports Daily Podcast

On Saturday, business icon and philanthropist Herman J. Russell passed away. Russell, an entrepreneur and philanthropist turned a once small plastering firm into one of the most successful Black-owned construction and real estate companies in the United States. Russell, a son of Atlanta, was a key financier of the Civil Rights movement. He was also responsible for developing most of Atlanta's skyline. On Monday, Roland Martin and "NewsOne Now" paid tribute to Herman J. Russell by highlighting his accomplishments in business and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center issued the following statement after the passing of Herman Russell: "As a pioneering African American business leader, Mr. Russell's impact on the city of Atlanta and the world has left an indelible imprint on skylines, not only in Atlanta, but throughout the country, for generations to come." Birmingham, Alabama Mayor William Bell said, "I think Herman [Russell] should be studied in all business schools, whether it is Black, White, whatever. He is a role model of any business person coming from nowhere to becoming a major player in the political life of a city [and] in the economic life of a city." Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told Martin, "I don't think it is an accident that Atlanta has one of the largest Black middle-classes in America and one of the highest number of multi-million dollar businesses in America." Reed added, "I think that is an essential part of Mr. Russell's legacy." RNC Chair, Reince Priebus  joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to discuss what we should expect from a Republican controlled House and Senate. Priebus told Martin the first thing Republicans need to do is pass a budget. Priebus touted this a as being a "great place to start." Priebus went on to mention that the Keystone Pipeline would be the second most important thing that Republicans would focus on and an "Obamacare alternative" could follow now that they are in control of both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Martin also pressed Priebus on a number of issues, including voting rights, sentencing reform,  job creation and  infrastructure.  Preiebus told Martin "... I'm certainly aware of what is happening and I get involved in some of the discussion over legislation and direction on agenda, but generally I'm in charge of the campaign arm and we're doing what we have to do to continue to be successful on the ground, the digital operation." Priebus went on to say, "I think you're seeing Mitch McConnell and John Boehner and Kevin McCarthy really focus in on what an achievable simple agenda is going to look like starting in January." Roland Martin, Attorney Benjamin Crump and the "NewsOne Now" Straight Talk panel (featuring Rock Newman, Mayor William Bell, Lauren Victoria Burke, Francesca Chambers and Yamiche Alcindor) dissect the new audio and video released in the Michael Brown shooting case. Attorney Benjamin Crump, who spoke with Martin via phone said, "... at the very beginning Ferguson Police Department did what most police departments do all around the country when they have a claim of excessive force in a police shooting, they try to demonize the victim and put the police officer on a pedestal and find ways to justify the shooting." When discussing new video of Wilson arriving and departing from the Ferguson police station, Crump added, Ferguson Police said Darren Wilson had an orbital blowout fracture to his eye socket and said, "... we see in this video over two hours almost three hours later, that there is nothing wrong with his eye. Crump also said, Wilson "is walking not holding his eye and if you remember on the scene when Michael Brown is laying dead on the ground he is walking around he is not holding his eye." Crump said if Wilson's "injuries are so horrible why didn't he go to the doctor?" He then questioned claims made by Ferguson Police,

Roland Martin talks to Senior White House Correspondent April Ryan about the reports “When the POTUS and FLOTUS leave they (Secret Service) are sometimes lax. One agent left his walkie talkie in his locker, he didn’t have his ear piece in and was on a personal phone call instead of standing at post, when the intruder hopped the fence,” Ryan said. Listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show 24/7! WEEKDAYS: listen continuously every 4 hours starting live Monday – Friday at 6am ET. Catch Tom Joyner's Right Back at Cha every WEEKEND: starting at 6am ET Saturday – 5:59am ET Monday.

“NewsOne Now's” audio operator, Tim Canalichio and star of our new segment "White-ish," secured an "expanded role on the show" Friday when he said theEnglish rock band Led Zeppelin is just as influential as the "Godfather of Soul," James Brown. As you can imagine this didn't go over too well in the studio, on radio and on social media. Grammy-nominated singer Ledisi appeared on "NewsOne Now" with Roland Martin to talk about her role as Mahalia Jackson in the MLK biopic, "Selma" and her up coming TV One special, "Hello Beautiful Interludes Live." Ledisi told Martin that even though she has a small part in "Selma," "it is such an honor to be a part of it." "Selma" is slated to premiere in theaters Friday, January 9th, 2015 and Ledisi's TV One "Hello Beautiful Interludes Live" concert airs Saturday, November 29th at 10 PM ET. An internal review has found a folly of errors and a series of Secret Service security blunders allowed fence jumper, Omar Jose Gonzalez, to get inside of the White House. According to the report, one Secret Service agent was talking on his cellphone and did not hear any radio traffic about the fence jumper. Another agent's radio was not working properly which prevented him from alerting other agents of the security breach. Another security misstep involved an agent who had his gun drawn and allowed the fence jumper to advance to the North Portico door because he thought the door was locked. Unfortunately for this agent, the door wasn't locked. Roland Martin and the "NewsOne Now" Straight Talk panel, featuring Karen Attiah, Washington Post Deputy Digital Opinions Editor; Political Analyst Ron Christie and Angela Rye, Principal and CEO, Impact Strategies, discussed the myriad of Secret Service security blunders that have outraged many in Washington. Nate Parker, star of "Beyond The Lights," joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to discuss the film. "Beyond the Lights," directed by Gina Prince Bythewood ("Love & Basketball") premieres in theaters Friday, November 14th, and also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Danny Glover, Machine Gun Kelly and features a cameo by TV One's own, Roland Martin. During his appearance on TV One's "NewsOne Now," Parker discussed the nature of his role as opposed to how young African American men are portrayed in the media saying, "... contrary to popular belief Black men can love too. They can respect women, they can have integrity." He went on to tell Martin, "There is an opportunity to show that we're more than what you hear in some of the music. We're more than what you see projected on some of these shows. So, for me, it was an opportunity to show that you can be cool and still love a woman. Stand in the gap for her and support her needs, provide a safe place for her." Go out and support the film this weekend. Johnny Gill joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to talk about his new album "Game Changer." Gill's new album will be released through his record label, J Skillz Records, and is available for pre-order through iTunes. Gill told Martin, "... 31 years to be my own boss, to be able to call my own shots, to be able to do what I want to do with my career and my music is beyond a blessing." Before the end of the interview, Gill sang a few lines from the album's title track, "Game Changer."   All that and more in this edition of the NewsOne Now Audio Podcast.

With the Darren Wilson grand jury verdict coming possibly next week, "NewsOne Now" guest host Jeff Johnson asks the question what would a victory look like in Ferguson. What should the goal be to achieve justice in the shooting death of Michael Brown? ...

On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Nixon held a press conference where he outlined preparations for the Darren Wilson grand jury verdict. Nixon told reporters, "Citizens should be able to express themselves peacefully without being threatened by people expressing violence and disorder." The governor explained that more than 1,000 local area law enforcement officials have received additional training in the event that protests turn violent after the Darren Wilson grand jury verdict is announced. Gov. Nixon said,"Violence will not be tolerated. Residents and businesses of this region will be protected." On Wednesday, Roland Martin and the "NewsOne Now" Straight Talk panel (Aisha Moodie-Mills, Hughey Newsome and Michelle Hudgins) discussed the nature of Nixon's news conference, the framing of the event and the role Ferguson police had is enticing violence in the St. Louis suburb. MIT professor, economist and top Affordable Care Act architect is in the hot seat after a new video surfaced that shows him saying the "stupidity of the American voter" was a major factor in passing Obamacare. On the video, Jonathan Gruber can be seen saying, "Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical to getting the thing to pass." Roland Martin and the "NewsOne Now" Straight Talk panel (Aisha Moodie-Mills, Hughey Newsome and Michelle Hudgins) discuss Gruber's remarks, withholding of information about the Affordable Care Act and the subsequent fallout resulting from comments about how Obamacare was passed. Gina Prince Bythewood joined Roland Martin Thursday on "NewsOne Now" to discuss her latest film project, "Beyond The Lights." "Beyond the Lights" is the story of Noni, the music world’s latest superstar. But not all is what it seems, and the pressures of fame have Noni on the edge - until she meets Kaz Nicol, a young cop and aspiring politician who has been assigned to her detail. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz's love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be. "Beyond the Lights" premieres in theaters Friday, November 14th, 2014. Don't miss Roland Martin's  cameo in the movie. Listen to Bythewood and Martin's discussion about the movie below. Comedians Skiba, Tony Woods, Queen Aishah and Cletus Kassady stopped by "NewsOne Now" to wish Roland Martin a happy birthday and brought him a few gifts to celebrate his big day. Things were going well until Queen Aishah broke out the baby oil ... yes, baby oil. After that, all heck broke loose. Check out all of the laughs in the clip above and don't forget to wish Uncle Ro Ro a happy birthday this Friday, Nov. 14th. All that and more in this edition of the NewsOne Now Audio Podcast.

Roland Martin talks to Alderman Antonio French about the press conference St. Louis Gov. Jay Nixon had to keep the city calm in the wake of the grand jury’s announcement in the death of Michael Brown, the unarmed 18-year-old teen who was gunned down by a white police officer. “It certainly didn’t help ease the fears of the people here. This fear is really driving us a part in a time when e need to come together,” French said. “What we need to convey is that black men are not to be feared.” Listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show 24/7! WEEKDAYS: listen continuously every 4 hours starting live Monday – Friday at 6am ET. Catch Tom Joyner's Right Back at Cha every WEEKEND: starting at 6am ET Saturday – 5:59am ET Monday.  

 President Barack Obama outlined his suggestions to maintain an open internet. Roland Martin and "NewsOne Now" take a look at how creating fast lanes on the world wide web and restricting certain types of content may impact the African American community. Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer (CTO), joined Martin on "NewsOne Now" via phone to discuss the Obama Administrations stance on net neutrality. Smith told Martin, President Barack Obama wants to make sure the Internet is kept as it was designed: open and free to all. She also stated Mr. Obama supports reclassifying the Internet Service Providers to be a public utility like electric, gas & phone companies. Kim Keenan, President/CEO of the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council and Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of Color of Change also joined Martin on "NewsOne Now" to debate the issue of net neutrality. Robinson, a supporter of net neutrality said big telecommunications companies like Verizon, Comcast and TimeWarner Cable have argued that, "... they should be able to decide what content goes and which content doesn't." He also said, "an open internet is going to be key for Black people and oppressed people all around this country, all around the world to be able to win the type of David and Goliath fights that big corporations don't want us to. Keenan, who does not support net neutrality said the fight should not be over if the world wide web should be open. We should focus on how implement an open internet. She told Martin the internet should not be considered a public utility at this time because we still need to invest in the internet and innovate the medium. On Tuesday, Ambassador Andrew Young joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" via phone from the site of the Global Leadership Forum to reflect on the life of Dr. Myles Munroe. Ambassador Young told Martin that it is difficult and at the same time not difficult to go on with the Global Leadership Forum after the death of his friend Dr. Munroe. Young said, "There is shock and sadness" as a result of the accident. "You can kill a man," Young continued, "but you can't kill a mission and I think the conference is carrying on because it was his mission to carry on. "There can be no success without successors and he (Dr. Myles Munroe) has been teaching that for years. So the people here feel like they have no choice but to carry on his work." Defense Attorney Robbin Shipp, co-author of the recently released book, "Justice While Black: Helping African-American Families Navigate and Survive the Criminal Justice System," joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to discuss what to do if stopped by the police. Shipp said that we as African Americans "...  often give up our constitutional rights when we're stopped by the police. We give them the ability to search our vehicle. We tell them information about our whereabouts that we're not obligated to tell." Shipp co-authored the book with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist  Nick Chiles, the New York Times bestselling author who also co-authored Rev. Al Sharpton's memoir, "The Rejected Stone: Al Sharpton and the Path To American Leadership." Kim Coles joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to talk about the premiere of season 3 of Bounce TV's "Off The Chain." During her appearance on "NewsOne Now," Coles told Martin, "I've been in the business almost 3o years and to be given a one hour special ... is a great thing." All that and more in this edition of the NewsOne Now Audio Podcast.

Today On the Tom Joyner Morning Show:  Roland Martin talks to Marion Barry, Jr., former Mayor of D.C. and author of ‘Mayor For Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.’ Barry details the controversial details of his tumultuous reign as a revered politician which included prison and his infamous drug bust. “After hundreds of articles and hundreds of photographs of me, it’s time for the nation to hear about Marion Barry from himself. I’ve been through a lot,” Barry said. Listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show 24/7! WEEKDAYS: listen continuously every 4 hours starting live Monday – Friday at 6am ET. Catch Tom Joyner's Right Back at Cha every WEEKEND: starting at 6am ET Saturday – 5:59am ET Monday.

  “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin celebrates Black Music Month with exclusive interviews from the set of the James Brown biopic Get On Up. Chadwick Boesman, Aleo Blacc, and Octavia Spencer discuss the highly anticipated movie chronicling the life of the Godfather of Soul. Erica Campbell joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to talk about her new album, titled Help and addressed the controversy in the Christian community around her fashions. “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin celebrates Black Music Month with Hip Hop legends Chuck D,Monie Love and Doug E. Fresh.  Can Hip Hop be used as an agent for social change in the African-American community? Our panel of Hip-Hop pioneers share their views on this subject and more. Whenever a music artist visits “NewsOne Now,” Roland Martin always challenges them to sing a little sumpin’ sumpin’. Check out the a capella musical stylings of Eric Benet, Wintley Phipps, Erica Campbell, R&B Divas Syleena Johnson, Angie Stone and Lil’ Mo. As Martin would say, it’s time to bring the funk! All that and more in this special edition of the NewsOne Now Audio Podcast. Be sure to listen to “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST and watch at 9 a.m. EST on TV One. 

Today On the Tom Joyner Morning Show: Roland Martin talks to film director Spike Lee about the life of the legendary movie legend, Ruby Dee. The two first worked together on Lee’s ‘Do The Right Thing’. “I often think of her and Ossie as one. They were black royalty. I thought of her as my spiritual artisic mother. She was a true legend,” Lee said. Listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show 24/7! WEEKDAYS: listen continuously every 4 hours starting live Monday – Friday at 6am ET. Catch Tom Joyner's Right Back at Cha every WEEKEND: starting at 6am ET Saturday – 5:59am ET Monday.

Stay-at-home dad Jeffery Faulkerson, Avis Jones-Deweever and Kenrya Rankin Naasel discussed the increasing numbers of stay-at-home fathers and changing gender roles within our families  on “NewsOne Now.” Rep. Yvette Clarke joined Roland Martin  to discuss Democrats wanting support from black voters and not awarding consulting contracts to black businesses. An update on the Tracy Morgan case: truck driver Kevin Roper  pleaded not guilty in the fatal New Jersey Turnpike crash that injured comedian Tracy Morgan. Aruba Tommy and Olivia Fox joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” for the latest installment of “WTH?! Thursday.” This week, Beyonce and Jay-Z’s daughter took center stage after a petition was filed on Change.org asking the celebrity couple to comb Blue Ivy‘s hair. Plus, a man puts his cheating wife’s wedding dress up for sale. All that and more in today's edition of the "NewsOne Now" Audio Podcast. Be sure to listen to “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST and watch at 9 a.m. EST on TV One. 

Roland Martin, host of “NewsOne Now” talks with financial guru Deborah Owens on Tuesday about wealth building. During the WealthyU segment of the show, Owen’s introduces the wealth building principle of investing where you shop as a means to create wealth. Rep. Charles Rangel joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to discuss President Barack Obama‘s executive order to help millions of Americans lower their student loan payments and the SBA announcing plans to help more minorities borrow funds to expand their business ventures. Plus, Rep. Rangel shared his views on the Koch Brothers’ $25 million donation to the United Negro College Fund. Monique Greenwood joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to discuss black owned bed and breakfasts.  Greenwood explained that B&Bs are great vacation destinations and can be a potentially lucrative business opportunity. Chef Reginald Martin, Roland’s brother, is leading a group of young and aspiring chefs in a national healthy cooking contest this week in Washington D.C. The contest’s challenge: to create tasty recipes without the use of salt.  Reginald joined Roland Martin Tuesday on “NewsOne Now” to discuss the competition and the healthy schools campaign, Cooking Up Change. Plus, Rev. Jesse Jackson previews this year's Rainbow Push Conference and breaks down what his next moves are in the fight for inclusion in Silicon Valley. All that and more in today's edition of the "NewsOne Now" Audio Podcast. Be sure to listen to “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST and watch at 9 a.m. EST on TV One. 

Beverly D. Tatum, President of Spelman College, joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” to share her thoughts on President Barack Obama recent move to issue an executive order to reduce student loan payments for millions of American students. UNCF President Dr. Michael Lomax discusses the Koch brothers donating $25 million to the United Negro College Fund with Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Cleo Manago and Martin, host of “NewsOne Now.” Relationship expert, LaDawn Black talks about developing and maintaining healthy relationships in this week’s edition of Fit!Live!Win!. Eulogies from the memorial service honoring Dr. Maya Angelou at Wake Forest University. All that and more in today's edition of the "NewsOne Now" Audio Podcast. Be sure to listen to “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST and watch at 9 a.m. EST on TV One. 

Retired Police Detective Ron Stallworth infiltrated the Colorado Springs chapter of the Ku Klux Klan and was eventually asked to lead the group. Stallworth joined  Martin on "NewsOne Now" to share his experiences as a Black Klansman. A new study provides evidence that Voter ID Laws are discriminatory. Marshall Walter Taylor, Chanelle Hardy and Raynard Jackson joined Roland Martin on “NewsOne Now” Friday to discuss the findings of the study conducted by the University of Southern California. LeVar Burton and other celebrities have turned to crowdfunding to fund their new projects. Evita Robinson, Travel blogger/Crowdfunding consultant and Rodney Sampson, Social media consultant joined Martin Friday on “NewsOne Now” to explain how Spike Lee, Salli Richardson and Don Cheadle are using crowdfunding to bring their creative ideas to life.  Martin, host of “NewsOne Now,” recently attended the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational golf tournament. Comedian Damon Williams joined Roland Martin on "NewsOne Now" to talk about everything from Williams' pocket square to Donald Sterling's comments about Magic Johnson. All that and more in today's edition of the "NewsOne Now" Audio Podcast. Be sure to listen to “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin, weekdays at 7 a.m. EST and watch at 9 a.m. EST on TV One. 

Today On the Tom Joyner Morning Show: Roland Martin talks to Pastor Jamal D. Bryant after a controversial line in a sermon he preached a month ago, has caught wind and offended many. Titled “I’m My Enemies Worst Nightmare: Part 1″,  Bryant references singer Chris Brown popular song “Loyal” and recites the songs chorus, ‘these hoes ain’t loyal’ in the pulpit. “I’m shocked because out of 29 minutes I affirm women and their dreams and the influence they have on their men…I made a comment referencing a song by Chris Brown that has become the proverbial fly in the soup ,” Bryant says. Despite the backlash, Pastor Bryant still feels as if we all have to be on the same page regarding the offensive word. “If the h-word is bad for our young girls in church, then is has to be a consistency. It’s got to be bad in music we play,” he continues.