#RolandMartinUnfiltered - Jan. 6th Hearing, Biden's Gas Tax Holiday, Gun Control Reform, Fla. White Man attacks Black Women

Episode Date: June 23, 2022

6.22.2022 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Jan. 6th Hearing, Biden's Gas Tax Holiday, Gun Control Reform, Fla. White Man attacks Black Women Shocking and alarming testimony of the two black Georgia election workers threatened by former President Donald Trump and his minions. Tuesday's midterm election results President Joe Biden wants a 3-month gas tax holiday. We'll look at why that proposal is getting some opposition.  The Senate clears a procedural vote to move forward with gun control legislation. We'll take a look at the provisions that garnered bipartisan support.  In Florida, there's an arrest warrant for the white man who verbally attacked two Black women throwing a birthday party in a park.   We'll hear from both women later on in the show. And for the HBCU Connect segment,  Last Week at the UNCF Conference, Roland spoke with the President of Lane University, Logan Hampton, who discussed the development plan of the historically black university and more. Download the #BlackStarNetwork app on iOS, AppleTV, Android, Android TV, Roku, FireTV, SamsungTV and XBox 👉🏾 http://www.blackstarnetwork.com Support #RolandMartinUnfiltered and #BlackStarNetwork via the Cash App ☛ https://cash.app/$rmunfiltered PayPal ☛ https://www.paypal.me/rmartinunfiltered Venmo ☛https://venmo.com/rmunfiltered Zelle ☛ [e-mail] Annual or monthly recurring #BringTheFunk Fan Club membership via paypal ☛ https://rolandsmartin.com/rmu-paypal/ Download the #BlackStarNetwork app on iOS, AppleTV, Android, Android TV, Roku, FireTV, SamsungTV and XBox 👉🏾 http://www.blackstarnetwork.com #RolandMartinUnfiltered and the #BlackStarNetwork are news reporting platforms covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart Podcast. to show the love. I'm real revolutionary right now. I'm proud. Support this man, Black Media. He makes sure that our stories are told. Thank you for being the voice of Black America, Roller. Stay Black. I love y'all. All momentum we have now, we have to keep this going. The video looks phenomenal. See, there's a difference between Black Star Network and Black-owned media and something like CNN.

You can't be Black on media and be scared. It's time to be smart. Bring your eyeballs home. You dig? Hey, folks. Today is Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022. Roland Martin Unfiltered is broadcasting live from Atlanta. I'm here at Chastain Park. I'm here for an event with ACRA and shortly Trombone Shorty.

We'll be playing here, and so we'll be attending that particular event. Coming up on today's Black Start Network, folks, President Joe Biden proposes a gas tax. Not a gas tax, but actually a three-month gas tax holiday, if you will. And Republicans are already complaining, but I thought y'all said you wanted gas prices to go down. He's also encouraging states to do Uh, an african american w by two white men in Flora with them on the show tod

they throw a rock into hi one of them was actually any black on McDonald's. folks involved also on to HBCU's. We'll talk to the folks involved also on today's show. In our HBCU segment, I will talk with the president of Lane College about how things are going for that Tennessee school and what his vision is and how we here at Roland Martin Unfiltered inspired him to examine how he is leading that school as well. Also, the Senate moves closer to voting on a critical gun bill. And we have more of a testimony of the two black women

who went before Congress yesterday, who testified about how the thugs who support Donald Trump impacted their lives and how they have been fighting just to keep these people from attacking them. Their testimony was so shocking, it was so brutal, and we wanted to talk about it for a second day. So all of that coming up next on Roland Martin Unfiltered right here on the Black Star Network. It's time to bring the funk. Let's go. He's got it. Whatever the piss, he's on it. Whatever it is, he's got the scoop, the fact, the fine.

And when it breaks, he's right on time. And it's rolling. Best belief he's knowing. Putting it down from sports to news to politics. With entertainment just for kicks, he's rolling. It's on go, go Uncle Roro y'all it's Roland Martin

rolling with Roland now he's funky, he's fresh, he's real the best you know, he's Roland Martin He's funky, he's fresh, he's real, the best you know, he's Roland Martin. Hey, folks, Roland Martin here on Roland Martin Unfiltered on the Black Star Network. I'm broadcasting live from Chastain Park. I'm actually here in Atlanta for an event with folks at Acra. Yes, I'm sitting in one of their cars.

And so it's quite warm here in ATL, so a lot cooler sitting in the cabin of this car, plus lots of noise out there because the concert is about to be starting soon. So that's why I am going live from the car. Folks, yesterday, two Black women from this state, from Georgia, went before the Congressional Committee and investigating the events around January 6th, and they talked about the impact, how their lives were impacted, how they were targeted, how they were, the vile and destructive things that were said to them by people who support Donald Trump. Now, proud to their testimony, it was Congressman Benny Thompson, who was the chair of the committee, who laid out what the public was about to hear.

I now welcome our final witness this afternoon, Andrea Shea Moss. Ms. Moss worked in the Department of Registration and Elections in Fulton County, Georgia, from 2017 until 2022. In that job, Ms. Moss handled voter applications and absentee ballot requests and also helped to process the vote count for several elections. In December 2020, Ms. Moss and her mother, Ms. Ruby Freeman, became the target of nasty lies spread by President Trump and his allies as they sought to overturn the election results in Georgia. Ms. Moss and her mother, Ms. Freeman, are two of the unsung heroes in this country doing the hard work of keeping our democracy functioning for every American. Ms. Moss, welcome. Thank you for your service, and I thank you for being here today.

I will now swear you in. Please stand. Do you swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God. Thank you. Please be seated. Let the record reflect that the witness answered in the affirmative. Ms. Moss, thank you very much for being here today.

I understand that you are here along with your mother today. Would you like to introduce your mama? Hi, mom. Ms. Moss, today we'll be asking you about some of the threats that you received following the 2020 election. Since you've been an election worker for over 10 years, I want to ask you, in your decade of service, had you ever experienced threats like these before? Don't be nervous. I understand. I want to make sure that the record reflects that you've done it for quite a while and you never received a threat and your answer was no. Thank you. Pursuant to Section 5C8 of the House Resolution 503, the chair recognizes a gentleman from California, Mr. Schiff, for questions. Now, folks, Shay Moss was called out specifically by name by Donald Trump,

and that's what caused his supporters to go after her and her and her mother. Doesn't Trump make these false allegations repeatedly during his call with Secretary Raffensperger? Let's listen to a portion of what he had to say about you and your mother. We had at least 18,000 that's on tape. We had them counted very painstakingly. 18,000 voters having to do with Ruby Friedman. She's a vote scammer, a professional vote scammer and hustler. Donald Trump attacked you and your mother using her name 18 times on that call.

18 times. Ms. Moss, can you describe what you experienced listening to former President Trump attack you and your mother in a call with the Georgia Secretary of State? I felt horrible. I felt like it was all my fault. Like, if I would have never decided to be an elections worker, like, I could have done anything else. But that's what I decided to do. And now people are lying and spreading rumors and lies and attacking my mom. I'm her only child. Going to my grandmother's house, I'm her only grandchild.

And my kid. It's just, I felt so bad. I just felt bad for my mom, and I felt horrible for picking this job and being the one that always wants to help and always there, never missing out one election. I just felt like it was my fault for putting my family in this situation. Good afternoon, Ms. Moss. Thank you for being here. I understand that you were employed by the Fulton County Registration and Elections Department for more than 10 years,

and I understand that you love that job. Please tell us what made you so fond of the work that you did. Well, I've always been told by my grandmother how important it is to vote and how people before me, a lot of people, older people in my family did not have that right. So what I loved most about my job were the older voters. Younger people could usually do everything from their phone or go online, but the older voters like to call. They like to talk to you. They like to get my card. They like to know that every election I'm here. And like even college students, a lot of parents trust in me to make sure their child does not have to drive home. They'll get an absentee ballot. They can vote.

And I really found pleasure in that I like being the one that you know if someone can't navigate my voter page or you know they want a new precinct card and they don't have a copy machine or computer or all of that I could put it in the mail for them I was excited always about sending out all the absentee ballots for the elderly, disabled people. I even remember driving to a hospital to give someone her absentee application. That's what I love the most. In addition to the personal impact this experience has had on you and your family, one of the things that I find most disturbing is how these lies discourage longtime election workers from continuing to do this important work. Tell us if you would of the other election workers shown in that State Farm Arena video and their supervisors, how many are still election workers in Fulton County?

There is no permanent election worker or supervisor in that video that's still there. And those horrible things, do they include threats? Yes, a lot of threats. Wishing death upon me telling me that you know I'll be in jail with my mother and saying things like be glad it's 2020 and not 1920 well it wasn't your fault your mother was kind enough to come speak with us earlier. Let's listen to her story and her words. My name is Ruby Freeman. I've always believed that when God says that he'll make your name great,

but this is not the way it was supposed to be. I could have never imagined the events that followed the presidential election 2020. For my entire professional life, I was Lady Ruby. My community in Georgia, where I was born and lived my whole life, knew me as Lady Ruby. I built my own business around that name, LaRuby's Unique Treasures, a pop-up shop catering to ladies with unique fashions. I wore a shirt that proudly proclaimed that I was and I am Lady Ruby.

Actually, I had that shirt on. I had that shirt of every color. I wore that shirt on Election Day 2020. I haven't worn it since, and I'll never wear it again. Now I won't even introduce myself by my name anymore. I get nervous when I bump into someone I know in the grocery store who says my name. I'm worried about who's listening. I get nervous when I have to give my name for food orders.

I'm always concerned of who's around me. I've lost my name and I've lost my reputation. I've lost my sense of security. All because a group of people starting with number 45 and his ally Rudy Giuliani decided to scapegoat me and my daughter Shay to push their own lies about how the presidential I was a young woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who

was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who was a woman who your life? It's turned my life upside down. I no longer give out my business card.

I don't transfer calls. I don't want anyone knowing my name. I don't want to go anywhere with my mom because she might yell my name out over the grocery aisle or something. I don't go to the grocery store at all. I haven't been anywhere at all. I've gained about 60 pounds. I just don't do nothing anymore. I don't want to go anywhere.

I second guess everything that I do. It's affecting my life in a major way. In every way. All because of lies. For me doing my job. Same thing I've been doing forever. Now, folks, Donald Trump and his supporters literally said that Shea received a flash drive with voter data on it. It wasn't a flash drive.

This is what it was. In one of the videos we just watched, Mr. Giuliani accused you and your mother of passing some sort of USB drive to each other. What was your mom actually handing you on that video? A ginger mint. A mint. A ginger mint. Bringing my panel right now, A. Scott Bolden, lawyer based in Washington, D.C.,

founded with, of course, National Bar Association Political Action Committee. Monique Presley, legal analyst, host of Make It Make Sense Committee Monique Presley, Legal Analyst host of Make It Make Sense with Monique Presley Eugene Craig, CEO X Factor Media Inc Monique, this hearing was yesterday and the reason I wanted to discuss it today because

I think probably out of all the testimony thus far this has to be the most shocking and infuriating for Black people. And frankly, it should be for anybody. My parents worked the polls. Yeah. Dad's 75, mom's 74. She'll be 75 in November. I think back to last year,

they spent seven weeks with me in here in Virginia. They were here for four weeks, but they flew back to work a special election. They could have skipped it. They could have said, hey, we're busy with our son. We're not about to pay. But they flew back to work the election and then came back to spend the final three weeks. Yeah. Donald Trump called this black woman a scammer.

He called this black woman a cheat. A hustler. Yeah. And a hustler. And to listen to these weak, impotent, shameful, despicable, evil Republicans like the Speaker of the House, Rusty Bowers, who testified yesterday, say that if Donald Trump got the nomination in 2024, they would still vote for him. These people literally have no integrity,

no morals, no values, no principles. None of them. Right. I don't agree. I don't take a broad brush and say that none of them have any values or any integrity. testimony that we have heard from them just yesterday and the testimony that they gave in the private sessions before the public sessions, nor the great risk to their own lives, their own safety, their own career, that when there were issues for the particular particular people who were there, like Speaker Bowers and the Secretary of State, I believe that they do have lines. I believe that they do have morals. And I believe that

because they had lines and because they had morals, we right now have a President Biden and we don't have a banana republic. I don't agree with them pretty much on anything else, but they resemble the conservatives, the Republicans that I used to actually take great joy in having a debate with, where we could listen to each other, where we had principled positions, where we could disagree about whatever it was, whether it was choice, whether it was taxes, whether it was economy, whether it was strong federal government or weak federal government, strong states. We had all of those issues and we could disagree vehemently about them. And they would feel that my position lacked any credence and I would feel the same about theirs, but they were not willing to break the law in order to push their position in an election.

And I was not willing to break the law to push mine in an election. And I understand that while I disagree with them in total, and especially where former President Donald Trump is concerned, they're not interested in Donald Trump. They are interested in the gains that they make to the positions they believe are principled while pushing Donald Trump. And I think that it is necessary for us to acknowledge that and not sweep with a broad brush and call everyone who supports him for whatever reason the devil or amoral or any of those things, because, frankly, that is just not the case. I certainly believe that they are wrong, but I don't believe that that is the case. Eugene, the reason I will call them that is because if every person standing with him,

they've seen that tape, Access Hollywood. They have seen how he behaved for four years. They have seen how he attacked black woman after black woman. They saw his actions, how he literally said, supported the hanging of Mike Pence. They have seen the efforts that he underwent to try to steal this election. And if with all of that, you still stand with that man, yes, I'm going to call you immoral. Yes, I'm going to call you immoral. Yes, I'm going to say you have no principles. Yes, I'm going to say you have no values.

Yes, I'm going to say you're putting party and power over patriotism. Because that means that in the face of all of that, you still will support evil. But I didn't hear Speaker Bowers say that. One second, one second. Eugene. I listened to the whole testimony. One second, Eugene.

I didn't hear him say that. You didn't hear him say what? I didn't hear him say that. I didn't hear him say that after everything that happened, he still would support President Donald Trump in 2024. The Speaker Bowers. I didn't hear that. Yes, he did. He was asked the question.

I'm telling you what he said. He was asked the question, would you support Donald Trump in 2024? He said, if he was running against Biden, yes, I will, because of the good things he did before COVID. In fact, this is what Senator Tim Scott, a black man from South Carolina, said on Fox News. Laying out this case, primarily aimed at former President Trump and his efforts to overturn the election. this specifically today about talking to state authorities, about putting in different electors

and decertifying elections in different states. Have you have you learned anything new? Number one, is it troubling to you? Number two, and can you support Donald Trump if he runs for president in 2024? Well, Brett, I have not taken the time to watch the hearings. I feel like the best use of my time is fighting the inflationary effects and looking for ways to push back for the American consumer. I spent my time talking about the gas prices and ways that we can reduce it. I have not watched the January 6th hearings. I was actually in the Senate when it happened. So I don't need an education on what actually happened. I do think that what we're seeing is made for TV. What you haven't seen is any cross-examination. So we're

having people lay out stories without having the cross-examination. I think if President Trump is a nominee, of course we support him. The Republicans will always present a better solution to the problems that we are faced with in the marketplace today than the Democrats. So, Eugene, go ahead. You're on mute, Eugene. Okay, there's a lot to unpack there. For starters, morality and power sometimes go together, and more times than not, it doesn't, right? And so, you know, these folk, I mean, look, this guy is a Speaker of the House of Arizona. You know, he's not going to give up his power for moral calls the reason he's sitting there is because you know he decided

not to break the law and put himself in legal jeopardy uh with some of what some of the things that people were asking him to do um in regards to senator scott um you know uh senator scott you know um known him for a good while uh many years um but he's somebody that's made a decision to put party in power over righteous causes at this point. He's running for president, and so he's watching his words, he's making sure he doesn't

piss off the Trump base. But one more time, rural leadership is actually standing up for principle. Scott, that was a Republican in South Carolina who voted to impeach Trump. He just lost the primary in South Carolina. And he made it clear. He defended his decision on that particular vote.

Yet a Republican in representing a district in the party, as opposed to saying I am going to stand on principle and run. And if I get defeated, I did the right thing. I remember when Senator Jeff Flake was in the Senate and he was he goes to the floor and he gives these speeches and all the media people. Oh, my God, that was a fascinating speech. No, it wasn't. Because when it came time to show

conviction and principles, he chose not to seek re-election because he didn't want to face losing. Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska had a lot of stuff to say about Donald Trump until it came time for

re-election. Then about a year out, he went damn near into the witness protection program saying nothing. Scott, the point about morals and values and principles

and integrity and character is that in the face of money, in the face of losing power, in the face of being ostracized, you are willing to do what is right and what is just as opposed to what is expedient. And that's why I'm calling out anybody who stands with this evil man. Well, you need to. I think your expectations of the human condition, at least if you're a Republican or you're Donald Trump

and you still support Donald Trump, an amoral individual, take the politics out of it. But then what does that say about you, that you're going to continue to support evilness and immorality or amorality? You're just as amoral as the person that you don't support, or rather than the person you support. So all the people that support Donald Trump, they are just as amoral for supporting him than Donald Trump is. And so I think you expect too much of Republicans and that you should lower your expectation because they're not a political party. They're not leaders, right? They're a cult and they've been taken over by Donald Trump.

So they share his principles. They share his beliefs. So you can't expect any excellence out of them, right? Is that a question of expectation? What it is, Scott, is when it's time to do the right thing somebody should say that there is a higher calling and this is the thing that jumps out at me

if this man has done all of this well then what do they think is too far so when he said when he said I could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and my support, or maybe

he said I could kill, but I could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and my supporters wouldn't care. What he is doing, he is proving that. And the reason I'm laying this out this way is because for everybody watching and listening, what we now need to understand

is that they will do anything to maintain power. But the fact that Speaker of the House, Rusty Bowers, yeah, I'm going to still vote for him. Despite Bill Barr, yeah, I'm going to vote for him. I'm going to still vote for him. I'm going to still vote for him. So, folks, I need Democrats, progressives, and the media to stop wondering if there's a bottom. The moment that man trashed POW Senator John McCain, black people knew. Hashtag, we tried to tell you. And so that's why I'm calling but he didn't yeah but he didn't say that in his testimony i i just looked it up because i knew that i listened to the whole

thing he said that to the testimony he said it testimony you said what i'm saying is and i thought he was asked but it was the man was asked about. And what I'm saying is, person after person after person after person after person, they will line up and support this man. And so for everybody watching and listening, you need to now understand, they do not care. That's not true. It's just obviously not true. Monique, that's a lie. Monique, they don't care. They don't care.

Hold on, Scott. Hold on. Scott, hold on. Monique, how is it obviously not true when you will still support a person after all the crap that they've done? Because your premise is wrong. What you are saying is because they... Are you going to let me answer you or no? Oh, I'm not sure I answered, but you know no, it's not. But go ahead. Okay.

The premise that they lack all morals, that they lack all morals, that they lack any principle because they are willing to support this man, Donald Trump, who has said what he has said about black woman, who has done the things that he has done, that premise is wrong. If they lacked all morals, if they lacked all principles, the testimony that we heard from them, we would not be hearing. They would be amongst the ones who are currently under subpoena because they were, you can disregard me, you're being disrespectful. What I am saying is, okay, what I am saying, one moment, I am mid-sentence, I promise you, and I'm going to hold it. And while I say the reason why we have such striated debates and there is no middle ground is because we would prefer to dismiss the tens of millions of people who voted for Trump as if they're all Trumpkins, they're all maggots, they're all deplorables, they're all whatever. They're all immoral. Put half of the voting

populace over there in amoral. They serve Jesus just like I do. This man grieved the loss of a daughter. He grieved so he don't love his kids. His daughter was in there dying while they were picketing outside. I guess we're not supposed to care because the only thing we care about is us v. Wade. We want them to step away from their closely held

principles that they have had since they were teens because he does what he does where Black people are concerned because he himself is amoral, because he is all of these things. But we don't recognize their humanity at all. We say that they completely lack, hold on, we say that they lack morals entirely. And when I say we, I mean you, because what I say about Trump is what I say about Trump. But what I say about every person who supports him is different. I know that every person that voted for Trump is not those maggots that are out there at those protest marches. I know that they're not all the same. I know them. I've broken bread with some of them. I've known some of them for my entire life. I've known some of them in business. And they have sat down and taken the time,

because I'm not going to start off by saying they're the devil. They've taken the time to explain what I believe are very wrong reasons for what they're doing. But when you look at those Supreme Court nominees, when you look at people who believe that abortion is murder and the fact that they are getting something that they have fought for for decades, again, something I am against. When you look at people who believe in strong government, localized state government and not federal government. I am saying that these are people. I'm not missing a damn thing, Scott. Don't tell me I'm missing something because you disagree with me. Don't. Okay, well, I'm not giving you justification. I am saying you lack the ability to meet and agree. I wasn yourself. I was using completely new words. It was new words.

Those people that you described as not all being bad because they support Trump, they walked away from all those other important issues that you've broken bread with them about. But at their core, if you support

Donald Trump and his amorality, at your core, you support some commonality of that amorality. You support that because in the end, you voted for Donald Trump for maybe all kinds of different reasons and the wrong basis. but at your core, your value system is jacked up because it's a journey to navigate around the amorality of Donald Trump, and at your core, that's what you support. So they want to wait a minute. If we found out that Biden had committed a crime,

I have a question. Let me finish. I have a question for Scott. You can say what you want, but there's something wrong with half of America. Scott, wait. Scott, hold on. Hold on, Scott. Hold on.

You can't tell Scott not to interrupt you. You interrupt him. So, hold on. I'm going to Scott. He's going to finish his point. I'm going to Eugene. I'm coming back to you. Scott. I finish his point. I'm going to Eugene. I'm coming back to you, Scott. I made my point. I think half of America who supported Donald Trump has that amoral gene or that core. And they walked away from what they know to be righteous and true in exchange for power.

Right. So that's my only point. I'm not making you wrong. What I'm saying is there's more to it. And I'm being generous when I say that. But let me tell you something. Donald Trump is a problem, but he is part, he represents what's wrong with half of America that supports his bullshit. Eugene. So I will say this. I think

both Scott and Monique make some pretty salient points. For what it's worth, Republicans and conservatives look at Democrats the exact same way as being immoral, amoral, out for power for X, Y, Z reasons.

2016 was an A-B choice. And, you know, there were a lot of folk that found Hillary Clinton to be more immoral than Donald Trump in that present moment. You know, but I can also say that I do know some Trump supporters that are good people at their core.

You know, they're just diehard partisans. And they're going to... And as I said earlier, morality and power many times just don't go together. They never have, and they never will. Well, and again, the point that... See, so here's one of the things that...

It's about to be my turn. It's one of the things... Well, first of all, I'm still going to talk. So you're going to talk, but you're going to talk after me. The reason I'm looking at this is because I think about Jim Crow.

And I think about how folks said, oh, no, so-and-so is a nice person. But if you are supporting Jim Crow legislation, if you're supporting that way of life, no, no, no, they're not racist. They're still good people. But if you are going along with a system that is depriving folks of rights, whether you are morals and conviction and principles, you are willing to sacrifice something because you say, I'm sorry, that simply isn't right. And what I'm saying is that for the Republican

who believes in the tax cuts, for the Republican who believes in all, I'm a strong defense, you will think something has to reach a point where you say that's a bridge too far. And when you look at

this person's actions cumulatively, not just a take, not just a take. Not just a tweeting. What this man did on January 6th. And here's how they can answer this.

Will you support Donald Trump? A person with conviction will say, I'm a Republican. I will remain a Republican, but I will never stand behind that name. I will write a Republican's name in, but a person with conviction and principles and morals and values will say that man can never come near the Oval Office and I will fight like tooth and nail to keep him from getting the nomination. Rusty Bowers didn't say that. Bill Barr didn't say that. Tim Scott didn't say that. And that's what I mean when you are unwilling to have principles and morals and values.

Roland, the thing is this. Hold up. Hold up. Hold up. Hold up. I got this. Monique, I'm the host. I got this.

I'm reminded of the flow. Monique, Monique, I got this. Monique, Scott, Eugene, go. 60 seconds each. You're on the clock. All right. So I think that everything that you said, if we flip it in reverse, people would not be able to say on our sides of these issues. So my quick example is this, and I'll use myself. I could find out today or a month before the next general election, and it's Biden coming to win another term against Donald Trump trying to regain his position. And I could find out that Biden had murdered small children when he was young. I may find out that he had embezzled millions of dollars. I may find out that he eats body parts in his spare time.

I don't know what it is that I could find out about him that would cause me to choose Donald Trump. And it wouldn't mean that I'm immoral. Okay, no, no,. When we have an election, I'm being clear on my point and only my point. I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just making a point. When we have an election with two people, I'm not writing in because I know writing in is eliminating. I am then deciding in favor of the other person. I am not adequately utilizing my vote for it to count. I would be so sure that Trump would be devastating for this country and for the direction that I want this country to go for my children, for my grandchildren, for my community, for the world,

that I would pretty much put in known ax murderer but relatively benign President Biden before I would let this country cede to Trump again. And I dare say that there are people on the opposite side of the aisle who feel the same way. You're way beyond 60 seconds. You want to bend it 45. Again, learn to keep it on the 60 seconds. Scott, your comment, 60 seconds. You want to bid at 45. Again, learn to keep it on the 60 seconds. Scott, your comment, 60 seconds. I understand Monique's analysis, but it's flawed in this sense.

You're still voting for the least evil of the two under your scenario. If you have morality, if you are going to be faithful to your heart and your mind, then you write in the name of Frederick Douglass or Martin Luther King Jr. You're exercising your right to vote. You certainly aren't exercising your right to vote for two very bad people, given the two choices.

And you're still exercising your vote for someone who may not be able to win, but consciously and faithfully you believe in their leadership, their excellence, and what this country should be. And so I would write in the name of... Somebody dead? ...Reddy Douglas under that scenario. Uh, Scott... That's...

Scott, all right. Eugene, Eugene, I, I, I, uh-uh. If you don't want to... You got a lot of energy today, but if you want to get it on... Eugene. I'm coming, I'm coming... I mean, look, you got two lawyers.

You can expect a tough game. Eugene, go ahead. Eugene, go ahead....interrupted me all the time. I won coming. I'm coming. Eugene, go ahead. Eugene, go ahead. Interrupting me all the time. Two points real quick. I think Scott's point is preposterous. When he was D.C. party chair, he would have never accepted somebody voting for somebody that wasn't

in an actual competitive election. The second point is this. Look, we're in the era of gang gang and get down, get down. And so, you know, nobody's going to unilaterally unilaterally disarm themselves. So until we move to a system where we have a true multi-party system, you're still going to have a B choices and which, you know, is going to be essentially lesser people. All right. So, first of all, good job.

Thirty five seconds. Let me say this before I go to the break. And this is very simple. And that is this. We're not talking about, Monica, your hypothetical, somebody who did something 30, 40, 50 years ago. We're not talking about somebody who did something 20 years ago. We're talking about somebody who did something a year ago. We're talking about somebody who what they tried to do, had they been successful, would have completely obliterated this democracy. And what I am saying is that there are some things that rise to that level. And yes, a person of integrity would say, I simply cannot support that. A person with integrity would say, I will do everything I

can to make sure that person does not get my party's nomination. And you know what? It might mean, yes, like some never Trumpers, like the shared Jacobuses of the world and others who have not gotten contracts, who have not gotten hired, who have lost things. But I do believe that there is something that is bigger than a party. And there is something that is bigger, bigger than your one or two issues. And the bottom line is this here. Donald Trump, if he is not held responsible and accountable, and all those around him, if you do not see indictments, if you don't see any of that, I can guarantee you, they will have not been given license to go

further than they did because if a person showed you that that means they will take this thing all the way and I say to any and every Republican and yes if you stand with Donald Trump hell yes

I'm going to call your ass out and I don't want to hear that bullshit about no tax cuts and all the rest of that stuff because you are supporting a grossly immoral and evil man. Got to go to break. We come back. We're going to talk about the federal indictment of Andrew Gillum with 30,000 votes short, Shah becoming governor of Florida. We'll also talk about a case out of Florida where a black man was attacked by two white men and those two got arrested.

We'll talk with his family. You're watching Roland Martin Unfiltered right here on the Black Star Network broadcasted from Atlanta, back in the morning. Verizon just gave us all a brand new iPhone 13. We've been customers for years. I thought new phones were for new customers. We got iPhone 13s to switch to Verizon two minutes ago.

Ours were busted, and we still got a shiny new one. Check it out. So wait, everybody gets the same great deal. I think that's the point. iPhone 13 on us for every customer, current, new, everyone, on any unlimited plan, starting at just $35, all on the network more people rely on. Hit me. Get your freak on. Get your freak on. Get your freak on.

Get your freak on. Get your freak on. On the next A Balanced Life with Dr. Jackie, we're talking all things mental health and how helping others can help you. We all have moments where we have struggles. And on this week's show, our guests demonstrate how helping others can also help you. Why you should never stop giving and serving others on a next A Balanced Life here on Blackstar Network. Love our new Alexa. It's a Buick. Yeah, Alexa. Buick. Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. Coach, that's a Buick. It's an Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. Coach, that's a Buick.

That's an Alexa. The Buick Enclave with available Alexa built in. We're all impacted by the culture, whether we know it or not. From politics to music and entertainment, it's a huge part of our lives. And we're going to talk about it every day right here on the culture with me barraji muhammad only on the black star network how about sushi i just had sushi for lunch yesterday how about tacos automatic emergency braking one of six advanced safety features standard

on every 2022 chevy equx. Find new technology. Find new roads. Chevrolet. Hi, I'm Kim Burrell. Hi, I'm Carl Painting. Hey, everybody. This is Sherri Shepherd. You're watching Roland Martin Unfiltered.

All right, folks. Former Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Florida, Andrew Gillum, has been hit with 21 count indictment in Florida on charges of wire fraud and lying to FBI authorities. Gillum, as well as his longtime associate, Janet Letman Hicks, also faced 21 charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud and making false statements. Now, a U.S. attorney claimed the pair diverted monies received from 2016 to 2018 to a company owned by Littman Hicks before funneling it to Gillum for personal use. This is a statement Gillum put out before charters were made public. I have spent the last 20 years of my life in

public service and continue to fight for the people. Every campaign I've run has been done with integrity. Make no mistake that this case is not legal. It is political. Throughout my career, I've always stood up for the people of Florida and I've spoken truth to power. There's been a target on my back ever since I was the mayor of Tallahassee. Now, the thing that's interesting here is that some of the charges relate to, again, him getting dinner paid for, tickets to a Hamilton Broadway play in Florida, excuse me, in New York. But Scott, his was interesting.

He was fined by the evidence commission, paid the $5,000 fine and continued. So when you look at this, I've already talked to several lawyers who frankly call this flimsy and saying you're going after somebody when literally he's already he paid the fine. And in terms of this whole idea that he did not report these gifts. Yeah, but you got to understand the bifurcation between the Federal Election Commission, which is civil and regulatory. He signed a he paid a fine. We don't know what statements he made to the FEC or what his co-defendant made to the FEC. That's one thing. And then secondly, for the government to go after you, DOJ, which just feels like a kickback scheme, right,

whether he was working or he was receiving some remuneration. He can't be both the candidate as well as the campaign manager. They had a pattern and practice of doing this. It took them years, several months in order to put this case together. And a 21-count indictment means they feel pretty strongly that this wasn't an accident, that they had criminal... they had the mens rea and they had criminal intent in regard to compensating him. And so they'll have a lot to prove.

But I... But I... And I'm sure they'll have a defense, but criminal prosecution is a lot different than the FEC. But, Monique, how is it a kickback when it's your company? 45-count indictment of a state senator in Tennessee turned ultimately into a five-count indictment and then a two-count conviction. It started out at $110,000 wire fraud included in four of the charges. It ended up in $3,500 of her own money. And she ultimately was sentenced with no jail time, that state Senator Katrina Robinson. And what I said yesterday when I found out about this was they do wire fraud when they don't think anything else is going to stick. And maybe

Gillum is right that when it's not legal, it's political. Maybe it is legal and political, as Scott is saying. They don't charge where they don't think that they can get it done. But either way, my bottom line is that this is so just severely and significantly unfortunate for someone with as bright a light, as much talent, as much brilliance as him to have these back-to-back challenges, and this one seemingly more serious than the one before. But they must have a reason that they think it's important to continue to go after him. Well, they just don't like me.

Hold on, Scott. Hold on, Scott. Eugene, it has been a downfall, if you will, for Andrew Gillum. As I said, 30,000 votes short. Then, of course, you had him being found, passed out in a hotel with a male escort. He talked about his going into depression after losing that race. He came out publicly as bisexual. And now you have this. And so, I mean, it has been a very, very rough three years for Andrew Gillum. Yeah, yeah. So just what I've read since the news is broken, I think she's probably in more jeopardy than he is. Of course, as a candidate, everything falls on him.

And this looks to date back to his time as when he was still mayor, the FBI has essentially her not just on tape, but then accepting contributions from, you know, two of their agents and informants with the understanding that, you know, there will be a kickback for them once elected, which is a big no-no. You know, I make it clear to any donors we engage, hey, you know, there's no promises, there's no nothing. You know, nah, uh-uh. But when you're making those type of promises to donors, and those, quote-unquote, donors are technically FBI agents or FBI

informants, you know, and then, you know, you divert that money from going directly to your campaign account, to your personal account. It's a couple, I mean, it's a lot there, but I do think that, you know, and then, you know, you divert that money from going directly to your campaign account, to your personal account. It's a couple, I mean, it's a lot there, but I do think that, you know, she's probably in much more jeopardy than he is. All right, folks, some breaking news out. Scott, go ahead, real quick. But he's the big fish.

Without him, they probably wouldn't have even brought the issue against her. Yeah, I mean, they have the Trump. And this started under a Trump DOJ. This started when his star was still rising. This started when they wanted to stop him. Right. And this is what they did, whether it's him or Marilyn Mosby. And, of course, you're representing Marilyn Mosby in her federal trial as well. Folks, breaking news out of Uvalde, where the school district, they have put the police chief, Pete Arredondo, on administrative leave.

He also, last night, first of all, the leave was effected immediately. And last night, the city council, he was elected to the city council. They voted not to allow him to be able to excuse from meetings and be on sabbatical there as well. And so Arredondo, of course, was the one who was the on-scene commander who made so many fatal mistakes, keeping the cops from going inside of the school where the 19 children were killed, as well as two teachers. And so we will continue to follow this story as we are going to break. We come back talking the case out of Florida that got lots of attention when it went viral. And also we'll hear from the president of Lane College about what he is doing to rebuild, restore, and move from surviving to thriving at HBCU in Tennessee. Folks, if you want to support us in what we do, please let's download the Black Start Network app

available on all platforms, Apple phone, Android phone, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TV. You can also support us in what you do with your resources. It allows us to be able to travel the country. We, of course, I'm here in Atlanta. We're going to be in New Orleans all next week for Essence Festival. We've got, of course, we're covering Jay-Z, Rock Nation's conference in New York next month as well. Cincinnati Music Festival, covering those events. And so check your money order.

You can go to PO Box 57196, Washington, D.C., 20037-0196. Cash app is dollar sign RM unfiltered. PayPal is RMartin unfiltered. Venmo is RM unfiltered. Zelle is Roland at RolandSMartin.com. Roland at RolandMartinUnfiltered.comelle is Rowland at Rowland S Martin dot com. Rowland at Rowland Martin unfiltered dot com. We'll be right back. Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die. Life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.

Go fast to dreams. For when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow. Love our new Alexa. It's a Buick. Yeah, Alexa. Buick. Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. It's a Buick. Yeah, Alexa. Buick. Alexa. It's a Buick.

It's an Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. Coach, that's a Buick. That's an Alexa. The Buick Enclave with available Alexa built in. On a next A Balanced Life with Dr. Jackie, we're talking all things mental health and how helping others can help you. We all have

moments where we have struggles, and on this week's show, our guests demonstrate how helping others can also help you. Why you should never stop giving and serving others on a next A Balanced Life here on Black Star Network.

How about sushi? I just had sushi for lunch yesterday. How about sushi? I just had sushi for lunch yesterday. How about tacos? Automatic emergency braking. One of six advanced safety features standard on every 2022 Chevy Equinox. Find new technology. Find new roads. Chevrolet.

This is DeOlla Riddle, and you're watching Roland Martin, unfiltered. Stay woke. This is Director X, the director of Superfly on the red carpet, or the black carpet, and you're watching Roland Martin Unfiltered. Yo, what up, y'all? This is Jay Ellis, and you're watching Roland Martin Unfiltered.

Hi, I'm Chaley Rose, and you're watching Roland Martin Unfiltered. I'm Lex Scott-Davis, and you are watching Roland Martin Unfiltered. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your boy, Jacob Lattimore, and you're now watching Roland Martin right now. Eee! unfiltered. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your boy Jacob Lattimore, and you're now watching Roland Martin right now.

Eee! Alright, folks, as always, Florida, a video went viral last week. Two black women were hosting a birthday party in a Florida park when a white man decided to just completely act a fool. Watch this.

I need to get my child's face. You need to get out of my face right now. I dare you. Get the camera out. It's recording. Thank you. You're recorded. And this is going to be aired.

And we'll see if you have a job tomorrow. That's great. We'll see if you have a job tomorrow. Yes, I will have a job. We'll see. This is going to get aired and we'll see if you have a job tomorrow. That's great. We'll see if you have a job tomorrow. Yes, I will have a job. We'll see. This is going to get aired. That's great. You do not come in a woman's face and threaten to break her jaw.

You do not threaten to break my jaw. You do not threaten to break my jaw. Get out of her face. Do you understand? Because I have my mace. And it can go really, really bad. Let's call the police right now because you threatened me on camera. Yes.

Yes, you did. Call the police. If my child gets hurt, I am not going to go directly to you. Let's call the police. What are you doing? Call them right now because you're not going to threaten me. Let's go. Siri, call my love.

Call me. Folks, who you saw there, the man is Carl Pookin. You have Farrah Bethal as well as Sonia Tulasnord. They were there. Of course, that man, he was not arrested. The two of them join us right now. Glad to have you all here on Roland Martin Unfiltered. He was talking about his son getting hurt.

What was happening? What was he talking about? What was going on in the park? Right. So we were there for a birthday party and we got there immediately and we looked for benches to put everything down. And as we were putting everything down, you know, the kids are in our view. We tell the kids to go ahead and go play. They immediately run to the slide. Not even 30 to 60 seconds later, they come back to us and tell us, hey, mom, this man is being really mean to us. He's asking us, how old are we? How tall are you? This is to my

son. How much do you weigh? And my son didn't answer. And he was like, well, you need to learn physics. So we went to go figure out what's going on. And so we go over there just to watch the kids play. And we're thinking a big kid is intimidating them. Come to find out it's a grown man intimidating my kids. And we just sit there quietly and watch the kids play. Then he comes over and says, hey, how's it going? And we're like, fine, is everything okay? And then he says, we'll see. So then the kids continue to play.

Then he starts shouting and telling us, hey, you need to tell your kid to watch what he's doing. He almost hit a toddler coming down the slide. Now, just for a little bit of context, there was a toddler in an area designated for kids aged 5 to 12, and the toddler shouldn't have been there, and there was no safety issue. My son was coming down the slide, saw the toddler. The toddler left, and he came down. He kept saying he's trying to stop something before it happened. We then had told him, please address us and not our children.

So one second, one second, one second. So was the toddler his? No, the toddler was not his. No. Okay. So the toddler wasn't his. Were the parents of the toddler around there? Yes.

And that's why I said she came to me. They weren't yelling the custom? No. So basically, he decided to be a rent-a-cop for the whole playground. Yes, exactly. Yes. He decided to be Safety Patrol Carl for the whole playground. Yes, exactly. Yes. He decided to be safety patrol Carl for the whole playground.

So he comes over to my sister's face this close. He could have head-butted her and says, we say, give us six feet. And he comes to her and says, I don't need to give you six feet. And my 12-year-old daughter immediately grabs my phone instinctively and starts recording and catches him on video saying,

I will break your jaw in an effing heartbeat. Calling us classless, trash, animals, transvestites, anything you can imagine. Then says racial terms like everyone's your cousin. And just really demeaning us for no reason. So cops call, they come out, and he doesn't get arrested. What did they say? So at first, you know, they wanted witnesses, and we told them that we had a video camera, and we showed them exactly what happened.

And they advised us that due to a video camera and we showed them exactly what happened. And they advised us that due to a law in Florida, they are unable to arrest him and that they were going to send everything over to the state attorney's office. And then they were going to have to sign off on, you know, arrest or not. And another thing I wanted to mention is that the parks footage validates and confirms our accounts of what happened with him being the aggressor and him approaching us for no reason and threatening bodily harm against us. So apparently something else happened with somebody else and this guy was arrested. Yep. Yep. So I posted this video because I was so mad that he wasn't even arrested because of this Florida law called misdemeanor exception. We were advised by the

police officers that if they don't physically see it, they can't arrest them. They have to send it to the state prosecutors. So I posted my encounter on Facebook and a family reached out to me and said, hey, we've been trying to identify this person who chokeslammed our 15-year-old family member at a movie theater. And when the cops came, he fled so they couldn't find out who he was. So because of my post, I was able to help a family identify who this person was. Wow. And so as a result of that, he was arrested and charged with battery last Friday. And his ex-wife was the one who called.

Yes, his ex-wife is the one who called because she was concerned of the children. The children were in his possession. And his ex-wife is the one who called. Well, we certainly are glad that nothing physically happened to the both of you or your children. But certainly by exposing him, that was important. And I keep saying when he said, I'm not going to lose my job. Well, guess what? You now arrested. And now your name is known nationally for being an aggressive bully. And again, putting your hand on somebody. Yeah, you can get jail time for that.

And so we certainly will see what happens in this case. Anything, any any future action y'all plan on taking against him or or or or you're simply waiting for the state's attorney to make their decision? So we do know that there is a warrant out for his arrest. So we are just awaiting for him to arrest him. A warrant out for his arrest in your case? Correct. Got it. Okay.

Yep. So we just see that, you know, justice is going to be served or the start of justice will be served. And yes, we will be pursuing further action because he threatened us, dehumanized us, he sexualized us as well in front of children. And it just wasn't okay. And he needs to be held accountable for his actions. All right then. Well, I certainly appreciate both of you joining us here

on Roland Martin Unfiltered and certainly let us know what happens next in this case. Thank you. I appreciate it. Eugene, this is the thing, man, that we keep talking about. I mean, damn, Black folks can't even go to the damn park

and not be accosted. It's crazy. It's a wild world, but listen, if he wants to be a tough guy, let him go to jail with the tough guys and let him duke it out with the tough guys in jail. You want to slam kids? All right, let's send

them to county and see if you want to slam anybody. You want to accost women? All right, cool. Send them to county and see if you want to go in there and accost some folk. You want to be a tough guy? Let's go pitch up some real tough guys and see how you act. You know, and Scott, you know, when you look at, you know, these stories, when you look at what happens, keep in mind you had the white guy in Florida who shot and killed Lucy McBath's son, Jordan Davis, over, oh, your music is too loud, then lied and said they pointed a gun at him.

That was never the case. Now he's sitting his behind in prison for a long time. And so it's like, okay, that's what you, I mean, unfortunately, in that case, Davis was shot and killed. But people like this, they've got to be held accountable for literally threatening the lives of black people. Yeah, and they all seem to fit a pattern or practice. They all kind of look similar. They all have these attitudes and hot tempers, but I think they're cowards more than anything because they want to attack those

who are the least, the lost, or the left out, or African American, or women, or young kids. There's someone that they can pick on, if you will, at least perception-wise. And you're absolutely right. There are a lot of them out here and it's based on race, even though it gets complicated because if you're just an asshole, then you can be any color. But no, you couple racism with asininity

and then you have them taking advantage of people or trying to. But we'll tell you that's those two sisters. They wouldn't give it up no ground whatsoever. She'd tell them, I got some mace and it'll go wrong real fast and stuff. But just really weird. And you're like, where does this come from? I mean, why are you jumping on people and arguing with people? You got nothing better to do. And again, they're at the park enjoying themselves. And now white privilege and white asininity begins to invade their space. Just really unfortunate.

But black people, you've got to be on the lookout for it because it's all around us. I keep saying, Monique, there is this entitlement, this idea that we have to step back and get out of the way. and I think back to the movie Rising Sun when the guy they're waiting at a valet and he tells Wesley Snipes to fetch the car and Wesley says wrong fucking man wrong fucking century yes and kudos to Scott

Scott's coming with the big words tonight I'm impressed. Asininity. He said it twice. Listen. Yeah. But I mean, I would pray that a jury would pay attention, right? Maybe better than, than my colleagues tonight, because we can't conclude that the only reason this man attacked those women is because he's a racist or that the only reason he attacked them is because they're black and he's white and it's privilege. It's obvious based on the video that got him arrested that he with a toddler in his hands will use his hand and attack a young white male teen and push him to the ground in a violent

assault. And that didn't have anything to do with white privilege. That didn't have anything to do with racism. That had to do with whatever manner of rage out of control, whatever other issues he has that are leading him to take criminal actions against others. That doesn't mean that he isn't a racist, because I heard what they said about the way, or a sexist for that matter, because of the manner of things that he said. But it's clear to me that this man has a rage problem, an anger problem, a dangerous criminality generally. And I think that that is, and that's why I said it's all of those things, but I said it's not one thing with this person. Also, let me stay in Florida, where a Florida cop is under investigation for punching a black man in the Walgreens employee who would not accept his $20 bill. This officer, Kyle Culver, arrived and asked Edwards to leave the store.

After a short argument, Culver punched and arrested Edwards for obstructing an officer without violence and trespassing after warning. In his arrest report, Culver alleged Edwards clenched his fists. But as you saw, the body cam proves Edwards did nothing to provoke the punch. It's not clear if Culver is still on active duty. I keep saying, I keep saying, y'all, they lie on that police report. And that video contradicts that lie. Automatic firing. I know you disagree with me when I say that, but they has got to go.

Right. No, I'm... You're going to lie on a report. I disagree. You're going to lie on something else. Right. Well, I mean, that is supposed to be when you lie on a government document in that manner, that is supposed to be

an immediate administrative leave that leads to the process of discharge. You have due process rights as a government employee. So it's not an immediate firing, but the process does start for that. But what I was thinking about this was that could have been easily another George Floyd incident. I'm thankful that that man is still alive. I mean, the circumstances are so similar with the question about the presenting of the U.S. tender, the not receiving it. I'm guessing the clerk probably thought that it was counterfeit. It doesn't mean that it was. It just means that it wasn't received. And then here comes the police about something where really

the police do not necessarily need to be called. I don't know what led to them being involved in that, whether the clerk called them or whether it was because the man was upset about it. But either way, that could have been even more devastating than it was. I'm thankful that everybody's still alive. Road cops, Scott. Road cops. They can do whatever the hell they want. Yeah, you're right. Maybe. But I think Nick misses the point here again tonight. Look at the video. Even if you call the police because you have an upset customer and the employee of the company, of the store, calls them, there is no de-escalation here.

He's aggressive. He walks up on him. This citizen, this young man, was arguing with the police and said, don't put your hands on me. And he's upset. Why not ask him to step outside? Why not say, hey, let's talk about it? But no de-escalation is in place there.

He walks up on him. He's trying to put his hands on him. And then he punches him and takes him down. It doesn't even look like the cop even knows all that's going on other than that you have an irate citizen. Well, it's not illegal to be an irate citizen, but now you create a circumstance where you're going to charge him with a minor misdemeanor for disobeying a police order

or whatever the charge was. The police drove that narrative, that negative narrative, they drove the arrest, and that's illegal in and of itself, inappropriate and unlawful, if you will, because it could have been handled completely differently. And Monique is right about one thing. We're lucky

that this kid is alive. We're lucky, because it could have gone south, again, driven by the police negative narrative. Eugene? Look, I'm going to make it very clear. If an officer lies on a report, which is an official document, it should be held in the same regard as perjury.

If I lie on a report, an affidavit, it's perjury. They lie on a report, it it should be perjury, and it should be automatic. I agree. I'm not a supporter of Leo Boer. I think Leo Boer should be wiped out across the country. But, you know, hey, firing and then full perjury charge, get them about the way, you know,

because they have the power to ruin people's lives by lying. Hey, by the way, Roland, if that same gentleman was white, the approach would have been completely different. Completely different. No. No. You think so? Yeah. Yeah. No. Say it ain't so, Scott.

Say it ain't so. Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it, buddy. Let's talk about it. I said, no, we're going to talk about this break. We're going to talk about this break. We're going to talk about this break. We come back. We got Black and Missing. We'll also talk about a couple of other stories here

that I want to get to, including the Daunte Wright settlement. And, of course, we're also here for the president of Lane College in my HBCU Connect segment. Folks, Roland Martin Unfiltered broadcasting live from Atlanta. I'm here for an event for the folks at Acura. Y'all know I'm trying to sign them as a sponsor.

Y'all know I ain't here just to be here. Are you watching the Black Star Network back in a moment? iPhone 13 on us for every customer. Current, new, everyone to show the love how about sushi I just had sushi for lunch yesterday how about tacos automatic emergency braking one of six advanced safety features standard on every 2022 chevy equinox find new technology find new roads chevrolet Next on The Black Table with me, Greg Carr. A very different take on Juneteenth with the one and only Dr. Senada Ahmed. We'll explore the amazing foods, remedies, and rituals that are a part of our history and the Juneteenth holiday.

So it's our responsibility to return the healthier version to our folks instead of just the red liqueurs marketed to us, the red sodas and the other things. I mean, why does the Kool-Aid man have to sound like Louis Armstrong? He's like, oh, yeah! Yeah, right. An enlightening and tasty hour of The Black Table only on the Black Star Network.

Love our new Alexa. It's a Buick. Yeah, Alexa. Buick. Alexa. it's a buick yeah alexa buick alexa it's a buick it's an alexa it's a buick it's an alexa coach that's a buick that's an alexa the buick enclave with available alexa built in i'm deborah owens america's wealth coach and it's time to get wealthy. This economy is going topsy-turvy. What does this mean for recent graduates from college? We're talking with Leilani Brown, author of From Campus to Career. One of the first things that a graduate can do that serves them well is learning how to tell their story.

That's right here on Get wealthy only on black star network. On the next a balancedanced Life with Dr. Jackie, we're talking all things mental health and how helping others can help you. We all have moments where we have struggles. And on this week's show, our guests demonstrate how helping others can also help you. Why you should never stop giving and serving others on a next A Balanced Life here on Blackstar Network. Carl Payne pretended to be Roland Martin. Holla! You are watching Roland Martin

and I'm on his show today and it's... You should have some chew cards! Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your boy Jacob Lattimore and you're now watching Roland Martin right now. Eee! Eee!

Ali Noble has been missing from East St. Louis, Illinois, since June 11th. The 15-year-old is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about Ali should please, please call the Cahokia Heights, Illinois Police Department. 818, sorry, 618-337-9505, 618-337-9505. All right, y'all, Tuesday night, there were elections across the country in Georgia here. Charlie Bailey beat former Atlanta Councilman Kwanza Hall for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. Also, punk-ass Vernon Jones. Yeah, that trifle Donald Trump ass-kissing Republican. He lost, got blown out.

Vernon, don't show your face nowhere in Georgia. He lost, got blown out. Vernon, don't show your face nowhere in Georgia. That's that fool right there. Y'all remember he showed his ass at that debate where he was mad because he didn't get to speak first. And he basically cussed out them folks. That's why he lost 75 to 25.

And so, matter of fact, I posted a comment about him losing. I said on my Instagram page in his campaign, Eugene, you know I had to say this here, Eugene. I said that the campaign party for Vernon Jones last night was a repast. Oh, yeah. I don't care. I don't care.

Matter of fact, I think, Eugene, I think that there are more, I think there are more comments on my Instagram post than Bernie got votes. You might have a point. Look, look, finally his career is dead. You know, you know, maybe CJ Paris is going to find better hobbies at this point. But. Oh, yeah. I forgot Lil' CJ was his campaign manager. Uh-huh.

Uh-huh. But also, it's a big loss for Trump as well. Huge loss for Trump. They thought they were doing something, getting him up the governor's race, having him run for this congressional seat, give him Trump endorsement, and then, you know, get him to the runoff and then, you know, he gets blown out like this. That's a big L on Trump.

Indeed. And let's, in Alabama, y'all know this person, Black. Yolanda Rochelle Flowers won the Democrat nomination for governor in alabama making her the first black person to be nominated by a major party for the governor's seat um i'm sorry excuse me no no no no the uh first african-american woman uh because y'all might

remember uh that sorry ass artur davis uh ran for governor uh and got blown out as well y'all might remember that sorry-ass Artur Davis ran for governor and got blown out as well. Y'all know, as a matter of fact, him and Vernon Jones need to hook up. That's how trifling Artur Davis is. And so Flowers is going to face incumbent Governor Republican Kay Ivey. This will be the first time in Alabama history that two women will fight for the governor's seat. And so that's that's that's a good thing there, Monique, this sister here. Look, Alabama, deep red state. But the bottom line is, hey, you can't win if you don't run. That's right. That's right. And we certainly wish the best for that race. But it's monumental and very important that she would even get the nomination. And so wins in November, it's going to be her third term as mayor.

Ray Grant, the comedian, Ray is actually running as an independent. And so I dropped by his party last night just to say hey to him. And he said that, look, Biles was a candidate they want. Say he's going to be there. Well, we'll see.

Look forward to having both of them on the show. You got to host the debate. I'll be more than happy to host the debate between Mayor Miro Bowser and Red Grant. Not a problem. Let's see if we can make it happen. Folks, Brooklyn City, Minnesota, they're going to pay the family of Daunte Wright $3.25 million for his death. Remember, it was former police officer Kim Potts who killed Dante Wright during a traffic stop. As part of the settlement, the city agreed to change traffic stop policies and implement more training on implicit bias,

weapons confusion, and mental health. Also, a permanent memorial will be built where Wright died. The family released a statement regarding the settlement charges. Nothing can explain or feel the emptiness in our lives without Dante or our continued grief at the senseless way he died. But in his name, we will move forward. It was important to us that his loss be used for positive change in the community, not just for financial settlement for our family. We hope Black families, people of color, and all residents feel safer now in Brooklyn Center. Real quick here, Monique. One of the things that jumps out at me, I look at this case, I look at Breonna Taylor in Louisville. What we're seeing by these lawyers representing these families is not just financial settlements. They are looking for policy changes along with these settlements.

Well, yes, it's the same lawyers representing those families, and they have really bright people who are helping them come up with equitable remedies. And that's what matters, because as I've been saying since a million years ago, when we were in Ferguson, one settlement affects one family and it taxes a city because that's how the settlement gets paid. But when there are equitable remedies at work in the settlement, when you are requiring change to be included, legislative change, policy changes, new provisions that protect the community, then that is doing the work of social engineering. And that's what Thurgood Marshall always preached about us doing. And that is what we're seeing because they could have settled this case a long

time ago. They could have settled the Floyd case well before it was settled. Many of those cases, if they hadn't leaned in to insist upon change, to insist upon change, then it would have taken much longer to get to it. Eugene and Scott also speak to that issue. Eugene, first, again, using these settlements as a way to change public policy? I mean, look, it's a consent decree by a different means. Legislators move slow. State councils move

slow. Settlements can move very, very fast, as the other two actual lawyers here probably can tell you better than I could. And it's a way to force their hands, you know, when they're already on the ropes. But, you know, I just wish a lot of these cities

and police departments understand that, hey, it's literally cheaper just to respect somebody's rights. Scott. But I'm a little concerned. You're on mute, Scott. No, I'm not. Okay, keep talking, keep talking. Okay, I'm a little concerned.

Scott, now you turned yourself off. No, I didn't. Can you see me and hear me now? Yeah, come on with that crooked Wi-Fi. I'm a little concerned that the governments are using these settlements to force early settlements as well as smaller settlements. I think the $3 million is a little light in regard to settlement. I don't know all the terms and all the discussions that took place.

But if a family really needs the money and that could change their life, three million may be a lot for some families. But maybe perhaps if they waited, they would have gotten more. I don't know. I just think the three million is kind of light. And in some of these jurisdictions, governments are tight on the money because they know the families and the lawyers may give in sooner versus waiting them out. All right. Let me thank all three of you all for being on today's show. Thank you so very much, Eugene, Monique, and Scott. That's it for us.

I'm going to go to a break. We come back. We're going to hear from the president of Lane College, laying out his vision for the university and also how what he hears on this show impacts his decision-making. YouTube, while y'all are tripping, we should be at 1,000 likes by now.

Hell, that first conversation, first 50-minute conversation was so far, y'all should have been lighting likes up. So I'm going to go to a break. When I come back, I should be seeing 1,000 likes. This ain't that hard. So hit the like button, y'all. Facebook, same thing.

Like button, share button as well. Again, when we come back, we'll hear from the president of Lane College as we come back right here on Roland Martin. I'm Pilchard from the Black Star Network broadcasting from Atlanta. Back in a moment. Verizon just gave us all a brand new iPhone 13. We've been customers for years.

We got iPhone 13s too. Switched two minutes ago, literally right before this. iPhone 13 on us on any unlimited plan for every customer. With plans starting at just $35. All on the network more people rely on. Love our new Alexa. It's a Buick. Yeah, Alexa.

Buick. Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. It's a Buick. It's an Alexa. Coach, that's a Buick. That's an Alexa.

The Buick Enclave with available Alexa built in. We're all impacted by the culture, whether we know it or not. From politics to music and entertainment, it's a huge part of our lives. And we're going to talk about it every day right here on The Culture with me, Faraji Muhammad, only on the Black Star Network. How about sushi? I just had sushi for lunch yesterday. Whoo! How about tacos?

Automatic emergency braking, one of six advanced safety features standard on every 2022 Chevy Equinox. Find new technology. Find new roads. Chevrolet. On the next A Balanced Life with Dr. Jackie, on every 2022 Chevy Equinox. Find new technology. Find new roads. Chevrolet. On A Next A Balanced Life with Dr. Jackie,

we're talking all things mental health and how helping others can help you. We all have moments where we have struggles, and on this week's show, our guests demonstrate how helping others can also help you. Why you should never stop giving and serving others on A next A Balanced Life

here on Black Star Network. Hey, yo, peace, world. What's going on? It's the love king get your freak on, get your freak on, huh. Hey, yo, peace world. What's going on? It's the love king of R&B, Waheem Devine. Hey, I'm Qubit, the maker of the Qubit Shuffle and the Wham dance. What's going on?

This is Tobias Trevelyan. And if you ready, you are listening to and you are watching Roland the mic unfiltered on the black star network All right, folks, welcome back. Roller Marker Unfiltered on the Black Star Network. I was in Atlanta last week for the UNCF Unite 2022 Summit for Black Higher Education. Had an opportunity to speak to a number of HBCU presidents, and one of them, Lane College, where I gave a commencement speech and got an honorary degree there as well. We had a great conversation with the president. He watches this show, and I was very surprised to hear him talk about, again, listening to this show and how it challenges him to do more at the

university. So we want to play that conversation. And so when this is over, folks, we're going to simply go straight out because I've got to go to this meet and greet with Trombone Shorty, trying to get him on the show as well. So I'm doing double duty here for this event here in Akron. So we're going to play that conversation. So I'm going to give you all an early goodbye. Don't sign off. Watch this conversation.

It's a really powerful conversation. But I will see you all tomorrow from Atlanta as well. So here's my discussion with the president of Lane College. Holla! It's been some time since I've been on Lane's campus after being one of the commencement speakers there.

I had a good time there. Now, when I was there, when I was there, this was... spring of 2014. And it was April shortly after, not shortly after, got really been devastated by the parent alone. When the Obama administration made that shift, I remember having that conversation and the loss of enrollment and how that impacted. So then, of course, COVID hits. And so where are you now in terms of your student body?

Did you recover? Did you go back down? Are you going back up? Where are you now in terms of your student body? Well, at present, we are down. Initially, we lost about 25%. Then we lost about 20%. So the 25% was in the Parent PLUS situation.

Now, the Parent PLUS loan, now, that would have been about a quarter of students at that time. Yeah. Because I remember talking to folks, and they were like, man, that hurt us because I was hitting the administration hard for that because the timing of that was like right before that fall semester and schools were scrambling. Yeah, no, it was a particularly hard hit for our institution and for our parents. And as you well know, we've got hardworking parents that have worked to send their students to college. And often, you know, they started out with children as young parents. And then about the time that their child was ready to go to college, that child was no longer eligible for Pell Grants and some of the other need-based aid, SEOG grants, even work-study.

They had accumulated a home. They had a couple promotions in their jobs, and so they were no longer eligible for need-based aid. These were also families that the income level of a family did not allow for them to set aside funds for their kids as they were growing up and preparing to go to college. And so the time that the student was ready to go to college and ready for an investment, the expected family contribution was significant, which the parents were not liquid for those funds.

They weren't liquid for $,000, 20,000 additional dollars for each student that they have in school. So the Parent PLUS Loan and student loans is one of the ways that students are and families are able to afford to send their students to higher education. And so that was a particularly difficult hit for our institution, for our parents. And at the time, it was a bit of a blind sign. And again, as I'm often trying to explain to people, when you talk about losing a quarter of your students, you're losing a quarter of your revenue that comes with those students. Well, now listen, so I don't mean to be preachy, but we are a tuition-driven institution. Right.

As a business. And when we say tuition-driven, people who are watching, we're talking about, what, 90%? I mean, you were talking about... Absolutely. I mean, if you lose tuition, you're literally losing the ability to run your university. Absolutely. We are we are like we're in the business of education.

So our education is what we do. It's what we deliver. It's our promise to the state of Tennessee, to the United States of America, to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, that we're going to educate, educate the student, develop the whole student. We're in that business. But we are also a business. We are a small business. And we're a small business that's selling education. And we must get students enrolled and must get their financial aid to follow them to be able to afford to operate. I am quick to say that we operate an institution on Pell Grants and student loans. In any given year, Lane College will have the highest percent of Pell-eligible students of any institution in the state of Tennessee, period.

And that means, so we're talking about you're serving low-income students. 80% to 90% of our students will be Pell eligible. 99% of our students will receive some sort of, and as I tease and say, real financial aid. We'll have anywhere from 40% to 60% of our students will be first-time, first-generation students. One of my great commencement stories, I had a student lining up for commencement. I'd known this kid, I don't know, I guess it was my second or third

year. So I'd known him two or three years. And he says to me, lining up for commencement, he said, I am the first in my family in three generations to graduate from high school. Wow. Not college. High school. High school. Three generations. Three generations. First ever in college. That's 60 years. Absolutely. That's our place in society. I mean, oftentimes, and I'm changing the subject here, but I mean, when we talk about we punch above our weight, that's the kind of thing we're talking about. We're talking about we're reaching out and educating students, providing them opportunity to be educated, that students from families, that it will absolutely have a generational impact. As you discovered in the commencement exercise that you participated in, I was, during the time that you spoke, I had been recently invited to interview to serve as president.

Oh, really? And so I thought, well, let me get to know the college. Right. And so it was a Sunday afternoon. I said, I, let me get to know the college. Right. And so it was a Sunday afternoon. I said, I'll just drive over. I'll just sneak in, and I will take a look at how they do their commencement. And I get there. And none other than Roland Martin is the commencement speaker.

I'd never seen. Now, I spent many years at Texas Christian University, Texas A&M University. You know where I'm going. I've never seen a commencement speaker like a Roland Martin. Look, I mean, you, I don't know, as soon as you got crunked, you got turnt, you turnt it up. Well, look, first of all, here's my fundamental problem with commencement. First, when I did the Grambling commencement, so the president, he goes, this is a solemn occasion, so can we hold the noise down? And I was like, oh damn, solemn occasion, so can we hold the noise down? And I was like, oh damn, solemn occasion? I'm like, no, commencements are supposed to be rowdy. They supposed, I mean, so when he did that,

I walked, I was like, look, man, I said, listen. I said, hey, I ain't, I said, I appreciate the, I appreciate, you know, the symphonic music and that boring, you know, that graduation song. Marge! I said, man, look, I came here for a black band. I came here for an HBCU sound. So I took this band, y'all got 60 seconds to crank it up.

And as a matter of fact, so Lemoyne, same thing. They had the brother, he was playing the piano, was the pomp and circumstance. I was like, I need the piano with the pomp and circumstance. I was like I need the black version of pomp and circumstance I need you to put the Billy Preston Spin on it. So that's why at Lane graduation I was like I'd been ain't here and then the choir was singing. I was like man they singing these choral songs And and what happened was the choir director was also the choir director

at New Olivet in Memphis. Uh-huh, yes. I've done seven or eight years Pastor Whalum's, I've done his men's month. So I was sitting there, I was on stage. I know you.

I said, hold up. I said, man, that choir director looked familiar. I said, hold up, I said, man, that quadrat can look familiar. I said, hold up, that's the brother that knew Olivette. So I walked up, I was like, look, I'm going to give you a cue. Y'all going to have to sing a gospel song. And they did. I said, I am not trying to sit here and keep hearing this.

This is a black school. I said, I appreciate all that choral music. Y'all going to have to sing a gospel song. And that's what happened. I got no problem because here's my philosophy. I tell everybody, the commencement speaker has rights no one else has. When you get up on that microphone, you got it. It's yours. President, everybody sit back there. It's yours. there is yours you do what you do and here's the deal anybody got a problem then look they deal with it later but at that point because I just for me I just believe the students

should have an experience that they'll never forget and it's not one of those just forgettable I was bored they played the music we walked across that. No, no, no, we bought that. We bought to turn it up in here Yeah, you did Now you talking all that noise like you I mean it was like almost sound like you would you were having like a rap party Or something, but no, let's let's be let's be serious You got turn you got the students fired up Then you delivered you delivered a message

let's be clear I'm going to do the speech I'm going to do that now I'm good there it's the other stuff I'm telling you it literally drives me crazy when I do these graduations

because I'm on stage and I'm like speaking to everybody, you know, and all this sort of stuff. Yes, you were. Take a selfie. Everybody at home. I'm like, why y'all so damn serious? Everybody's sitting on the stage. I mean, everybody like, oh, Lord.

Roland Martin is, he's got his camera out. Students got their cameras out. I don't understand. Like, seriously, it bothers me because, again, man, you've been praying for this day. You've been praying. You've been saving money. You've been, I mean, it's been a struggle for a lot of parents. I'm like, no, man, this thing got, I said, this got to be a party.

You got to be, you got to feel it. So that's all, like I say, whether I've done South Carolina State, we cranked it up. They were stepping in the aisles and they were going, people like, what the hell? I was like, look, man, I said, look, we. We cranked it up. They were stepping in the aisles, and they were going. People were like, what the hell? I was like, look, man. I said, look, we're going to enjoy ourselves here. It was a party. That's just my philosophy.

That's my philosophy. Plus, I want to make a hard-on that speaker the next year. Well, you did. I was inviting the speaker the next year. I was like, well. Okay. See, I want that president to go, dang. Yeah, it was rough.

I don't know what I'm going to have to do next year. Yeah, you put it on me. I want to. You put the pressure on. There you go. There you go. Matter of fact, Freddie Haynes did. I think he did.

He called me. He said, they told me you were here two years ago. I was like, yeah, you're going to have to deliver. I said, yeah, you're going to have to do something with that graduation. I said, uh-uh. Because then the other students would be like, I've had presidents say, man, you've got my juniors all on my behind now. They're ready now. Who we going to have? I said, that's all. I said, do it. So I look, I always enjoy them. But absolutely, they got to be, they are celebrations. They are not serious affairs. That's my whole deal with you.

Well, listen, I don't know how long I have, but I want to say thank you. And I want to thank you for being our voice, for speaking on our behalf. I listen to you nightly. I don't always agree with your rants. I mean, you got to be wrong sometimes. Well, I do. Even brother to brother. But I appreciate the authenticity to your voice.

I appreciate the depth of thought. I appreciate your boldness and your fearlessness in bringing forth the relevant issues of the day for our community. And I say thank you. I appreciate it. I get to listen to you nightly. Look, the way I get, the way you see me at that commencement, as the way I'm on the show, as the way I'm in person, I just think that we're now operating in a moment where no matter what space we're in,

we have to be looking at our black institution, I think, totally different. I thank you for your critiques. You give some critiques that make me feel uncomfortable as a proper Negro running an institution.

There's some critiques of institutions that I just go, okay, I got to deal with that. You know, as I'm relaxing, at the end of the day and I'm relaxing, then I got to get tense again because I'm listening to Roland Martin. Well, this is what I say. I say that if you're looking for to feel comfortable, if you're looking for somebody who can pray with you, who can advise you, call my wife. She's an ordained minister. She'll lay hands on you.

She'll offer advice and counsel. She'll life coach. I said, so God has given her a spirit of comfort. I said, God gave me a spirit of discomfort. My job is to make folk uncomfortable. I call it, we call it the butt dance. When I was on television, I said, when I'm debating somebody and you start seeing them like moving, I said, that's called a butt dance. I want to make it uncomfortable because I think where we are, and when I talk about our black institutions, I'm talking about not just HBCUs.

I'm talking about black media. Yeah, the black media. You really helped me to understand the black media folks. I'm talking about all of our institutions. Because I go back to what Dr. King wrote in Where Do We Go From Here, KSO Community. And he said there are four institutions that are positioned to liberate black people. The Negro church, the Negro press, Negro fraternities and sororities, and Negro professional organizations. But this is the line that stood out.

He said, none of them have fully committed themselves to black liberation. Wow. And so that one passage just sticks with me. And what he said about the Negro press was, he said, the Negro press must always maintain its militancy and not fall for the conservative. And that stands out. And I think that what happens is sometimes we want to adjust and shift and we want to keep want to make we want to keep making them

comfortable yeah and keep making ourselves comfortable when in fact we've got to we've got to be constantly pushing and challenging and prodding and go further and take more risk and to do more and and that's just sort of how I've always seen it just that that we have to have those disruptors who are just not comfortable being where we are, that we can actually, or as I say, always, always say, I want us, I'm tired of us having survive conversations. I want thrive conversations. Absolutely.

And that's really what I'm constantly trying to achieve. Yeah. And that's really what I'm constantly trying to achieve. Yeah, and I heard that in your message. The piece, when you did that kind of master class on Black News Channel and just kind of walked us through, you know, how it was set up and how it was funded and the wonderful personalities that they have, but the fault lines and the challenges, I mean, you really helped me to understand media. But then also, you know, I can't look at you, offer a critique of black media without turning the lens to what I'm doing at Lane College and think, okay, so, all right.

So, you know, how am I funded? You know, how am I treated? How are my people treated? How are we treating these students, educating, how are we treating this customer, lifting this person up? How are we setting these persons up for success? What are we, what's our value to the greater community?

You know, for me, I'm reinterpreting those conversations. Because they apply across the board. It absolutely does. And that's why I've got a few people who have been a little bit upset with me, with my critique of HBCUs when it comes to sports and media rights deals. And my whole deal has been, do you have expertise at the table who are negotiating the best deals? Yeah. Do you have people who know how these things work?

You might have a general counsel. Yeah. But are they an expert in this area? Because I fundamentally believe that we are totally not maximizing our potential. I agree with you. I agree 100%. And we're not selling the collective. I agree 100%.

King said the same thing. April 3rd, 68, Mason Temple. MLK says black people individually are poor, but collectively we're one of the largest economies in the world. Absolutely. So what is happening is, again, so this is just how I think from a, so what conference? SIAC. Okay. So you might have schools that are trying to do individual deals, but you're too small. Right. But how many conference schools in SIAC? of 16. Yes. So if they're now selling 16, but not 16 sports, 16 cultures, 16 student bodies, 16 alumni, 16 cities with black population.

Now all of a sudden, when you go out, you're selling that. You're not selling how many people are actually watching a sports program and so When we start realizing the power of the collective not the individual And all of a sudden when all of us can get paid all of us can grow Absolutely that changes the game. Yeah, and if you think about if you think about the conferences and start to think about what we could do together in Collaboration if we were innovative about the conferences and started to think about what we could do together in collaboration if we were innovative.

I mean, you had SIAC, SWAG, the MEAC, CIAA, the Gulf Star. I mean, you started to think about those conferences coming together, doing a basketball tournament, doing a football championship, doing a baseball championship, doing a volleyball championship. Doing a massive academic competition. Doing a massive HBCU. See, again, though, see, that's going from the singular to the collective, and now how are you now selling, promoting, and marketing collective? That's really, so it's this.

Many of us in metropolitan areas. There you go. And again, what we're doing is we're only thinking about our schools versus where for me, I think student body, alumni, external population. So now, if I'm selling that, now if I got those three elements of one school, now multiplied by 16, now multiplied by four or five conferences, now all of a sudden my dynamic is totally different. And so that's part of how for me using the show to force us to see and think differently and be more creative to maximize what we have because literally it, this, and I get why

we do it. Black people have made the most out of the little that we've been given. Absolutely. My grandfather would sit here, all the family would gather on Sundays. We would have gumbos. And look, it's 56 people in the house. They had eight kids. Each one of their kids had at least five kids.

So my grandparents had 42 grandkids, like 80 great-grandkids, like 130 great-great. So we all, big people gather with nothing. So it'd be two chickens in that gumbo pot, you had some meat in that pot. And this is what I said, I said well how about one day if we're not talking about how he took two chickens in a gumbo pot and we each had a little meat in our bowl, but how about we had a conversation and we had eight chickens? Yes, sir. So for me, that's where I want us to go, where we're having thriving conversations. Well, and thriving, and I think also we have to a bit get out of our way. So one of the challenging conversations that happens sometimes is so there is conversations about, you know, how do we educate low income?

How do we educate low-income? How do we educate first-generation students? There will be some grant competition. Some major funder will fund some major department at some major Research I institution to study that. And I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Right, right. Whoa. There are 102 of us.

That's what we major in. Right. That's what we're experts in. That's what we do. If you want to know how to do that, come sit at our feet and let's chat about this. Right. Don't spend money to study it. You don't have to spend it.

Spend money where we're doing it. Absolutely. study it. You don't have to. Spend money where we're doing it. Make the investment here and you will see an immediate return on your investment. Every time we get into a political season and folks are making major contributions to politicians,

I say, well, you know, at least half of y'all are going to spend your money on the wrong person. Somebody's going to lose. Somebody's going to lose. at least half of y'all are going to spend your money on the wrong person. Right. Because. Somebody's going to lose. Somebody's going to lose. At least half of you. You can make an investment in Lane College. You make an investment in an HBCU.

It is a guaranteed return. Right. It's a guaranteed return on the least of these. Mm-hmm. On these persons who in some instances society has given up on educating. And we bring that student in, and four years later, we send them to medical school, and four years later, we send them into professions.

Four years later, they're becoming the head of their house. They're leading our communities. We take those dollars, do more with those dollars... Well, then I would say, I mean, I might pick on our politicians. I'm on the Roland Martin show. Take those dollars, do more with those dollars. Well, then I would say, I mean, I might pick on our politicians. I'm on the Roland Martin show. Many of our politicians would do because we're going to give you a direct return on your dollar. But also what you're saying, though, and this is because I've had to explain this to people. I'll have folks who will say,

man, if our black entertainers would just give. I said, no, no, no. I said, you trying to get a handful to give a million. I said, when you look at Bernie Sanders, when he ran others, his average donation was $27. Absolutely. I said, again, collective. If you got 1,000 people giving. look, I've experienced it with my show. In 2020, COVID hit, advertising dried up,

and people were not doing deals. They were putting it off. My donors, my fan base that year gave $620,000, $672,000. Wow. 2021, Fanbase gave $827,000. This was a collection of a dollar cash app, $5 money order. Most of them were $50 donations. There were some people, like one brother, he said, man, look, I heard you building your app. I'm tired of YouTube buffering. Here's $5,000.

But someone else gave $5,000. I appreciate the $5,000 and the $5,000 the same way. But collectively, it was $800,000 plus. That is what allowed us to buy new equipment, new studio, new lighting. Get a nice set. I love the set. That's a good set. But to your point, when you see it, that kid who said, I'm the first in three generations, then that's why I openly share that and show, hey, this is $60,000. This is $20,000. Because I want them to see what it costs.

And then when we get it, then when they see what we're doing with it, like, oh, man, my donation went somewhere that served a purpose. So that's really sort of the exact same thing. What you're saying is, yo, you give $25, you give $50, you're going to see that return. Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, keep swinging. I look forward to being back on campus. We'll got to have you back. I need to get some swag because I only wear

swag on my show to schools that I've been to. Listen. It's on the way. Here's what I got. I got my stole, but I don't think they sent the honorary degree.

You know what happened? Here's what happened. It's a funny story. Straight up. So they gave me a Tumi leather backpack. They gave me a Tumi leather backpack. And it was some other stuff that was in it. That's been our gift, yes. All right. So what happened was, for some reason.

It didn't get in the backpack. No, no, no. I don't think it got in the backpack. It didn't get in the backpack. Because I've been looking for it. I got the stole. And I've been like, I cannot find this degree. But what happened was, the thing got sent to got sent to see one of my colleagues standing right here

It got sent to Chicago But then for some reason then my staff No, it got sent to Chicago then for some reason it got sent back To Lane so they were texting me like, did you get it? I was like, yo, we ain't got no package. There was no tracking number. It was actually sitting in the president's office. They had no idea.

It was like four months later, they called us. They said, this box been sitting here. And then they- My CFO, my vice president of academic affairs is right here right now. Darrell Coleman, we will get you your honorary degree. It was the funniest thing because they kept calling. I was like, where the bag? And then finally they were like, no, we sent it.

And we were like, yo, it showed up. We have no idea where it went. Somebody walking around with your degree. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It ended up sending it back to Lane, and no one at Lane knew. And then one day somebody called. They said, we were in the president's office. That was a box.

We opened it up. Your backpack and the award was in the backpack. It was hot. hot out it was the crazy fight that was no we cuz it don't y'all sin it must they sent it to me it's supposed to be in DC my staff at Chicago we had a nose that it got picked up but if I delivered there was not like we literally had it got picked up on this date this time but there was no number like we literally had, it got picked up on this date this time, but there was no number, nothing. We couldn't find it, but somehow they sent it back to Lane and it was sitting in a, it was like in the corner for like three months. Then we got a call. They

were like, oh, we just came across this box. Here it is. It was, it was, it was unbelievable. You will get another box with your swag in it. Cause I have, Because I have. And when we get out there, I'll get your sweatshirt signed. All right, because in my studio, I have on my wall all the honorary degrees. I have six. I have three up. So I have the stole in my house that's hanging.

And I'm like, I need to get. I told my staff, I said, call Lemoine. I said, call Lemoine and call Lane. I said, and call South Carolina State. Those are the three that are missing. I got the stones of Lane and Stillman. And I was like, where is the doggone degree? The staff was like, I don't know.

So we're going to make that happen. And so we do that. I'm going to get it boxed. And I have a whole wall in my studio with all the degrees. And that Lane honorary degree will be there. I love it. All right. I appreciate it.

Thank you. Continue good luck. Hey, man. God bless you. Likewise. Thank you. Thank you. This is an iHeart Podcast.