Black Headline News

Black Headline News

Listen to news executives Cheryl Smith, Brigitte Jones and Julia Ann Dudley Najieb as they discuss national issues with commentary. Visit the BHN Talk Radio current episodes here.

Episodes

May 11, 2026 85 mins
BREAKING:  An alleged cyberattack involving “unauthorized activity” on Canvas -- an education platform widely used by universities and schools across the United States -- caused the site to temporarily shut down on Thursday, officials said.

The company said it confirmed that an unauthorized actor carried out the activity by “exploiting an issue related to our Free-For-Teacher accounts.”

As the Louisiana state Senate debated what the ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In this episode, news hosts discuss in detail the issues with the recent ruling in Louisiana in regards to the Voting Rights Act; new movie, 'Michael(2026)' has mixed reviews but overall excellent; students at South Carolina State University protest graduation speaker who is a part of the MAGA Movement, while some call to defund the college as a result.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
News hosts explore the surprise tornado weather in California, and the mediocre weather in Texas, White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, Sarah's Oil movie, President Donald Trump has resurrected his public rebuke of former President Barack Obama, reparations argument revisited in 3 minutes, and California's unique way of connecting to nonprofits throughout the state.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
BREAKING NEWS:
On April 15, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited a prayer during a Pentagon service that was an adapted version of the fictional "Ezekiel 25:17" monologue from the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. Hegseth, referring to it as the "CSAR 25:17" prayer, used the adapted quote—famously delivered by Samuel L. Jackson—to describe a military rescue mission.

(Capital B) Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who was the ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Breaking:  Over 100 Nigerian civilians were accidentally killed, according to the local government.Afrika Bambaataa, the rapper and producer who helped create and bring hip-hop and electronic music to the world with songs such as "Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat," has died. He was 68 years old.  He carries with him the past of sexual abuse allegations, according to a former member of the group.Trick Daddy’s performan...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Applause erupted in the UN General Assembly Hall on Wednesday as Member States adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity.  The resolution spearheaded by Ghana received 123 votes in favor.  Three countries – Argentina, Israel and the United States – voted against and 52 abstained.  

“No Kings” demonstrations took place across the nation today, with crowds in major cities, suburbs ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
(The Wrap) California, New York and six other attorneys general filed an emergency motion to block the recently approved Nexstar-Tegna merger. The FCC’s media bureau approved Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of rival TV station owner Tegna on Thursday.

(Capital B) Angelica Johnson is forced to recount the images and sounds of her son, Da’Quain Johnson, being attacked by a police K-9 dog and being shot three times by police last mo...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
FAMU students not happy with secret agreement between their college and ICE without prior notification.

Ryan Coogler's 2025 movie, Sinners, wins four Oscar, along with other Academy Award winners and historical firsts on his production team.

Savannah, Georgia has a first, Black Ms. St. Patrick's Day.

The special election to fill former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's vacant House seat in Georgia's solidly red 14th Congressional District...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
TSA workers not paid due to partial government shutdown causes shortage and long lines at airports.

Dudley Najieb, Cheryl Smith and Brigitte Jones, the news hosts discuss breaking news, how TSA and The Department of Homeland Security workers are not getting paid due to the partial government shutdown, nine tornadoes hit several states, and "End Times" talk from commanders regarding the Iran war is problematic and a primary election ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In this episode of the Black Headline News Talk Radio Show, with host, Julia Dudley Najieb, Cheryl Smith and Brigitte Jones, special guest, Kendra Noel Lewis, chair of the California Democratic Party Black Caucus, reveals the current state of the California political landscape and its powerful Black vote.

As Governor Gavin Newsom proceeds on his book tour in key states in the South and throughout the nation, the show hosts and guest...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
On February 24, 2026, President Donald J. Trump gave his US State of the Union Speech; unfortunately, there were more inconsistencies in the information presented than what was factual.

Listen to a review of key statements made during the speech that may have been exaggerated misrepresented, true or completely false during the speech.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
The show is hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones.

BREAKING: (FOX) Labor Department deploys ‘strike team’ to California over $21B unemployment debt, fraud concerns: The Labor Department deployed a "strike team" to California to address federal findings of improper payments and alleged fraud within the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) program.

California has been found to have a depleted UI...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
The show is hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones.

BREAKING: Starting with a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, this episode covers: Is the SAVE America Act the new 'Jim Crow 2.0'? DHS Shutdown begins ... redistricting scheme backfiring ...

Black History Month Spotlight: In 2022, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew (Hands-On Preservation Experience; http://www.saving...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In this episode:  Julia Dudley Najieb and Cherly Smith start with the breaking news regarding the Obamas being depicted as apes in President Trump's delete Truth Social post.  The other breaking news deals with the Apple Music Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny controversy over his all-Spanish speaking performance.

Black History Month Spotlight:  Black colleges in Atlanta, GA

Elections:  Trump calls to nationalize electi...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
BREAKING:  Independent journalist Georgia Fort, former CNN anchor Don Lemon, and activists Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi were arrested at the end of January concerning a protest at a church location.

Black History Month Spotlight: HBCUs in Nashville, TN 

Election & Politics: Texas upset from special election could interfere with bigger plans in the Senate for Republicans: Democrat Taylor ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In this episode of BHN Talk Radio, Julia Dudley Najieb, Brigitte Jones and Cheryl Smith start with the breaking news of the winter storm that affected millions of people throughout the United States; over 11,500 flights were cancelled.  The hosts then connected the conversation with Dr. John Ahn from the previous episode who talked about the reason for the boost in natural disasters.

Other news items discussed:

Death Penalty on the R...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This episode of the Black Headline News Talk Radio Show with news publisher hosts Julia Dudley Najieb, Brigitte Jones and Cheryl Smith features special guest, Dr. John Ahn.

Dr. John Ahn, PhD, MBA, is a distinguished professional recognized for building pathways between cutting-edge research and commercial impact. With multidisciplinary expertise in chemistry, life sciences, engineering, and venture development, Dr. Ahn drives sustai...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Today's episode of Black Headline News Talk Radio Show: Hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones, today's show includes the following topics: Fraud allegations blocked for nowNBC News: A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration cannot block federal money for child care subsidies and other programs aimed at supporting needy children and their families from flowing...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
The Black Headline News Talk Radio Show team hosted a special three-hour radio show broadcast to review the most influential news stories of the year: the government shutdown, the Department of Education shutdown, the redistricting battles, the Charlie Kirk memorializing controversy, and Black women candidates running for higher offices.

Hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones, encores of the ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices