The YBF Podcast

Natasha says not enough black people are talking about climate change, so she tapped in the co-writer of the unnecessarily controversial Green New Deal, Yale grad, Rhodes Scholar & Director of Climate Policy at the Roosevelt Institute, Rhiana Gunn Wright, to talk about ALL the things. Climate Change affects systemic racism, our health, our rent, cancer possibilities based on where we live - basically our everyday lives, and it's not just about cow farts.  There's a reason certain folks don't care about making the environment more livable - because climate change disproportionately negatively affects people of color.  Rhiana and Natasha talk a little Real Housewives, a little Green New Deal drama, why allergies & asthma won't let us LIVE, why we deserve checks from a climate stimulus and they give the blueprint to everything you need to know about climate policy. Catch up with Rhiana on Twitter & Instagram! https://twitter.com/rgunns https://www.instagram.com/rgunner/  

The Collective PAC is everything we need - a candidate incubator and candidate one-stop-support-shop all in one.  When folks say "I don't know any black candidates running for office," they can look no further than The Collective Political Action Committee. Founder Stephanie James Brown chops it up with Natasha about co-founding this necessary org with her husband back in 2016 to put more black candidates in office on all levels who have respect for people's needs. From superstars like Cory Booker, Jamie Harrison, Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush to newbies you need to know like Dr. Cameron Webb, Lauren Underwood, and Jamaal Bowden - they've got the run down on who's standing for what and how to donate to their campaigns.  The Collective has doubled their fundraising for these black candidates from last election to now - to the tune of over $12M.  So yeah, it's legit. They find amazing candidates who aren't necessarily handpicked by the establishment and give them the spotlight they deserve.  Did you know over 90% of District Attorneys are white men?  Yeah, so if you feel certain laws are anti-black, let's elect DA's and state Supreme Court Justices who can change them (Staci Williams for Supreme Court of Texas, Place 7 is one you should know). You've got less than two days to get your ballots in, so The Collective PAC has the cheat sheet you need.  Plus, Stephanie dishes on how we, too, could meet our future BAE working and doing our civic duty in politics.  Her & Quentin's Obama-esque love story is one for the books! READ UP ON THE CANDIDATES & DONATE: https://collectivepac.org/ https://www.facebook.com/thecollectivepac https://www.instagram.com/collectivepac/  

You could have amazing progressive candidates in your State Legislature, but if Democrats don't have the majority, the ish YOU want passed or protected...isn't going to see the light of day. Natasha sits down with Ronetta Francis, the Democratic candidate for the Arkansas State Senate, representing District 1, to explain why it's all a numbers game. Arkansas may be the deep red south, but there's far more progressives than folks think in the state.  So it's imperative that Dems simply have the numbers to influence policy, and the majority to actually get it pushed through.  It's only a red state as long as you allow Republicans to vote in their candidates more than you vote in yours.  If we want to protect Roe v. Wade now that the Supreme Court will likely get rid of it, vote in STATE legislators like Ronetta Francis who will make laws to STILL protect it in Arkansas. What else does Arkansas need?  What we ALL need.  Rent relief, gender wage gap closure, black unemployment gap closed, greener environment, and how all of these things affect health and wellness - one of her top priorities for a state whose incumbent state Senator says "It's not the government's job to solve problems." The employment attorney and senior Ethics and Compliance executive with decades of experience explains why women - esp. black women - are the cheat code to getting ish done in politics. (Hint: We think about EVERYTHING and EVERYONE, not just ourselves, to create the best policies.) SHARE HER PAGE & SPREAD THE WORD.  VOTE BY NOVEMBER 3rd! https://ronettafrancis.org/ https://www.facebook.com/RonettaForArkansas  

We love a potential history making moment, especially when it's a black woman on the forefront who is about to do so. She's even got President Obama's endorsement! Texas is a notoriously red state, and this election, it's now officially a battleground state with the potential to go blue for the first time in over 40 years in the Presidential election AND the State Legislature! Meet Keke Williams, the fearless & fab chick who's taking on the establishment in one of the most establishment-loving states in America - Texas. The military vet, wife and mom (and high key YBF fan) is the Democratic candidate for Texas State House, District 54.  And if she wins, she'll become the first black woman military veteran in the Texas State House of Representatives.  This is MAD important, as her district encompasses the largest military base in America - Fort Hood. Keke and Natasha talk about how she will handle the extremely alarming number of cases of sexual assault and murders of soldiers on military bases, including Fort Hood, what she has already done in the Vanessa Guillen case that garnered national attention, why her non-military & Republican opponent has held the position for so long due to his family's name and pull, why she is the perfect candidate to represent a heavily black & brown and military district, and why Americans with Disabilities are one of her top priorities.  Oh, and she names which "Real Housewives" would make for a perfect running mate if she needed one. Flipping state congresses blue is one MAJOR way to combat a super conservative Supreme Court & U.S. Senate.  We're giving you the keys to why and how.   DONATE TO KEKE AND/OR SHARE HER CAMPAIGN: https://kekefortexas.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kekefortexas/      

Helena Andrews-Dyer has BEEN slaying this writing game.  She's the Senior Pop Culture reporter for The Washington Post and just released her second book (out today!) Reclaiming Her Time: The Power of Maxine Waters that she co-wrote with pop culture writer R. Eric Thomas. Helena - who's also author of Bitch is the New Black - and Natasha  chop it up about everything ambitious and successful YBF chicks are going through right now.  Going through and still slaying, too.  They talk about the inspiration behind giving or fave never scared Auntie Congresswoman Maxine Waters ALL her things while we can, marriage (Maxine's and Helena's), what Michelle Obama told Helena about how to have a successful marriage, Meg Thee Stallion, Cardi B., motherhood while being a BOSS and more.  We've included some main points starting around the 30 min mark you need to hear: What could Kamala Harris could learn from Maxine Waters from the book How Maxine Waters bursts into meetings on Capitol Hill when men in power "accidentally" forget to invite her What Auntie Maxine would tell Cardi B and Meg The Stallion about navigating the world Auntie Maxine's love of hip-hop culture (and yes, she is a true Cali girl who loves her some Tupac).  Husbands who are super supportive and not intimidated still exist - Helena's and Maxine's husbands are examples The best marital advice Helena received from Former First Lady Michelle Obama

It's been three hundred years - ok, a long several hundred days - of the 2020 Presidential campaign.  And the rhetoric hasn't changed amongst some folks. "What will Biden & Harris do for Black people?" "Why are Black men being left out and not catered to like Black women are?" "Trump and Biden are the same." "No one has earned the Black vote." It's become clear many people simply haven't read the very much in depth Biden-Harris platform on JoeBiden.com. Since many do have time to repeat rhetoric developed by the Trump campaign, Symone D. Sanders, the Biden campaign's Senior Advisor, is offering up the rhetoric that is based in fact.  She's breaking down the points YOU NEED TO KNOW about the Build Back Better plan that directly help lack America where Trump's Platinum Plan remains vague and unreliable. You can no longer say you "don't know how" Biden & Harris will help Black America after listening to this.  Agree or disagree with the plan, but at least KNOW the plan. Vote early.  Vote NOW.  Election DEADLINE is Nov. 3rd.  Election DAY is now.  Visit TheYBF.com for all entertainment news and more from YBF POLITICS!

Natasha chops it up with Emerge President A'shanti Gholar about creating the candidates we NEED, instead of us just accepting the candidates hand picked by party establishments.   Just because you want better candidates that better reflect what you stand for doesn't mean you just don't participate in this election.  But we're all about preparing for the future and the now, too.   Candidate incubators, like Emerge, have been grooming relatable, amazing people in communities - who don't come into this as "politicians" - for high positions in government as well as local positions.  And they've been super successful on the progressive front getting their well prepped candidates elected in droves - like Ayanna Pressley and Lucy McBath.   2020 is on par to have several more EMERGE candidates, now in the hundreds total, on ballots and winning.  It's a whole movement and it's impressive AF.   Follow her on Instagram and Emerge on Insta too.

  Can VP nominee Kamala Harris move past her controversial record as Attorney General?  IS it that controversial, really?  Or are we seeing a misinformation and skewed information campaign like 2016 all over again?  Which specific policies in Joe Biden's plan ACTUALLY help black America - the black business owners, parents and more? We also talk about his plan for free community college and extending that to colleges and universities for some, since we know education is one of the barriers to closing the wealth gap. How DID Kanye West end up getting on the Presidential ballot in Tennessee? And with the help of a member of one of the Democratic royal families?! We're breaking it all down with one of the people who has actual power to change things that affect your everyday life - a State Senator. Since folks seem to sleep on state politicians, we've got yet another example of how THEY are the real MVPs when it comes to the mask mandates, Covid policies for you AND your kids (hello, back-to-school rules!), criminal justice reform in the form of restoring voting rights for ex-felons in the state, saving the voting rights of those arrested for protesting and plenty more. Watch Natasha chop it up with lawyer, twin and fellow YBF chick, Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari! Learn more about Sen. Akbari on her Instagram & Twitter! The deadline for TN residents to register to vote is Oct. 5.  Visit IWillVote.com to do so and to plan how you will vote! Check out TheYBF.com for all the celebrity and pop culture breaking news, plus our YBF POLITICS vertical!

Will Breonna Taylor's killers ever be brought to justice? Are all of the protests and uprisings making an impact in Louisville? Will the rampant voter suppression be addressed in time for the November 3rd election? When is the next election for a new Kentucky AG? Should collegiate athletes be paid, especially if they're forced to play during these Covid times? How can working parents get help as virtual school is back in session? All is discussed! It's not everyday you can reunite with college classmates and friends whom you started your career journey with.  Natasha chops it up with her fellow Texas A&M University alum Lyndon Pryor, Chief Engagement Officer of the Louisville Urban League, about EVERYTHING and anything happening in the social justice space right now.  The Urban League is on the forefront of making change, so we want to know exactly what they're doing and how we can all get involved. After both made it through the tough conservative landscape of TAMU as two of the VERY FEW tough and non-conservative folks in their political science classes, it's the perfect time to bring their expertise full circle and talk about all the things.  Lyndon holds a Masters Degree in Higher Education Administration and has joined the Louisville Urban League as their Chief Engagement Officer after several years of experience in University student affairs and student development.  He manages the Youth Development and Education Department and the Health Education and Policy Department, in addition to all League communications. So, he has the perfect insight and expertise to speak on what's happening on the ground in Kentucky. Natasha and Lyndon discuss the Breonna Taylor case, the next steps we should expect (or not expect) from Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and universities in Kentucky (and beyond) and their handling of the Covid crisis when it comes to black student athletes.  It's all a doozy, and there's much to discuss. We love first hand info from those dealing DIRECTLY with hot button social issues every day, and that's what we're getting.  How do we REALLY get social justice in every aspect that matters?  Let's talk about all that ish!   Natasha's IG correction: @natasharenee FOLLOW LYNDON: Twitter: @sonofEarl33 Instagram: @sonofEarl33 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyndon.pryor FOLLOW THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE: Twitter: @LouisvilleUL Instagram: @Louisville_UL Facebook: Louisville Urban League 

It's no secret that recent politics have provided the backdrop for the ultimate divide - arguably the biggest divide in modern history - amongst U.S. citizens and beyond.  But just when we were starting to feel that feeling of hopelessness (because, really, one can only take so much of unfounded and flat out false conspiracy theories becoming ACTUAL platforms and talking points), a politician (yes, of all people) was there to restore it again. Natasha sits down with Sen. Chris Coons, the esteemed divinity expert-lawyer-dad joke haver-husband-son of Delaware who is known to bridge more divides than others create, for the latest installment of YBF POLITICS.  And MUCH is discussed. After filling Presidential nominee Joe Biden's Senate seat back in 2010 as a virtually unknown candidate (that should tell you something right there), he's been winning over his constituents and the rest of the country with his ability to get REAL WORK done.  He can reach across the aisle to get Republicans to sign on to his more progressive legislation (this is IMPERATIVE) while being uber clear on not compromising the end goal - creating laws to create and protect fair housing, fair business & lending practices for black owners, black people and black women's health disparities, economics and more. He's most definitely not your stereotypical religious figure. He holds both a J.D. from Yale Law and a masters degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School. It's a tricky combo, for sure.  But being fully educated in both of these lanes (as opposed to just regurgitating false religious talking points to defend misogyny and racism like many Evangelists) makes him someone we want on our team.  When it comes to expressing what many would deem "progressive beliefs", he easily communicates why being pro-choice (in both women's health and religion), pro police reform and anti-racist is in line with religious freedom.  He gets it.  And he's a voice we need in the U.S. Senate as one of the "adults in the room" who is WELL aware of the needs and thoughts of millenials and even Gen Z. The often surprisingly hilarious discussion covers mentorship (Natasha wanted to know how he has specifically incorporated black women into his life and politics that has had a reciprocal benefit to them, and he delivered), protests, faith, Covid and more.  Get into the discussion now! ****   You can learn more about Sen. Coon's work and also donate to his campaign here:  https://chriscoons.com/ https://www.coons.senate.gov/   CATCH UP on all the latest news in Hollywood, pop culture & politics on TheYBF.com! Watch this interview on YBF's Youtube!

Love her or hate her (and you'll eventually love her anyway), Sukihana is IT.  From "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" to a full blown rapper, artist, entrepreneur, and bad ass chick who gives us everything from controversial Sukihana with the Good P**y to Destiny. Get to know her, the real her, now! The Wolf Pu**y mixtape is out now! ********* CATCH UP on all the latest news in Hollywood, pop culture & politics on TheYBF.com! Watch this interview on YBF's Youtube!  

In celebration of tonight's season finale, the baddest B of Chucalissa, Mississippi took a break from the Pynk to ki-ki on The YBF Podcast.  Brandee Evans is a STAR, and we knew it from the moment she took over - and by took over we mean did ish we have never seen done on anybody's tv show involving a stripper pole - Starz's newest hit show, "P-Valley".  The professional choreographer, former school English Department head EVERYTHING, so we had to chop it up with her to find out about her "overnight success" that def required some major grinding and studying her craft. Brandee and Natasha chop it up about Brandee being a full time caretaker for her real life mom while also grinding on the acting scene, which is interesting since her relationship with her mother was not always a healthy one.  She talks about her character Mercedes' toxic relationship with her mother Patrice being so relatable, and it's definitely worth the listen. Brandee also dishes on what it took to get into that EXTRA snatched shape, stunt doubles, Starz giving us naked man parts for once *clap for 'em!*, colorism, her fine a** castmates like Thomas Q. Jones & Tyler Lepley, why she should play Angela Bassett in her biopic, what she needs from a man, her friendship with Tina Lawson, her character Mercedes' real age, and if those comparisons to "Bring It"'s Coach D have any merit.   Stream the full season of the biggest hit of the summer, "P-Valley", on Starz now!  Season 2 is already on deck! ********* CATCH UP on all the latest news in Hollywood, pop culture & politics on TheYBF.com! Watch this interview on YBF's Youtube!  

Imani Hakim is extra grown and extra fabulous.  She was all of our favorite tattle-tell but hilarious little sister when she burst on the scene as Tanya in "Everybody Hates Chris."  She also portrayed Gabby Douglas in the Olympian's Lifetime biopic.  Now, she's still lighting up the Hollywood streets with out-of-the-box roles, bomb natural hair and her OWN projects she's writing in order to be the change she wants to see. She's a chick after our own hearts, playing video game tester Dana on Apple TV Plus' latest series (we can't believe how addicted to it we are!) "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet," who is the only black video game tester in her office.  And she's fly AF.  Imani and Natasha talk about gamer life, her decision to proudly rock braids for the role, her own real life natural hair journey and fight to see more Type 4c hair YBF chicks on our screens, black women speaking up for themselves in the workplace, Covid craziness, protests, and, of course, her thoughts on her former co-star Terry Crews' QUITE controversial statements about Black Lives Matter. Let's get into it! Stream season one of "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" on Apple TV + now!

Y'all! We finally got to chat it up with our fave messy church family.  Natasha grabbed two folks from The YBF Team - Jamishia Smith & Tierra Green - to ki-ki with the stars of everyone's fave show, "Greenleaf." The gorgeous Merle Dandridge and Deborah Joy Winans did NOT disappoint. They finally get the tea on why it's ending this season (Lawd!) and get into some girl talk about waiting to have kids, popping off on folks who have a problem with it, single after divorce, marriage, fine a** co-stars, black women giving themselves permission to break down, self care, why Merle probably WON'T be dating Rick Fox in real life, why a Winans biopic would be LIT, and why these two are the most fabulously shady on screen sisters ever (like, for real). Plenty of laughs and tears. "Greenleaf" airs on OWN, Tuesdays at 9p ET!

She's a self proclaimed "mom, bad b*tch and entrepreneur".  And we can certainly co-sign every part of that. Angela Peoples is the D.C. based activist who you've seen go viral on your timelines while holding up in-your-face signage at protests like "Don't forget, white women voted for Trump!" Now, she's founded & co-founded multiple organizations that are all finding solutions for and putting in the work on behalf of progressive black mothers and black women. Black women and black mothers are directly impacted by so many policies or the lack thereof, so Angela and Natasha chop it up about what those issues are and how we hold accountable our sitting politicians and candidates begging for our vote. The two talk about the differences in parenting black boys and black girls, important women's healthcare legislation, her sit down with former Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, who (or if) she's endorsing anyone now, whether it's worth voting on party lines or voting your conscious, the "Black Mamas March," and more. What moves can we make politically to change the harmful narratives aimed at black children that affect them for the rest of their lives psychologically?  Natasha & Angela get into it all.  You can follow, donate to & support Angela's orgs below! https://www.thisthesouth.com/  https://www.instagram.com/the___south/ https://www.instagram.com/blackwomxnfor/?hl=en   Welcome to the new YBF POLITICS vertical!

He checks all the boxes, and even those boxes not on people's list because most people don't accomplish all that he has. He does the work, without an elected title.  He was intentional about becoming an expert at both the law and medicine simply to be able to merge his expertise to create actual change for his community. He is also an assistant professor of medicine and a director of health policy and equity at the University of Virginia.  And the ish is impressive. Yet and still, it's an uphill battle for Dr. Cameron Webb to flip VA blue.  The U.S. Congressional candidate for Virginia's 5th district  - who holds both a J.D. & M.D. - is in the running to become the first black physician in Congress with voting power. But you'll need to get him through the Democratic Primary to make that happen. Dr. Webb believes the solution to righting the inequalities in our systemically racist society lies in equalizing healthcare for women and the black community.  The former White House Health Care Team member & fellow under Obama is using his legal AND political expertise to do so. The husband & father of two is calling out male privilege, injustices, racism and inherent bias displayed by the medical community.  That bias shows up especially against black women - hence the black maternal death crisis (that Serena Williams wrote an essay about after almost losing her life during child birth), the real reason Covid affects our community more, and us often feeling like our symptoms are ignored even by our internists. Dr. Cameron's BEEN doing this work as a practicing physician.  (Yes, Natasha asked for specifics on how and she got them.) So, he's got a plan or 5 on how to change it all. Natasha and Dr. Cameron also talk about his solutions to voter suppression, getting folks elected in states & districts, you don't live in, using his own male privilege to elevate women in the medical field and beyond, why women doctors outnumber male doctors, convincing his wife to allow him to go BACK to school for another 3 years to cop his law degree (lol), balancing fatherhood, service and being a practicing physician, his bomb impact he had on Obama's White House Medical Team & being a White House fellow for 44, and plenty more. Natasha also got him to dish on how he met "the strongest person he knows," his wife, Dr. Leigh-Ann, who is an ER physician and also holds an M.B.A.  Their black love story is one for the books! Yup, we took notes because, chile, we all need to know how to meet our own Dr. & Attorney McCharming. Father God, we've seen what you have done for others... Virginia, you're up!  Primary elections are TODAY (June 23rd, 2020)!   Learn more about Dr. Cameron Webb HERE. Welcome to the new YBF POLITICS vertical!

Get your coins and your Twitter fingers ready.  We've got a political rising star you need to know who's on the brink of flipping a staunchly conservative Senate seat Blue.  Are you losing your ish about the blatant injustices going unchecked and being promoted by certain people in power?  Is yes, almost every issue you have - from police injustice to socioeconomic disparities to racial disparities to federal policies rooted in misogyny and systemic racism - can be traced back to Sen. Lindsey Graham, who actively creates legislation to hold back anyone who is not a straight white man.  Now, the people have an alternative candidate to get him outta here. Meet White House intern turned first black Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Yale grad, husband to law professor Marie, and father, Jamie Harrison.  Oh, and Marvel comics lover (which is actually woke as well). The South Carolina native entered the race knowing it would be an uphill battle to defeat a 2-term incumbent who has an odd lock on the white supremacy-loving American crowd.  But things are changing, even in the deep south. Now, after showing and proving he's ALREADY got plans AND organizations in place that address many of the issues most of us (especially black women) have with the current status quo, Jaime's almost neck and neck with his opponent. This is BIG. Jaime and Natasha talk about everything political, personal and integral to actually making America great, especially for those of us who built this place. Being mad isn't where we stop, it's where we start. So listen to Jaime break down why voting IS the way to actually affect the change you want to see. The other side knows this and uses it to their advantage.  It's time we, the marginalized yet fabulously powerful (and they know it), do the same. Listen now! Jamie is officially the Democratic candidate for Senate in South Carolina, and he's on the ballot this November. Learn more about Jaime. Donate to Jaime's campaign (you do not need to be a South Carolina resident to do so). Welcome to the new YBF Politics Vertical!

Say what you will about Darrin Henson, but he not only KEEPS a check, he's responsible for majority of your favorite boy bands getting their dance clout and cult-like fans .  It's been 20 years since he created the now iconic and MTV Award winning choreography for N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" video.  And he's got plenty of stories to tell about Justin Timberlake, J.C. Chasez, and all the rest of the early 2000's folks he basically created careers for.  We didn't even know half the ish he's responsible for. Plus, Darrin and Natasha talk about possible reboots of "Soul Food" and Stomp The Yard because, classics.  And he's starring in a new UMC.tv series "Double Cross" that's already getting millions of viewers. Oh, and his "Darrin's Dance Grooves" checks - we get into those too. Because they are FAT. Before Shaun T was talking about "Tilt, Tuck & Tighten," Darrin was selling millions of hip hop dance DVD's on our tvs every night.  And will he reboot that DVD that changed the game too?  Darrin & Natasha also talk about how he & his queen calm their anxiety during these insane times. Listen now! ---- ********* LISTEN + SUBSCRIBE: Apple, Spotify, Google and anywhere you get your podcasts! VISIT: TheYBF.com for ALL the updates on the latest celebrity, pop culture & entertainment news & exclusives.  

Did somebody say legends?! Because we're talking two of everybody's faves - Robert Townsend & Leon for this episode! While the fellas promote the "Making of the Five Heartbeats" documentary on UMC, they stop by The YBF Podcast for what was technically Natasha's first recording in quarantine.  After a few frozen moments, they got to everything you've ever wanted to know about the cult classic: Was it real wiggery or real hair they were rocking on screen? Why Whitney didn't work out for a role she auditioned for and what she told Robert once she saw the movie.  Which co-star did the most while in character and forgot their heart throb status was JUST a character? Who got caught getting it popping in real life in the trailers?  How did Robert become so prolific in the industry? What we don't know about the most underrated writer in Hollywood. Robert Townsend may be divorced, but he's definitely got him a secret bae even his good friend Leon didn't know about. We got the tea on their quarantine visits, how Leon is handling being far away from his baby girl Noelle, what he's telling her about the business now t hat she wants to be an actress, why he refuses to do TikTok with her, and Leon dishes on how he pulled ex-wife turned bomb co-parent Cynthia Bailey. Get into the real deal with some real legends.  And how we found out Robert is a low key huge fan of Tory Lanez's raunchy quarantine radio AND demon time.  Chile...Come get Uncle Robert! Listen now!