The Ryles Report

Ep. 206 - Political Report Cards + & Trump’s $2 Billion Settlement

In this episode of The Ryles Report, host Richard Ryles breaks down the week's biggest headlines across three distinct lenses: a political report card, a book report, and a news report. First, we debut our political grading rubric, putting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Tennessee State Senator John Stevens to the test on everything from equity to ethics. Then, we dive into a brief review of Dr. Arlene Geronimus’s groundbreaking book, Weathering, exploring the physiological toll of systemic racism. Finally, Richard unpacks Donald Trump’s historic $2 billion IRS settlement and explains why it presents a unique opportunity for Black Americans to demand accountability. What are your grades for these politicians? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media using #TheRylesReport!

Ep. 205 - Boyah Farah Returns to Tackle the Global "Psychological Warfare" of Racism

In this episode of The Ryles Report, host Richard Ryles welcomes back author Boyah J. Farah for his second appearance on the show to discuss the profound intersections of the African diaspora and the American experience. Farah, who wrote America Made Me a Black Man, shares his unique journey from arriving as a Somali refugee in 1993 to navigating the "psychological warfare" of American racism. Throughout their rigorous dialogue, they cover a wide range of topics, including the disconnect between African immigrants and African Americans, the role of media propaganda in shaping negative stereotypes, and how the Somali community utilizes faith and ancient traditions to maintain cultural resilience. The conversation concludes with a forward-looking analysis of the rise of Africa and the necessity of creating an "African-driven democracy" that prioritizes the family unit over Western capitalist models. Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #Rylesreport

Ep. 204 - Don't Lose Big Mama's House: Professor Bernadette Atuahene on The Fight for Reparative Justice

On this episode of The Ryles Report, Richard Ryles sits down with Professor Bernadette Atuahene, a property law professor, community organizer, and scholar whose work focuses on land stolen from Black people. Professor Atuahene is the author of Plunder: How Public Finance Became Public Theft, as well as We Want What’s Ours: Learning from South Africa’s Land Restitution Program. Her research has taken her from South Africa’s post-apartheid land restitution efforts to Detroit, where she uncovered widespread, unconstitutional property tax assessments that devastated Black homeowners and contributed to mass tax foreclosures.  Together, Richard and Professor Atuahene discuss how racist policies—not just individual prejudice—shape housing, wealth, and opportunity in America. They explore Detroit’s property tax foreclosure crisis, the impact of redlining, racial covenants, urban renewal, blockbusting, appraisal bias, heirs’ property, and the racial wealth gap. Professor Atuahene also explains her work with the Coalition for Property Tax Justice and the Dignity Restoration Project, which seeks compensation for Detroit residents harmed by illegally inflated property taxes. The conversation also turns to South Africa, land theft, reparations, and what communities can do to challenge unjust tax systems and protect Black homeownership. Listen in, learn something new, and join the conversation online. Use the hashtag #TheRylesReport to share your thoughts on social media.

Ep. 203 ESPN journalist and author Howard Bryan talks Sports & Politics

In this episode of The Ryles Report, Richard welcomes ESPN journalist Howard Bryant to discuss his book, Kings and Pawns, which examines the complex intersection of the Cold War and the lives of Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson. The conversation explores how Robeson, a brilliant "Renaissance man" and All-American athlete, was effectively erased from history due to his independent political stance and refusal to disassociate from anti-capitalist ideologies during the Red Scare. Bryant details the 1949 House Un-American Activities Committee testimony that pitted these two icons against one another, analyzing the "double consciousness" of the Black experience and the strategic decision by the Black establishment to decouple domestic civil rights from global Pan-African movements.  The discussion also challenges the idealized narrative of baseball integration, specifically re-evaluating Branch Rickey’s motivations. Bryant reveals that Rickey was a conservative anti-New Dealer who initially sought to integrate the game using international Latin American players on work visas to avoid upsetting domestic segregation. Moving into the present day, Richard and Howard critique the modern state of baseball, noting how stylistic choices and business decisions have led to a decline in Black American participation, making the sport a "white suburban game reinforced by foreign labor".  Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #TheRylesReport

Ep. 202 Decolonizing Education and Institutions with Brian Knowles

In this episode of The Ryles Report, host Richard Ryles welcomes Brian Knowles back to the studio to discuss the critical intersection of historical truth, community agency, and the "immortal" nature of Jim Crow. Together, they examine how false historical narratives are weaponized in public education and explore the urgent need for the Black community to reclaim its own educational and institutional destiny. Key discussion points include a candid critique of the "Teddy Bridgewater law" and its impact on urban youth sports, the psychological impact of internalized oppression, and a pointed examination of why some organizations founded for progress may now be working against community interests. Join us for this powerful conversation and share your thoughts on social media using #RylesReport.