On this episode, we break down the massive all-island blackout that left Jamaica in the dark and sparked widespread concern across the Caribbean. What caused the outage, and why are officials demanding answers as power is restored to hundreds of thousands of residents?

We also discuss new sexual assault allegations being reviewed against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, as prosecutors in Los Angeles examine claims brought forward by publicist Jonathan Hay.

Plus, a shocking new report reveals that nearly 100 January 6 Capitol riot defendants who received presidential pardons have since been arrested, charged, or convicted of other crimes. We examine what the findings say about accountability, public safety, and the lasting impact of the pardons.

In today's headlines:
• South Carolina Republicans seek to withhold funding from South Carolina State University following a commencement speaker controversy.
• A former North Carolina police officer faces assault charges after a viral arrest video sparked national outrage.
• Minnesota Republicans face criticism after holding a moment of silence for former officer Derek Chauvin near the anniversary of George Floyd's death.

Our featured stories include the emotional aftermath of a South Carolina jury's not-guilty verdict in the fatal shooting of Black teenager Cyrus Carmack-Belton by a convenience store owner. We also examine the resignation of an Arkansas state trooper after racist text messages surfaced during divorce proceedings, igniting conversations about bias in law enforcement.

For Motivation Monday, we challenge listeners with a "Take-Off" designed to help you evaluate what's helping—or hindering—your personal growth.

And in our "Things That Make You Say Hmmm..." segment, we explore alleged organized efforts that have historically worked against Black America and uncover several iconic hit songs written by Black songwriters that many listeners never knew about.

Finally, in "What Chu Watchin'," we spotlight The Burroughs and whether it's worth adding to your watchlist.

In this inspiring conversation, Marquis Lupton sits down with Pastor Carmen Mann, author of Fresh Faith and Charged, to discuss faith, purpose, leadership, and spiritual growth.

A Washington, D.C. native and member of the pastoral staff at Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia, Pastor Mann shares his journey from studying computer information systems to answering the call to ministry.

The conversation explores how people can strengthen their faith, discover their God-given purpose, develop spiritual discipline, and lead with confidence in today's challenging world. Pastor Mann also discusses the inspiration behind his books and offers practical encouragement for anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God.

Whether you're looking for renewed faith, spiritual direction, or leadership insights, this episode delivers wisdom, inspiration, and actionable takeaways for your daily walk.

Listen now and be encouraged to grow boldly in faith and purpose.

On this edition of The Morning Experience, Marquis Lupton breaks down a powerful mix of legal, political, cultural, and community stories making headlines.We begin with the American Bar Association facing pressure to roll back its DEI accreditation standards at a time when Black lawyers remain underrepresented in the legal profession.

As conservative pressure mounts, the debate raises bigger questions about who gets access to the law, who shapes justice, and whether diversity efforts are being dismantled when they are still deeply needed.Then, Cardi B and Lin-Manuel Miranda are helping spotlight New York City’s new free childcare push through a citywide jingle contest, but the real story is much bigger than celebrity involvement.

We’ll look at why working families across the country are watching New York’s childcare expansion and what it could mean for parents struggling with rising costs.We’ll also cover the tragic death of 56-year-old Dana Winger, who was killed after being struck by an airborne patio umbrella while dining at a South Carolina restaurant.

In today’s headlines:
• A biracial Ohio man goes viral after posting video of his white mother, a nurse, calling him the N-word.

• A Pennsylvania man is accused of using an excavator to tear apart his family’s home after his wife said their marriage was over while she and their daughters were still inside.

• A Boston couple faces 37 charges after allegedly yelling slurs, throwing a fence, and spraying water at restaurant patio diners, including a child.

Our main story looks at major setbacks to redistricting efforts in the South, where courts temporarily blocked Republican-backed maps that critics say would weaken Black voting power.

In Alabama, a federal court stopped the state from using its 2023 congressional map, which would have reduced majority-Black representation from two districts to one, with the state already appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

And in our second main story, we examine the case of Kendrick Gonzalez, a Black teacher and coach in North Carolina who says he lost his dream job after police mistakenly linked him to felony charges actually tied to a childhood friend.

With a clean record and a career nearly destroyed, his story raises urgent questions about mistaken identity, background checks, and how quickly a system error can derail a Black professional’s life.

Join Marquis Lupton for conversation, context, and commentary that connects the headlines to the people and communities behind them on The Morning Experience.

On this edition of The Morning Experience, Marquis Lupton tackles a series of stories raising tough questions about accountability, justice, and public trust.We begin with the viral video out of California showing a Fairfield police officer repeatedly punching a 16-year-old Black student, an incident that has sparked outrage, led to the officer's reassignment, and triggered an independent investigation.

Then, allegations rock Georgia's federal court system as U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross faces scrutiny following reports of an alleged inappropriate relationship with an Atlanta police commander that reportedly occurred inside court chambers.We'll also discuss the disturbing viral video from Atlantic City, where a Philadelphia-area woman was hospitalized after being tackled by multiple security guards at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, prompting suspensions and renewed concerns about the use of force by private security personnel.

In today's headlines:
• The ACLU of Tennessee files a federal lawsuit accusing members of the Memphis Safe Task Force of retaliating against residents who recorded police activity in public.
• NFL star Abdul Carter explains why he publicly criticized teammate Jaxson Dart following the quarterback's appearance at a Donald Trump rally.
• A Tennessee school district reverses its controversial ban on Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots after national backlash.

Our main story examines the sentencing of former Des Moines school superintendent Ian Roberts, who received a two-year prison sentence after prosecutors said he falsely claimed U.S. citizenship while working in education for nearly two decades.

Plus, in entertainment news, Netflix releases the first look at its highly anticipated sequel series to the beloved sitcom A Different World.

And in our second featured discussion, we explore a growing media shift among Black men, examining why many are turning away from traditional news outlets and toward alternative voices and independent platforms for information and analysis.

Join Marquis Lupton for thoughtful conversation, breaking news, and perspectives that matter on The Morning Experience.

The Morning Experience with Marquis Lupton brings you another edition of Microwave News — the fast, smart, culturally connected segment breaking down the biggest stories shaping Black culture, politics, health, and entertainment.

This episode covers the growing Ebola outbreak in Africa as the head of the World Health Organization warns the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is outpacing response efforts.

Plus, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott reportedly donated more than $1 billion to HBCUs — so why was she left off a major philanthropy ranking? We also discuss Alfred Street Baptist Church stepping in after Black student government funding was cut at University of Missouri amid the national rollback of DEI programs.

In the headlines: reports that Donald Trump expanded refugee admissions for white South Africans while scaling back other refugee programs, a family demanding answers after an elderly woman died following an altercation at Tim Hortons, and the Georgia man turning a pink Barbie camper into a gas-saving viral sensation.

The main story focuses on Pope Leo XIV apologizing for the Catholic Church’s historic role in legitimizing slavery, along with new details from investigators linking alleged white supremacist ideology to the San Diego mosque shooting suspects.

Also this hour: Wednesday Word, “Think” a look back at classic Black talk shows that shaped the culture, and “What Chu Watchin” featuring Nemesis. 

Wake up with The Morning Experience with Marquis Lupton — where news, culture, conversation, and community all meet before lunch.

On this episode of The Marquis Lupton Show, Marquis sits down with entrepreneurs Frank Gray and Devine Davis, creators of the new restaurant discovery app Hidden Gems. Officially launched on May 16, Hidden Gems is changing the way people find food by focusing on trusted recommendations from locals, friends, and real people — not tourists or paid influencers. The conversation dives into the inspiration behind the app, how social media changed food culture, the problem with traditional review platforms, and why authentic “vibe-based” restaurant recommendations matter. Frank and Devine also discuss entrepreneurship, building a tech startup from the ground up, supporting local restaurants, and how Hidden Gems helps users discover everything from lowkey lunch spots to perfect date-night locations. If you love food, local culture, Black entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and discovering hidden restaurants before everybody else does — this episode is for you. Topics include:

• Hidden Gems app launch
• Restaurant discovery apps
• Local food recommendations
• Black entrepreneurs in tech
• Food culture and social media
• Best hidden restaurants
• Startup journey and business advice
• Date night and foodie recommendations

#HiddenGemsApp #FoodPodcast #RestaurantDiscovery #BlackEntrepreneurs #FoodieCulture #TechStartup #LocalRestaurants #TheMarquisLuptonShow #PodcastInterview #FoodApps

On this episode of The Morning Experience with Marquis Lupton Show, we dive into an honest and eye-opening conversation about breastfeeding, motherhood, public stigma, maternal health, and the challenges many women face when trying to breastfeed and raise healthy families. Breastfeeding advocate Norma Vasquez joins the show to break down common myths, discuss the lack of support for new mothers, explain why breastfeeding in public still sparks controversy, and talk about the emotional and mental health side of parenting. We also discuss social media parenting culture, representation in maternal healthcare, workplace support for moms, and how families and partners can better support breastfeeding mothers. Plus, we end the interview with a fun rapid-fire round listeners will love.

Today’s Stories:

From Cemetery Hate Crimes to Who Gets to Belong in America A quiet Black cemetery in Florida became the center of national outrage after graves were vandalized with “Trump” and “DeSantis” graffiti, sparking renewed fears over political extremism spilling into sacred spaces. Community leaders say the cemetery is more than burial ground — it’s family history, and they’re demanding answers after the White House condemned the act.

At Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, a major new exhibit is making history: the largest showcase of LGBTQ African art ever assembled. Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art highlights nearly 60 works from queer African artists across the continent and diaspora, opening after months of delays that frustrated artists and advocates alike.

A new education report paints a grim picture for U.S. schools. Student reading and math scores remain well below pre-pandemic levels, confirming what many teachers already knew: the learning gap didn’t disappear when classrooms reopened — and the long-term consequences may still be unfolding.

In pop culture, Nick Cannon is bringing his real life to Netflix with a docuseries centered on raising his 12 children, while Ice Cube and Mike Epps confirmed Last Friday is officially in development — reviving one of Black comedy’s most iconic franchises.

Meanwhile, Papa Johns is testing drone delivery, because apparently your sandwich can now arrive by air.

Main Story: Free Speech or Hate Speech on Campus? At Salisbury University, hundreds of students protested after white nationalist speaker Jared Taylor was allowed to speak on campus under heavy security. Signs reading “hate is not welcome” filled the crowd, reigniting a debate many schools keep avoiding: where does free speech end when speech itself targets the humanity of students sitting in the audience?

Today we’re unpacking why universities often defend these events under the First Amendment, why students say neutrality protects hate, and how this Maryland protest reflects a larger national fight over race, power, and who gets protected in public institutions.

Today on The Morning Experience with Marquis Lupton, we break down the Indianapolis police case involving a Black teen after bodycam footage appeared to contradict an officer’s claims that he pointed a gun during an arrest. We talk about accountability, policing, and why video evidence continues to reshape public trust. We also discuss the Louisville mother who hid a recording device in her 7-year-old son’s locs after suspecting mistreatment at school. The case has sparked major questions about how nonverbal autistic children are protected in classrooms. Plus, comedian Sheryl Underwood lands her own Netflix comedy special after making headlines at Kevin Hart’s roast, and we ask what this moment says about longevity in Black comedy. Headlines

• Wesley Hunt says “racism is over,” sparking backlash over his comments on modern voter suppression and Jim Crow comparisons.
• Roots by Alex Haley has been banned in a Tennessee school district, adding to the growing list of challenged books by Black authors.
• University of Chicago announces free tuition for students from families earning under $250,000, changing the conversation around college affordability.

Main Story We dive into new midterm predictions from educator and political analyst Jiang Xueqin, who previously predicted Donald Trump’s win and the Iran conflict. What party could dominate the upcoming election cycle — and what does that mean for Black voters?

Motivation Monday: This week could be the turning point you’ve been praying for. We talk about preparation, purpose, and recognizing when your season is shifting.

Things That Make You Say Hmmm: A professor shares five workplace success lessons every Black graduate needs to hear — from navigating office politics to building long-term wealth.

One Gotta Go: Airplane habits, annoying public behavior, and the worst texting habits — listeners weigh in.

Explain This To Me: Why are so many people getting religious advice from social media influencers instead of actual scholars, clergy, or institutions?

Conversation & Chill: We unpack how social media algorithms keep feeding divisive “red pill” content to men and women — and why gender wars online are becoming mainstream conversation.