TALKING WHILE BLACK WITH DEREK WASHINGTON

In this episode of Talking While Black, we sit down with former Nevada congressional candidate Gabriel Cornejo to unpack his primary challenge against incumbent Dina Titus and his enduring commitment to running for federal office. Cornejo shares a raw, urgent perspective on the fragile state of American democracy, questioning the certainty of future elections while sounding the alarm on the growing influence of Silicon Valley "tech bros" and artificial intelligence in shaping our political future. It is a compelling conversation about political resilience, systemic threats, and what happens when grassroots leadership collides with the rising power of big tech.

In this episode, we sit down with Rafael Collazo of UnidosUS to break down the critical importance of civic engagement and the growing political power of the "movable" Latino electorate. We dive deep into the shifting political landscape, exploring why a significant number of Latino voters backed Donald Trump, how those voters feel today, and why building genuine Black and Brown solidarity is more crucial than ever for long-term progress. Plus, we preview this week's highly anticipated Stacey Abrams and Ro Khanna event right here in Las Vegas, discussing what it means for the future of coalition-building and the upcoming elections.

On this episode of Talking While Black, we are pulling back the curtain on the political machine. Is the Democratic Party completely controlled by high-priced consultants, or is there still room for real people? We are joined by College of Southern Nevada History Professor and Executive Director of Vote Nevada, Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, to talk about the toxic role of money in politics, how corporate strategies are failing everyday voters, and why the influx of progressive young people is the ultimate hope to disrupt the status quo.

Before Marco Rauda became the CEO and founder of El Faro Consulting, he and I were grinding in the trenches—growing up in the chaotic, high-stakes backrooms of the Democratic Party and grassroots organizing spaces. Marco’s entire career is a masterclass in union organizing and progressive outreach, and today, he’s deploying that heavy-hitting expertise to guide top-tier political and non-profit organizations. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the industry. We talk about the raw nuts and bolts of political consulting—including how consultants actually make and blow through money—and take a hard look at the current state of politics and the road that brought us here. But fair warning: underneath all the gritty strategy, you are going to hear pure joy. Listen closely for the absolute smile that beams through the speaker every single time Marco talks about his favorite new titles: husband and brand-new dad. Get ready. Enjoy #TalkingWhileBlack.

"It started with a single upload. No caption, no warning—just a photo hitting the timeline of Las Vegas Facebook. Within hours, the comments section didn’t just spark; it detonated. We are talking about one of the biggest, most legendary Black Facebook fights in Vegas history—a digital war that dragged in community leaders, local personalities, and cousins twice removed! But here’s the kicker: the person who posted it, Danielle Monroe Moreno, ended up getting the exact opposite response she had planned for. Too late. In this episode, we’re breaking down the anatomy of a local timeline meltdown and the brutal internet lesson they learned the hard way: The Streisand Effect."