Biography
Author, TV writer, and podcaster Raqiyah Mays has consulted for HBO and staffed on a show in the "Dexter" universe. Her podcast "Real Black News" breaks down the top five empowering Black news stories from around the world with newsmakers from the worlds of entertainment, journalism, politics, activism, and more. Past guests have included Writer/Director Malcolm Lee, Malcolm X's daughter and author Ilyasah Shabazz, Joy-Ann Reid, Jesse Jackson, The Rza, and Oscar-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Upon its 2018 debut, "Real Black News" was named one of the top 50 podcasts in the country and one of the top Black podcasts in America. Real Black News is in its seventh season.
Getting her start as a hip hop journalist, Raqiyah's bylines have appeared in The Associated Press, Essence, Billboard, Black Enterprise, and multiple digital outlets. As a former radio personality, Raqiyah graced the airwaves on New York's world-renowned hip-hop station Hot 97, 107.5 WBLS, and the morning show on 98.7 Kiss FM.
Her inspirational debut novel, "The Man Curse," explores a family of women cursed in love and the soul-searching necessary to break this belief. The critically acclaimed novel was turned into an empowerment workshop -- created by Mays -- for domestic violence shelters.
She's written nationally and globally televised speeches for The Women's March and activists like Tamika Mallory, co-founder of Until Freedom. Mays also contributed a chapter to "Where Did Our Love Go: Love & Relationships in the African American Community." She was reporter-at-large for "Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of The Notorious B.I.G". written by Cheo Hodari Coker.
It's no surprise that the world has taken notice of her visionary work. The fashion brand The Limited selected Mays as one of its dynamic female leaders featured as a model in its nationwide "New Look of Leadership" campaign. And VH1 picked her for its iconic "Future Leader of Black History" commercial series. In addition to winning multiple awards, she's appeared on ABC, BET, TV One, Fox, Fuse, and Fox News.
