No Tears For Black Girls

Twenty-year-old Jade 'Sage' McKissic was a University of Houston junior with everything to live for—orientation team leader, strategic communications student, beloved daughter and friend. On September 11, 2025, she walked a familiar route from Third Ward bars toward campus, stopping at a gas station for a slushie before disappearing into the darkness near Brays Bayou. Four days later, the water gave her back. Police found no signs of trauma, but her family demands answers that go deeper than "no immediate foul play." This episode examines the dangerous intersection of student life and urban geography, where late-night corridors become crime scenes and surveillance cameras capture everything except the truth. With at least thirteen bodies recovered from Houston's bayous in 2025, we explore whether Jade's death is an isolated tragedy or part of a larger pattern the city refuses to acknowledge. We center her story—not the speculation, not the fear—but the life of a young Black woman whose walk home became a family's worst nightmare and a campus community's wake-up call about safety after midnight.

In September 2025, Reading, Pennsylvania became the scene of one of the most horrific family annihilation in recent memory. Three bodies.Three locations. One devil's work. Geraldina Peguero Mancebo was a 31-year-old Dominican immigrant trying to keep her family afloat in one of America's poorest cities.Working a warehouse job while supporting four children, she made a choice that millions of desperate women make every day—she accepted financial help from an older man who wanted something in return. Jose Luis Rodriguez was 61 years old. Thirty years her senior. He rented her an apartment. He gave her money. And he believed that money bought him ownership of her life. When Geraldina refused to leave her husband, Rodriguez's"generosity" revealed itself as something far more sinister. Within 48 hours, he would execute her husband Junior with a shot to the back of the head, murder Geraldina the same way while she held their baby, and throw one-year-old Jeyden face down into a muddy pond—alive—leaving him to drown. The autopsy would later confirm mud in the baby's lungs. Hewas conscious. He struggled. He drowned. This is the story of what happens when male entitlement meets financial desperation. When a woman's "no" becomes a death sentence. When poverty forces impossible choices that end in tragedy. This is a story about the hidden dangers of sugar daddy culture, the systems that fail women of color, and three orphaned children left behind to make sense of the senseless. Content Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of violence against women and children, murder, and drowning.Listener discretion is strongly advised. Resources: www.nnedv.org/content/about-financial-abuseNo Tears For Black Girls tells these stories because silence protects predators. We tell them because Black and brown women's lives matter. We tell them because there should be tears—and action—for every woman whose survival choices lead to tragedy.

Thanks for tuning back in to "No Tears For Black Girls." Samantha Paul here, and do I have a treat for y'all today! We're diving deep into J.C. Reedburg's latest masterpiece, "No Tears For Black Girls: Prison Pimp'd," available now for free on Amazon Kindle. But act fast, 'cause after today, it's Kindle exclusive. As always, we've switched up some deets to keep things on the DL, but trust, this story is as real as it gets. Picture this: Gwinnett County, Georgia, just a stone's throw from the A. Inside Phillips State, it ain't about how hard you can throw a punch, but how slick you can play the game. And Dejuan Rivers? This man's got manipulation down to a science. From his tiny cell, he's pulling the strings on a criminal empire that stretches way past the barbed wire. With nothing but smooth words, black market smokes, and a PhD in mind games, Dejuan's got a whole crew of desperate women wrapped around his finger. Sandra's sending money orders, Keisha's wiring cash no questions asked, Patricia's smuggling in burners, and Valerie's begging him to find her missing kid. They each think they're his one and only, but the gag is, they don't even know about each other. It's a fragile operation, and when the ladies start getting too curious and the COs start sniffing around, Dejuan's world is on the verge of imploding. In a place where every move is calculated and trust can get you killed, one wrong step could send everything he's built tumbling down like a house of cards.

Tonya Walker, a 51-year-old Black mother, vanished in Sacramento on November 2, 2023. Her family searched for seven months to learn her body lay unclaimed at Mercy Hospital, where she’d died of cardiac arrest. The hospital delayed her death certificate by five months and stored her at an off-site morgue that allegedly harvested her organs without consent. Similar cases of missing Black bodies have emerged, fueling accusations of systemic neglect, organ trafficking, and medical racism.

On September 10th, 2025, the conservative movement was rocked when Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was murdered at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, his killer, claimed he acted because Kirk "spreads too much hate." But Kirk's death may have triggered something far more sinister. Just five days later, on September 15th, 21-year-old Demartravion "Trey" Reed was found hanging from an oak tree at Delta State University in Mississippi. What authorities initially called a suicide has sparked a chilling theory that's dividing the nation. Was Trey Reed's death connected to Charlie Kirk's murder? Are we looking at a white supremacist revenge killing - where extremists, enraged by Kirk's assassination, targeted an innocent Black college student in retaliation? In this episode, we examine the disturbing timeline, the evidence that's emerged, and the questions authorities don't want to answer. From Utah to Mississippi, from political assassination to racial violence - this is the story of two deaths that may be more connected than anyone wants to admit. ⚠️ This episode contains mature themes including discussion of racial violence, murder, and hate crimes. Listener discretion is advised. 🔍 What do you think? Coincidence or conspiracy? Let us know in the comments.

In this powerful episode of No Tears For Black Girls, we explore the chilling case of Rebecca "Becky" Bliefnick, whose appearance on Family Feud with her husband became tragically prophetic. When Becky jokingly told Steve Harvey that her biggest mistake was "saying yes to my husband," she had no idea those words would foreshadow her own murder just months later. On February 23rd, 2023, Becky was found shot to death in her Quincy, Illinois home by her estranged husband Timothy Bliefnick - the same man who smiled on national television while claiming "I love my wife." We dive deep into the investigation that revealed Tim's calculated plan to stalk and murder the mother of his three children, and examine how the system failed to protect Becky despite her desperate pleas for help. But this episode goes beyond one tragic case. We also tell the story of Korryn Gaines, a 23-year-old Black mother from Baltimore who was killed by police in 2016 while trying to protect herself from an abusive partner. Despite facing similar domestic violence and systemic failures, Korryn's story received a fraction of the media attention that Becky's case generated. Through these parallel stories, we examine the stark disparity in how our society responds to violence against women - and ask the difficult question: whose tears matter most? Why do some victims become household names while others are forgotten? Join host Samantha Paul as we demand justice for ALL women and challenge the media's selective empathy. Because every woman deserves to have her story told with dignity, compassion, and the demand for justice - regardless of the color of her skin. Featured Music: "No Tears For Black Girls" by Datzhott & Jayda Truth

In this exclusive bonus episode, we're stepping away from our usual true crime format to bring you something extraordinary - a complete reading of Chapter 1 from our creator J.C. Reedburg's powerful new novelette "God's Hands: A No TearsFor Black Girls Story." Follow Jasmine, a young Black woman surviving on the streets of Oakland, as she faces a life-or-death moment that will change everything. When a desperate robbery goes wrong, divine intervention appears in the most unexpected form - proving that sometimes God's hands work through the most unlikely people. This raw, authentic street fiction explores themes of survival, mercy, and transformation that align perfectly with our podcast's mission of celebrating Black women's resilience. Host Samantha Paul delivers a gripping narration that will leaveyou breathless. BONUS: Stay until the end for an exclusive preview of "God's Hands" by Datzhott featuring Jayda Truth - the song inspired by this powerful story. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get"God's Hands: A No Tears For Black Girls Story" absolutely free on Amazon Kindle until September 10th, then free with Kindle Unlimited. Links in bio. Content Warning: This episode contains mature themes including street violence, survival situations, and strong language. #NoTearsForBlackGirls #StreetFiction #BlackWomenStories #FreeBook #Oakland #DivineIntervention

A 19-year-old chasing a modeling dream in Atlanta is found at dawn in Oakland City Park—shot with specialty ammo and left to send a message. We trace her final hours from a Memorial Drive Shell station to a car abandoned near Stone Mountain, and unpack the larger system around her: LA-origin crews embedded in Atlanta’s nightlife, the blurred lines between “security” and control, and why leaving can be treated like treason. Featuring timeline breakdowns, forensics (the Sprite bottle DNA), and voices from advocates and family. Say her name. See the pattern. Content note: violence, exploitation.Resources for help and exit support are listed in the show notes.

In Brooklyn's notorious Pink Houses, survival means playingby unwritten rules that can change without warning. Shatavia Walls mastered the game - navigating rival gang territories, dodging bullets, and staying alive in one of NYC's most dangerous projects. But when two gunshot wounds and a drug charge put her backagainst the wall, she made a decision that would seal her fate. Was she a snitch who broke the street code, or just another young woman trying to survivein an impossible situation? This episode dives deep into the complex world of the PinkHouses, where loyalty and betrayal walk a razor's edge, and one wrong move can be your last. We explore the circumstances that led to Shatavia's tragic endand ask the hard questions: In a world where the streets are judge and jury, is there really a difference between survival and betrayal?

For nearly three decades, dozens of Black women have disappeared from Chicago’s streets—strangled, discarded, and too often forgotten. In this haunting premiere episode, we follow the stories of Nancie Walker, Diamond Turner, and others whose lives were cut short and whose cases remain unsolved. Through the voices of grieving families, determined activists, and a city haunted by secrets, we uncover the patterns the world refuses to see. This is the story of a community’s fight for justice, the silence of the system, and the shadows that still linger in Chicago’s alleys.

In the unforgiving streets of Detroit, loyalty isn’t just a virtue—it’s a matter of life and death. But what happens when that loyalty crosses the line? This is the explosive story of Jobina “JB” Brown, the woman behind Tee Grizzley’s rise, whose shocking murder unleashed a storm of rumors about forbidden love, secret pregnancies, and betrayal at the highest levels of hip-hop. Was this a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was JB silenced to protect secrets that could destroy a rap empire? The truth is darker—and more scandalous—than anyone imagined. Tap in for the story that has the streets, and the industry, talking.

We unveil the explosive federal case against Sean “Diddy”Combs, exposing decades of alleged abuse, industry silence, and the Black women who refused to stay silent. From Cassie Ventura’s leaked video to secret celebrity parties, discover how power and profit let predators thrive—and why this verdict changes everything.

In this gripping episode of No Tears For Black Girls, we journey to Eastpointe, Michigan—a community where hope and hardship walk hand in hand. Through the lens of one devastating morning, host Samantha Paul peels back the layers of ordinary life to reveal the extraordinary resilience required to survive in a world that seldom offers second chances. We meet Jennifer Harris—known as “Jamma” to friends and family—a devoted mother of six and the unbreakable backbone of her community, who worked tirelessly at a local McDonald’s for over fifteen years. On what started as another routine day, tragedy shatters the calm, when a confrontation erupts between Jennifer and a troubled coworker, Afeni Muhammad. The shocking violence that ensues leaves a family destroyed, a community in mourning, and difficult questions echoing far beyond Eastpointe’s tree-lined streets. Samantha explores the powerful, often invisible pressures facing Black women in America’s working class, the overlooked warning signs of workplace violence, and the urgent need to address mental health in communities that have long been told to “push through.” With deep empathy and unflinching honesty, this episode unpacks the systemic failures and silent struggles that allowed heartbreak to spill over on that fateful July morning. Listen as we honor Jennifer’s legacy, investigate the complexities of Afeni’s pain, and spotlight the everyday heroes who rise from tragedy. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a community endure—and what it costs when those burdens go unchecked—this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. Featuring “Queen’s Crown” by the Crown & Soul Collective from the soundtrack of Price of Silence by J.C. Reedburg. Stay loved. Stay blessed. Stay safe.

Essence Peters believed in love, even when it hurt. But when her boyfriend’s devotion turned deadly, her family was left searching for answers—and justice. In this episode, Samantha Paul unravels the haunting story of a young woman whose light was extinguished by the very person who claimed to love her. Discover the chilling truth behind the backyard burial that shocked New Orleans, and the urgent lessons her story leaves behind.

On this riveting episode of No Tears For Black Girls, we delve into the haunting case that shocked Atlanta’s elite and exposed a labyrinthine web of privilege, race, and cold-blooded murder. Lita McClinton Sullivan—vibrant, ambitious, beloved—was gunned down at her own front door, moments before a legal showdown with her wealthy estranged husband. What unfolded was a nearly twenty-year odyssey for justice: a story of deep family betrayal, relentless detective work, globe-trotting fugitives, and a community forever changed. Follow the dramatic twists: a wealthy suitor with dark secrets, a murder-for-hire plot that spanned continents, and a courageous family determined to unmask the truth—no matter the odds. Featuring exclusive commentary on the legacy of Lita’s pioneering family and reflecting on the racial and social undercurrents that shaped the investigation, this episode is a must-listen for true crime fans and anyone touched by the fight for justice. Plus: Get a sneak preview of “Bouquet At The Door” from the soundtrack of J.C. Reedburg’s upcoming novel, Dead Mic, only on No Tears For Black Girls. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Don’t miss this unforgettable true crime saga—hit play now!

On a September night in 2017, 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins vanished from a hotel party outside Chicago. Nearly 20 hours later, she was found in a walk-in freezer—sparking national outrage, unanswered questions, and a mother’s fight for justice. In this episode, we unravel the mystery, the digital clues, and the legacy of a case that still haunts a community. #NoTearsForBlackGirls

When Black women and girls go missing in Atlanta, their stories too often vanish with them. In this gripping episode of No Tears For Black Girls, we uncover the haunting cases of Destiney Gunnison, Bridget Shiel, and Jokisha Brown—three lives lost or missing in the city’s shadows. Through family voices, chilling details, and hard truths about systemic neglect, we reveal why so many cases remain unsolved and unheard. Join us as we demand justice, remembrance, and a future where silence never wins.

When the headlines broke about a murder-for-hire plot against R. Kelly in prison, the world gasped—but Black women saw the pattern. In this explosive episode of No Tears For Black Girls, we go beyond the scandal to unpack the latest news, the wildest rumors, and the deeper truths the system wants to keep hidden. Is R. Kelly being silenced for what he knows? What does this case reveal about the music industry, justice, and the way Black women’s pain is treated as spectacle? We break it all down—mixing true crime, celebrity gossip, and hard-hitting commentary, straight from the salon to your speakers. Plus, get an exclusive preview of our upcoming novel, The Price of Silence, and the original soundtrack that’s already making waves. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation—because justice isn’t just about headlines. It’s about changing the story.

"In this episode of No Tears For Black Girls, host Samantha Paul confronts the stark reality of how missing Black women are often overlooked in America’s media and criminal justice systems. Marking the debut of the new song “Invisible Woman” from the upcoming novella The Price of Silence by J.C. Reedburg, we revisit the 2018 disappearance of 26-year-old postal worker Kierra Coles. Three months pregnant and last seen on surveillance tape leaving her Chicago apartment, Kierra vanished without a trace, her personal belongings left behind and her case languishing for years. Through conversations with Kierra’s mother, Karen Phillips, and analysis of law enforcement practices, we explore the systemic failures that led the Chicago Police Department to classify her case as low-risk and suspend active investigation after only one year. We examine the phenomenon known as “missing white woman syndrome,” supported by studies showing far greater media attention for white victims, and discuss the impact of this bias on families and communities. In October 2022, the FBI finally announced a $45,000 reward following relentless advocacy, but the question remains: why did it take four years of public pressure for this milestone to occur? “Invisible Woman” by The Crown & Soul Collective—and the companion novella releasing this Juneteenth—shines a light on those whose disappearances are met with indifference. We encourage listeners to keep Kierra’s story alive by sharing her likeness, following “Find Kierra Coles” on social media, and contacting Chicago officials for case updates. Join us as we refuse to let another Black woman slip into silence."

In this episode of “No Tears For Black Girls,” we take you to 553 Sheldon Avenue SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan—a mustard-yellow house built in 1903 whose creaking floors and weathered walls have borne witness to generations of family stories. Nestled in the city’s South East Community, an area marked by both steadfast home ownership and stubbornly high crime rates, the house seems to stand apart from the bustle of downtown life, its somber presence a silent sentinel on cloudy Michigan days. On a cold Wednesday morning in March 2019, 25-year-old Keyona Griffin made a final, desperate call to 911 from inside that very home. “I need help,” she whispered, her voice trembling so faintly that the crucial words—“He already killed my auntie”—were never properly understood by the dispatcher. What followed was a tragic cascade of missed signals and lost opportunities, and a case that would come to define the Grand Rapids Police Department’s worst fears: a vibrant young woman and her beloved aunt murdered in their own home, and the alleged perpetrator slipping through every net, only to end up on the U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted list. But this is more than a tale of procedural breakdowns and unanswered calls. It is the story of Keyona Griffin—a “bubbly and big-hearted” woman whose radiant optimism made her loss all the more heartrending—and Cherletta Baber-Bey, the gentle, nurturing aunt who saw only the best in the man she trusted. Through interviews with family members, law enforcement officials, and community advocates, we piece together the human lives behind the headlines and ask how a case so full of potential turning points could still remain unresolved. Join us as we sift through the fragments of evidence, revisit heart-wrenching 911 recordings, and confront the lingering questions of accountability and justice. In “Shadows on Sheldon,” we don’t just recount a crime—we explore the people caught in its crossfire, the flaws in our emergency response systems, and the enduring hope that one day, those who love Keyona and Cherletta will finally find the answers they deserve. Tune in and walk the creaking floors with us—if you dare.