Episode Notes My guests include Pastor Dianne Marshall Young co-founder of the Healing Center. She along with her late husband Bishop William Young were given a vision from God years ago to make our community whole in spirit, soul and body. They were also leaders in the conversation surrounding mental health. She joins me to discuss her latest camp…

Episode Notes Guests include MPD victim advocate Alicia Denton. She is a mental health expert who also holds a first of its kind position with MPD over the Victims Services unit for families dealing with major traumatic events. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner is the top law enforcement authority in Shelby County. These days, he's facing a few ch…

Episode Notes My guests include City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton who is serious about her business and passionate about this city. She talks to me about the continuing violence, the upcoming budget and the proposed property tax increase. Britney Thornton is a County Commissioner who is community strong. We speak with her about her beloved Or…

Episode Notes Guests include; Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Sr. pastor, Abyssinian MB Church is a community leader who is concerned about our direction and future. He speaks to me about the current legislative agenda and if their actions are really for the benefit of our city. Lastly, we should all know how important good oral hygiene is, but did you know…

Episode Notes My guests include Ted Townsend, President/CEO Greater Memphis Chamber. There is a lot of building going on downtown these days as one can see, and he joins me to share his goals, the overall direction of the city and the concerns about crime and how it might affect future growth. Speaking of crime, the criminal justice system can be a…

Episode Notes My guests include MSCS Board Chair Althea Greene. Difficult times filled with frustration does not begin to describe the many issues the board has had to address over the past year plus, but now the selection of a new school superintendent has finally been completed. She tells me what the path forward now looks like for our students a…

Episode Notes My guests include Durell Cowan, founder and executive director of Heal 901. Since 2018, this organization has focused on violence prevention especially within youth populations. He tells us the challenges they face as well as the successes they continue to see. Next, remember the days when physicians actually made house-calls? Angela …

Episode Notes My guests include Bacarra Mauldin, Interim CEO of MATA. She is the first Black female to head the transit organization. She speaks to me about the significance of being selected to this position as well as the challenges and her vision for the future. Mack Weaver has been with the Memphis in May organization for over 25 years, and was…

Episode Notes Guests include State Senator Ramesh Akbari. She is having a busy legislative season with a primary focus on public safety. She speaks about her sponsorship of a bill that could soon become law which would reduce medical deaths in police custody among other things. U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz is the Chief federal law enforcement officer i…

Episode Notes My guests include Rev. Dr. Reginald Boyce, Dir. Office of Community Affairs and Special Assistant to Mayor Young. This week, the City of Memphis begins a listening tour called One Memphis beginning in Whitehaven. Dr. Boyce shares its intent and why it’s important for all citizens to be involved. Next, we all know how important the fam…

Episode Notes My guests include a true Memphis trailblazer and barrier breaker in 1961. As she was a member of the Memphis 13, who helped open doors in education many of us take for granted. Dwania Kyles shares her story as one of the first Black students to integrate a Memphis City School. Next, Junior Achievement of the Mid South is an organizati…

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon. It has already been a busy legislative session with several issues at the forefront. One of those is the appointment of a civilian review board for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. She tells me as sponsor, why it was so important to the community. Next, as we celebrate Bl…

Episode Notes On this episode of Real Talk Memphis, my guests include Kirsten Hipkins from the Community Alliance for the Homeless. Recently, as the Coordinated Entry Director, her team went into our streets for the Point in Time Count. Their goal is to not only help the homeless but to one day eliminate it. Next, weather in the Mid-South can be on…

Episode Notes My guests include Newly elected Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green. She is one of seven women on the body and recently voted no to reappoint now Interim Chief CJ Davis. She gives her reasons and what steps she thinks should happen next. Last week, a City Hall press conference was held to announce the introducing a new amendment to …

Episode Notes My guests include the honorable Mayor Paul Young who after only being in office barely a month already has a full plate. A major snow storm that brought things to a grinding halt and a new City Council that put the brakes on the reappointment of Police Chief Davis. He talks about that and the rest of his agenda. Toni Williams is the I…

Episode Notes My guests include newly elected City Councilwomen Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Super district 8-3 and Pearl Eva Walker who represents District 3. They are part of history as two of seven women elected making them the majority for the first time since the Mayor-Council form of government. I ask them why they decided to run, what their consti…

Episode Notes My guests include Randy Taylor, MPD officer, community activist and founder of Hope Activated. He felt this to be a calling he had to follow in order to save the lives of young men by making right choices. He shares his ministry which involves his own two sons. To say this year has been a whirlwind for State Representative Justin J. P…

Episode Notes My guests include Councilwoman Rhonda Logan who will begin her second term representing district 1 January 1. As she prepares for the last council meeting of 2023 and the addition of several new members I ask the important questions; how do we get a handle on crime, strengthen the economic picture and what her overall agenda looks lik…

Episode Notes My guests include Ike Griffith, Director Memphis Office of Youth Services. He will tell us about the Summer Employment Registration, (MPLOY) signup program for ages 14-22 and also bringing back another community initiative involving our young people. Next, being designated a Neighborhood Champion is no small feat, but one organization…

Episode Notes My guests include Amy Kalb and Kache Brooks who will share information and details about a County program that deals directly with both youth and families hopefully keeping them from making dangerous choices. There is also a new mental health component included that meets young people where they are. Brian Harris will proudly tell any…

Episode Notes My guests include Carol Jackson, Executive Director of Families Matter. This organization is intentional as they dedicate themselves to the betterment of children while caring for and instructing parents in understanding their God given role within the family. She tells me about their latest initiative. The Chris Hope Foundation is a …

Episode Notes Guests include Dr. Derek Kelly, Pediatric Orthopedic surgeon for Campbell Clinic and LeBonheur Children's hospital. Kym Clark is a long time and very popular news anchor for WMC TV Action News 5. My former colleague joins me to discuss her legendary career which spans almost three decades and how the business has changed. Finally, we …

Episode Notes My guests include Kimberly Gaither who, as we honor Breast Cancer Awareness month is a survivor more than once. She was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, (TNBC) which is an aggressive less common type of breast cancer affecting women younger than 40. She shares her story of struggle, courage and survival. We all enjoy a go…

Episode Notes My guests include Mark Russell, Executive editor of the Commercial Appeal newspaper. He shares what it’s like to run a daily paper in digital and in print, and determining what is important to readers. Also, in a changing world, how has the newspaper business changed for today’s audience. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month a…

Episode Notes My guests include District 10 County Commissioner Britney Thornton who is rescheduled from last week. I speak with her about her first year in office, the challenges and the triumphs. Also, what she sees as the road ahead and what other issues she wants to tackle. Brett Batterson is the President and CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group. …

Episode Notes My guests include Memphis District 3 City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson. She is winding up her second and final term and as she prepares to leave, I ask her about the high and low points, where the city is at today from her view and about her upcoming new position with TVA and why it’s so important for MLGW customers. LifeLine to Succ…

Episode Notes Guests include Sarah Houston, the Executive director of Protect the Aquifer. Water, as we know is our most precious resource and it is imperative that we do all we can to keep it safe and pure. Sarah gives us the latest update and tells us about the new fellows position. Monique Williams is a woman of many talents including being a re…

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. He has just finished his first year in office and to say it’s been challenging is an understatement. From Eliza Fletcher to Young Dolph to Tyre Nichols just to name a few, his office has been under the hot glare of the spotlight. He tells me how it’s been and what other n…

Episode Notes My guests include Johnnie Mosley, Chairman, Citizens for Better Service. Recently, a group of concerned citizens held a community meeting about problems and issues facing the bus riders of MATA. They met with CEO Gary Rosenfeld and Congressman Steve Cohen about issues ranging from delayed to ‘no show’ buses on fixed routes to scheduli…

Episode Notes My guests include Leta McCollough Seletzky, author of ‘The Kneeling Man’ with an unbelievably true life story involving a member of her own family. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was shot and killed in Memphis April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, several people were with him on that balcony including one man who knelt next to him afte…

Episode Notes My guests include Ernest Strickland, President of the Black Business Association of Memphis. They are tasked to improve the economic well being of Memphis by developing successful entrepreneurs through business development. He will tell us about a very important event they are hosting called Building Wealth in the Black Community and …

Episode Notes My guests include the newest MSCS board member Mauricio Calvo, who will share his thoughts on why he wanted to be a part of this body and how he will strive for greater accountability and transparency for the board and the district. Next, the election of the next Mayor of the city of Memphis may never have greater consequences. The ri…

Episode Notes My guests include MSCS board member Michelle McKissack who will update us as to what to expect we prepare to begin another school year. We also get an update on the next superintendent selection process and timetable. Next, the process of re-inserting oneself back into society can at times be challenging especially after incarceration…

Episode Notes My guests include Jennifer Christian who is the founder and Executive Director of My Girl - Tennessee. My Girl is a non-profit organization that empowers young girls through mentorship. They serve girls between the ages of nine and 18 holding numerous events throughout the year, like vision board parties, financial literacy workshops …

Episode Notes My guests include Shanika Walls, a Certified Life Coach who says exceptional life skills begin with exceptional life coach training. She teaches others to help identify obstacles or barriers needed to achieve success. She tells us how. Next, we all know that the violence in our streets is top of mind for many of us. Recently, a meetin…

Episode Notes On the next and all new Real Talk Memphis my guests include Jessica Van Dyke. You may not know her name but you do know the organization she is the lead counsel for. She tells us about the Innocence Project and some big news involving our city. Next, Renardo Baker is Orange Mound grown and strong. He is a community organizer and one w…

Episode Notes My guests include Kelly Sealey who is one of many thousands across this country who contracted Covid initially, but when the initial symptoms subsided she was left with the long-term effects. She joins me to discuss some of the difficult symptoms she still deals with today. Dr. Sapna Kripalani from Vanderbilt University also joins her…

Episode Notes My guests include SunAh Laybourn. Author, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Memphis, the host of “Let’s Grab Coffee on WYXR and the person who singlehandedly put a spotlight on the Asian American impact in our city. How? By creating the first formal celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month …

Episode Notes Guests include Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours. Today we celebrate Juneteenth, which is known by some to be the second Independence Day but how much do you really know about it and its relevance or significance today? She gives us a history lesson and explains. Agape means love and for Agape Child and Family services, it is something …

Episode Notes My guests include County Commissioner Henri Brooks. While the commission is in the middle of budget season, she tells us how that is going and about an initiative that starts this week with area churches. The focus is to open up various churches to provide for many of our youth a safe place for activities and fun. State Representative…

Episode Notes My guests include Kim Keblish from FEMA and Liliana Tschanett from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The tornados that roared through West TN and many other areas in March caused an incredible amount of damage as well as displacing so many families. They join me to tell us how you still have time to file for these economic d…

Episode Notes Guests include Sarah Houston, Executive director, Protect Our Aquifer. While our water issues haven’t made front page news of late, there are always concerns that bare watching. Sarah shares the latest. It’s budget season with our local government officials and there is one issue our county commissioners are wrestling with, the Wheel …

Episode Notes Guests include Capt. Albert Glenn, one of the first Black pilots at FedEx who has embarked on yet another mission. He has started and oversee's a Flight school in Olive Branch for minority students in order to teach and diversify the airline industry. He explains. Next, for those of you who like me have major back problems, I speak wi…

Episode Notes My guests include State Senator Raumesh Akbari. With the Legislature recently ending we get a report card on how things went, both the highs and lows. Also, what is the realistic hope (if any), for any Red flag laws regarding any type of gun laws or restrictions. She shares her thoughts. With the crime rate at an all time high and our…

Episode Notes My guests include school board member Stephanie Love. With all the confusion surrounding the selection of a new Superintendent and a pause in the process, there are more questions than answers. She will share their thoughts and what happens going forward. Next homicide has become a very big problem in our city adding even more stress …

Episode Notes Alzheimer’s and dementia are two words no family ever wants to hear and the emotional toll it can take puts a real strain on families. Dr. Judy Martin is the Executive director of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Memphis which helps people with related disorders live with dignity and respect. One way they do that is to provide rel…

Episode Notes My guests include Ena Esco, radio and podcast personality who hosts TWO shows on WYXR. She has had a long career in the music biz and talks to me about her journey and fulfilling her dream of creating Ivymultimedia. Many of you have heard me speak of my ‘crew’ which features Nicole Covington and Ayuana ‘DJ Lola’ Cage. They are both cr…

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon. She makes a return appearance to chat about a number of items including the troubled County Clerks office and the decision to give Wanda Halbert a special assistant advisor, Janet Hooks, to help improve service to our community. Next, the State of Tennessee was on full displ…

Episode Notes My guests include Amber Sherman who is a community activist and a leading protester seeking change and accountability especially within our police department. She has received national notice by Rev. Al Sharpton and others for the peaceful but powerful way they have handled the Nichols tragedy while still seeking action. Next, Kelly D…

Episode Notes My guests include Veda Ajamu, Managing director of DEI programs and Community engagement for the National Civil Rights Museum. The Tyre Nichols case has transformed this nation and continues to generate hurt, anger, fear and frustration. She will tell us about an important National conversation that the museum is hosting called The Re…