My guests include MSCS Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond. The new school year is just beginning and not without more than a few questions. We are still wondering about who will be in charge of the day to day operations, the appointed board or the elected one. Dr. Richmond will tell me what his focus will be and the most urgent priorities he’s looking at as all of this continues to unfold legally. Next, the TN Statehouse is going to lose one of its long time and influential leaders soon. State Representative Johnny Shaw who has represented the people of Hardiman and Madison counties in District 80 for 26 years has decided to retire. He tells me why the time is now, his proudest accomplishments and what message he has for who ever succeeds him. Lastly, we all know how hot it gets in Memphis during a typical summer and for many, especially the unhoused,  this creates a major burden especially when it comes to staying healthy in addition to finding shelter. Gee Gee Clark, Programs Medical Care Manager for the Memphis Health Center joins me to talk about this growing problem and what they along with community partners are doing to help. That and more on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the wyxr app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

My guests include Linda Phillips from the Shelby County Election Commission. Election time is here and its importance cannot be understated. Early voting has started and she gives us an update on the numbers, locations and everything you need to know. Next, the new school year is upon us and there is uncertainty as to who is in charge. The state created an Oversight Committee to basically oversee operations and  the day to day decisions over the elected school board. This has resulted in a lawsuit and a temporary restraining order by the board. Dr. Henry Jones is a Community Organizer and is Director at Together 4 Students. His position is that MSCS has not prepared our children for the future they deserve and should drop the lawsuit and get to work for our kids. He explains his mission. Lastly, Robert Gordon is a Grammy Award winning writer and filmmaker from Memphis. His work has focused on the American south. His latest film project is entitled, ‘Newport and the Great Folk Dream’. He joins me to talk about what he calls, a film that serves as a reminder of what the Statue of Liberty stands for. That and more on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk

On the next live and all new Real Talk Memphis my guests include Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. He talks to me about his 40 year law enforcement career, the highs and lows, and what has frustrated him most with the County Commission regarding the jail issues. Next, frustration has been building not only in cases here of individuals being killed by task force and national guard members, but there is still no update in the Kohen Wiley murder case in Senatobia. Marquell Bridges is an activist, community organizer and founder of Bridge Builders. He joins me to share why civic engagement and collaboration is so important. That and more Monday, 6pm on air and online on 91.7 FM WYXR, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Time to talk!

My guests include Shelby County Commissioner Britney Thornton. She is winding up her first term and shares her experiences both good and challenging. I also ask her what she learned and what might come next. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner has been in law enforcement for over 40 years and as his time as sheriff winds down, we discuss his career highs and lows and if retirement and grandchildren are his new priority or ??. Finally, speaking of law enforcement, my next guest is a retired MPD Colonel with 30 years experience of patrolling the streets of Memphis. Darren Goods knows about crime and is responsible for solving the Lorenzen Wright murder case while with the gang unit. Now, he is the author of a new book, Memphis Crime: A Trilogy of Fear. He talks about that and what he sees on the streets today. That and more on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

My guests include State Senator Raumesh Akbari. With the redistricting issue at the forefront of the upcoming elections, I wanted to catch up with her to have her share why this is no time to be complacent. Also, her feelings about the MSCS oversight committee and what might this look like moving forward. Next, the County Commission just approved the new budget but not without a property tax increase. Charlie Caswell joins me to discuss what many have said was a challenging session and the prospects of working with a new group of members. Lastly, we are all becoming familiar with the new world of technology led by AI. CodeCrew is helping to mentor underrepresented youth and adults to be the next tech innovators through computer science. CEO Meka Egwuekwe joins to tell us how. That and more on air and online, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

My guests include Sarah Carpenter, a community and education advocate. She has been at the forefront and a passionate voice for the education of our children. I ask her how she feels about the new oversight management board and what she expects as they try to turn things around. Next, 1-year old Kohen Wiley was laid to rest after being shot and killed by police at a Senatobia Walmart. Many people including myself are wondering the why of it all. Attorney Van Turner who has joined the Crump legal team will join me to discuss this tragic case. Finally, many our youth face difficult challenges and at times head in the wrong direction. Co Pastors of the WORD Church Aaron and Lakisha Litzsey join me to discuss their program Urban Promise 901 and how honoring the role of fathers can make all the difference in a child’s life. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the wyxr app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

Guests include Karen Vogelsang, former long time educator and the final member of the new MSCS Oversight management board. She tells me why she said yes and why this is a challenging yet necessary step forward for the future of our children’s education.  Next, The Souls to the Polls event was recently held to inform and educate the public about the redistricting issue and how critical it is for people to gather, galvanize, unify and understand what is at stake. Rachael Goodwin Spriggs, education advocate and statewide director of power-building for the Equity Alliance was a participant and joins me to talk about the important role millennials can play in the upcoming election. Last but not least, Shelby County Democratic Party Chairman Willie Simon joins me to talk about both the challenge and the opportunity to get people to the polls and why their voices do matter. That and more, on air and online Monday, 6-7pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

My guests include the Honorable Mayor Paul Young. It’s time for a check in on the pulse of the city, where things stand these days, how the city is doing and what else he’s working on. Next, we are all aware of the redistricting issue and how important it is to the future of our voting rights. He also talks about The Souls to the Polls event and the message for the people. Last but certainly not least is a commentator, columnist and author. Otis Sanford joins me to discuss his new autobiography, Newsman: The Road from Route 2 Box 9. It chronicles his rise from growing up in Mississippi to his 50-year journalism career. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the wyxr app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

We are back with a live and all new Real Talk Memphis; my guests include Beverly Robertson. She is a well established community leader and businesswoman. Now, she is taking on a new challenge as an appointed member of the MSCS Oversight board as chosen by Governor Lee. She joins me to talk about why she accepted the offer and the challenges that might lie ahead. Speaking of the MSCS School Board, member Tamarques Porter will join me to offer his thoughts and reaction. Another question is just how much authority they will now have as the elected body. Lastly, as of late, we hear more about our young people but for the wrong reasons it seems. I will introduce you to a 17-year old young woman, Jasmine Bernard who is making sure that people know that being young doesn’t mean being unaware. She is a community activist who has a lot to say. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!

Guests include TN Minority House Leader Karen Camper. The events of the last couple of weeks have been difficult and even transformative with more questions than answers. A Special Session was held which split the only Black district in the state (9), into three sections, redistricting and diluting the black vote. After that happened, the House Speaker stripped some House dems of committee assignments because they were disruptive. She shares her thoughts on all of it. Next, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this is still a very serious issue in the Mid South. Recently, Alliance Healthcare Services opened the doors to the Children and Youth Crisis Wellness Center. Dr. Mallory Mitchell, MD, MPH, has joined the team as the Children and Youth Medical Director. She tells me why working with our young people is so critically important. Finally, in order to understand what is happening with this redistricting issue we need to understand its history. Dr. Charles McKinney is a professor at Rhodes College and a civil rights expert. He explains what we need to know and what we should do next. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on 91.7 FM WYXR. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!