Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

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 family unit is and we also see what happens when there are missing pieces. Carol Jackson, Executive Director of Families Matter pays a return visit to share what new initiatives they have and about a recent graduation ceremony. That and more on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also on the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!
It’s time to talk!

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 organization dedicated to empowering our youth. President Leigh Mansberg joins to talk about their latest project. That and more Monday, 6-7 pm, WYXR 91.7FM, WYXR app, TuneIn, Facebook Live, You Tube and wherever you get your podcasts!It's time to talk!

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 Black History Month, we speak with two Black women who are trailblazers in the funeral business. Madeline Lyles and Dana Taylor are the owners of After Life Morturary Services which as I’m told, they are the first in Memphis and the state of Tennessee. They share their story of determination and success. Next, you ever meet someone you instantly knew would be a success? For me, that was Trey Moore. He is a young man who understands what it means to give back. He joins me to discuss an empowerment event he’s hosting. That and more on air and online, Monday 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

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 occasion challenging at best. One man who can explain it better than many is relatively new to the area but we don’t know much about him. Andrew Humphrey, Fox 13 Chief Meteorologist joins me for a brief look at his background and what he thinks about the Bluff city. For my next guest, radio has been a part of his life and a calling for many years. Stan Bell, or the Bell Ringer as he is also known has been a radio personality for as long as I can remember and these days does double duty (serving us well….you know the rest) on WDIA and V101. He joins me live in studio to talk about his career and making us move to the groove. That and more both on air and online Monday 6-7 pm, WYXR 91.7 FM. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

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 the state constitution that would keep violent criminals behind bars by denying bail. Democratic State Representative Sam McKenzie joins me to share his thoughts on whether this is a step in the right direction, and if his fellow republican colleagues are really ready to tackle gun control. Finally, the recent snow storm left us with a lot of problems and the first boil water notice and advisory ever. That prompted many questions and prompted me to ask the Water Warrior herself and Protect Our Aquifer executive director Sarah Houston to discuss her thoughts along with LaTricea Adams. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 Interim Superintendent of MSCS. She has a busy agenda as well trying to navigate the academic needs of the students while keeping standards high. She recently announced the district was joining others for a collective stance against community violence saying 22 children have died as a result in this school year. She tells me how infrastructure changes and other measures can help to change the focus. Next, science was never my strong suit, but for Evan Wu it helped him to get a major award. The MUS senior was recently named as a scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. He joins me to talk about it and the $2000 award that comes with it.
This and more Monday, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 constituents are telling them and what the priorities are in 2024. One of the biggest issues in terms of crime last year was the increase in the number of juveniles involved. The Honorable Tarik Sugarmon, Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge joins me to discuss his thoughts, ideas and suggestions as to how to curb this escalating problem and on holding parents accountable by pushing for tougher penalties for those adults involved in juvenile criminal activity and truancy cases. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk in 2024!

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. Pearson is a bit of an understatement to be sure. Elected to fill the seat of the late Barbara Cooper in District 86 only to be expelled from the Statehouse for supporting citizens wanting and demanding gun rights legislation only to be re-elected. He joins me to discuss his views on the violence in our streets, and his goals for the next legislative session. Finally, 2023 can’t end quickly enough for many as challenges quickly mount. Our friend Otis L. Sanford joins me to give his year in review report and his expectations for a better 2024. This and more both on air and online Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 like. Trevia Chatman is the President of Bank of America Memphis and as a strong community partner, they award organizations that are doing positive things to uplift our communities through their Neighborhood Builders program. Through the program, they recently awarded Dress to Success a $50,000 grant for their work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods. She tells us about their commitment. Finally, sniffles, sneezes and coughs are once again starting to appear as flu cases are beginning to rise. Dr. Steve Threlkeld, Infectious Disease Specialist for the Baptist medical group returns to talk about RSV, flu, Covid and what else we should be on the lookout for. That and more Monday, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR. org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

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, Dress for Success was recently recognized by Bank of America as a 2023 awardee for its work in advancing economic mobility in underserved neighborhoods. Their Memphis Executive director Rhonda Treadwell joins me to share the big news.
REACH Memphis is a program that helps high potential students prepare for college and careers through mentoring, college preparation and career planning. Tiffani Morrow Smith is the executive director whose past experience in being a mentor has more than prepared her for the task at hand. That and much more Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, YouTube, Facebook Live and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk.