Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

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  after he was hit trying to render aid. That man was Leta’s father Marrell but there is much more to the story! She joins me to discuss how his being a spy placed him in the center of history. Next, a very important election with significant consequences will be held on October 5 when we select the next Mayor and City Council. MICAH- Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope is hosting a public meeting and forum August 27th at New Sardis Baptist Church. It’s a session for the citizens to realize the importance of voting and a chance to meet some of the candidates to address their concerns face to face. Rev. Rosalyn Nichols and Janiece Lee drop by to discuss. Finally, the importance of early reading skills is a top priority these days as it can define how your child performs in the future. Karen Vogelsang, Executive director of Arise2Read and 2015 Tennessee Teacher of the Year will tell us why children who read proficiently by the third grade have a greater chance for success and how we can help. It’s a powerful RTM both on air and online, Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

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 why you should attend. We all know that gun violence is a huge problem in our city, state and country. The governor has called a Special session August 21st to address the issue. State Representative John Ray Clemmons of Nashville and head of the House Democratic Caucus joins me to discuss the importance of this session and why we should ALL stand for change. The organization Girls on the Run is one that recently came to my attention and because of who they are and what they do I want to bring them to yours. I will speak with two of their members about how combining physical sportsmanship and instilling valuable life skills are the keys to developing a better you. That and more Monday @ 6pm both on air and on line. 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 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 right to vote was hard fought and the Rev. Dr. Earle Fisher, Sr. Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, and director of Up The Vote 901 will host the People’s Convention. He tells us why this is the most significant election in the last 50 years and why information is power. It has been said that reading is fundamental and Literacy Mid-South is asking for your help. Candace Freeman joins me to share how the organization is looking for more than 100 paid tutors who want to help students with critical reading skills. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm live on the next RTM. WYXR 91.7, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 . DeAndre Brown is the Director of the Office of Reentry and will tell us about the new FOCUSED training program and how it will help those formally offended the opportunity to earn a living wage He also explains why this could be a game changer. Lastly, Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Orr, Sr. Pastor of Brown Baptist  is a dynamic preacher but did you know he is an author? He joins me to discuss his second book, Outside the Box and how it could help it could help change a community. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM. Also on the WYXR app, WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 and My Best Self Sessions. She explains why it is some important for them to live their best life. Next, every year about this time we deal with the high heat of the summer months. This year, the entire country, even the world is experiencing the hottest temperatures we have ever seen. Dr. Carlos Shammas, ER doctor for the Baptist Medical Group joins me to talk about the dangers of heat exposure and the warning signs. Lastly, extremely bad weather can be a headache and when it does we rely on our local meteorologists to guide us thru. Tim Simpson has been doing this in the mid-south for 29 years. This is his last week at WREG as he is retiring and he and his wife Leah are moving to South Carolina. He tells us why he’s ready for the next chapter of life. That and more, on air and online Monday 6-7 pm central on 91.7 FM WYXR. 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 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 meeting was held with law enforcement officials and the Marshals Service. U.S. Marshal for the Western District Tryeece Miller joins me to share what their role is and how an increased presence will hopefully provide a benefit of additional safety to our communities. Finally, it’s lights, camera and action as we pull up the curtains on a new season of entertainment at the Orpheum Theatre. We speak with the President and CEO Brett Batterson who gives us a preview of upcoming events as well as the new sidewalk of stars. It’s a must check out edition both on air and online, Monday 6-7pm. WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and Facebook Live.
It’s time to talk!

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 who understands the streets and is tired of the violence and committed to saving lives. Finally, there is a big event coming to the big apple aka NYC. Our city soul is on the move and WYXR 's Jared 'JB' Boyd is part of it and tells us what to expect. That and more on air and online, Monday, 6-7 pm 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 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 to tell us why it's so difficult to diagnose. Jacqueline Oselen is a health and wellness coach, health practitioner and certified yoga teacher. Her main goal is to help the mental, physical and spiritual needs of the black community. She tells us how the Memphis Black Healers Collective can and does help. Rev. Melvin Watkins of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church is a man with a vision for the Westwood community he serves. He along with the community are embarking on a revitalization project. The Southwest Twin Drive-in was once a staple of the area, but it has been dormant for decades. Uplift Westwood CDC says it's time for a new and positive change, he explains the process. All that and more Monday both on air and online. Live 6-7 pm central, 91.7 WYXR also the WYXR app, TuneIn, Facebook live, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.It's time to talk!

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 in Memphis last month. She tells me why it was so important and how she pulled it off. The Ford plant in the town of Stanton in Haywood County called BlueOval City is the largest manufacturer in TN history. Thomas Burrell is the President of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, Inc. Their job is to make sure that Black farmers and landowners get fair and equitable financial representation and the real possibility of generational wealth and partnership. He tells me what they hope to achieve. Lastly, this is Black Music Month and the history of Memphis is at the forefront. Memphis Music Initiative Executive Director Amber Hamilton joins me to celebrate their mission and to share a very special partnership that adds a flavorful note with a catchy theme. ‘Break me off a piece of that”.. So join me both on air and online Monday 6-7pm, WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
It’s time to talk!

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 they strive to accomplish every day for the people in our city. They are hosting a very special event this weekend which emphasizes hope, encouragement and fellowship with one another when we need it the most. Pastor Daniel Henley joins me to tell us what to expect at this years Faith Family Festival. You may not know his name but he has a very important job in enforcing the law. Kevin Ritz is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. He has held the position since September of 2022 after being appointed by President Biden. He is the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee and he explains what determines a federal case and why it is different from locally prosecuted cases. This and more on the Juneteenth edition of Real Talk Memphis both on air and online. Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!