Wallace Allen's Empire Talks Back

“The Power & Spirit of the Inland Empire is its local community heroes.”- Wallace Allen From mental health advocacy to youth mentorship and educational opportunity, this episode celebrates the individuals and organizations making a difference in the Inland Empire. As Wallace reminds us, we can build a world that uses its strength to shelter the weak, its riches to empower the poor, and its kno...

Your vote is more than a political choice. It's an opportunity to have a say in the decisions that affect your everyday life, your family, and your community. In this October 4, 2026 episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen welcomes San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Joani Finwall and Alton Garrett, President of the Westside Action Group (WAG), for an informative discussion about th...

President Donald Trump says America is doing better than ever, but is that the America most Americans are experiencing? In this episode of Empire Talks Back , host Wallace Allen examines the week's political headlines, including Trump's claims of unprecedented economic success, his celebration of wealth and investment, and the growing disconnect between those claims and the financial realities fac...

Host Wallace Allen welcomes recording artist and entrepreneur Joe Jack the Mogul (Joe Goree) for a wide-ranging discussion about reckless behavior, personal accountability, and the consequences of deception. From Donald Trump's political conduct and the approaching 2026 midterm elections to the federal fraud case involving Daejon Love, the conversation examines troubling behavior in politics and e...

Originally aired live August 23, 2026 For this episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen welcomes South Florida Haitian community activist Farah Larrieux for an important conversation about the Trump administration’s reversal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the United States.  Farah explains why TPS should not be viewed solely through the lens of immigration reform—it is...

On the July 26 episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen welcomes student advocate and author Jerry L. Green, whose book Bullying Is a Drug challenges the way schools, families, and communities think about bullying and its lasting effects. Wallace and Jerry discuss the emotional and psychological impact bullying has on students, why advocacy is essential to creating safer learning environme...

On the July 19 episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen is joined by activist and historian Michael Harris for a solutions-focused conversation about protecting American democracy. The discussion explores why voting early is one of the most effective tools citizens have to safeguard elections, the importance of working with Secretaries of State to ensure election integrity, and the concept...

Originally aired live on Sunday July 12, 2026 On this edition of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen examines the major political and economic stories shaping America including debates over domestic policy, immigration, the courts, international affairs, and preparations for the 2026 midterm elections. The conversation reviews actions and policy developments from the Trump administration while e...

As America reflects on the meaning of Juneteenth and Independence Day, Wallace welcomes Duane Wilson, Region II Deputy Director of the California Conservation Corps (CCC), for a conversation about service, opportunity, and community empowerment. Wilson discusses the mission of the California Conservation Corps, the organization's commitment to developing young adults through conservation and workf...

Aired live June 28, 2026 This week on Empire Talks Back, Wallace welcomes two guests tackling issues that directly affect local communities and veterans. First, Roland Armstrong, Media Public Records Act Coordinator for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), discusses storm drains, public safety, infrastructure, and how Caltrans responds to community concerns. Then, veteran advoca...

(Original airdate Sunday June 7, 2026) What happens when young people are given the tools to dream bigger? On this inspiring episode of Empire Talks Back, Wallace Allen welcomes Dolores Williams, founder of Millionaire Minds Kids, an organization that has helped shape the lives of hundreds of young people throughout Southern California's High Desert region. For more than two decades, Millionaire M...

(Originally aired live on May 12, 2026) United States Senator Cory Booker joins Wallace Allen to discuss current national issues, civic engagement, and how Americans can respond constructively to political challenges through organizing, advocacy, and participation. Commissioner Vickie Davis, founder of Rialto's Juneteenth Jam, shares the history and impact of the annual celebration while introduci...

Originally aired live on May 10, 2026 Host Wallace Allen welcomes veteran advocate, filmmaker, writer, producer, and artist Glenn Towery to Empire Talks Back for an important conversation about the hidden battles many veterans face after returning home from military service. Towery shares insights from his work in veteran suicide prevention, community advocacy, and storytelling while discussing hi...

Aired live on April 12, 2026 On this powerful episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen sits down with U.S. Senator Cory Booker for a direct and urgent conversation about the state of America—and what must happen next. Senator Booker outlines five critical issues facing the country: economic fairness, the rising cost of healthcare, political corruption, access to education, and the growing...

Originally aired live on March 29, 2026 Women’s History Month Spotlight: Dr. Vanessa Perez-Trang on Empowerment, Equity & Building Opportunity  In this special Women’s History Month episode of Empire Talks Back, Wallace Allen sits down with Dr. Vanessa Perez-Trang, Executive Director of the Time for Change Foundation. From starting as an intern in 2012 to leading one of the Inland Empire’s mos...

Originally aired live March 22, 2026 Host Wallace Allen connects with the San Bernardino Social Lites and the young men they are mentoring as they prepare for their upcoming Beautillion Ball—an event rooted in leadership, discipline, and community legacy. This conversation highlights what mentorship looks like in action, how these young men are being shaped for the future, and why programs like th...

Originally aired live March 15, 2026 Doing something to help isn’t complicated—it starts with a decision. In this episode of Empire Talks Back , Wallace Allen keeps it real: “Pick up that trash.” A simple act, but a reminder that responsibility for our communities starts with each of us. Wallace is joined by Brenda Sutton, a mother who turned personal pain into purpose. After her daughters experie...

Originally aired live on March 8, 2026 Wallace Allen doesn’t say it to gloat—he says it to remind us what happens when we ignore what’s happening right in front of us. In this episode of Empire Talks Back , Wallace breaks down the importance of paying attention to local issues, staying engaged in community affairs, and building real self-sustainability at the ground level. Because when we disconne...

Originally aired on March 1, 2026 War decisions made in Washington can echo for generations — especially for the men and women who serve on the front lines. On this episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen discusses the impact of U.S. military conflict with Iran and what those decisions mean for American troops. Joining the conversation is Farron Dozier, a veteran with more than two decade...

(Originally aired February 22, 2026) Reparations for the descendants of American slavery remains one of the most important and debated issues in the country today. What would real reparative justice look like — and how do we prove lineage and historical harm? On this episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen leads a powerful conversation on the history, politics, and future of reparations i...

Aired February 15, 2026 Wallace Allen opens the conversation with a question: “Is the tempter as guilty as the tempted?” He shares his perspective on accountability, influence, and responsibility in today’s social climate. This episode also features: R&B singer Henry Andrade of The Bromatics discussing their upcoming virtual performance Louis Winder of the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alp...

Aired February 8, 2026 Following a week of racially charged posts from Donald Trump on Truth Social, Wallace Allen examines what those statements mean in the broader political landscape. This episode of Empire Talks Back focuses on: • Trump’s latest posts and the public response • “When is bad news, good news?” — the question driving the discussion • How camera coverage impacts “the movement” and...

In this episode of Empire Talks Back , host Wallace Allen is joined by Mac Romeo—a comedian, activist, and military veteran—and Myshjua Allen Murray, Founder of One Life Live Lit and writer of Mysellations , for a wide-ranging discussion on Venezuela, U.S. foreign policy, and political accountability. The conversation examines whether efforts to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during th...

In this episode of Empire Talks Back, originally aired on August 10, 2025, host Wallace Allen offers his perspective on a controversial political decision involving the Trump administration—specifically a deal that resulted in a minimum-security facility replacing a maximum-security prison as housing for a convicted child sex abuser. Wallace examines what this decision signals about power, privile...

In this episode of Empire Talks Back, host Wallace Allen challenges listeners with a pointed observation: the opposite of being woke is being asleep. From that premise, the conversation turns toward lived experience, service, and continued responsibility. Wallace is joined by Vietnam-era combat veterans who speak candidly about their military service and their ongoing involvement with Veterans Aff...