Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Ronnie Eldridge, host of "Eldridge & Co." went to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility to interview Judith Clark, an inmate serving 75 years-to-life. Judith Clark will be eligible for parole in 2056. She will be 107 years old. Unedited interview follows

Anthony Maniscalco, Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs, author of "Public Spaces, Marketplaces, and the Constitution" tells us that many public spaces and marketplaces in American cities and suburbs are off limits to free speech.

Investigative reporter Tom Robbins and Ronnie Eldridge discuss the purposes of imprisonment, prison programming and rehabilitation versus retribution. Part 1/2 has an exclusive interview with Judith Clark, serving 75 years to life at Bedford Hills Prison.

Jack Caravanos, professor at the CUNY School of Public Health talks about the public health crisis - not only in Flint, Michigan but in other parts of the country and throughout the world.

City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, representing the 35th Council District in Brooklyn, describes her vibrant, economically, racially and culturally diverse district as the "epicenter of Brooklyn."

Dr. Ruth Finkelstein of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and Mailman School of Public Health discusses the impact of our aging population on "everything" in our society, noting that there is a whole generation of people who are really old.

Award winning broadcast journalist, author and host of "Black America," Carol Jenkins and show's host Ronnie Eldridge talk politics - the young voter, race - Black Lives Matter movement - and more.

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), headed by Donna Lieberman, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization, promoting and defending basic principles and values: freedom of speech and religion, the right to privacy, and to due process of law.

Helen Rosenthal, NYC Council Member, serving the Upper West Side-District 6, discusses issues of major concern to her community and most New Yorker's: affordable housing. Ms. Rosenthal is enthusiastic about proposed budget reforms, effecting the Council.

Comm. Loree Sutton, MD, of the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs discusses programs and services for veterans, their dependents and survivors facing the challenges of unemployment, mental health issues, and homelessness.

Comm. Loree Sutton, MD, of the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs discusses programs and services for veterans, their dependents and survivors facing the challenges of unemployment, mental health issues, and homelessness.

Erin Butler, Helaine Soller and Marie Schepis, members of the Women in the Arts Foundation, talk about the attitudes that still exist and the difficulties for women to exhibit and take their place as professional artists.

Shari Silberstein is executive director of Equal Justice USA, a national organization, partnering with state and local groups, working to repeal the death penalty and to help crime victims and their families rebuild their lives.

NYC Councilmember Corey Johnson describes his district 3 as "the best district." Calling the Hudson Yards the "Abu Dahbi on the Hudson" office towers, residents, parks, commercial space, Councilmember Johnson spoke of 100% affordable housing in the plan.

Professors Nicholas Bloom and Matthew Lasner, co-editors of "Affordable Housing in New York," discuss the history of public housing, condos/co-ops, Mitchell-Lama, NYCHA and more, remarking that there is never enough affordable housing in NYC.

Ronnie Eldridge asks guest Doug Muzzio, Baruch College, "So, what do you think?" beginning a passionate conversation about candidates for the presidency - particularly Republican candidates: fear tactics, mistruths, lies, demagoguery.

NY City Council Member Ritchie Torres represents 165,000 people of which 6,000 individuals vote. Torres works to boost civic awareness and to increase the number of voters. He is chair of the Committee on Public Housing (NYCHA), home to 600,000 NYers.

Les Leopold's book "Runaway Inequality" explains how economic inequality developed, what it is doing to us-to our families and to our country, illustrating how virtually all the key issues we face, are ultimately connected to rising economic inequality.

This country has 2.3 million people in its jails and prisons, the highest incarceration rate in the world. Jeremy Travis, John Jay College president, discusses the damage of mass incarceration on families, communities, and the economy and reform efforts.

Mark Levine, representing the 7th Councilmanic district in Manhattan discusses the challenges to his community of housing, homelessness, and harassment. Chair of Parks and Recreation, Levine advocates for equality for parks in low income neighborhoods.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, founded in 1993 by Brooklyn mothers, after the shooting death of a teacher, works to reduce gun violence through legislative advocacy and education. Leah Gunn Barrett, outlines issues and NYAGV's programs.

Sharon Content, founder and president, of Children of Promise, NYC brings sharp reality to our attention: two and a half million children-and in New York State-around 105,000 children currently have a parent serving time.

NY City Councilman Jumaane D. Williams, (45th Council District) describes his interest in political science and his attraction to public service. Discussing gun violence, housing, community safety, Councilman Williams focuses on realistic solutions

New York City's taxi and livery system is the 4th largest transportation provider in the United States, making over 600,000 trips every day. In addition to its service, the business provides employment to a large number of entry level workers and more.

Sara Bennett, a criminal justice attorney, follows four women as they return to the world, having served long terms in maximum security prison. The stories are sad yet inspiring; leaving us to question the system of parole and the length of sentencing.