Local Matters Podcast

Augusta Mini Theater, a cultural gem that has been enriching the lives of young talents for 48 years. Our guest, Tyrone Butler, shares the inspiring journey of this institution, its impact on the community, and the transformative power of the arts. Discover how he came to start this and keep it going for 48 years, the upcoming weekend of activities, and their plans for the future. You can learn mo...

Reverend John K. Coar III is a Millennial preacher, founder of JCI3 Ministries, and author of When Wait Your Turn Means No Turn at All on Westbow Press (2023). Rev. Coar is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Truett Seminary-Baylor University, an Army Reservist, and Minister of Christian Education at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Augusta, GA. He joins Local Matters to discuss his book,...

Brigitte Brown Jackson joins us from Detroit, Michigan. She wears many hats, to include Motivational Speaker, Educational Consultant/Strategist, Extreme Execution Coach, and Licensed Minister. She hosts the Powerful Podcast and operates Exponential EduVentures. In his episode, we discuss the connection between water infrastructure failures and how effectively school systems can educate children. T...

September is National Voter Registration Month. Travis Doss, Executive Director of the Richmond County (GA) Board of Elections, discusses the November 7 elections, the cost of elections, and whether every vote is counted and whehter it really counts. He also offers his opinions on the easiest ways to register to vote, and the easiest way to request an absentee ballot. Finally, we touch upon the to...

We know the government can't solve every problem. There is a need for individuals and non-profit organizations to serve. Shabazz Ali, CEO of At Risk Youth of Charlotte, NC and Community Activist, talks about his efforts to address some of the deepest problems we have: families in poverty, fatherless households, unemployment, alcoholism, and homelessness. He also talks about the limits of what elec...

Jacob Taylor is a Human-Centered Design Consultant for The Connective, based in Phoenix, AZ. Jacob engages in the critical evaluation of regional solutions, and identifying potential cross-municipal collaborative opportunities that employ smart city initiatives. We discuss how frustrating it is for smaller cities to try to keep up with technologies that municipalities right across the way enjoy, h...

We continue our conversation with Dr. Linda Tucciarone, Co-Founder of Augusta's Heritage Academy. She discusses whether school size is important, the importance of family involvement, and some things private schools can do that public ones can't. We also touch on societal trends that have impacted the ability of students to perform in the classroom. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaki...

Dr. Linda Tucciarone, Founder and recently retired Executive Director of Augusta's Heritage Academy, joins Local Matters to explain why she decided to start a school. She also describes the factors behind their success, and some particular challenges of education in urban communities. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenja...

Richmond County (GA) educator and parent Erin Quattlebaum shares her experience and wisdom gleaned from it. She addresses the particular plight of special needs students, to include the way the process is supposed to work on their behalf. She also explains why it doesn't always work and the consequences when it doesn't. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jackson is speaking only f...

Wallace White, Associate State Director, AARP of Georgia, joins us to discuss services provided by the American Association of Retired Persons. He also defines who a senior citizen is, the need for volunteers to carry out their mission, and the Age Friendly city designation. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weeb...

This is not your average back to school bash! Join the SWAT Foundation on Saturday, July 29, 11am to 2pm at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1714 Olive Road. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/LocalMattersPodcastofGeorgia Subscribe on Youtube: Local Mat...

Carla Delaney, Augusta's Director of Planning and Development Services, walks us through all the steps necessary to re-develop property. She also describes the easier way to get a business license, why so many regulations exist, and what code enforcement really is, and is not. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.we...

Augusta, GA Director of Planning and Development Services Carla Delaney joins us to describe the responsibilities of her department, the comprehensive planning process, and some of the challenges of her job. She also tells us how every day citizens can participate. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Fol...

Local Matters host Janice Allen Jackson discusses the origin and history of affirmative action and how the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court affects Georgians. She also describes oddities of the ruling, disagreements among the justices, and measures some universities are taking in lieu of race-conscious admissions policies. DISCLAIMER: Local Matters Podcast Host Janice Allen Jacks...

Mental health and wellness have long been taboo topics, particularly in the African American community. Now that the suicide rate is increasing among people of color, we have to face the reality that our lack of conversation is problematic. Ben and Vivian Ross, owners of Elephant In The Room Counseling, talk about their approach to therapy, who needs it, and how to get help if needed. They also to...

Chatham County Commissioner Aaron Whitely joins Local Matters to discuss the highs and lows of serving as a local elected official. He also talks about how to engage youth, support black owned businesses, the impact of Hyundai's new plant, and whether Augusta and Savannah comprise a region of its own. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: w...

Brenda Durant, Executive Director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, discusses what what we should be enjoying on the local arts scene. We cover who pays for public art, our new crosswalk mural, and Augusta's biggest festival. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: www...

California Attorney Matthew Silver Founder, of Civica Law joins us to talk about the thing that generates more complaints to local government than almost anything else: Code Enforcement. We discuss what Code Enforcement is, the difference between Code of Enforcement and Law Enforcement, and when you need to call them. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the C...

Attorney Tanya Jeffords discusses her hopes for a better relationship between African Americans and law enforcement, voting restrictions for those who commit felonies, how we move forward to build mutual respect, and the cost of incarceration. She also tackles the issue of whether there will ever be an effort to seek solutions that will result in better conditions for people of color. DISCLAIMER:...

Bennish Brown, President/CEO of Destination Augusta, enlightens us about attractions in our area. He discusses what they are doing to draw visitors, and why he doesn't agree when people say their is nothing to do in Augusta. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: @LocalM...

Sara Suggs, CEO of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy, talks about how much we need to know to become empowered citizens. She describes the new Civics For Life platform that the Institute has created to make information about government easily accessible. We also touch on the seemingly increasing levels of incivility in our political discourse. Please visit www.civicsforlife....

Ronic West, President and Co-Founder of the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce, tells the story behind how they started. She also describes the organization's activities, the benefits of membership, and the partnerships GABCC has formed.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, Reduce Your Risk, and other organizations are teaming up to help you protect your health! There will also be free food and clothing. Rev. Lisa Wheeler, Patient Navigator, and Angela Prince, volunteer with Reduce Your Risk. To contact Mrs. Jackson for consulting or speaking engagements, please see the Contact Us page: www. Janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Follo...

Daryl Rolle, Augusta barber, instructor, and entrepreneur, discusses why he has devoted so much time to the Augusta Choice Neighborhoods Program, and specifically, the Neighborhood Leadership Institute. The institute exists to make sure residents of some of District 1 neighborhoods are up to speed with the process of community development. The hope is that the information and discussion will lead...

Today, our guest is Joseph Turner, City Administrator of South Hutchinson, Kansas. We will cover a number of topics, to include our favorite aspects of the job, why there is so much short term thinking in government, and how local government is becoming more complex and more volatile. We also discuss whether the work of City Managers is appreciated, and training and term limits for elected officia...