Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

Episode Notes Guests include State Senator Ramesh Akbari. She is having a busy legislative season with a primary focus on public safety. She speaks about her sponsorship of a bill that could soon become law which would reduce medical deaths in police custody among other things. U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz is the Chief federal law enforcement officer in West TN. His office has set forth several initia...

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 ther...

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 Le...

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 w...

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 exp...

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 cri...

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 agen...

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 ar...

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. E...

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 Amer...

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 Ban...

Episode Notes My guests include Amy Kalb and Kache Brooks who will share information and details about a County program that deals directly with both youth and families hopefully keeping them from making dangerous choices. There is also a new mental health component included that meets young people where they are. Brian Harris will proudly tell anyone who asks that he IS Memphis. A community leade...

Episode Notes My guests include Carol Jackson, Executive Director of Families Matter. This organization is intentional as they dedicate themselves to the betterment of children while caring for and instructing parents in understanding their God given role within the family. She tells me about their latest initiative. The Chris Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing financial and soc...

Episode Notes Guests include Dr. Derek Kelly, Pediatric Orthopedic surgeon for Campbell Clinic and LeBonheur Children's hospital. Kym Clark is a long time and very popular news anchor for WMC TV Action News 5. My former colleague joins me to discuss her legendary career which spans almost three decades and how the business has changed. Finally, we profile one of our best kept secrets in the academ...

Episode Notes My guests include Kimberly Gaither who, as we honor Breast Cancer Awareness month is a survivor more than once. She was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, (TNBC) which is an aggressive less common type of breast cancer affecting women younger than 40. She shares her story of struggle, courage and survival. We all enjoy a good meal every now and then and culinary excellence...

Episode Notes My guests include Mark Russell, Executive editor of the Commercial Appeal newspaper. He shares what it’s like to run a daily paper in digital and in print, and determining what is important to readers. Also, in a changing world, how has the newspaper business changed for today’s audience. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and it is an issue that so many people are still de...

Episode Notes My guests include District 10 County Commissioner Britney Thornton who is rescheduled from last week. I speak with her about her first year in office, the challenges and the triumphs. Also, what she sees as the road ahead and what other issues she wants to tackle. Brett Batterson is the President and CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group. While we know of its artistic history, how many of...

Episode Notes My guests include Memphis District 3 City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson. She is winding up her second and final term and as she prepares to leave, I ask her about the high and low points, where the city is at today from her view and about her upcoming new position with TVA and why it’s so important for MLGW customers. LifeLine to Success is an organization that accepts people where t...

Episode Notes Guests include Sarah Houston, the Executive director of Protect the Aquifer. Water, as we know is our most precious resource and it is imperative that we do all we can to keep it safe and pure. Sarah gives us the latest update and tells us about the new fellows position. Monique Williams is a woman of many talents including being a restaurant owner. She now adds a new title and role...

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. He has just finished his first year in office and to say it’s been challenging is an understatement. From Eliza Fletcher to Young Dolph to Tyre Nichols just to name a few,  his office has been under the hot glare of the spotlight. He tells me how it’s been and what other new initiatives he’s working on. Next, Katherine B...

Episode Notes My guests include Johnnie Mosley, Chairman, Citizens for Better Service. Recently, a group of concerned citizens held a community meeting about problems and issues facing the bus riders of MATA. They met with CEO Gary Rosenfeld and Congressman Steve Cohen about issues ranging from delayed to ‘no show’ buses on fixed routes to scheduling issues just to name a few. He tells me if they...

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 L...

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 violen...

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...

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...