Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

Episode Notes Guests include Kirkland Bible, a family law attorney who will discuss something I wasn’t aware of. January is Child-Centered Divorce Month and the highest filing month for divorces. She explains about the effects a divorce can have on children. The term mental illness has for years been a subject very few wish to talk about with some calling it, a dirty little secret. Laurie Powell,...

Episode Notes Guests include MSCS board member Michelle Robinson McKissack who will give us an update on how the search for a new superintendent is going and when will the public have it's next chance to weigh in. Next, our finances are something we should all be concerned about. We have invited financial expert and author Vincent Perry to give some valuable tips and advice to start the year off o...

Episode Notes My guests include Jerald Trotter aka Don't lose your head, use your head mane! He joins me to share his thoughts on the escalating crime rate especially among our young people and what we can all do to help. Next, speaking on a related theme and taken from the old saying, it takes a village to raise a child, I ask Pastor Jonathan Jamel McReynolds his take on what seems to be a 'disco...

Episode Notes My guests include Josh Spickler, Executive director of Just City. Their mission is to transform local criminal justice policy and practice to ensure it is fair for all people regardless of wealth, race or ethnicity. He will tell us what some of their new strategic initiatives are as we begin the new year and with a new administration. Next, Mental illness and suicide are issues that...

Episode Notes My guests include District 2 Memphis City Councilman, Frank Colvett. He is among so many of us that are very tired and upset about the alarming rate of speeders in the city among other things and are now looking at plans to slow down the problem. He tells us what changes he would like to see as a deterrent. And Justin J.Pearson, a local community activist has made a very prestigious...

Episode Notes My guests include MSCS board member Michelle McKissick. The search for a new superintendent is underway with new guidelines and a deadline in place. She will update us on the timeline and how important the input from the public is to the process. She will also explain the ongoing discussions regarding the three Germantown schools. Alyce Hart serves the community as a Memphis Police O...

Episode Notes My guests include economist John Gnuschke, who will give us his crystal ball account of the economic outlook as we get into the holiday shopping season and whether a recession could be in our future. Next, Tis the season for shopping and it’s also the season for scammers to escalate their presence and figure out how to play the grinch and take your money. Our friend Daniel Irwin from...

Episode Notes My guests include Sarah Carpenter, Executive director of Memphis Lift. This is an organization that considers themselves a movement by parents for parents and they seek change in the schools and the education that every child deserves. She will also weigh in on the search for a new superintendent. Next, I speak with someone we watch daily to find out what’s going on in our city. Darc...

Episode Notes My guests include Carol Jackson, Executive director of Families Matter. This organization was founded on the premise that the involvement of men in the family structure can have long lasting benefits to all involved, especially the children. Quincey Morris is a community leader who is a fierce advocate of an area of the city she loves and protects. The executive director of the Klond...

Episode Notes My guests include Linn Sitler, Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commissioner. You may have noticed there is a lot of buzz and activity in our city these days. The NBC hit comedy, Young Rock has taken over the streets and there is other production as well. Linn will catch us up on the latest happenings. This is Diabetes Awareness Month and it continues to be a big problem...

My guests include Election Commissioner Linda Phillips and Ian Randolph, Shelby Co. Voter Alliance. The big election is Nov. 8 and this will mark the debut of the new voting machines. They will tell us how things are going so far. Next, while slavery was abolished quite a long time ago, believe it or not, there is still a reference to it mentioned in the Tennessee constitution. State Rep. Joe Town...

Episode Notes My guests include Nykesha Cole named as the county’s first Arts and Culture Liaison. She explains how an expert in the arts will be an advocate for various organizations and how that will translate into all communities gaining access. Next, this has bee called a triple threat in medical terms; the flu, RSV and a possible resurgence of the Omicron virus all hitting us around the same...

Episode Notes Guests include Elizabeth Ennis, Senior Development Manager, American Cancer Society. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and she joins me to discuss the latest statistics, prevention measures and the upcoming Race for the Cure event. She also introduces us to a man who is also involved in the cause. Marybeth Conley is a Memphis broadcasting legend who recently retired from the s...

Episode Notes My guests include Beverly Robertson, President and CEO of the Memphis Chamber. She will talk about her challenges and high points leading the organization and what she sees in the future of our city. Renee Malone is a community treasure as President and founder of KQ Communications. She runs an award winning PR agency and says they pride themselves in doing things the 'KQ' way. She e...

Episode Notes Guests include Attorney Henry Reaves. He will share why it's so important for him to give back to our community and another particular passion he has. Hint, coming to a theatre near you. Next, Torrey Bates is the Executive Director of, For the Kingdom which he describes as a retreat for young people. He recently sat down with the Tri State Defender to explain why 19-year old Ezekiel...

Episode Notes My guests include newly elected County Commissioner, District 10, Britney Thornton. She is the youngest person on the commission, but one of the most committed. She tells us why she ran and what she hopes to accomplish. The term community legend isn't said lightly, but it fits Pastor Ricky Floyd. He teaches what he preaches in trying to create a positive difference in the Frayser com...

Episode Notes My guests include Larissa Gregory, the new Executive director of LITE Memphis. She will share her thoughts on heading this organization, her vision for continued success and how a recent large financial boost from a community partner will help them reach and teach even more. Next, Michael O. Harris is a visionary who has dedicated himself to the betterment of our city. The recently n...

Episode Notes My guests include newly elected Juvenile Court Judge Elect Tarik Sugarmon. He will share his vision for how to better support our youth who have made wrong choices, while trying to reform and repair a broken system. Next, remember the Starbucks employees who were fired in February when they tried to protest for better working conditions and form a union? Recently, a federal judge gav...

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County District Attorney elect Steve Mulroy. He will talk about his surprising victory, becoming the first democrat to hold the position, and some of the changes he wants to make in the criminal justice system and justice reform as a whole. Next, Daniel Irwin from the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South talks about the latest scams consumers are facing an...

Episode Notes Guests include newly elected County Commissioner's Erika Sugarmon and Charlie Caswell from District's 6 and 12 respectively. As first time members, they will tell us why they ran and the particular issues moving forward that are most important to them. Next, the issue of equal opportunity bid contracts for minority and women owned businesses had been put aside for a while but is now...

Episode Notes My guests include Dr. Steve Threlkeld, infectious disease doctor in the Baptist medical group. With school back in session, it's time for a medical checkup. His thoughts on Omicron, Monkeypox, vaccines and what comes next. Rev. Dr. LaSimba Gray is among other things a historian and the man behind the Ida B. Wells memorial. He will give us a history lesson on her life and it's signifi...

Episode Notes Guests include Pat Mitchell- Worley, the new President and CEO of Stax Soulsville Foundation. The former head of the Stax Music Academy shares her vision as she now leads the entire operation into the future while sharing their musical legacy. TN Southwest Community College recently announced a new academic program that will literally take students up, up and away to one day take fli...

Episode Notes The community is still both reeling and grieving over the tragic and totally senseless death of Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams who was carjacked and shot to death in front of her Whitehaven home last week. Records show the suspect is a 15-year old male. This show is dedicated to her memory as we speak about her life and legacy with two men who knew her very well. Pastor James Kirkwoo...

Episode Notes Guests include Sen. Raumesh Akbari. She will discuss a host of issues during this last legislative session including the passage of the Crown act which she  sponsored. What is it and what does it mean? She explains. With this extreme heat many of us are trying to find ways to keep cool and getting into a pool is a popular choice. Unfortunately, every year we lose someone to drowning....

Episode Notes My guests include Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner. Among the topics we will discuss is the recently passed Truth in Sentencing law which states anyone convicted of a crime will have to serve all their time. We will also talk about the rise in crime and what keeps him up at night. Property Assessor Melvin Burgess drops by to share his concerns about the housing situation, why its m...