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Today, there is a crisis in many of America's schools, particularly those in less affluent neighborhoods and rural areas.  This town hall event focuses on these real issues and how to effectively solve them with action and not just more rhetoric, and examines successful programs that help all students to succeed, regardless of perceived disabilities or labels.  The program features a very formidable panel consisting of Mr. Peter Cunningham, former Assistant Secretary for Communications, U.S. Dept. of Education; Dr. Deborah Hunter-Harvill, Founder and CEO Hunter-Harvill Educational Associates, Inc., past President National Alliance of Black School Educators, Greater Detroit School Board member, former superintendent and principal; Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Executive Director African American Images Talent Center, former Consultant to U.S. Office of Education, author of over 40 books; and Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President Emerita, Bennett College for Women, Economist, Author, contributor to major news networks.

One of the more important causes that The CWR Network supports is the fight against domestic violence against women.  In this week's program we are delighted to have two former guest return, Ms. Julie Owens and Mr. Barry Goldstein, both of whom are ardent advocates for victims of domestic violence.  This program is a powerful expose with revelations from a new study that reveals how many family and civil courts charged with the duty to make formal judgments or decisions about child custody, that there is gender inequality in our legal system, and that  men’s  violence in  the  family is  often rendered invisible  by  family  court  practices.

During this hour, we will also hear from a survivor of domestic violence sharing her experience, and how the courts responded in a manner similar to what is described in the new study about gender inequality in the legal system, and the impact those actions had on her and her children.

The American Dream!  What does that mean any more?  To many, the American Dream is dead.  This program will answer those questions and more.  During this program we will focus on the personal challenges many face that may interfere with their quest for the elusive American Dream, the threats from an uncertain economy and a new presidential administration, the impact of jobs lost due to companies shipping high paying jobs abroad and replacing skilled workers with technology, and the options available to a vanishing middle-class and a growing lower economic class in pursuit of the American Dream.  We are fortunate to have joining us for this program Dr. George Fraser.  Dr. Fraser is an award winning New York Times best-selling author, Chairman and CEO of his own company, FraserNet, Inc., and is a highly sought after motivational speaker and consultant.  He is considered by many to be the new voice for African Americans and one of the foremost authorities in the world on networking and building effective relationships.  Dr. Fraser will discuss ways in which the American Dream can be reinvented and how it is within reach of anyone who chooses to pursue it.

Our Race In America - Where Do We Go From Here series continues with diversity coaches Kevin Henry and Starla Lewis from the Ya That Game coaching network.  During this program we will discuss the recent racial violence in Charlottesville, VA; the current state of race relations in America; unarmed blacks killed by police; what fuels hate crimes; where do we go from here, how to continue to make progress in race relations without losing ground. 

Mr. Henry has over 30 years of media experience, producing educational programs related to culture, diversity, and red-hot social issues. As Diversity Coordinator for the City of Bellevue, WA from 1994-2015, Kevin regularly coordinated and facilitated community forums and workplace trainings focusing on community engagement, cultural competence, and race and social justice issues. In addition, he wrote for numerous publications and hosted radio programs devoted to exploring issues related to diversity, while providing a platform for voices often ignored by the mainstream media. He currently lives on Oahu.

Ms. Lewis is an expert in the arena of Women and Ethnic Studies and CEO of C.E.L.L. consultancy firm.  She is a two-time recipient of the “Bob Marley Peace” award, seven-time recipient of the Mesa College “Teacher of the Year” and one of KPBS’ Local Heroes.  Starla is passionate about empowering all persons with the skills essential for expressing themselves – and respecting one another.

In this episode of Breaking Our Silence, Lupe’s guest is Leslie Browning. Leslie shares with us the story of her daughter, Alicia, who was murdered by her abuser on December 27, 2016. You can also hear Leslie speak about Alicia by going to this link: https://youtu.be/o0PuRzBgXwU

During this special program we will examine the causes and the dangers related to the current state of hatred and divisiveness permeating America.  Our very special guest is Mrs. Chandra Brooks, is the author of the book, Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game!  Mrs. Brooks is the former Vice President of the San Jose, California NAACP.  Mrs. Brooks has also worked on several coalitions regarding police misconduct, and she is an activist that fights against injustice and discrimination issues.  

Some of the topics included in this program are Colin Kaepernick, the NFL, and the National Anthem protests; unarmed black and Latino males killed by police; Charlottesville, and more.  Join us and share your viewpoints by calling in with your comments.

Most people are familiar with the horror stories associated with our foster care system.  Our guest for this program, Ms. Shenandoah Chefalo, is a product of the foster care system that managed to overcome the failures of the system.  She overcame the odds and became part of the 3% of all foster care children who get into college, and the 1% who graduate.  She is also a successful mother, businesswoman, and author.  During this program Ms. Chefalo shares with our audience her grass-roots solutions on how to revamp the foster care system, a system which now contributres to a variety of social issues, including incarceration, homelessness, addiction, and poverty.  We will also discuss the over 4,600 children missing from the system and their plight.  Please join us for this important discussion on the broken foster care system and how to fix it.

Imagine what it must be like to be brought to the United States from your native homeland at the age  of three.  All of your young life, the only culture you are familiar with is your own South Asian culture, which required adhering to strict customs, including the need for females to remain silent.  Then, upon coming to America and being introduced to liberties and freedoms you secretly longed to enjoy, only to be told that your "liberal mindset" to your family name.  This is what happened with tonight's guest, author and poet, Duaah Hammad, who is a first generation Pakistani American immigrant.  Immigration is a volatile issue in America, and tonight we will all get the opportunity to learn just what it is like living in modern America as a teenage immigrant.  Not only that, but for Duaah, and no doubt others who have come to America from other countries, when she returned to her native Pakistan with her parents for their annual visits, she was viewed as a foreigner because of her ideals.  Then, upon returning to America, she is also viewed as a foreigner.  Just how does one learn to fit into two very different worlds?  Join us for this insightful learning experience.

Looking for a job is a lot more daunting today than it was in the past because of employers using social media, video interviews, group interviews, outsourcing through private employment agencies and other methods to weed out applicants whom they feel do not qualify.  The human factor in many cases has been eliminated.  Whether you are a graduate just out of college, middle-aged or a senior looking to advance your career or looking for a new career, or someone who has been displaced as a result of layoff or merger, how do you navigate through the complex maze of eliminators in order to successfully compete for a job?  We call on an expert in career planning and development to assist with this important program, Ms. Terry Pile, M.Ed., GCDF, and owner of Career Advisors in Seattle, Washington.  Ms. Pile is one of the foremost authorities on career planning in America and has been a regular contributor  and adviser to our empowerment magazine, The College World Reporter (CWR) for years.  Click here to view her article, "Job Seeking: Employment Agency, Recruiter, Counselor or Coach?" Ms. Pile will share her thoughts about opportunities that workers may be overlooking, and the best ways to prepare and compete for employment in today's ultra competitive global job marketplace.

Our special guest for this program is Mr. Gil Michel, MBA, who is a CPA and is also CEO and President of The Caleb Group.  Gil's article, "Laying the Foundation For Your Financial Success," first appeared in our empowerment magazine, The College World Reporter (CWR).  It is imperative now more than ever to understand the dynamics of personal finances, simply put, we all need to know how to manage money.  Unfortunately most people avoid talking about how to better manage money like the proverbial plague.  But, knowing how to budget, to have the discipline to live within that budget, learning how to find ways to save even with limited income, and learning how to control spending are all keys to success in building personal wealth.  Another important factor that most are not well educated about is investing.  In this program, Mr. Michel covers all of these topics and provides sound advice and tips to listeners to help them get on the path to building personal wealth.