Immediately after being sworn in as Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order making wearing masks in Virginia schools optional. He says the order protects "parents' fundamental right to make decisions with regard to their child's upbringing, education and care". Seven major school boards throughout the Commonwealth, including Hampton City Public Schools' board, have sued to have the order overturned. In Chesapeake, a group of parents have also sued. All of this has led to protests, confusion and chaos, and caught in the middle are children and educators. Cardiologist and health equity director Dr. Keith Newby talks about mask wearing from a medical perspective. He also answers the question, "Is it time to ditch the cloth mask?"

From the Freekind website, "Deprivation of freedom is at the heart of human trafficking". Freekind is a non-profit organization on the front lines of educating others about human trafficking, providing prevention and intervention to protect the next generation and instilling a sense of hope for those on their journey to freedom. More than 40% of victims of sex trafficking are African American women. Hear one woman's story and learn about the services that Freekind and others offer to help women, children and even men, escape their captors and restore their lives. Our guests are Lisa Kersey, Executive Director of Freekind, and survivor and social activist Tanya Gould.

The beginning of a new year does not eliminate 2021 challenges! The coronavirus pandemic is still with us, the Biden administration is struggling and there are too many questions and too few answers to the January 6th insurrection. We'll talk about the Youngkin plan to eliminate the mask mandate in Virginia; the turmoil in the Harris vice-presidency and what the possibility of losing our democracy means to the African American community. Insightful and engaging conversation with relationship expert Alvean Lyons, Norfolk City Treasurer Daun Hester; political science professor Carol Pretlow and comedienne and entrepreneur Allison Moore.

In "Brown v. Board of Education", the Supreme Court ruled that "separate is not equal", thus ending school segregation. But the ruling did nothing to close the gap between African American and white students in terms of educational access, equity and participation. The coronavirus global pandemic widened the gap further as schools pivoted to virtual learning, leaving behind those without access to internet services and computers. We discuss the educational divide between Black and white students and what must be done to create equity and fairness for all. Our guests include Dr. James Fedderman, President, Virginia Education Association; Jimmeka Anderson, Ph.D candidate who specializes in urban education; and former Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge for the city of Chesapeake, Judge Eileen Olds.

On behalf of the Another View crew - HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2022 bring happiness, health and wealth to you and your family. Join us as we look back at one of your favorite Another View programs. We'll be back with you live on January 6, 2022.

How concerned should we be about Omicron, the latest variant of Covid-19? Are the current vaccines strong enough to prevent serious illness? Should we change our plans for the holidays? Is Omicron worse than Delta? So many questions! Some answers on the next Another View with Cardiologist and Health Equity Director for Sentara, Dr. Keith Newby.

The In[HEIR]itance Project is a national arts organization that helps disconnected communities navigate challenging civic conversations through live theatre. Their latest project is happening right here in Hampton Roads! Using the unique history of coastal Virginia, and the Bible book of Exodus as the inherited text, the project is advancing a community dialogue on racial dynamics, redlining and displacement that will become a play to be performed at the Attucks Theatre in May, 2022 as part of the Virginia Arts Festival. Guest host Lisa Godley talks with Zhailon Levingston, Playmaker; theater artist, educator and organizer, Ariel Warmflash; and Navy vet/certified doer Jackie Glass about the project, the stories, the process and how you can get involved.

One of the goals of Another View is to provide information and education about our experiences as Black people in America and how those experiences intersect with other cultures and races. Join us as we focus on relationships between Asian and Black people. There has been cultural conflict between these two groups, but also signs of solidarity. Our guests will explore historical events that may have shaped our perceptions of one another and answer the question, "why can't we be friends?" Ting-Yi Oei, Education Director, 1882 Foundation; Richard Luong, Director of Institutional Advancement with Rising for Justice; and May Nivar, Fellow with CEO Action for Racial Equity (Altria) are our special guests.

Last winter holiday season we were "locked in" because of Covid - spending time only with those within our "bubble". With vaccinations we are able to gather again for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, which means planning events and minding our manners! We'll provide a refresher course on manners during this "almost over Covid pandemic". Do you still need to mask up? Do you ask for vaccination proof before allowing guests in your home? How do you handle conversations on tough issues like politics, race and religion? On the entertaining side, what are the "must haves" to be a successful host? And how do you make your home and holiday table festive? Tune in for decorating, and hosting tips from Mia Byrd, Founder and Creative Director, Byrdhouse Creative Brands; and etiquette advice from Monica Edwards, Owner and Innkeeper, Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast. Plus, Lisa Godley shares the story of one organization's efforts to prevent a nursing shortage.

Fairfax County, Virginia parent Laura Murphy has been trying since 2013 to have the book "Beloved" by Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison banned from Fairfax County Public School libraries. In 2021, another of Ms. Morrison's books, "The Bluest Eye", is the target of removal from Virginia Beach Public Schools, this time by VB School Board members Victoria Manning and Laura Hughes. "The Bluest Eye" is one of six books they want to see removed from VBPS libraries and high school curriculum, because of their racial and/or sexual content. Parental involvement in curriculum decisions in public schools became a political issue during the recent gubernatorial campaign, with incoming Governor Glenn Youngkin promising to restore the rights of parents to have a say in their child's education. So who gets to decide what children learn, and is banning books the way to achieve the goal? We take a deep dive into the issue with author, former Poet Laureate, and professor emeritus at ODU, Tim Seibles; Ph.D candidate and curriculum and award-winning community program developer, Jimmeka Anderson; and Donna Graham Elliott, Ed.D, retired high school administrator, instructional leader and English teacher in the Virginia Beach School System, who currently serves as an adjunct professor at Tidewater Community College and University Supervisor of English at the College of William and Mary.