Join Marcus Atkinson and his guests: Abdullah Washington (Poet / Community Activist), Chuck Cammarata (Pastor), and Adrian D. Ewing (Community Advocate) as they discuss police reform, diversity, equity and inclusion and what it looks like as we come together as a society.

Join Marcus Atkinson and his guests: Brian Polito - Erie school  district's superintendent, Alison Reynolds - CEO of Robert Benjamin  Wiley Charter School, and Amy Harris - Director of Community Relations  and Building Operations at Robert Benjamin Wiley Charter School, as we  discussed the challenges of reopening schools amid the COVID-19  pandemic.

Marcus talks with Dr. Sidney Coupet, an Internal Medicine physician, the founder and CEO of Coupet Quality Clinic (CQC). In this month’s episode of NEXT with Marcus Atkinson,  the host asks thought-provoking questions about the fatalities in the black community from COVID-19 and proactive ways to protect marginalized  groups post-pandemic.

Marcus and guests talk about the historical impact black radio and self-produced entertainment has had on the African-American community. This episode introduces Homer Smith; radio personality for WERG’s “Super Soul Saturday”, Tanya Teglo; Author and historian and Jermaine Beason; Writer, Director, and Actor.

Marcus and guest; James C. Sherrod, the Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Center, share the impact of Martin Luther King III’s visit to Erie and upcoming King holiday activities.

Marcus Atkinson talks with David González, MS , CEO of St. Martin Center,  Inc. and Michael Hooks, Founder of Michael Making Lives Better about nonprofits and philanthropy in the season of giving.

Marcus Atkinson talks with Jim Wertz (Democratic Party Chair) and Jezree Friend (Republican Party Representative) about the current political landscape. They also talk about the elections both locally and nationally.

Marcus Atkinson talks with Kathy Wrosdick Planning Director for the City of Erie, Heather Caspar Executive Director of SSJ Neighborhood Network and Anna Frantz Executive Director of Our West Bayfront about Planning for our futures and organizing our neighborhoods.

Marcus Atkinson talks with Sheila Silman, MS, Program Manager ECRSSA/GECAC, Amy Eisert - Executive Director Mercyhurst University Civic Institute, Jesse Tate, BS - Case Manager ECRSSA/GECAC, and Tyshun Taylor - Client Advocate ECRSSA/Downtown YMCA about a more unified Erie. About the recidivism rate in Erie County, and the funding crisis ECRSSA/GECAC currently face.

"Brother D's" Journey into community advocacy and the role the Crime Victim Center of Erie plays in dealing with trauma-induced-community  events.