Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

Guests include Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours. Today we celebrate Juneteenth, which is known by some to be the second Independence Day but how much do you really know about it and its relevance or significance today? She gives us a history lesson and explains. Agape means love and for Agape Child and Family services, it is something they strive to accomplish every day for the people in our city. They are hosting a very special event this weekend which emphasizes hope, encouragement and fellowship with one another when we need it the most. Pastor Daniel Henley joins me to tell us what to expect at this years Faith Family Festival. You may not know his name but he has a very important job in enforcing the law. Kevin Ritz is the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. He has held the position since September of 2022 after being appointed by President Biden. He is the chief federal law enforcement officer in West Tennessee and he explains what determines a federal case and why it is different from locally prosecuted cases. This and more on the Juneteenth edition of Real Talk Memphis both on air and online. Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

My guests include County Commissioner Henri Brooks. While the commission is in the middle of budget season, she tells us how that is going and about an initiative that starts this week with area churches. The focus is to open up various churches to provide for many of our youth a safe place for activities and fun. State Representative Jessie Chism joins me to discuss the recent legislative session, the escalation of crime in our city and how he feels about the Governor’s upcoming special session to address gun control legislation. Lastly, Sam Hardiman is an enterprise and investigative reporter for the Daily Memphian. He will give me an update on some of the current issues of interest, plus what is the most important aspect of what makes a good reporter. That and more both on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

My guests include Kim Keblish from FEMA and Liliana Tschanett from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The tornados that roared through West TN and many other areas in March caused an incredible amount of damage as well as displacing so many families. They join me to tell us how you still have time to file for these economic disaster loans in order to rebuild your life. Next, there is one word we can all relate to these days, security. Many places we find sacred are now targets like places of worship which is why Brown Baptist Church is sponsoring a special event called Protecting the Flock, church safety and security seminar. Brown Executive pastor Derrick Anderson and St. Jude Director of Security Toney Armstrong tell us what to expect and why it’s so important. Our streets are becoming war zones and crime is continually on the rise. Keith Leachman is a community activist who knows the streets of Orange Mound from his own prior experience. Now, his life’s work is to find a solution to stop the killings. He explains his foundation wants to stop the beef and how his ‘memory wall’ just might help. It’s a powerful new episode on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm, WYXR 91.7 FM. Also on the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

Guests include Sarah Houston, Executive director, Protect Our Aquifer. While our water issues haven’t made front page news of late, there are always concerns that bare watching. Sarah shares the latest. It’s budget season with our local government officials and there is one issue our county commissioners are wrestling with, the Wheel tax. Commission chairman Mickell Lowery pays a return visit to update us on that and other business. Charnel Smith is an educator who believes that education is one of the most profound professions in the world. She is the Founder and Director of Rescue Me Education LLC which offers  professional development sessions to teachers across the country. She is also an employee of the Tennessee Department of Education as a CTE CORE Consultant. She explains why it's important for our children to have educational options. All this and more both on air and online Monday 6-7pm central. WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

Guests include Capt. Albert Glenn, one of the first Black pilots at FedEx who has embarked on yet another mission. He has started and oversee's a Flight school in Olive Branch for minority students in order to teach and diversify the airline industry. He explains. Next, for those of you who like me have major back problems, I speak with Dr. Chad Campion from Campbell Clinic who tells us about a new less invasive surgery procedure. I'll be paying close attention. Finally, the Grizzlies season has come to an end and there are a few more questions than answers. Grind City media reporter and host Michael Wallace joins me to break it all down plus the latest on Ja Morant and what's next on his latest situation. That and more on air and online. Monday, 6-7pm on 91.7 FM WYXR, the WYXR app, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

My guests include State Senator Raumesh Akbari. With the Legislature recently ending we get a report card on how things went, both the highs and lows. Also, what is the realistic hope (if any), for any Red flag laws regarding any type of gun laws or restrictions. She shares her thoughts. With the crime rate at an all time high and our juvenile crime situation very much out of control how do we ensure our citizens safety? We ask Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy about that, bail reform, the blended sentencing effort for juveniles and just how to enforce a curfew for our teens. Next, we introduce you to Cassandra Corbin Blake who is a poet, book author and a minister. She tells us what the inspiration was for her collection of poems and how her home town in Arkansas inspired them. It's all Monday both on air and online, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR.org, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

It's time to talk!

My guests include school board member Stephanie Love. With all the confusion surrounding the selection of a new Superintendent and a pause in the process, there are more questions than answers. She will share their thoughts and what happens going forward. Next homicide has become a very big problem in our city adding even more stress on our police force and the families left behind. Alicia Denton is a crime victim’s counselor and supervisor for the homicide bureau. Her office serves as advocate to respond to the emotional needs of victims families to grieve while dealing with loss. It’s a powerful episode both on air and online, Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM also on the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

Alzheimer’s and dementia are two words no family ever wants to hear and the emotional toll it can take puts a real strain on families. Dr. Judy Martin is the Executive director of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Memphis which helps people with related disorders live with dignity and respect. One way they do that is to provide relief to their caregivers. She explains how. Next, the University of Memphis continually recognizes a group of alumni and friends for their outstanding contributions to the University. We will introduce you to one of this years honorees. Winner of the Distinguished Young Alum Award Candace Ifabiyi. In addition, she also recently made history as the first African American woman to serve as CEO of the VA St. Louis Healthcare System since it’s opening in the 1940’s. Finally, since the tragic death of Tyre Nichols and the escalating number of mass shootings, community activists and protesters are using their voices to change laws and continue the fight for justice. One of those ‘voices’ Al Lewis joins me to share his thoughts about where we are as a city and where we go from here. This and much more on air and online Monday on RTM. Join us, 6pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s time to talk!

My guests include Ena Esco, radio and podcast personality who hosts TWO shows on WYXR. She has had a long career in the music biz and talks to me about her journey and fulfilling her dream of creating Ivymultimedia. Many of you have heard me speak of my ‘crew’ which features Nicole Covington and Ayuana ‘DJ Lola’ Cage. They are both creative and talented and you will get to learn more about their musical passion and Nicole’s new show on WYXR called Planet Chrome. Please join us for that and more as we need your contributions to help us continue to give you great music and talk. Monday, 6-7 pm on air and online, WYXR 91.7 FM, WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!

It’s time to talk!

My guests include Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon. She makes a return appearance to chat about a number of items including the troubled County Clerks office and the decision to give Wanda Halbert a special assistant advisor, Janet Hooks, to help improve service to our community. Next, the State of Tennessee was on full display, not in a good way, when three representatives supporting protesters that wanted some type of gun control legislation in the wake of the six people killed at an elementary school in Nashville. State Reps. Justin Jones, Justin J. Pearson and Gloria Johnson were up for a vote of expulsion for using a bullhorn on the house floor. Jones and Pearson were expelled while Johnson was spared by one vote in a very rare move. State Representative Joe Towns was on the floor and spoke in support of his colleagues. He joins me to talk about this unprecedented action which has left over 100,000 citizens without representation and what’s next. Lastly, many of you are familiar with the term predatory lenders but did you know the Tennessee is the predatory lending capital of the world! Travis Moody is the founder of Forward Memphis and he tells me how they look to become a better alternative to payday lending. That and more on air and online Monday, 6-7 pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.