Real Talk Memphis with Chip Washington

My guests include Amber Sherman who is a community activist and a leading protester seeking change and accountability especially within our police department. She has received national notice by Rev. Al Sharpton and others for the peaceful but powerful way they have handled the Nichols tragedy while still seeking action. Next, Kelly D. Price is a man who believes in the future and education of our young people. He joins me to talk about the Memphis Entrepreneurship Academy and the future of STEM. Finally, we are only a couple of weeks removed from the terrible school shooting In Nashville that claimed the life of six victims; 3 adults and 3 children aged 9. In the aftermath, how do children and the rest of us cope with the trauma of this terrible loss. Professional Counselor Charles Winton joins me to talk about that and how we can all move forward. This and more both on air and online Monday 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

My guests include Veda Ajamu, Managing director of DEI programs and Community engagement for the National Civil Rights Museum. The Tyre Nichols case has transformed this nation and continues to generate hurt, anger, fear and frustration. She will tell us about an important National conversation that the museum is hosting called The Reckoning and why it has to happen to create change. Stephanie Scurlock is both a familiar and popular face in the news landscape. While she enters our homes daily to provide important news and information, she rarely does interviews…until now. She joins me to talk about her long career and the ever changing news landscape. Finally, our city is dealing with an important number of important issues and there is one voice who is not afraid to weigh in with his thoughts and opinions. Our friend Otis Sanford returns to give us his perspective and explains what he is doing to lighten his load a bit. All this and more 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 LaDell Beamon, Founder and CEO of the Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis. The news we see on a daily basis is about our troubled young people and it’s not in a good way. LaDell has spent years trying to understand what they are thinking and feeling. He tells me what he’s learned and how we can help redirect the wrong path some of them are going down. Colorectal cancer or CRC, is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Every March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month spotlights this disease and inspires more people to get checked starting at age 45. Dr. Paul Johnson is a Colorectal surgeon with the Methodist Cancer Institute and joins me to talk about the importance of screenings and why it matters. Next, here’s a question; Are you looking for a job? The City of Memphis and the Office of Youth Services are hosting a Career and Technical Expo. Youth Services Director Ike Griffith returns to give us the details and why it’s important to be your best as potential employers will be hiring on the spot. All that and more on air and online Monday 6-7pm, 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 Vonesha Mitchell, Executive Director of Women's Business Center South. The group offers resources and training for women looking to start or sustain their own businesses. As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, she joins me to discuss how they help women by supporting and encouraging their dreams of being entrepreneurs. Next, we all remember Damar Hamlin's frightening experience during a Bills game a few months ago. He collapsed after his heart stopped and would have surely died if not for the quick action taken by the medical staff. Emily Collier is a Certified Athletic Trainer who works with young athletes and she talks about the importance of the proper care and guidance for young athletes, and how their job is vital to keeping them on their feet. Lastly, we have also been focusing on our juvenile population of late and the wrong road many are going down. BRIDGES USA is a local organization that has a targeted focus on our youth through a program called Bridge Builders. Mario Hendrix is the Vice President of Programs and an alumnus of the program. He explains its function and how it can pay big benefits. That and more on Real Talk Memphis both on air and online. Monday, 6-7 pm central on WYXR 91.7 FM, the YXR app, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It's time to talk!

My guests include Clarice Phelps, a nuclear chemist and scientist whose team developed an element, 117 known as (Tennessine). She is recognized as the first African-American woman to be involved with the discovery of a nuclear element on the Periodic table.  She tells how important this is and how she hopes it will be an example for others in STEM programs who may want to follow her example. Oh!!!! Did I mention she is also my cousin!!

Sam O’Bryant is a man who understands that community engagement is important and that it does take a village to raise a child. As Executive Director of Literacy Mid-South their mission is to provide literacy resources to learners of all backgrounds and ages they will need to navigate the world. He tells us how they do it and how we can help. Charlie Caswell is a County Commissioner, community organizer and activist. One of his long time passions is our young people and the pressures they face. He joins me to talk about adverse child trauma experiences, the stress they feel, peer pressure and teen suicide. All that and more on air and online Monday 6-7 pm, WYXR 91.7 FM, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

Guests include Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert who has had a challenging time of late. Last week State Representative Mark White sent a bill through the House lowering the percentage of registered voters required to recall her position from 15% to 1%. Last week, County commissioners assigned a Special assistant to her office to observe and report back to them. She gives us an update. Wardell Seals is the President and CEO of Heartbeat-CPR and he has spent the last 30 years helping to save lives with his training techniques and certifications. He will demonstrate how YOU being prepared might just save a life. Finally, vaping and smoking are both popular and bad for your health. Regina Goulder is a nurse practitioner from Methodist Medical Group and she joins me to discuss the recent Tennessee Quit Week and why what you need to know may help you live a healthier life. That and more on air and online. Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7 FM, YXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s time to talk!

My guests include Lionel Cable, Head of School, New Hope Christian Academy or, the best kept secret in Frayser. He will share how they serve over 400 students from 3-years old to the 6th grade and how 99% of their students graduate high school. This is an urban college preparatory school and they say simply as the reason for their success, ‘ it’s a God thing.’ Next, we shift to the creative side of things and stay on our toes with the Collage Dance Collective.

My guests include Shelby County DA Steve Mulroy. To say his office has been busy is a major understatement but the Nichols death investigation is not yet over. He will tell us where things stand and if there will be additional charges filed. Former county commissioner and current Memphis NAACP chapter President Van Turner has been front and center in seeking justice and accountability in the Nichols case. He joins me to discuss his thoughts on the MPD, another federal Civil Rights lawsuit filed tied to the former Scorpion unit and what the organization thinks true justice for Tyre looks like moving forward. Support and encouragement are two of things we all need and that my next guest sees as a priority. Sandra Madubuonwu is on the staff at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as the director of social determinants of health and wellness. She is also the head of the My Sister’s Keeper initiative. She explains what that is and why it’s so important. That and more on air and online Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR, the YXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It’s time to talk!

My guests include City Council Chairman Martavius Jones. He joins me to discuss his reaction to the Tyre Nichols murder case and what comes next after the firing and charges for the officers held responsible. I ask what the council want to see happen next with the MPD, how to regain trust and what can they do to ease the anger and frustration from the public. Next, Child care costs are going up like most things but MATA Transit is going to do something new to provide financial help and assistance to their employees to help make things easier. CEO Gary Rosenfeld drops by to explain how the process works. Finally, it’s the time of year many of us dread…Tax time. Marilyn Johnson, tax expert will give us some tips, explain some new tax laws, and teach you how to manage your own self employment journey plus even train you on how to become a successful entrepreneur. It’s a revealing RTM, on air and online. Monday nite 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7FM, the WXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!It’s time to talk!

My guests include Dr. Keith Norman, Sr Pastor, First Baptist Church -Broad. He has been a pivotal voice of late as we are all still trying to deal with the tragic death of Tyre Nichols. He will join me to share his thoughts, discussions with city leadership and the changes he says need to be made to restore trust. Next, almost from the beginning Doug McGowen the new President and CEO of MLGW has been challenged. The last big storm continued to show the issues of our infrastructure and he will tell me what his priorities are moving forward. Lastly, we celebrate another radio broadcast legend. Tracy Bethea is an award winning gospel personality on 95.7 Hallelujah FM.  Recently, she was honored with another opportunity that is not only a 'first' but honors her late mentor. That and more on air and online Monday, 6-7pm on WYXR 91.7FM, the WYXR app, TuneIn, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.It's time to talk!