Speak Easy

Bill Blackburn is one of the minds behind HomeGrown Restaurant Group, the team responsible for some of your favorite restaurants in Alexandria. Blackburn sat down with Alexandria Times Editor Cody Mello-Klein to talk about his entry into the restaurant industry, the lasting impact of the pandemic, kitchen culture and the magic of Del Ray.

This month Marion Brunken sits down with Olivia Anderson to discuss her work with Volunteer Alexandria, a community resource for volunteerism. A German native, Brunken also touched on her experience coming to the United States, as well as some of the differences she’s seen working in the volunteerism nonprofit sector versus corporate settings.

Genealogist and investigative researcher Char McCargo Bah has traced the roots of local African American families for 40 years. Bah stopped by Speak Easy to talk about how genealogy has helped her uncover her own family tree, the stories she's helped uncover over the years and the value of knowing your past.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Ben Fiore-Walker, the city's town crier, stops by Speak Easy for the first episode of 2022. Fiore-Walker sits down with Alexandria Times Editor Cody Mello-Klein to talk about his 10 years in the role of Alexandria town crier, what inspired him to throw his hat in the ring for the role, the psychological experience of donning his Colonial garb and the power of a town crier in 2022.

Audrey Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, stops by Speak Easy this month. Davis discusses the origins of her deep love for museums, how the city is shedding light on Black history and the importance of remembrance. 

Patricia Washington, president and CEO of the city's tourism bureau, Visit Alexandria, stops by Speak Easy to talk about the city's identity as a tourist destination and how it has evolved over time. Washington also delves into the impacts of the pandemic on the city's businesses and what Alexandria's recovery is looking like.

Independent filmmaker David Ashton, writer and director behind "The Legacy Sessions," which won the 2020 Audience Award at the Alexandria Film Festival, joins Speak Easy this month. Ashton talks the challenges and joys of independent filmmaking, the inspiration behind "The Legacy Sessions" and his approach to the filmmaking process.

City historian Dan Lee stopped by Speak Easy to talk about the ins and outs of Alexandria history and some of the lesser known chapters of the Port City's story. Lee also talked about growing up in Germany, his work for the Department of Defense's POW/MIA office and his interest in humanizing history.

Alexandria's Legislative Director Sarah Taylor took a break from the whirlwind of Virginia politics to talk about her experience working for the super minority Democratic caucus in the Oklahoma state senate, the challenges of working Virginia General Assembly sessions and the strategy behind state level politics.

Alexandria Times reporter Olivia Anderson sits down with Adriana Schellhaas, the executive director of Casa Chirilagua, a faith-based nonprofit in Alexandria. Schellhaas talked about what drew her to the nonprofit sector, the impact of COVID-19 on the Chirilagua community and the power of resilience.