The Stir 716

Ep. 8 If you can spare a meal, a minute, or your voice — please listen. Families in the U.S. and in Jamaica are hurting right now, and we need each other more than ever.

On this episode of The Stir 716, we dig into what’s really happening on the ground. SNAP benefits have already been delayed, and millions of families across America are struggling to keep food on the table. We’re seeing it in grocery stores, in schools, at food pantries, and in the lives of people we know personally.

We talk about how political gridlock and leadership disconnected from everyday people are forcing communities to carry the burden. Hunger didn’t just happen — it was caused by decisions made by people who don’t feel the consequences.

We share the heartbreak of watching the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica — a place where our families live, where our roots are deep, and where recovery is slow and painful. People are displaced, without basic resources, and praying that help comes fast. We need responsible aid, accurate information, and real solidarity.

🔑 In this conversation, we explore:

SNAP delays as the Government shutdown enters its second month.

How food insecurity is spreading across households, schools, and neighborhoods

Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica and why correct historical context matters

How food, housing, education, and healthcare are tied to community health

Why community power and policy change are the only way forward

💬 Some of the words we stand on:

“The voice of the people needs to be the loudest voice in your ear.” — Tasha

“You can tell a lot about a civilization by how they treat the elderly and the children.” — Kim

“Until it touches their lives, nothing changes. That’s why community pressure matters.” — The Doc

If you can help right now:

Donate to local food banks and trusted Jamaica relief efforts

Volunteer with distribution and meal programs: https://www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/findfood/

https://211lifeline.org

https://rcwny.org/services/outdoor-food-pantry/

Call your elected officials and demand immediate action

Share this episode to bring awareness to those who can make a difference

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Ep. 7 What happens when a breast cancer survivor turns her pain into purpose? On this week’s episode of The Stir 716, hosts Natasha, Ms. T the Spark, and Cool Cousin Kim sit down with Sadie Sanford, founder of the Sadie Strong Project and president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, to talk faith, resilience, and the power of sisterhood 💕

Sadie shares how her unexpected diagnosis reshaped her life — from fighting for her health to fighting for every woman’s right to early detection, education, and support. This heartfelt conversation shines a light on the healthcare disparities facing Black women and reminds us that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

💪🏾 In This Episode:

How faith and family fueled Sadie’s fight

Why early detection saves lives

The reality of healthcare disparities for Black women

How community and sisterhood build strength in recovery

💻 Resources Mentioned:

Sadie Strong Project — Awareness, education & empowerment for women battling breast cancer

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority — Sisterhood, scholarship & service

The Chi — A powerful TV show highlighting community and healing themes

🎧 Press play for an episode that will leave you inspired, informed, and reminded that with faith and community, no battle is fought alone.

#TheStir716 #SadieStrong #BreastCancerAwareness #FaithOverFear #DeltaSigmaTheta #WomenSupportingWomen #HealingInCommunity

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Ep. 6 “The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous.” In Part 2 of this moving conversation, Dr. Miles Travis Boyd Jr. reflects on life after losing his mother in the September 11 attacks—navigating grief, systemic injustice, and sudden wealth he wasn’t prepared to manage. At just 16 years old, he discovered he had access to over $1.4 million, but no one had ever taught him about budgeting, saving, or credit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🔗 Resources & Links:

www.sbcbronx.com

Watch this interview: The Stir 716 Podcast - YouTube

Dr. Boyd reflects on the implicit inequality in compensation, revealing systemic biases where his settlement amounted to $999,999.99, suspiciously shy of the full million dollars and markedly less than others received. “The government gave us not a penny over to make it a million dollars.”

0:00 – Mistaken Identity Sparks a Family Search
2:05 – A Child’s Hope Shines Through Loss
4:36 – Healing Trauma, Accepting the Past
8:21 – A Son’s Journey to Self-Discovery
10:08 – Rising Above Prejudice and Pain
12:24 – 9/11 Victim Compensation: Life-Changing Impact
13:31 – Fighting Systemic Racism in Legal Battles
16:47 – Family Sacrifices Amid Market Ups & Downs
20:54 – Hard Lessons in Money and Humility
28:04 – Faith, Resilience & Community Strength
34:59 – Honoring 9/11 with The Stir 716

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Ep. 5 On September 11, 2001, 12-year-old Miles Travis Boyd’s world was shattered when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center—where his mother worked. In Part 1 of this conversation, Miles recounts the harrowing days and weeks he spent with his aunt and uncle, waiting and hoping for his mother’s return. His story pauses at a haunting moment: the phone call from a hospital saying they had found a woman with his mother’s name.

This gripping first half lays the foundation for how grief would later call him into a life of faith, resilience, and leadership at the Sharon Baptist Church in the South Bronx, New York.

www.sbcbronx.com

Watch this interview: The Stir 716 Podcast - YouTube

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Ep. 4 What does it really take to move justice from punishment to opportunity? This week on The Stir 716 we are honored to sit down with Retired Judge James A.W. McLeod — a true trailblazer in Buffalo’s legal and community landscape.

Not only is he the great-nephew of civil rights icon Mary McLeod Bethune, but over nearly five decades he’s broken barriers, from serving as the first African American outside New York City to be a confidential law clerk, to leading the Legal Aid Bureau Public Defender’s Office.

From family court to Erie County court, Judge McLeod has dedicated his career to equity, youth rehabilitation, and mentorship — and in this conversation, he shares wisdom that every one of us can learn from.

✨ Why mentorship and education are key to breaking cycles of crime

✨ The urgent need for mental health and youth-focused programs

✨ How businesses and schools can partner to fuel Buffalo’s growth

✨ The systemic challenges of racial disparities in justice

🔑 “Businesses thrive when you have a well-educated city.” – James McLeod

If you care about justice, equity, and the future of Buffalo, this episode is a must-listen. 

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander.

Website: The Stir 716

Follow us on IG @TheStir716

LinkedIn: The Stir Seven One Six

Youtube: @TheStir716

About the Guest: 

Retired Buffalo City Court Judge James A.W. McLeod is a distinguished jurist and community leader with a career spanning nearly five decades. Judge McLeod earned his law degree from the University at Buffalo and became only the second African American attorney hired by a major Buffalo law firm. He went on to break multiple barriers as the first African American to serve as Erie County’s Second Assistant County Attorney and to head the Buffalo/Erie County Legal Aid Bureau.

Throughout his career, Judge McLeod served on the bench in Buffalo City Court, Family Court, and Erie County Court, earning recognition for his commitment to equity, mentorship, and community service. Beyond the courtroom, he has been active in organizations such as the NAACP, Buffalo Urban League, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, while also serving on numerous civic boards.

0:00 Intro

1:00 Welcome Judge James McLeod 

3:00 What would you do as Mayor?

3:31 Revitalizing Buffalo Through Education and Business Collaboration

6:50 Business Tax

8:52 Why Did You Become a Lawyer?

9:40 Rising Crime Amongst Buffalo Youth

11:50 Reviving Community Involvement to Address Youth Challenges

14:59 Addressing Community Needs and Accountability in East Buffalo

17:41 Reducing Recidivism Through Education and Community Engagement

24:36 Generational Trauma and Evolving Respect in Youth

31:37 Encouraging Young Black Students to Pursue Careers in Law

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Ep. 3 You’ve heard the saying “money can’t buy happiness” — but can partnership build wealth?

📈 In this eye-opening episode of The Stir 716, Mrs. T, Cool Cuz’n Kim, and Natasha sit down with wealth management expert Andrew Lavelle Cheatham to unpack the connection between race, marriage, and money.

From breaking down the wealth gap to revealing why married couples have 74% higher net worth than single households, Andrew gets real about what it takes to create and sustain generational wealth — especially in the African American community. He also shares how financial literacy, strategic partnerships, and shifting cultural narratives can change the game for future generations.

Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, this conversation will challenge how you think about money, relationships, and your legacy.

The historical wealth gap could have been drastically reduced if African Americans had received their promised “40 acres and a mule.”

Financial literacy is a must-have tool for overcoming generational disparities.

Marriage, when rooted in mutual support, can be a powerful wealth-building partnership.

Social media often distorts our understanding of true financial success.

Community outreach and financial education are key to breaking cycles of poverty.

Connect with Andrew Cheatham: LinkedIn 

Instagram: @drewlavalle

🎧 Listen now for practical tips, historical insights, and a fresh perspective on building lasting wealth in our communities.

Chapters:

02:51 Buffalo’s Wealth Gap — What’s Really Holding Us Back

08:33 Marriage as a Money Multiplier

15:56 Church, Gender Roles and the Economics of Modern Relationships

22:17 Love, Vanity and the Price Tag of Expectations

26:54 Wealth Building in the Black Community: Partnership Over Isolation

32:03 From Prison to Prosperity: Teaching Inmates Financial Freedom

38:15 Faith, Networking and Leveling Up with The Stir 716

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Ep. 2 What does it take to become one of the most powerful voices in American healthcare? Dr. Willie Underwood III didn't just beat the odds—he redefined them. From humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to the highest ranks of the American Medical Association, his story is a blueprint for turning purpose into power. 🩺🔥

Join hosts Mrs. T (The Spark), Natasha (The Doc), and Cool Cuz’n Kim as they sit down with the newly elected President of the AMA, only the third Black physician in the organization's 177-year history to do so and the 2nd Urologist inHistory. In this intimate and impactful conversation, Dr. Underwood breaks down the real-world impact of health disparities, why equity matters more than ever, and how community, mentorship, and mindset create lasting leaders.

Leaders are created. Dr. Underwood’s story proves that with the right support system and self-determination, anything is possible.

Health equity is a human right. Systemic disparities aren’t just unfair—they’re expensive and deadly.

Prostate cancer prevention is urgent. Black and brown men face significantly higher risks, and early detection saves lives.

Strategic planning = health justice. Building equity requires community-driven solutions that address root causes.

Family matters. Parental expectations and belief in a child’s greatness help to shape future trailblazers.

“You have to see greatness in yourself to see greatness in your children.”

“Health inequity... if you’re rich, white, educated, and insured, your outcomes are better. That’s not equality.”

“You do your part, and God will do the rest.”

Willie Underwood, III, MD, MSc, MPH, FACS is a board-certified urologist, TEDx speaker, and the 2025 president-elect of the American Medical Association. With over 25 years in urologic surgery and a focus on health equity, he’s led numerous national health policy efforts and holds leadership roles across major medical organizations. Dr. Underwood is also a published researcher, prostate cancer innovator, and co-founder of KAPS Biotechnology.

🎓 Dr. Underwood's AMA President-Elect Bio

🏥 KAPS Biotechnology LLC 

🏛️ American Medical Association (AMA)

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that greatness comes from grit—and the power of purpose.

#HealthEquity #BlackDoctors #AMA #DrUnderwood #TheStir716 #BuffaloPride #ProstateCancerAwareness #LeadershipMatters

Chapters:

00:00 Dr. Willie Underwood III Joins The Stir 716 Podcast

02:24 Childhood Influences and the Path to Becoming a Doctor

08:46 Overcoming Educational Inequities and Personal Challenges

14:26 From Struggling Reader to Academic and Athletic Leader

16:27 The Importance of Community Support in Personal Development

19:14 It Takes a Village

20:45 Lost Community Values and Generational Gaps

23:27 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices in Black Communities

24:35 Becoming a Morehouse Man and the Path to Medical School

31:56 Resilience and Sacrifice 

37:56 Achieving Success Without a Father Figure

39:17 Addressing Health Equity to Enhance National Productivity

43:37 Maternal Mortality Disparities Persist in Modern Healthcare

46:40 Healthcare Policy Impacts on Black and Brown Communities

51:01 Prostate Cancer Awareness and Preventative Care

54:55 Empowering Children Through Intentional Parenting and Education

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Ep. 1 Think you're independent? Not so fast. What if your definition of independence has been shaped by fear, systems of control, or outdated expectations of what we should be?

In this bold and unfiltered first episode of The Stir, Mrs. T aka The Spark, The Doc and your Cool Cuz’n Kim unpack what independence really means—from the deeply personal to the unapologetically political. These former radio co-hosts don’t hold back as they reflect on their own journeys as women, mothers, wives, professionals, and business owners navigating freedom in a society still learning what that word means.

💬 Quotes that stir:

“I love my independence. And one of the things that I love about being independent and really being in this country... is that you can still be free in this place because you have to free your mind.” — Mrs. T aka The Spark

“Independence for me is divorcing myself from people’s opinions... and operating in my God-given authenticity.” — Cool Cuz’n Kim

“You have to build your own independency. You have the freedom to make those choices and make those decisions.” — The Doc

🌀  Ask yourself:

What are some ways you can become more independent?

In what ways has independence scared you?

Do a SWOT analysis of your codependency: Where has it helped? Where has it hurt?

🎧 Subscribe now and join the Stirred community as we challenge norms, honor growth, and reclaim the power of choice.

📩 Email us: [email protected]

🌐 Visit: www.thestir716.com

📱 Follow: @thestir716 on Instagram & YouTube

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to The Stir

00:44 - Independence Day vs. Juneteenth: Dual Realities

01:50 - What Does Independence Mean to You?

02:15 - Mrs. T on Freeing Your Mind

03:20 - The Doc Reclaims Her Voice After Divorce

05:12 - Cool Cuz’n Kim on Emotional Freedom & Authenticity

07:02 - Michelle Obama: The Balance of Power and Partnership

10:03 - Teaching Children Independence Early

10:54 - Black & Brown Communities and Systemic Dependence

12:44 - Historical Barriers to Women's Financial Freedom

14:22 - Fear as a Tool of Control & Suppression

17:06 - Building Your Own Independence

18:12 - Faith, the Church & Women's Role Preparation

20:00 - Independence ≠ Rebellion: Protecting Your Peace

23:18 - Mental Slavery and Independent Thinking

25:50 - The Power of Thought & Independent Learning

26:21 - Health Autonomy: Rethinking Modern Medicine

30:10 - Advocate for Yourself in Healthcare

33:06 - Listener Call to Action: What Independence Means to You

36:00 - Final Reflections: Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway

36:48 - Closing Blessings & What’s Next on The Stir

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When a seasoned educator, a frontline healthcare expert, and a health equity strategist come together, expect more than just talk — expect a movement!

Welcome to The Stir 716 — where education meets conversation.

Hosted by Mrs. T (The Spark), The Doc (Natasha), and your Cool Cuz'n Kim, this is the podcast that stirs up the real issues affecting the Black community:

🏥 Health

🏘️ Housing

📚 Education

🍽️ Food justice

⚖️ Equity — from the womb to the tomb.

No fluff. Just fire.

With lived experience and receipts to match, your hosts speak truth with care and clarity — breaking it all down for the culture, for the people.

🚨 FIRST EPISODE DROPS JULY 8

Don’t miss the fireworks after the 4th — hit subscribe and get ready for bold, unfiltered truth that inspires action.

☕ Grab a pen, grab a cup, even grab a spoon. Get ready to be inspired.

This is The Stir 716!

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