Verbally Effective

On this episode of Verbally Effective (Magic 807 Sessions), Ena Esco sits down with Memphis designer, entrepreneur, creator and HGTV host Carmeon Hamilton for a conversation about creativity, culture, community and building a career in the new media landscape.

Carmeon talks about her journey from winning HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen and hosting Reno My Rental to expanding her work beyond television and thriving as a creator in today’s creator economy.She also breaks down the inspiration behind Wing Wars, her first major event happening Saturday, October 3, at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The Memphis cultural experience brings together wings, basketball, music and community while intentionally highlighting local businesses and a part of South Memphis that doesn’t always get positioned as a destination for major events and investment.

Carmeon shares why the location mattered, how intentional she was about curating the experience, and why celebrating the beauty and creativity already present in Memphis is such an important part of her work.Plus, Ena and Carmeon get into what it really takes to build your own platform, turn creativity into a career, and create opportunities when the traditional media gatekeepers are no longer the only path.

On this episode of Magic 807 Sessions, Ena Esco sits down with Memphis environmentalist, technologist and advocate KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director of Memphis Community Against Pollution and Vice Chair of Protect Our Aquifer, to discuss technology, environmental justice and the future of AI.

KeShaun shares his story of growing up in Westwood, Tennessee, as the oldest of five boys, his early love of computers and programming, and how that passion evolved into advocacy around data centers, Elon Musk’s xAI, digital redlining, air pollution and Memphis’ water resources.

We take a closer look at the environmental costs of the AI boom, the massive energy and water demands of data centers, and the question: What is the worst-case scenario with AI? KeShaun also examines who benefits from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and who bears the environmental costs.

Toward the end, we turn our attention to Memphis’ proposed data-center moratorium, with a City Council vote scheduled for October 6, 2026.

It’s a conversation about technology, power, the environment and who gets to shape the future.

What happens when you've been misunderstood, tested, or forced to stand on the truth when everything around you says otherwise?

In this episode of Magic 807 Sessions, Ena Esco sits down with Pastor Stephen L. Brown, founder and lead pastor of Light of Glory International Church, for a powerful conversation about faith, resilience, leadership, and his newly released book, Vindicated.

Pastor Brown shares the journey behind Vindicated, the importance of trusting God through seasons of pressure, and what it means to allow truth to prevail without feeling the need to defend yourself. He also reflects on his journey from Division I basketball player to pastor, author, gospel recording artist, and mentor to student-athletes.

On this reflective episode, I sit down with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum for a conversation about music, Memphis, creativity and the journey behind the sound.

Kirk takes us beyond the stage and into the experiences that shaped his remarkable career—from his Memphis roots and early musical influences to becoming one of the most celebrated saxophonists of his generation. We talk about the evolution of his sound, navigating the music industry, collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and what it takes to remain creatively inspired after decades in the business.

We also discuss the importance of faith, purpose, mentorship and using your gifts to create opportunities for the next generation.This is more than a conversation about a Grammy-winning career. It's a conversation about finding your voice, staying true to your purpose and understanding that your greatest contribution may be the legacy you leave behind.

In this episode, I sit down with Teresa Dickerson, CEO of Isaiah 54 Films, award-winning director, writer and executive producer of the Memphis film “Hoop Street.” We reminisce about our college days, sisterhood and those early radio experiences that taught us lessons about storytelling, resilience, relationships and navigating the media industry.

Teresa takes us through her evolution from radio to corporate leadership, including her work as an award-winning Director of Community Investment with the Memphis Grizzlies and later Kroger. But while building her corporate career, she was quietly building another dream - becoming a filmmaker. She shares what it took to finally walk away from corporate America and bet on herself, investing in her vision to create Hoop Street which is a film deeply rooted in Memphis and powered by Memphis talent. With 99% of the cast and production team coming from Memphis, Teresa talks about the heart work, sacrifice and community support that made the film possible. And the journey hasn't stopped there. Hoop Street has traveled from Paretà, Italy, to Las Vegas, NV and beyond earning recognition and awards along the way on the film festival circuit.

We also have a candid conversation about Black women in leadership, navigating male-dominated industries, misogyny, finding your voice and knowing when it's time to bet on yourself. Plus, Teresa gives us an exclusive tease about what's next for Isaiah 54 Films.

What does it mean to truly love your alma mater? In this Verbally Effective: Magic 807 Sessions with Ena Esco, Ena talks with Tracy L. Miller, LOC Class of 1994, about his journey from LeMoyne-Owen College to a successful career as a retired railroad industry executive.

Tracy takes us back to the HBCU experience of the mid-’90s, sharing why he chose LOC, what made the culture special, and why the institution continues to hold a special place in his heart.

Recorded during 807 Giving Day, Tracy explains why he makes giving to LOC an annual commitment and challenges fellow alumni to think beyond a donation to think about building financial literacy, creating opportunities, and opening pathways for the next generation of Magicians.

On this episode of Verbally Effective, host Ena Esco welcomes Dr. Earle J. Fisher—Assistant Professor and Dean of Chapel at LeMoyne-Owen College, Senior Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, and Founder of Up The Vote 901—for a thought-provoking conversation on faith, education, civic engagement, and the issues shaping our communities.

Dr. Fisher discusses his work at LeMoyne-Owen College, where he is committed to developing the next generation of critical thinkers, servant leaders, and engaged citizens. He shares how education, faith, and community advocacy intersect to empower students and inspire meaningful change beyond the classroom.

The conversation also explores Memphis' Souls to the Polls initiative and the ongoing importance of voter education, civic participation, and collective action. Dr. Fisher explains how faith leaders and community organizations are working together to increase voter engagement and strengthen democracy at the local level.

Additionally, Ena and Dr. Fisher discuss the public reaction to the Karmelo Anthony verdict, examining the broader conversations surrounding justice, accountability, public perception, and the responsibility of communities to engage in thoughtful dialogue during difficult moments.

On this episode of Verbally Effective, host Ena Esco welcomes ABC24 News anchor and reporter Pepper Baker for an inspiring conversation about journalism, community, and the future of local news.

Pepper shares her journey from Tallahassee, Florida, to the anchor desk in Memphis, reflecting on her path through UMass Boston and Columbia University, her experiences as a former collegiate volleyball player, and the stories that have shaped her award-winning career in broadcast journalism. She also discusses her Emmy-nominated reporting, the responsibility of informing the public, and why authentic storytelling remains at the heart of her work.

Together, Ena and Pepper explore how local news is evolving in the digital age, the importance of making politics and civic issues accessible, what happens behind the scenes in a newsroom, and how journalists can build trust while staying connected to the communities they serve. They also bond over their shared volleyball backgrounds and discuss why Memphis has become a city they're both proud to call home.

In this episode of The Ena Esco Show, Ena Esco gets #VerballyEffective with filmmaker Dominic Lawson and community activist Keedran Franklin about Restored Voice—a powerful documentary that began with a voter restoration drive in Memphis but became a much larger conversation about what happens after punishment.

The conversation explores the realities formerly incarcerated people face when trying to reenter society, the barriers that can make restoration feel out of reach, and the grassroots organizers working to reconnect people with their communities and their civic power.

Dominic Lawson discusses his evolution from nonfiction audio into filmmaking and the decision to tell this story in real time, allowing Memphisvand the people navigating this process to become central characters in the film.

Keedran Franklin brings the perspective of someone deeply involved in community organizing and civic engagement, offering insight into the importance of helping people understand that they still belong, their participation still matters, and their voices still have power.

This is a conversation about voting but it is also about redemption, dignity, second chances, reentry, representation, and belonging.Because sometimes restoring someone's voice is about far more than giving them the right to cast a ballot.

In this episode of The Ena Esco Show, Ena Esco sits down with John Best, General Manager of 88.5FM MSCS Radio, AI industry expert, and Technical Engineer for the Lowery Communication Center at LeMoyne-Owen College.

John shares his journey through the world of radio, technology, and media while offering insight into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. From his work in broadcasting to helping build and support the next generation of multimedia professionals, John discusses how technology continues to reshape the way we communicate, create, work, and consume content.

The conversation explores some of the leading AI tools transforming today's industries, the opportunities and challenges AI presents, and why understanding this technology is becoming increasingly important for media professionals, students, educators, and creators.