We are joined by Katrice Williams of the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry and Ken Brickman of the Center for Employment Opportunities. Together they discuss the best paths to helping ex offenders get established. 

The Prison Policy Initiative points out that Less than 5% of the world’s population is in the United States, but 20% of the world’s incarcerated people are right here. However, many of the 2 million people locked behind American jails will be released. The community should prepare on what to do to help them to integrate back into society. There is plenty of work to do. Case Western Reserve University is bringing attention to the problem but also creating a space to find solutions. We welcome them to "Living The Blues". Through their "Life and Sciences: A Dialogue for Justice" broadcast, they will enlighten and rally the community together in support of our returning citizens. 

Detective Farid A. Alim has been in law enforcement for 28 years, most of those years serving in the Cleveland, Ohio Police Department. He is also part of the "Black Shields", a non profit organization made up of African American police officers who work in the community to bridge the gap between the citizens and the police department. He shares his experiences in law enforcement and his philosophy on working in the community.

Living The Blues and a host of panel guests review the content of Eric Klinenberg's book "Palaces For The People". In his book,  Mr. Klinenberg spells out the loss of community throughout the world. Including the continued social isolation so prevalent in the United States. He explains that it's due in part to bad models of urban development and planning. In this, he notes that "social Infrastructure has been damaged thus creating a world full of people who have lost what it feels like to have relationships with one another. 

When a business opens up surrounding the African American community it is usually a bar, lounge or a beverage store filled with unhealthy snacks, cigarettes and alcohol.  The Unbar is a coffee house styled cafe in Cleveland, Ohio that offers a soft and healthy environment for it's patrons. The Unbar has inspiration, their own version of alkaline water, non alcoholic drinks and plenty of nice people.

The "Living The Blues"  podcast encompasses what happens in the Urban community, but specifically in regard to African American people. Their history, music, culture, sorrow, victories and economy. The blues music tells the story. But it is bi-product of the African American  experiences. In the year 2020 we will dive deeper. Please join us as we do a year of review of 2019 and preview our intentions in 2020.

Whether you are discussing the riots of Glenville or Hough in Cleveland or the Watts or Rodney King Riots of Los Angeles. The story is pretty much the same. An over zealous police and an angry and frustrated African American Community clashing for an understanding and respect. Although there are numerous books about the same subject including "Ballots and Bullets" by Jim Robenalt,  According to Mutawaf Shaheed, it's all of the same problem.  He says that racism in America is too economically beneficial for America therefore it will never end. That these events will continue to  occur until conditions change.

Ed Leszynski is the Board President of the Society of Saint Vincent dePaul of Cleveland.  Ed discusses the work of  the historical charity that was once known as, the  "Conference of Charity" according to their website. The organization participates right in the middle of the neighborhoods that are in need of the most help. They provide families with meals, clothing, furniture and a kind person to greet them.  Serving some 230,000 people yearly. Ed believes he is fulfilling his own personal mission as well as the mission of the organization he serves.

Kurt Wallace is an author. But he is also a brutally honest African American that want the world to know that he has a lot to say about racial inequality, white privilege, education and pop culture icons. The unique thing about Kurt is he wants you to disagree with him. but with a warning,  be prepared to think fast and know what you are talking about. He is very interesting. you will enjoy this interview, We promise.

The urban community has many socioeconomic problems. Neighborhood citizens have very little power in solving some of the problems in their surroundings. Or do they? Councilman Jones is charged with Ward 1 in Cleveland, Ohio and he has an empowering perspective. He believes that the people indeed have the power to help heal their own neighborhoods. And from what he says, it's not only true for his Ward but for all the wards in the United States.