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.

Mystro and Lyric or Mervin and Melvin Steals created some of the best songs of the soul music era. Their songs have been sampled by A$AP Rocky and Chubb Rock. Melvin Steals drops by Living The Blues to discuss the music business, his and his family life and his time as an experienced educator.

According to the infinitescholar.org website, "Mr. Thomas Ousley began the Infinite Scholars Program to ensure that  financially-disadvantaged students deserving to go to college could  receive the funding they needed. Today, nearly 80% of participants in  the Infinite Scholars Program enroll in college. We discuss the program with the Ohio facilitators of the program the African American Music Association, their challenges and their successes.

Some 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Abbas and Eva-Jean Ahmad have been married for 40 years. Listen as they explain what can help your marriage beat the statistics

 According to their website " The First Cleveland Mosque is one of the oldest Muslim institutions in the U.S. Founded in 1937 by Al Hajj Imam Wali Akram, an African American. The First Cleveland Mosque remains a testimony of the powerful attraction that Americans have towards the beliefs and culture of Islam."  But we see them as a pillar of the community in the way they treat people in taking care of their needs. From feeding and clothing them to taking care of the neighborhood landscaping, their work helps Cleveland. Listen and learn more as we sit down with the leaders,  Imam Abbas Ahmad and his wife, Eva-Jean Ahmad. 

According to their website " The First Cleveland Mosque is one of the oldest Muslim institutions in the U.S. Founded in 1937 by Al Hajj Imam Wali Akram, an African American. The First Cleveland Mosque remains a testimony of the powerful attraction that Americans have towards the beliefs and culture of Islam. " But we see them as a pillar of the community in the way they treat people in taking care of their needs. From feeding and clothing them to taking care of the neighborhood landscaping, their work helps Cleveland. Listen and learn more as we sit down with the leaders,  Imam Abbas Ahmad and his wife, Eva-Jean Ahmed.

"Working The Dream" explores the experiences in taking your ideals from the basement to the public. The Thunder Roar Team discuss their own personal struggles.

Dr. Frederick Harris MD has worked  in Internal Medicine for over 30 years. He describes himself as a "diagnostician" . He believes that he and his team are great at looking at symptoms and diagnosing the medical problem. He is an award winning doctor with a special concentration on diabetes and hypertension. He says "I haven't seen a blood pressure I cound't control".  Listen as he gives advice on how to control yours.

 The Director of the East Cleveland Public Library, Carlos Latimer came to visit the "Living The Blues"  Podcast with one of the board members, Gerald L. Silvera.  The East Cleveland library is at the center of providing valuable resources to its community.  They provide access to the internet  to the residents, after school and literacy programs as well as technology training for seniors. The library is  open to serving what the community needs but they need your help.

 Professor Robert McDonough is a celebrated poet, English teacher and an author.  He is also the Director of the Cy Dostal Poetry Workshop in Ohio.  McDonugh dropped by to discuss his new book about Russel Atkins who is a composer and considered to be an avant-garde poet. McDonough  explains Mr. Atkins' unusual use of the English language  and his ability to captivate audiences with his unique style and concepts.