#RealTalk

Guests: Kenyari Sawyer and Ronnie King The 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, Inc. hosts its 19th Annual Infinite Scholar College Fair. This event routinely provides on-the-spot college admission and scholarships. A great opportunity for Black students to attend college. Blackoffee highlights the event and discusses the outlook for Black student progress.

Tia Mitchell is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Washington correspondent. In this role, she writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State. Tia is here to offer information on the 2020 elections, Georgia’s impact on the outcome and of course, she’ll also give her eyewitness account of the domestic terror attack on the US Capitol that was led by Trump supporters on January 6.

Tracie Davis represents Florida House District 13 in parts of Duval County. She has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2016, and has become one of the most trusted voices in Florida’s legislative body. Prior to being elected to public office, Davis worked for the Supervisor of Elections office, where she would later unsuccessfully run for the seat occupied by her previous boss Jerry Holland. Davis is constantly engaging constituents to better understand their needs, and how she can best serve the public. She’s a down to earth, cool person who, like her colleagues, is preparing to take on the 2021 Legislative session.

Senator Audrey Gibson represents Florida Senate District 6 in parts of Duval County. She is one of the leading voices in local and state politics. With so many important issues looming (such as Florida’s continued response to the Covid-19 pandemic), Gibson promises to be one of the most important policy voices of the 2021 Legislative session.

Leslie Scott Jean-Bart is a fifth generation Jacksonville native who is dedicated to civil rights and her community. When it comes to serving the people, she has become one of Jacksonville’s leading voices on criminal justice reform and social policy change. Leslie is an attorney who earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. She serves on many boards of directors (too many to mention) and also volunteers as an Attorney Ad Litem and Educational Surrogate for foster children. Her life-long interest in public service was inspired by her late grandmother, Mary L. Singleton, the first black woman elected to Jacksonville City Council, who went on to become a state representative. On this edition of Real Talk we’ll talk with Leslie Scott Jean-Bart. We’ll get her thoughts on race and politics…along with her family legacy and how she got here.

They say “Turnabout is fair play.” With that in mind, I’d like to introduce Real Talk is listeners to someone special. Her name is Vrinda Holmes, and she is my little sister. She is also the producer and star of her own podcast titled, Simply Making it Happen…and it’s the bomb. Now I’ve been in this business for almost 40 years, and I can tell you that she has gotten off to a great start. It is definitely her time to shine. Needless to say, for some reason, my sister wanted to interview me. And since turnabout is fair play, here we are. On this edition of Real Talk I will head to the other side of the table and hand over the big mic to my little sister, Vrinda Holmes. We’ll discuss everything from family, fun and business.

Politics, protests and progress. We continue our conversation with Obi Umunna. Obi is a homegrown Jacksonville attorney who has his finger on the pulse of politics and how policy can move the community toward change.

It goes without saying that a lot is going on in our world today. From coronavirus to social justice issues, we are being bombarded with issues, information and attitudes regarding health and culture. Someone who has dedicated himself to deciphering messages into change is man named Obi Umunna. Obi is a homegrown Jacksonville attorney who has his finger on the pulse of politics and how policy can move the community toward change. Obi is the founder and managing partner of the Umunna Legal Group, and is also known as a busy political operative. Which makes this conversation all the more interesting.

We are all living in a coronavirus new world order. Our communities are grappling with this phenomenon that will likely change our lifestyles as we know it…forever. In fact, it’s been nearly 3 weeks since I’ve worn a pair of dress slacks, or jeans for that matter. Indicating that I’ve been successfully able to practice the stay at home policies recommended by government officials. Needless to say, while we are still adjusting to isolation practices we still need to be cognizant of the severity of this pandemic. On this edition of real talk, we are going to speak with two experts from different ends of this pandemic. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Eric Griggs, a community health physician who is on the frontline of the COVID19 response in New Orleans, LA. And if the last name sounds familiar that’s because Dr. Griggs is my cousin. He’s also one of my go to voices on medical issues. He’s going to give his perspective on the response and continue to bang home the message of prevention. Then, we’ll switch gears. We thought it might be a good idea to lighten things up with a few words about how you can up your food game while in this social distancing quagmire. We’ll talk with Chef Amadeus, and get some tips on how you can be creative with your food choices and other cooking rituals.

Our world has been turned upside down by the coronavirus. However, in the face of all the misinformation, we are here to provide some straight talk. In fact, real talk. On this edition of real talk, we are going to talk with two very talented journalists, who I also consider good friends. Ms. Tia Mitchell, Washington DC beat writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. We’ll discuss all the info in the new COVID19 stimulus package intended to keep the US economy afloat during this pandemic. Then, we’ll have a conversation with Ms. Leah Fleming. Leah is the Morning Edition host for Georgia Public Radio in Atlanta. We’ll be discussing how people are dealing with the COVID19 pandemic across various communities and how it is impacting us all.

For those who are keeping a keen eye out for rising talent, you are in for a treat. Today’s podcast features a very talented young lady who has an extremely bright and creative future ahead of her. Nikesha Elise Williams is a two-time Emmy award winning news producer and author. Born and raised in Chicago, she graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Communications and a passion for writing. While Nikesha began her career as a news producer, she is now a full time writer and has authored four books including the acclaimed Four Women. Four Women was awarded a 2018 Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Award and also recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists as an Outstanding Literary Work. She’s a millennial and she is courageously finding diverse ways to deliver her creative talents.

If you’re not, you should be familiar with the work of the NAACP. The historic organization has led the way for decades on the front line of the civil rights movement. Today, the organization continues to be engaged in the work of racial equity and fairness. At the helm of the Jacksonville chapter is local legend Isaiah Rumlin. For the past 16 years, Rumlin has served as president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the NAACP. He came to Jacksonville many years ago as part of his profession in the insurance industry. Rumlin is a fixture in the Jacksonville community both in and out of the civil rights arena. He’s been appointed by various mayors to serve on a diversity of boards and commissions. Not to mention his wealth of Jacksonville history. On this edition of Real Talk we’ll talk with Isaiah Rumlin. We’ll discuss the NAACP, past, present and future. And we’ll also cover the history of the dueling Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfasts and what this situation really means to the community.

Real Talk #14: Black life and the UK - A conversation with Kolarele Sonaike by Charles Griggs

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. is in his sixth term as the Chairman of the Board of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Dortch is the recipient of numerous awards and honors that celebrate his efforts, including: Ebony Magazine 100 Most Influential African Americans; he c urrently serves on the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, and was honored by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame…just to name a few. Dortch is a giant in the Atlanta business community and comes with a wealth of knowledge on how move Black communities to success. As Chairmen of the Board of the 100 Black Men of America, Dortch is key to relationship building for support of the organization and its more than 100-chapter member network to sustain the mentoring work being done throughout the nation. On this edition of Real Talk we’ll talk with Tommy Dortch. We’ll discuss Black economic development, civic involvement and of course, the work of the 100 Black Men of America.

Albert Chester, Sr. is an HBCU football legend and a Florida A&M University Hall of Famer. He played quarterback at FAMU from 1975-1978. During that time, he was a three time MVP and accounted for more than 3,600 offensive yards and 43 touchdowns. As a junior in 1977, he led the Rattlers to the nation’s only unbeaten record in any division, as the team finished 11-0-0. In 1978, the Rattlers won the first ever 1-AA national championship title by beating the University of Massachusetts. For the past two seasons, Chester has been heard as the color commentator on FAMU football broadcasts, which along with his experience and love for the game, makes him the perfect person to get insights on the outlook of HBCU sports.

Darryl Willie is a first term elected member of the Duval County School Board. Willie moved to Jacksonville, Florida at a turning point in his career as an educator, and quickly decided to do his part to make a difference. Willie is fast becoming a major player in Jacksonville education politics. And with several significant issues currently in play, such as half cent sales tax referendum, student performance, and the expanding landscape of school choice. Willie has been a sort of baptism by fire.

The top 3 issues that would totally win over Duval County Black voters. With the energy of the 2018 mid-term elections in the rear view mirror, it’s time for Duval County local elections to take center stage. Four candidates are lined up and ready to go, and with about six weeks left before election day all eyes are focused on issues, right? Wrong.

Thanks to a few hundred years of slavery and Jim Crow, followed by decades of economic exclusion, African American households have far less wealth than whites. In fact, according to a recent study by Demos and the Institute on Assets and Social Policy, the typical black household now has just 6 percent of the wealth of the typical white household. It would seem that this setback would lead to less giving by African Americans. On the contrary. In fact, black Americans have a long history of philanthropic commitment. A report by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation a few years ago found that African Americans give away 25 percent more of their income per year than white Americans. But while African Americans are giving, is it being done with an intended strategy for progress? On today’s ‘Real Talk,’ we’ll discuss black folks and giving, with political strategist Obi Umunna, Pedro Cohen of the YMCA, JeffriAnne Wilder, Research Scientist, Nattional Center for Women & Information Technology, and Iris Grant from the Genési Group. Stay tuned for this edition of Real Talk.

As we rang in 2019, Ron DeSantis took the mantle as Governor of Florida. And while Andrew Gillum lost the race in November, he ignited progressive voters across the nation during his campaign. In his wake, Gillum fired up African-American voters on Florida’s First Coast – as Duval County went Blue for Democratic candidates at the top of the ballot for the first time in many years. In today’s ‘Real Talk,’ we’ll take a look back at the November election outcomes with political strategist Obi Umunna, Pedro Cohen of the YMCA, Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, Research Scientist, National Center for Women & Information Technology, and Iris Grant from the Genési Group. Stay tuned for this edition of Real Talk.

In 2015, Garrett Dennis was elected to the Jacksonville City Council, to represent the constituents District 9. However, recently, Dennis has been standing out as a firm critic of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry as well as many of his Council colleagues. To some, this has earned him the reputation as a trouble-maker who is out of touch with the City’s needs. To that Dennis would say that he’s the only person brave enough to stand up to the mayor and his “good-old boy” supporters. On this edition of Real Talk we’ll have an in-depth discussion with Jacksonville City Councilman Garrett Dennis. We’ll get his take on how he got here, current challenges and future opportunities.

We are talking Florida politics with a Duval County political icon. Senator #Audrey Gibson represents #Florida Senate District 6 in parts of #Duval County. She has served in the Florida Senate since 2011, and has been subsequently reelected for a second term without opposition. Gibson is one of the leading voices in local and state politics. And as a democrat, Gibson is one of the most important policy figures for the 2019 Legislative session, as she will be serving as Senate Minority Leader. Coming up - a conversation with Florida Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson…on #Real Talk.

On this episode of #RealTalk, we talk with Charles Landon Griggs. Yes, my son who also happens to be the podcast’s producer. We both thought a conversation with each other would be the perfect way to discuss the “Millennial divide.” Why is it that Baby-boomers get so annoyed with Millennials? And why do Millennials go through life less focused on responsibility? Check out our #RealTalk.

This weekend marks one year since protests and violence erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia. On this special podcast edition of #realtalk, I speak with Charlottesville City Councilman Dr. Wes Bellamy. He shares his story about Charlottesville, then and now, and how last year’s events impact us all. I consider Dr. Bellamy a colleague and friend, with common interests in equity strategies and policies to make change happen. Take a listen. I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

For as long as we’ve known, there have been two major political parties that candidates and voters can be affiliated with: democrats and republicans. More and more African Americans are becoming critical of the current two-¬party system and believe it has wreaked havoc on the black community.

Are we really preparing our students for tomorrow? Judging by recent state policy changes, we are clearly swept up in a school choice movement.

Let’s talk. #realtalk, the Podcast, brings voice to topics specifically related to the African American community. #realtalk seeks a deeper discussion on important matters and explore solutions. We invite you to listen in.