August 29, 2023 • 9 mins
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team structured a 41-count indictment against Former President Trump and 18 advisers. Media reports and personal attacks have tried to portray Willis in terms that don’t align with who she is. Sharon Reed gives us a glimpse and insight into the Real Fani Willis, The Sharon Reed Show. Just give her 15-minutes.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Sharon Reid Show,where we discuss news, lifestyle culture through
an unapologetically black lens. I'm SharonReid. Today we'll be discussing the real
Fannie Willis. Since Willis's office indictedthe former president at eighteen others on forty
one charges related to trying to overturnhis twenty twenty election defeat in Georgia,
(00:21):
much has been reported about the FultonCounty Day's character, and no surprise to
anyone, the former president has goneon the attack with baseless claims, referring
to Willis as the quote racist dafrom Atlanta, falsely claiming she had an
affair with a gang member she oncedefended. Comedian Roy Wood Junior recently spoke
at the National Association of Black Journalistsconvention about the importance of the black press
(00:45):
and its responsibility to build on thelong standing legacy of reporting the news.
I've walked that line many a day, straddled it too. We have to
create ways to share our truths,tell our own stories. With this in
mind, if you really want insightinto who Foughty Willis is, just give
me fifteen minutes three years ago asa correspondent for The Atlanta Voice. I
(01:07):
sat down with then Fulton County DistrictAttorney candidate Willis, and since then my
opinion of her has evolved. RespectI had before morphed into admiration, even
appreciation for what she's undertaken. She'sput in her stamp on the way justice
is meted out in Fulton County,Georgia. Upon reflection, there were things
she said in that interview that revealedher true character and what motivates her as
(01:33):
the prosecutor we're witnessing today. Fannyis the first black woman to hold the
District Attorney for Fulton County position.Fanny is a proud HBCU graduate Howard University.
She's smart, tenacious, god fearing, extremely thoughtful. She does nothing
on the fly, and from timeto time her straight face gives way to
(01:53):
sharp wit and a sense of humor. In recent times, with the indictment
of forty five, we've gotten afront rose set to exactly how she conducts
herself. No nonsense woman who paysno attention to those who wrongly underestimate her
abilities, experience, or fierce determinationat her core. Fannie Willis is like
(02:14):
so many black women devoted to thegrowth and well being of her kids,
concerned about the health and welfare ofher community. Despite so many obstacles placed
in her path, she is knownto be hard working and dedicated. Fonni
is a visionary and would be thefirst to tell you that in this pivotal
moment in history, she's the rightwoman for the job. So let's start
(02:38):
with one of her favorite tools onthe job, her go to statute RICO.
It's a tool Fannie Willis has successfullyused to prosecute wrongdoing. And listen
to how she explained its use inthe Atlanta Public Schools case and see if
you hear in her explanation why heruse of RICO in the election case against
defended Trump is being called brilliant.People really understand rico. So when I
(03:00):
say rico to a late person,they think, uh, my favorite book.
They think The Godfather, right,they think the Godfather. They think
that rico is a mechanism used onlyfor gangsters and monsters. If people really
understand what the racketeering charges. Itis most often used for corporations. And
so the theory was that the AtlantaPublic Schools was a corporation, and through
(03:23):
the corporation, they did false documentsand false statements. That's the way it's
actually typically used, probably about sixtypercent of the time. Forty percent is
this kind of notion that we thinkof that's sexy, right, The gangsters
is sexy. The corporation ain't sexyat all, and so it was a
tool to charge them with the crimesthat they committed, which were the false
documents, the false statements. Ithink we get it now. Her approach
(03:46):
to the election case against Trump andGeorgia, it's about telling a story something
I can relate to. So manyjournalists can a beginning, middle, and
end, and her view the teachers, yes, teachers and political figures are
capable of operating like gangs who destroythe fabric of society. I've conducted hundreds
(04:06):
of interviews throughout my career, fromcelebrities to politicians, business leaders. Fannie
Willis is the only interview subject whoshowed up early, arriving before me,
with receipts in hand, vision andthe discipline to make it a reality.
It's a specific skill set she doespossess, and it fears runoff with her
(04:28):
one time boss, DA Paul Howard. She could have used the sitdown to
grand stand or serve up ego,but that not her style and it never
has been her motivation. She describesa higher calling on behalf of the people
of Fulton County, Georgia. Thisoffice is not about Fannie Willis. This
office is about the people of FultonCounty, and the people of Fulton County
(04:51):
deserve the very best. She's sittinghere with you today. She is the
person that is going to actually bringprograms that instead of indicting thousands, thousands
of black and brown young men,thousands of people in general, we're going
to put them in programs and changetheir lives. Because you're sitting in front
(05:13):
of someone that is actually going todeal with these repeat offenders. Because you're
sitting with someone today that actually wantsto make a difference, one cannot discount
Fannie Willis's experience, personal and professional. After telling me she wasn't necessarily looking
to run for this powerful position,she seamlessly shifted to make sure everyone knew
why she was uniquely qualified for it. I am a great trial lawyer,
(05:39):
and that's made me a great supervisorand a great trainer, because not only
am I compassionate towards victims, I'mcompassionate about those I teach. I've been
compassionate towards defendants. I briefly discussedWillis's sense of humor, very much part
of who she is. When coupledwith her practice of talking to people,
not at them or above their heads, she can be is trust, empathy,
(06:00):
and understanding. She is cognizant ofthe importance of context and using relatable
examples to empower and enlighten, butshe's still a prosecutor. Accountability first,
I don't know, you're a littleyounger than me. I don't know if
you ever been in a relationship andsome things went wrong. But if you've
been in a relationship and things wentwrong, before you can get past what
went wrong, it's gotta be oh, I'm sorry, I did this.
(06:24):
This is how we get past it. This is how we get through it.
And I think we need that asa city. It's liability and you
gotta have accountability. Like baby,I need you to say you sorry,
not you didn't do it. Andso until we can get too I'm sorry,
we can't get to fixing it self. Love and love of community play
integral roles and Fannie Willis's life Lovingall people part of her spiritual beliefs.
(06:46):
But she is bold in her affirmationof black love. In fact, she
says expressing it, it's necessary ifthey criticize me for loving black and brown
children, I gotta unlove dying lovefor black people, and I gotta undying
love for black children. Performing asa strong black woman the only option for
so many of us we can relateto that in Fanny forced excellence. She
(07:09):
better win in all areas motherhood,career. It's about how we must present
every day when we step out thedoor into instant judgment. Right now,
so many in the mainstream press oreither giving Da Willis props for that sweeping
indictment or tearing her down. She'seither doing their bidding or too uppity.
Let me tell you something, weall always have DNA and video. In
(07:31):
a case, you have to havecourage. What you're sitting with is a
woman that has courage. I'm goingto look at those cases, look at
the facts, look at the evidence, and make a decision. And to
anyone who wants to refer to whereFanny Willis is this moment in time as
black girl magic, don't not thistime. It's not magic. It's a
requirement forbidden to fail sound familiar.It's why so many of us have a
(07:56):
real vested interest in this petite madamday in Georgia and what she'll do next.
I hope we've provided you better insightinto the real Fannie Willis. We
stayed true to our time just fifteenminutes. I'm Sharon Reid. Be sure
to follow us on Instagram and youcan always access The Sharon Reid Show right
here or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining us, you know.
(08:20):
In eighteen twenty seven, John Russwormand Sam Cornish started the Freedom's Journal,
and they started The Freedom's Journal withthe premise that we wish to plead
our own cause. For too longothers have spoken for us, and for
the last one hundred and ninety eightyears, the Black Press has been that
(08:41):
beacon of hope Real Times Media.We wish to continue this one hundred and
ninety eight year legacy. In thespirit of Ida B. Wells or Marcus
Garvey or Lenggston Hughes, we bringto you another truth teller, Miss Sharon
Reid, with the Sharon red EachShow. Sharon has integrity, she's witty,
(09:03):
and she has an unapologetic love forblack people. We hope that you
agree. Join us for future episodesof The Sharon Reed Show, and make
sure you support the black press.
Welcome to the Sharon Reid Show,where we discuss news, lifestyle culture through
an unapologetically black lens. I'm SharonReid. Today we'll be discussing the real
Fannie Willis. Since Willis's office indictedthe former president at eighteen others on forty
one charges related to trying to overturnhis twenty twenty election defeat in Georgia,
(00:21):
much has been reported about the FultonCounty Day's character, and no surprise to
anyone, the former president has goneon the attack with baseless claims, referring
to Willis as the quote racist dafrom Atlanta, falsely claiming she had an
affair with a gang member she oncedefended. Comedian Roy Wood Junior recently spoke
at the National Association of Black Journalistsconvention about the importance of the black press
(00:45):
and its responsibility to build on thelong standing legacy of reporting the news.
I've walked that line many a day, straddled it too. We have to
create ways to share our truths,tell our own stories. With this in
mind, if you really want insightinto who Foughty Willis is, just give
me fifteen minutes three years ago asa correspondent for The Atlanta Voice. I
(01:07):
sat down with then Fulton County DistrictAttorney candidate Willis, and since then my
opinion of her has evolved. RespectI had before morphed into admiration, even
appreciation for what she's undertaken. She'sput in her stamp on the way justice
is meted out in Fulton County,Georgia. Upon reflection, there were things
she said in that interview that revealedher true character and what motivates her as
(01:33):
the prosecutor we're witnessing today. Fannyis the first black woman to hold the
District Attorney for Fulton County position.Fanny is a proud HBCU graduate Howard University.
She's smart, tenacious, god fearing, extremely thoughtful. She does nothing
on the fly, and from timeto time her straight face gives way to
(01:53):
sharp wit and a sense of humor. In recent times, with the indictment
of forty five, we've gotten afront rose set to exactly how she conducts
herself. No nonsense woman who paysno attention to those who wrongly underestimate her
abilities, experience, or fierce determinationat her core. Fannie Willis is like
(02:14):
so many black women devoted to thegrowth and well being of her kids,
concerned about the health and welfare ofher community. Despite so many obstacles placed
in her path, she is knownto be hard working and dedicated. Fonni
is a visionary and would be thefirst to tell you that in this pivotal
moment in history, she's the rightwoman for the job. So let's start
(02:38):
with one of her favorite tools onthe job, her go to statute RICO.
It's a tool Fannie Willis has successfullyused to prosecute wrongdoing. And listen
to how she explained its use inthe Atlanta Public Schools case and see if
you hear in her explanation why heruse of RICO in the election case against
defended Trump is being called brilliant.People really understand rico. So when I
(03:00):
say rico to a late person,they think, uh, my favorite book.
They think The Godfather, right,they think the Godfather. They think
that rico is a mechanism used onlyfor gangsters and monsters. If people really
understand what the racketeering charges. Itis most often used for corporations. And
so the theory was that the AtlantaPublic Schools was a corporation, and through
(03:23):
the corporation, they did false documentsand false statements. That's the way it's
actually typically used, probably about sixtypercent of the time. Forty percent is
this kind of notion that we thinkof that's sexy, right, The gangsters
is sexy. The corporation ain't sexyat all, and so it was a
tool to charge them with the crimesthat they committed, which were the false
documents, the false statements. Ithink we get it now. Her approach
(03:46):
to the election case against Trump andGeorgia, it's about telling a story something
I can relate to. So manyjournalists can a beginning, middle, and
end, and her view the teachers, yes, teachers and political figures are
capable of operating like gangs who destroythe fabric of society. I've conducted hundreds
(04:06):
of interviews throughout my career, fromcelebrities to politicians, business leaders. Fannie
Willis is the only interview subject whoshowed up early, arriving before me,
with receipts in hand, vision andthe discipline to make it a reality.
It's a specific skill set she doespossess, and it fears runoff with her
(04:28):
one time boss, DA Paul Howard. She could have used the sitdown to
grand stand or serve up ego,but that not her style and it never
has been her motivation. She describesa higher calling on behalf of the people
of Fulton County, Georgia. Thisoffice is not about Fannie Willis. This
office is about the people of FultonCounty, and the people of Fulton County
(04:51):
deserve the very best. She's sittinghere with you today. She is the
person that is going to actually bringprograms that instead of indicting thousands, thousands
of black and brown young men,thousands of people in general, we're going
to put them in programs and changetheir lives. Because you're sitting in front
(05:13):
of someone that is actually going todeal with these repeat offenders. Because you're
sitting with someone today that actually wantsto make a difference, one cannot discount
Fannie Willis's experience, personal and professional. After telling me she wasn't necessarily looking
to run for this powerful position,she seamlessly shifted to make sure everyone knew
why she was uniquely qualified for it. I am a great trial lawyer,
(05:39):
and that's made me a great supervisorand a great trainer, because not only
am I compassionate towards victims, I'mcompassionate about those I teach. I've been
compassionate towards defendants. I briefly discussedWillis's sense of humor, very much part
of who she is. When coupledwith her practice of talking to people,
not at them or above their heads, she can be is trust, empathy,
(06:00):
and understanding. She is cognizant ofthe importance of context and using relatable
examples to empower and enlighten, butshe's still a prosecutor. Accountability first,
I don't know, you're a littleyounger than me. I don't know if
you ever been in a relationship andsome things went wrong. But if you've
been in a relationship and things wentwrong, before you can get past what
went wrong, it's gotta be oh, I'm sorry, I did this.
(06:24):
This is how we get past it. This is how we get through it.
And I think we need that asa city. It's liability and you
gotta have accountability. Like baby,I need you to say you sorry,
not you didn't do it. Andso until we can get too I'm sorry,
we can't get to fixing it self. Love and love of community play
integral roles and Fannie Willis's life Lovingall people part of her spiritual beliefs.
(06:46):
But she is bold in her affirmationof black love. In fact, she
says expressing it, it's necessary ifthey criticize me for loving black and brown
children, I gotta unlove dying lovefor black people, and I gotta undying
love for black children. Performing asa strong black woman the only option for
so many of us we can relateto that in Fanny forced excellence. She
(07:09):
better win in all areas motherhood,career. It's about how we must present
every day when we step out thedoor into instant judgment. Right now,
so many in the mainstream press oreither giving Da Willis props for that sweeping
indictment or tearing her down. She'seither doing their bidding or too uppity.
Let me tell you something, weall always have DNA and video. In
(07:31):
a case, you have to havecourage. What you're sitting with is a
woman that has courage. I'm goingto look at those cases, look at
the facts, look at the evidence, and make a decision. And to
anyone who wants to refer to whereFanny Willis is this moment in time as
black girl magic, don't not thistime. It's not magic. It's a
requirement forbidden to fail sound familiar.It's why so many of us have a
(07:56):
real vested interest in this petite madamday in Georgia and what she'll do next.
I hope we've provided you better insightinto the real Fannie Willis. We
stayed true to our time just fifteenminutes. I'm Sharon Reid. Be sure
to follow us on Instagram and youcan always access The Sharon Reid Show right
here or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for joining us, you know.
(08:20):
In eighteen twenty seven, John Russwormand Sam Cornish started the Freedom's Journal,
and they started The Freedom's Journal withthe premise that we wish to plead
our own cause. For too longothers have spoken for us, and for
the last one hundred and ninety eightyears, the Black Press has been that
(08:41):
beacon of hope Real Times Media.We wish to continue this one hundred and
ninety eight year legacy. In thespirit of Ida B. Wells or Marcus
Garvey or Lenggston Hughes, we bringto you another truth teller, Miss Sharon
Reid, with the Sharon red EachShow. Sharon has integrity, she's witty,
(09:03):
and she has an unapologetic love forblack people. We hope that you
agree. Join us for future episodesof The Sharon Reed Show, and make
sure you support the black press.
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