April 28, 2025 • 58 mins
Episode Notes My guests include Education leader Dr. Marie Feagins. She joins me to discuss an upcoming event she is participating in this week called Take A Seat where she will discuss leading in high-stakes roles and preparing the next leaders to carry the mantle. Next, MSCS Board member Michelle McKissack returns to discuss the pause in the proposed state takeover, and the possibility of the County Commission changing the election rules to put the board on the same election cycle as the rest of the County next year. State Representative Torrey Harris joins me to discuss the just ended legislative session, and how if any decisions made affected Shelby County in a positive or negative way. That and more both on air and online Monday nite, 6 pm on 91.7 WYXR. Also, WYXR.org, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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It's real talk.
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Yeah, welcome to real tell your talk.
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Real host chip watching him like you all like it.
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Speaker 2 (01:15):
And here we go, Here we go on this beautiful
Monday evening in the city feels more like summer than
it does like spring, doesn't it, Ladies and gentlemen. It's
the twenty eighth day of April twenty twenty five, six
o'clock straight up, which means it is time for in
all new and live real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Glad.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Welcome, Welcome, welcome, glad to have you with us this evening.
I am your humble host. My name is Chip Washington.
Great to be here as well. We are going to
have a really good show for you this evening. So
you get comfortable, get relaxed, if you get some food,
get all that laid out for yourself, and find us
wherever you can find us. You know we're on a
few places around here. You're always asking me where can
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I get this fine piece of radio broadcasting. Well, I'm
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That would be wy x R Live right now. You
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(02:16):
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Speaker 5 (02:22):
As you know we're a podcast. Did you know?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
We're a podcast where we actually are our podcasts and
you can find us once the show post in the
next couple of days wherever it is you get your.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Podcasts, So there you go.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Plenty of ways to find us this evening, and if
you miss the show, and first of all, if you
missed the show, shame on you. But if you do,
mister show, we do have options on the back end
for you to be able to check it out. In
terms of our guest this evening, we have and we're
very fortunate to have doctor Marie Fagins. She is actually
joining me in studio this evening and we're going to
(02:57):
be talking about a special event. She's going to be
part of a conversation, if you will, that will happen
on Wednesday evening. It is called take a Seat, and
it is basically leading in high stakes roles and what
it costs to stay in that role and in that seat,
And of course she's going to be talking a little
bit about that and really how she's going to what
(03:20):
she's going to say to folks who find themselves in
those positions and more importantly, how to handle them. And
we'll have her join me in just a few minutes.
A little bit later on, we're going to have Memphis
Sheby County school board Member Michelle McKissick joining me, and
a little bit after that, in the second half hour,
state Representative Tory Harris, we'll check in the legislative season
(03:43):
just ended, and we saw a lot there and I
wanted to catch up with him to find out how
he thinks things went, and a couple of initiatives that
he helped to sponsor and launch as well. So there
you go. That's the rundown of the big broadcast of
this evening. I said, before, sit back, relax, get comfortable,
because yeah, we're we're gonna do it here in just
(04:05):
a few minutes.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
But before we do any.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Of that, for all of you who are still here
and you made that next trip around the sun or
the latest trip around the sun, aka your birthday, you
know what we do. We always celebrate that. And when
we celebrate that, we celebrate you, and we do that
by way of the shoutout. So we have a few
birthdays we'd like to call out this evening, but I
(04:28):
can't do that until I say hit it brand. All right,
this is very few, and I don't know if Lola's
got one, Lord's got one today. Okay, Lola does not
have a birthday to shout out today, but I will
do my best. Happy birthday to Henry Reeves the third
he's the attorney. Happy birthday to you Laterica Robertson celebrating
(04:49):
her birthday today, and Archie Sanders is celebrating.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
His birthday today.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
So to East and every one of you out there,
our congratulations on on your latest trip around the sun,
and from all of us here a real Talks Memphis,
and we hope to be with you next year when
you celebrate your next trip around. Happy birthday to each
and every one of you. I hope you had a wonderful,
wonderful day. Thanks Brent. Let's take a quick look at
(05:18):
some news and notes this evening. Of course, this was
the first day of the Tyrene Nichols state trial that began.
It's been about two years since that incident, that tragic
incident happened to Darius being Demetrius Hayley and Justin Smith
all pled not guilty to second degree murder in this case.
(05:41):
The other two officers that were involved got plead eos
and they will probably be testifying against these three officers.
Rovon Wells, the mother of Tyrene Nichols, actually took the
stand late this afternoon, and of course you can just
imagine how difficult painful that was for a mother recapping
(06:04):
seeing her son in the hospital and his eventual death.
So we will keep a track on this. We hear
that the trial could take anywhere from two to three weeks.
Many of us woke up this morning to a big
shock in this community, and that was the early morning
fire about one thirty am of historic Claiborne Temple. As
(06:27):
I said, it happened about one thirty this morning. That facility,
that library, that is a piece of American history, the
epicenter of the civil rights movement in this city, and
of course the place where Martin Luther King came. A
lot of the sanitation workers gathered a lot of the
(06:47):
civil rights workers gathered to strategize and to plan out
and to more importantly bring to light some of the
injustices that were happening in and around our community during
that time. According to fire officials, it looks to be
a total loss. Just passed that place literally over the
weekend two days ago, down being downtown, and to see
(07:12):
it today because I worked not too far from down there,
so I passed it a couple of times, and you
could see that the fire folks that even this morning,
late this morning, was still putting out hotspots and things
like that. A lot of people are very broken about
this because there are many people generationally who are from
Memphis who lived here or work here and active during
(07:32):
the civil rights movement, especially when doctor King came down
here to march for the rights of the sanitation workers.
So it's a very, very very emotional day for many, many,
many people who not only attended that church, you know,
it was in the middle of a renovation as well
as six million dollar renovation that was part of all
(07:53):
of that. And I don't know what is going to
happen as we move past the future, but that is
absolutely one of the most storied churches in this country,
and especially as you speak to civil rights. So we
are very very sad to hear and see that. You
(08:13):
remember about a week and a half ago, two weeks ago,
there was a shooting over just outside of Booker T.
Washington High School where two young men were killed. Well,
the Memphis Police Department has announced an arrest, one arrest.
Apparently there were supposedly four suspects involved in this, but
an eighteen year old suspect has been arrested and has
(08:35):
been charged with two counts of first degree murder in
the shooting deaths of those two students from Booker T.
Washington High school. There were students at that school. This
eighteen year old, his name is val Lamar Patterson. He
was in court this morning. Police say they are looking
for at least one other suspect. And late this afternoon
(08:56):
we heard that O Court Mall is going to be demolished.
Now we know that the Macy store had been closed
since January and the mall is pretty much closed to
or going to be closing as well. And they said
sometime maybe either later this year or for sure next year.
(09:16):
We don't know who or what is going to occupy
that space. Old Court Mall has been around here for
a while, hadn't it. It's been around here for some time.
So yeah, but it's gone now. So another another franchise,
another I'm all gone, gone and gone. And yeah, speaking
of gone, our Memphis Grizzlies are all on vacation now.
(09:37):
They got swept in their first round series against the
Oklahoma City Thunder four games to none. So now the
question remains is the Big three, the core the Big
three there Jah and Triple J and Desmond Bay are
they're still going to be a part of all of this?
What about the coach now having an interim coach who's
going to be the next coach. So a lot of
(09:58):
questions need to be answered in reference to all of this.
So that is a quick look at news and notes,
and we're gonna take a quick break and when we
come back, my first guest is ready to go. She
is doctor Marie Fagan's and she's sitting right across from you.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Right now.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
We're gonna have a conversation about a few things. I
see a lot of you online already anticipating that. So
sit back, relaxing, getting comfortable. I'm chipped, you know who
you are. Let's take a quick break and we'll be
right back.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
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go out and tell somebody, we'll be right back.
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It's real, it's real.
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Support for w YXR comes from the Hallerin Center presenting
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as musical guests take audiences on a journey behind the music,
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Support for WYXR comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located at
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Now back to more Real Talk with Chip Washington.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
It's real, it's real, it's.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Real, it's and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on
this beautiful Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Glad to have you with us.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Chip here, and of course uh as I stated at
the top of the show, we have a very special
guest in studio and someone we hadn't really seen much
in the last few months. But it's great to see
her and it's great to have her here. Please, welcome
to the show, doctor Marie Fagins, and it is so
good to see you, my friend. She has been she
has been hitting that she's been hitting.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
That phone trying to be responsive.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
It's responsible. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 8 (13:01):
Thank you, great to be here, it's good to see
you again, good to be seen.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You absolutely all the time. And of course you're you're
going to be involved in a kind of a special
event that happening in the next couple of days. I
would say it would be an empowering type of event
for people I think there to watch and be a
part of.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
It's called take a seat.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Uh and uh, she's going to be interviewed Doctor Faguins.
She means Doctor Fagin's is going to be interviewed by
journalist Brooke Baldwin.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
And it is a night of as they say, unfiltered,
a night of power on power, leadership and seats that
shape us in the future. And of course, first of all,
I will be remiss if I didn't ask you how
you have been and how you've been doing because.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
We haven't seen you in the last year.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Yeah, I feel like i've because I've still been moving around.
I feel like I have been out, but I know
that people haven't seen me the way that they've probably
been accustomed to see me. So hello to everyone out there,
that's why and tuning in. But I'm doing well. I
appreciate you asking. I took, you know, the first about
sixty days just to focus on me. You know, as
a counselor, I understand what you're supposed to do. So
(14:11):
I made sure I did those things. I traveled, uh,
just gave some care to me and I did the
thing that makes me nervous a lot, and that's rest.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
But you did get some rested.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I did.
Speaker 8 (14:22):
I did probably fortunately and unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
But yes, okay, well, I'm glad for all of those things. Then,
like I said, you look great. It's glad to have you.
I'm glad to have you in the studio. And yes,
ladies and gentlemen, I can say this is an exclusive interview.
You've not done one since you since we've last seen you, right,
I have not.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Done any interviews. I spoke you know, when I was
recognized by the County commission, but that I have not
given an interview, so yes, you are first. I gave
a recorded one earlier today, but you this is this
is live. Yeah, this is that's right.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Well, I'm glad to have you, so listen first and
foremost as a as a as an educational leader, and
as someone who has sat in that chair of power,
leadership and responsibility, I think that it is important and
I want to talk more about this event in just
a couple of minutes, to really have someone who has
had the experience of it and has been a part
(15:10):
of it, to really be able to counsel and speak
to certain issues that maybe folks who are looking at
where you've been or are being in positions of such
a power and authority might be as to what they
can expect because there is a certain level of responsibility
in more ways than one that goes to a position
(15:31):
of leadership.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Yeah, So the heat of the seat is how I
always refer to it, and I can share that it
gets hot, and you know, when it's tight, you're still
responsible for doing what's right, and so you know, with
the pressure that comes along with it, there's also the
privilege of serving in it right, Like every day I
wake up and I still wake up, I get to
do this right. There's a lot of folks that we
wasn't on the list this morning. And so every day
(15:55):
that I get to wake up and I get the
opportunity to do something good in the world, world, for
the world of one or for the world of many,
is a privilege. And so when we think about leadership,
I've sat in the seats of perceptual power and authority
and education. I've also sat under the light as a
news anchor, a solo news anchor without a degree in journalism.
(16:16):
I've sat in seats right across multiple sectors. And I
don't know that many people have that duality or that
multifaceted experience. And so you know, you have to be
able to handle the exit as well as you controlled
and handle the jury. You have to be just as
grateful and thankful for the opportunity on the way out,
whatever that might look like for you, as you were
(16:38):
when you receive the victory, right, the victories and the valleys,
and so it takes a lot of preparation now to
be able to balance. It's a very delicate balance, and
this experience did it suck? Absolutely? Was it tough? Absolutely?
Am I human without a doubt? But do I know better? Yes?
And I think that you are responsible for the things
(16:59):
that you know. And with thousands of people watching and
tuning in, I think that you control what you control
and you can always control you. And so if you
are thinking about a seat, whatever it is, a you
got to go for it right.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
Don't be afraid to go for no, be.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
Afraid, but do it with your knees shaking anyway, because
you will never be prepared, but you have to lead anyway.
You will never be fully prepared. You can get all
the credentials, the degrees, you can have twenty five years
of experience, when you hit whatever the seat is, you
were still never be fully prepared lead anyway. And once
(17:37):
you are in leadership, that's where your core values come
into play. That's where your purpose comes into play. That's
where intentionality and who you are shows up. And so
you got to make sure that you prepare yourself alone
the way so that when you are in the seat,
however it goes, you don't lose yourself in it.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I want to talk about a word that I've heard
you say. I've heard you use. And when I think
about you, I think about this word, and it's integrity,
honor and integrity.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
To be uh, to to be able to demonstrate that
on a daily basis.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Uh how how?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
How I guess I want to I guess I want
to ask you, you know, how does one go about
doing that? When you're in situations when things get a
little tight, when things get a little hot, when things
that are starting to kind of bubble up around you.
The one thing you always want to maintain is your integrity.
And you use that uh pretty much as a battleshield
and a moniker. And I just want you to talk
(18:35):
a little bit about that.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Yeah, integrity is not an option, right, It's not you know,
I could choose it in this well for me, it's
not a choose it in this moment and then I
don't choose it in the next. Sure, Uh, it is
a part of my being. I owe every moment, you know,
my fullest self, uh, transparency to do what's best, to
do what is right. Not everything is black and right
(18:57):
and has a clear but there are things that are
right and wrong. Right is right and wrong is wrong
regardless of who and what is involved, and so I've
always remained balanced spiritually, but certainly like emotionally, my IQ
might be high, but my EQ, my emotional intelligence, is
(19:18):
much higher. And emotional intelligence isn't nice, it's necessary, and
so being able to be in control of myself, my emotions,
how I feel, what I think, what I say. I
might say it strongly, but I'm saying, you know, what
is honest, what is my truth, and what is the
truth that is necessary to be spoken in the moment.
(19:41):
And so when we think about integrity, it sits right
beside courage and right next to conviction. They all go
to get together for me, and so clarity is in
there as well. But certainly integrity means a lot. I
sleep well at night, I walk in peace knowing that
my heart is pure, that I made the best decisions,
(20:04):
whatever they might be, and whatever course of my journey
that I've been in, based on what I had, what
I knew, and probably what I could see. I have
a pretty clear like forward vision. And I learned very young,
at a very young age, and I mean a very
young age to embrace being misunderstood. And it's twofold, probably three,
(20:32):
but certainly twofold. Part of it is there are just
certain people that are just committed to misunderstanding you. They
don't want to understand, and that's just the reality, and
that's okay. You don't engage in battle with that. And
then there's being misunderstood because there's a message that I'm delivering,
or there's some place that I've shown up maybe too soon,
(20:53):
that wasn't ready right, The place wasn't ready for me,
but I was ready for the place. Or perhaps if
we think about being misunderstood you may I might articulate
and deliver in a different way.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Right.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
I remember when I was a cheer coach. My principal
called me in the office and said, when I'm one
of the cheer parents, say, hey, she feels like you're
talking down to her because you're using big words. And
I thought, you know, I need to go back to
the table, because that's not intentional. It's just me. I
love reading. I'm just I'm just fond of education. This
is not something I woke up and said this is
gonna be fun to do. I really believe in the
(21:27):
core of it, and so I embraced at a very
young age of being misunderstood. It's also a part of
where I grew up and went to school. You know,
when you're the only one in the room that looks
like you, you know, you got to figure out some
things very quickly. And so I figured those things out
very early.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
The one thing about you that that I that I
recognized earlier from a long time ago. You know, when
you were in a in a position of power, leadership
and and and influencing you know other people. Uh, there
was such a demonstration of love and affection and support
(22:06):
for you. You touched a lot of people. Is what
is what I want to is what I'm trying to say.
And based on what you were talking about and kind
of how you live your life, I would imagine that
has to be at one some point or another, no
matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, that
you're touching people in a certain way, in a special way,
in an emotional way, to where there's such a galvanization
(22:26):
of you know, we really love her. That has to
make you feel some kind of way.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
You know, it's encouraging because you know you've heard it
said before that leadership is lonely. Yes, but leadership is lonely.
But you got to carry the loneliness and not compromise
your courage and your conviction, right, and so when people
can see you, because oftentimes we give more emphasis to
(22:52):
the folks who are, you know, given and delivering the negative,
cutting ethic, ankles, or shall really loudly the things that
aren't so so nice. Right, I've always given my thoughts,
my attention to those who are not clapping for me,
but those who are fighting for fear. They're trying to
see through and see the real right, they're fighting for understanding.
(23:16):
They really want to understand what they don't understand, learn
what they don't know. I wake up every day knowing
there are gazillion things I do not know. That's what
keeps me moving, keeps me excited. As much as I know,
I know I don't know equally and even more right,
and so how quickly can I learn it? How deeply
(23:37):
can I learn it? And who can I learn it from?
Is how I'm thinking. And so when people are encouraging,
they're embracing that outpouring was overwhelming. I still am processing it.
And you hear me get a little shaky right now.
But I'm be a thug today. I'm tight. I'm not
crying today because that's not why I do the work right.
(23:59):
You know, you work for the calls and not for applause.
That's me. I am not addicted to attention. My folks
gave me that, they still give me that. I am
filled with love and joy and happiness. And this is
from two parents who don't have college degrees. They worked
very hard, humble beginnings, but they love deeply and hard,
(24:21):
and so I do the same. And so when I
think about the love that has been shown to me,
I know that more of that exists, not just in Memphis,
but around the world. And if we tap into that.
Somebody asked what's missing today? Like how do we get
it together? Love and leadership? Love and leadership right, because
(24:42):
unconditional love is unwavering, But it's not conditional. It's not
based on situations. It's not you know, does she do
her hair the way that I wanted her to? Did
she forget to speak to me when she got out
of the car? It's not Do I agree with every
decision that he made? You know? It's not you know,
did you say the right thing to it is? I
see his heart. I know that what he stands for
(25:03):
is right, and I want to be connected to that,
and so that's what people have done, and they know
I have not gotten it right. I have not sold
myself as someone who has been perfect either, because I
know that I'm an imperfect being.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
So this event, which I think I found very fascinating,
You're going to have a lot of people that are
going to be There's gonna be a panel there, and
there's gonna be a lot of conversation about all of this.
In particular, leadership, what do you hope that after you
do your thing on Wednesday evening at the University of Memphis,
what do you hope people take away? What is the
(25:36):
biggest message that you want to portray to individuals who
are there and individuals who may be watching or hearing
about it later. What is the message you want people
to take away from after that evening?
Speaker 8 (25:49):
So take a seat is twofold one. It is take
a seat, right, Come on in, sit down. Let me
tell you know some some hard things, some things you
didn't know, some things you might have thought that you knew.
But let me give you some hard truths about the
seat and what comes along with it from this lens. Right,
(26:09):
and so you see four other people moderated by white
Station High School senior London Haynes, who will speak from
their lens all different, but certainly the seat itself has
something with it and we have to do right by it,
regardless of what it is, regardless of how seen it is.
In terms of the spotlight, all of us are responsible.
That seat you are sitting in right now is powerful.
(26:31):
The media is powerful. You are shaping narratives every time
you say hello, or however you open this and close
this show and everything in between. So it matters not
you know where you are, it's what you're doing in
the seat. So take a seat. Let's have a conversation
about these hard troops, and then you still have to
go out and take a seat. Twenty twenty five and beyond,
we're taking seats. So if you're thinking about or if
(26:53):
you need to be thinking about running for office an
elected official, if you've been pausing and you have not
taken and you know the next step in whatever your
your your corporation or organization is, you've been pausing and
holding back right shrinking and not getting going after that promotion,
it's time for you to take a seat. There are
seats that are available for us, UH, specifically women Uh,
(27:17):
and folks who are represent underrepresented populations. But certainly there
are seats that need to be taken by folks who're ready,
ready and willing to go and be courageous, uh, to
lead with conviction, UH, to say and do the tough things. Uh,
to be uncomfortable.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
And so it is get the information here, all the
unpolished stuff. Folks don't tell you the real stuff about leadership.
It's normally oh, you can do it, and we need
more like you. But not Hey, once you get there,
somebody's coming for your ankles already. Hey, you can. You
got to choose the people that you lose or leadership
and life will choose them for you.
Speaker 10 (27:54):
You know.
Speaker 8 (27:54):
It is, Hey, learn the politics, but don't become political.
It is you know, it's all the things. There's no
manual for that. And so that's what take a seat.
I hope that when people leave that they both feel like, Okay,
I know a little bit more about the heat of
the seat, but I still know that my responsibility is
going to take a seat.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Well, I got to tell you, this has been an
extraordinarily wonderful conversation for me. I know that people will
be blessed when they come to this event. I heard
it was so loud already or no seats left in
the room. And again it is Wednesday evening and it
is at six pm at the University of Memphis. There's
(28:37):
a place called the Zone FedEx Institute of Technology at
the University of Memphis. Seating is limited. It starts at
six seats at the theater opens at five o'clock and
it's a conversation with doctor Marie in Fagin's and journalist
Brook Baldwin and a lot of other interesting folks there
as well. Thank you for taking some time to come
(28:58):
visit with us tonight here at real talking about it.
It's been a wonderful experience.
Speaker 8 (29:01):
I really enjoyed it, my privilege. Thank you for having
me absolutely that.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Let us take a break. People are waving at her.
That was walking back the window and everything else. She's
a big time man. Let's take a break, Yeah, yes
you will. Let's take a break, and when we come back,
we'll prepare for our next guest. And this is a
real talk Memphisum, chip, we'll take a quick break. Don't
go away, We'll be right back.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion. Want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk Show page and you can be a part
of the Real Talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
It's it's real.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
Support for w YXR come from the University of Memphis
presenting the Spring Spanish Cultural Series at the Memphis Brooks
Museum of Art. The series will offer Memphians the opportunity
to hear an intimate atmosphere with acoustic concerts by Spanish
speaking singer songwriters of different styles and generations. Coming Sunday,
May eleventh, is Pedro Luis Ferrer and his daughter Lena Ferrer.
(30:23):
During his long career dating back from the early seventies,
his songs have been recorded by such artists as Celia
Cruz and Omara Portorondo of the Buena Vista Social Club.
All concerts will take place at two thirty pm. Tickets
and more information can be found at Spanish Cultural Series
dot com.
Speaker 11 (30:41):
Want to make a big impact without getting lost in
a big system. Join youth villages to be a force
for families while becoming part of one help make positive
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It takes a family to transform lives. Start with yours.
You can apply at Youth Villages dot org slash Careers.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
Programming for WYXR is brought to you by a grant
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a better future for the City of Memphis by supporting
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Speaker 6 (31:15):
Did you know when you purchase a specialty arts license plate,
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Speaker 8 (31:22):
It's easy.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Just take your old plate to your county clerk and
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Speaker 11 (31:40):
Support for WYXR comes from the Metal Museum. On the
last Thursday of each month May through September, the museum
hosts their free after hours event wet Thursdays, featuring metalsmithing demonstrations, exhibitions,
food and drink trucks, and music from local bands and DJs.
More information can be found at Metalmuseum dot org. Support
(32:01):
for WYXR comes from Crosstown Brewing. The kitchen and full
bar are now open and serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays,
including Mimosas and Bloody Mary's. Brunch hours are Saturday and
Sunday eleven am to two pm. More information can be
found at Crosstownbeer dot com.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
Support for wy XR comes from Live Nation presenting.
Speaker 7 (32:23):
Lake Street Dive with special Guests that Dip Live at
Work in Theater on Tuesday, September sixteen.
Speaker 6 (32:29):
Tickets and more information at ticketmaster dot com.
Speaker 12 (32:33):
Support for WYXR comes from Mempho Presents featuring the Outlaw
Tour tenth Anniversary show at Radiance Amphitheater on Friday, June
twenty seventh, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel
Rayeliff and The Night Sweats and Trample by Turtles. Tickets
and more information at Mempho Presents dot com.
Speaker 13 (32:50):
I'm Patrick Tamborino, most of the Techno Strategists podcast. Join
me as we navigate the ever evolving world of IT,
managed services and beyond. We'll explore everything from selecting the
ideal tech partner to the forefront of cutting edge technologies,
all into use with my own unique perspective and hopefully
a touch of humor. Don't forget to tune into the
techno strategists on the WYXR podcast network. For more information,
(33:12):
head over to WYXR dot org.
Speaker 11 (33:18):
Want to make a big impact without getting lost in
a big system. Join Youth Villages to be a force
for families while becoming part of one help make positive
changes on a national scale, one community at a time.
It takes a family to transform lives. Start with yours.
You can apply at youth Villages dot org Slash Careers.
Speaker 9 (33:38):
Support from WYXRT comes from Sunset Jazz at Court Square,
a free, family friendly concert series presented by Just Jazz
in Downtown Memphis and City of Memphis. Held every second
Sunday from May through October. This annual event brings the
smooth sounds of Memphis jazz to the heart of downtown
at sixty two North Main Street. Each show spotlights local
(33:59):
talent and a one range of styles from straight ahead
to swing. More information can be found at Sunset Jazzmmphis
dot com.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
You're listening, but are you in the know. The WYXR
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Speaker 6 (34:27):
Memphis Listening Lab probably supports WYXIR. They provide a curated
collection of music and music history, a form for music
related talks and performances, and in music education, appreciation and
experimentation space located in Crosstown, Concourse. You can find out
more information on their Instagram page at Memphis Listening Lab
or on their website at Memphis Listening Lab dot org.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
w y XR and he's now streaming live on Facebook
and you can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just
put w y XR in the search box and hit subscribe.
Now back to more Real Talk with Jib Washington.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
It's It's, it's, it's, and welcome back to Real Talk
Memphis on this Monday evening. Chip with you, and of
course I hope that you had a chance to listen
to our last interview with doctor Marie fakins. Of course
(35:42):
we all know her, we hadn't seen her, hadn't heard
much from her since late last year. Uh, but obviously
she's doing great. She came to talk a little bit
about taking a seat and what happens when you're thrust
into a position of authority of influence to a lot
of other people, and the pressures that go along with that.
It was an amazing interview and I hope that if
(36:04):
you need a chance to see it live, you'll either
check out my Facebook page later or you'll check out
the podcast later on this week.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
We're trying right now.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Something happened with our zoom unfortunately, and if you're on
Facebook Live, you see us as you see something that
says waiting for live video signal. The broadcast is waiting
for a signal, should be resuming shortly. Mischelle McKissick schooboard
member Michelle McKissick is in the is in the is
in the bullpen. Uh and she's waiting for I know
she's waiting for us, wondering exactly where where we went
(36:35):
and what happened with all of this?
Speaker 5 (36:37):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Okay, I see, okay, okay, some something happen there for
because I saw everybody on Facebook live for a second there,
I just saw something Lola.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Lola's working it out.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Uh and hopefully we should be getting something here in
a second, because I did see it says that live
video is ended. Yeah, so maybe we need to get
back in and do what we need to do here.
Uh So we're kind of we're kind of stalling around
just a little bit. Hopefully it won't be too much
longer before we can resume things and get back on
track here. You know, every now and again, the Grimlins
(37:12):
jump into the system and calls us. You know, a
bit of a heartache and headache. She said, need me
to call in. I guess, man, I hate doing I
hate doing that because we can't see her. We can't,
but yeah, I guess so Michelle, if you're if you're there,
she can call it.
Speaker 5 (37:29):
What myself? I mean, how do we do this? And
I don't even know?
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Okay, plug it in with it with the headphones or
plugging in how just plugging it with the headphone cord
here or what? All right, let's yeah, let's let's let's
let's plug it in. She can call me, call me
on my cell, Michelle, I think you know what it
is if you can hear me. I hate this and
we're gonna we're gonna continue to try to get this
thing fixed. I I, I yeah, and between now and
(37:58):
the time the show is over, because I really want
to be able to get the full dynamic in all
of this. So while she calls me and we can
uh because last time this happened, they couldn't hear me
at all, and they could hear the guests, but I
don't think they can hear me when we were doing
this thing.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
So let me, let me, let me do this. Let me.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Friend's got a chord here, and we're gonna try to
stretch it out. And meanwhile, you guys put your heads
together and see if we can't pull this thing off.
I don't need to unplug this camera and plug it
in again.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
Do a lula. She's over us, she's on on the
board working there. Okay, Oh that's got nothing to do
with it.
Speaker 2 (38:39):
Okay, all right, So hopefully she's she's going to see man,
I can't see anything here. Hopefully, Well I see myself now,
I see myself.
Speaker 5 (38:51):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
Now let's say it's waiting for live signal again, because
I saw myself for a second there. Hopefully Michelle got
my my my text and she will be called me
in a second here because I did let her let
her know that we're having some.
Speaker 5 (39:10):
Issues. Grill.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Let's take another quick break, let's go, let's go to break,
ladies and gentlemen, and we're gonna come back and hopefully
we can get all of this done and all of
this in before we get out here at seven o'clock.
This is real Talk, Mephics, don't go away, We'll be
right back.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion, want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the Real Talk experience. So, as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 12 (39:54):
It's Support for wyx R comes from Memphi Present featuring
the Outlaw Tour tenth Anniversary show at Radiance Amphitheater on Friday,
June twenty seventh, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan,
Nathaniel Raitliff and The Night Sweats and Trample by Turtles,
tickets and more information at Mempho Presents dot com.
Speaker 7 (40:15):
Support for Wyxar comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located at
six forty four Madison in the Edge District. Rootstock is
committed to bringing Memphis wines from small, independent producers with
minimal intervention. More information on Rootstock's full selection of wine,
beer and spirits and online ordering available at Rootstockmphis dot com.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
wyxar and he's now streaming live on Facebook and you
can also it's a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just put w
y XAR in the search box and hit subscribe. Now
back to more Real Talk with Chip Washington's.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
And welcome back to Real Talking Mempherence on Monday evening
in the city. It's Chip with you, and of course
we're having a little bit of a technical issue right now,
but we're still able to move forward. We have our
next guest on the phone. She is a member of
the Memphison Chevy County School Board. She is Michelle mckissika.
She joins me now by phone. Michelle, thank you for
being patient and thank you for coming on the show tonight.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
How you doing Hi?
Speaker 10 (41:40):
Chip. Thanks for having me on. It's pleasure to be here.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
Listen.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
Pleasure to have you as always, and I'm sure you
probably I don't if you heard our first guest this evening,
someone you're more than familiar with.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
I did.
Speaker 10 (41:53):
I did.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
It was a great interview.
Speaker 5 (41:55):
Yeah, thank you. She's pretty dynamic.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
So listen, I wanted to talk with you about kind
of what's been happening lately.
Speaker 5 (42:03):
We've kind of been in this topsy turvy world.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
Of course, in the legislature, we know what they've been
trying to do. We know what the plan is, to
try to initiate some type of takeover, although they don't
want to call it that, but that's exactly what it is,
far from my perspective. The House had a bill, the
Senate had a bill. They both passed her through their
separate committees, and then we get to the place where
(42:27):
there were too many differences, I guess, between both bills
to be able to come to some sort of a compromise,
which means that now it's on pause, so to speak.
So I wanted to kind of get get your impressions
of kind of what happened with all of this. And
I know you all have been kind of going up
and down.
Speaker 5 (42:46):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (42:48):
Okay, don't have to have to pick it up. Okay,
all right, I'm sorry Lola has given me all these
tech instructions here. But but but in reference to what
happened and kind of how you've been watching all of
this and kind of your assistance and all where things
stand today.
Speaker 10 (43:03):
Well it was a lot, A whole lot's been going
gone since, you know, officially since last December and with
the termination of our previous superintendent and which I believe
contributed toward the state deciding to Oh I think you've
got me.
Speaker 5 (43:22):
Hey good, have you look at that? About that?
Speaker 2 (43:24):
Okay, well I'm gonna do. Can I hang up the
phone now? Can I hang up the phone? Okay, Michelle,
I'm here.
Speaker 10 (43:31):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 5 (43:31):
Excellent? There we go. There we got cracked team Man,
Crack team Brenda, Lola, no doubt about it, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (43:37):
Way to go.
Speaker 5 (43:37):
But anyway, go ahead, go ahead, please go ahead.
Speaker 1 (43:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (43:40):
I was just saying that a lot has happened, and
as far as what's going on recently, uh, everything's happened
so quickly, so it's actually not surprising to me that
the state legislature in terms of in the House and
the scent that they couldn't come together at the last
minute to reconcile both of their bearing bills, because all
(44:01):
of this has happened so quickly, and that's what I've
been saying since the very beginning to my board colleagues,
let's slow this all down a little bit, let's try
to work.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Through all of this.
Speaker 10 (44:11):
And it didn't happen on our end in terms of
retaining our previous superintendent, doctor Fagins, and so now with
the state legislature, by one reason or another, it did
not pass through this go round. And hopefully we can
slow things down a little bit now and have productive
conversations that are most beneficial for children on how we're
(44:32):
going to move forward with MSCs.
Speaker 2 (44:33):
Yeah, you know, and exactly we get to like this
point of like almost no return here, and then all
of a sudden we find out that it has to
go through a committee so they can sort of take
one from one bill and one from the other and
kind of compromise and get all this together and everything else.
And it has become very confusing, and I would imagine
for you all as a board, just frustrating because you
(44:55):
have you still have a job to do, and school
is still in and you still have to to work
with the superintendent the interim of superintendent to sort of
chart a course for the next year. So I would
imagine this has been a bit of a challenge. En
up your challenge, I guess right.
Speaker 10 (45:10):
Well, I mean it's been frustrating for me long before
the state decided to say we're going to take over
the district. I'm just gonna be having real talk here
that I've been extraordinary frustrated that we're even at this point.
We weren't on the radar as far as the state
taking over or intervening until the school board. Members of
(45:32):
the school board decided that they wanted to part ways
with the superintendent who had only been in that position
a few months. And so I've been frustrated for a
long time, along with the greater amount of the community.
I literally cannot go anywhere where people are still pulling
me to the side and saying thank you for being
our voice because they're frustrated too that we didn't give
(45:55):
our previous superintendent a chance to really show what she
was about and what she poss we do for this school.
Speaker 5 (46:01):
District.
Speaker 2 (46:02):
Yeah, and I think a lot of people are still
feeling that, as you just mentioned. I mean, I think
that's still a top of mind for so many folks,
and you know, the level of and I think that
one of the things that frustrated me about this whole
process was that the people are the ones who elect
the individuals that they want to represent them in whatever
(46:22):
and wherever, and they did that in this case. And
when the will of the people clearly spoke, I mean
overwhelmingly overwhelmingly spoke in reference to the direction of the
course of the direction, you know, certain people decided, well, no,
we're not going to do that.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
We're not going to accept the will of the people.
Speaker 2 (46:42):
So I think that there's an anger still that I
think there's a trust issue that goes along with this still.
And you're right, you are one of the voices that
people still recognize as someone who was actually fighting for
the community and what the community wanted in terms of
moving forward in all of.
Speaker 10 (46:59):
This, right exactly. And I think that's always important as
elected officials. But as you said a moment ago, here
we are now how do we move forward, how do
we continue to do our job? And that's what I'm
focused on because first and foremost, I am answering to
the children of this district. That is what I've been
focused on since day one, since before day one of
(47:20):
getting on the school board. That's why I ran for
school board in the first place, because I care about
the children and I care about our greater community. That's
what I'm always focused on. Children are at the nucleus
of it all, but I'm concerned about the City of Memphis,
the County of Shelby, all of it because that's what
makes us whole and how do we move better forward
as a community. So that's what I've done. I mean,
(47:42):
I'm kind of just, you know, licking at my wounds
and saying, let me just move forward and still focus
on children.
Speaker 2 (47:48):
One of the things that has come up into conversation
is the legislative body passed something that would create an
option for the county Commission, the local kind of commissions
to change the election cycle of the school board. Now,
that's been some conversation too that they may or may
not have in reference to this. So everybody's on the
(48:11):
same election cycle. Next year, twenty twenty six is a
big election cycle here in Memphis.
Speaker 5 (48:16):
Sherby County and elsewhere, and maybe.
Speaker 2 (48:19):
To move the school board underneath that umbrella, which would
mean that half the school board or several members that
were elected last year would have reduced terms and might
have to run again.
Speaker 5 (48:32):
What do you think about all of that, Well.
Speaker 10 (48:35):
The seat that I represented in District one was already
a part of the county commission and being aligned with
that election cycle, so I think it has some benefit
because it's a much larger turnout. You really do have
people paying attention, you know, even though you have to yell, hey,
be sure to vote for school boards at the bottom
of the ballot. But it's just something where now even
more so, people really are paying attention to the school board.
(48:58):
And how bible it is that you have someone in
those seats that you believe will will represent you. So
I you know, that's not something that I certainly have
any purview over, but it's something that should be considered
for a greater turnout.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Yeah, and I think too. Yeah, I think that's a
very very important point you just made. And also I
think there might be a component I'm not sure if
there is or isn't, in reference to maybe even a recall,
which a lot of people were screaming about you know
as well. So so honestly, this could actually change if
they decide the kind of commission decides to move forward
with this, this could change the way things are done.
(49:36):
And you know, once again, if there is an election
next year of the school board, you know, there may
be more people who are interested in this that may
want to throw their hat in the ring. And you're right,
there may be more people actually interested enough to go
to the polls to actually vote for somebody who they
feel can represent their children in the best way possible.
(50:00):
It's interesting, you know what you said about all of this. Now,
let me just ask you one final question in reference
to in reference to the County Commission, I know that
you know, when they decided initially to uh issue a
lack of confidence vote, uh, that that sort of got
all this Nashville stuff swinging, so to speak, uh and
(50:20):
and everything else. And I know that it wasn't too
a receptive from you all as as board members.
Speaker 5 (50:26):
Did you do you still do you feel that.
Speaker 2 (50:28):
Way in reference to the fact that, uh, the County
Commission really did not have a place in all of
this conversation when it was really percolating at the particular
time we're talking about.
Speaker 1 (50:39):
No, I didn't. I didn't believe that at all.
Speaker 10 (50:41):
I think, if anything, and not only the County Commission,
I think anyone, whether it's even the mayor of the
City of Memphis, which that's not our funding body, but
I think as our funding body, we all have to
be concerned. When something is going awry, everybody should be
speaking up, and that's what happened this go around. The
community spoke up. But I honestly, I think the County
(51:03):
Commission is absolutely within its rights to have a say
in all of this. I mean, they are a funny
body for this school district. So yes, to answer your
question simply, yes, I think it's it's within their.
Speaker 5 (51:20):
Rights.
Speaker 2 (51:21):
I think I was the reason I asked that question
because I've heard from some of your other board member
board members, and they there.
Speaker 5 (51:31):
Was a level of distrust.
Speaker 2 (51:32):
They didn't trust the County Commission in terms of that,
and some may have gotten their feelings hurt because they
even You're right because they are a funding partner of yours,
and I never quite understood why there was an issue
because they do help the fund so they would have
some sort of a say in this one way or another.
But I will say this in reference to this proposed takeover,
this board of managers, these people who were appointed, the
(51:55):
whole nine yards and and all of this. They plan
on bringing this up in January from what I'm to understand.
But before that there is this audit. I have heard
you say, and there's never really been an issue financially
in reference to the school board, but there's going to
be this big audit that the state is going to fund,
some six million dollar audit.
Speaker 5 (52:16):
How do you feel about all of that.
Speaker 10 (52:19):
Six million dollars.
Speaker 5 (52:21):
Yeah, that's a lot. It's a lot of money.
Speaker 10 (52:23):
I wish that you know that money would be directed
towards other programs that could be beneficial to children here.
As you well know, it's been a lot of tragedy
that's been in the news of late a young people, yes,
and so putting that toward programs to help divert the
interests of children so they have something positive to be
focused upon, that's what I would like to see. I
(52:45):
don't believe the state taking over the district is the solution.
We had that in one iteration through the ASD, the
Achievement School District and ten years later, those schools are
now being turned back over to Memphi Shelby Kunty Schools.
It's just best when things are run and operated locally
where there is a connection. And I'm hopeful that if
(53:08):
they see some sort of engagement by the County Commission
with this school board, because obviously we need to have
there needs to be some work to be done to
help write this ship, that they will see that a
state intervention or takeover is not the solution. It is
not the solution at all. So I'm absolutely not for that,
(53:28):
but I'm open to saying how can we make the
school district better and run better and that is the
one that's more responsive to the people of Memphis and
Shelby County.
Speaker 2 (53:37):
Well listen, Well, first of all, again, apologies for the
technical issues, but I'm glad we got them worked out.
I'm glad that we got you on because I think
you have a very important voice in all of this,
because through all of this you have been really the
voice of reason in a world of chaos in reference
to how the board functions moving forward. But well, now,
(53:58):
like everybody else, will have to wait, and you'll have
to wait and see. We'll have to wait and see
what happens with all of this, what happens with this
allIt what happens when the legislature meets next year, and
what the county Commission does. So there's a lot of
moving parts in all of this. It seems like it
seems like kind of head spinning. But Michelle McKissick, Memphis
Chevy County School Board member and the one they call
(54:21):
the voice of reason, I really appreciate you, as always,
my friend, for taking some time to come on and
talk with our audience about some of the real issues.
And all I can say is keep up the amazing
work that you do on a daily basis.
Speaker 5 (54:34):
Thank you so much. I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (54:36):
Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 5 (54:37):
Absolutely that There you go, ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 2 (54:40):
Michelle McKissick, and of course you know I wanted to
have her on, especially tonight in reference to what has
happened here recently with this whole takeover situation. And I'm
gonna apologize now to Tory Harris. I can't get him
on tonight because we've had the technical issues, but we're
gonna I'm gonna reach out to him and we're gonna
get him on next week, promise you that we'll have him.
(55:01):
He's a member of the state representative representing here in
Memphis and Shelby County, and I wanted to ask him
a few questions in reference to the session just ended
and some other things as well.
Speaker 5 (55:13):
But this has really been a great program.
Speaker 2 (55:15):
And before we leave here and I leave you in
the capable hands of Brent Butler, who hosts Event Horizon,
which comes on right after this broadcast tonight, I want
to talk a little bit about the violence that we've
seen in our cities.
Speaker 5 (55:27):
In our communities.
Speaker 2 (55:28):
We've had thirty people die in Memphis and Shelby County
in thirty days, and a lot of those deaths have
been at the hands of and victims of young people
under the age of eighteen. The shooting that happened outside
of Booker T. Washington High School a couple of weeks ago,
and eighteen year old is one of the individuals responsible
(55:51):
for the killing of two students who we still don't
know who they are from the id perspective or how
old they were, but they were students at Booker T.
Speaker 5 (56:00):
Washington High School. We have seen over and over and over.
Speaker 2 (56:03):
Again the violence has just gotten out of control, and
if nobody else says it, I'll say it. And the
bottom line to it is it affects each and every
one of us out here, and we all have to
pay attention to what is happening, and we all need
to be outraged. More importantly, we all need to stick
our toe in the water and say, you know what,
I'm gonna do whatever I can to try to help
(56:24):
to make sure that my kids are doing what they're
supposed to be doing. And I'm gonna do whatever I
can if I see somebody doing something wrong, I'm gonna
tell it, you know what. A lot of times, you know,
we have to see it and then we have to
say it. We can't just see it and then go
back in the house and watch TV. We have to
be able to hold people responsible for some of the
tragedies that we are seeing each and every day or
(56:46):
we're not gonna have a future and we're not gonna
have a future generation in our city. And the bottom
line to it is that we all know we have
a problem, But the question is what are we going
to do about the problem that we have? Okay, And
I'm gonna continue to talk about it, and I'm going
to continue to push myself forward in it, and I'm
going to do everything I can to try to help
to solve the problem, not be part of the problem.
(57:08):
And if Brend plays us out, thank you so much,
ladies and gentlemen for being a part of the broadcast
and that I really appreciate you as always. If you
like what we do here at Real Talk Memphis, tell
other folks about it as well as we're here every
money in the evening from sixty seven pm. Thanks to
doctor Marie Fagin's thank you to you, Michelle McKissick. I
promise I will get Representative of State Representative Tory Harris
(57:30):
on the show again next week. But sometimes things happen.
But I really appreciate you. God bless you. Please be safe,
Please be careful, as they say, keep your head on
the swivel, watch out for yourself and watch out for
other folks. Okay, so for all of us here at
Real Talk Memphis, for brand, for Lovely Lola, come on
back lowly you do your thing that she is and
for yours shutey Chip, be safe, be careful, got I
(57:55):
love you, We'll see you, Sue.
Speaker 5 (57:56):
We are out. Take care.
Speaker 1 (57:58):
It's real it's real Talk, it's real toll.
Speaker 3 (58:03):
Yeah, welcome to Real tal Your real host Jill.
Speaker 1 (58:08):
Got to still fight Light. He's a Real Talks, a
real cop. This real cop.
The main it's real talk with your main chip washing it.
When it comes to information, the main guy an us
little and bring you up to speed and what you need.
He's a local and they should white new feed. And
that's talk about it. Who died to do something about it?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And ship's got to throw wide open and you got
questioned about it.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
It's main.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
It's to show that breaks into your wrong to solve
all problems.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
It's talking, real talk. He'll talk. It's real talk. It's
real talk. It's real talk. It's real it's real talk.
It's real cod it's real talk. It's real. It's real talk.
It's real talk. It's real talk. It's real it's real talk.
(00:41):
It's real talk.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Yeah, welcome to real tell your talk.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Real host chip watching him like you all like it.
It's real talk. It's real talking. It's real cop.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
And here we go, Here we go on this beautiful
Monday evening in the city feels more like summer than
it does like spring, doesn't it, Ladies and gentlemen. It's
the twenty eighth day of April twenty twenty five, six
o'clock straight up, which means it is time for in
all new and live real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Glad.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Welcome, Welcome, welcome, glad to have you with us this evening.
I am your humble host. My name is Chip Washington.
Great to be here as well. We are going to
have a really good show for you this evening. So
you get comfortable, get relaxed, if you get some food,
get all that laid out for yourself, and find us
wherever you can find us. You know we're on a
few places around here. You're always asking me where can
(01:54):
I get this fine piece of radio broadcasting. Well, I'm
glad you ask. We are on ninety one points seven FM.
That would be wy x R Live right now. You
can also find us on the wy x R app.
We are on the tune in app as well. We
will be live streaming tonight on Facebook Live and when
(02:16):
the show post in the next the day or two,
you can find us on YouTube as well.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
As you know we're a podcast. Did you know?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
We're a podcast where we actually are our podcasts and
you can find us once the show post in the
next couple of days wherever it is you get your.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Podcasts, So there you go.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Plenty of ways to find us this evening, and if
you miss the show, and first of all, if you
missed the show, shame on you. But if you do,
mister show, we do have options on the back end
for you to be able to check it out. In
terms of our guest this evening, we have and we're
very fortunate to have doctor Marie Fagins. She is actually
joining me in studio this evening and we're going to
(02:57):
be talking about a special event. She's going to be
part of a conversation, if you will, that will happen
on Wednesday evening. It is called take a Seat, and
it is basically leading in high stakes roles and what
it costs to stay in that role and in that seat,
And of course she's going to be talking a little
bit about that and really how she's going to what
(03:20):
she's going to say to folks who find themselves in
those positions and more importantly, how to handle them. And
we'll have her join me in just a few minutes.
A little bit later on, we're going to have Memphis
Sheby County school board Member Michelle McKissick joining me, and
a little bit after that, in the second half hour,
state Representative Tory Harris, we'll check in the legislative season
(03:43):
just ended, and we saw a lot there and I
wanted to catch up with him to find out how
he thinks things went, and a couple of initiatives that
he helped to sponsor and launch as well. So there
you go. That's the rundown of the big broadcast of
this evening. I said, before, sit back, relax, get comfortable,
because yeah, we're we're gonna do it here in just
(04:05):
a few minutes.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
But before we do any.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Of that, for all of you who are still here
and you made that next trip around the sun or
the latest trip around the sun, aka your birthday, you
know what we do. We always celebrate that. And when
we celebrate that, we celebrate you, and we do that
by way of the shoutout. So we have a few
birthdays we'd like to call out this evening, but I
(04:28):
can't do that until I say hit it brand. All right,
this is very few, and I don't know if Lola's
got one, Lord's got one today. Okay, Lola does not
have a birthday to shout out today, but I will
do my best. Happy birthday to Henry Reeves the third
he's the attorney. Happy birthday to you Laterica Robertson celebrating
(04:49):
her birthday today, and Archie Sanders is celebrating.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
His birthday today.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
So to East and every one of you out there,
our congratulations on on your latest trip around the sun,
and from all of us here a real Talks Memphis,
and we hope to be with you next year when
you celebrate your next trip around. Happy birthday to each
and every one of you. I hope you had a wonderful,
wonderful day. Thanks Brent. Let's take a quick look at
(05:18):
some news and notes this evening. Of course, this was
the first day of the Tyrene Nichols state trial that began.
It's been about two years since that incident, that tragic
incident happened to Darius being Demetrius Hayley and Justin Smith
all pled not guilty to second degree murder in this case.
(05:41):
The other two officers that were involved got plead eos
and they will probably be testifying against these three officers.
Rovon Wells, the mother of Tyrene Nichols, actually took the
stand late this afternoon, and of course you can just
imagine how difficult painful that was for a mother recapping
(06:04):
seeing her son in the hospital and his eventual death.
So we will keep a track on this. We hear
that the trial could take anywhere from two to three weeks.
Many of us woke up this morning to a big
shock in this community, and that was the early morning
fire about one thirty am of historic Claiborne Temple. As
(06:27):
I said, it happened about one thirty this morning. That facility,
that library, that is a piece of American history, the
epicenter of the civil rights movement in this city, and
of course the place where Martin Luther King came. A
lot of the sanitation workers gathered a lot of the
(06:47):
civil rights workers gathered to strategize and to plan out
and to more importantly bring to light some of the
injustices that were happening in and around our community during
that time. According to fire officials, it looks to be
a total loss. Just passed that place literally over the
weekend two days ago, down being downtown, and to see
(07:12):
it today because I worked not too far from down there,
so I passed it a couple of times, and you
could see that the fire folks that even this morning,
late this morning, was still putting out hotspots and things
like that. A lot of people are very broken about
this because there are many people generationally who are from
Memphis who lived here or work here and active during
(07:32):
the civil rights movement, especially when doctor King came down
here to march for the rights of the sanitation workers.
So it's a very, very very emotional day for many, many,
many people who not only attended that church, you know,
it was in the middle of a renovation as well
as six million dollar renovation that was part of all
(07:53):
of that. And I don't know what is going to
happen as we move past the future, but that is
absolutely one of the most storied churches in this country,
and especially as you speak to civil rights. So we
are very very sad to hear and see that. You
(08:13):
remember about a week and a half ago, two weeks ago,
there was a shooting over just outside of Booker T.
Washington High School where two young men were killed. Well,
the Memphis Police Department has announced an arrest, one arrest.
Apparently there were supposedly four suspects involved in this, but
an eighteen year old suspect has been arrested and has
(08:35):
been charged with two counts of first degree murder in
the shooting deaths of those two students from Booker T.
Washington High school. There were students at that school. This
eighteen year old, his name is val Lamar Patterson. He
was in court this morning. Police say they are looking
for at least one other suspect. And late this afternoon
(08:56):
we heard that O Court Mall is going to be demolished.
Now we know that the Macy store had been closed
since January and the mall is pretty much closed to
or going to be closing as well. And they said
sometime maybe either later this year or for sure next year.
(09:16):
We don't know who or what is going to occupy
that space. Old Court Mall has been around here for
a while, hadn't it. It's been around here for some time.
So yeah, but it's gone now. So another another franchise,
another I'm all gone, gone and gone. And yeah, speaking
of gone, our Memphis Grizzlies are all on vacation now.
(09:37):
They got swept in their first round series against the
Oklahoma City Thunder four games to none. So now the
question remains is the Big three, the core the Big
three there Jah and Triple J and Desmond Bay are
they're still going to be a part of all of this?
What about the coach now having an interim coach who's
going to be the next coach. So a lot of
(09:58):
questions need to be answered in reference to all of this.
So that is a quick look at news and notes,
and we're gonna take a quick break and when we
come back, my first guest is ready to go. She
is doctor Marie Fagan's and she's sitting right across from you.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Right now.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
We're gonna have a conversation about a few things. I
see a lot of you online already anticipating that. So
sit back, relaxing, getting comfortable. I'm chipped, you know who
you are. Let's take a quick break and we'll be
right back.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion, want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the real Talk experience. So, as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, we'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
It's real, it's real.
Speaker 6 (11:03):
Support for w YXR comes from the Hallerin Center presenting
the Memphis Songwriter Series hosted by Mark Edgar Stewart, market
as musical guests take audiences on a journey behind the music,
sharing personal stories and introducing new works. The series continues Thursday,
May eighth with Scott Sudbury, Mallory Everett, and Matt Hill.
More information at Orpheum Dash Memphis dot com. Slash hc
(11:25):
Dash presents.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
Support for WYXR comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located at
six forty four Madison in the Edge District. Rootstock is
committed to bringing Memphis wines from small, independent producers with
minimal intervention. More information on Rootstock's full selection of wine,
beer and spirits and online ordering available at rootstock Memphis
dot com.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
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and you can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just
put w y XR in the search box and hit subscribe.
Now back to more Real Talk with Chip Washington.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
It's real, it's real, it's.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Real, it's and welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on
this beautiful Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Glad to have you with us.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Chip here, and of course uh as I stated at
the top of the show, we have a very special
guest in studio and someone we hadn't really seen much
in the last few months. But it's great to see
her and it's great to have her here. Please, welcome
to the show, doctor Marie Fagins, and it is so
good to see you, my friend. She has been she
has been hitting that she's been hitting.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
That phone trying to be responsive.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
It's responsible. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 8 (13:01):
Thank you, great to be here, it's good to see
you again, good to be seen.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
You absolutely all the time. And of course you're you're
going to be involved in a kind of a special
event that happening in the next couple of days. I
would say it would be an empowering type of event
for people I think there to watch and be a
part of.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
It's called take a seat.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Uh and uh, she's going to be interviewed Doctor Faguins.
She means Doctor Fagin's is going to be interviewed by
journalist Brooke Baldwin.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
And it is a night of as they say, unfiltered,
a night of power on power, leadership and seats that
shape us in the future. And of course, first of all,
I will be remiss if I didn't ask you how
you have been and how you've been doing because.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
We haven't seen you in the last year.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
Yeah, I feel like i've because I've still been moving around.
I feel like I have been out, but I know
that people haven't seen me the way that they've probably
been accustomed to see me. So hello to everyone out there,
that's why and tuning in. But I'm doing well. I
appreciate you asking. I took, you know, the first about
sixty days just to focus on me. You know, as
a counselor, I understand what you're supposed to do. So
(14:11):
I made sure I did those things. I traveled, uh,
just gave some care to me and I did the
thing that makes me nervous a lot, and that's rest.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
But you did get some rested.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I did.
Speaker 8 (14:22):
I did probably fortunately and unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
But yes, okay, well, I'm glad for all of those things. Then,
like I said, you look great. It's glad to have you.
I'm glad to have you in the studio. And yes,
ladies and gentlemen, I can say this is an exclusive interview.
You've not done one since you since we've last seen you, right,
I have not.
Speaker 8 (14:36):
Done any interviews. I spoke you know, when I was
recognized by the County commission, but that I have not
given an interview, so yes, you are first. I gave
a recorded one earlier today, but you this is this
is live. Yeah, this is that's right.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Well, I'm glad to have you, so listen first and
foremost as a as a as an educational leader, and
as someone who has sat in that chair of power,
leadership and responsibility, I think that it is important and
I want to talk more about this event in just
a couple of minutes, to really have someone who has
had the experience of it and has been a part
(15:10):
of it, to really be able to counsel and speak
to certain issues that maybe folks who are looking at
where you've been or are being in positions of such
a power and authority might be as to what they
can expect because there is a certain level of responsibility
in more ways than one that goes to a position
(15:31):
of leadership.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
Talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Yeah, So the heat of the seat is how I
always refer to it, and I can share that it
gets hot, and you know, when it's tight, you're still
responsible for doing what's right, and so you know, with
the pressure that comes along with it, there's also the
privilege of serving in it right, Like every day I
wake up and I still wake up, I get to
do this right. There's a lot of folks that we
wasn't on the list this morning. And so every day
(15:55):
that I get to wake up and I get the
opportunity to do something good in the world, world, for
the world of one or for the world of many,
is a privilege. And so when we think about leadership,
I've sat in the seats of perceptual power and authority
and education. I've also sat under the light as a
news anchor, a solo news anchor without a degree in journalism.
(16:16):
I've sat in seats right across multiple sectors. And I
don't know that many people have that duality or that
multifaceted experience. And so you know, you have to be
able to handle the exit as well as you controlled
and handle the jury. You have to be just as
grateful and thankful for the opportunity on the way out,
whatever that might look like for you, as you were
(16:38):
when you receive the victory, right, the victories and the valleys,
and so it takes a lot of preparation now to
be able to balance. It's a very delicate balance, and
this experience did it suck? Absolutely? Was it tough? Absolutely?
Am I human without a doubt? But do I know better? Yes?
And I think that you are responsible for the things
(16:59):
that you know. And with thousands of people watching and
tuning in, I think that you control what you control
and you can always control you. And so if you
are thinking about a seat, whatever it is, a you
got to go for it right.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
Don't be afraid to go for no, be.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
Afraid, but do it with your knees shaking anyway, because
you will never be prepared, but you have to lead anyway.
You will never be fully prepared. You can get all
the credentials, the degrees, you can have twenty five years
of experience, when you hit whatever the seat is, you
were still never be fully prepared lead anyway. And once
(17:37):
you are in leadership, that's where your core values come
into play. That's where your purpose comes into play. That's
where intentionality and who you are shows up. And so
you got to make sure that you prepare yourself alone
the way so that when you are in the seat,
however it goes, you don't lose yourself in it.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I want to talk about a word that I've heard
you say. I've heard you use. And when I think
about you, I think about this word, and it's integrity,
honor and integrity.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
To be uh, to to be able to demonstrate that
on a daily basis.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Uh how how?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
How I guess I want to I guess I want
to ask you, you know, how does one go about
doing that? When you're in situations when things get a
little tight, when things get a little hot, when things
that are starting to kind of bubble up around you.
The one thing you always want to maintain is your integrity.
And you use that uh pretty much as a battleshield
and a moniker. And I just want you to talk
(18:35):
a little bit about that.
Speaker 8 (18:36):
Yeah, integrity is not an option, right, It's not you know,
I could choose it in this well for me, it's
not a choose it in this moment and then I
don't choose it in the next. Sure, Uh, it is
a part of my being. I owe every moment, you know,
my fullest self, uh, transparency to do what's best, to
do what is right. Not everything is black and right
(18:57):
and has a clear but there are things that are
right and wrong. Right is right and wrong is wrong
regardless of who and what is involved, and so I've
always remained balanced spiritually, but certainly like emotionally, my IQ
might be high, but my EQ, my emotional intelligence, is
(19:18):
much higher. And emotional intelligence isn't nice, it's necessary, and
so being able to be in control of myself, my emotions,
how I feel, what I think, what I say. I
might say it strongly, but I'm saying, you know, what
is honest, what is my truth, and what is the
truth that is necessary to be spoken in the moment.
(19:41):
And so when we think about integrity, it sits right
beside courage and right next to conviction. They all go
to get together for me, and so clarity is in
there as well. But certainly integrity means a lot. I
sleep well at night, I walk in peace knowing that
my heart is pure, that I made the best decisions,
(20:04):
whatever they might be, and whatever course of my journey
that I've been in, based on what I had, what
I knew, and probably what I could see. I have
a pretty clear like forward vision. And I learned very young,
at a very young age, and I mean a very
young age to embrace being misunderstood. And it's twofold, probably three,
(20:32):
but certainly twofold. Part of it is there are just
certain people that are just committed to misunderstanding you. They
don't want to understand, and that's just the reality, and
that's okay. You don't engage in battle with that. And
then there's being misunderstood because there's a message that I'm delivering,
or there's some place that I've shown up maybe too soon,
(20:53):
that wasn't ready right, The place wasn't ready for me,
but I was ready for the place. Or perhaps if
we think about being misunderstood you may I might articulate
and deliver in a different way.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Right.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
I remember when I was a cheer coach. My principal
called me in the office and said, when I'm one
of the cheer parents, say, hey, she feels like you're
talking down to her because you're using big words. And
I thought, you know, I need to go back to
the table, because that's not intentional. It's just me. I
love reading. I'm just I'm just fond of education. This
is not something I woke up and said this is
gonna be fun to do. I really believe in the
(21:27):
core of it, and so I embraced at a very
young age of being misunderstood. It's also a part of
where I grew up and went to school. You know,
when you're the only one in the room that looks
like you, you know, you got to figure out some
things very quickly. And so I figured those things out
very early.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
The one thing about you that that I that I
recognized earlier from a long time ago. You know, when
you were in a in a position of power, leadership
and and and influencing you know other people. Uh, there
was such a demonstration of love and affection and support
(22:06):
for you. You touched a lot of people. Is what
is what I want to is what I'm trying to say.
And based on what you were talking about and kind
of how you live your life, I would imagine that
has to be at one some point or another, no
matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, that
you're touching people in a certain way, in a special way,
in an emotional way, to where there's such a galvanization
(22:26):
of you know, we really love her. That has to
make you feel some kind of way.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
You know, it's encouraging because you know you've heard it
said before that leadership is lonely. Yes, but leadership is lonely.
But you got to carry the loneliness and not compromise
your courage and your conviction, right, and so when people
can see you, because oftentimes we give more emphasis to
(22:52):
the folks who are, you know, given and delivering the negative,
cutting ethic, ankles, or shall really loudly the things that
aren't so so nice. Right, I've always given my thoughts,
my attention to those who are not clapping for me,
but those who are fighting for fear. They're trying to
see through and see the real right, they're fighting for understanding.
(23:16):
They really want to understand what they don't understand, learn
what they don't know. I wake up every day knowing
there are gazillion things I do not know. That's what
keeps me moving, keeps me excited. As much as I know,
I know I don't know equally and even more right,
and so how quickly can I learn it? How deeply
(23:37):
can I learn it? And who can I learn it from?
Is how I'm thinking. And so when people are encouraging,
they're embracing that outpouring was overwhelming. I still am processing it.
And you hear me get a little shaky right now.
But I'm be a thug today. I'm tight. I'm not
crying today because that's not why I do the work right.
(23:59):
You know, you work for the calls and not for applause.
That's me. I am not addicted to attention. My folks
gave me that, they still give me that. I am
filled with love and joy and happiness. And this is
from two parents who don't have college degrees. They worked
very hard, humble beginnings, but they love deeply and hard,
(24:21):
and so I do the same. And so when I
think about the love that has been shown to me,
I know that more of that exists, not just in Memphis,
but around the world. And if we tap into that.
Somebody asked what's missing today? Like how do we get
it together? Love and leadership? Love and leadership right, because
(24:42):
unconditional love is unwavering, But it's not conditional. It's not
based on situations. It's not you know, does she do
her hair the way that I wanted her to? Did
she forget to speak to me when she got out
of the car? It's not Do I agree with every
decision that he made? You know? It's not you know,
did you say the right thing to it is? I
see his heart. I know that what he stands for
(25:03):
is right, and I want to be connected to that,
and so that's what people have done, and they know
I have not gotten it right. I have not sold
myself as someone who has been perfect either, because I
know that I'm an imperfect being.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
So this event, which I think I found very fascinating,
You're going to have a lot of people that are
going to be There's gonna be a panel there, and
there's gonna be a lot of conversation about all of this.
In particular, leadership, what do you hope that after you
do your thing on Wednesday evening at the University of Memphis,
what do you hope people take away? What is the
(25:36):
biggest message that you want to portray to individuals who
are there and individuals who may be watching or hearing
about it later. What is the message you want people
to take away from after that evening?
Speaker 8 (25:49):
So take a seat is twofold one. It is take
a seat, right, Come on in, sit down. Let me
tell you know some some hard things, some things you
didn't know, some things you might have thought that you knew.
But let me give you some hard truths about the
seat and what comes along with it from this lens. Right,
(26:09):
and so you see four other people moderated by white
Station High School senior London Haynes, who will speak from
their lens all different, but certainly the seat itself has
something with it and we have to do right by it,
regardless of what it is, regardless of how seen it is.
In terms of the spotlight, all of us are responsible.
That seat you are sitting in right now is powerful.
(26:31):
The media is powerful. You are shaping narratives every time
you say hello, or however you open this and close
this show and everything in between. So it matters not
you know where you are, it's what you're doing in
the seat. So take a seat. Let's have a conversation
about these hard troops, and then you still have to
go out and take a seat. Twenty twenty five and beyond,
we're taking seats. So if you're thinking about or if
(26:53):
you need to be thinking about running for office an
elected official, if you've been pausing and you have not
taken and you know the next step in whatever your
your your corporation or organization is, you've been pausing and
holding back right shrinking and not getting going after that promotion,
it's time for you to take a seat. There are
seats that are available for us, UH, specifically women Uh,
(27:17):
and folks who are represent underrepresented populations. But certainly there
are seats that need to be taken by folks who're ready,
ready and willing to go and be courageous, uh, to
lead with conviction, UH, to say and do the tough things. Uh,
to be uncomfortable.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
And so it is get the information here, all the
unpolished stuff. Folks don't tell you the real stuff about leadership.
It's normally oh, you can do it, and we need
more like you. But not Hey, once you get there,
somebody's coming for your ankles already. Hey, you can. You
got to choose the people that you lose or leadership
and life will choose them for you.
Speaker 10 (27:54):
You know.
Speaker 8 (27:54):
It is, Hey, learn the politics, but don't become political.
It is you know, it's all the things. There's no
manual for that. And so that's what take a seat.
I hope that when people leave that they both feel like, Okay,
I know a little bit more about the heat of
the seat, but I still know that my responsibility is
going to take a seat.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Well, I got to tell you, this has been an
extraordinarily wonderful conversation for me. I know that people will
be blessed when they come to this event. I heard
it was so loud already or no seats left in
the room. And again it is Wednesday evening and it
is at six pm at the University of Memphis. There's
(28:37):
a place called the Zone FedEx Institute of Technology at
the University of Memphis. Seating is limited. It starts at
six seats at the theater opens at five o'clock and
it's a conversation with doctor Marie in Fagin's and journalist
Brook Baldwin and a lot of other interesting folks there
as well. Thank you for taking some time to come
(28:58):
visit with us tonight here at real talking about it.
It's been a wonderful experience.
Speaker 8 (29:01):
I really enjoyed it, my privilege. Thank you for having
me absolutely that.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Let us take a break. People are waving at her.
That was walking back the window and everything else. She's
a big time man. Let's take a break, Yeah, yes
you will. Let's take a break, and when we come back,
we'll prepare for our next guest. And this is a
real talk Memphisum, chip, we'll take a quick break. Don't
go away, We'll be right back.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion. Want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, Then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk Show page and you can be a part
of the Real Talk experience. So as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
It's it's real.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
Support for w YXR come from the University of Memphis
presenting the Spring Spanish Cultural Series at the Memphis Brooks
Museum of Art. The series will offer Memphians the opportunity
to hear an intimate atmosphere with acoustic concerts by Spanish
speaking singer songwriters of different styles and generations. Coming Sunday,
May eleventh, is Pedro Luis Ferrer and his daughter Lena Ferrer.
(30:23):
During his long career dating back from the early seventies,
his songs have been recorded by such artists as Celia
Cruz and Omara Portorondo of the Buena Vista Social Club.
All concerts will take place at two thirty pm. Tickets
and more information can be found at Spanish Cultural Series
dot com.
Speaker 11 (30:41):
Want to make a big impact without getting lost in
a big system. Join youth villages to be a force
for families while becoming part of one help make positive
changes on a national scale, one community at a time.
It takes a family to transform lives. Start with yours.
You can apply at Youth Villages dot org slash Careers.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
Programming for WYXR is brought to you by a grant
from the Hyde Family Foundation, who is committed to creating
a better future for the City of Memphis by supporting
initiatives that enrich our city's cultural landscape.
Speaker 6 (31:15):
Did you know when you purchase a specialty arts license plate,
you're supporting the Tennessee Arts Commission and organizations like WYXR.
Speaker 8 (31:22):
It's easy.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Just take your old plate to your county clerk and
swap it out, or chose the arts plate when it's
time for renewal. Sure your love for WYXR and other
Tennessee arts organizations by visiting tnspecialtyplates dot org.
Speaker 11 (31:40):
Support for WYXR comes from the Metal Museum. On the
last Thursday of each month May through September, the museum
hosts their free after hours event wet Thursdays, featuring metalsmithing demonstrations, exhibitions,
food and drink trucks, and music from local bands and DJs.
More information can be found at Metalmuseum dot org. Support
(32:01):
for WYXR comes from Crosstown Brewing. The kitchen and full
bar are now open and serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays,
including Mimosas and Bloody Mary's. Brunch hours are Saturday and
Sunday eleven am to two pm. More information can be
found at Crosstownbeer dot com.
Speaker 6 (32:20):
Support for wy XR comes from Live Nation presenting.
Speaker 7 (32:23):
Lake Street Dive with special Guests that Dip Live at
Work in Theater on Tuesday, September sixteen.
Speaker 6 (32:29):
Tickets and more information at ticketmaster dot com.
Speaker 12 (32:33):
Support for WYXR comes from Mempho Presents featuring the Outlaw
Tour tenth Anniversary show at Radiance Amphitheater on Friday, June
twenty seventh, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel
Rayeliff and The Night Sweats and Trample by Turtles. Tickets
and more information at Mempho Presents dot com.
Speaker 13 (32:50):
I'm Patrick Tamborino, most of the Techno Strategists podcast. Join
me as we navigate the ever evolving world of IT,
managed services and beyond. We'll explore everything from selecting the
ideal tech partner to the forefront of cutting edge technologies,
all into use with my own unique perspective and hopefully
a touch of humor. Don't forget to tune into the
techno strategists on the WYXR podcast network. For more information,
(33:12):
head over to WYXR dot org.
Speaker 11 (33:18):
Want to make a big impact without getting lost in
a big system. Join Youth Villages to be a force
for families while becoming part of one help make positive
changes on a national scale, one community at a time.
It takes a family to transform lives. Start with yours.
You can apply at youth Villages dot org Slash Careers.
Speaker 9 (33:38):
Support from WYXRT comes from Sunset Jazz at Court Square,
a free, family friendly concert series presented by Just Jazz
in Downtown Memphis and City of Memphis. Held every second
Sunday from May through October. This annual event brings the
smooth sounds of Memphis jazz to the heart of downtown
at sixty two North Main Street. Each show spotlights local
(33:59):
talent and a one range of styles from straight ahead
to swing. More information can be found at Sunset Jazzmmphis
dot com.
Speaker 12 (34:07):
You're listening, but are you in the know. The WYXR
weekly newsletter is the best source for keeping up with
events at WYXR, whether they are happening on our airwaves,
behind the scenes, or out in the community. Log onto
newsletter dot wyxr dot org to sign up for our
mailing list and keep yourself in the loop.
Speaker 6 (34:27):
Memphis Listening Lab probably supports WYXIR. They provide a curated
collection of music and music history, a form for music
related talks and performances, and in music education, appreciation and
experimentation space located in Crosstown, Concourse. You can find out
more information on their Instagram page at Memphis Listening Lab
or on their website at Memphis Listening Lab dot org.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
w y XR and he's now streaming live on Facebook
and you can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just
put w y XR in the search box and hit subscribe.
Now back to more Real Talk with Jib Washington.
Speaker 2 (35:20):
It's It's, it's, it's, and welcome back to Real Talk
Memphis on this Monday evening. Chip with you, and of
course I hope that you had a chance to listen
to our last interview with doctor Marie fakins. Of course
(35:42):
we all know her, we hadn't seen her, hadn't heard
much from her since late last year. Uh, but obviously
she's doing great. She came to talk a little bit
about taking a seat and what happens when you're thrust
into a position of authority of influence to a lot
of other people, and the pressures that go along with that.
It was an amazing interview and I hope that if
(36:04):
you need a chance to see it live, you'll either
check out my Facebook page later or you'll check out
the podcast later on this week.
Speaker 5 (36:12):
We're trying right now.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Something happened with our zoom unfortunately, and if you're on
Facebook Live, you see us as you see something that
says waiting for live video signal. The broadcast is waiting
for a signal, should be resuming shortly. Mischelle McKissick schooboard
member Michelle McKissick is in the is in the is
in the bullpen. Uh and she's waiting for I know
she's waiting for us, wondering exactly where where we went
(36:35):
and what happened with all of this?
Speaker 5 (36:37):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Okay, I see, okay, okay, some something happen there for
because I saw everybody on Facebook live for a second there,
I just saw something Lola.
Speaker 5 (36:46):
Lola's working it out.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Uh and hopefully we should be getting something here in
a second, because I did see it says that live
video is ended. Yeah, so maybe we need to get
back in and do what we need to do here.
Uh So we're kind of we're kind of stalling around
just a little bit. Hopefully it won't be too much
longer before we can resume things and get back on
track here. You know, every now and again, the Grimlins
(37:12):
jump into the system and calls us. You know, a
bit of a heartache and headache. She said, need me
to call in. I guess, man, I hate doing I
hate doing that because we can't see her. We can't,
but yeah, I guess so Michelle, if you're if you're there,
she can call it.
Speaker 5 (37:29):
What myself? I mean, how do we do this? And
I don't even know?
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Okay, plug it in with it with the headphones or
plugging in how just plugging it with the headphone cord
here or what? All right, let's yeah, let's let's let's
let's plug it in. She can call me, call me
on my cell, Michelle, I think you know what it
is if you can hear me. I hate this and
we're gonna we're gonna continue to try to get this
thing fixed. I I, I yeah, and between now and
(37:58):
the time the show is over, because I really want
to be able to get the full dynamic in all
of this. So while she calls me and we can
uh because last time this happened, they couldn't hear me
at all, and they could hear the guests, but I
don't think they can hear me when we were doing
this thing.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
So let me, let me, let me do this. Let me.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Friend's got a chord here, and we're gonna try to
stretch it out. And meanwhile, you guys put your heads
together and see if we can't pull this thing off.
I don't need to unplug this camera and plug it
in again.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
Do a lula. She's over us, she's on on the
board working there. Okay, Oh that's got nothing to do
with it.
Speaker 2 (38:39):
Okay, all right, So hopefully she's she's going to see man,
I can't see anything here. Hopefully, Well I see myself now,
I see myself.
Speaker 5 (38:51):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
Now let's say it's waiting for live signal again, because
I saw myself for a second there. Hopefully Michelle got
my my my text and she will be called me
in a second here because I did let her let
her know that we're having some.
Speaker 5 (39:10):
Issues. Grill.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Let's take another quick break, let's go, let's go to break,
ladies and gentlemen, and we're gonna come back and hopefully
we can get all of this done and all of
this in before we get out here at seven o'clock.
This is real Talk, Mephics, don't go away, We'll be
right back.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
If you like real talk, here's the way you can
get involved. Do you have a show topic, idea or
a suggestion, want to be considered a guest or have
a guest idea, then send Chip a message on his
Real Talk show page and you can be a part
of the Real Talk experience. So, as he always says,
go out and tell somebody, We'll be right back.
Speaker 12 (39:54):
It's Support for wyx R comes from Memphi Present featuring
the Outlaw Tour tenth Anniversary show at Radiance Amphitheater on Friday,
June twenty seventh, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan,
Nathaniel Raitliff and The Night Sweats and Trample by Turtles,
tickets and more information at Mempho Presents dot com.
Speaker 7 (40:15):
Support for Wyxar comes from Rootstock Wine Merchants, located at
six forty four Madison in the Edge District. Rootstock is
committed to bringing Memphis wines from small, independent producers with
minimal intervention. More information on Rootstock's full selection of wine,
beer and spirits and online ordering available at Rootstockmphis dot com.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
wyxar and he's now streaming live on Facebook and you
can also it's a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just put w
y XAR in the search box and hit subscribe. Now
back to more Real Talk with Chip Washington's.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
And welcome back to Real Talking Mempherence on Monday evening
in the city. It's Chip with you, and of course
we're having a little bit of a technical issue right now,
but we're still able to move forward. We have our
next guest on the phone. She is a member of
the Memphison Chevy County School Board. She is Michelle mckissika.
She joins me now by phone. Michelle, thank you for
being patient and thank you for coming on the show tonight.
Speaker 5 (41:38):
How you doing Hi?
Speaker 10 (41:40):
Chip. Thanks for having me on. It's pleasure to be here.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
Listen.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
Pleasure to have you as always, and I'm sure you
probably I don't if you heard our first guest this evening,
someone you're more than familiar with.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
I did.
Speaker 10 (41:53):
I did.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
It was a great interview.
Speaker 5 (41:55):
Yeah, thank you. She's pretty dynamic.
Speaker 2 (41:58):
So listen, I wanted to talk with you about kind
of what's been happening lately.
Speaker 5 (42:03):
We've kind of been in this topsy turvy world.
Speaker 2 (42:05):
Of course, in the legislature, we know what they've been
trying to do. We know what the plan is, to
try to initiate some type of takeover, although they don't
want to call it that, but that's exactly what it is,
far from my perspective. The House had a bill, the
Senate had a bill. They both passed her through their
separate committees, and then we get to the place where
(42:27):
there were too many differences, I guess, between both bills
to be able to come to some sort of a compromise,
which means that now it's on pause, so to speak.
So I wanted to kind of get get your impressions
of kind of what happened with all of this. And
I know you all have been kind of going up
and down.
Speaker 5 (42:46):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (42:48):
Okay, don't have to have to pick it up. Okay,
all right, I'm sorry Lola has given me all these
tech instructions here. But but but in reference to what
happened and kind of how you've been watching all of
this and kind of your assistance and all where things
stand today.
Speaker 10 (43:03):
Well it was a lot, A whole lot's been going
gone since, you know, officially since last December and with
the termination of our previous superintendent and which I believe
contributed toward the state deciding to Oh I think you've
got me.
Speaker 5 (43:22):
Hey good, have you look at that? About that?
Speaker 2 (43:24):
Okay, well I'm gonna do. Can I hang up the
phone now? Can I hang up the phone? Okay, Michelle,
I'm here.
Speaker 10 (43:31):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 5 (43:31):
Excellent? There we go. There we got cracked team Man,
Crack team Brenda, Lola, no doubt about it, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (43:37):
Way to go.
Speaker 5 (43:37):
But anyway, go ahead, go ahead, please go ahead.
Speaker 1 (43:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (43:40):
I was just saying that a lot has happened, and
as far as what's going on recently, uh, everything's happened
so quickly, so it's actually not surprising to me that
the state legislature in terms of in the House and
the scent that they couldn't come together at the last
minute to reconcile both of their bearing bills, because all
(44:01):
of this has happened so quickly, and that's what I've
been saying since the very beginning to my board colleagues,
let's slow this all down a little bit, let's try
to work.
Speaker 1 (44:10):
Through all of this.
Speaker 10 (44:11):
And it didn't happen on our end in terms of
retaining our previous superintendent, doctor Fagins, and so now with
the state legislature, by one reason or another, it did
not pass through this go round. And hopefully we can
slow things down a little bit now and have productive
conversations that are most beneficial for children on how we're
(44:32):
going to move forward with MSCs.
Speaker 2 (44:33):
Yeah, you know, and exactly we get to like this
point of like almost no return here, and then all
of a sudden we find out that it has to
go through a committee so they can sort of take
one from one bill and one from the other and
kind of compromise and get all this together and everything else.
And it has become very confusing, and I would imagine
for you all as a board, just frustrating because you
(44:55):
have you still have a job to do, and school
is still in and you still have to to work
with the superintendent the interim of superintendent to sort of
chart a course for the next year. So I would
imagine this has been a bit of a challenge. En
up your challenge, I guess right.
Speaker 10 (45:10):
Well, I mean it's been frustrating for me long before
the state decided to say we're going to take over
the district. I'm just gonna be having real talk here
that I've been extraordinary frustrated that we're even at this point.
We weren't on the radar as far as the state
taking over or intervening until the school board. Members of
(45:32):
the school board decided that they wanted to part ways
with the superintendent who had only been in that position
a few months. And so I've been frustrated for a
long time, along with the greater amount of the community.
I literally cannot go anywhere where people are still pulling
me to the side and saying thank you for being
our voice because they're frustrated too that we didn't give
(45:55):
our previous superintendent a chance to really show what she
was about and what she poss we do for this school.
Speaker 5 (46:01):
District.
Speaker 2 (46:02):
Yeah, and I think a lot of people are still
feeling that, as you just mentioned. I mean, I think
that's still a top of mind for so many folks,
and you know, the level of and I think that
one of the things that frustrated me about this whole
process was that the people are the ones who elect
the individuals that they want to represent them in whatever
(46:22):
and wherever, and they did that in this case. And
when the will of the people clearly spoke, I mean
overwhelmingly overwhelmingly spoke in reference to the direction of the
course of the direction, you know, certain people decided, well, no,
we're not going to do that.
Speaker 5 (46:40):
We're not going to accept the will of the people.
Speaker 2 (46:42):
So I think that there's an anger still that I
think there's a trust issue that goes along with this still.
And you're right, you are one of the voices that
people still recognize as someone who was actually fighting for
the community and what the community wanted in terms of
moving forward in all of.
Speaker 10 (46:59):
This, right exactly. And I think that's always important as
elected officials. But as you said a moment ago, here
we are now how do we move forward, how do
we continue to do our job? And that's what I'm
focused on because first and foremost, I am answering to
the children of this district. That is what I've been
focused on since day one, since before day one of
(47:20):
getting on the school board. That's why I ran for
school board in the first place, because I care about
the children and I care about our greater community. That's
what I'm always focused on. Children are at the nucleus
of it all, but I'm concerned about the City of Memphis,
the County of Shelby, all of it because that's what
makes us whole and how do we move better forward
as a community. So that's what I've done. I mean,
(47:42):
I'm kind of just, you know, licking at my wounds
and saying, let me just move forward and still focus
on children.
Speaker 2 (47:48):
One of the things that has come up into conversation
is the legislative body passed something that would create an
option for the county Commission, the local kind of commissions
to change the election cycle of the school board. Now,
that's been some conversation too that they may or may
not have in reference to this. So everybody's on the
(48:11):
same election cycle. Next year, twenty twenty six is a
big election cycle here in Memphis.
Speaker 5 (48:16):
Sherby County and elsewhere, and maybe.
Speaker 2 (48:19):
To move the school board underneath that umbrella, which would
mean that half the school board or several members that
were elected last year would have reduced terms and might
have to run again.
Speaker 5 (48:32):
What do you think about all of that, Well.
Speaker 10 (48:35):
The seat that I represented in District one was already
a part of the county commission and being aligned with
that election cycle, so I think it has some benefit
because it's a much larger turnout. You really do have
people paying attention, you know, even though you have to yell, hey,
be sure to vote for school boards at the bottom
of the ballot. But it's just something where now even
more so, people really are paying attention to the school board.
(48:58):
And how bible it is that you have someone in
those seats that you believe will will represent you. So
I you know, that's not something that I certainly have
any purview over, but it's something that should be considered
for a greater turnout.
Speaker 2 (49:15):
Yeah, and I think too. Yeah, I think that's a
very very important point you just made. And also I
think there might be a component I'm not sure if
there is or isn't, in reference to maybe even a recall,
which a lot of people were screaming about you know
as well. So so honestly, this could actually change if
they decide the kind of commission decides to move forward
with this, this could change the way things are done.
(49:36):
And you know, once again, if there is an election
next year of the school board, you know, there may
be more people who are interested in this that may
want to throw their hat in the ring. And you're right,
there may be more people actually interested enough to go
to the polls to actually vote for somebody who they
feel can represent their children in the best way possible.
(50:00):
It's interesting, you know what you said about all of this. Now,
let me just ask you one final question in reference
to in reference to the County Commission, I know that
you know, when they decided initially to uh issue a
lack of confidence vote, uh, that that sort of got
all this Nashville stuff swinging, so to speak, uh and
(50:20):
and everything else. And I know that it wasn't too
a receptive from you all as as board members.
Speaker 5 (50:26):
Did you do you still do you feel that.
Speaker 2 (50:28):
Way in reference to the fact that, uh, the County
Commission really did not have a place in all of
this conversation when it was really percolating at the particular
time we're talking about.
Speaker 1 (50:39):
No, I didn't. I didn't believe that at all.
Speaker 10 (50:41):
I think, if anything, and not only the County Commission,
I think anyone, whether it's even the mayor of the
City of Memphis, which that's not our funding body, but
I think as our funding body, we all have to
be concerned. When something is going awry, everybody should be
speaking up, and that's what happened this go around. The
community spoke up. But I honestly, I think the County
(51:03):
Commission is absolutely within its rights to have a say
in all of this. I mean, they are a funny
body for this school district. So yes, to answer your
question simply, yes, I think it's it's within their.
Speaker 5 (51:20):
Rights.
Speaker 2 (51:21):
I think I was the reason I asked that question
because I've heard from some of your other board member
board members, and they there.
Speaker 5 (51:31):
Was a level of distrust.
Speaker 2 (51:32):
They didn't trust the County Commission in terms of that,
and some may have gotten their feelings hurt because they
even You're right because they are a funding partner of yours,
and I never quite understood why there was an issue
because they do help the fund so they would have
some sort of a say in this one way or another.
But I will say this in reference to this proposed takeover,
this board of managers, these people who were appointed, the
(51:55):
whole nine yards and and all of this. They plan
on bringing this up in January from what I'm to understand.
But before that there is this audit. I have heard
you say, and there's never really been an issue financially
in reference to the school board, but there's going to
be this big audit that the state is going to fund,
some six million dollar audit.
Speaker 5 (52:16):
How do you feel about all of that.
Speaker 10 (52:19):
Six million dollars.
Speaker 5 (52:21):
Yeah, that's a lot. It's a lot of money.
Speaker 10 (52:23):
I wish that you know that money would be directed
towards other programs that could be beneficial to children here.
As you well know, it's been a lot of tragedy
that's been in the news of late a young people, yes,
and so putting that toward programs to help divert the
interests of children so they have something positive to be
focused upon, that's what I would like to see. I
(52:45):
don't believe the state taking over the district is the solution.
We had that in one iteration through the ASD, the
Achievement School District and ten years later, those schools are
now being turned back over to Memphi Shelby Kunty Schools.
It's just best when things are run and operated locally
where there is a connection. And I'm hopeful that if
(53:08):
they see some sort of engagement by the County Commission
with this school board, because obviously we need to have
there needs to be some work to be done to
help write this ship, that they will see that a
state intervention or takeover is not the solution. It is
not the solution at all. So I'm absolutely not for that,
(53:28):
but I'm open to saying how can we make the
school district better and run better and that is the
one that's more responsive to the people of Memphis and
Shelby County.
Speaker 2 (53:37):
Well listen, Well, first of all, again, apologies for the
technical issues, but I'm glad we got them worked out.
I'm glad that we got you on because I think
you have a very important voice in all of this,
because through all of this you have been really the
voice of reason in a world of chaos in reference
to how the board functions moving forward. But well, now,
(53:58):
like everybody else, will have to wait, and you'll have
to wait and see. We'll have to wait and see
what happens with all of this, what happens with this
allIt what happens when the legislature meets next year, and
what the county Commission does. So there's a lot of
moving parts in all of this. It seems like it
seems like kind of head spinning. But Michelle McKissick, Memphis
Chevy County School Board member and the one they call
(54:21):
the voice of reason, I really appreciate you, as always,
my friend, for taking some time to come on and
talk with our audience about some of the real issues.
And all I can say is keep up the amazing
work that you do on a daily basis.
Speaker 5 (54:34):
Thank you so much. I appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (54:36):
Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 5 (54:37):
Absolutely that There you go, ladies and gentlemen.
Speaker 2 (54:40):
Michelle McKissick, and of course you know I wanted to
have her on, especially tonight in reference to what has
happened here recently with this whole takeover situation. And I'm
gonna apologize now to Tory Harris. I can't get him
on tonight because we've had the technical issues, but we're
gonna I'm gonna reach out to him and we're gonna
get him on next week, promise you that we'll have him.
(55:01):
He's a member of the state representative representing here in
Memphis and Shelby County, and I wanted to ask him
a few questions in reference to the session just ended
and some other things as well.
Speaker 5 (55:13):
But this has really been a great program.
Speaker 2 (55:15):
And before we leave here and I leave you in
the capable hands of Brent Butler, who hosts Event Horizon,
which comes on right after this broadcast tonight, I want
to talk a little bit about the violence that we've
seen in our cities.
Speaker 5 (55:27):
In our communities.
Speaker 2 (55:28):
We've had thirty people die in Memphis and Shelby County
in thirty days, and a lot of those deaths have
been at the hands of and victims of young people
under the age of eighteen. The shooting that happened outside
of Booker T. Washington High School a couple of weeks ago,
and eighteen year old is one of the individuals responsible
(55:51):
for the killing of two students who we still don't
know who they are from the id perspective or how
old they were, but they were students at Booker T.
Speaker 5 (56:00):
Washington High School. We have seen over and over and over.
Speaker 2 (56:03):
Again the violence has just gotten out of control, and
if nobody else says it, I'll say it. And the
bottom line to it is it affects each and every
one of us out here, and we all have to
pay attention to what is happening, and we all need
to be outraged. More importantly, we all need to stick
our toe in the water and say, you know what,
I'm gonna do whatever I can to try to help
(56:24):
to make sure that my kids are doing what they're
supposed to be doing. And I'm gonna do whatever I
can if I see somebody doing something wrong, I'm gonna
tell it, you know what. A lot of times, you know,
we have to see it and then we have to
say it. We can't just see it and then go
back in the house and watch TV. We have to
be able to hold people responsible for some of the
tragedies that we are seeing each and every day or
(56:46):
we're not gonna have a future and we're not gonna
have a future generation in our city. And the bottom
line to it is that we all know we have
a problem, But the question is what are we going
to do about the problem that we have? Okay, And
I'm gonna continue to talk about it, and I'm going
to continue to push myself forward in it, and I'm
going to do everything I can to try to help
to solve the problem, not be part of the problem.
(57:08):
And if Brend plays us out, thank you so much,
ladies and gentlemen for being a part of the broadcast
and that I really appreciate you as always. If you
like what we do here at Real Talk Memphis, tell
other folks about it as well as we're here every
money in the evening from sixty seven pm. Thanks to
doctor Marie Fagin's thank you to you, Michelle McKissick. I
promise I will get Representative of State Representative Tory Harris
(57:30):
on the show again next week. But sometimes things happen.
But I really appreciate you. God bless you. Please be safe,
Please be careful, as they say, keep your head on
the swivel, watch out for yourself and watch out for
other folks. Okay, so for all of us here at
Real Talk Memphis, for brand, for Lovely Lola, come on
back lowly you do your thing that she is and
for yours shutey Chip, be safe, be careful, got I
(57:55):
love you, We'll see you, Sue.
Speaker 5 (57:56):
We are out. Take care.
Speaker 1 (57:58):
It's real it's real Talk, it's real toll.
Speaker 3 (58:03):
Yeah, welcome to Real tal Your real host Jill.
Speaker 1 (58:08):
Got to still fight Light. He's a Real Talks, a
real cop. This real cop.
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