June 2, 2025 • 59 mins
Episode Notes My guests include Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green. To say there are a lot of issues and items on the city council agenda including balancing the budget, pay raises and how to fund MATA not to mention crime rates and citizen safety. She joins me with an update. Alex Hensley is a political, policy and advocacy expert. Recently, she was very outspoken in reference to the MPD and police accountability since the DOJ ended the Consent Decree agreement. If there have been changes to how the department deals with citizens, she wants to hear about it. Alex explains in her first visit to the show. Finally, our hometown pride was on full display when the Central High School Jazz band recently beat out other groups gathered from around the world at the Ellington High School Jazz Festival in New York City. Dr. Ollie Liddell is the band director and he joins me as we all share this amazing accomplishment. That and more on air and online Monday, 6 pm on 91.7 WYXR FM. Also, the WYXR app, Tunein, Facebook Live, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. It’s time to talk!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's real. It's real.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It's real.
Speaker 3 (00:04):
It's real.
Speaker 4 (00:05):
It's real talk. It's real, it's real talk. It's real,
it's real, it's real. Tal Yah, welcome to real Tell
your real host, Jill, watch your it's real, it's real talk.
Speaker 5 (00:46):
And here we go.
Speaker 6 (00:47):
Here we go on this Monday evening in the city.
This is the second day of June twenty twenty five.
Can you believe it? Six months in already? Well, time
is flying, man, there's no doubt about it. Absolutely time
it's flying. But we're happy to have you with us
on this evening. I'm back, happy to be back in
(01:08):
the airchair tonight after a week off and fired up.
I'm ready to go, and I hope you are as well.
We have a really good show for you tonight. We
hope you can stick around for the hour so you
can consume all of it. Just take all of it
in okay, very very very good. I am your humble host.
My name is Chip Washington. In case you forgot, we
(01:29):
are back again this week and very happy to be
here on this very warm Monday, temperatures pushing close to
ninety we're actually starting to feel like summer, little humid outside,
a little warm outside temperatures close to ninety degrees. I
think we're going to see that for the next few
days before we see a little rain moving back.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Into the forecast later on this week. But I digress.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
There are many ways that you can find this fine
piece of radio broadcasting, and the way that I know
that never fails is tuning your radio to ninety one
point seven on your from dial.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
That would be WYX. Are we broadcasting live right now?
Speaker 6 (02:09):
You can also find us on the wyx R app
for those of you who like to stream and do
things like that. We are also available on the tune
in app live and we are live streaming tonight on
Facebook Live. So if you don't want to listen to
it by itself, you want to check it out, go
to Facebook Live on my page and you can watch
(02:31):
the interviews happen live as well, and when the show
posted the next couple of days or so. You can't
find us on YouTube, and as we are a podcast,
you can catch us wherever it is you get your podcasts.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
There you go.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
Lots of ways to catch the show. And speaking of
the show, in terms of all of that, let's break
down the guest list, shall we, Well, first and foremost,
in just a couple of minutes, we are going to
be speaking with city council Woman Jerry Green. Now, Jerry
hadn't been on the show in a while, but the
city Council is in the midst of budget hearings and
(03:08):
there's a lot going on in this city and there's
a lot of things to have to deal with. There's
a lot of things to have to figure out. And
one thing I like about Jerry Green is that she
does not mince words. There's an issue that need to
be addressed, she has no problem doing just that. A
little bit later on, we are going to be speaking
(03:28):
with political advocate and policy expert. Her name is Alex Kinsley,
and Alex has never been on the show before, but
she will be tonight. We're talking about police accountability, among
other things. You know, the DOJ consent degree dealers no
more right, they pulled out. Uh And so now who's
(03:53):
watching who? Who is keeping folks accountable? How do we
know that the Memphis Police Department is following some of
the rules, in structures and the suggestions that were made
for better relationships between the police officers and the city. Well,
Alex is gonna talk a little bit about that and
some other things as well, and a bit later.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
On in the broadcast.
Speaker 6 (04:14):
You have all heard by now about the Central High
School and what they did in New York City not
too long ago.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Went up there with the jazz.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Band and slayed any any competition that was up there.
And I'm talking about people who came in from all
over the world for this Duke Ellington Jazz Competition festival
that they had in New York City a couple of
weeks ago. And do you know that Central High School
went up there and just took it all. They took
first place, They just beat everybody. So they are an
(04:48):
enormous sense of pride for us here in the city
of Memphis.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
I'm going to speak speaking with.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
Their band director, doctor Ollie Liddell a little bit later
on in the broadcast.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
So there you go.
Speaker 6 (05:00):
That's as sets the table for you as we move
along on this Monday broadcast. So a new month brings
forth a new slate of birthdays, and many of you,
I'm sure have had a birthday or maybe celebrating your
birthday today or you know sometime in the month of June.
You're a June baby. Well, we like to do this
(05:21):
little thing called the shout out, in which I acknowledge
you out there to your family and your friends and everybody.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
Else who knows you.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
Maybe if you listen to the show, you can say, hey, Chip, dude,
he put us on the radio. So without further ado,
let's do it until when I say hit it brand
Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday is going out to the following folks.
Mike Evans radio personality Tay ninety seven nov One on one.
(05:53):
I'm sorry, b one on one. It is birthday today,
Happy Birthday. Might also celebrating today night Yasha Brown, Happy
birthday to you. Jamie McGriff celebrating a birthday today, Taniqua
rest Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Stephanie Coutch, Mike Bernard,
(06:14):
Dylan Rochelle, PM Clark, and Nicole vond share it all
celebrating birthdays today. I hope that it has been a
wonderful day filled with fun and laughter, and you go
out and get you a nice meal tonight, United Birthday.
Then there is always a special thing from all of
(06:35):
us here at Real Talk Memphis. We wish you a
happy birthday and we hope to be with you next year.
As you celebrate your next trip around the Thanks Brent.
All right, let's take a look at some news and notes,
shall we. Many people are disappointed in reference to the
(06:56):
federal government shutting down the Memphis Job Corps. It has
been around for a long time. It helps many young people,
you know, not only get an education, but learn to trade,
learn a skill. It was it was paused quote unquote
by the federal government over the weekend, the US Department
of Labor, to be exact, this is a nationwide hold,
(07:18):
by the way, pause for these programs all over the country.
Nobody knows why, and there's no reason given, just sending
the students home. They come to class and ready to learn,
and they were turned around and sent home. So, yes,
another casualty of the current administration. Yes, I said it.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
All.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
Five police officers, former Memphis police officers are of course.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
They were federally convicted.
Speaker 6 (07:45):
No nothing, no guilty please on any of the state
charges at all, or rather no guilty verdicts on any
of the state charges.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
These are federal cases. They uh.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
The date of their seen was given today two from
on the sixteenth of June. Two on the eighteenth of June.
Let me see two on the sixteenth of June, one
on the seventeenth of June, and one on the eighteenth
of this month. So they will be sentenced in the
federal case coming up here in about two or three weeks.
(08:20):
Doctor Michelle Taylor has been here about three years. Well,
she's leaving as the.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Head of the.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
Shelby County Health Department. She is leaving to head back
to Baltimore, where she went back to school and spend
some time to become the new head and health commissioner.
She will be the new health commissioner in Baltimore. She
leaves here in August after three years. I hope before
she does go go at the Health Department gives us
(08:50):
some sort of a decision one way or another in
reference to the XAI gas turbines and whether or not
they are actually harmful to the citizens who live in
Boxtown and over there in the southwest corner of Memphis.
So we've been waiting on that for a while. She
still got a couple of months. Maybe they'll have an
answer between now and the time that she leaves. And
(09:14):
since their condolences to the Smiley family, many of you
were aware that the nephew of City Councilman JB. Smiley.
His body was found yesterday afternoon in the Wolf River
after a three day search. He and another man jumped
into the water a few days ago to rescue a
(09:36):
child who was having some distress issues there. Well, the
child was rescued. The other man that jumped in with
mister Smiley was also able to get out of the water. Unfortunately,
Fatty A. Smiley, a thirty one and the nephew of
Councilman JB. Smiley, did not He did not make it.
(09:58):
They have say searched valiantly for three days and he
could not find him. Well, yesterday they found his body.
And just a very very tragic, tragic situation. So again,
for all of us here, for me personally, and from
all of us here at Real Chalk, Memphis, our deepest
and sincere condolences to the Smiley family on the death
of their loved one. And one final piece of news
(10:22):
that came across this afternoon, doctor Marie Fagin's you remember her, right,
the former superintendent of the Memphison Shelby County School District. Well,
she is amended her She's had a lawsuit against the
school district, but she's amended that lawsuit and has added
some things to it. One that she would like to
get the money that was old her when they removed
(10:46):
her from office. You know, the salary was some four
hundred and eighty seven thousand, almost a half a million dollars.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, they removed her with cause.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Well she wants that amended, obviously to be able to
recap sure that money. And she has also found some
other amendments in reference to the fact.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
That the school board.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Worked on all of this in a very private way,
which is not something that they're supposed to do. But
apparently there were phone calls made and texts and everything,
and they were meetings hell, secret meetings hell before they
came out with the announcement that they were going to
remove her from her seat. And there was also an
allegation apparently that I never knew about, but Tijuana Murphy
(11:36):
had said at one time that she accused rather doctor
Fagins of having her car stolen. Apparently Tijuana's car was stolen,
and I guess she feels like she has some evidence
that doctor Fagans and her quote unquote gang had something
to do with that. So that's a malicious allegation that
(11:57):
Doctor Fagin's has also brought forth in this So again
it's not done yet. This lawsuit is still active and
it is still pending, and it has been amended, so
we will wait to find out what happens with all
of that. In the meantime, let us take a break
and get into the broadcast. What do you say You
(12:17):
still have time to check us out wherever you are,
whether you want to watch us on Facebook Live, and
whether you want to stream it, whether you want to
listen to it on radio.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Hey, I'm here for you for the next hour.
Speaker 6 (12:27):
Let's take a quick break and we will come back
and start the broadcast.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
I'm Chip, you know who you are. Let's get it.
We'll be right back.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
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 and you can be a part of
the real Talk experience. So as he always says, go
out and taeil somebody. We'll be right back. It's real,
(13:09):
it's real, it's.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Real, it's real.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
Support for WYXR comes from Iram Memphis, dedicated to advancing
the knowledge and professionalism of real estate managers through education, networking,
and advocacy. More information at Iramdshmmphis dot org. Memphis Listening
Lab probably supports WYXR. They provide a curated collection of
(13:39):
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 7 (14:12):
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 x R in the search box and
hit subscribe. Now back to more real talk with Chip Washington.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
It's real, it's real, it's real. It's real. It's real, it's.
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Real, and welcome back to real talking emphas on this
beautiful Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
Chip with you.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
And of course, as I alluded to the opening, uh
my first guest is someone who is and I like
her because, uh she's a no nonsense, she's she's one
tough mother. And she likes to say and and uh
and and and she doesn't miss words when it comes
to we are dealing with the citizens here in Memphis
(15:02):
as a city council woman. Please welcome to the show,
City council Woman Jerry Green, Hi, my friend, how are you.
Speaker 9 (15:09):
Hi?
Speaker 10 (15:09):
So good to see you.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
It is good to be seen and it is good
to see you as well, and welcome back to the broadcast.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Now.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
You know, this is always a busy time of year
for you, right in the middle of budget season, and
there's always a lot going on in reference to all
of this.
Speaker 5 (15:25):
So what do we cut? What do we keep? The
whole nine yards?
Speaker 6 (15:28):
I'll just ask you as an overview, how are things
going in your opinion thus far?
Speaker 9 (15:35):
Well, I think we're making progress. You know, this is
a really difficult budget season. But a couple of council
members and myself put a big, beautiful bill as it were,
in front of the full council and the mayor last week.
We're going to come back again this week and kind
of dive into it. But we've got to make some cuts,
(15:55):
as you say, we've got to boost some revenues. But
I think we can get it. Done and get Memphis
the services they need.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
Mayor Young has said that this is going to be
a tight budget, a very tight budget again this year.
And one of the issues that was up for grabs,
and I know one that you support our pay raisers
for some of the city officials, in particular the police department.
And that doesn't sound like from the mayor's language that
he thinks that that is going to happen. But am
(16:26):
I wrong in thinking that you might feel differently and
that maybe some adjustments could be made to maybe work
something out.
Speaker 9 (16:34):
I sure hope so, and I believe we can get there,
because there's really nothing more important than keeping our citizensen safe.
That's sort of our number one priority. You know, you
show me your budget, you show me what you care about.
It's a moral, living, breathing document, and I care about
keeping Memphian safe. If we have a safe Memphis, then
we have a more prosperous Memphis. We have Memphians who
get better education services. It all starts from that safety piece.
(16:57):
So we've got to support our officers in one of
the most dangerous cities, and they have a really tough job.
I have personally been to three funerals, a police officers
since my term.
Speaker 10 (17:07):
I've only been here for a year and a half.
That's a lot.
Speaker 9 (17:09):
Yeah, So we've got to put that money there, and
I do believe that it is available if we adjust
our budget in the right way.
Speaker 11 (17:19):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
You alluded to it.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
There was a statement that was made a week or
so ago by the current FBI director Cash Hotel, that
states that Memphis is the number one uh you know,
uh uh city and homicide for the entire country, and
uh that that cut a lot of us off guard,
and if he was going to send some some federal
(17:43):
task forces down here in reference to try to help
based on what you see, based on what you know
that we don't know. But generally speaking, in our community,
we are seeing and uptick in violence, even though these
statistics that come out keep talking about some of the
you know, the bigger categories are are trending downward. What
is your take on what he said and how do
(18:05):
we and and and your thought about that and how
do we fix this?
Speaker 11 (18:10):
You know, there's a saying that there's lies, damn lies
and statistics that goes for both sides, right, whether it's
the administration or the current occupiers of the White House.
Speaker 9 (18:23):
Look that there's no point in like being around the bush.
Crime is an issue here in our town. We the
murder rate is entirely too high, and it's really complex,
you know.
Speaker 10 (18:34):
I was just.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
Reading a really interesting study that said the places that
have the highest aggravated assault, which is the area that
we continue to still see horizon or as some people say,
people who are bad at murder, they also have the
highest zones of food deserts, like literally being hungry. Right,
if you cannot take care of your basic needs, then
(18:55):
it can lead to other problems. So it's it's such
a big problem. But there's no doubt having more police
out there on the grounds will help us, will assist us,
and so we've got to tackle that problem. But look,
if the White House wants to send us supplies and finds,
that's great. If they just want to attack us and
(19:17):
call us names, and they can stay where they are
in DC because you know, like I like to say.
Speaker 10 (19:22):
Where I'm from, bullies get bullied.
Speaker 9 (19:23):
So we don't really need any more bad talk about
Memphis here.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
Yeah, I mean it really you know, it puts us
in a category. I mean again, you know, we don't
want to be. You don't want to insult our people.
And one thing I say about you, you're very honest
about things that are truly happening. And I wish that
that every politician would take that posture, because you know,
we see what we see, and we know what we know,
and we hear what we hear, and right now is
(19:49):
really is really a time for us all to get
together in terms of this process. I want to talk
to you a little bit about something that and I'm
honest with you, I don't understand MATA is still asking
for money.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
I mean after.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
All of the money and all of the news reports
and all of everything we saw about the waste and
the spending and that didn't have anything to do with
public transportation, but they're still asking for money. And I
think I saw thirty million, but you were like, oh no, no, no, no,
not not so fast. Let's talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 10 (20:23):
If you don't have that's a good one.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
Not so fast, of course, right, yeah, exactly, exactly, yeah.
Speaker 9 (20:28):
I mean what we said in our budget and what
we said last year too, was we really need some insights,
especially those of us who are new on the council,
into exactly what the past spend was what bills we have,
what we've still got in front of us to operate,
and you know, I think we've removed some of the problems,
but we don't have a full financial audit yet, and
(20:50):
so our proposition right now is to fund matter. Fifteen
million dollars should get them through the end of the year,
and then at that point it will have now been
a year and a half half since we asked for
a full financial audit, they should come back to us
with that because I cannot continue to find trips to
India or you know, suites for the Grizzlies, Like that's
(21:11):
not gonna happen anymore. And I'm not writing any more
blank checks. And I feel like this council feels the
same way. We support public transportation. Successful cities have successful
public transportation, but we got to make sure that our
dollars are going what they should be going to.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
Yeah, and that's that's one thing.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
I mean, if if you're asking for the money and
and there there needs to be some reason for all
of this money and it has to go to something,
You're right, there is an audit that we're waiting on
as well. I don't know Jerry, It's almost seems like
we're that we're stalling, not you guys, but they were
stalling this thing, you know, moving you along, because everything
I hear doesn't symbolize progress necessarily for what they do
(21:49):
with this company is doing.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
But it's just like, well, we need we.
Speaker 6 (21:52):
Need more time to do this, we need this, and
we need more time to try to buy buses. Meantime,
there are people who rely on public tracks with each
and every day who are still not getting around the
way they should.
Speaker 9 (22:04):
Yeah, and I mean it's a really it could be
an amazing point for Memphis as a city, for us
to reimagine what public transportation looks like. You know, we
could really change the game as it relates to public transportation.
Speaker 10 (22:19):
I mean, you think about something like ubers and lyfts.
Speaker 9 (22:22):
If you told you and me, I'm not going to
age us, but you know twenty years ago that you
would call a stranger and they'd pick you up at
your house and take you to the airport, You'd be.
Speaker 10 (22:31):
Like that sounds insane.
Speaker 9 (22:33):
But now we do it everywhere we go, right, right,
and so it's the same sort of thing. We can
be at a really incredible point where we can reimagine
what public transportation's like. But we have to have some
honest accounting first. And we've gotten some insights into operations
and we now know that thirty percent of the bus
routes just weren't running, and they were just saying that
(22:55):
things were being broken down, but they actually just weren't running.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
I need that same kind of.
Speaker 9 (22:59):
Honesty on the financial side before we continue to invest
in the same old, same old model.
Speaker 10 (23:04):
Otherwise we are going to have to find something new.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
One thing I want to talk to you about because
I had a conversation with someone from the Memphis Police
Association recently to talk a little bit about where things
stand in terms of the number of officers that we
have versus the number of people that we serve, and
I was told they are at least six hundred officers
down as to where they should be and reallocating resources
(23:35):
i e. Police Officers to certain parts of town. Now
we're in summer, Jerry, and we all know that everybody's
focus turns to tourism because a lot of folks come
here to our downtown area. Meantime, with that shortage to me, now,
there are other areas that are in desperate need of
law enforcement. I will tell you this before you answered
(23:56):
the question. That person that I spoke with said that
there are a couple of city council of persons, one
of them is Jerry Green, who are very outspoken about
this and about how we allocate resources and how we
shouldn't be forsaking one for the other.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
Please elaborate absolutely.
Speaker 9 (24:16):
So, my district is on the very edge of Memphis, right,
so I've got South Cordova, I call it far East Memphis,
right on the edge of Germantown and some of Hickory
Hill where I grew up. And that means I have
three police precincts, Applane, Ridgeway, and Mount Mariah that served
my area. And I go out to them and if
you could see the maps of what they covered.
Speaker 10 (24:38):
Let me give you an example.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
I live over here by our Ridgeway High School, right
by police precinct is Appling that's out by wolf Chase.
Mall oh wow, So you think about those officers have
to cover that area, yeah, right, yeah, And some of
them have cars that aren't working. Some of them are
waiting around on cars on shifts, you know, because of
(25:01):
various them being in shops et cetera. So when we
take officers, like you said, from these different precincts, like
my three precincts it served my area, and put them downtown,
then imagine how long the wait is when there's an
emergency and you need a police officer out here. Right,
So we can't sacrifice the neighborhoods for downtown. It might
(25:21):
be our front door, and we do want to put
our best foot forward, but we can't sacrifice.
Speaker 10 (25:25):
So we do need to up our numbers. That's like,
that's basic math.
Speaker 9 (25:29):
If you look at, you know, any of the crime
statistics over the years of Memphis, the.
Speaker 10 (25:32):
More police we have, the lower the crime rate.
Speaker 9 (25:35):
And I think that that's just some visibility even just
having them be available when bad things happen.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
In terms of and so back to the budget in
terms in terms of that in terms of spent dispensing funds,
and I believe that the police officers were wanting allowing
for a five percent increase in salary. I mean, isn't
this a step at least in trying to recruit if
we're down that man need from attrition and a lot
of other reasons. I mean, that's a lot of officers
(26:05):
that We're down to cover an awful lot of ground,
which makes which which makes you know, everybody, you know,
a little bit nervous in reference to the fact that, well,
how are we gonna you.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
Know, I mean, you know, how do you how do
you decide when.
Speaker 6 (26:18):
You have, like you just said, one over here, one
over here, one way out here, and you're putting all
these officers down here. That really does need I mean,
in my estimation, that really does need the needs of
the police officers. Police department does need to be a priority,
does it not?
Speaker 10 (26:32):
I think so?
Speaker 9 (26:33):
And I think mostly just the workers in Memphis need priority.
So I sat on five of the six impast committees.
That means the unions that represent various workers. And I'm
talking to people like animal service workers that go into
hoarding situations, or the people who work in our sewer lines,
like literally are in raw sewage every day.
Speaker 10 (26:52):
People that work out.
Speaker 9 (26:53):
Our pollution plant and their paint on their cars gets
peeled away over time, right, So people who have hard
already you know, strenuous jobs, just like our police officers.
Speaker 10 (27:04):
And the mayor's proposal in their original budget is zero percent.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
Well, in today's inflationary environment, that means you're getting paid less,
like your dollar is worthless because the consumer price index
is going to go up two to three percent at
least this year.
Speaker 10 (27:17):
And so yes, I think.
Speaker 9 (27:19):
For recruitment and retainment, there's too many other police forces
BARTLET and TBI and THHP that can pull our officers
away because they're already well trained and they can go
to a less stressful environment. So if we are going
to hold onto these officers and our other workers to
provide really vital jobs in our community, what we're supposed
(27:42):
to do as a city, right, it's not a donation
to a museum. It is not you know, giving away
to affordable housing, which is a really incredible and important thing.
But like our basic services, I gotta fill up your potholes,
I got to pick up your trash. I gotta make
your street. Say, that's where we've got to invest first
before we invest anywhere else.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
In my opinion, City council Woman Jerry Green, ladies and gentlemen,
always telling the truth. And she she she she'll fight
for you, It's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Jerry.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
It's always good to see you, my friend. Thank you
for taking the time to come on the show.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
Tonight.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
We hadn't caught it up in a while, so hopefully
it won't be so long next time.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
On my end, anytime, anytime.
Speaker 6 (28:23):
Take care of my friend. There you go, There you go,
ladies and gentlemen. That's some truth there. City council Woman
Jerry Green. Absolutely, there's a lot of needs in this
city and they're working hard to try to figure it out,
and we absolutely need that. Everybody needs a raise. I
don't care what you do. She's right, everybody needs a
raise if you're out here doing it, doing the work,
putting in the work, putting in the hard work and effort,
(28:46):
and you need to be compensated for that. Absolutely, one
hundred percent. Thanks Jerry. Let's take another break and when
we come back, we will continue on this ride we
call Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I'm Chip. We'll take a quick break and we'll be
right back.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
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 Hip 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 4 (29:32):
It's real, It's, It's, It's.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Programming on WYXR is brought to you by a grant
from Arts Memphis who has invested ninety four million dollars
into our local arts community to teach, uplift, unite, and
engage Memphians of all ages and z and codes.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
Did you know you could donate your vehicle and support
WYXR at the same time. We offer free pickup and
it's tax deductible. Go to cars dot wyxr dot org
to donate your car today. Get Real Talk on the
(30:18):
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 Chip Washington. It's It's It's.
Speaker 6 (30:42):
And welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on this Monday evening.
I am Chip Washington and glad to have you all
with us. And I'm very glad to have my next
guest with us Uh as well as she is a
first time a visitor to a Real Talk members. You
know I've been doing this almost five years now, but
I'm so happy that she took some time to be
with me this evening. She is Alex Hensley, and Alex
(31:04):
is as a political and policy expert. She's also a
community advocate and an activist and been involved in so
much for so long. And Alex, it is great to
see you. Thanks and welcome to Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Thanks for having.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
Me absolutely that so listen. One of the reasons, and
I've known about you for a while now. You've been
out here, You've been on the front lines. You were
during the Tyree Nichols trial and a lot of other
things that have been going on. You work with decarce
Rate Memphis, and many folks know what that organization is
all about as well. Recently the folks in the media
(31:43):
caught up with you to talk a little bit about
you know, since the Department of Justice has pulled out
of the consent decree business. It seems per the current administration,
the oversight in reference to our law enforcement agency, which
we saw the report. It was scathing and this is
not anything new for anybody who's been around here for
(32:06):
a while.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
These issues that.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
Were brought up have been long standing issues and I know,
you know that what concerned you the most about the
fact that the Department of Justice is no longer quote
unquote overseeing this, even though Mayor Young said he didn't
want their help.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
What do you think, right well, you know, I think
Mary Young, to his credit, and you know, something that
we thought is that this would happen anyway. You know,
I think we expected this might be the case with
the Trump administration. I think what's concerning is the words rescinded.
You know, we don't know what they mean by that,
(32:45):
and we don't want to give any kind of leeway
in a city that has had a hard time reigning
in police brutality police violence, to say that those findings
were incorrect or that they are not true anymore, because,
(33:05):
like you said, we know that they are true, and
we know that they have been true for a long time.
So I think it's concerning politically because that can kind
of give, you know, some leeway to skirt around doing
something about it. So that's something I'm concerned and cautious about.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Accountability is a big word, and it's an important word too,
and in reference to this, we you know, I think
one of the big issues is that now that the
the Department of Justice is no longer involved in any
of this. I know that there's a task for us
that that has been appointed by the mayor and former
Judge Bernice Donald is overseeing that. But how do we know, Alex,
(33:47):
in terms of that word accountability, how how do we
know about the suggestion changes and what needs to happen
in reference to how we move forward, for example, as
a law enforcement authority here?
Speaker 5 (34:04):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (34:04):
And of course, as you said, you know, when you
when when you don't, when you don't have eyes on
a situation, you start to wonder if people are taking
things seriously. And with this increase that I see in
the crime situation in here, I don't care what anybody says. Uh,
you know, you wonder how they're going to go about
dealing with these things day by day. What concerns you
(34:25):
the most?
Speaker 1 (34:27):
Yeah, that's a great question, because when we talk about accountability,
I think the way that a lot of people think
about that is that we tell folks in power what
they're doing wrong, and we hope that they say they're
going to do something about it, and we leave it
at that. But real accountability is having an action plan
in place that's clear, that's transparent about what we're going
(34:49):
to do next, and so I think that's what is
missing with the task force so far. I'm hopeful that
that will shift as we have more eyes on it.
But that's what accountability looks like, is not just a
task force coming together talking about the problems. We know
what the problems are. We have a whole report of
(35:11):
solutions that we need a timeline for. And so I
think that that is what accountability looks like is saying,
we have these recommendations, what are we going to act on?
What is reasonable to act on. I know it's a
tight budget year, but we've got to do something about it.
(35:31):
And so what does that timeline look like to do
something about it? And when are they going to put
those policy solutions forward to the community, to the city council,
whatever that might look like. So I think that, you know,
those are my concerns is that we have another task
force in place. This is something that politicians love to do,
(35:54):
is create a committee, create a task force, and often
can that can be a way to appear that something
is happening when it's not. And so again I'm hopeful
that things will shift, but so far we haven't seen
a lot of accountability. We haven't seen a lot of
(36:15):
plans for what the task force is actually going to do.
And I know that this is also a group of
folks who are equipped and who are ready to do something,
and so we want to take advantage.
Speaker 6 (36:27):
Of that now, you know. Having said that, and I
think that that's a very very important point. And this
this boils down to and you just kind of showed us.
You know, you have a lot of policy suggestions and
things that your organization would like to you know, have
a have a seat at the table, have have a
real conversation about in terms of this, Uh does it
does it appear to you that I don't know as
(36:49):
well intentioned as I guess you know that they are
in reference to old problems and trying to find new
solutions for them, that the public is involved as they
should be. You know, we've seen many examples of where
you know, public sentiment uh seems to be overlooked or
even ignored in some situations and circumstances. And we've we've
(37:11):
all laid witnessed to all of that. But but and
it sounds like listening to what you're saying is you
know what we the people, uh do have a voice
in all this. We're citizens too, we live here too,
We and and and we have a stake in all
of this. Do you feel at times that the that
the public is is maybe being ignored or overlooked in
processes like this.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
Absolutely.
Speaker 9 (37:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
I have a good friend who is on the task force,
Rob Brown, who was former you know, justice involved, formally incarcerated,
and he's been making these kind of reports online about
how they haven't allowed there to be the public at
the meetings. My understanding is the last time they met,
(37:55):
they had a more serious conversation about more community town halls.
So I hope that is something that we will see.
But yeah, I think it's something that we're often left
out from. And so I think this is where the
work of decarse Rate has been really powerful and different,
is that we are owning our power in this process.
(38:16):
And after Tyree Nichols was murdered, you know, we said
we're not going to wait on them to present solutions.
We're going to draft the policies ourselves, and we did
and present them. Now is that the way that it
should be. No, these should be more public processes that
involve more people involve especially people who are directly impacted,
(38:38):
so that we have, you know, not just some kind
of DOJ report of findings that they can easily write
off and rescind, but that we're hearing from people who
have actually been impacted, you know, because this even this
report was pretty limited in its scope, so there are
more issues that aren't even being fully addressed here. So
I definitely think we need a more public process.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Yeah, you know, I agree with that.
Speaker 6 (39:03):
And I was at some of the hearings at the
city council meetings when all of the Tyree Nichols, you know,
trying to change the policies and and and that place
was packed. I mean, and I mean all your groups
and several other organizations were in there, and I mean
it was a force.
Speaker 5 (39:20):
It was a show of strength. It was a force
of strength. Uh.
Speaker 6 (39:23):
And I was very proud of that, of that effort.
You have been around the political circles for a while.
You've been worked on campaigns, You've helped folks in office
and various other things like this next year, twenty twenty six,
is going to be a huge election year in our county.
There's a lot going on. There's a lot of races
next year for a lot of different seats. I have
(39:47):
often been of the opinion that if you want to
create a real change, you go to the ballot box.
If you don't like who's in that seat, find somebody
else and put them in that seat and hold them
accountable as well.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
We have a history here, Alex, and I.
Speaker 6 (40:03):
Know you know this very well of folks who just
won't go to the polls when it's time to do so.
If you want to recall people like they talked about
it for the school board and a lot of other things,
you have to go, and you have an opportunity to
go do so. And this is really your voice, is
it not talk a little bit about the importance of
voting and why, in your opinion, don't we take it
(40:25):
as seriously as we should.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Yeah, that's a really good question, and I think there's
a lot of reasons for that, and I kind of
hold a unique perspective. I choose to work both in
policy and on campaigns because I think we have to
have this continuous engagement right and this policy part is
where we can engage people and help them understand what
local government is doing in their lives and get them
(40:49):
involved before they go to the polls. But I think
that's part of the problem, is that people don't understand
the power that local government holds in their lives. Affordable houses,
living wages, your healthcare, your access to food, anything that
touches your daily life. You know, we talk a lot
(41:10):
about Trump, we talk about a lot about the national landscape,
but the day to day stuff that impacts your life,
a lot of that. You know, local government officials can
make decisions on that, and so I think it's critical
for people to vote in our local elections because they
hold so much power, and especially in this moment where
(41:32):
we have an administration that is pulling back funding, pulling
back at some of our decision making power, or at
least pulling back federal programs. Yes, local government has to
step in the gap, and we have a huge opportunity
to do that. It's an unfortunate opportunity. But I think
about environmental justice, for instance, and how he's pulling back
(41:54):
on all of these kind of programs. There's a lot
we can do on the local level to protect our air,
check our water, and so that is critically important, I
would say more than ever in twenty twenty six for
US to get out and vote in our local and
state elections because of we've got to own our power
(42:15):
in our decision making locally, and so yeah, and I
think as far as what I mean, that's that's part
of it, is that people don't understand the power of
local government. But you know, we also have to give
people a reason to come out and vote, and so
I think politicians also need to step in and say,
(42:37):
these are the reasons that you can vote for me.
I'm not just saying we need better education, we need
better jobs. We all know that we need to fight crime.
We all know that. How are you going to do it?
And give me the plan? So I think that's what
we need more of.
Speaker 6 (42:53):
That is amen to that, sister. That is that's that's
absolutely in a nutshell. I have a little time left,
but I want to I want to ask you, because
you sort of brought it up a little bit. I
want to ask you your take on, speaking of the environment,
the XAI situation that is happening and these gas turbines
and whether or not they're emitting you know, fumes that
(43:14):
are causing problems to our precious folks who live in
the south western corner of Memphis.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
What's your take on all that.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Yeah, I mean I think we need some we need
some policy in place to better protect our environment as
we see. It's not just XAI. We've got all We've
got several data centers that are open. A second XAI.
We've got i think at Google Data center, another data
center that we've heard about. And so there's a lot
(43:44):
of attention because of the association of elon Musk and
less attention that we're going to see nationally because of
you know, on the others, because there isn't But I
think we've got to put some things in place so
that we can protect our water because climate change is real.
Speaker 5 (44:03):
It is, it is very water.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Water is a precious source and so if we've got
something just pulling on it and pulling on it and
pulling on it. You know, I'm on the chair of
the groundwater Board. We've got to conserve. We've got to
conserve more than ever how much water we are pulling
and the pollution, you know, I think the mistake that's
been made by local leaders is that we're we're kind
(44:28):
of viewing this in a vacuum, you know, as if
it's in a vacuum right, But there's a lot of
polludence in that area, and so this is just one
more thing that we're adding that will harm the health
and safety of South Amthians. So I think, you know,
we've got to figure something out to put some better
(44:49):
regulations in place for the future.
Speaker 6 (44:51):
Alex Hesley, Ladies and gentlemen, Alex, this has really been
a pleasure. I have really enjoyed having this conversation with you.
And don't be a straight come on back and uh
and and visit with us, you know every now and again.
Speaker 5 (45:04):
It kind of keep us, keep us honest.
Speaker 6 (45:06):
As we get closer to some of the bigger things,
I will be tapping on you.
Speaker 5 (45:11):
I will be hitting you up on.
Speaker 6 (45:12):
So I said, Alex, come on back, but thank you
for being with us, and that thank you for being
with I really appreciate it.
Speaker 12 (45:19):
You too.
Speaker 6 (45:19):
Take care, Alex Hensley. Ladies and gentlemen, Alex Hensley, Ladies
and gentlemen. She is yeah, she's out there. She knows
exactly what is happening in and around our communities. Let
us take one final break and when we come back
that da da salute to the champs. That will be
the Central High School on uh. The Real Talk Memphis Ship.
(45:43):
We'll be right back, though, go away.
Speaker 7 (45:59):
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 (46:18):
It's real.
Speaker 4 (46:19):
It's real, it's real, it's real.
Speaker 13 (46:24):
Want to reach a passionate audience who loves Memphis arts
and music scene. Sponsor WYXAR and connect your brand with
the city's creative community. More information at wyxar dot org.
Speaker 14 (46:35):
Slash sponsorship 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
(46:55):
rootstock Memphis dot com.
Speaker 13 (47:00):
Or for WYXR comes from Mempho Presents featuring the Outlaw
Tour tenth anniversary show at Radians Amphitheater on Friday, June
twenty seven, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel
Raitliffe and The Night Sweats and Trampled by Turtles. Tickets
and more information at Memphopresents dot com. Want to make
a big impact without getting lost in a big system.
(47:22):
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 15 (47:41):
Support from wyax Art 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
(48:02):
talent and a wide range of styles from straight ahead
to swing. More information can be found at Sunset Jazz
Memphis dot com.
Speaker 8 (48:13):
Support for WYXR comes from the Holleren Center for Performing
Arts and Education, setting the stage for everyone. The Hollerin
Center next door to the Orphium invites you to be
in the center of it all through live entertainment, arts, education,
community programs and event spaces all year round. More information
at Orphium Dash Memphis dot com.
Speaker 16 (48:33):
Support for wyx dot com from breezerk presenting the Concrete
Canvas Streetwear Fashion Show hosted by breeze on Sunday, June
twenty second, from six to ten pm at mud Island
River Park and immersive fashion experience blending streetwear and high fashion,
highlighting emerging designers, artists and performers in partnership with Memphis Riverparks.
Live performances, vendors and more. Tickets and more information can
(48:56):
be found at breezert dot square dot site.
Speaker 13 (49:02):
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 7 (49:36):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
wyxr and He's now streaming live on Facebook and You
can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just put WYXR
in the search box and hit subscribe. Now back to
more real Talk with Zip Washington.
Speaker 4 (49:51):
It's real, It's.
Speaker 6 (49:59):
Real, and welcome back to real Talking Memphis on this
Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (50:04):
It's been a great show so far. Chip with you,
and glad you're with me.
Speaker 6 (50:09):
We are eagerly waiting awaiting Doctor Ali Lddell, who was
supposed to be checking in with me.
Speaker 5 (50:18):
Checked in with him earlier. He said he was all
good to go and everything.
Speaker 6 (50:21):
Doctor Ali Laddell, by the way, is the band director
at the Central High School And in case you've been
under a rock for the last couple of weeks, he
took his band of jazz Empresarios up to New York
State and New York City. They have a big, huge
competition every year. National competition is the Duke Ellington Competition
(50:47):
and they bring in bands, jazz bands from all over
the country and even outside of this country for this competition.
Speaker 5 (50:56):
It is that big a deal. Is he there?
Speaker 6 (50:59):
He's there, So we're going to bring him in right
now and talk with him about all of this. And
I have to set up my intro all over again,
Doctor Ledell, how.
Speaker 5 (51:09):
Are you, my friend?
Speaker 12 (51:10):
Hey brother, how you doing today?
Speaker 5 (51:11):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 6 (51:12):
Listen, thank you for chiming in this evening, and thank
you for giving me a few minutes of time to
be the one thousand and forty seventh person to congratulate
you and your and your soldiers on an absolutely magnificent
event in New York City, the Duke of Ellington Jazz
(51:35):
Band Competition and international competition by the way, which you
all went up there and yet dot da da da,
you're one first place your slate everybody, and you came
back with the crown.
Speaker 5 (51:47):
Has it sunk in yet?
Speaker 17 (51:48):
It?
Speaker 5 (51:49):
Has it been a couple of weeks? I guess it's
sinking in or has it sunk in yet?
Speaker 17 (51:52):
Yeah, it's sunk in. That It was a special special day.
It was a special moment for my kids, for city.
It was really a special performance man.
Speaker 6 (52:03):
Yeah, I mean absolutely, I mean you have I mean
this uh this uh, this performance in this victory has
really lifted our city.
Speaker 5 (52:10):
Uh uh. We can't even see us anymore.
Speaker 6 (52:13):
We're so high because of your what you all did
a lot of hard work and effort went into that,
Doctor the Dale. How how long before the competition. Uh
did you all start working on all of this?
Speaker 5 (52:26):
Ye?
Speaker 17 (52:26):
Honestly, it was around May of last year. We actually
we picked out I had the kids pick out a song.
They they I just gave them the list. So how
the competition works. They have a library. Essentially Elected has
a whole library of songs that they put out. These
are mostly Duke Ellington compositions or like Duke Ellington like compositions,
(52:51):
So that's what it's called essentially Elected, okay, And so
they transk they have guys that transcribe those and this
is the exact versions that these professional bands play.
Speaker 12 (53:00):
And I just had my kids for about.
Speaker 17 (53:02):
Two days in class on YouTube just listen to every
song on that and just give me a list of
what they wanted to play.
Speaker 12 (53:09):
And obviously I screamed.
Speaker 17 (53:11):
The list, you know, to make sure there's some things
that you know, kids like, yeah, let's play that.
Speaker 12 (53:15):
Sure gonna work for our group. So that's when it started.
Speaker 17 (53:19):
We had a jazz camp, and we're gonna have one
again right before school starts, just to get them, the
new folks to the jazz band going. We started on
one tune and then we added a couple more, just
just just other stuff that we play and different things.
Then they come out, they come out with their new
list and you have to play one on the new
(53:40):
list every year that they came out with, and so
we picked that one, started working it up in October September,
and then by December we have to submit the recording
of us playing these three tunes.
Speaker 12 (53:54):
And then from that those the like one hundred and
thirty bands from around the world that submitted.
Speaker 17 (54:00):
Because it's tough music, most folks don't even attempt the
songs that's on those lists. And we submitted and we
were they're named the top thirty of those got in.
Speaker 12 (54:10):
Uh, this is double. This is a bigger year. Most
years it's not international.
Speaker 17 (54:14):
It's it's the United States plus Canada is the other
groups that are that are involved in it. This year
and twenty twenty twenty those were years they had they
open it up for international groups. So there was bands
from Spain and Australia and Japan, you know, all over
the country.
Speaker 12 (54:35):
They were. They were there.
Speaker 17 (54:35):
Then we went we had, uh, well, the same thing. Man,
we just worked on those songs, worked on us. We
had other stuff that we had to work on too.
It can't just we can't focus everything on this one
competition because it's more to being a jazz band and
just playing Duke Ellington music. However, you know, his music
is so vast and and uh and styles and and
different things. So it's a great teaching to to teach
(54:57):
kids how to play this music. But we play the
stuff prepared for We made it. They accepted us in
New York, so we had to get ready to go.
So there's a lot of after school rehearsals, a lot
of listening, and a.
Speaker 5 (55:10):
Lot of work. A lot of work, right, a lot
of work, A lot of work.
Speaker 6 (55:13):
Uh well, I mean, you know, obviously you're dealing with
young people too, and uh, you know, but but I mean,
I'm just so, I guess what would really makes me
me proud is the dedication and the focus on this competition,
because yeah, yeah, you have to get you have to
be serious about things. I mean, like you said, this
is a serious deal man, This is not you don't
(55:33):
just come up there and just just you know, this
is not just a joke. This is real competition from
places all across the globe. Who came there for that competition.
Did you have any idea before when it was all done,
and before the selection of the champion was made, how
you all did based on what you heard from other
(55:55):
bands from other places.
Speaker 17 (55:57):
Man, there, I had no expectation of winning anything, and
I just wanted us to perform our best, right. I
wanted us to leave it all on that stage. We
had a preliminary and if I just want us to
leave it on that stage and swing, have fun, it
take its You know, when you're playing music, it has
to be beyond the notes on the page.
Speaker 12 (56:18):
It has to be beyond.
Speaker 17 (56:20):
Just press this finger down now, man, you got to
actually feel at the emotion.
Speaker 12 (56:24):
That's what music is all about, right.
Speaker 17 (56:26):
And the response, I mean like we were like celebrities walking,
you know, after we got good. Sure, high schools were like,
oh my god, you Memphis, Memphis man, y'all are so good.
And the little Japanese girl come up. She could barely
Oh you're very good, you know what the heck?
Speaker 5 (56:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 17 (56:45):
And it still didn't like I didn't register to me.
I was like, I don't know. You know, I didn't
care either.
Speaker 12 (56:51):
I didn't. I honestly did not care what happened.
Speaker 17 (56:54):
I kid with that, and I told the kids, man,
I don't care what happens, y'all go out there and
just play, y'all be did really feel this music and
swing man, and it took care of itself, the work
and the what and that took care of itself and
we came out on top.
Speaker 6 (57:09):
Well you know, I just I'm I'm just so tickled,
like everybody else is about this for our city.
Speaker 11 (57:17):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (57:17):
You ain't talking about us all they want to, but
one they were.
Speaker 6 (57:21):
One word they're gonna have to use from now on
in terms of music from the jazz perspective is champions.
And uh you are the Central High School Uh jazz champions.
Uh and man, I uh just I mean awesome, kudos, congratulations.
I know you've done a lot of interviews and I
know a lot of people have talked to you. I
had to get my shot in here as well. And
(57:42):
uh from my audience and from my show. Uh and man,
please pass along to your uh, to your to your
young folks man that we are just absolutely elated and
we are so so so so proud of them, of
Central High School and of you, doctor Ledell.
Speaker 5 (57:58):
Uh And uh.
Speaker 6 (57:59):
This may be the first, but I don't think it's
gonna be the last. But thank you for taking the
time to come on and be with me tonight.
Speaker 5 (58:04):
I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Speaker 12 (58:06):
Thank you. Hey, we're gonna try to do this thing
again next year.
Speaker 17 (58:08):
And if you have a child that needs a place
to call high school home, you for to get a
world class music education here at the high school, Central
High School.
Speaker 12 (58:17):
So just hit me up and you may be on
that trip to New York.
Speaker 5 (58:20):
Next year, doctor le doctor Ladell said, hit him up.
Speaker 6 (58:24):
He's ready for you. He got a spot for you.
Thank you, doctor Ladell. Good to see you. Thank you
so much. Well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen. What
a man I'm telling you that. And that's how you're
in the show. I'm sorry, I got a little net
flying around here here on me. But that wraps up
this edition of Real Talk Memphis. Uh, and we hope
that you as Bren plays us out and prepares for
his show. By the way, did you know if Brent
(58:45):
had a show? Friend's got? This show comes off seven
o'clock on Monday evenings. It's called The Event Horizon. That's
the coolest name of the show too. By the way,
that's my guy. What she always says, says till for
popping me up. I have to thank you for that.
That's Grin is Mine, my boy producer on this show,
and uh, he's doing a really good job. He plays
a different he plays. He's got a very musical selection,
(59:11):
she's got a very musical catalog, and he will he'll
tell us in just a couple of minutes of what
he's gonna.
Speaker 5 (59:16):
Do tonight for us.
Speaker 6 (59:17):
But listen for all of us here in Real Talk Memphis,
for Brand who will be up in just about a minute,
and for a lovely Lola, and for yours truly, Chip,
thank you for being a part of Real Talk Memphis.
We hope to have you along for the ride again
next week. So for all of us here, thank you.
We appreciate your support and your love, and we are
(59:37):
out to talk to you soon
It's real. It's real.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It's real.
Speaker 3 (00:04):
It's real.
Speaker 4 (00:05):
It's real talk. It's real, it's real talk. It's real,
it's real, it's real. Tal Yah, welcome to real Tell
your real host, Jill, watch your it's real, it's real talk.
Speaker 5 (00:46):
And here we go.
Speaker 6 (00:47):
Here we go on this Monday evening in the city.
This is the second day of June twenty twenty five.
Can you believe it? Six months in already? Well, time
is flying, man, there's no doubt about it. Absolutely time
it's flying. But we're happy to have you with us
on this evening. I'm back, happy to be back in
(01:08):
the airchair tonight after a week off and fired up.
I'm ready to go, and I hope you are as well.
We have a really good show for you tonight. We
hope you can stick around for the hour so you
can consume all of it. Just take all of it
in okay, very very very good. I am your humble host.
My name is Chip Washington. In case you forgot, we
(01:29):
are back again this week and very happy to be
here on this very warm Monday, temperatures pushing close to
ninety we're actually starting to feel like summer, little humid outside,
a little warm outside temperatures close to ninety degrees. I
think we're going to see that for the next few
days before we see a little rain moving back.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Into the forecast later on this week. But I digress.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
There are many ways that you can find this fine
piece of radio broadcasting, and the way that I know
that never fails is tuning your radio to ninety one
point seven on your from dial.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
That would be WYX. Are we broadcasting live right now?
Speaker 6 (02:09):
You can also find us on the wyx R app
for those of you who like to stream and do
things like that. We are also available on the tune
in app live and we are live streaming tonight on
Facebook Live. So if you don't want to listen to
it by itself, you want to check it out, go
to Facebook Live on my page and you can watch
(02:31):
the interviews happen live as well, and when the show
posted the next couple of days or so. You can't
find us on YouTube, and as we are a podcast,
you can catch us wherever it is you get your podcasts.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
There you go.
Speaker 6 (02:47):
Lots of ways to catch the show. And speaking of
the show, in terms of all of that, let's break
down the guest list, shall we, Well, first and foremost,
in just a couple of minutes, we are going to
be speaking with city council Woman Jerry Green. Now, Jerry
hadn't been on the show in a while, but the
city Council is in the midst of budget hearings and
(03:08):
there's a lot going on in this city and there's
a lot of things to have to deal with. There's
a lot of things to have to figure out. And
one thing I like about Jerry Green is that she
does not mince words. There's an issue that need to
be addressed, she has no problem doing just that. A
little bit later on, we are going to be speaking
(03:28):
with political advocate and policy expert. Her name is Alex Kinsley,
and Alex has never been on the show before, but
she will be tonight. We're talking about police accountability, among
other things. You know, the DOJ consent degree dealers no
more right, they pulled out. Uh And so now who's
(03:53):
watching who? Who is keeping folks accountable? How do we
know that the Memphis Police Department is following some of
the rules, in structures and the suggestions that were made
for better relationships between the police officers and the city. Well,
Alex is gonna talk a little bit about that and
some other things as well, and a bit later.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
On in the broadcast.
Speaker 6 (04:14):
You have all heard by now about the Central High
School and what they did in New York City not
too long ago.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Went up there with the jazz.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Band and slayed any any competition that was up there.
And I'm talking about people who came in from all
over the world for this Duke Ellington Jazz Competition festival
that they had in New York City a couple of
weeks ago. And do you know that Central High School
went up there and just took it all. They took
first place, They just beat everybody. So they are an
(04:48):
enormous sense of pride for us here in the city
of Memphis.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
I'm going to speak speaking with.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
Their band director, doctor Ollie Liddell a little bit later
on in the broadcast.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
So there you go.
Speaker 6 (05:00):
That's as sets the table for you as we move
along on this Monday broadcast. So a new month brings
forth a new slate of birthdays, and many of you,
I'm sure have had a birthday or maybe celebrating your
birthday today or you know sometime in the month of June.
You're a June baby. Well, we like to do this
(05:21):
little thing called the shout out, in which I acknowledge
you out there to your family and your friends and everybody.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
Else who knows you.
Speaker 6 (05:30):
Maybe if you listen to the show, you can say, hey, Chip, dude,
he put us on the radio. So without further ado,
let's do it until when I say hit it brand
Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday is going out to the following folks.
Mike Evans radio personality Tay ninety seven nov One on one.
(05:53):
I'm sorry, b one on one. It is birthday today,
Happy Birthday. Might also celebrating today night Yasha Brown, Happy
birthday to you. Jamie McGriff celebrating a birthday today, Taniqua
rest Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Stephanie Coutch, Mike Bernard,
(06:14):
Dylan Rochelle, PM Clark, and Nicole vond share it all
celebrating birthdays today. I hope that it has been a
wonderful day filled with fun and laughter, and you go
out and get you a nice meal tonight, United Birthday.
Then there is always a special thing from all of
(06:35):
us here at Real Talk Memphis. We wish you a
happy birthday and we hope to be with you next year.
As you celebrate your next trip around the Thanks Brent.
All right, let's take a look at some news and notes,
shall we. Many people are disappointed in reference to the
(06:56):
federal government shutting down the Memphis Job Corps. It has
been around for a long time. It helps many young people,
you know, not only get an education, but learn to trade,
learn a skill. It was it was paused quote unquote
by the federal government over the weekend, the US Department
of Labor, to be exact, this is a nationwide hold,
(07:18):
by the way, pause for these programs all over the country.
Nobody knows why, and there's no reason given, just sending
the students home. They come to class and ready to learn,
and they were turned around and sent home. So, yes,
another casualty of the current administration. Yes, I said it.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
All.
Speaker 6 (07:36):
Five police officers, former Memphis police officers are of course.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
They were federally convicted.
Speaker 6 (07:45):
No nothing, no guilty please on any of the state
charges at all, or rather no guilty verdicts on any
of the state charges.
Speaker 5 (07:55):
These are federal cases. They uh.
Speaker 6 (07:57):
The date of their seen was given today two from
on the sixteenth of June. Two on the eighteenth of June.
Let me see two on the sixteenth of June, one
on the seventeenth of June, and one on the eighteenth
of this month. So they will be sentenced in the
federal case coming up here in about two or three weeks.
(08:20):
Doctor Michelle Taylor has been here about three years. Well,
she's leaving as the.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Head of the.
Speaker 6 (08:27):
Shelby County Health Department. She is leaving to head back
to Baltimore, where she went back to school and spend
some time to become the new head and health commissioner.
She will be the new health commissioner in Baltimore. She
leaves here in August after three years. I hope before
she does go go at the Health Department gives us
(08:50):
some sort of a decision one way or another in
reference to the XAI gas turbines and whether or not
they are actually harmful to the citizens who live in
Boxtown and over there in the southwest corner of Memphis.
So we've been waiting on that for a while. She
still got a couple of months. Maybe they'll have an
answer between now and the time that she leaves. And
(09:14):
since their condolences to the Smiley family, many of you
were aware that the nephew of City Councilman JB. Smiley.
His body was found yesterday afternoon in the Wolf River
after a three day search. He and another man jumped
into the water a few days ago to rescue a
(09:36):
child who was having some distress issues there. Well, the
child was rescued. The other man that jumped in with
mister Smiley was also able to get out of the water. Unfortunately,
Fatty A. Smiley, a thirty one and the nephew of
Councilman JB. Smiley, did not He did not make it.
(09:58):
They have say searched valiantly for three days and he
could not find him. Well, yesterday they found his body.
And just a very very tragic, tragic situation. So again,
for all of us here, for me personally, and from
all of us here at Real Chalk, Memphis, our deepest
and sincere condolences to the Smiley family on the death
of their loved one. And one final piece of news
(10:22):
that came across this afternoon, doctor Marie Fagin's you remember her, right,
the former superintendent of the Memphison Shelby County School District. Well,
she is amended her She's had a lawsuit against the
school district, but she's amended that lawsuit and has added
some things to it. One that she would like to
get the money that was old her when they removed
(10:46):
her from office. You know, the salary was some four
hundred and eighty seven thousand, almost a half a million dollars.
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, they removed her with cause.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Well she wants that amended, obviously to be able to
recap sure that money. And she has also found some
other amendments in reference to the fact.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
That the school board.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Worked on all of this in a very private way,
which is not something that they're supposed to do. But
apparently there were phone calls made and texts and everything,
and they were meetings hell, secret meetings hell before they
came out with the announcement that they were going to
remove her from her seat. And there was also an
allegation apparently that I never knew about, but Tijuana Murphy
(11:36):
had said at one time that she accused rather doctor
Fagins of having her car stolen. Apparently Tijuana's car was stolen,
and I guess she feels like she has some evidence
that doctor Fagans and her quote unquote gang had something
to do with that. So that's a malicious allegation that
(11:57):
Doctor Fagin's has also brought forth in this So again
it's not done yet. This lawsuit is still active and
it is still pending, and it has been amended, so
we will wait to find out what happens with all
of that. In the meantime, let us take a break
and get into the broadcast. What do you say You
(12:17):
still have time to check us out wherever you are,
whether you want to watch us on Facebook Live, and
whether you want to stream it, whether you want to
listen to it on radio.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Hey, I'm here for you for the next hour.
Speaker 6 (12:27):
Let's take a quick break and we will come back
and start the broadcast.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
I'm Chip, you know who you are. Let's get it.
We'll be right back.
Speaker 7 (12:48):
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 and you can be a part of
the real Talk experience. So as he always says, go
out and taeil somebody. We'll be right back. It's real,
(13:09):
it's real, it's.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Real, it's real.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
Support for WYXR comes from Iram Memphis, dedicated to advancing
the knowledge and professionalism of real estate managers through education, networking,
and advocacy. More information at Iramdshmmphis dot org. Memphis Listening
Lab probably supports WYXR. They provide a curated collection of
(13:39):
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 7 (14:12):
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 x R in the search box and
hit subscribe. Now back to more real talk with Chip Washington.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
It's real, it's real, it's real. It's real. It's real, it's.
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Real, and welcome back to real talking emphas on this
beautiful Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
Chip with you.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
And of course, as I alluded to the opening, uh
my first guest is someone who is and I like
her because, uh she's a no nonsense, she's she's one
tough mother. And she likes to say and and uh
and and and she doesn't miss words when it comes
to we are dealing with the citizens here in Memphis
(15:02):
as a city council woman. Please welcome to the show,
City council Woman Jerry Green, Hi, my friend, how are you.
Speaker 9 (15:09):
Hi?
Speaker 10 (15:09):
So good to see you.
Speaker 6 (15:10):
It is good to be seen and it is good
to see you as well, and welcome back to the broadcast.
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Now.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
You know, this is always a busy time of year
for you, right in the middle of budget season, and
there's always a lot going on in reference to all
of this.
Speaker 5 (15:25):
So what do we cut? What do we keep? The
whole nine yards?
Speaker 6 (15:28):
I'll just ask you as an overview, how are things
going in your opinion thus far?
Speaker 9 (15:35):
Well, I think we're making progress. You know, this is
a really difficult budget season. But a couple of council
members and myself put a big, beautiful bill as it were,
in front of the full council and the mayor last week.
We're going to come back again this week and kind
of dive into it. But we've got to make some cuts,
(15:55):
as you say, we've got to boost some revenues. But
I think we can get it. Done and get Memphis
the services they need.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
Mayor Young has said that this is going to be
a tight budget, a very tight budget again this year.
And one of the issues that was up for grabs,
and I know one that you support our pay raisers
for some of the city officials, in particular the police department.
And that doesn't sound like from the mayor's language that
he thinks that that is going to happen. But am
(16:26):
I wrong in thinking that you might feel differently and
that maybe some adjustments could be made to maybe work
something out.
Speaker 9 (16:34):
I sure hope so, and I believe we can get there,
because there's really nothing more important than keeping our citizensen safe.
That's sort of our number one priority. You know, you
show me your budget, you show me what you care about.
It's a moral, living, breathing document, and I care about
keeping Memphian safe. If we have a safe Memphis, then
we have a more prosperous Memphis. We have Memphians who
get better education services. It all starts from that safety piece.
(16:57):
So we've got to support our officers in one of
the most dangerous cities, and they have a really tough job.
I have personally been to three funerals, a police officers
since my term.
Speaker 10 (17:07):
I've only been here for a year and a half.
That's a lot.
Speaker 9 (17:09):
Yeah, So we've got to put that money there, and
I do believe that it is available if we adjust
our budget in the right way.
Speaker 11 (17:19):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
You alluded to it.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
There was a statement that was made a week or
so ago by the current FBI director Cash Hotel, that
states that Memphis is the number one uh you know,
uh uh city and homicide for the entire country, and
uh that that cut a lot of us off guard,
and if he was going to send some some federal
(17:43):
task forces down here in reference to try to help
based on what you see, based on what you know
that we don't know. But generally speaking, in our community,
we are seeing and uptick in violence, even though these
statistics that come out keep talking about some of the
you know, the bigger categories are are trending downward. What
is your take on what he said and how do
(18:05):
we and and and your thought about that and how
do we fix this?
Speaker 11 (18:10):
You know, there's a saying that there's lies, damn lies
and statistics that goes for both sides, right, whether it's
the administration or the current occupiers of the White House.
Speaker 9 (18:23):
Look that there's no point in like being around the bush.
Crime is an issue here in our town. We the
murder rate is entirely too high, and it's really complex,
you know.
Speaker 10 (18:34):
I was just.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
Reading a really interesting study that said the places that
have the highest aggravated assault, which is the area that
we continue to still see horizon or as some people say,
people who are bad at murder, they also have the
highest zones of food deserts, like literally being hungry. Right,
if you cannot take care of your basic needs, then
(18:55):
it can lead to other problems. So it's it's such
a big problem. But there's no doubt having more police
out there on the grounds will help us, will assist us,
and so we've got to tackle that problem. But look,
if the White House wants to send us supplies and finds,
that's great. If they just want to attack us and
(19:17):
call us names, and they can stay where they are
in DC because you know, like I like to say.
Speaker 10 (19:22):
Where I'm from, bullies get bullied.
Speaker 9 (19:23):
So we don't really need any more bad talk about
Memphis here.
Speaker 6 (19:27):
Yeah, I mean it really you know, it puts us
in a category. I mean again, you know, we don't
want to be. You don't want to insult our people.
And one thing I say about you, you're very honest
about things that are truly happening. And I wish that
that every politician would take that posture, because you know,
we see what we see, and we know what we know,
and we hear what we hear, and right now is
(19:49):
really is really a time for us all to get
together in terms of this process. I want to talk
to you a little bit about something that and I'm
honest with you, I don't understand MATA is still asking
for money.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
I mean after.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
All of the money and all of the news reports
and all of everything we saw about the waste and
the spending and that didn't have anything to do with
public transportation, but they're still asking for money. And I
think I saw thirty million, but you were like, oh no, no, no, no,
not not so fast. Let's talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 10 (20:23):
If you don't have that's a good one.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
Not so fast, of course, right, yeah, exactly, exactly, yeah.
Speaker 9 (20:28):
I mean what we said in our budget and what
we said last year too, was we really need some insights,
especially those of us who are new on the council,
into exactly what the past spend was what bills we have,
what we've still got in front of us to operate,
and you know, I think we've removed some of the problems,
but we don't have a full financial audit yet, and
(20:50):
so our proposition right now is to fund matter. Fifteen
million dollars should get them through the end of the year,
and then at that point it will have now been
a year and a half half since we asked for
a full financial audit, they should come back to us
with that because I cannot continue to find trips to
India or you know, suites for the Grizzlies, Like that's
(21:11):
not gonna happen anymore. And I'm not writing any more
blank checks. And I feel like this council feels the
same way. We support public transportation. Successful cities have successful
public transportation, but we got to make sure that our
dollars are going what they should be going to.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
Yeah, and that's that's one thing.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
I mean, if if you're asking for the money and
and there there needs to be some reason for all
of this money and it has to go to something,
You're right, there is an audit that we're waiting on
as well. I don't know Jerry, It's almost seems like
we're that we're stalling, not you guys, but they were
stalling this thing, you know, moving you along, because everything
I hear doesn't symbolize progress necessarily for what they do
(21:49):
with this company is doing.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
But it's just like, well, we need we.
Speaker 6 (21:52):
Need more time to do this, we need this, and
we need more time to try to buy buses. Meantime,
there are people who rely on public tracks with each
and every day who are still not getting around the
way they should.
Speaker 9 (22:04):
Yeah, and I mean it's a really it could be
an amazing point for Memphis as a city, for us
to reimagine what public transportation looks like. You know, we
could really change the game as it relates to public transportation.
Speaker 10 (22:19):
I mean, you think about something like ubers and lyfts.
Speaker 9 (22:22):
If you told you and me, I'm not going to
age us, but you know twenty years ago that you
would call a stranger and they'd pick you up at
your house and take you to the airport, You'd be.
Speaker 10 (22:31):
Like that sounds insane.
Speaker 9 (22:33):
But now we do it everywhere we go, right, right,
and so it's the same sort of thing. We can
be at a really incredible point where we can reimagine
what public transportation's like. But we have to have some
honest accounting first. And we've gotten some insights into operations
and we now know that thirty percent of the bus
routes just weren't running, and they were just saying that
(22:55):
things were being broken down, but they actually just weren't running.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
I need that same kind of.
Speaker 9 (22:59):
Honesty on the financial side before we continue to invest
in the same old, same old model.
Speaker 10 (23:04):
Otherwise we are going to have to find something new.
Speaker 5 (23:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (23:09):
One thing I want to talk to you about because
I had a conversation with someone from the Memphis Police
Association recently to talk a little bit about where things
stand in terms of the number of officers that we
have versus the number of people that we serve, and
I was told they are at least six hundred officers
down as to where they should be and reallocating resources
(23:35):
i e. Police Officers to certain parts of town. Now
we're in summer, Jerry, and we all know that everybody's
focus turns to tourism because a lot of folks come
here to our downtown area. Meantime, with that shortage to me, now,
there are other areas that are in desperate need of
law enforcement. I will tell you this before you answered
(23:56):
the question. That person that I spoke with said that
there are a couple of city council of persons, one
of them is Jerry Green, who are very outspoken about
this and about how we allocate resources and how we
shouldn't be forsaking one for the other.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
Please elaborate absolutely.
Speaker 9 (24:16):
So, my district is on the very edge of Memphis, right,
so I've got South Cordova, I call it far East Memphis,
right on the edge of Germantown and some of Hickory
Hill where I grew up. And that means I have
three police precincts, Applane, Ridgeway, and Mount Mariah that served
my area. And I go out to them and if
you could see the maps of what they covered.
Speaker 10 (24:38):
Let me give you an example.
Speaker 9 (24:39):
I live over here by our Ridgeway High School, right
by police precinct is Appling that's out by wolf Chase.
Mall oh wow, So you think about those officers have
to cover that area, yeah, right, yeah, And some of
them have cars that aren't working. Some of them are
waiting around on cars on shifts, you know, because of
(25:01):
various them being in shops et cetera. So when we
take officers, like you said, from these different precincts, like
my three precincts it served my area, and put them downtown,
then imagine how long the wait is when there's an
emergency and you need a police officer out here. Right,
So we can't sacrifice the neighborhoods for downtown. It might
(25:21):
be our front door, and we do want to put
our best foot forward, but we can't sacrifice.
Speaker 10 (25:25):
So we do need to up our numbers. That's like,
that's basic math.
Speaker 9 (25:29):
If you look at, you know, any of the crime
statistics over the years of Memphis, the.
Speaker 10 (25:32):
More police we have, the lower the crime rate.
Speaker 9 (25:35):
And I think that that's just some visibility even just
having them be available when bad things happen.
Speaker 6 (25:42):
In terms of and so back to the budget in
terms in terms of that in terms of spent dispensing funds,
and I believe that the police officers were wanting allowing
for a five percent increase in salary. I mean, isn't
this a step at least in trying to recruit if
we're down that man need from attrition and a lot
of other reasons. I mean, that's a lot of officers
(26:05):
that We're down to cover an awful lot of ground,
which makes which which makes you know, everybody, you know,
a little bit nervous in reference to the fact that, well,
how are we gonna you.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
Know, I mean, you know, how do you how do
you decide when.
Speaker 6 (26:18):
You have, like you just said, one over here, one
over here, one way out here, and you're putting all
these officers down here. That really does need I mean,
in my estimation, that really does need the needs of
the police officers. Police department does need to be a priority,
does it not?
Speaker 10 (26:32):
I think so?
Speaker 9 (26:33):
And I think mostly just the workers in Memphis need priority.
So I sat on five of the six impast committees.
That means the unions that represent various workers. And I'm
talking to people like animal service workers that go into
hoarding situations, or the people who work in our sewer lines,
like literally are in raw sewage every day.
Speaker 10 (26:52):
People that work out.
Speaker 9 (26:53):
Our pollution plant and their paint on their cars gets
peeled away over time, right, So people who have hard
already you know, strenuous jobs, just like our police officers.
Speaker 10 (27:04):
And the mayor's proposal in their original budget is zero percent.
Speaker 9 (27:07):
Well, in today's inflationary environment, that means you're getting paid less,
like your dollar is worthless because the consumer price index
is going to go up two to three percent at
least this year.
Speaker 10 (27:17):
And so yes, I think.
Speaker 9 (27:19):
For recruitment and retainment, there's too many other police forces
BARTLET and TBI and THHP that can pull our officers
away because they're already well trained and they can go
to a less stressful environment. So if we are going
to hold onto these officers and our other workers to
provide really vital jobs in our community, what we're supposed
(27:42):
to do as a city, right, it's not a donation
to a museum. It is not you know, giving away
to affordable housing, which is a really incredible and important thing.
But like our basic services, I gotta fill up your potholes,
I got to pick up your trash. I gotta make
your street. Say, that's where we've got to invest first
before we invest anywhere else.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
In my opinion, City council Woman Jerry Green, ladies and gentlemen,
always telling the truth. And she she she she'll fight
for you, It's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
Jerry.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
It's always good to see you, my friend. Thank you
for taking the time to come on the show.
Speaker 5 (28:17):
Tonight.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
We hadn't caught it up in a while, so hopefully
it won't be so long next time.
Speaker 10 (28:22):
On my end, anytime, anytime.
Speaker 6 (28:23):
Take care of my friend. There you go, There you go,
ladies and gentlemen. That's some truth there. City council Woman
Jerry Green. Absolutely, there's a lot of needs in this
city and they're working hard to try to figure it out,
and we absolutely need that. Everybody needs a raise. I
don't care what you do. She's right, everybody needs a
raise if you're out here doing it, doing the work,
putting in the work, putting in the hard work and effort,
(28:46):
and you need to be compensated for that. Absolutely, one
hundred percent. Thanks Jerry. Let's take another break and when
we come back, we will continue on this ride we
call Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I'm Chip. We'll take a quick break and we'll be
right back.
Speaker 7 (29:13):
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 Hip 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 4 (29:32):
It's real, It's, It's, It's.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Programming on WYXR is brought to you by a grant
from Arts Memphis who has invested ninety four million dollars
into our local arts community to teach, uplift, unite, and
engage Memphians of all ages and z and codes.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
Did you know you could donate your vehicle and support
WYXR at the same time. We offer free pickup and
it's tax deductible. Go to cars dot wyxr dot org
to donate your car today. Get Real Talk on the
(30:18):
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 Chip Washington. It's It's It's.
Speaker 6 (30:42):
And welcome back to Real Talk Memphis on this Monday evening.
I am Chip Washington and glad to have you all
with us. And I'm very glad to have my next
guest with us Uh as well as she is a
first time a visitor to a Real Talk members. You
know I've been doing this almost five years now, but
I'm so happy that she took some time to be
with me this evening. She is Alex Hensley, and Alex
(31:04):
is as a political and policy expert. She's also a
community advocate and an activist and been involved in so
much for so long. And Alex, it is great to
see you. Thanks and welcome to Real Talk Memphis.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Thanks for having.
Speaker 6 (31:20):
Me absolutely that so listen. One of the reasons, and
I've known about you for a while now. You've been
out here, You've been on the front lines. You were
during the Tyree Nichols trial and a lot of other
things that have been going on. You work with decarce
Rate Memphis, and many folks know what that organization is
all about as well. Recently the folks in the media
(31:43):
caught up with you to talk a little bit about
you know, since the Department of Justice has pulled out
of the consent decree business. It seems per the current administration,
the oversight in reference to our law enforcement agency, which
we saw the report. It was scathing and this is
not anything new for anybody who's been around here for
(32:06):
a while.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
These issues that.
Speaker 6 (32:07):
Were brought up have been long standing issues and I know,
you know that what concerned you the most about the
fact that the Department of Justice is no longer quote
unquote overseeing this, even though Mayor Young said he didn't
want their help.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
What do you think, right well, you know, I think
Mary Young, to his credit, and you know, something that
we thought is that this would happen anyway. You know,
I think we expected this might be the case with
the Trump administration. I think what's concerning is the words rescinded.
You know, we don't know what they mean by that,
(32:45):
and we don't want to give any kind of leeway
in a city that has had a hard time reigning
in police brutality police violence, to say that those findings
were incorrect or that they are not true anymore, because,
(33:05):
like you said, we know that they are true, and
we know that they have been true for a long time.
So I think it's concerning politically because that can kind
of give, you know, some leeway to skirt around doing
something about it. So that's something I'm concerned and cautious about.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Accountability is a big word, and it's an important word too,
and in reference to this, we you know, I think
one of the big issues is that now that the
the Department of Justice is no longer involved in any
of this. I know that there's a task for us
that that has been appointed by the mayor and former
Judge Bernice Donald is overseeing that. But how do we know, Alex,
(33:47):
in terms of that word accountability, how how do we
know about the suggestion changes and what needs to happen
in reference to how we move forward, for example, as
a law enforcement authority here?
Speaker 5 (34:04):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (34:04):
And of course, as you said, you know, when you
when when you don't, when you don't have eyes on
a situation, you start to wonder if people are taking
things seriously. And with this increase that I see in
the crime situation in here, I don't care what anybody says. Uh,
you know, you wonder how they're going to go about
dealing with these things day by day. What concerns you
(34:25):
the most?
Speaker 1 (34:27):
Yeah, that's a great question, because when we talk about accountability,
I think the way that a lot of people think
about that is that we tell folks in power what
they're doing wrong, and we hope that they say they're
going to do something about it, and we leave it
at that. But real accountability is having an action plan
in place that's clear, that's transparent about what we're going
(34:49):
to do next, and so I think that's what is
missing with the task force so far. I'm hopeful that
that will shift as we have more eyes on it.
But that's what accountability looks like, is not just a
task force coming together talking about the problems. We know
what the problems are. We have a whole report of
(35:11):
solutions that we need a timeline for. And so I
think that that is what accountability looks like is saying,
we have these recommendations, what are we going to act on?
What is reasonable to act on. I know it's a
tight budget year, but we've got to do something about it.
(35:31):
And so what does that timeline look like to do
something about it? And when are they going to put
those policy solutions forward to the community, to the city council,
whatever that might look like. So I think that, you know,
those are my concerns is that we have another task
force in place. This is something that politicians love to do,
(35:54):
is create a committee, create a task force, and often
can that can be a way to appear that something
is happening when it's not. And so again I'm hopeful
that things will shift, but so far we haven't seen
a lot of accountability. We haven't seen a lot of
(36:15):
plans for what the task force is actually going to do.
And I know that this is also a group of
folks who are equipped and who are ready to do something,
and so we want to take advantage.
Speaker 6 (36:27):
Of that now, you know. Having said that, and I
think that that's a very very important point. And this
this boils down to and you just kind of showed us.
You know, you have a lot of policy suggestions and
things that your organization would like to you know, have
a have a seat at the table, have have a
real conversation about in terms of this, Uh does it
does it appear to you that I don't know as
(36:49):
well intentioned as I guess you know that they are
in reference to old problems and trying to find new
solutions for them, that the public is involved as they
should be. You know, we've seen many examples of where
you know, public sentiment uh seems to be overlooked or
even ignored in some situations and circumstances. And we've we've
(37:11):
all laid witnessed to all of that. But but and
it sounds like listening to what you're saying is you
know what we the people, uh do have a voice
in all this. We're citizens too, we live here too,
We and and and we have a stake in all
of this. Do you feel at times that the that
the public is is maybe being ignored or overlooked in
processes like this.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
Absolutely.
Speaker 9 (37:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:34):
I have a good friend who is on the task force,
Rob Brown, who was former you know, justice involved, formally incarcerated,
and he's been making these kind of reports online about
how they haven't allowed there to be the public at
the meetings. My understanding is the last time they met,
(37:55):
they had a more serious conversation about more community town halls.
So I hope that is something that we will see.
But yeah, I think it's something that we're often left
out from. And so I think this is where the
work of decarse Rate has been really powerful and different,
is that we are owning our power in this process.
(38:16):
And after Tyree Nichols was murdered, you know, we said
we're not going to wait on them to present solutions.
We're going to draft the policies ourselves, and we did
and present them. Now is that the way that it
should be. No, these should be more public processes that
involve more people involve especially people who are directly impacted,
(38:38):
so that we have, you know, not just some kind
of DOJ report of findings that they can easily write
off and rescind, but that we're hearing from people who
have actually been impacted, you know, because this even this
report was pretty limited in its scope, so there are
more issues that aren't even being fully addressed here. So
I definitely think we need a more public process.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Yeah, you know, I agree with that.
Speaker 6 (39:03):
And I was at some of the hearings at the
city council meetings when all of the Tyree Nichols, you know,
trying to change the policies and and and that place
was packed. I mean, and I mean all your groups
and several other organizations were in there, and I mean
it was a force.
Speaker 5 (39:20):
It was a show of strength. It was a force
of strength. Uh.
Speaker 6 (39:23):
And I was very proud of that, of that effort.
You have been around the political circles for a while.
You've been worked on campaigns, You've helped folks in office
and various other things like this next year, twenty twenty six,
is going to be a huge election year in our county.
There's a lot going on. There's a lot of races
next year for a lot of different seats. I have
(39:47):
often been of the opinion that if you want to
create a real change, you go to the ballot box.
If you don't like who's in that seat, find somebody
else and put them in that seat and hold them
accountable as well.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
We have a history here, Alex, and I.
Speaker 6 (40:03):
Know you know this very well of folks who just
won't go to the polls when it's time to do so.
If you want to recall people like they talked about
it for the school board and a lot of other things,
you have to go, and you have an opportunity to
go do so. And this is really your voice, is
it not talk a little bit about the importance of
voting and why, in your opinion, don't we take it
(40:25):
as seriously as we should.
Speaker 1 (40:28):
Yeah, that's a really good question, and I think there's
a lot of reasons for that, and I kind of
hold a unique perspective. I choose to work both in
policy and on campaigns because I think we have to
have this continuous engagement right and this policy part is
where we can engage people and help them understand what
local government is doing in their lives and get them
(40:49):
involved before they go to the polls. But I think
that's part of the problem, is that people don't understand
the power that local government holds in their lives. Affordable houses,
living wages, your healthcare, your access to food, anything that
touches your daily life. You know, we talk a lot
(41:10):
about Trump, we talk about a lot about the national landscape,
but the day to day stuff that impacts your life,
a lot of that. You know, local government officials can
make decisions on that, and so I think it's critical
for people to vote in our local elections because they
hold so much power, and especially in this moment where
(41:32):
we have an administration that is pulling back funding, pulling
back at some of our decision making power, or at
least pulling back federal programs. Yes, local government has to
step in the gap, and we have a huge opportunity
to do that. It's an unfortunate opportunity. But I think
about environmental justice, for instance, and how he's pulling back
(41:54):
on all of these kind of programs. There's a lot
we can do on the local level to protect our air,
check our water, and so that is critically important, I
would say more than ever in twenty twenty six for
US to get out and vote in our local and
state elections because of we've got to own our power
(42:15):
in our decision making locally, and so yeah, and I
think as far as what I mean, that's that's part
of it, is that people don't understand the power of
local government. But you know, we also have to give
people a reason to come out and vote, and so
I think politicians also need to step in and say,
(42:37):
these are the reasons that you can vote for me.
I'm not just saying we need better education, we need
better jobs. We all know that we need to fight crime.
We all know that. How are you going to do it?
And give me the plan? So I think that's what
we need more of.
Speaker 6 (42:53):
That is amen to that, sister. That is that's that's
absolutely in a nutshell. I have a little time left,
but I want to I want to ask you, because
you sort of brought it up a little bit. I
want to ask you your take on, speaking of the environment,
the XAI situation that is happening and these gas turbines
and whether or not they're emitting you know, fumes that
(43:14):
are causing problems to our precious folks who live in
the south western corner of Memphis.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
What's your take on all that.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Yeah, I mean I think we need some we need
some policy in place to better protect our environment as
we see. It's not just XAI. We've got all We've
got several data centers that are open. A second XAI.
We've got i think at Google Data center, another data
center that we've heard about. And so there's a lot
(43:44):
of attention because of the association of elon Musk and
less attention that we're going to see nationally because of
you know, on the others, because there isn't But I
think we've got to put some things in place so
that we can protect our water because climate change is real.
Speaker 5 (44:03):
It is, it is very water.
Speaker 1 (44:05):
Water is a precious source and so if we've got
something just pulling on it and pulling on it and
pulling on it. You know, I'm on the chair of
the groundwater Board. We've got to conserve. We've got to
conserve more than ever how much water we are pulling
and the pollution, you know, I think the mistake that's
been made by local leaders is that we're we're kind
(44:28):
of viewing this in a vacuum, you know, as if
it's in a vacuum right, But there's a lot of
polludence in that area, and so this is just one
more thing that we're adding that will harm the health
and safety of South Amthians. So I think, you know,
we've got to figure something out to put some better
(44:49):
regulations in place for the future.
Speaker 6 (44:51):
Alex Hesley, Ladies and gentlemen, Alex, this has really been
a pleasure. I have really enjoyed having this conversation with you.
And don't be a straight come on back and uh
and and visit with us, you know every now and again.
Speaker 5 (45:04):
It kind of keep us, keep us honest.
Speaker 6 (45:06):
As we get closer to some of the bigger things,
I will be tapping on you.
Speaker 5 (45:11):
I will be hitting you up on.
Speaker 6 (45:12):
So I said, Alex, come on back, but thank you
for being with us, and that thank you for being
with I really appreciate it.
Speaker 12 (45:19):
You too.
Speaker 6 (45:19):
Take care, Alex Hensley. Ladies and gentlemen, Alex Hensley, Ladies
and gentlemen. She is yeah, she's out there. She knows
exactly what is happening in and around our communities. Let
us take one final break and when we come back
that da da salute to the champs. That will be
the Central High School on uh. The Real Talk Memphis Ship.
(45:43):
We'll be right back, though, go away.
Speaker 7 (45:59):
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 (46:18):
It's real.
Speaker 4 (46:19):
It's real, it's real, it's real.
Speaker 13 (46:24):
Want to reach a passionate audience who loves Memphis arts
and music scene. Sponsor WYXAR and connect your brand with
the city's creative community. More information at wyxar dot org.
Speaker 14 (46:35):
Slash sponsorship 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
(46:55):
rootstock Memphis dot com.
Speaker 13 (47:00):
Or for WYXR comes from Mempho Presents featuring the Outlaw
Tour tenth anniversary show at Radians Amphitheater on Friday, June
twenty seven, featuring Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel
Raitliffe and The Night Sweats and Trampled by Turtles. Tickets
and more information at Memphopresents dot com. Want to make
a big impact without getting lost in a big system.
(47:22):
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 15 (47:41):
Support from wyax Art 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
(48:02):
talent and a wide range of styles from straight ahead
to swing. More information can be found at Sunset Jazz
Memphis dot com.
Speaker 8 (48:13):
Support for WYXR comes from the Holleren Center for Performing
Arts and Education, setting the stage for everyone. The Hollerin
Center next door to the Orphium invites you to be
in the center of it all through live entertainment, arts, education,
community programs and event spaces all year round. More information
at Orphium Dash Memphis dot com.
Speaker 16 (48:33):
Support for wyx dot com from breezerk presenting the Concrete
Canvas Streetwear Fashion Show hosted by breeze on Sunday, June
twenty second, from six to ten pm at mud Island
River Park and immersive fashion experience blending streetwear and high fashion,
highlighting emerging designers, artists and performers in partnership with Memphis Riverparks.
Live performances, vendors and more. Tickets and more information can
(48:56):
be found at breezert dot square dot site.
Speaker 13 (49:02):
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 7 (49:36):
Get Real Talk on the tune in mobile app under
wyxr and He's now streaming live on Facebook and You
can also catch a rebroadcast on YouTube. Just put WYXR
in the search box and hit subscribe. Now back to
more real Talk with Zip Washington.
Speaker 4 (49:51):
It's real, It's.
Speaker 6 (49:59):
Real, and welcome back to real Talking Memphis on this
Monday evening in the city.
Speaker 5 (50:04):
It's been a great show so far. Chip with you,
and glad you're with me.
Speaker 6 (50:09):
We are eagerly waiting awaiting Doctor Ali Lddell, who was
supposed to be checking in with me.
Speaker 5 (50:18):
Checked in with him earlier. He said he was all
good to go and everything.
Speaker 6 (50:21):
Doctor Ali Laddell, by the way, is the band director
at the Central High School And in case you've been
under a rock for the last couple of weeks, he
took his band of jazz Empresarios up to New York
State and New York City. They have a big, huge
competition every year. National competition is the Duke Ellington Competition
(50:47):
and they bring in bands, jazz bands from all over
the country and even outside of this country for this competition.
Speaker 5 (50:56):
It is that big a deal. Is he there?
Speaker 6 (50:59):
He's there, So we're going to bring him in right
now and talk with him about all of this. And
I have to set up my intro all over again,
Doctor Ledell, how.
Speaker 5 (51:09):
Are you, my friend?
Speaker 12 (51:10):
Hey brother, how you doing today?
Speaker 5 (51:11):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 6 (51:12):
Listen, thank you for chiming in this evening, and thank
you for giving me a few minutes of time to
be the one thousand and forty seventh person to congratulate
you and your and your soldiers on an absolutely magnificent
event in New York City, the Duke of Ellington Jazz
(51:35):
Band Competition and international competition by the way, which you
all went up there and yet dot da da da,
you're one first place your slate everybody, and you came
back with the crown.
Speaker 5 (51:47):
Has it sunk in yet?
Speaker 17 (51:48):
It?
Speaker 5 (51:49):
Has it been a couple of weeks? I guess it's
sinking in or has it sunk in yet?
Speaker 17 (51:52):
Yeah, it's sunk in. That It was a special special day.
It was a special moment for my kids, for city.
It was really a special performance man.
Speaker 6 (52:03):
Yeah, I mean absolutely, I mean you have I mean
this uh this uh, this performance in this victory has
really lifted our city.
Speaker 5 (52:10):
Uh uh. We can't even see us anymore.
Speaker 6 (52:13):
We're so high because of your what you all did
a lot of hard work and effort went into that,
Doctor the Dale. How how long before the competition. Uh
did you all start working on all of this?
Speaker 5 (52:26):
Ye?
Speaker 17 (52:26):
Honestly, it was around May of last year. We actually
we picked out I had the kids pick out a song.
They they I just gave them the list. So how
the competition works. They have a library. Essentially Elected has
a whole library of songs that they put out. These
are mostly Duke Ellington compositions or like Duke Ellington like compositions,
(52:51):
So that's what it's called essentially Elected, okay, And so
they transk they have guys that transcribe those and this
is the exact versions that these professional bands play.
Speaker 12 (53:00):
And I just had my kids for about.
Speaker 17 (53:02):
Two days in class on YouTube just listen to every
song on that and just give me a list of
what they wanted to play.
Speaker 12 (53:09):
And obviously I screamed.
Speaker 17 (53:11):
The list, you know, to make sure there's some things
that you know, kids like, yeah, let's play that.
Speaker 12 (53:15):
Sure gonna work for our group. So that's when it started.
Speaker 17 (53:19):
We had a jazz camp, and we're gonna have one
again right before school starts, just to get them, the
new folks to the jazz band going. We started on
one tune and then we added a couple more, just
just just other stuff that we play and different things.
Then they come out, they come out with their new
list and you have to play one on the new
(53:40):
list every year that they came out with, and so
we picked that one, started working it up in October September,
and then by December we have to submit the recording
of us playing these three tunes.
Speaker 12 (53:54):
And then from that those the like one hundred and
thirty bands from around the world that submitted.
Speaker 17 (54:00):
Because it's tough music, most folks don't even attempt the
songs that's on those lists. And we submitted and we
were they're named the top thirty of those got in.
Speaker 12 (54:10):
Uh, this is double. This is a bigger year. Most
years it's not international.
Speaker 17 (54:14):
It's it's the United States plus Canada is the other
groups that are that are involved in it. This year
and twenty twenty twenty those were years they had they
open it up for international groups. So there was bands
from Spain and Australia and Japan, you know, all over
the country.
Speaker 12 (54:35):
They were. They were there.
Speaker 17 (54:35):
Then we went we had, uh, well, the same thing. Man,
we just worked on those songs, worked on us. We
had other stuff that we had to work on too.
It can't just we can't focus everything on this one
competition because it's more to being a jazz band and
just playing Duke Ellington music. However, you know, his music
is so vast and and uh and styles and and
different things. So it's a great teaching to to teach
(54:57):
kids how to play this music. But we play the
stuff prepared for We made it. They accepted us in
New York, so we had to get ready to go.
So there's a lot of after school rehearsals, a lot
of listening, and a.
Speaker 5 (55:10):
Lot of work. A lot of work, right, a lot
of work, A lot of work.
Speaker 6 (55:13):
Uh well, I mean, you know, obviously you're dealing with
young people too, and uh, you know, but but I mean,
I'm just so, I guess what would really makes me
me proud is the dedication and the focus on this competition,
because yeah, yeah, you have to get you have to
be serious about things. I mean, like you said, this
is a serious deal man, This is not you don't
(55:33):
just come up there and just just you know, this
is not just a joke. This is real competition from
places all across the globe. Who came there for that competition.
Did you have any idea before when it was all done,
and before the selection of the champion was made, how
you all did based on what you heard from other
(55:55):
bands from other places.
Speaker 17 (55:57):
Man, there, I had no expectation of winning anything, and
I just wanted us to perform our best, right. I
wanted us to leave it all on that stage. We
had a preliminary and if I just want us to
leave it on that stage and swing, have fun, it
take its You know, when you're playing music, it has
to be beyond the notes on the page.
Speaker 12 (56:18):
It has to be beyond.
Speaker 17 (56:20):
Just press this finger down now, man, you got to
actually feel at the emotion.
Speaker 12 (56:24):
That's what music is all about, right.
Speaker 17 (56:26):
And the response, I mean like we were like celebrities walking,
you know, after we got good. Sure, high schools were like,
oh my god, you Memphis, Memphis man, y'all are so good.
And the little Japanese girl come up. She could barely
Oh you're very good, you know what the heck?
Speaker 5 (56:44):
Yeah?
Speaker 17 (56:45):
And it still didn't like I didn't register to me.
I was like, I don't know. You know, I didn't
care either.
Speaker 12 (56:51):
I didn't. I honestly did not care what happened.
Speaker 17 (56:54):
I kid with that, and I told the kids, man,
I don't care what happens, y'all go out there and
just play, y'all be did really feel this music and
swing man, and it took care of itself, the work
and the what and that took care of itself and
we came out on top.
Speaker 6 (57:09):
Well you know, I just I'm I'm just so tickled,
like everybody else is about this for our city.
Speaker 11 (57:17):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (57:17):
You ain't talking about us all they want to, but
one they were.
Speaker 6 (57:21):
One word they're gonna have to use from now on
in terms of music from the jazz perspective is champions.
And uh you are the Central High School Uh jazz champions.
Uh and man, I uh just I mean awesome, kudos, congratulations.
I know you've done a lot of interviews and I
know a lot of people have talked to you. I
had to get my shot in here as well. And
(57:42):
uh from my audience and from my show. Uh and man,
please pass along to your uh, to your to your
young folks man that we are just absolutely elated and
we are so so so so proud of them, of
Central High School and of you, doctor Ledell.
Speaker 5 (57:58):
Uh And uh.
Speaker 6 (57:59):
This may be the first, but I don't think it's
gonna be the last. But thank you for taking the
time to come on and be with me tonight.
Speaker 5 (58:04):
I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Speaker 12 (58:06):
Thank you. Hey, we're gonna try to do this thing
again next year.
Speaker 17 (58:08):
And if you have a child that needs a place
to call high school home, you for to get a
world class music education here at the high school, Central
High School.
Speaker 12 (58:17):
So just hit me up and you may be on
that trip to New York.
Speaker 5 (58:20):
Next year, doctor le doctor Ladell said, hit him up.
Speaker 6 (58:24):
He's ready for you. He got a spot for you.
Thank you, doctor Ladell. Good to see you. Thank you
so much. Well, there you go, ladies and gentlemen. What
a man I'm telling you that. And that's how you're
in the show. I'm sorry, I got a little net
flying around here here on me. But that wraps up
this edition of Real Talk Memphis. Uh, and we hope
that you as Bren plays us out and prepares for
his show. By the way, did you know if Brent
(58:45):
had a show? Friend's got? This show comes off seven
o'clock on Monday evenings. It's called The Event Horizon. That's
the coolest name of the show too. By the way,
that's my guy. What she always says, says till for
popping me up. I have to thank you for that.
That's Grin is Mine, my boy producer on this show,
and uh, he's doing a really good job. He plays
a different he plays. He's got a very musical selection,
(59:11):
she's got a very musical catalog, and he will he'll
tell us in just a couple of minutes of what
he's gonna.
Speaker 5 (59:16):
Do tonight for us.
Speaker 6 (59:17):
But listen for all of us here in Real Talk Memphis,
for Brand who will be up in just about a minute,
and for a lovely Lola, and for yours truly, Chip,
thank you for being a part of Real Talk Memphis.
We hope to have you along for the ride again
next week. So for all of us here, thank you.
We appreciate your support and your love, and we are
(59:37):
out to talk to you soon
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!