The Walt Weekly Podcast

The Hotchkiss Alumni Look Back 60 Years with Mr. Albert Smith, III

In this episode of the Walt Weekly Podcast, host Walter Latham interviews Albert Smith III, an architect and participant in the Hotchkiss GO Program. Albert shares his journey from growing up in the Bronx to attending prestigious schools, the impact of education in the 1960s, and his experiences at Hotchkiss. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he faced, his career in architecture, and his commitment to giving back to the community. The conversation highlights the importance of education, mentorship, and resilience in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

Albert Smith, III attended the Hotchkiss School Summer
G.O. Program in 1965 and graduated from The Hotchkiss School, Class of 1969. Wesleyan University and Columbia University. He is a career architect and the proud father of three beautiful daughters.

Chapters

00:00Celebrating Black Women's Month and Community Bonds

03:01The Importance of HBCUs in Black Culture

06:13Challenges Facing St. Augustine University

08:58Community Engagement and Support for HBCUs

11:56The Future of St. Augustine University

14:58The Role of Education in Empowering Black Communities

17:46Encouragement for Future Generations

20:58Call to Action for Community Involvement

Albert's Contact Info:

Albert Smith, III

Architect

A.S. III Design Studio

268 West 134th Street

New York, NY  10030

212 234-9930 

fax 212 234-9933

917 642-0242

 

 

 

 

The Hotchkiss Alumni Look Back 60 Years with Mr. Lawrence Williams

Description

In this episode of The Walt Weekly Podcast, host Walter Latham engages with Larry Williams, a beneficiary of the Hotchkiss GO Program, which aims to provide educational opportunities to inner-city youth. Larry shares his personal journey, detailing the challenges he faced growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, and how the GO Program transformed his life. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the skills he learned at Hotchkiss, and his commitment to giving back to his community. The conversation also touches on broader societal issues, including the ongoing struggle for equality and the impact of economic changes on marginalized communities. Larry reflects on his experiences, the lessons learned, and his aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance of resilience and community support.

Relevant Links

@thewaltweekly

https://www.urbanqifit.com/

www.hotchkiss.org

www.thewaltweekly.com

HOTCHKISS GO PROGRAM SOCIALS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotchkissgoreunion/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hotchkissgo
X (Twitter): https://x.com/HotchkissGO
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hotchkissgo.bsky.social

 

 

 

Elon And VIvek Are Coming For You: Rebroadcast

We thought it prudent to look back on this episode. People are finally waking up!

Summary In this episode of The Walt Weekly Podcast, hosts discuss the implications of the new Department of Government Efficiency led by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, focusing on potential budget cuts to social programs. They explore the political landscape, cabinet positions, and the historical context of reparations, emphasizing the need for community resilience and self-sufficiency. The conversation highlights the importance of unity and long-term strategies for change in the face of an extremist government. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to fight for their rights and freedoms.

Takeaways

The new Department of Government Efficiency may lead to significant budget cuts.

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk's corporate backgrounds influence their approach to government.

The political landscape is fragile with a thin margin in Congress.

Reparations are a crucial topic that needs to be addressed historically and contextually.

Community resilience and self-sufficiency are vital for survival.

The government may not be functional under the current administration.

Unity among marginalized communities is essential for progress.

Long-term strategies are necessary for meaningful change.

The importance of creating a concrete plan for community action.

Freedom requires active participation and a willingness to fight for rights.

 

 

Cover Art

Mark Latham

Latham Photography

The Hotchkiss Alumni Look Back 60 Years with Dr. Robert J. Woodbine

This is an important discussion. Dr. Woodbine lays a out  path to countering and possibly a solution to countering the current unity problem.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Robert J. Woodbine shares his lifelong journey from Harlem to becoming a prominent figure in education, health, and social justice. He reflects on his experiences in the Great Opportunity Program, the challenges of racism, and the importance of critical thinking in education. Dr. Woodbine emphasizes the need for community collaboration and the evolution of social justice movements, while also discussing his passion for Tai Chi and its role in promoting health and self-reliance. The conversation concludes with Dr. Woodbine's aspirations for the future and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Hotchkiss School Alumni Look Back 60 Years: First Up Mr. Noel Ellison

Summary: In this episode of the Walt Weekly Podcast, host Walt engages with Noel Ellison, an alumnus of the Hotchkiss School, to discuss the unique experiences and challenges faced by students in the Greater Opportunity Program. The conversation explores the cultural and racial dynamics of attending a prestigious prep school, the impact of education on identity, and the importance of community responsibility. As they reflect on the past and look towards the future, they emphasize the need for self-education and community initiatives to empower the next generation.

Mr Noel's Bio:

Noel Ellison is a retired General Manager of Riverbay Corporation, which owns and manages Co-op City. He has extensive experience in property management, including working for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and various property management companies. He is actively involved in his community, serving on the boards of non-profit organizations and as Secretary of One Hundred Black Men of New York. Ellison is also a spiritual person, serving in leadership roles at the Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Harlem. He attended Case Reserve University and is a proud graduate of the Greater Opportunity Program at Hotchkiss Preparatory School.

Economics: The Black American Investment Fund (Rebroadcast)

In this week’s show we discuss the possibility of starting the Black American Investment Fund.

From 40, 000 feet, what will it take to get this investment fund up and running? What would it look like structurally? How will it be managed and what will be its strategy? We try to evaluate the feasibility of realizing this lofty ambition. We will also discuss Reparations and what we believe should be done with it. Spreading the funding for this fund across, and for the Black American, would contribute to the coalescence of our group. 

What is Going on in This Country? Revisited

We said it in 2022 and we say it with it now. 

 

What is going on in our world? We are seeing things that we would associate with the apocalypse. Michelle and Walter discuss only a small fraction of what we see and what the TWW believes are factors.

Antiracism activist and diversity trainer Jane Elliott described it as a fear so great that White people, including political leaders, “will do anything to see that doesn’t happen.” And what is that? Losing the majority!

More to come because we are only scratching the surface in this episode.

 

Special Mentions:

- Dena Ramsey

- Bridgette Stokes

- Clorette Harris-Mason

 

 

Birthright Citizenship Would Not Exist Without Black Americans

Keywords : birthright citizenship, 14th amendment, immigration, ICE, Dred Scott, legal status, undocumented immigrants, U.S. citizenship, political implications, community awareness

Summary: In this conversation, Walter Latham Sr. and Ernest J. Robinson discuss the complexities of birthright citizenship in the United States, tracing its historical roots to the 14th Amendment and the Dred Scott decision. They explore the current challenges faced by immigrants, particularly in light of recent enforcement actions by ICE, and the implications of these policies on communities. The discussion also compares the approaches of different presidential administrations towards immigration and citizenship, emphasizing the need for community awareness and political engagement.

takeaways

• Birthright citizenship originated from the fight for African American rights.
• The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to those born in the U.S.
• Current challenges to birthright citizenship are politically motivated.
• ICE enforcement has created fear among immigrant communities.
• Many undocumented individuals contribute positively to society.
• Historical context is crucial for understanding current immigration issues.
• Political engagement is essential for protecting rights.
• Comparative analysis of administrations reveals differing approaches to immigration.
• Community awareness can help combat misinformation about immigration.
• Voter registration and participation are vital for influencing policy.

If Farmers Paid $25-$35 an Hour, Would You Take It?

Keywords USAID, layoffs, government employees, Elon Musk, diversity, equity, inclusion, current events, podcast, news, social issues, investigation, diversity, media coverage, racial dynamics, community engagement, leadership, accountability, air crash, reparations, African American

 

Summary In this episode, Walter Latham and Ernest J. Robinson discuss various current events, focusing on the recent developments surrounding USAID, the impact of layoffs on government employees, and the implications of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce. They explore the emotional and financial toll of sudden layoffs, the challenges faced by government workers, and the broader societal issues related to management practices and policies. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the complexities of investigations related to diversity and inclusion, the media's coverage of racial dynamics in air crashes, the importance of community engagement and leadership, and the historical context of African American struggles. They emphasize the need for accountability, the impact of media narratives, and the significance of staying and fighting for their rights in America.

Hosts

Walter Latham, Sr.

Sgt. Ernest J. Robinson

Artwork

Mark N. Latham

Latham Photography

Are You Psychologically Superior? Trump Says No!

Keywords  Walt Weekly Podcast, Trump, DEI, air traffic control, RFK, diversity, equity, inclusion, psychological superiority, resilience, current events

Summary In this episode of the Walt Weekly Podcast, Walter Latham, Sr. and Sergeant Ernest J. Robinson discuss current events, focusing on Trump's controversial comments regarding a recent airline crash and the implications of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the context of air traffic control. They explore the societal perceptions of competence related to DEI, the resilience of marginalized communities, and critique RFK's stance on vaccinations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities surrounding these issues and the need for empathy and education.

Takeaways

• Trump's comments on the airline crash were premature and insensitive.
• DEI should not be blamed for failures in air traffic control.
• The investigation into the crash should be allowed to conclude before assigning blame.
• Marginalized communities often exhibit resilience in the face of adversity.
• The perception of competence is often skewed by racial and gender biases.
• Empathy is crucial in addressing misconceptions about DEI.
• The historical context of DEI reveals its complex beneficiaries.
• RFK's anti-vaccine stance raises questions about his qualifications.
• Disingenuous behavior in public figures undermines trust.
• The need for qualified individuals in leadership roles is paramount.

Titles

• Navigating Current Events and Controversies
• Trump's Blame Game: A Closer Look

Sound Bites

• "We have the safest airlines in the world."
• "Jumping to conclusions is dangerous."
• "The primary beneficiaries of DEI were white women."
• "We need to fill spaces everywhere."
• "The man doesn't deserve to be up there anyway."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Current Events Discussion

02:54Analysis of Trump's Comments on Air Traffic Control

10:42The Impact of DEI on Perceptions of Competence

18:14Resilience and Psychological Superiority in Marginalized Communities

23:11Critique of RFK and Vaccine Controversy

Host: Walter Latham, Sr.

Cohost: Sgt. Ernest J. Robinson

Artwork

Mark N. Latham

Latham Photography