The purpose of our show is to bring information and solutions to issues that impact the day-to-day lives of minorities.We can bring this value add by leveraging the knowledge of our host, Walter Latham, Sr. , co-host, Michelle Swiney, and our Panel, consisting of experts in various disciplines and life experiences.
Episodes
Friday Mar 13, 2020
Friday Mar 13, 2020
Being prepared for an emergency is something that we don't often think about until we are in one. Then we wish we had taken steps earlier. Hopefully this podcast will prompt our listeners to take under advisement what Captain Willis says and implement what is applicable to their situation.
Sunday Mar 08, 2020
Sunday Mar 08, 2020
How can you know if you, a loved one, or a friend, suffers from depression? We only hear about depression when someone commits or attempts suicide. The usual reaction is that I didn’t know they were depressed.
In this week’s episode, Michelle and Walter tackle depression with guest Donna Hairston, creator of the Blog “Diva with Depression”. Maybe we can shed some light on this illness.
About Donna Hairston:
Donna Hairston writes a blog called DIVA with Depression.
Her blog details her daily life with mental illness. The good, the bad, and everything in between. It discusses parenting while depressed. Parenting children who live with depression. The lack of awareness and care in the black and brown communities.
Her mission is to fight to erase the stigma of mental illness and show others that they are not alone in the fight.
Donna’s Contact Information
Email: Divawdep@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divawdepression/
Website: https://divawithdepression.wordpress.com/2019/12/03/trauma-bonding-abused-but-protective/
Instagram and Twitter: @divawdep
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
President Trump called Baltimore “Rat Infested” I wish that was the most important issue facing the citizens of this major Northeastern city. Baltimore is one of the most dangerous cities in the country!
On top of all this ,and to add insult to injury, another embarrassing chapter in Baltimore's troubled history ended Thursday when the city's ex-mayor was sentenced to three years in federal prison for fraudulently selling her children’s books to nonprofit organizations to promote her political career.
Catherine Pugh accepted “full responsibility” for her actions and apologized through tears during the roughly 10 minutes she spoke in federal court in Baltimore before she was sentenced. The veteran Democratic politician said that “no one is more disappointed than me” and added that she did not want to bring “any more shame” to the city.
Our Guest discusses, in detail, the crisis this city is in ,and what might the solution be.
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Are we seeing the demise of Baltimore? Is there anything we can do to make things better. One thing we can't do is NOTHING! Or maybe, just maybe, gentrification will save the day.
President Trump has called Baltimore “Rat Infested”. I wish that that was the only problem facing this city. In our quest to get the real story of life in Baltimore, we interviewed someone who knows this city from front to back. This person is a homeowner, parent, grandparent, wife, and has been successful in her career. She has The Wire.
With just over 600,000 residents, the city hit a historically high homicide rate of about 57 per 100,000 people after recent relentless gunfire saw eight people shot — three fatally — in one day and nine others — one fatally — another day.
The new rate eclipses that of 1993, when the city had a record 353 killings but was much more populous before years of population exodus.
By contrast, New York City, with more than 8 million residents, had 306 homicides through Dec. 15.
The total is up from 309 in 2018 and matches the 342 killings tallied in 2017 and 2015, the year when the city’s homicide rate suddenly spiked.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Being prepared for an emergency is something that we don’t think about until we are in the middle of one. Then we wish we had taken a little time to prepare. Hopefully, these episodes will prompt our listeners to take this matter seriously and take some steps to protect themselves and their families, if and when, an event occurs.
Captain Jevan Willis (Ret) US Army has gained over 10 years’ experience in emergency preparedness, planning, and operations while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army and National Guard.
Captain Willis is graduate of West Point (USMA) and holds a MA in Management & Leadership from Webster University.
While at West Point, he was Headquarters Commander in charge of West Point Staff & Faculty for UCMU (Legal), Logistics, Admin, etc.
While in the U.S. Army National Guard, he developed plans to support Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Natural Disaster, Explosive, and Cyber Attacks.
Some of the Resources Recommended by Captain Willis:
- doomsdayprep.com
- FEMA.Org
- Ready.gov
- Your Local Police
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
With all the issues , we as minorities have to tackle, why should we be involved with global warming and other tree hugger issues? But did you really stop and think that we are major stakeholders. We face the ramifications of the fall-out each and every day. The press, as with so many other issues involving minorities, just doesn't cover it. Remember Flint, Michigan?
Environmental Sustainability Expert, Melissa Banks, speaks to The Walt Weekly.
About Melissa Banks
MelySustainable was started by Mel Banks, a born & raised Brooklynite turned Queens and Long Island local.
Growing up in East New York Brooklyn ,as a woman of color, she has always been passionate about the environment, dividing her time between Brooklyn and the beaches and swamps of Florida. In her youth, she attended various environmental programs in New York City including the now closed Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, Christodora and the Girl Scouts of America. She kept her love for the environment through her studies, majoring in Wildlife Conservation at the High School for Environmental Studies, Environmental Studies with a minor in Urban Studies at CUNY Queens College and majoring in Environmental Science in her graduate studies.
Mel started MelySustainable, a sustainable living blog in 2019. MelySustainable was created to serve as both a resource and a community of people from all over the world, specifically underserved communities. The blog focuses on sharing information and advice pertaining to environmental conservation and sustainability.
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Michelle and Walter interview Steven A. Smith who provides information on what we should be doing to become sucessful entrepreneurs along with possible funding opportunities. This is the first of a series of shows that we will be doing with Steven to enhance our listener's knowledge within the Finance space.
About Steven A. Smith
Steven A Smith is a 29 year Educator (Teacher, Program Facilitator, Guidance Counselor and After-School Coordinator). His career in education includes the in- home sales of supplemental products in all subject areas over that same time period. His passion for education inspired the creation of a self-esteem and abstinence campaign called “I’m Worth Waiting 4” which has had impact on countless adults and teens in 6 countries to date.
His financial education includes Series 7, 6 and 63 licensing as well as both Life and Health insurance certifications. He’s sold stocks, bonds and mutual funds for First Investors, American Capital and SME Capital Management in New York, NY and Tarrytown, NY. He was also a top producer with Primerica Financial Services in life and health insurance sales over a 3 year period.
Personal Accomplishments and Education would include an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army, B.A. English, 1986 West Virginia University and the 1974 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion for the 4th grade.
Mr. Smith was born and raised in New York, NY but has lived in Atlanta since 2007. He enjoys educating the community on the power of financial literacy and education and is proud to be a Small Business Coach with the MVET family.
Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
This episode will talk about the need for people of color to recognize that the integration was not in the best interest of the Black American.
- We should have been focused on “silver" rights not civil rights
- How black business was devastated by integration along with our minds and futures
- Happy that 25% of Black professionals are electing to start their own businesses rather than working in corporate America
- Working for someone now should be transitory not until you retire.
Since integration, you could see a parallel in the decline of the Black family unit. It was almost simultaneous.
The teachers were black and cared about the well being of the students in their charge. What’s more the line of communication between the teacher, parent, and student was continuous.
What happened to the school spirit that we had during that time? The culture? The pride that we took in competing against rival communities? Whether that be academic, music, or sports.
For those that can remember, we had rumor mills of those that didn’t do well with their school work. You did not want to be on that list. You were teased and of course you had to face the wrath of your parents. Your response was to work as hard as hell to do better.
Even though our black school did not have all of the financial backing or equal funding, we cared about insuring that our kids would be able to compete with anyone.
Segregation in schools is still going on. Just look around. The elite schools in New York City, have gate keepers. You have to have influence, to get into these schools. And we know that the blacks are placed at a disadvantage. Believe it or not New York has some of the most segregated schools in the country.
What is missing is the funding required to identify as a black school. The lost is the family unit and the care provided by the teacher to student to parent. This was the glue that promoted pride within the Black community. Now we are just a number. If we don’t get it, Special Ed. That was not the case at one time. Yes, you are going to have slow people but they were not stereotyped and sent to isolation. They now are used as fodder to feed the criminal justice system.
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Michelle Swiney, a New York native ,studied at The Enid Beauty College, and New York Beauty School and achieved a diploma of the highest level. Michelle knew at the early age of 15 what she wanted to do; hair! After working in Corporate America for over 15 years and doing what she loved part time. Michelle decided to become a full-time stylist in 2001 working at various salons. This leap in faith Michelle opened her own salon in Brooklyn, NY and worked with top creative teams in the industry. In 2010 this landed her an opportunity to work as an assistant stylist under a thriving artist, Mathew Curtis owner of Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hoar Cross Hall Spa and the Rosewood Salon London, UK during New York Fashion Week whom became her mentor.
Now, Michelle takes another leap of faith, she is joining The Walt Weekly as co-host, Marketing Director, and producer.
We wish Michelle every success in this new endeavor.
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
- Very proud to have on the show a lady that has done it her way
- A regular at New York Fashion Week, Michelle working with the Matthew Curtis Creative Team have been heading up teams backstage since 2010, creating looks for some of the most iconic and influential designers such as Ted Baker, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Marc Jacobs, KYE, Jad Ghandour and Alice & Olivia by Stacey Bendet to name a few
- Michelle’s collaborations with creative stylist and photographers has been featured in the World Bride Magazine, Germanys Gala Magazine, BG Magazine, EC., Alice & Olivia; E-Commerce and Lookbook, music videos with music Legend Nile Rodgers of Chic. Publications in Vimeo, Fashion 360, Noir Tribe Media, E! Channel Fashion Police, Online magazines such as: Elle Magazine, Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan
- After working in Corporate America for over 15 years and doing what she loved part time, Michelle decided to become a full-time stylist in 2001 converting her garage to a salon
- In 2010 this landed her an opportunity to work as an assistant stylist under a thriving artist, Mathew Curtis owner of Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hoar Cross Hall Spa and the Rosewood Salon London, UK during New York Fashion Week whom became her mentor