The Walt Weekly Podcast

Helping the Houseless with Charlotte's Block Love Founder Deborah Denise Phillips: Part 1

Deborah Denise Phillips, founder of Block Love in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins Walter Latham Sr, Keena Parham, and Bridget Stokes on the Walt Weekly Podcast. Block Love Charlotte was founded over seven years ago to help those experiencing homelessness in and around the city of Charlotte. Deborah and her team provide meals, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, hygiene products, clothing, and other daily necessities to the houseless community. They also offer services such as housing navigation, mental health and wellness checkups, and workforce development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Block Love Charlotte remained consistent in their mission and served every single day. They also faced challenges such as the lack of safe restroom facilities and transportation for their neighbors. Despite these challenges, they continued to advocate for the homeless community and make a difference in their lives. The conversation explores the challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly immigrants and people of color, in accessing support and resources. It highlights the importance of meeting people where they are and building trust to provide effective assistance. The discussion also touches on the impact of trauma and mental health issues within these communities. The conversation emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of resources and challenges the stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. It also addresses the ongoing drug epidemic, particularly the prevalence of fentanyl and its devastating effects. In this conversation, Deborah Phillips, the founder of Block Love CLT, discusses the challenges faced by the homeless population, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the lack of affordable housing, the increase in homelessness among seniors, and the struggles faced by the trans community. Deborah emphasizes the importance of providing support and resources to those in need and shares her own experiences of overcoming adversity. She also encourages listeners to put aside pride and ask for help when needed, and to make a difference in the lives of others.

Deborah Phillips and her organization, Block Love Charlotte founded over seven years ago to help those experiencing homelessness in and around the city of Charlotte has helped make a difference amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Deborah pours her soul into the work she does daily, which she describes as her heart’s mission to spread love throughout this city one Block at a time.

After working 23 years in the Information Technology Industry this mother of three and domestic abuse survivor has stepped into her God-given assignment to help those who need a hand whether homeless or not. She wants to be the hand she once needed when she fell on hard times. In mid-May of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Deborah quit her job at a law firm to fully dedicate all her time to her organization and to those she refers to as her Block Family.

Along with her amazing team, volunteers, and family, she has remained consistent with the mission and Block Love Charlotte has served every single day since March 8th of 2020. No easy task, but with the citizens of the city and the ones who honestly believe in the work being performed, Deborah has been able to make a difference in the homeless community.

Mrs. Phillips has overcome many recent obstacles including chronic health challenges but that did not stop her from obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in May of 2022 from Winston-Salem State University.  Deborah is also the recipient of the, Growing the Dream”, Martin Luther King, Jr, Award presented by WSOC news station in Charlotte, NC and the 2022 recipient of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Community Service Award among other honors.

Through the Block Love Charlotte social media presence, her organization has helped invoke the spirit of giving in others. More information about her organization can be found at the website, http://www.blockloveclt.org.

Walter Latham CEO of Latham Entertainment and Creator of the Original Kings of Comedy: Part 2

This is part 2 of our interview with Walter Latham, Jr. 

The state of stand-up comedy today lacks substance, foundation, and a point of view. The craft of black comedy, especially, has lost respect. Social media influencers are prioritizing followers over the quality of their comedy. Being a promoter in the entertainment industry is risky and not recommended. It's better to be a producer and bet on yourself. Artificial intelligence (AI) is both exciting and concerning, as it brings new possibilities but also raises questions about privacy and dependence. Being an entrepreneur allows for more control and fulfillment than working for someone else.

• Stand-up comedy today lacks substance, foundation, and a point of view.
• The craft of black comedy has lost respect compared to its earlier days.
• Social media influencers prioritize followers over the quality of their comedy.
• Being a promoter in the entertainment industry is risky and not recommended.
• Being a producer allows for more control and long-term rewards.
• Artificial intelligence brings new possibilities but also raises concerns about privacy and dependence.

Rebroadcast: The Struggle Continues Until Final Victory! Recorded Live

We had initially planned to try to discuss a lighter topic but, let me say, we must keep it real. I am here with Michelle and the topic today “The Struggle Continues until final victory.” Remember that? We used to say this a lot in the 70s’ and 80s’ when greeting each other. But there was no truer phrase or saying. We are struggling and we will not stand down until final victory.

The conviction of Derrick Chauvin in the George Floyd murder was only the beginning of our struggle to right the wrongs done to us over the last 400 years. Don't be fooled my friends. Stay ready, stay vigilant, and above all be relentless. Think of Dante Wright, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, etc. They are all Martyrs.

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Panel

Greg Coleman, NC

Engineer at The Walt Weekly

 

Christopher Swiney, New Jersey

Senior Consultant and Panelist The Walt Weekly 

 

Gene Edwards

Male District Leader (D)

79th AD, The Bronx, NY

 

Ernest J. Robinson, Washington, DC

Sergeant, US Marine Corp Combat Veteran

 

Visit Our Website www.Thewaltweekly.com for more information about us and our panel

 

Women’s History Month with Guest Host: Briggette Stokes and Company

In this episode, Host Briggette Stokes, celebrate Women's History Month with a group of retired professional Black women. They discuss the role of Black women and women's rights, highlighting the strength and confidence of women. They also explore the concept of the superwoman and the phenomenal strength of Black women. The conversation touches on the job of women in the home and workplace, the importance of voting, and the power of women. The episode concludes with a tribute to Aretha Franklin and her empowering song 'Respect.'

Participants Bios

Briggette Stokes:

Born in December 1958 in Washington DC and raised in Williamston, North Carolina, Briggette Stokes learned independence and perseverance from her single mother. After graduating from Williamston High School in 1977, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Saint Augustine College in 1981, followed by a North Carolina Teacher’s Certification in 1982. Her early work included various jobs from babysitting to retail, and she spent many years in education, retiring in 2018 after a 40-year career. In addition to her educational pursuits, Briggette has coordinated events, managed a mental health services company with her siblings, and worked in quality assurance. As a dedicated Christian, she has been active in church activities and founded a non-profit ministry for women. She is also an author, a podcast brand ambassador, and runs a website at briggettetheauthor.com.

Brenda Barns:

Brenda Ewell-Barnes, born in 1958 in Williamston, North Carolina, overcame the challenges of her era to pursue higher education and a career. She graduated from Williamston High School in 1977 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Social Welfare from Saint Augustine’s College. Brenda has worked at Saint Augustine College, as a Case Manager in the North Carolina Women’s Prison, and spent 38 years as a Special Education Teacher. Furthering her education, she obtained a Master's degree in Special Education and another in Executive School Administration. Now retired, she continues to support special needs children through foster care and entrepreneurship. Brenda is an active member of the NAACP, enjoys gardening, and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Behavioral Science. She is involved in Just Us BB Ladies and lives by the motto, "I am not afraid, God is always with me."

Carolyn Hams:

Carolyn Hams, a native of Henderson, North Carolina, graduated from Vance Senior High in 1977 and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Saint Augustine's College in 1981. She has dedicated nearly four decades to a career in education, recently retiring in July 2023. Now enjoying her retirement, Carolyn is active with the Just Us BBB Ladies and cherishes spending time with her family. Looking forward, she aims to engage more deeply with her church and community, especially focusing on youth-related activities.

Joann M. Satterwhite: North Carolina's First Female Bus Driver

In this episode of the Walt Weekly Podcast, Walter Latham Sr. and team interview Joanne McLeod Satterwhite, the first female transit bus operator in Raleigh, North Carolina. They discuss Joanne's upbringing, her career at Capital Area Transit, and her experiences as a trailblazer. They also touch on the importance of hospitality in the South and the impact of Rosa Parks on Joanne's journey. Throughout the conversation, Walter expresses admiration for Joanne's accomplishments and highlights her contributions to the community. They discuss Joanne's career as a bus driver, her experiences and challenges, and the impact she has made in her community. Joanne shares her passion for driving and her dedication to providing excellent service to her passengers. She also talks about the recognition she has received, including receiving the awards from the city of Raleigh. The conversation highlights the importance of making a difference and being a positive role model.

Takeaways

• Joanne McLeod Satterwhite was the first female transit bus operator in Raleigh, North Carolina, and she worked for Capital Area Transit for 35 years.
• Joanne's upbringing on a farm taught her the values of hard work, endurance, and treating others with respect.
• She applied for the bus operator job without her husband's knowledge and was chosen from 110 applicants.
• Walter Latham Sr. compares Joanne to Rosa Parks, highlighting the progress made in terms of racial equality and opportunities for women. Joanne Satterwhite is the first female bus driver in North Carolina.
• She has had a successful career as a bus driver for 35 years.
• Joanne is dedicated to providing excellent service to her passengers.
• She has been recognized for her achievements, including receiving the key to the city of Raleigh.
• Joanne emphasizes the importance of making a difference and being a positive role model.

Chapters

00:00Introducing the Guests

00:48Joanne's Background and Early Life

03:00Joanne's Career as a Bus Driver

07:09Joanne's Impact as a Bus Driver

12:55The Challenges Joanne Faced

18:52The Importance of Service to Others

23:51Joanne's Childhood and Farming Experience

28:02Joanne's Driving Experience and Training

30:58Training and Preparation

32:03Performance Evaluations

33:14Awards and Recognition

34:22Key to the City

35:29Tree Planting

35:59Current Work and Family

37:13Legacy and Making a Difference

41:15Opportunities for Women in Transit

43:05Retirement and Transition to New Job

44:13Writing a Book

47:43Positive Attitude and Impact

Cohost Michelle Swiney McCombs Recognizes Women’s History Month

In this episode of the Walt Weekly podcast, the Michelle discusses Women's History Month and its significance. She highlights the historical discrimination faced by women and the ongoing struggle for equality. she explores the origins of Women's History Month, its evolution, and the annual themes that are set to celebrate women's achievements. She concludes by expressing our appreciation for all women and encouraging listeners to join in celebrating Women's History Month.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Women's History Month

01:26 The Origins of Women's History Month

06:16 Annual Themes for Women's History Month

07:15 Celebrating Women's History Month

Rebroadcast- In Recognition Of Women’s History Month We Interview Ms. A’Lelia Bundles

A’Lelia Bundles , great-great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, sits down for an interview with The Walt Weekly.

Ms. Bundles was a part of the recent launch of "Madam" by Madam CJ Walker Hair Care that pays homage to Madam Walker's original goal of fostering healthy scalps and healthy hair. Ms. Bundles, and a team led by Sundial Brands CEO Cara Sabin, and many others helped bring this project to life. 

@sundialbrands @cara_sabin products available at  https://www.walmart.com/ip/MADAM-Madam-C-J-Walker-Wonderful-Hair-Scalp-Balm-to-Oil-Conditioner-For-curly-straight-protective-styles-Care-3-5-oz/709397757?athbdg=L1600

About Ms. Bundles

Author and journalist A’Lelia Bundles is at work on her fifth book, The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, a biography of her great-grandmother, whose parties, arts patronage and international travels helped define that era. On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker – a New York Times Notable Book about her entrepreneurial great-great-grandmother – is the inspiration for Self Made, the fictional four-part Netflix series starring Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer that premiered in March 2020.

A’Lelia is a vice chair of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees and chair emerita of the board of the National Archives Foundation. She also is a member of the advisory boards of the March on Washington Film Festival, the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative. She founded the Madam Walker Family Archives – the largest private collection of Walker photographs and memorabilia – and is brand historian for MCJW, a line of hair care products inspired by Madam Walker and manufactured by Sundial Brands.

A’Lelia was a network television news executive and producer for thirty years at NBC News and then at ABC News, where she was Washington, DC deputy bureau chief and director of talent development.

Her articles and essays have been published in the New York Times Book Review, Variety, TheUndefeated.com, Al Jazeera, Parade, Ms., O Magazine, Essence, several encyclopedias and books, and on her blog at www.aleliabundles.com. As a speaker and emcee, she has appeared at universities, corporations and book festivals, as well as on ABC, CBS, MSNBC, NBC, NPR, PBS and BBC. She has served as an advisor for numerous documentaries, museum exhibits, biographies, scholarly papers and history texts.

A recipient of an Emmy and a du Pont Gold Baton, she has participated in writing residencies at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony.
She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and received a masters degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Social Media

@aleliabundles on Twitter and Instagram

Micro-Lending with Lyndsae' Peele, MBA, PMECTM

In this episode, Walter Latham Sr and co-host Michelle Sweeney McCombs interview Lyndsae' Peel, a finance coach and advocate for black wealth. Lindsae' works for Kiva, an international micro-lending nonprofit organization. She explains how Kiva provides small business loans up to $15,000 with zero percent interest and no collateral or minimum credit score requirements. Lindsae' also discusses the application process, including the importance of storytelling and the private fundraising period. 

About Lyndsae'

Lyndsae' Peele, MBA, PMECTM is a results-driven finance coach, international speaker, author and black wealth advocate. She received her BA in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University, her MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and her certification in Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University.

Lyndsae’ serves as the Kiva US Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Manager. She supports a portfolio of 35+ community-based Kiva lending partners (called Hubs) and their 40+ staff members (called Capital Access Managers) across the US and Puerto Rico. They aim to expand access to capital and drive financial inclusion with non-traditional, no-fee, no-interest, crowdfunded financing in their communities.

She is also the Chief Wealth Officer of the award-winning financial services company, Kingdom Vision Consulting. Lyndsae' combined her years of banking experience and her passion for economic development, to create a socially conscious organization specializing in personal and business finance for entrepreneurs of color. Kingdom Vision has been honored as the SBA’s 2022 Maryland Financial Services Champion of the Year.

Contact Lyndsae’

lpeele@kingdomvisionconsult.com

www.kingdomvisionconsult.com

FB: @mywealthconnector

FB: @kingdomvisionconsulting

 

Artificial Intelligence with Cyber Security Executive Jeffery Harris II: Part 2

Is AI bias?  We continue our interview with Jeffery Harris II.

The conversation explores various aspects of AI and its impact on different industries. It begins with a discussion on cloud computing and the limitations of quantum computing. The importance of speed in processing information and the challenges of data consolidation and indexing are also addressed. The conversation then delves into the biases in AI and the use of deepfake technology by scammers. The potential applications of AI in medical research and the concept of artificial general intelligence are explored. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI and the trustworthiness of self-driving cars.

Takeaways

• AI and quantum computing are distinct technologies that serve different purposes.
• Efficiency and speed are crucial in processing large amounts of data.
• AI can be biased, but it is not intentional.
• Deepfake technology poses risks in terms of identity theft and scams.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize medical research and advancements.
• The concept of artificial general intelligence raises ethical and philosophical questions.
• The trustworthiness of self-driving cars and the integration of AI into daily life are ongoing concerns.

Contact Us:

Email: Thewaltweekly@gmail.com

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Instagram: @thewaltweekly

Website: www.Thewaltweekly.com

Artificial Intelligence with Cyber Security Executive Jeffery Harris II: Part 1

What are the implications of AI to our Community? We interview Jeffery Harris II ,a cyber security expert , who has been in technology for more than 20 years. Among some of his clients were the Alphabets.

The conversation explores the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for minority communities, particularly black and brown people. The guest, Jeffrey Harris, a cybersecurity expert, discusses the impact of AI on jobs and the need for individuals to adapt and acquire new skills. The definition of AI is explained as the ability to replicate tasks that humans can do. The conversation also touches on the use of AI in everyday life, concerns about the quality of AI-generated information, and the role of AI in education. The importance of preparing for a career in technology and the challenges of handling big data are also discussed. The conversation covers various topics related to AI, including processing and storing data, the relationship between AI and quantum computing, the challenges of processing and analyzing big data, feeding data into AI models, data consolidation and indexing, bias in AI, the use of AI in deepfake technology, AI in medical research, the difference between AI and AGI, the potential impact of self-driving cars, and the possibility of a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI.

Takeaways

• AI has tremendous implications for minority communities, and it is important for individuals to adapt and acquire new skills to thrive in the changing job market.
• AI can replicate tasks that humans can do and is used in various industries, from customer service chatbots to security operations centers.
• The quality of AI-generated information should be critically evaluated, and humans should validate and verify the information provided by AI systems.
• AI can be an efficient tool for research and data analysis, but it should be used as a starting point and not a replacement for critical thinking and validation of sources.
• Preparing for a career in technology requires staying aware of industry trends, developing relevant skills, and seeking mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals. Processing and analyzing large amounts of data is a complex task that requires efficient storage and intelligent processing.
• AI and quantum computing are different technologies that serve different purposes, with AI being more focused on replicating human behavior and activity.
• Data consolidation and indexing are important for ensuring that the right data is accessible to the right people for specific purposes.
• AI can be biased, but it is not intentional and is often a result of replicating human behavior and cultural aspects.
• AI has the potential to be used by scammers and hackers to exploit individuals, and precautions should be taken to protect personal information.
• Deepfake technology, driven by AI, can create realistic fake videos and poses a threat to individuals' privacy and security.
• AI is being used in medical research to assist in finding cures and making decisions related to infectious diseases and other health conditions.
• AGI (Autopsy General Intelligence) is a more advanced form of AI that can perform tasks as well as or close to human capabilities.
• The adoption of self-driving cars raises questions about trust and safety, as well as legal and ethical considerations.

The idea of a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI, where they work together and rely on each other, is a topic of debate and speculation.