WVON 1690 Podcast

Daniel Lippman of Politico joins Rufus to discuss his most recent article about Biden Black Staffers. At least 21 Black staffers have left the White House since late last year or are planning to leave soon. Some of those who remain say it’s no wonder why: They describe a work environment with little support from their superiors and fewer chances for promotion. The departures have been so pronounced that, according to one current and one former White House official, some Black aides have adopted a term for them: “Blaxit.” The first big exit came in December, when Kamala Harris’ senior adviser and chief spokesperson Symone Sanders announced she was leaving, ultimately for a gig at MSNBC. Since then, Harris senior aides Tina Flournoy, Ashley Etienne and Vincent Evans, and public engagement head Cedric Richmond have left. Read more here. Produced by D'Angelo King

Congressman Ro Khanna joins Rufus to discuss what gun safety measures he is pushing for in Congress in light of the devastating school shooting in Texas and whether he thinks Senate Democrats will be successful in getting legislation passed. He also speaks on his involvement in the labor movement. He recently traveled to Chicago to meet with United Steelworkers to learn more about the black collaborative and talk to workers about what is necessary to better support people of color in these positions. And lastly they discuss the importance canceling student debt at the federal level. Produced by D'Angelo King

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez joins Rufus to discuss the budget for 2022-2023 Fiscal year as well as other challenges the school district is facing. Info About the Budget: Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released the 2022-23 school budgets that aim to strengthen rigorous standards-based teaching and learning following the past two challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $4 billion school budgets were created with feedback from community members, parents, and principals as well as an in-depth needs analysis to ensure the city’s public school system delivers a high-quality, equitable education to all students. “The 2022-23 CPS budget is responsive to the needs of parents, faculty, staff and most importantly, students,” said Chicago Mayor Lori. E. Lightfoot. “This budget prioritizes robust and holistic teaching so that students can continue to learn, grow, and succeed academically, socially and emotionally.” In addition to school-level budget investments, the financial commitments include additional centrally-funded resources for all schools, as well as targeted funding supporting lower-enrollment schools and schools with the greatest needs. Highlights include $72 million in teaching positions to support all schools in meeting the instructional core priorities and $45 million to expand schools’ capacity to advance practices connected to the instructional core focus areas. New for the 2022-23 school year, the District is providing two additional days of professional development. Produced by D'Angelo King

Rufus Talks With Congressman Bobby Rufus On His Retirement From Congress. Produced by D'Angelo King

Egowmnan And Buchanan Talk With Dr.Zookerman Are We Failing Our Kids.

Matt Talks With Eddy Levert On The OJays Farewell Tour.

Perri Talks With Ted Dabrowski On The Education Gap.

Buckner joins Rufus discuss his anti-violence plan as well as his decision to run for Mayor. Details about the plan: • Redrawing CPD’s police districts so they reflect Chicago’s neighborhoods. • Improved community policing. • Expanded use of “co-responder models” that allow mental health professionals to respond to mental health emergencies instead of police officers. • Mandatory release of body camera footage within 30 days of a police incident. • City Council passage of the more sweeping search warrant reform ordinance embraced by Anjanette Young, the innocent social worker forced to stand naked, crying and pleading while an all-male team of Chicago police officers raided her home by mistake. • Appointment of a “Youth Engagement Superintendent” charged with coordinating with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District “to make certain all schools, no matter their ZIP code, offer holistic education with a variety of after-school programs that engage students in sports, music and art.” • Work with the business community to create jobs and skills training for young people, double funding for the city’s Office of Violence Prevention and bolster investment in “diversion programs and job creation for those most at-risk” of becoming victims — or perpetrators — of violent crime. Produced by D'Angelo King

Rufus is Joined by Dana Bond, Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances at First Book and Dr. Arian Hoet, Clinical director of On Our Sleeves to discuss the wellness of our children. Dana lived and attended school in the exact communities First Book serves and this authentic connection, coupled with the desire to lean into work that drives systemic change, is what drew her to the mission. Dr Arian Hoet who is the clinical director of On Our Sleeves, which assisted First Book in creating the teacher resources that are available. Check out their study here. Produced by D'Angelo King

Perri Talks With The Family Of Laquan McDonald On Rally For Hate Hate Charges On Van Dyke.

Lynn Richardson JP Morgan Chase

Tim Todd joins the program to discuss his new book, A GREAT MORAL AND SOCIAL FORCE: A History of Black Banks. This past year marked the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Black Wall Street. As a result, there has been renewed interest in banking/finance in Black and Brown communities. Author, Tim Todd works for the Federal Reserve and the book will be distributed for free! They feel it is extremely important for people to have this vital information and receiving that information should not be a hardship in these challenging times. This would be great for schools, libraries or organizations who are interested in financial literacy and history. Produced by D'Angelo King. Please send all comments and concerns to dangelo@wvon.com

Samantha Talks With Pastor Cal Roberson On His New Book Marriage Ain't For Punks.

Perri Talks With Kathy Masaoka Asian American Fight For Blacks And Reparations

Perri Talks With Prof.Gloria Brown Marshall On Re - Mapping And Voter Restrictions

Perri Talks With Exavier Pope On The Brian Flores Lawsuit And New NFL Diverse Hires.

Perri Talks With Shannon Lanier On New Docu - Series One Thousand Years Of Slavery.

Atiba Buchanan Talks With Bears New General Manager Ryan Poles.

Perri Talks With Andrew Wyatt On W. Kauma Bell's Docuseries On Bill Cosby.

Perri Talks With CUB On Natural Heating Gas And How You Can Keep Warm This Winter.