Community Focus: Recent Episodes

WKAF-FM

97.7 is proud to present Community Focus. Community Focus is a public affairs program hosted by one of Boston's community leaders, Darnell Williams. Mr. Williams is President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization providing services and programs in education, career and personal development and employment for African-Americans and other residents of color. Mr. Williams is well-known to and often assists other culturally diverse organizations beyond African Americans. Prior to joining the Urban League, Mr. Williams was Manager of Management Recruitment and Development at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) as well as a Diversity Consultant in private practice.

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Recorded 12/12/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (59:51)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Julietta Mayers – Author/Inspirational Speaker

Charity Everett – Creative Technologist, Story Teller, Inventor

  • Core Values

  • Transitioning from other countries into the US.

  • Desires to succeed

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Engaging, Networking, Inclusion & Delegation.

  • Leadership

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Recorded 12/5/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:15)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : David Carruthers – Author, Inspirational Motivator

  • Growing Up in Dual Cultures

  • Societial Inconfidence

  • Cultural Bondage, Consciousness & Faith

  • Writing & Publishing Books

  • David’s Books – Kill Our Giants, Reactors: Why You Do What You Do, You’re Such A Liar, 30 Days of Real.

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12/2/18 Community Focus Notes

Recorded 11/28/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:14)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Gazmine (GiGi) Mason – Olympic Bowling Champion

Wilbur Brown – Founder of TRS (Transitional Remedies Soulution)

  • Bowling on Team USA

  • Importance of being Consistent & Persistent

  • PWBA Tournament Spring 2019

  • TRS Helping people after Crisis

  • Psychological First Aid / Social Groups

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11/25/18 Community Focus Notes

Recorded 11/11/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:19)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Brent S Harding

Brent’s Work Background & Work History

  • Today’s Economy

  • Credit & Debt

  • Building Wealth / Wealth Warriors

  • Generational Wealth

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Recorded 10/31/18
Host: Dr. Darnell Williams
Runtime (1:00:15)
Producer: Ron Furr
Guests : Rev. Ellis Washington – St Paul AME Church Cambridge
Denise Kaigler – MDK Brand Management
•National Elections
•African American Woman Making History Nationwide in Politics
•Voter Oppression
•Teaching History to today’s Youth
•Learning personal Brands & Professional Goals

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9/30/18 Community Focus Notes

Recorded 9/26/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:15)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Rachel Rollins - Democratic Canidate for Suffolk County DA

Anthony Benoit – Presdent of Benjamin Franklin Institute of Tech

  • DA Challenges

  • Petty Offenses

  • Resitivism

  • Education, Housing, Jobs & Resources

  • Wealth & Race Disparities

  • Training Employer Ready Students

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Recorded 8/29/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:28)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Evandro Carvallo - Mass State Representative/ Suffolk County D.A. Canidate

  • Loss Of John McCain

  • Early Influences

  • Black Excellence

  • Obama’s Influence

  • America Going Forward

  • Expongement / Mandatory Minimums

  • Suffolk County DA Race

  • Boston Police Relationship with the DA Office

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Recorded 8/22/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:05:57)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests : Anthony Walrond - Woodbine

Liz Miranda – State Representative Nominee

Linda Champion – Suffolk County DA Nominee

  • Recent happenings in Washington

  • Housing in the Boston Communities

  • Homelessness & Drug Dependency

  • Problems around the Mass Ave Exit

  • Cannibus Regulations

  • Small Businesses

  • Inspirations & Voting

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8/5/18 Community Focus Notes

Recorded 7/18/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (1:00:23)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guest 1: Robert D’Savio – President Encore Boston Harbor/Wynn Resort Everett

  • Hospitality Industry & Services

  • Destination & Gaming Resorts

  • Infrastructure, T-Stops & Water Shuttles

  • Career Opportunities, Dealer Schools & Scholarships

Guest 2 : Shannon McAuliffe – Suffolk DA Canidate

  • Background as Public Defender

  • Elimination of Mandatory Minimums (Low Level Drug Offenses)

  • Community Policing

  • Opiod Crisis

  • Breaking The Pipeline to Prison

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7/29/18 Community Focus

Recorded 7/25/18

Host: Dr. Darnell Williams

Runtime (59:56)

Producer: Ron Furr

Guests: -Wilton Devon Baker – President of the Morehouse Alumni Association &

James O. Morton –President/CEO Greater Boston YMCA

Subject:

  • House on the Vinyard Gala

  • Charity Work the Boston YMCA is part of.

  • Teen Memberships and the effect on the Community

  • Commissioner Gross’s induction and BPD’s Relationship with the YMCA

  • STEM Training & Literacy Day Camp Oppertunities

  • BPD’s Day Camp Initiative and Achievements

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Darnell speaks with guest Tanisha Sullivan, President Boston NAACPTOPICS OF DISCUSSIONWhy did you decide to work with the NAACP?Branch Leadership ChallengesWhat’s the difference between NAACP & Urban LeagueHow do both organizations work together?Volunteer WorkPipeline To LeadershipThe Gift of CollaborationExplanation of Branches/JurisdictionBody/Dash cams in DMR (Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury)Problem of Unsolved HomicidesAttack on Black Women/Men Nationwide IssuesBodycam ExpansionRelevence of UL&NAHas Boston changed much since 1973?Recent Fenway Park IncidentSystemic and Structural Racism Discussion

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Darnell Williams speaks with guest Rev. Tracy Jackson Antoine from the office on Violence Against Women.TOPICS OF DISCUSSIONExplanation of organizationEducation offerings of non profit organizationHow the organization works with womenHow Tracy got involvedExposure at White House and in Washington DCPartnership between org and Urban LeagueDifference between VICTIM & SURVIVORThe effects of Silence in abusive relationshipVarious Stages:DenialShameNot In ControlFearEconomicsPower /ControlDomestic/Sexual Violence In The HomeShifting Cultural NormsCommunity Education/ChurchesChanging BehaviorsPrevention/Intervention/Help Available for victims and abusersOffering of Safety TipsBelieving The VictimConfidentialityOutreach w/Boston Police DepartmentCultural Humility/Understanding

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Host Darnell L. Williams, President and CEO of Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts speaks with Massachusetts State Representative Aaron Michlewitz about expanded background checks for drivers in the transportation sector. Topics:The removal of drivers from car service jobs (Uber/Lyft/Sidecar)Transportation Network CompaniesEconomic Effects of Removed DriversBackground ChecksThe debate over fingerprintingBoston Cab CompaniesPublic Safety Issues regarding drivers with past recordsThe Department of Public Utilities