Main Street Speaks

For this last episode before the new year, we speak about some of the most memorable conversations we have had with local organizers, community leaders, and other rural students like ourselves.  Help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings, and engaging with us on Twitter and Facebook. We also love hearing from our listeners, so feel free to email us with any comments or questions at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com.

In this part of our rural education series, Tahi speaks with two school board members, Iris Lane of Westmorland and Gayle Sterrett of Northumberland. Through their experiences, we explore topics such as school board funding, politics, and responsibilities.  Help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings, and engaging with us on social media. We also love hearing from our listeners, so feel free to email us with any comments or questions at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com

This episode features the first half of our conversation about rural schools. We speak about teachers, college readiness, and student mental health. Tune in next time for the second half, where we'll discuss funding, school boards, and racial equity.  Help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings, and engaging with us on social media. We love to hear from you-- email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. 

For this episode, Denzel spoke with Robin Schick, the first female mayor of Colonial Beach, VA. Denzel and Mayor Schick spoke about growing up in a small town, her experience transferring to the University of Virginia, her time in the Peace Corps, and why she came back to serve her community. You can follow Mayor Schick on Facebook at Robin4CB.  Subscribe, Rate, Comment, Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com!

In this episode, we reflect on the recent presidential and congressional elections. With some in-depth analysis and a touch of our own opinions, we informally discuss how the Northern Neck voted and what this means for our communities. 

In this episode, Tahi speaks with Lesley Newman about travelling around the world and returning to the Northern Neck, politics and "wearing purple", environmentalism and citizen science, and belonging and identity.  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. Enjoy!

In this episode, we hear from students from the Northern Neck attending universities across Virginia-- their difficulties, perspectives, thoughts about hometown support, and rural identity. Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com.

We're taking a week to prepare for our upcoming new series. Stay tuned for the series' first episode next week! Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com.

In this episode, Avery speaks with local author, Alec Ream, about his new novel "Canterbury 2020". The 'pre apocalyptic tragic comedy' explores one character's journey with themes such as division and fear amidst the Y2K scare. Our conversation helps give insight into the novel and the ways we can learn from it today.  To purchase the novel, you can use the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Canterbury-2020-Book-Morning-Evening-ebook/dp/B08HJMRCWB Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com.  Enjoy!

Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer running against Rob Wittman for the congressional seat of Virginia's First District. We speak with him about policing, rural broadband, dealing with attack ads, why he decided to run, and how he'll be accessible to constituents if elected.  You can learn more about Mr. Rashid's campaign at rashidforva.com. Help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Today, Denzel speaks with local artist Alvaro Ibanez about his journey from Colombia to the Northern Neck, and about the A-Ibanez Art Museum and Gallery that he and his wife Denise DeVries are currently running in Northumberland County, Virginia.  To learn more about the the A-Ibanez museum visit their website or Facebook page. Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook and Twitter, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. Enjoy! 

Today we speak with the Brian Cannon, the Executive Director of Fair Maps Virginia, about why Virginians should vote in favor of Constitutional Amendment 1. If a majority of Virginians vote in favor of this amendment, it will implement an independent redistricting commission in Virginia which could help curb partisan gerrymandering.  Follow Brian Cannon on Twitter at @BrianRCannon Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and  comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter  @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel  free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. Enjoy!

In this episode, Tahi speaks with Sarah Henry about growing up in a different rural area before moving to the Northern Neck, whether there are issues that transcend different kinds of rural places, the challenges of education in rural communities, tourism, history, and the idea of home. Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook (Main Street Speaks) and Twitter (@mainstspeaks), and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com. Enjoy!

For this episode we discuss the criminal justice debate between Qasim Rashid and Rob Wittman, who are fighting to be elected to represent Virginia’s first congressional district.  Watch full debate here: https://fredericksburg.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/watch-now-wittman-rashid-debate-criminal-justice-issues-in-virginias-1st-district-congressional-race/article_08479317-f5f6-5c93-8250-7ed343e29c07.html Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.  Enjoy!

In this episode, we announce a new project initiative of Main Street Speaks. We'll be back next week with another episode! Please help our podcast grow by subscribing, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and Twitter @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, Please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

Today we spoke with two local young activist, LaKaia Shelton and Briauna Smith, about how they organized a 300-person Black Lives Matter march in Tapphannock, Virginia, and about the difference between organizing in rural versus urban areas. We also spoke with them about their experiences with racism and what young people should be doing to make their voices heard.  Follow LaKaia Shelton on Intagram: lakaiamonet and Facebook: LaKaia Shelton Follow Briauna Smith on Instagram: itbriau and Facebook: Briauna Smith Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.  Enjoy!

For this episode we speak with Eddie Oliver, the Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, about food insecurity across the state of Virginia. Mr. Oliver not only shared with us his knowledge about the unique challenges that food insecure families face in the both the rural and urban parts of the state, but also gave us insight about what the Federation of Virginia Food Banks does to advocate for policies that would help these food insecure families beyond putting food on their tables.  CORRECTION: In this episode it was stated that TANF is the same as SNAP. These are two separate programs.    Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy! 

For this episode we continue our conversation about race relations in the Northern Neck and across the country by discussing how race plays a role in healthcare and interracial relationships. We also provide an update on the campaign to implement a community review board in Northumberland County, Virginia. Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,   and sharing with friends and family.  Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy! 

Today we talk with local organizer Reggie Carter about the campaign he is leading to remove the confederate monument in Tappahannock, Virginia. We also talk about the myths of voter fraud. Follow Reggie on Instagram @hey_mistacarter and Facebook at reggiemr.carter and watch the trailer for the documentary he is making about the Black Lives Matter rally in Tappahannock here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz9SvTJk9xg.  To find out more about the confederate monument in Tappahannock, Virginia, visit this webiste: https://essexmonument.com/. And to follow the campaign to take the monument down by following the Northern Neck Youth Resilience Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/nnkyouthresilience and Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/nnkyouthresilience/.  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,   and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email  us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this episode we ask pastor, teacher, and local organizer Rev. Linwood Blizzard about his experience with racism in rural America and talk about what you can do to help remove the confederate monument in Tappahannock, Virginia. Campaign to take down Confederate Monument Week of Action Information: July 28- CALL ESSEX BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, July 29- EMAIL ESSEX BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, and July 30-31- Take a picture at Confederate Monument Tagging nnkyouthresilience and the Rappahannock Times. Stay up-to-date by following the Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/nnkyouthresilience and Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/nnkyouthresilience/. Also find out more about the Confederate Monument at https://essexmonument.com/ Petition to Change the Name of Washington and Lee High School: http://chng.it/z6HqdRDRSk Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this episode we discuss some key takeaways from a conversation we attended about interracial relations in the Northern Neck of Virginia and across the country. Some topics we discuss include how race plays a role in small business development, religion, and education.  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this episode we talk about the new Virginia state laws such as new state gun reform measures, new state minimum wage increases, and new state LGBTQ+ civil rights protections. We also talk about some local and state news such as the Marcus David Peters Community Day which took place in Tappahannock, Virginia last Saturday. To sign the petition to remove the confederate monument in Tappahannock, Virginia visit this website here: https://essexmonument.com/get-involved and to sign the petition to implement the Marcus Alert System visit this website here: https://www.change.org/p/richmond-city-council-and-mayor-stoney-you-must-enact-the-marcus-alert-and-civilian-oversight-of-rpd Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks, and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this short episode we share a little bit more about who we are and talk about why we started this podcast!  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this episode we talk about the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural communities such as the Northern Neck of Virginia. We also talk about the politicization of masks, the European Union’s recent travel ban on Americans, and some local and state news.  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

For this episode we talk about the backgrounds and platforms of the Virginia U.S. Senate Republican Primary Candidates and the Congressional District 1 Democratic Primary Candidates. We also talk about some local and state news, how to vote in the primaries and general election amid COVID-19, and how to learn more about the candidates mentioned in this episode. For more information on voting in Virginia visit the Virginia Department of Elections Website Here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/. And to learn more about the candidates, you can visit their individual websites and/or watch one of the candidate forums; all of which will be listed below:  Congressional District 1 Democratic Primary Candidate Information  Congressional District 1 Democratic Primary Candidates Forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqBP5wH4AiI Quasim Rashid's Website: https://rashidforva.com/ Vangie Williams Website: https://vangieforcongress.com/ U.S. Senate Republican Primary Candidate Information  U.S. Senate Republican Primary Candidates Forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqKAreSRrJg&list=PLaE7G44osc5DQH6n5w9kTArR8xvixG1lk Alissa Baldwin's Website: https://www.alissabaldwin.com/ Daniel Gade's Website: https://gadeforvirginia.com/ Thomas Speciale's Website: https://thomasspeciale.com/ Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!

On  this episode, we talk about the protests and calls for reform that have  been occurring in the Northern Neck of Virginia and around the world, in  light of the death of George Floyd. We also talk about some local news,  our elected officials' responses, and the importance of voting in  primaries.  Please help our podcast grow by subscribing to the podcast, leaving ratings and comments, following us on Facebook at Main Street Speaks and twitter @mainstspeaks,  and sharing with friends and family. Also, please feel free to email us  at mainstreetspeaks@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Enjoy!