The Chavis Chronicles

Two guests, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the first Black woman to lead the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Brenda Mallory, 12th Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, join Dr. Chavis to discuss critical policies that are in place to help protect the health and environment of vulnerable communities.

Bibi Hidalgo, the first woman to serve as an Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration in the area of government contracting and business development joins Dr. Chavis along with Ron Busby, CEO of the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce. Hidalgo and Busby discuss new programs specifically created to help black and brown business owners secure government contracts.

Women's reproductive health and voting rights are once again at a critical point in history. Dr. Chavis talks with Marcela Howell, Pres. & CEO, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda. Howell talks about the historical contributions of Black women in the fight for voting rights that continues today and the looming threat of women losing hard won reproductive freedoms

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sits down for a one-on-one interview with Dr. Chavis to discuss the triumphs and defeats of the Biden-Harris administration, along with the greatest challenges for the presidency on the horizon.

Many changes have taken place in Missouri after the fatal shooting of African American teenager Michael Brown by a White police officer. Dr. Chavis talks to activist The Reverend Dr. Cassandra Gould about the on-going national debate between law enforcement officers, excessive use of force in the Black community and efforts to raise up a new generation of political leaders.

Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, President and CEO of Meharry Medical College, who sits on the FDA's vaccine advisory review board discusses the development and distribution of vaccines. Hildreth was also appointed to President Biden's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. He gives insights regarding the on-going distrust among many African Americans about the safety of the vaccines.

Lydia Pope, President National Association of Real Estate Brokers speaks with Dr Chavis about resources and challenges for Black home ownership. Then, Director Marcus Coleman of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships discusses how faith communities provide critical support for disaster relief assistance.

Kimberly Robinson, of the Wake-Robin Golf Club shares why golf is an excellent mix of advocacy and empowerment for women and girls of color. Also, approximately 10% of equity partnership with big development law firms and construction companies are with people of color. Attorney Lisa Colon gives insights on how young lawyers and developers of color can break into the industry

Dr. Chavis talks to Irene Gandy, a Tony award winning longtime Broadway producer about the increase in shows depicting stories about Black culture. In the broadcast arena, Black ownership of radio and TV stations is decreasing. James Winston, President and Executive Director of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters shares insights on what's causing the decline in ownership.

Ronald Mason, Jr., President of the University of the District of Columbia discusses why HBCUs could be one of the best paths African American college students can choose to reach the middle class and beyond. Researcher Dr. Sonya Horsford discusses how to combat racial inequality in K-12 schools.

Activists are intensifying their efforts in the fight against what they say are restrictive voting laws being enacted on the state level across the country. Dr. Chavis speaks with civil rights leader Benjamin Jealous, President of People For the America Way and former President of the NAACP about what's at stake for the future of voting rights in America.

Dr. Chavis welcomes Ron Busby - President and CEO of the US Black Chamber of Commerce to discuss the impact of the pandemic on Black-owned businesses. Ron also explains what measures are being taken to mitigate the financial disaster for Black entrepreneurs, and encourage Black business owners to utilize the many resources available to them.