Next Generation Leaders: Young Voices Shaping Change

Second Chances: The Cost of a Record

In this edition of Real Conversations in the QC, the cast took a closer look at second chances and the cost of having a criminal record. In this series: * Jasmine Butler spoke with Dwayne Hodges, a local business owner who once served time. He shared his story about the return to the community and how he navigated the challenges of reentry. * Tim Stinson sat down with Rev. Dr. Dwight Ford of ProjectNOW, to detail the effects of incarceration and what the community can do to help the formerly incarcerated rejoin society * Theresa Bryant spoke with Monica White, who was sentenced to life in federal prison then had her sentence commuted by former President Barack Obama. White discussed her journey, drug law disparities and how her sentence was commuted. * Tracy Singleton sat down with two men whose lives were impacted by past mistakes * Stan Knight volunteered to coach and mentor local youth athletes but had it all taken away due to a past mistake * Ty Stone detailed how a pilot program to teach college courses in prison is giving him a second chance at life

Health Disparities: When Disease Doesn’t Discriminate but Healthcare Does

* Jasmine Butler sat down with Yolanda Graves-Jefferson, a sickle-cell advocate, and Cheryl Easley of ImpactLife to discuss what sickle-cell is and the importance of community support and education * Tim Stinson spoke with Jolean Overton Austin, a long time Quad Citizen, who, after suffering a life-threatening heart attack, set a new goal to advocate for heart health awareness * Theresa Bryant sat down with Lydia Harris, the executive director of the Bloom Project, to discuss Black maternal health, systemic issues Black women face in health care and the real world consequences

Breaking the Silence: Black Athletes Mental Health & the Pressure to Perform

In this edition of Real Conversations in the QC, the cast sat down with local coaches and athletes about the pressure to perform as a person of color. * Kaila Paige sat down with Keyvan Rudd, a wide receiver for the Quad City Steamwheelers * Tim Stinson spoke with Julian Vandervelde about his path from Davenport Central to Iowa, then on to the NFL * Jasmine Butler sat down with three area coaches: Marc Polite, Jarrin Williams and Alana Warren * Theresa Bryant spoke with O’Ryan Rowe, a local high school basketball player and his mother Amber Bruce

Next Generation Leaders: Young Voices Shaping Change

In the February edition of Real Conversations in the QC, the cast spoke with young voices in the Quad Cities area that are shaping change. * Tim Stinson spoke with Essence Wilmington who is making an impact in the community through her ownership of a dance academy * Jasmine Butler sat down with Isaiah Overton, a nonprofit leader who is making a difference through the Hustle U program https://www.kwqc.com/2026/01/29/next-generation-leaders-young-voices-shaping-change/ [https://www.kwqc.com/2026/01/29/next-generation-leaders-young-voices-shaping-change/]

The Side Hustle Economy: Building Wealth Beyond the 9-5

In the January edition of Real Conversations in the QC, the cast discussed how people are building multiple streams of revenue to create generational wealth through nontraditional paths.