Youth & Justice: Bridging Gaps in the System with Judge McLeod

Feeding Our People: SNAP Delays in the U.S. & Relief for Jamaica

Ep. 8 If you can spare a meal, a minute, or your voice — please listen. Families in the U.S. and in Jamaica are hurting right now, and we need each other more than ever. On this episode of The Stir 716, we dig into what’s really happening on the ground. SNAP benefits have already been delayed, and millions of families across America are struggling to keep food on the table. We’re seeing it in grocery stores, in schools, at food pantries, and in the lives of people we know personally. We talk about how political gridlock and leadership disconnected from everyday people are forcing communities to carry the burden. Hunger didn’t just happen — it was caused by decisions made by people who don’t feel the consequences. We share the heartbreak of watching the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica — a place where our families live, where our roots are deep, and where recovery is slow and painful. People are displaced, without basic resources, and praying that help comes fast. We need responsible aid, accurate information, and real solidarity. 🔑 In this conversation, we explore: * SNAP delays as the Government shutdown enters its second month. * How food insecurity is spreading across households, schools, and neighborhoods * Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica and why correct historical context matters * How food, housing, education, and healthcare are tied to community health * Why community power and policy change are the only way forward 💬 Some of the words we stand on: * “The voice of the people needs to be the loudest voice in your ear.” — Tasha * “You can tell a lot about a civilization by how they treat the elderly and the children.” — Kim * “Until it touches their lives, nothing changes. That’s why community pressure matters.” — The Doc If you can help right now: * Donate to local food banks and trusted Jamaica relief efforts * Volunteer with distribution and meal programs: https://www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/findfood/ [https://www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/findfood/] * https://211lifeline.org [https://211lifeline.org] * https://rcwny.org/services/outdoor-food-pantry/ [https://rcwny.org/services/outdoor-food-pantry/] * Call your elected officials and demand immediate action Share this episode to bring awareness to those who can make a difference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Beyond Pink Ribbons: How Her Faith Kept Sadie Strong

Ep. 7 What happens when a breast cancer survivor turns her pain into purpose? On this week’s episode of The Stir 716, hosts Natasha, Ms. T the Spark, and Cool Cousin Kim sit down with Sadie Sanford, founder of the Sadie Strong Project and president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, to talk faith, resilience, and the power of sisterhood 💕 Sadie shares how her unexpected diagnosis reshaped her life — from fighting for her health to fighting for every woman’s right to early detection, education, and support. This heartfelt conversation shines a light on the healthcare disparities facing Black women and reminds us that you can’t pour from an empty cup. 💪🏾 In This Episode: * How faith and family fueled Sadie’s fight * Why early detection saves lives * The reality of healthcare disparities for Black women * How community and sisterhood build strength in recovery 💻 Resources Mentioned: * Sadie Strong Project [https://sadiestrong.org] — Awareness, education & empowerment for women battling breast cancer * Delta Sigma Theta Sorority — Sisterhood, scholarship & service * The Chi — A powerful TV show highlighting community and healing themes 🎧 Press play for an episode that will leave you inspired, informed, and reminded that with faith and community, no battle is fought alone. #TheStir716 #SadieStrong #BreastCancerAwareness #FaithOverFear #DeltaSigmaTheta #WomenSupportingWomen #HealingInCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

From 9/11 Tragedy to Sudden Wealth + Leadership: A Teen Survivor’s Story

Ep. 6 “The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous.” In Part 2 of this moving conversation, Dr. Miles Travis Boyd Jr. reflects on life after losing his mother in the September 11 attacks—navigating grief, systemic injustice, and sudden wealth he wasn’t prepared to manage. At just 16 years old, he discovered he had access to over $1.4 million, but no one had ever taught him about budgeting, saving, or credit. Dr. Boyd’s testimony is both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope—showing that even when the money fades, God’s purpose remains. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💰 Why money without financial literacy can quickly vanish 🧾 The hidden costs of wealth and the lessons he learned the hard way 🙌 How faith, humility, and work helped him rebuild after hitting rock bottom 🌱 Why teaching financial literacy in our communities is a form of justice and empowerment 👤 About the Guest: Dr. Miles Travis Boyd Jr. is the senior pastor of Sharon Baptist Church in the South Bronx, New York City. A survivor of personal tragedy, he lost his mother in the September 11th attacks at just 12 years old. Today, he leads with a vision of faith, justice, and healing—building community programs, authoring a book about his journey, and serving as a voice of resilience and hope for his congregation and beyond. 🔗 Resources & Links: www.sbcbronx.com [http://www.sbcbronx.com/] Watch this interview: The Stir 716 Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thestir716/videos] The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federal program created to provide financial support to individuals injured or killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks, including responders and survivors who later developed health conditions from exposure at Ground Zero. Originally established in 2001, the fund was strengthened by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which created the World Trade Center Health Program to provide medical monitoring and treatment. The fund was permanently reauthorized in 2019 through the Never Forget the Heroes Act, ensuring full funding for approved claims through 2092. Dr. Boyd reflects on the implicit inequality in compensation, revealing systemic biases where his settlement amounted to $999,999.99, suspiciously shy of the full million dollars and markedly less than others received. “The government gave us not a penny over to make it a million dollars.” Chapters: 0:00 – Mistaken Identity Sparks a Family Search 2:05 – A Child’s Hope Shines Through Loss 4:36 – Healing Trauma, Accepting the Past 8:21 – A Son’s Journey to Self-Discovery 10:08 – Rising Above Prejudice and Pain 12:24 – 9/11 Victim Compensation: Life-Changing Impact 13:31 – Fighting Systemic Racism in Legal Battles 16:47 – Family Sacrifices Amid Market Ups & Downs 20:54 – Hard Lessons in Money and Humility 28:04 – Faith, Resilience & Community Strength 34:59 – Honoring 9/11 with The Stir 716 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

9/11 Through a Child’s Eyes: Waiting for Mom to Come Home

Ep. 5 On September 11, 2001, 12-year-old Miles Travis Boyd’s world was shattered when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center—where his mother worked. In Part 1 of this conversation, Miles recounts the harrowing days and weeks he spent with his aunt and uncle, waiting and hoping for his mother’s return. His story pauses at a haunting moment: the phone call from a hospital saying they had found a woman with his mother’s name. This gripping first half lays the foundation for how grief would later call him into a life of faith, resilience, and leadership at the Sharon Baptist Church in the South Bronx, New York. 🔗 Resources & Links: www.sbcbronx.com Watch this interview: The Stir 716 Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thestir716/videos] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Youth & Justice: Bridging Gaps in the System with Judge McLeod

Ep. 4 What does it really take to move justice from punishment to opportunity? This week on The Stir 716 we are honored to sit down with Retired Judge James A.W. McLeod — a true trailblazer in Buffalo’s legal and community landscape. Not only is he the great-nephew of civil rights icon Mary McLeod Bethune, but over nearly five decades he’s broken barriers, from serving as the first African American outside New York City to be a confidential law clerk, to leading the Legal Aid Bureau Public Defender’s Office. From family court to Erie County court, Judge McLeod has dedicated his career to equity, youth rehabilitation, and mentorship — and in this conversation, he shares wisdom that every one of us can learn from. ✨ Why mentorship and education are key to breaking cycles of crime ✨ The urgent need for mental health and youth-focused programs ✨ How businesses and schools can partner to fuel Buffalo’s growth ✨ The systemic challenges of racial disparities in justice 🔑 “Businesses thrive when you have a well-educated city.” – James McLeod If you care about justice, equity, and the future of Buffalo, this episode is a must-listen.  🔗 Resources Mentioned: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness [https://youtu.be/WX6G0ICwJ1Q] by Michelle Alexander. Website: The Stir 716 [https://www.thestir716.com/] Follow us on IG @TheStir716 [https://www.instagram.com/thestir716/] LinkedIn: The Stir Seven One Six [http://www.linkedin.com/in/the-stir-seven-one-six-8a57a436a] Youtube: @TheStir716 [https://www.youtube.com/@Thestir716] About the Guest:  Retired Buffalo City Court Judge James A.W. McLeod is a distinguished jurist and community leader with a career spanning nearly five decades. Judge McLeod earned his law degree from the University at Buffalo and became only the second African American attorney hired by a major Buffalo law firm. He went on to break multiple barriers as the first African American to serve as Erie County’s Second Assistant County Attorney and to head the Buffalo/Erie County Legal Aid Bureau. Throughout his career, Judge McLeod served on the bench in Buffalo City Court, Family Court, and Erie County Court, earning recognition for his commitment to equity, mentorship, and community service. Beyond the courtroom, he has been active in organizations such as the NAACP, Buffalo Urban League, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, while also serving on numerous civic boards. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Welcome Judge James McLeod  3:00 What would you do as Mayor? 3:31 Revitalizing Buffalo Through Education and Business Collaboration 6:50 Business Tax 8:52 Why Did You Become a Lawyer? 9:40 Rising Crime Amongst Buffalo Youth 11:50 Reviving Community Involvement to Address Youth Challenges 14:59 Addressing Community Needs and Accountability in East Buffalo 17:41 Reducing Recidivism Through Education and Community Engagement 24:36 Generational Trauma and Evolving Respect in Youth 31:37 Encouraging Young Black Students to Pursue Careers in Law Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]