Controversy at the Library!

Indianapolis Recorder reporter Breanna Cooper has been covering claims of discrimination and calls for change at the Indianapolis Public Library. The allegations include racism particularly against Black Women in various levels of leadership…along with claims of discrimination to staff and guests of other races. This all first exploded at a virtual board meeting last month and since then there have been calls from union members and library staff for a change in library leadership.

Breanna Cooper from the Indianapolis Recorder joins us on our live line this morning to explain what’s going on and what the library is saying.

READ BREANNA'S REPORTING HERE: https://indianapolisrecorder.com/author/breanna-cooper/




7-House and ArtWay hosts PardiWay on Thursday

It is Pardi Week in Indianapolis! We’ve told you about the big Garden Pardi our friends at Be Nimble are hosting this Saturday. The proceeds of that event help fund start-up companies for Black business owners in Indianapolis. Leadring up to that sold out event is week of events for you to visit.

There was a black-owned clothing summit last night…today is “Sunday Funday” with Wine, Music and Food tasting today from 2 to 5 pm. Friday features a Pop-up Sip and Shop with local business owners showcasing their music, food, fashion and more.

But before that on Thursday is PardiWay The Festival it’s a collaborative art show but with a twist. From 7pm until 11…organizers from the organization 7-House and ArtWay will host PardiWay featuring visual artists, creatives who are fashion oriented as well as culinary artists all under one roof while hearing your favorite hip-hop and R&B music. If you like art, food, fashion or music, PardiWay is where you need to be Thursday Night!

Joining us on the Live Line this morning is Kenny Walton, he is the Founder of 7-House and ArtWay. Also on the line is Co-Founder Grant Simms, and Director of Marketing and Entertainment Dymond Spells.

LEARN MORE ABOUT "PARDIWAY THE FEST" HERE: https://pardiwaythefest.splashthat.com/

Controversy at The Indy Public Library; 7House & ArtWay hosts PardiWay 2021

We look at the proposed redistricting of Indiana and how where a simple line is drawn can change whether a Republican or Democrat is put into office.

The Redistricting and Gerrymandering of Indiana

Frequent radio show caller Larry Vaughn is running for Mayor of Indianapolis as a Democrat. He joins us for his first appearance on the show as a guest.

Then Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is well known as a radio talk show host and political commentator. Now he wants to be Mayor of Indianapolis. He explains his platform and what makes him a pro-choice moderate Republican, who is not voting for Donald Trump.

Larry Vaughn and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz - The race for Mayor of Indy

IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams spends an hour explaining what happens behind the scenes of an officer-involved shooting.

Deputy Chief Kendale Adams explains what happens after an officer-involved shooting

She dominated your TV for 21 years as the most-watched anchor in Indianapolis... until she disappeared from the evening news. Now in her first interview Andrea Morehead explains why she left her job and sued the TV station. She explains her claims of bullying, harassment and discrimination, and answers the question will she ever anchor another newscast in Indianapolis ever again?

Andrea Morehead explains why she quit the anchor desk and sued her former TV station

Indiana's Primary Election is coming up on May 7th. We learn about the Pike Township board race with candidate Demetrice Hicks who is running against Paul Woods for a seat on the board.

Plus Tevin Studdard is starting a new venture, this time in Children's books that feature faces from Indianapolis.

Previewing the Pike Township Board Race; Tevin Studdard publishes first set of children's books

On the morning of the Indy 500 B-Swift joins us live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He updates us on the Pacers and Racers fighting for big wins in Indy. Plus we dive into the issues and the cemetery that is jeopardizing the future of an MLS Stadium at the proposed 'Eleven Park.'

Pacers, Indy 500 Racers and Problems at 'Eleven Park'

We catch up with Nichelle Hayes, she an east sider for life, local business woman, librarian and community promoter. She brings up to speed on what's happening on Indy's East Side. Plus Jazmin Sanders from Indy Summer Learning Labs gives the details on where families can send their students for the summer - while providing a fun, free, and safe environment.

Catching Up with Indy's Nichelle Hayes and Indy Summer Learning Labs

Marion County Constable Denise Paul Hatch is in jail facing several felony charges for Official Misconduct, assisting a criminal, and misdemeanors for theft and carrying a hand gun. While her deputies are not denying her missteps, they say the punishment is overkill.

Constable Denise Paul Hatch is in jail: Why here deputies say it's overkill

With Election Day 85 days away, We explore the difference between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump.

The Difference Between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

John Girton from Martin University tells us about their "Empower The Vote Event on September 29, 2024.

Empower The Vote: Countdown to Election Day

Whitley Yates and Samantha Douglas join Cameron to talk Indiana Politics on the Sunday Morning before Election Day.

Whitley Yates and Samantha Douglas Debate Indiana Politics

Dr. Nicole Carey shares ways to address a Maternal Wellness in Marion County.

Open Lines with Cameron Ridle

Larry Smith of Father's and Family Center tell us what the organization has to offer Father's in Indiana.

Father's and Family Center helping Indiana Dads

Greg Meriweather joins us to talk economics, the power of the Black dollar, vote and decisions. 

The Power of The Black Dollar, Vote and Decision

An Hour of Open Lines

Shannon Williams from the Mind Trust explains the battle between Indianapolis Public Schools and The Indianapolis Public Charter Schools.

The Mind Trust explains the IPS District Vs Public Charter School Battle

After The President's Address to Congress callers sound off on the current state of our nation.

The State of Our Nation

Dr. Aleesia Johnson joins us for the first time on Open Lines. She comes to the show as she is in a battle for funding at the Statehouse. She explains the Us VS Them fight between IPS Schools and Indianapolis Charter Schools.

IPS's Dr. Aleesia Johnson explains the "IPS Vs Charter School" Fight

Monica Shellhamer, 2nd Vice President of the Indianapolis Education Association explains why teachers will be wearing red and showing up to the Statehouse on April 14, 2025.

Indiana Teachers Head to the Statehouse

Free Information is being defunded. Indianapolis public radio and TV stations are losing their state funding as President Trump is also cutting off federal funding for stations. We discuss the role of "public media" as the free information continues to be shut off.

Meet The Media: Indiana's Public Radio and TV stations are in big trouble

Continued Conversation: Indiana's Public Media Stations to lose government funding

We cover the latest in Indianapolis, The Indiana Statehouse, The White House and even the WNBA.

What's the plan for right now?

We spend the hour with callers as we react to the news of the week.

We take listener calls for an hour of Open Lines

An Hour of Open Lines - What's On Your Mind

Updates from IMPD Chief Chris Bailey after curfew quiets downtown

Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson says 3 members of the Pike Township aren't showing up for work, in turn stopping the township government from conducting its business.

Pike Twp. Trustee Annette Johnson says Board Members are holding the township's business hostage

We review a week of headlines following a mass shooting in Minneapolis, The Latest on Trump, Media Consolidation and a curfew in Indianapolis. 

Labor Day Edition of Open Lines

A Pike High School teacher anonymously shares their story of what's going on inside the school with regards to COVID safety measures. Their responses may shock you. Also, local labor attorney Amber Boyd-Moorman shares tips on what employees can do to advocate for themselves.

Open Lines October 4, 2020

"Open Lines with Cameron Ridle" airs LIVE Sunday Mornings at 8AM on 106.7 WTLC-FM and HOT 100.9 WHHH-FM Indianapolis.

Open Lines with Cameron Ridle

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