Sticky Note Conversations

Welcome back to Sticky Note Conversations! In this touching episode, Erika speaks with Mayor Kelly Garrett, the first African American mayor of Lathrup Village, Mi. Kelly shares her journey of resilience after the tragic loss of her son Chandler, who passed away from sickle cell anemia. They discuss how Kelly has made impactful changes in her community, secured millions in funding, and established a scholarship in Chandler's memory. Kelly also talks about her experiences in public service, the challenges of being a Black woman in leadership, and the importance of paving the way for the next generation in politics. Join Erica and Kelly for an inspiring conversation about grief, love, and the power of community.
  • (00:00) - Introduction to Sticky Note Conversations
  • (00:46) - Meet Kelly Garrett: A Trailblazing Mayor
  • (01:40) - A Heartfelt Reunion and Personal Reflections
  • (02:52) - Coping with Loss: Kelly's Journey After Chandler
  • (10:09) - Chandler's Legacy: The Memorial Scholarship
  • (14:52) - Kelly's Role as Mayor of Lathrup Village
  • (17:51) - Challenges and Achievements in Public Service
  • (23:37) - The Importance of Succession Planning in Politics
  • (31:26) - Disappointment in Current Representation
  • (32:05) - Challenges of Representing Diverse Communities
  • (32:56) - The Importance of Genuine Representation
  • (33:55) - Donate at makeitworknevada.org
  • (35:02) - Considering a Political Run
  • (43:20) - Debating Term Limits and Political Effectiveness
  • (49:15) - The State of American Democracy
  • (54:14) - The American Dream and Personal Motivation
  • (01:00:31) - The Joy of Saying No
  • (01:00:53) - Conclusion and Credits

Creators and Guests

Producer
Erika Washington
SE
Editor
Simone Endress
WB
Composer
Wil Black

What is Sticky Note Conversations?

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them.
Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.