Black leadership is on the rise - from the White House to corporate giants like Xerox Corp. In progressive Oregon, however, blacks currently hold no elected positions in the city, county or regional governments within the metropolitan area where most of their community resides. These political disparities are more than matched by economic, social, health and education disparities that have left black Oregonians impoverished.

Charles McGee and Johnell Bell, co-founders of the Black Parent Initiative, believe the time has come for this to change.

 Wednesday Morning Talk Radio
 Hosted by Marianne Barisonek

Today's guests are Greg Craven, author of "What's the Worst That Could Happen" and Dr. Christina Hulbe, Associate Professor of Geology at Portland State University. Today's topic is all about Climate Change.   

 The Abe and Joe Talk Radio Show
 Hosted by Abe Proctor and Joe Uris

Abe is on vacation today, so Joe Uris invites callers to share thoughts on the Health Care debate, Government programs in general, the Insurance industry, the War in Afghanistan, the Bush era Torture debacle, and the lack of Activism in these trying times.

Portland may be a green city, but some of its school children are breathing air more like the polluted skies of Cleveland. A  USA Today study found six of our city's schools in northwest and north/northeast Portland among the worst in the nation for exposing children to airborn toxins. Benzine, a carcinogen found in gasoline, exceeds DEQ safety standards by 26 percent. Frustrated with lack of action by state regulators, parents of children in some of the mot impacted schools are organizing the community.

 Marianne Barisonek interviews Chris Hedges about his new book, Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle.

 Wednesday Morning Talk Radio Guest Host Chris Andreae invites Tim Hermack, President and founder of the Native Forest Council in to KBOO to talk about the Greenwashing of America.