On this episode of Fort Wayne Up Close, we welcomes Links Inc. with Angela Collins, Chapter President, and Jessica Golden, Health and Human Services Chair. Together they share how their organization continues to serve the community by providing valuable programs, resources, and outreach focused on improving the health and well-being of families. The conversation also highlights the upcoming Black Family Wellness Expo 2026, happening Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Renaissance Pointe YMCA. This community-focused event is designed to promote healthier lifestyles, connect families with important health resources, and provide information that empowers individuals to make positive choices for their physical and mental well-being. Viewers will learn about the mission behind the event, the impact of community partnerships, and why initiatives like this are essential for strengthening families and neighborhoods across Fort Wayne. Join us as we spotlight the people and organizations working to uplift and support our community. #FortWayneUpClose #BlackFamilyWellness #CommunityHealth

On this episode of Fort Wayne Up Close, host JJ Foster welcomes Tracey Hanton for a conversation that highlights both community impact and entrepreneurship. Tracey shares about her work with the YouthBuild program, where she helps empower young people through education, skill-building, leadership development, and hands-on opportunities that prepare them for brighter futures. She discusses the importance of guidance, structure, and belief in helping youth discover their potential and direction. In addition, Tracey opens up about her entrepreneurial journey as the founder of Praiseworthy Candles, where creativity meets purpose. She talks about how candle making became more than a business — it became a ministry, a form of expression, and a way to inspire others. This episode blends mentorship, entrepreneurship, and faith-driven purpose — showing how one leader can impact both young lives and the business community at the same time. Contact information: www.praiseworthycandles.com www.fwha.org/youthbuild

In the powerful conclusion of the 2026 Fair Housing Series, Fort Wayne Up Close presents Part 4: Shame of the Nation — We Found the Enemy, and It Is Not Us. Host JJ Foster is joined by Linda Golden, Tamesha Fikes, and Travis Pope for a bold and reflective conversation that brings the entire series full circle. This final installment examines how discriminatory housing practices were not accidental, but systemic—embedded in policies, institutions, and power structures that shaped generations of inequality. The discussion challenges the narrative that communities are to blame for disparities created by redlining, restrictive covenants, predatory lending, and unequal access to opportunity. Instead, the panel explores how understanding the true roots of injustice empowers communities to shift from blame to action, from division to strategy. This finale moves from history to responsibility—asking what accountability looks like today and how communities can advocate for equity, ownership, and fair housing protections moving forward. The series may be ending, but the work continues.

On this episode of Fort Wayne Up Close, host JJ Foster with Sondra Brooks a Community Advocate continues the compelling four-part Fair Housing Series with Part 3 of The Shame of Chicago documentary discussion. This installment focuses on Episode 3: “A Million in Captivity,” which explores how deliberate choices in policy and planning created vast spatial and economic divides between Black and white communities in Chicago during the late 1950s and 1960s. The episode examines how efforts to keep neighborhoods segregated resulted in concentrated poverty and limited access to wealth-building opportunities for Black families, while government subsidies and investment flowed outward to suburban development. In this conversation, our local leaders break down the historical context and connect it to current housing disparities facing communities today. Listeners will gain insight into how past decisions continue to shape access to opportunity and what fair housing means in a modern context.

On this episode of Fort Wayne Up Close, host E-Fikes welcomes Jason Robison and Greg Copeland, two members of the dynamic comedy crew Jacket Boyz, to talk about their upcoming event presented by Elephant In The Room. Get ready for a night of big laughs and high energy as they host a comedy showcase on February 21st at The Chateau on Broadway (2441 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN). Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the show kicks off at 8:00 PM. The evening will feature local comedians alongside special guest comedians from out of town—bringing fresh perspectives and nonstop entertainment to the stage. This episode highlights the growing comedy scene in Fort Wayne and the importance of supporting local talent. Come out, bring your friends, and show love to the artists making our city laugh. It’s going to be a night you don’t want to miss!

Two comedians masterfully sell tickets for their show in real-time. Hear their hilarious pitch and see the immediate impact. Don't miss the Chateau on Broadway this weekend! #ComedyShow #LivePerformance #StandUpComedy #TicketSales #JacketBoys

In Part 2 of our four-part Fair Housing Series, The Shame of Chicago continues the urgent examination of how contract sales, redlining, and discriminatory housing policies devastated Black communities and widened Chicago’s racial wealth gap. Hosted by J.J. Foster, this episode welcomes James Scott and Gralan Early to further unpack the long-term consequences of predatory real estate practices. Together, they go deeper into how systemic housing discrimination didn’t just harm one generation—it reshaped entire neighborhoods, limited access to homeownership, and stalled generational wealth building for Black families. This conversation moves beyond the historical framework introduced in Part 1 and focuses on the lasting structural impact still affecting housing access, lending practices, property values, and economic mobility today. Why does Chicago remain a national symbol of housing injustice? And what must change to close the racial wealth gap? 📌 This is Part 2 of a 4-part series exploring housing discrimination, economic justice, and fair housing reform. 👉 Like, share, and subscribe to stay connected as we continue this critical conversation on equity, accountability, and opportunity.

In Part 1 of our four-part Fair Housing Series, The Shame of Chicago confronts the devastating impact of contract sales, redlining, and discriminatory housing policies that systematically harmed Black families and widened Chicago’s racial wealth gap—with ripple effects still felt today. Hosted by J.J. Foster, this episode features Tamesha Fikes, a powerful voice in housing equity and community advocacy, as they break down how predatory real estate practices stripped generations of Black families of wealth, stability, and opportunity. Together, they explore the historical roots of housing discrimination, how these policies were legally enforced, and why Chicago became a national symbol of housing injustice. This conversation sets the foundation for understanding why fair housing is not just a historical issue—but a present-day crisis affecting economic mobility, neighborhood stability, and generational wealth in Black communities. 🔹 Topics Covered: • Contract sales and housing exploitation • Systemic discrimination in Chicago’s housing market • The racial wealth gap and its long-term consequences • Why fair housing remains a national issue 📌 This episode is Part 1 of a 4-part series examining the Shame of Chicago and its connection to housing injustice across the nation. 👉 Like, share, and subscribe to stay connected as we continue this critical conversation on fair housing, equity, and accountability.