Raising Kellan

In today's episode, I chat with Richard Massey, a community organizer and environmental advocate in the Memphis area who has worked on several environmental justice campaigns and is now the Data Center Accountability Manager for Young, Gifted & Green Timeline of our conversation: 1:52 What's the difference between Data Centers and A.I. Data Centers 3:00 Outcomes of the Memphis City Council Meeting on 10-20-26. 8:17 Are residential consumers subsidizing A.I. Data Centers' energy consumption? 10:15 The purpose of gas turbines at A.I. Data Centers and the impact on BoxTown residents respiratory health, per the American Lung Association. 13: 35 A.I. Data Center myth busters 16:23 Young Gifted and Green is coming to Dyersburg, TN on 11/7/26. We hope to see you there, and you can sign up at this link. bit.ly/dyerdata

In today’s episode, I chat with Matthew Dietz, a civil rights attorney and founder of Dislaw Consulting. Matt has spent more than thirty years advocating for people with disabilities. His litigation has advanced effective communication for Deaf people, challenged the unnecessary institutionalization of children with disabilities, and protected voting rights for people with disabilities. His work also addresses discrimination in housing, education, employment, healthcare, and access to community life. Matt began in private practice before bringing his legal work into Disability Independence Group, the nonprofit he founded to combine litigation, community education, and advocacy. He later served as professor and director of Nova Southeastern University’s Disability Inclusion and Advocacy Law Clinic, representing clients while teaching future lawyers to challenge exclusion and work alongside people with disabilities. Today, through Dislaw Consulting, he provides legal services, consulting, training, and expert assistance to individuals, families, organizations, and attorneys. Living with a stutter gives his advocacy a personal dimension. He joins us to discuss U.S. v. Florida and the fight to ensure children can grow up with their families with the nursing care and support they need Timeline of our conversation 1:00 Matthew (Matt) Dietz background as a disability rights lawyer. 2:54 Background and latest updates on the Florida lawsuit regarding the provision of home care to medically fragile children. 3:24 The journey of how the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially sued Florida to provide services to children and now the DOJ’s changed position in light of the Olmstead Opinion issued on June 18, 2026. 1 0:10 Implications of the Florida case conflated with the September 23, 2026, Texas vs. Kennedy ruling, which now applies to ALL states. 12:21 Investigative reporter Mike Hixenbaugh series on NBCDisabled and Denied calls for families impacted by Medicaid changes to contact them at the following link.12:44: The story of Amy and Sue Root, the faces behind the Florida lawsuit. 15:57 What brought about the changes to the DOJ position, and how this aligns with this administration's current “homelessness” policy. (Source: “Disabled and Denied” ) 21:39 The institutionalisation of care of the disabled and how this has played out in the past, in the cases of Willowbrook and Clover Bottom 23:00 Calls to Action: We have to VOTE and TELL OUR STORY. 27: 00 Conclusion.

A tenth-generation South Memphis resident, Marquita Bradshaw is the first African-American woman to win a statewide nomination in a major party nomination. She has built on her family’s tradition of labor and community advocacy by working on issues affecting working families and historically underserved neighborhoods. Her career has focused on environmental health, workers’ rights, economic opportunity, and public accountability. As executive director of Sowing Justice, an environmental justice nonprofit, she has addressed concerns involving industrial pollution, fossil-fuel infrastructure, data-center development, and their effects on local communities. Her Call to Action: The importance of voter engagement and participation in the upcoming November 2026 General Election. -- We’re going to need an incredible grassroots team to create the change we want to see in Washington. Timeline: 00:41 Marquita Bradshaw's background. 01:55 Her career as a community organizer and her role as Executive Director of Sowing Justice. 02:49 Affordable and accessible broadband, and data privacy protection. 07:11 Gerrymandering and protecting voter rights 09:03 Budgets reflect morality, and universal healthcare is a policy choice and priority 11:02 Ms Bradshaw's 3-step grassroots voter engagement: 1) Are you registered? 2) Do you have a voting plan? 3) Invite others to join you to vote. 13:22 You are invited to a Community Forum taking place Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:30 at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg, TN 14: 19 Conclusion

Gary Blumenthal is the brother of Steve Blumenthal, a senior adult with profound autism, and dementia, now receiving hospice services in his HCBS group home in Lawrence, KS. He is a former high school Civics teacher, former six-term member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and former disability official in the Clinton and Obama administrations, and is currently serving as a Senior Political Advisor for The National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. Timeline of the conversation: 1: 00 Backstory of Gary and Steve Blumenthal 3:25 Transition from institutional living of "3 hots and a cot" to home and community-based services (HCBS) 5:41 Civic engagement and voting 6:30 Education and communicating with Legislators. 8:50 Be educated and to educate 9:32 Paid Family Caregiving 12:00 Get out the Vote (GOTV) 15:38 Why do States have waiting lists for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 16:33 Funding Priorities and Policies to determine funding of services and advocates making their voice known in an environment of lobbyists and money in politics. 17:00 Advocacy and Activism 18: Call to Action: Get Out The Vote (#GOTV) Please read Gary's recent opinion in the Kansas City Star: 60 years of disability progress helped my brother. I fear we’re reversing it Read more at:

Robbie Faulkner is the Executive Director of The Arc Tennessee, a nonprofit that protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also the proud parent of two sons, Ian and Collin. Since her older son’s diagnosis of autism 28 years ago, Robbie has looked to serve individuals with disabilities and, for 31 years did so in the public education arena before coming to The Arc Tennessee. Timeline of our conversation: 1:35 Robbie’s Background 5:00 Multigenerational households 6:14 The Dinner Table 7:28 Robbie’s teaching career 13:00 How did Robbie transition to the ARC Tennessee 15:00 Advocate challenges and the potential for positive policy change TX vs Kennedy and DOJ Olmstead Decision 19:00 Telling your story, prioritising your vote. 23:00 The cost of misinformation 25:00 We can’t go back 27:05 CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS, especially If you have ideas for solutions to problems you experience 28:00 Joining ARC TN and accessing the policy calls while the TN House is in session