When East New York City Council Member Charles Barron gave his farewell address to colleagues last year at City Hall, he vowed his advocacy for the Black community would continue en perpetuity.
Three months after his departure he is making good on his promise with an announcement that beginning April 12, along with his wife Inez — who also served in the same chamber — will host a weekly, one-hour, radio talk show on WBAI-FM.
At the time of his light-hearted, exit speech, the outspoken, often bombastic, activist politician did not explain his plans for continued agitation of the elites.
However, in a recently released statement the liberal, progressive detailed intentions of joining forces with his spouse for free speech expression on the independent, listener-supported, non-commercial radio platform.
Given that both served the city and state exchanging representations to the East New York community as assembly members and city council member and often guested on numerous programs aired at 99.5 FM it was not surprising that a deal could be brokered to enable the political programming.
Linda Perry, the station’s program director said: “With a focus on addressing pressing political issues facing New York — city and state — the program aims to empower listeners with knowledge and foster meaningful dialogue.”
Together the Barrons stated: “We are incredibly excited to embark on this new journey with WBAI.”
“Our show, ‘Speaking Truth To Power’ aims to amplify the voices of our community and shed light on much needed Black radical revolutionary perspective on important political issues.”
Slotted at 5 p.m. on Friday evenings, the program will provide latitude to the couple to opine on topics pertinent to the Black community.
In addition the format will enable commentary from call-in listeners.
Since the announcement was released, Inez has been promoting the broadcast she claims will engage discussion, provide analysis and provoke commentary.
A quiet riot in calming tense situations her husband might inflame, Inez is regarded the sobering spokesperson of a vociferous, power couple.
Paired with Charles, a bad cop, good cop 60-minute weekly dialogue should provide contrast to the daily summary of evening news slated to follow.
Married since Nov. 1982, the couple is renowned for providing alternative perspectives some might regard extreme, militant and even revolutionary.
Inez met Charles at the House of the Lord Pentecostal in Brooklyn where they both regularly attended religious services.
During that period she honed a career as a teacher.
Considered the borough’s most activist house of worship, the Atlantic Avenue locale also served as the headquarters for the National Black United Front (NBUF).
As a matter of fact whenever police brutality cases involving citizens of color emerged, a congregation often indicted the officer.
Tailor-made to the suitability of a young Christian, the church provided sanctuary where Charles quickly rose to prominence.
He had already tested his allegiance to causes in the 1980s as a member of the Black Panther Party.
By the time he ran for elected office in 2000 for the City Council, an overwhelming majority guaranteed him a seat from the 42nd district.
From his entry, few will forget the combative relationship he shared with Speaker Christine Quinn.
Or his determined and relentless appeal to secure the renaming of a thoroughfare in Brooklyn for grassroots activist Sonny Carson.
Although his effort with the latter proved unsuccessful Charles Barron is indelibly inscribed champion for introducing legislation supporting a Bob Marley Blvd. in the borough.
To his credit, a long list of accomplishments attributes launching a People’s Revolutionary Party; endorsements of policies of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and securing capital for housing in his community.
The anticipated programming will likely spotlight issues related to local, national and international news items.
Speaking Truth to Power will be streamed live from WBAI.org
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