Quick Facts
From the show
Riccardo Waites hosts unfiltered conversations on local, national, and global issues from Central Oregon's only Black-owned radio station—where speaking truth is the whole point.
Episodes
Latest Episode
May 5, 2026 · 19m
We discuss the Forum held by Partners for Affordable Housing for candidates for Deschutes County Commissioner. We Black Radio releases interactive map of 160 properties with racially biased language in their deeds in Deschutes County.
More Episodes
Apr 27, 2026 · 1h 27m
We introduce the community to Jason Graham in our "Meet Your Neighbor Series" Jason aka MOsley WOtta is a talented man with personal experience of living in Bend and providing perspectives some of you may be unaware of. We also continue our interviews of Deschutes County Commissioner Candidates who sit down with us in The Lion's Den, a Black owned barbershop near downtown Bend, Oregon.
Apr 7, 2026 · 1h 2m
We speak with award winner Josie Stanfield on her award, No Kings, becoming the first Black owned brick and mortar store in Redmond and more. We speak with Sisters Mayor and Deschutes County Commissioner Candidate Jennifer Letz. Finally I respond publicly to a Deschutes County Commissioner Candidate who attacked me online.
Mar 16, 2026 · 59m
On this episode of The Truth Ride, We are pulling up with purpose. We’re unpacking The Crimson Report—what it exposes, why it matters, and how it speaks to the ongoing reality of racial terror in this country.We’re also chopping it up with Graham Betchart and Joey Hamilton, the creators of Making Space for Love—a podcast being streamed on WBR about loving ourselves, each other, and our community in a world that keeps trying to break us.And we’re keeping it local and political, continuing our series with candidates for Deschutes County Commissioner as we sit down with Amanda Page to press her on what real accountability to Black, indigenous and marginalized communities looks like.
Feb 27, 2026 · 35m
We sit down with Housing-works Executive Director Lynne Mcconnell and discuss the role Housing-works plays in housing locals in the community and she answers some of the questions sent in for her by the listeners. We will also discuss the SNUBBING of Deschutes County Commissioner Candidate Amanda Page for endorsement by the Democratic party and how systemic racism played a part in that decision due to an unfair "pledge" by candidates.
Feb 27, 2026 · 50m
We speak with game designer Auzheal Clement in our "Meet Your Neighbor" series. We speak with Deschutes County Commissioner Candidate for seat 4, Rick Russell and we hear his thoughts on the removal of the DEIA Committee and other topics sent in by the listeners, and we kick off Black History Month with a positive representation of Black excellence.
Feb 27, 2026 · 27m
We speak to Hip Hop artist $izzul Th3 GR8 on his new EP Famous Nobody and we discuss the January 13th meeting of Bend's Human Rights and Equity Commission and learn that EVERYBODY is blaming Eric King and also Mayor Kebler for the systemic and toxic atmosphere of City Hall
Feb 27, 2026 · 31m
We discuss a few topics with Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang including discontinuing the County's volunteer internal DEIA Committee, the effects of Trumps regime removing contractual funding on an impactful Equity project in Portland, and the Andres Portela resignation, buckle up your seatbelt The Truth Rides about to begin!
Feb 27, 2026 · 23m
We discuss the resignation of City of Bend Equity Director Andres Portella. Did Bend City Officials lie about racism? What tools of Systemic Racism were used against him?
Feb 27, 2026 · 45m
We speak with David Chisolm in our "Meet Your Neighbor Series. A status update on ICE from The Peacekeepers, Kathi Barguil speaks about the Barry Washington Jr Memorial, and we speak with Deschutes County Commissioner Candidate Jamie Collins.