Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor - Commitment to Justice and Equity

02/25/25 • 75 min

Restorative Justice Vision: "I have said over and over again that the job extends beyond the courtroom. If you wanted a prosecutor that was only gonna be concerned about winning cases and cycling people in and out, then I wasn't the person for you." - Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor

I am excited to bring you another insightful episode of Talk of the County, where we get into the heart and soul of Franklin County’s leadership. In our latest episode, I sit down with the inspiring and trailblazing Franklin County Prosecutor, Shayla Favor.

Episode Highlights

A Vision for Justice: Shayla Favor shares her vision for a more just Franklin County, emphasizing a justice system that is not merely punitive but restorative. Her approach is to address the root causes of violence and crime rather than just the symptoms.
A Journey of Advocacy: Discover how Shayla's early inspirations, including the formidable Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show, led her on a path of advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Her move to Columbus set the stage for a robust career in public service.
Challenges and Opportunities: Shayla discusses the challenges and opportunities within her office, particularly concerning juvenile crime and the creation of programs that aim to prevent youth from re-entering the system.
Mentorship and Personal Growth: Learn about the mentors who have influenced Shayla, how she’s inspired others around her, and the role of her supportive partner in her journey.
A Broader Impact: Shayla and I discuss striking a balance between personal life and the demanding responsibilities of public service. We also delve into the broader topics of representation, empowerment, and the importance of breaking down systemic barriers for diverse groups in the field of law.
Personal Touch: Get a glimpse into Shayla’s personal life, her love for traveling and fashion, and her passion for housing reform inspired by her roots in Dayton, Ohio.

Key Moments

00:00 Transforming Justice in Franklin County

07:05 Explaining Job Beyond Courtroom Duties

11:51 Mother's Influence and Legacy

20:11 Youth Crime Rehabilitation Focus

24:15 Representation Crucial in Justice Reform

31:49 Passing the Baton Forward

34:30 Operate with Integrity for Progress

40:55 Diverse Roles of Franklin County Government

44:51 Passions: Cooking and Fashion

51:33 Generational Disinvestment and Housing Inequality

58:08 "Government's Role in Housing Equity"

01:04:16 Franklin County Invests in Women's Sports

01:09:57 Commitment to Historic Responsibility

[email protected]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana

License code: 6VVAVEFBZTQOL3AW

Episode Highlights

A Vision for Justice: Shayla Favor shares her vision for a more just Franklin County, emphasizing a justice system that is not merely punitive but restorative. Her approach is to address the root causes of violence and crime rather than just the symptoms.
A Journey of Advocacy: Discover how Shayla's early inspirations, including the formidable Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show, led her on a path of advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Her move to Columbus set the stage for a robust career in public service.
Challenges and Opportunities: Shayla discusses the challenges and opportunities within her office, particularly concerning juvenile crime and the creation of programs that aim to prevent youth from re-entering the system.
Mentorship and Personal Growth: Learn about the mentors who have influenced Shayla, how she’s inspired others around her, and the role of her supportive partner in her journey.
A Broader Impact: Shayla and I discuss striking a balance between personal life and the demanding responsibilities of public service. We also delve into the broader topics of representation, empowerment, and the importance of breaking down systemic barriers for diverse groups in the field of law.
Personal Touch: Get a glimpse into Shayla’s personal life, her love for traveling and fashion, and her passion for housing reform inspired by her roots in Dayton, Ohio.

Key Moments

00:00 Transforming Justice in Franklin County

07:05 Explaining Job Beyond Courtroom Duties

11:51 Mother's Influence and Legacy

20:11 Youth Crime Rehabilitation Focus

24:15 Representation Crucial in Justice Reform

31:49 Passing the Baton Forward

34:30 Operate with Integrity for Progress

40:55 Diverse Roles of Franklin County Government

44:51 Passions: Cooking and Fashion

51:33 Generational Disinvestment and Housing Inequality

58:08 "Government's Role in Housing Equity"

01:04:16 Franklin County Invests in Women's Sports

01:09:57 Commitment to Historic Responsibility

[email protected]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana

License code: 6VVAVEFBZTQOL3AW

Previous Episode

The Commissioners affirmed their commitment to Cultural Fluency as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts face scrutiny

In the January 28th General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $102,000 investment in cultural fluency training, reaffirming their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public service.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The role of cultural fluency in improving service outcomes for residents

• Commissioner Boyce’s challenge to go beyond existing DEI efforts

• Commissioner O'Grady's thoughts on the impact of federal policy changes on local governance

• Commissioner Crawley’s reflections on representation and inclusion

This initiative ensures that Franklin County remains a leader in fostering equitable, accessible services for all residents. Tune in to hear how these decisions impact our community.

Next Episode

Honoring Heroes: The Tuskegee Airmen and Their Enduring Legacy

In this episode of Talk Of The County, we focus a pivotal chapter of American history as we celebrate Black History Month.

I sit down with Gregory Edmonds, the esteemed president of the Tuskegee Airmen Ohio Memorial chapter. Gregory shares his journey of discovering the rich legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen through a Black studies program at college and recounts how a visit to their national museum sparked his dedication to preserving their legacy.

We explore the pivotal contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen to aviation and military service, and the inspiring programs his chapter runs to involve and educate youth about careers in aviation.

Gregory's passion for history, particularly around figures like Bessie Coleman and influential chapters in African American history, enriches our understanding of the lasting impact these airmen have had.

Here are three key takeaways from this inspiring conversation:

Rise Above Adversity: The Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated unparalleled courage and resilience in the face of systemic racism and adversity. Their determination to serve their country, despite discrimination, is a beacon of hope and a reminder to "rise above" challenges.
Legacy Through Youth Programs: The Ohio Memorial Chapter is actively involved in keeping the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy alive through youth programs like the Buckeye Tigers. These initiatives expose young individuals to aviation and aerospace careers, ensuring the airmen's inspirational legacy endures.
Women in Aviation: The episode highlighted the contributions of pioneering women such as Bessie Coleman, who overcame barriers to make significant strides in aviation. Their stories continue to inspire and motivate future generations to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Key Moments

00:00 Discovering the Tuskegee Airmen

04:44 Tuskegee Airmen's Freeman Field Stand

08:59 "Aviation Youth Camps Collaboration"

12:57 "Aviation Program Recognizes Top Cadets"

14:36 Pioneering African American Aviators

18:20 "Love of Country: A Unified History"

21:29 "Rise Above: Overcome Obstacles"

23:42 Trailblazing Black Pilot's Impact

28:17 Flight Simulators Delight Young and Old

31:24 Tuskegee Airmen: Beyond the Pilots

32:53 Tuskegee Airmen's Legacy in Columbus

38:16 AI Replacing Secretarial Duties?

42:09 Tuskegee Airmen's Lasting Legacy

Gregory Edmonds, a native of New Jersey, grew up with limited exposure to African American history, learning primarily about the Civil War and slavery during his high school years. His perspective broadened considerably during his time at Seton Hall University, where he enrolled in a black studies program that highlighted the diverse and positive roles African Americans have played throughout history. Among the topics he explored were the Tuskegee Airmen, black cowboys, and Buffalo soldiers. Though initially not delving deeply into the Tuskegee Airmen, Edmonds's interest was reignited after moving to Toledo. In 1995, he organized a visit for a group of Boy Scouts to the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum in Detroit, founded by Coleman Young, Detroit’s first African American mayor and a Tuskegee Airman himself. This trip underscored his commitment to educating others about the rich and varied contributions of African Americans to history.

[email protected]

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicana

License code: 6VVAVEFBZTQOL3AW

Franklin County Media - Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor - Commitment to Justice and Equity

Transcript

Kenneth Wilson [00:00:14]:

Hello, Franklin County. We're here for another episode of Talk of the County. I'm your county administrator, Kenneth Wilson, and it's my pleasure to be here today with our dynamic county prosecutor, Shayla Favor. We are going to, talk about a number of topics, talk about the exciting things that, the county prosecutor has in store, as it relates to ensuring, that Franklin County is a more just place than it was the day she was, sworn into, this office. So let'