Black Convergence

Your hostess with the most-ess, Brandi Grayson is back for another edition of Black Convergence. You may not always agree with what you hear, but we are glad you are listening. Brandi is joined again in studio by friend and guest Clyde Mayberry to continue the topic of what feminine and masculine energy looks like and how it shows up in our lives. Then Brandi and Clyde discuss what is like to work in the non-profit sector in Madison, WI. Last but not least, the two share their thoughts on the news of the week, Donald Trump was found guilty 34 times.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Your hostess with the most-ess, Brandi Grayson shares an update from recent events for Urban Triage Madison. Then, Brandi is joined for the rest of the hour of Black Convergence by guest Clyde Mayberry to discuss the intersections of misogyny, homophobia and racism. Brandi and Clyde talk about what it means for the culture when you’re in a interracial relationship, hypothetically. Finally, the two discuss a current trend on social media, the “Black Wife Effect”.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

On this edition of Black Convergence, Brandi is joined by Maia Pearson, candidate for the 78th Assembly District, and by Dana Pellebon, candidate for Dane County Executive. Brandi, Maia and Dana discuss their experiences as black women running for elected office in Madison, and the greater Dane County area, and the trauma they have experienced when putting themselves out there to represent their communities.

The conversation includes how it is possible for some to check their biases at the door when serving in non-partisan roles, but for others that is a difficult thing to do. Brandi and her guests identify other hurdles, including presumptive nominations and racism, that black women need to overcome to be able to serve in spaces like elected office.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

This week on Black Convergence, Brandi’s all alone, and covers a little bit of everything, and a little bit of nothing. Contradiction? That’s a little negative, so let’s go with an interesting dichotomy. From heartbreak between friends, to the importance of therapy, to hanging up people who won’t stop calling you, Brandi covers it all.

Brandi is joined by her baby daddy Eric Upchurch to build off of last week’s conversation about Black relationships. Last week, Brandi wanted to bring on the voices of Black men to talk relationships, so who better to bring on than Eric! Brandi and Eric talk about the path they took to working together to bring a better life for their son.

How do you co-parent a Black child in Madison? Dane County schools have extreme learning disparities for Black children, so how do Black families navigate the school system to not only make sure their kids get a good education, but retain their own identity as well. While the staff themselves may be doing their best, it can still fail Black children when all of those staff are white, and don’t understand the dynamics of Black families.

Brandi is joined once again by Dane County Supervisor April Kigeya, and new cohost Jay to celebrate Women’s History Month. Plus, right as Black History Month comes to an end, Brandi tackles the latest example of anti-Blackness happening right here in the Madison community. Finally, the race for County Executive is on, and Brandi says that while the coverage has been one-sided, there is one candidate above the rest.

Brandi and Keena are joined by Dane County Supervisor April Kigeya for a free day Saturday, covering anything and everything.

It’s Black History Month, and this year, they get an extra day! But still, in the Madison news sphere, Black people are overwhelmingly shown in a negative light, as criminals. Why don’t they ever show the positive thing happening in the Black community, there’s no shortage in Madison of positive Black news.

Then, there was a tragedy in Middleton last weekend, leaving two young children dead. Brandi, Keena, and April break down the emotional strain that everyone is feeling both here in Madison and across the country.

Keena Atkinson, Wellness Professional and Founder and CEO of R’oujie Wellness, joins the show once again for part three of the convergence about the politricks of relationships. This week? Surviving abuse.

Too many women are having to survive abuse, whether from their parents, an uncle, other family, or someone completely unrelated. What does abuse mean? What does it look like? What is normal? Keena and Brandi work to answer all of these questions.

Host Brandi Grayson is once again joined by Keena Atkinson, Wellness Professional and Founder and CEO of R’oujie Wellness, as well as new guest Darryl Elliot, executive life coach.

First, Brandi takes a look at some important issues happening in the Madison area. While multiple families are grieving the loss of loved ones, over 100 people are being displaced thanks to an apartment complex shutting down.

Then, Keena and Darryl help to break down the politricks and illusion of monogamy. What is dating supposed to look like? Why are men held to a different standard than women in a relationship? Brandi looks at how relationships work, and the role that white supremacy plays in relationships today.

Keena Atkinson, Wellness Professional and Founder and CEO of R’oujie Wellness, joins the show to talk about a variety of topics, all circling about wellness for yourself and others

First, the two continue last episode’s conversation on gentle parenting. Atkinson stresses intentional parenting over everything else, and that while there are many different ways to be a parent, what’s most important is that you raise your child in a way that they turn into the adult you want them to be.

Then, Brandi and Keena talk about loving and dating Black men, or any man. How do we love ourselves, while not letting ourselves be manipulated by others? How do we not allow ourselves to be taken over by narcissists? Brandi and Keena break it down, and look at how systemic racism has affected Black relationships today.