Dr. Christy Clark-Pujara brings some clarity to the recent political attacks on history that are attempting to erase multicultural aspects of our American past. Not just history but education and knowledge itself.

This moment is similar to the time after Reconstruction with the response to Black people engaged in the political process and having power. Points to cultural backlash historically like Birth of the Nation and Gone with the Wind portraying a negative propaganda of African American contributions to the US.

Also, hear about a program that Dr. Clark-Pujara has been a part of that connects K-12 teachers to historians and academics to bring back their experience to their classrooms. Funding was cut this year, so she is having to figure out a way to still make it happen in a different form.

Department of African American Studies - UW-Madison

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Dr. Gee welcomes Harry Hawkins back to the show again to discuss what it means to lead a cross-cultural organization that is focused on empowering the Black community. Harry Hawkins has moved into the President and CEO role of the non-profit Nehemiah, as Dr. Gee transitions into new endeavors.

The two innovative leaders discuss what it is like serving the Black community in a predominantly white community. They have both had to navigate cross-cultural environments in their work. The discussion covers drawing out underserved groups, like Black women and young Black men. Hear Harry Hawkin's background story and how his experience formed the skills needed for his work with Nehemiah.

Justified Anger: Courses - Black History for a New Day Course

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Dr. Gee and Professor Stephen Kantrowitz discuss the erasure of history that has happened in other nations in order to understand the current US government attempts to control historical information and ideology. You will be shocked to hear the ways that historical and scientific research are being attacked through elimination of funding and discrediting of academic knowledge. 

One of the current realities is that current students will be discouraged from seeking out new perspectives and the truth of historical perspectives because of perceived connections to DEI. Hear how government websites are removing African American and female-focused language in a censoring effort through the experience of one of Dr. Gee’s friends and former guest. 

Professor Kantrowitz explains the main issue in our country to be addressed is one of free and truthful speech. There is an attack on the truth of history and the realities of our world. 

The Wayback Machine 

Stephen Kantrowitz is a historian of race, citizenship, and Native-settler interaction in the United States. He is particularly interested in work that spans the antebellum, Civil War, and postbellum eras, and in the connections between the histories of slavery, emancipation, and Reconstruction and the dynamics of Native American life and U.S. conquest. Professor Kantrowitz recently developed a research interest in the intellectual history of twentieth-century American anthropology in relation to Native-settler interaction.

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Kaleem Caire shares how his family, their audacity, and legacy have inspired him to create change in Madison. They discuss how Kaleem challenged Dr. Gee to build something new - his church, social justice non-profits, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. The inspiration came from each other to see something new built. 

Listen to how education is a major factor for the health of the community by investing in the next generation who will be running the community. Kaleem explains what is behind One City Schools and what they are doing different to shift the educational possibilities. 

Leaders in the Black community face unique challenges and it is especially true when they are innovate. As a social innovator, Dr. Gee explores what Kaleem does to stay healthy and balanced in the stress of his work. Plus, hear new Black Ice Breakers that will make you laugh and find cultural connection.

Learn more about One City Schools

Dr. Gee talks with his friend Dr. Audrey Mukwavi Matimelo about her passion for empowering others through the "Self Help Group Concept." Hear how this approach to maximize inherent gifts and talents for social and economic transformation, is not only needed in South Africa but also in the US where our systems are failing us.

Dr. Audrey shares how this concept works at three levels, which are applicable in many contexts and has been influential in Dr. Gee's non-profit leadership. Don't miss this conversation with visionary leaders that partners across continents. 

Dr. Audrey Mukwavi Matimelo has been working as a community development practitioner since 2005, and her work with the Self Help Group concept has enabled her to effectively mobilise and engage with groups of women, youth, and men for social and economic development. She is a passionate advocate of the Self Help Group concept, and has travelled to India, Kenya and Zimbabwe to implement and grow the idea.

In 2001, Dr Audrey  got the opportunity to study community development. This led to her resigning her job after 10 years  in the banking industry to pursue studies in the United Kingdom and later in South Africa. Dr Audrey Matimelo has successfully completed her PhD in the school of Science and Agriculture, Rural Resource Management and was awarded a Doctorate Degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her thesis was on mobilizing rural assets for women empowerment. Her study explores various forms of poverty and focuses mainly on the Self Help Group concept and its impact among poor women of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Learn more about the Zimele Wethu Foundation

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Hear about Dr. Ruben Anthony’s early years in the Bronx, where he saw the birth of hip-hop in his community and the excellence of Black arts at The Apollo.  These two leaders and visionaries discuss what the new developments in Southern Madison means to the community, state, and the country. They also break down the Black and race-related dynamics in Madison as they pursue their major initiatives. 

Dr. Anthony talks about the innovative and national development of the Urban League’s Black Business Hub that he has started. Previously, there was not a place where Black excellence could be on display in Madison. Also, don't miss a fun edition of Black Ice Breakers where there is strong agreement on the proper way to eat grits. 

The Black Business Hub

Dr. Gee talks to returning guest Dr. Chris Bass about the mourning process of losing his mother over the previous year. They talk about the need for rest and space in mourning in order to have the energy to focus on the work that would have made his mother proud. Hear about the activities and accomplishments that honor his mother going forward. 

Dr. Bass gives advice for making sure people take time and space for healthy relationships and themselves. They discuss the unique times that Blacks folks in particular are facing with the challenges in our culture and society. 

Dr. Chris Bass has served clinically in a variety of posts including; Clinical Director at a residential treatment facility for adjudicated late adolescent males, Psychologist for the City of Atlanta and Senior Psychological Partner at The Bass Medical and Psychological Consultants firm LLC. He has held faculty appointments on the campuses of Hampton University, Morehouse College, University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University and others. He continues to serve as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Clark Atlanta University.

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Returning guest, Dr. Byars-Winston, is the inaugural chair of the UW- Madison’s Institute of Diversity Science. She honestly explores what doing research on causes of group-based discrimination and what effective ways to eliminate discrimination look like in our current social and political environment. They discuss that more people than the media and politicians appear are in favor of broad diversity.

The conversation covers how most businesses want to hire a diverse staff but don’t necessarily want to use the DEI labels. Dr. Byars-Winston explains that there is and can be data to back up approaches to diversity in the workplace but most do not have access to the information now. As an example she shows the lack of available evidence illustrated in a public hearing in WI State Assembly. 

Hear about the ties between Dr. Byars-Winston’s work and The Center for Black Excellence and Culture’s goals. Also, listen in to understand the importance mentorship representation.

Heads of UW system, state agencies defend diversity, inclusion practices to audit committee, Wisconsin Examiner Article

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Dr. Gee had been hearing reactions from his white friends that they are surprised and deeply discouraged by what our government is doing to American society. To hear a just few perspectives on this political moment, podcast producers Jeremy Holiday and Eli Steenlage join the conversation to talk about their own feelings and what they are hearing. Dr. Gee highlights some of the differences between what the Black community and white community understand and see happening right now. The Black community has been trying to say that things are out of control historically and this is just another phase of it.

Also, after hearing all of the Black Ice Breaker questions and responses, don't miss how Jeremy and Eli react to the cultural differences and similarities. Going deeper, they share what has surprised them as they have learned more about Black culture. 

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Dr. Gee is joined by his daughter, Lexi Gee, to discuss the depth of Black womanhood in the film version of Wicked. Lexi brings a wealth of story and cultural criticism to topic as she has recently been appointed the Curator of Stories position at The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Hear about how she is establishing the library and reading room in the Center, and especially how it will impact Black children.

Find out the racial significance of the film version of Wicked by casting a Black woman in the role of Elphaba and how the connection to her green skin becomes more relevant. Lexi explains why Black woman are able to identify so much with the character of Elphaba, and in particular how Cynthia Erivo invested her Black womanhood into the role. The main female friendship dynamic is explored with their differences and bonds. 

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