Black Oxygen

Gigi Stahl is an equity, diversity and inclusion practitioner in Central Wisconsin. In this episode of Black Oxygen, we discuss the sounds and vernacular of Wisconsin, what belonging looks like in Central Wisconsin, and the power of the youth voice. Gigi emphasizes that with education we should be asking the question, "how do we facilitate learning as opposed to bestowing knowledge?" We also discuss the risk of burnout for EDI/DEI practitioners. Regarding rest for practitioners, Gigi says, "if there isn't permission to pause, there is only permission to break."

#CentralWisconsin #StevensPoint #BlackOxygenPodcast #GigtStahl #BlackinWisconsin #MakingLoveSustianable #AbolitionistEducation #MulticulturalEducation #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #BlackEducationinWisconsin #DaretoPause #BeloninginWisconsin #DopeBlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasters #Madison365

Rudy Bankston, Founder and President of i Am We Classics, just published his fourth book - Snippets of Soul, Too - Healing from Love. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Rudy discusses education, leadership, boundaries, love and so much more. He says that we are collectively addicted to the status quo and that it is time for us to relearn how to connect with each other after so much separation. As it relates to education, systems change and relationships, Rudy reminds us that love is a mandate for it all. This conversation encourages each of us to get curious about our fear and woundedness but not get stuck there. It encourages us to lean in with love - love of self and love of each other.

For more information:

https://www.iamweclassics.com

#BlackOxygenPodcast #RudyBankston #BlackinWisconsin #BoundariesandLove #LoveIsaMandate #iAmWeClassics #SnippetsofSoul #SnippetsofSoulToo #HealingFromLove #BlackintheMidwest #DopeBlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasters #Madison365

Founding member of Milwaukee's Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Artistic Association with Chicago's Congo Square Theatre, Malkia Stampley, is currently directing the theatrical performance of The Gift of the Magi for American Players Theatre. In this episode of Black Oxygen Malkia discusses Milwaukee as the place where she began her theatre career, the impact of the pandemic on her craft, and the power of theatre to either heal or harm communities. Towards the end of our conversation, she reminds us to dare to pause and take a moment to breathe and breathe together.

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackTheater #BlackTheatre #AmericanPlayersTheatre #GiftsoftheMagi #DaretoPause #BlackProducers #MalkiaStampley #BlackinWisconsin #BlackintheMidwest #BlackWomeninWisconsin #BlackArtMatters #DopeBlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcasters #Madison365

For more information:

Malkia Stampley https://malkiastampley.wixsite.com/malkiastampley

American Players Theatre - The Gift of the Magi https://americanplayers.org/plays/the-gift-of-the-magi

This week on Black Oxygen we present a discussion featured at the first Black Oxygen Live event conducted in partnership with CREATE Portage County. Our guests on this panel are Letesha Nelson, Ali Muldrow, Winnie Karanja and Dr. Thomas Gibson. The conversation covers many topics including the educational background of our guests and their thoughts on how we can co-create educational experiences based on justice, love and anti-racism.

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #BlackLove #BlackHumanity #SharedHumanity #BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #CentralWisconsin #Belonging #StevensPoint #CWES #CreatePortageCounty

This week on Black Oxygen we feature a conversation with Nada Elmikashfi Chief of Staff for Rep Francesca Hong and Angela Lang Executive Director of BLOC. The focus of this conversation was our collective heartbreak regarding the Rittenhouse verdict in Kenosha Wisconsin. In this episode we discuss what it is like to keep loving and working on a society after continual heartbreak, creating space for grief when you are on the front lines of organizing, and what it would look like to create a Wisconsin that embraced the humanity of Black bodies. Angela Lang reminds us, “you can’t organize Black people if you don’t love Black people.” And Nada asks, “How many Black people have you loved?” This is a beautiful, gut wrenching and timely episode.

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #BlackOrganizing #BlackLove #BlackHumanity #SharedHumanity

This week on Black Oxygen we are rebroadcasting my conversation with Marc Young. Marc is now the Executive Director Recruitment, Marketing and Admissions. This particular episode is based on his time at UW-Stevens Point. Originally from Detroit, MI, Marc Young loves central Wisconsin. In this episode, we discuss Marc’s role as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment for UW-Stevens Point, the importance of relationships in his life, and what it is like being Black in central Wisconsin. In addition, Marc talks about how the reliance on technology has impacted the human element of relationships. At the end of our conversation Marc reminds us all to, “master the art of being yourself.”

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackinWisconsin #DopeBlackPodcasts #2021 #BlackOxygenLove #LovingBlackness #AllAboutLove #BlackInCentralWisconsin

In January 2021, Dr. Thomas Gibson became the 15th Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and its first ever Chancellor of Color. Chancellor Gibson has three primary focus areas in leading UWSP: enhancing academic excellence; expanding diversity, equity and inclusive excellence; and increasing enrollment and growth. During this week’s episode of Black Oxygen, Chancellor Gibson discusses his journey to Wisconsin, observations of inclusion in Central Wisconsin, and the power of higher education. Of his own education he says, “my education gave me the confidence to dare.” His vision of the role of higher education is all about giving students the space and opportunity to dare and dream the impossible.

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #BlackHigherEducation #UWSP #CentralWisconsin #Belonging #StevensPoint

Born in Sudan, Nada Elmikasfhi has been working to adopt Wisconsin as her home since 2002. She is deeply guided by James Baldwin’s quote, “the place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.” As Chief of Staff for Rep Francesca Hong and columnist for The Isthmus, Nada is not only working to create a sense of belonging for herself, but is working to uproot systemic white supremacy throughout our state so that Wisconsin can be a place where diversity can thrive and flourish. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Nada talks about boundaries, radical love, power and shared humanity. She reminds us that, “the human spirit is one that inherently trusts.” Towards the end of our conversation she tells us all, “you don’t need permission to lead.” The conversation is filled will love, tenderness and maps out how we each have a role to play in creating the beloved community.

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #BlackWomenRest #BlackWomeninWisconsin #Belonging #Boundaries #Power #RacialEquity #AccountabilityandLove #AccountabilityandBoundaries

Is the concept of a Black woman resting a notion of science fiction or something that is real?  This week on Black Oxygen we feature a discussion called Rest Black Woman that was held at the 2021 Wisconsin Leadership Summit.  The featured guests on this panel are Alice Traore, Angela Lang, Yanna Williams and Ali Muldrow.  The panel conversation opens up with a guided meditation to help us each slow down and to center us in the space together. This discussion is beautiful and restorative … and we learn … the notion of a Black woman resting is decidedly not science fiction.  I hope that you enjoy this episode, and as Angela Lang reminds us, “we gotta find a way to breathe.”

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #BlackWomenRest #RestBlackWoman #BlackWomeninWisconsin #WisconsinLeadershipSummit

In 2020, Winnie Karanja was recognized as one of Forbes 30 under 30 for creating Maydm. Created and based in Wisconsin, Maydm provides girls and youth of color in grades 6-12 with skill-based training for the technology sector. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Winnie discusses her educational journey, the connection of STEM education and economic development, and her hopes and dreams for Maydm as she transitions from leading the organization. Towards the end of the conversation, Winne reminds us that in teaching children STEM innovation, “you don’t know they world of wonder that you await you.”

#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInWisconsin #Maydem #BIPOCSTEM #BIPOCInnventors #STEMEducationInWisconsin #STEMWorkforceDevelopment #FORBES30under30 #BIPOCCoding