Bridge the City

In this episode, Jamaal Smith, Racial Justice and Policy Advocacy expert, speaks to us in his role as Manager at the Office of Violence Prevention, Milwaukee Health Department. We discussed the role of the Office of Violence prevention at the protests and leaned into an eye-opening conversation about expanding the definition of institutionalized violence in Milwaukee. We also discussed racism as a public health crisis.

Jamaal’ action steps include:

Support grassroots organizations that are doing the work, on the ground, around anti-racism and justice for all citizens. Donate or volunteer with African American Round Table, Team Havoc, Voces de la Frontera, Community Taskforce MKE, BLOC, and LIT.

Do not be afraid to call out people who use racial language. We need to combat that. This needs to be addressed at all times, by all angles.

Become familiar with the Blueprint for Peace, a unifying approach to reducing violence in Milwaukee.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Host Sam Woods talks with Alderwoman Chantia Lewis about her proposal to give Milwaukee residents a Universal Basic Income. Lewis was elected to represent the 9th District, the New9th, in 2016. She currently services as Vice-Chair, Public Safety and Health Committee, as well as a member of the Community and Economic Development Committee and Licenses Committee.

Alderwoman Lewis’ action steps include:

Send your testimonials to [email protected]

Reach out to your state and senate representation, whether statewide or federally and let them know that you support UBI. Reach out to state reps, state senators, and not just the ones that represent you. Let them know what you are looking for. Let them know what you are willing to tolerate and what you no longer going to tolerate any longer.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Sam Woods sit down with Black Lives Matter activists, Destiny Monae, Darius Smith, and Markasa Tucker. We dive into a topic that has captured the country’s attention yet again: police violence and the movement for Black lives.

To learn more, visit:

African American Round Table

Milwaukee Marches

The New Milwaukee (Peaceful protests for change)

Darius’ action steps include:

Get involved & don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable

Destiny’s action steps include:

Come join us. And if you don’t want to march and you don’t want your voice to sound like mine: drop off materials such as goggles, water, food, whatever you want to do. Share that we’re doing great things. When you see positive videos share them, like them, get them out of the public so we can change the narrative.

Markasa’s action steps include:

Follow the African American Round Table Facebook Page for political education lessons and ways to learn and get involved in Juneteenth day.

On this episode of Bridge the City we sit down with Nick O'Brien to talk about building community and his work as an Engagement Design Consultant. O'Brien has worked all around Wisconsin creating events and experiences that feel serendipitous but really are the outcomes of careful and creative planning. Nick is bringing his work to Milwaukee and we are really excited about it.

Nick’s action steps include:

Step outside your comfort zone.

Share the good news in your community.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Mutual aid is holding Milwaukee together right now through both meeting Milwaukee material needs and keeping local communities together. In this episode, Sam sits down with two Milwaukeeans working with mutual aid collectives, Melody McCurtis from Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, and Alida from Ayuda Mutua.

To learn more, visit:

Metcalfe Park Community Bridges - Be the Bridge Community Care Package

Ayuda Mutua MKE

Melody’s action steps include:

Sign up to stay connected with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, and follow on social.

Alida’s action steps include:

Talk to neighbors and build relationships with those who share the same neighborhood.

Connect with community groups close to home.

Support Ayuda Mutua’s solidarity fund for people who are undocumented.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Online communities build bridges, create networks, solve problems and even foster genuine relationships and connections. In this episode, Kacee Ochalek interviews Ruth Weill, 10 year administrator on the Riverwest Neighborhood facebook group; our friend Jeremy Fojut, Chief Idea Officer at Newaukee; and online community expert Darren Gough to talk about ways you can connect in your real neighborhood and in your virtual one.

To learn more, visit:

Riverwest Neighborhood Group

Island23Consulting

Newaukee

Darren’s action steps include:

Pick something that seems interesting to you, take the first step into one of these places and be immediately connected!

Jeremy’s action steps include:

Be the opposite of pulling back. Be in an innovation mindset and come out of this stronger.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Sam Woods sit down with Meghan Forseth from the Urban Ecology Center. In this episode originally aired live on the radio, we talk about what CSAs are, how they benefit both farmers and consumers, and how residents can get involved with the Urban Ecology Center this summer.

To learn more, visit:

Urban Ecology Center CSA Guide

CSA Farms is Wisconsin

Edible Milwaukee CSA Directory

Meghan’s action steps include:

Look into buying a CSA share this summer

Visit your closes Urban Ecology Center site when safely able to do so.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Jesus Gonzalez, the co-owner of Zócalo Food Truck Park in Walker’s Point here in Milwaukee. We talk about what inspired Jesus to start Mazorca, the taco truck that is a staple at Zócalo, what challenges he has had starting a business, and how residents can support Zocalo during COVID-19.

To learn more, visit: Zócalo, Cashdrop, Ynotme

Jesus’ action step includes: Animo (Spanish) - get up and go. Have joy in whatever it is that you do.

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Kacee Ochalek speak with stakeholders about the current state of cannabis in Wisconsin. They speak with a local marijuana enthusiast, "Dan K.", Executive Director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of NORML, Eric Marsch, and State Representative Melissa Sargent.

To learn more, visit:

The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of NORML, State Representative Sargent’s Website

Representative Sargent’s action steps include: Vote, Hold Legislative Leadership Accountable

Eric Marsch’s action steps include:

Contact your representative in the state legislature

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online

A conversational, full-length interview with Dr. Jeanette Mitchell, leadership consultant and 2018 Ultimate Jacken Award Winner.

Dr. Mitchell’s actions steps are:

Be willing to examine who you are and what you have to give to your community

Be willing to share yourself and whatever gifts there are

Run for public office - we need to look at who our leaders, and particularly woman, to step in and make a difference.

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #BridgeTheCity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.