This week, Rob Chappell brings you news and voices from the community while the rest of the team is scattered. Highlights include:

📰 Top Stories:

• The Center for Black Excellence and Culture announces it has raised all $31 million for construction—debt free!

• A Black Lives Matter sign at Crestwood Elementary is vandalized.

• The Girls State Soccer Tournament kicks off with Madison-area teams in the finals.

• Forward Madison celebrates Juneteenth with a special jersey designed by local artist Brooklyn Doby.

🍽️ Main Interview: Camille Carter, President and CEO of the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, joins Rob to preview the 10th annual Madison Black Restaurant Week, coming up August 10–17. She shares:

• The history and evolution of the campaign, which began with just 12 restaurants and now includes over 40 Black-owned food businesses, including caterers, food trucks, dessert makers, and more.

• New and returning events: the Food Taste Jamboree at Warner Park, heirloom collard greens tasting, and a farm-to-table brunch.

• A look ahead at community voting and the celebratory dessert mixer on Sept. 18.

👟 In the Field with Omar: Omar reports from New Orleans (via time travel) after attending the No Kings protest in Madison. He shares scenes from the massive 15,000-person rally, speakers like Nick Ramos and John Nichols (with a surprise Bernie Sanders call-in), and some striking signs from protestors. Plus, a reminder to keep the momentum going.

👷 Latino Academy Spotlight: Omar also highlights the Latino Academy of Workforce Development’s newly revived construction training program, made possible by a grant from the Lowe’s Foundation. The first cohort just graduated 15 participants—including one entire family!

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