Though her intuition was strong, Willow Newell didn’t know she’d be the next Miss Wisconsin. But the 22-year-old says it felt right because she did her best and felt connected to her highest self. Now, the Racine native has won the crown and is the first Black woman to hold the title.

As Miss Wisconsin, her platform is "expression without exclusion." She believes everyone should have access to the arts — a passion that connects her to Radio Milwaukee. Willow is an alum of our youth music program, Grace Weber’s Music Lab, so we had to connect following her recent win.

Grace Weber's Music Lab Program Director Britney "B~Free" Freeman-Farr joins Uniquely Milwaukee host Kim Shine for a great talk with Willow about her new title, her inspirations, her confidence and what comes next.

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Episode hosts: Kim Shine and Britney "B~Free" Freeman-Farr

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Q-W-E-R-T-Y.

They’re the first six letters atop all our keyboards, from our phones to our computers, and they revolutionized communication. But their history is far from digital and, in fact, is rooted here in the Cream City.

In 1868, Milwaukee native Charles Latham Sholes was just trying to solve a problem: He needed to design a machine that could produce the letters of the alphabet without the arms jamming. With help from his son-in-law, Sholes separated the right letters, creating the QWERTY system and the modern typewriter.More than 150 years later, his ingenuity is still celebrated in the city where it happened.

In October, QWERTYFEST takes writers, artists and lovers of typewriters (and nostalgia) on a three-day jaunt all across the keyboard. As an owner of a vintage typewriter herself, host Kim Shine wanted to get more of the story behind QWERTYFEST, so she met the organizers at Niche Book Bar in Bronzeville as they shared the latest edition of the event’s official publication, the QWERTY Quarterly.

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Emmitt James is Milwaukee’s own DIY, hip-hop/jazz artist — a classification that gives him the freedom to do … well, anything. That includes using his music to give back to the community through events like his ever-growing fundraiser/concert: the Emmitt James Big Band BBQ, which is back for its third edition Aug. 23.

Asked what guests can expect that day, Emmitt was ready with an answer: “A movie! … that you can only see once,” he began. “It’s going to be a good time. Community. Love. Good food. Build your own s’more bar. A 25-piece band. What else you need?”

There’s also the charitable aspect of the free event, where guests will be able to scan QR codes and donate to this year’s recipient, Your Move MKE. The hop-hop chess nonprofit blends culture, the strategic thinking of chess and much more to inspire, teach and elevate Milwaukee’s youth (you can support Your Move MKE right now via GiveButter).

In this episode, Emmitt and Your Move facilitator SilkE talk about this year’s BBQ and its impact. “When you can help people make that shift from thinking from survival, short-term needs to thinking about long-term vision and planning, I feel like Your Move is definitely the place for teenagers to go and get that experience and hands-on learning in a fun way,” SilkE said.

Head over to James' website for more info about the third annual Big Band BBQ, including how to dial up the experience with a VIP ticket.
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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Ebony Ice launched in 1989 as a local branch of the National Brotherhood of Snowsports. The organization hosts events all year round for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels, as well as seasonal “Learn to Ski/Snowboard” classes. With about 75 members to date, membership is encouraged and does come with perks like discounts, scholarships and travel opportunities.

“Skiing is the kind of sport where unless somebody invites you and shows you and holds your hand, you would get there and not know what you're doing,” Ebony Ice president Ranjit Singh said. “In fact, I hear from a lot of people who say that they tried it one time, they didn't like it, and they wouldn't be willing to do it again.”  

Click here to learn more about Ebony Ice.   

Click here to visit Ebony Ice's website.

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Every creative tells a story — sometimes through lyrics, sometimes through shoes. This episode puts the focus on footwear, with an artist who’s making custom sneakers for some big names at this year’s Summerfest

Brandon Johnston is owner of Soul 2 Sole (S2S) Creations. The Carroll University graduate was tapped – once again – by the Big Gig to create designs for two of this year’s headliners after making shoes for 2024 lineup artists Kane Brown, Illenium and SZA.  

“SZA, she wanted to do Adidas Sombas," Johnston said. "Yeah, that’s one that definitely will probably stay in my mind for a very long time. She’s pretty out there, like she wears her heart on her sleeve when it comes to showing her emotions, and I think that’s really brave.”  

He’s also partnered with the Milwaukee Brewers, created custom kicks for former Milwaukee Bucks star Jrue Holiday and collaborated with many more. In this conversation, we talk about where his passion began, the story behind one of his favorite designsand his latest Summerfest opportunity.

Check out Soul2Sole's website and Instagram.

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

The annual Juneteenth celebration — recognized annually on June 19 — commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It was on that day in 1865 when the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation occurred in Texas.

While it took another 156 years for Juneteenth to become an official federal holiday (in 2021, in case you don’t want to do the math), the celebration has deep roots in Milwaukee. Led by Northcott Neighborhood House, the event is considered one of the oldest and longest-running in the country.
Still, organizers keep finding brand new ways for history to unfold in our city. And this year, for the first time, Milwaukee’s official Juneteenth celebration is teaming up with the World’s Largest Music Festival: Summerfest.

That means things won’t just happen in the Bronzeville neighborhood. After the daytime festivities, the night will continue at the Summerfest grounds with an introduction of the Juneteenth Court and, of course, the music. Artists like The Isley Brothers, Ginuwine, Bow Wow, Milwaukee’s own Eric Benét and local talent are part of a lineup that’s about culture, legacy and unity.

Summerfest and Northcott Neighborhood House will keep the celebration going a few extra days with a new food and culture event. “A Taste of Juneteenth” will be held in the American Family Insurance Amphitheater Founders Club on June 21 from 12:45-2 p.m., inviting ticket holders to sample dishes from a lineup of a dozen local food vendors.

That leaves a lot of ground to cover in this episode, which brings Summerfest CEO Sarah Pancheri and Northcott Neighborhood House executive director Tony Kearney together to talk about this promising new collaboration and what it means for Milwaukee. 

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

For many of us, our fathers are our protectors. They provide the structure, discipline and encouragement that stays with you throughout life. And when they’re not cooking on the grill in their favorite sandals, they teach us to stand tall, speak up and be fearless. 

Of course, the word “dad” isn’t the same for everyone. It can be a biological bond, mentor, bonus parent or father figure who chose to step up. This holiday recognizes their part in bringing us into this world and showing up time and time again.

This special Father’s Day edition of Uniquely Milwaukee turned into quite the group project, thanks to you. In addition to asking a few locals to write heartfelt letters to their fathers, I reached out to our audience in the hopes of getting a few voicemails with messages to your dads. You stepped up, so listen for those in the episode.

On top of that, my own father is part of this episode! He’s a pretty private guy, but I got him to open up a bit about fatherhood and being a single parent: “Raising someone by yourself takes a lot. It’s not easy. There’s nothing perfect in (the) raising of any child by yourself, but you try to practice perfection, and with that comes a lot of looking at yourself.”

Thanks to everyone who took part in this special episode. And to my dad and all dads, happy Father’s Day.

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Sun-Seeker MKE are dreamers, artists, abolitionists, chosen family and joy makers — all working hard to reimagine what safety and care looks like for black trans and queer folks. Everyone involved with the Black trans abolitionist organization understands the solutions to oppression, harm and liberation come from the people within the communities they serve.

I spoke with Nick Berkley, Yante Turner and Jakayla (Jay) Bridges of Sun-Seeker MKE during the DJ Takeover on the Afternoon Drive last week. They curated a full hour of songs that both reflect and inspire their mission, and we looked at the work of their organization through the lens of art and music.

“When we talk about creativity and making organizing desirable, art for us has been that lens.” explained Turner, who has been with Sun-Seeker MKE for over four years. They are not reaching for professionalism or perfectionism, but rather striving for authenticity that’s made available through art and music.

It’s an organization of activists, academics and mobilizers who aren’t content with theory. They move Black trans safety from conversation to action through campaigns like their fundraiser for a rapid-response mobile crisis and care collaboration unit — the latest example of their hyperlocal focus so communities can “have sovereignty over what their safety looks like.”

You can hear more from Berkley, Turner and Bridges in this episode, and learn more about how Sun-Seeker MKE is working toward Black queer and trans safety by following them on Instagram.

Episode guest host: Carolann Grzybowski

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

On this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, DJ Kenny Perez had the chance to speak with auntie, a rising producer from Milwaukee who’s making waves with a sound deeply rooted in Footwork.

If you’re wondering what Footwork is, you’ll have to take it back to Chicago in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This high-energy, rhythmically complex dance music evolved as a faster and more abstract offshoot of the Chicago ghetto house sound. Known for its rapid-fire beats, syncopated rhythms and chopped vocal samples, Footwork was designed for competitive dance battles and often pushes tempos past 160 BPM, challenging both dancers and producers to innovate in real time.

Auntie’s passion for rhythm and experimentation was ignited at just 8 years old, influenced by her uncle (a producer himself) and, perhaps surprisingly, the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Despite its controversial content, the game’s in-car radio stations introduced her to a wide range of genres, sparking her interest in sound design, storytelling and genre blending.

Join us as we dive into auntie’s creative journey, her take on the Milwaukee music scene and how she’s crafting something new while honoring the rich legacy of Midwest electronic music.

Episode guest host: DJ Kenny Perez

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Golf is a multibillion-dollar sport played in many places around the world. Its modern origins date back to 15th century Scotland, but the game didn’t really gain traction in the United States until the turn of the 19th century. 

Eventually, modern legends like Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods took the game to new heights. Still, after all these years, it’s a sport that lacks diversity. 

According to the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), African Americans make up just 7% of the general golfing population and a mere 1-3% of touring professionals. In Milwaukee, there’s a group dedicated to introducing the game to many more. 

WeBlackWeGolf (WBWF) is a social nonprofit building community from the tee box. They’re open to all but focused on getting more people of color active in the sport. 

In this episode, host Kim Shine takes to the the fairways and greens at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Glendale for the group’s opening day. In a golf cart alongside WBWG board member and mentor Calvin Lee, Kim talks with different members and newer golfers about why they love the sport and the group.

To learn more about WeBlackWeGolf, visit their website and follow the organization on Instagram.

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Episode host: Kim Shine

Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.