Uniquely Milwaukee

This week, we shine a light on two organizations paying tribute to Black History Month. First, Milwaukee Film's Black Lens program, which cureates a month-long series featuring films and events. Then there's the Milwaukee Rep, which hosts the Next Narrative Monologue Competition -- a national program for high school students featuring the work of contemporary Black playwrights.

February is Black History Month, and for this episode our co-worker Element Everest-Blanks speaks with Dr. Gina Paige, the co-founder of African Ancestry, a DNA test that places your African ancestry in a present-day country and ethnic group or tribe. During the podcast, Element reveals her results.

Setting a goal is the first step, but when life gets in the way... then what? On the final episode of Uniquely MIlwaukee's "New Year, Elevated You" series, we talk about lifelong learning. Then Dr. Shilagh Mirgain with UW-Health shares some tips on how to stick to your goals in 2023.

This month, we have been focusing on the phrase "New Year, Elevated You." This episode focuses on how we view ourselves and the impact that has on our self-worth. We talk with a co-worker about his self-love journey and how he is growing in 2023.

For the first time in three years, Ladies Rock MKE is back up and running! The intensive weekend-long music camp teaches campers of all skill levels to learn an instrument, form a band, write a song and perform it in front of a live audience.

"What is your New Year's resolution?" For Uniquely Milwaukee, we're trying something new in 2023: focus months. For January, it's something we're calling "New Year, Elevated You." We kick things off this week by playing a social self-help game called "rejection therapy."

ENCORE: Do bodegas exist in Milwaukee?

National Geographic documentary 'The Flagmakers' showcases the employees of Eder Flag located in Oak Creek, Wisc., and the millions of flags they produce every year. Executive produced by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the film was directed by Sharon Liese and Cynthia Wade, who we talk to on this episode, along with Milwaukee residents who share their own reasons for the flags they fly from their front doors.

The Milwaukee Diaper Mission hosts a "period party" to help raise awareness for period poverty, stigma and shaming in the city. Period products were also collected at the event and will later be donated to menstruators in the area.

The UWM Food Center and Pantry makes sure college students have access to nutritious food and key necessities for free. They now offer diapers and period products thanks to a new partnership with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission.

Food insecurity is always a focus around Thanksgiving, but the higher costs we've all been dealing with made this year particularly painful for many families. Radio Milwaukee's Chad Roper stepped up to help by organizing his first Feeding Families event, in the process keeping a promise he made decades ago.

ENCORE: Living without alcohol in America's drunkest state

Milky Way Tech Hub puts Milwaukee on the map for BIPOC innovators.

For this episode, I went to Noche de Altares with one question: “If you’re honoring a loved one, do you have a story you would like to share?” I also had a detailed conversation with my colleague, Alma Velez, to discuss the importance of Día de los Muertos, how she introduced the topic of death to her children and the process of creating her ofrenda at Radio Milwaukee.

For this episode, we talked to Jewish Museum Milwaukee Curator Molly Dubin to learn about the connection Judaism has to astronomy and exploration, as well as the importance of highlighting significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.

For Cavalier Johnson, the path to becoming the city's first Black mayor wasn't a smooth one. He sat down with HYFIN Program Director Tarik Moody to share the personal stories that fueled his passion for politics and shaped the person he is today.

Milwaukee's Home Movie Day brings personal nostalgia on the screen

As facts came to light about Christopher Columbus, there were reexaminations, reflections and replacements. On this episode released on Indigenous Peoples' Day, we talk to Marquette professor Tara Daly about two recent examples in Milwaukee and whether acknowledgment is a necessary step or merely a performative gesture.

The infant mortality rate is three times higher for Black babies in Milwaukee, an abysmal number that unfortunately follows wider historical trends. On this episode, we talk to Erica Olivier, deputy commissioner of community health with the city of Milwaukee, about how to address the issue.

The Cultures and Communities Festival bring traditionally marginalized communities stories to the forefront

Thursday marks the start of what the federal government officially refers to as Hispanic Heritage Month. In this week's episode, we talk about that name and the bigger discussion around identity, as well as provide plenty of recommendations on how to celebrate the month ahead.

The popularity of esports has grown steadily over the last decade, and this year they're officially coming to Milwaukee Public Schools. We talked with several people involved to learn about the benefits students have already seen and the impact it can have on the future of their education.

Ready for a pet but don't have time to train a puppy or kitten? This week on Uniquely Milwaukee we discuss another option -- the special reward of adopting or fostering a senior animal.

In this “Uniquely Milwaukee” episode, we follow Nate Imig in pursuit of his summer goal to spend more time outdoors in Milwaukee County Parks and learn what they offer amid a shrinking budget. Then you’ll hear my conversation with Milwaukee County Parks Director of Administration and Planning Jeremy Lucas to learn why funding hasn’t changed since 1989, and Wehr Nature Center Director Carly Hintz to understand changes that have made the parks more accessible.

Building on the foundation 'Milwaukee's other mayor' created for Harambee

A Syrian refugee mother tells her story

On this bonus episode of "Be Seen," hosts Nate Imig and Michail Takach address the often repeated rumor that the Mafia was involved in financing Wisconsin's earliest gay bars. In an exclusive interview with historian Gavin Schmitt, author of "Milwaukee Mafia (Images of America)" we arrive at a definitive "not really" in terms of the Mafia's involvement, but that answer is not without exceptions.

Salam Fatayer introduces you us to two different Milwaukee teams -- one made up of engineers and another of artists -- who represented Milwaukee in Red Bull's Flugtag in July.

On this week's Uniquely Milwaukee episode, we meet the creative duo behind the streetwear brand "Unfinished Legacy." The brand started in Milwaukee and has exploded in popularity, showing up in Vogue and sparking a partnership with Levi's. Then, we talk with TikTok video creator Cinema Bryce about recently going viral with a video showing Milwaukee's cityscape.

Specters, scents and inspiration: an interview with Willem Dafoe

At an event set up by Next18, we sat down with veterans in a unique setting to talk about how — and if — they take care of their mental health.

We hear from two leaders of vital organizations in Wisconsin’s response: Sue Dietz, the original co-founder of AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, and Mark Behar, the co-founder of Milwaukee’s first LGBTQ clinic, BESTD. We also hear how today’s front line community health leaders are navigating HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.PrEP facts:https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html

This is It co-owner George Schneider talks about creating an intentionally inclusive community at Wisconsin's longest running LGBTQ bar. Then, Michail speaks about his interviews with the late original owner, June Brehm.WTMJ News Documentary:https://uwm.edu/wtmjsearch/wtmjnewsarchive/49410/

Walker’s Pint owner Betsy Boenning speaks to Milwaukee having one of only 21 women’s bars left in the country. Milwaukee natives Maryann “Flash” Gorski and Diane “Legs” Gregory recount two generations of Milwaukee’s lesbian and bisexual nightlife scene.

Wisconsin drag legends BJ Daniels and Tempest Heat share firsthand experiences entertaining in the 1980s to the present, particularly how the community came together through drag benefits during the AIDS crisis.

Bob Schmidt, owner of the M&M Club, speaks about opening the now closed bar when it was illegal to be gay and being among the few establishments to have open windows. Michail explains a pair or trailblazing Wisconsin laws that gave LGBTQ people protections for the first time ever in the country in early 1980s.

Eight years before Stonewall, Milwaukee had its own LGBTQ uprising at the Black Nite bar. Featuring audio from the from the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, this episode shares the story of Josie Carter, a gender nonconforming “queen” who defended her home bar when it was targeted by sailors in August 1961.

Amber Jackson and her father Kevin Jackson have taken the world by storm as Koala Cosplay and The Cosplay Dad by not only expressing their love for their fandom but also creating space for black creators and cosplayers.

As we present these stories of pregnancy, we want to acknowledge the national conversation happening around the U.S. Supreme Court and the potential for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Motherhood is not a monolith. This week, we are sharing more stories around pregnancy and voices supporting a woman’s right to choose.

Experience the real stories of people who have given birth during the pandemic with a monologue series titled Pandemic Pregnancies and Popsicles!

With incidents ranging from catcalling, unwanted touching to escalated stalking and rape, Milwaukee DJ Fortune speaks up for sexual assault survivors. For educational resources around sexual assault, refer to RadioMilwaukee.org/saam.

As we look ahead to the 2022 Milwaukee Film Festival, finally back again in person this year, we were wondering how this sorely missed Milwaukee tradition got started.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. On this episode, we hear from a various Wisconsinites who do not drink alcohol and how they are living a "normal" life without it, even in a state obsessed with drinking culture.

Empathy comes in many forms and can be seen everywhere. Learn how Milwaukee is creating empathy in its built environment, particularly for those re-entering the city after incarceration.

Bodegas: these stores are common in places like NYC, Philadelphia, and even Chicago. But in a place like Milwaukee that's often dubbed as "Smallwaukee", do bodegas exist in our city? We went on a quest to find out and visited five contenders around Milwaukee.

Spend your next game night at Deaf trivia

Afro-Latino: a multidimensional identity

What International Women's Day means to Yasmine Mohamed Ahmed

Milwaukee rallies behind International Women's Day 2022

"Mala", one women’s journey taking care of her aging mother