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Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with three guests from Black Arts MKE—Barbara Wanzo, Executive Director of Black Arts MKE; Sheri Williams Panel, Producing Artistic Director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Artistic Associate of Black Arts MKE; and Dimonte Henning, actor and director and Artistic Director of Lights, Camera, Soul—to talk about their work to expand the availability and quality of African American arts and culture. They discuss the importance of narratives that share both struggle and triumph, how they each started doing this work, and the upcoming Milwaukee Black Theater Festival, August 10-14.. To learn more, visit: Black Arts MKE Action Steps: Attend the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival, August 10-14. Engage in your community and go to events you may not have been to before. Bring a friend or family member with you to community events. 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. Shoutout to our supporters! Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Audra O’Connell, Executive Director of Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center, to talk about their work serving young people experiencing housing insecurity in the city. They discuss the misconceptions around those experiencing homelessness, the different programs offered by the Center, and how you can get involved to support youth in the city. To learn more, visit: Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center Action Steps: Keep an eye out for young people and provide them with support and resources Attend a Summer of Healing Event Advocate for the legislation that helps young people 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. Shoutout to our supporters (include first names of new Patrons and include in episode if possible)  Music by Casey Masters.

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Chief Municipal Judge Derek Mosely about what it means being a Municipal Court Judge, Judge Mosely’s passion and celebration of Milwaukee’s food scene, and his work advocating for greater racial equity and knowledge of Black history in Milwaukee. To learn more, visit: Municipal Court Website MKE Food Court MEDAL Program (Coming Soon) Action Steps: Have positive interactions with people who are different from you Attend Milwaukee’s ethnic festivals Attend Emerald Mill’s Diverse Dining Event (Episode 25) Stand up for and speak about people who aren’t in the room 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. Shoutout to our supporters (include first names of new Patrons and include in episode if possible)  Music by Casey Masters.

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Drew Pond, Director of Development at Stone Creek Coffee, and Kelsey Moses, Excise Tax and Compliance Director at Lakefront Brewery. They talk about what is a B Corp, why the companies decided to pursue such a designation, and how B Corps are reshaping the business community here in Milwaukee. To learn more, visit: B Corporation Lakefront Brewery Stone Creek Coffee B Local Wisconsin Action Steps: Drew and Kelsey’s action step includes: Support B Corps 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. Shoutout to our supporters (include first names of new Patrons and include in episode if possible) Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Woodland Pattern Executive Directors Laura Solomon and Jenny Gropp. Woodland Pattern is a Book Center in Riverwest and offers a wide selection of books, including one of the largest collections of poetry in the country, and a variety of regular events. Ben discusses the origin of Woodland Pattern, what makes it such a unique, vibrant space in Riverwest, and how they prioritize marginalized voices in their events and material. To learn more, visit: Woodland Pattern Action Steps: Read Puerto Rican Obituary by Pedro Pietri Visit Woodland Pattern Volunteer at Woodland Pattern Bring your art, poetry, writing or any other creative work to Woodland Pattern Collaborate with Woodland Pattern 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Ashlie Benson sits down with Dr. Monique Liston who is the Chief Strategist & Joyful Militant of Ubuntu Research and Evaluation. Ashlie and Dr. Liston discuss what it means to practice joyful militancy, who are community celebrates and how we celebrate them, and the culture Dr. Liston has cultivated at Ubuntu Research and Evaluation. To learn more, visit: Ubuntu Research and Evaluation Dr. Liston’s Facebook Live about Revisioning the Way we Celebrate our Community Action Steps: Sign up for Ubuntu Research and Evaluation’s Mailing List Support Love on Black Women Drink Water 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with one of the co-owners of Lion’s Tooth, a local Bookstore, cafe, and subscription service with small press books and graphic novels. Ben and Cris talk about the origin of Lion’s Tooth, what makes Lion’s Tooth a unique, accessible bookstore, and how she and co-founder Shelly McClone-Carriere took a subscription service to a brick and mortar cafe.  Prior to the episode, Ben previews this week’s mayoral primary for the city of Milwaukee. This once-in-a-generation election needs all of Milwaukee to participate! Vote on February 15th. Visit myvote.wi.gov for more information about the election and Bridge the City’s election page for resources about the election.  To learn more, visit: Lion’s Tooth Our Elections Page Action Steps: Visit Lion’s Tooth and share your project idea, publish a zine, or read a zine at Lion’s Tooth! Vote on February 15th, 2022 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Ashlie Benson sit down with one another to ask you all, the listeners, for help! We are looking for new team members and would love your support. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Bridge the City and potentially joining our team let us know! Contact us on social media or through our website bridgethecitypodcast.com. We are looking for people who are passionate about the city and about learning how to make a difference. No previous skills or knowledge about podcasting are required to apply. Please note that Bridge the City is a passion project run and operated by volunteers. Stipends are occasionally available.

Host Benjamin Rangel Sits down with Mark Denning, Eddee Daniel, and Kimberly Gleffe to talk about the Milwaukee River Greenway and Eddee Daniel’s new book on the subject. We learn more about our place in caring for our ecosystems, how Eddee was inspired to write the book, and what Kimberly, her team at the River Revitalization Foundation, and other organizations are doing to care for our parks and natural resources. To learn more, visit: Book: Milwaukee River Greenway  River Revitalization Foundation  Line 3 in Minnesota  Milwaukee Water Commons Milwaukee Riverkeeper Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition Action Steps: Mark’s action steps include: Reverse your thinking - water is a steward of us.  Be present in and aware of nature.  Eddee’s action steps include:   Attend the Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s annual Milwaukee River Clean-up Kimberly’s action steps include:   Learn more about the Art Servancy Program Volunteer with the River Revitalization Foundation 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. Music by Casey Masters  This episode was produced and edited by Benjamin Rangel. 

Host Ashlie Benson sits down with Sheila Plotkin with We, the Irrelevant, Matthew Rothschild with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, and Chris Ford with the People’s Maps Commission to discuss redistricting and fair maps in Wisconsin. They discuss the importance of redistricting to the democratic process, how the maps were drawn in the past, and efforts to ensure the upcoming redistricting process is fair and transparent. To learn more, visit: We, the Irrelevant Wisconsin Democracy Campaign The People’s Maps Commission Actions Steps: Sheila’s Actions Steps are: Host a Screening of “Can you Hear us Now?” Contact your legislator Get Involved with a Fair Maps Group Support Law Forward Matthew’s Action Step is: Demand a Public Hearing on Bills SB 389 and AB 395 Chris’ Action Steps are: Submit Comments and Sample Maps to the People’s Maps Commission Follow the PMC on Twitter 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Sam Harshner, Professor at Marquette University, Hillary Laskonis, Coworker at Colectivo Coffee, and Robert Penner, union organizer and former employee of Colectivo Coffee. They talk about the state of unionization in our city, the efforts of Colectivo employees to form a union, and the story of one former employee who accuses Colectivo of terminating him as retaliation against him. To learn more, visit: Colectivo Collective Instagram Colectivo Coffee Wisconsin State AFL CIO Information on the PRO Act Action steps: Hilary’s action steps include: 1. Show solidarity and tell your Colectivo barista that you support the union 2. Educate yourself on the PRO Act Robert’s action steps include: 1. If the union effort is successful, support Colectivo! 2. Start a union at your own workplace Sam’s action steps include: 1. Start a union at your own workplace 2. Educate yourself on the PRO Act 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. Music by Casey Masters. Episode edited and produced by Benjamin Rangel.

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Ashlie Benson sit down with Melody McCurtis, Deputy Director of Priorities/Organizer, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, and Miela Fetaw the Co-director of the short documentary Black Vote Rising. They discuss was inspired the documentary, the importance of voter engagement, and the work of Melcafe Park Community Bridges. To learn more, visit: Metcalfe Park Community Bridges Black Vote Rising Documentary Action Steps: Melody’s action steps include: Vote Stop Asian Hate Donate time, energy, or money to Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, or similar organizations Follow Metcalfe Park on social media Miela’s action steps include: Vote and encourage others to vote Donate to organizations like Metcalfe Park Community Bridges 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Kacee Ochalek sit down with planning experts Amy Oath and Leif Otteson to talk about the recommendations coming to the South 13th Street and West Oklahoma Avenue corridors. These recommendations come together to inform the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development’s Southwest Side Area Plan, which helps inform policy and development in the neighborhood. To learn more, visit: Envision South 13th Street Together Official Website Actions Steps: Leif’s action step is to get out into the street and engage with your neighbors Amy’s action step is to join the City of Milwaukee’s E-notify system and follow along with DCD on their website or social media. 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with candidates for State Superintendent and Milwaukee Public School Board Districts 4 and 5. The candidates for State Superintendent are Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly. The candidates for MPS Board District 4 are Aisha Carr and Dana Kelley. The candidates for District 5 are Alex Brower and Jilly Gokalgandhi. The candidates answer questions about why they believe they are the best choice for their respective seats. To learn more, visit: The candidates’ respective websites: Deborah Kerr Jill Underly Aisha Carr Dana Kelley Alex Brower Jilly Gokalgandhi To learn more about where and how to vote, visit: Myvote.wi.gov Actions Steps: Deborah’s action step is to mentor and support young people Jill’s action steps are to run for your local school board and get involved in your child’s PTA or other grassroots educational organizations Aisha’s action step is to vote in the upcoming election! Dana’s action steps are to follow the Northside Rising Facebook page and visit the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Alex’s action steps are to vote and be a leader in your community Jilly’s action step is to prioritize local elections and request an absentee ballot to make voting easy 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Sam Woods sits down with Brian Peters, Harvey Ross, Jason Ostrowski, and Lauren Grudzinski, to discuss the importance of snow removal for sidewalk and street accessibility. When snow is left in the sidewalk, on curb cuts, or bus stops, it is difficult for people using wheelchairs (or strollers, anything using wheels) or with low vision to get around. While removing your snow may feel like an endless chore, it really is a civic responsibility. So remove your snow, make sure your neighbors remove their snow, and find a way to clear curb cuts. To learn more, visit: Independence First City of Milwaukee snow removal resources Action Steps Be proactive about shoveling and making sure your neighbors shovel Learn more about sidewalk accesibility. Visit Independence First's website for resources and learning opportunities. Write news stations to remind people to remove snow when snow is on the forecast. Clear the whole sidewalk when shoveling, not just a narrow pathway. 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. Shout out to our newest patrons Luke, Stephen, and Bryana! 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with UW-Milwaukee professor, Dr. Robert Schneider, to discuss how we can redesign our city to address reckless driving. We discuss how roads could be redesigned to slow down traffic, why our current transportation system needs to be reformed, and how the built environment can make us all safer. To learn more, visit: Dr. Schneider’s Faculty Profile The Coalition for Safe Driving Action Steps Dr. Schneider’s action steps include: 1. Follow and get involved in the Coalition for Safe Driving 2. Contact your local alderperson and share with them your perspective on creating safer streets 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. Shout out to our newest patrons Luke, Stephen, and Bryana! 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with four candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Dr. Shandowlyon (Shawn) Hendricks-Williams, Steve Krull, Deborah Kerr, and Sheila Briggs. We talk about their priorities for the first 100 days in office and why they are the best choice for voters in a crowded primary field. To learn more, visit: Dr. Hendricks Steve Krull Deborah Kerr Sheila Briggs Dr. Jill Underly Joe Fenrick Troy Gunderson Full Length Interviews Myvote.wi.gov Action Steps: Dr. Hendricks’ action steps include: Mentor someone other than your own kids! Show our young people that you see them Steve Krull’s action steps include: Get informed about what is happening in the schools around you and our current funding structure Volunteer at a local school Deborah Kerr’s action step includes: Keep students at the heart of everything - coach, mentor, and advocate for them Sheila Briggs’ action steps include: Stay informed and vote, especially at the local level Look for and lift up talented young people throughout our state 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Ben Rangel speak with Larry Miller, Outgoing Milwaukee Public School Board President and District 5 Director, about the upcoming Milwaukee School Board Primary Election. Larry explains the ins-and-outs of what it means to be an MPS school board director. After the interview, stick around because Kacee and Ben discuss the various contested races, the candidates, and their platforms! Learn More about the Candidates District 4 Candidates Cheryl Hayes Dana Kelley Victor Nwagbaraocha Aisha Carr District 5 Candidates Alex Brower Abbie Fishman Jilly Gokalgandhi Kahri Phelps Okoro Even More: myvote.wi.gov Our Election Information hub (survey responses from candidates coming soon!) MPS: Find Your Board District Action Steps: Vote! Have conversations with the prospective board members! Volunteer at MPS. Learn more here or call 414-475-8285 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. Music by Casey Masters.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down again with Anthony McHenry, CEO of Milwaukee Academy of Science, and two of his own students, Rodrigo and Yulian. We talk about how schools have been navigating this challenging time, things to celebrate despite everything, and what you can do to support young people. To learn more, visit: Milwaukee Academy of Science Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee Public Schools City Forward Collective Bridge the City - T-shirt Action Steps: Financially support schools and organizations Speak up about social issues facing our community, get off the sideline! Check on your family and friends, especially young people in your family 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. Music by Casey Masters.

In a different format than usual, Ben Rangel talks with Sam Woods about MKE United’s anti-displacement fund, which helps longtime homeowners along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and in Walker’s Point pay their property taxes to avoid being priced out of their neighborhoods. Coretta Herring, who administers the application process, joins briefly to discuss how to apply if you’re eligible and how to support if you are not. We also touch on the decision before the Common Council about whether to take federal money to hire more police officers, and we ask listeners to give us questions to ask alderpeople in future episodes. To Learn More, Visit: MKE United Anti-Displacement Fund Anti-Displacement Fund Application Action Steps: Coretta’s action steps include: 1. If you or your family have owned property in Walker’s Point, Halyard Park, Brewer’s Hill, Bronzeville, or souther Harambee, apply to the fund by Wednesday, November 25. 2. If you know someone in those neighborhoods, tell them about the fund. 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. Music by Casey Masters.