Black Like Me

Dr. Alex Gee has an honest conversation with Kaleem Caire about his experience and perspective on the education system. Kaleem recently released a statement to the local community with a list of articles documenting the history of disparities for African Americans in Madison, WI. You can find that list here. Kaleem Caire is the founder and CEO of One City Schools, the operator of two preschools serving ages 1 through kindergarten that are focused on getting young children ready for school success. Prior to One City, Kaleem was the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison in Madison, WI and chair of the National Urban League’s Education Committee. Prior to the Urban League, Kaleem held other executive leadership positions with Target Corporation, Fight For Children of Washington, DC, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), American Education Reform Council, Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  alexgee.com patreon.co

Dr. Alex Gee is back with a new and exciting season of interviews and conversation. In this episode, he sets the scene for the new season and what's to come. Here is a link to the "Race to Equity" Report which Dr. Gee references: https://racetoequity.net/ *This episode was recorded with the theme of "state of emergency" before the coronavirus pandemic in reference to the experience of African Americans in Wisconsin and the nation* alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Season 4 is going to be big! Dr. Alex Gee provides a short snapshot of what is coming in Season 4 of the Black Like Me podcast. A major theme to be explored in the new season is "State of Emergency." Subscribe now so that you don't miss any new episodes. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee reads his inspiring poem, "You're The Ones," written on the eve of a talk given to college students and reflecting on what he would want to convey to them. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee reads his powerful poem, "Welcome Home," written in response to his trip to Ghana in 2019 for the 400 year anniversary of the start of the African slave trade. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee reads his powerful poem, "Colonizer, Please," written in response to his trip to Ghana in 2019 for the 400 year anniversary of the start of the African slave trade. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

In the final episode of Season 3, Dr. Alex Gee recaps some highlights and themes from this season. As a bonus, two poems written from Dr. Gee's experiences in Ghana are included in the episode. If you are a Patreon supporter you will also be receiving an extra, powerful video reflection on Dr. Gee's experience at the Slave River in Ghana.  alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

How should White people handle racial missteps? How should white allies support people of color in the moment? Dr. Alex Gee discusses a recent race-related encounter that he couldn't help but bring up to help others understand all sides of the incident. The crew of the Black Like Me podcast help process the encounter as they witnessed the moment. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has an in-depth conversation with Marlon Anderson, who was fired from a Madison high school for telling a student not to call him the n-word. Dr. Gee has known Marlon since his youth. For the first time, hear the whole story of how Marlon's high school son, Noah Anderson, rallied support behind him as the president of the Black Student Union. Noah organized a student walk-out, petition, and discussions with school administration. NYT Article BBC Article NBC News Video Student Walk-Out Article Marlon Anderson Music Noah Anderson (GAP) Music alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme  

Dr. Alex Gee interviews Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc., who pioneered a new way of tracing African lineages using genetics, and a new marketplace for people of African descent looking to more accurately and reliably trace their roots. Leveraging her pioneering spirit, lifelong entrepreneurship and corporate expertise, Paige travels the world helping people demystify where they’re from so that they may better understand who they are --- optimizing success in their lives, communities and businesses. From Oprah Winfrey, John Legend and Spike Lee to Condoleezza Rice and The King Family, Paige has had a personal hand in demystifying their unknown African roots. Dr. Gee discusses the revelation of his own African roots that were shared by Dr. Paige while they were in Ghana. Special Offer for Black Like Me listeners: 10% off africanancestry.com website. Use code: "blacklikeme" alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee captures an exclusive interview with Dr. Yusef Salaam of what became known as the "Central Park Five" and are now known as "The Exonerated Five." You won't want to miss Dr. Salaam's powerful and honest story that details his resilience, integrity, and faith in the midst of great injustice. Dr. Yusef Salaam's story has been presented in Ken Burn's documentary, "The Central Park Five" and Ava DuVernay's award-winning Netflix series, "When They See Us." Since his release more than 20 years ago, Yusef has become a family man, father, poet, activist, and inspirational speaker. He has committed himself to advocate and educate people on the issues of mass incarceration, police brutality and misconduct, false confessions, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system, especially for young men of color. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee hosts a roundtable of Thanksgiving conversation with his friends and family, Lilada Gee, Harry Hawkins, and Jim Bower. This feast of a discussion covers cultural and family traditions that bring unique flavors to the holiday. Listen in for one of the most fun Black Like Me episodes. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has an eye-opening conversation with University of Wisconsin Professor of History and one of the most celebrated lecturers in the Justified Anger African American History Class, Christy Clark-Pujara. Christy Clark-Pujara is a historian whose research focuses on the experiences of black people in French and British North America in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. Books: Dark Work: The Business of Slavery in Rhode Island (New York: New York University Press, 2016). alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee welcomes his friend, General Marcia Anderson, to the Black Like Me podcast. They discuss the trajectory of her career as both a woman and African American in the military. She is a trailblazer in her service and work, exemplifying integrity and leadership. In 2011  she became the first African-American woman to become a major general in the United States Army Reserve. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode is part of Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Dr. Gee talks with Pia Kinney James, who was born and raised in South Madison and was the first Black woman to serve on the Madison police department. Now retired, she still devotes her time to mentoring officers and community members alike,  building a lasting bridge between the two. Kinney James has also done extensive genealogical research into her family's history and made some startling discoveries. Don't miss her amazing stories that reveal so much about American history and it's systems. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode is part of Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Dr. Richard Harris, Betty Banks, Billy McDonald share their extensive history of being black in Madison as the city has grown. Listen to hear if anything has changed much for race relations through the years and learn more about the Stoney the Road project. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode continues Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Three young African American women discuss growing up in Madison and the challenges they have faced. Lexi Gee, Ali Gee, and Malaika Robinson share their experiences in the education system and young professional world. These millennials don't hold back and Madison risks losing them. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This is the first episode in Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. First, Dr. Richard Harris shares stories from his book Growing Up Black in South Madison: Economic Disenfranchisement of Black Madison. Dr. Harris was born in 1937 in Madison, Wisconsin, grew up in South Madison and attended the Madison public schools. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in 1961, the University of Illinois-Chicago with a MSW in 1964 and later received his Ph. D. in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee talks to Joseph Rogers about his experience of bringing his ancestors and historical figures to life. Rogers does living historical interpretation work by acting as slaves at public and private historical sites around the country. Recently, he took part in a federal 1619 commemorative event at Fort Monroe.  alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee interviews Ben Wikler, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, about the power of Wisconsin politics for America and the world. The discussion covers the potential of the Black vote, the need for Black wealth, and practical ways to make an impact. Ben has spent his life fighting for economic, social, and racial justice. In his work, most recently for the progressive group MoveOn.org, Ben has played a leadership role in some of the most critical political fights of recent years. From a young age, Ben has been driven by a passion for change and inspired by Wisconsin's progressive tradition. Ben worked nationally for climate change, peace, human rights, and many other issues. As MoveOn's Washington, DC director, Ben worked closely with the Obama White House, served as a surrogate for Bernie Sanders, and helped raise millions of dollars for grassroots organizing to elect Hillary Clinton. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme