Uniquely Milwaukee

October is Wisconsin Tech Month, and an upcoming Oct. 23 event specifically highlights an underrepresented group in tech: women, who make up only about 30% of the industry's workforce.In this episode, host Kim Shine dives deeper into the tech landscape for girls and women in Wisconsin, and learns more about Wisconsin Tech Month events as a whole.Guests: Nadiyah Johnson, founder of Wisconsin Tech Month and Milky Way Tech Hub Allison Spohn, Southeast Region Board president for Women In Technology Wisconsin Inc. #####Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members and sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.

This fall marks a turning point for public-media outlets across the country. As of Oct. 1, federal funding for PBS, NPR and their local stations stopped. This $1.1 billion cut — a directive from the Trump administration — triggered widespread job cuts, restructurings and closures of hundreds of outlets across the country.Radio Milwaukee is a public-media station, and as we begin our fall membership drive, we’re feeling the impact — as are our sister stations across the state, like WXPR in northern Wisconsin.In this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, host Kim Shine talks with WXPR CEO and general manager Jessie Dick about the impact of funding cuts, the value of public media – especially in rural communities – and how they’re staying proactive.Radio Milwaukee’s Fall Membership Drive goes through Oct. 10. You can donate now, and also reach out to us any time during the year to become a volunteer or to collaborate. --Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members and sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.

If you’ve ever experienced adversity, it can be tough to see the positive outcome. Sometimes, it’s less of a beacon and more of a silver lining. In this episode, we go inside one of the city’s nonprofits that focuses on the brighter side — big, small and everything in between.Harmonic Harvest launched on Giving Tuesday in November of 2023. Less than two years later, it celebrated the opening of its headquarters inside the Marshall Building and has extended its reach well beyond the bounds of the Historic Third Ward.“I knew I wanted to create a splash. I didn’t realize it was going to be way bigger than just a splash,” Harmonic Harvest founder and CEO Jenna Washuleski said. “The whole concept of Harmonic Harvest is organizations and people that are helping create a brighter future. By weaving silver linings, by collaborating, co-creating and supporting one another, we can really create a stronger collective force.”Harmonic Harvest has donated thousands of dollars to artists, organizations and entrepreneurs, and has created connections by sharing silver linings. Its space in the Marshall Building reflects that, as Washuleski’s team transformed it to include an entrepreneurial marketplace, artist cove, designer’s workshop and much more.While Harmonic Harvest has grown relatively fast, its foundation was developed over a lifetime. In the full episode, you'll hear Washuleski talk about all the experiences — from childhood through today — that shaped the organization.*****Episode host: Kim ShineFor more episodes, go to: radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members and sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.

In any city, there are interesting places — one that are typically not open to the public. They’re spaces you pass by and say, “I wonder what happens in there.” Doors Open Milwaukee gives everyone the opportunity to act on that curiosity, with access to more than 160 locations around the city, mostly for free.It’s an annual celebration of the city’s architecture, history and neighborhoods, and it’s back at the end of September. For this episode, host Kim Shine got the chance to preview one of the most popular tours during Doors Open: Milwaukee City Hall.*****Episode host: Kim ShineFor more episodes, go to: radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members and sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.

At the corner of Locust Street and King Drive, there’s a sense of purpose, happiness and hope. That’s because theHarambee neighborhood is welcoming back a community anchor: the new Martin Luther King, Jr. branch of the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL), its modern façade brighter, bigger and more inviting for all to enter.For this episode, podcast host Kim Shine was in the mix for a very big day for the Milwaukee Public Library. Its MLK branch got a major upgrade that adds to the revitalization currently happening along King Drive. It was a day of joy and celebration as the community came together at the state-of-the- art-facility on the city’s north side.*****Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members and sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library. This episode, however, was created independently by the content team at Radio Milwaukee.

We're working hard on our next episode (obvious hint: it's connected to all the places getting ready to open their doors Sept. 27-28), so with this being Labor Day week, we decided to revisit our drive around the city with Milwaukee parking enforcement officer Eldricht Hill.On this episode, you’ll be right there as we go behind the scenes on a ride-along with Hill, and chat with him and parking services manager Thomas Woznick about the misconceptions and challenges parking staff encounter. They also reveal the weirdest place they had to issue a parking citation (hint: not on land).*****Uniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library.Host: Kim ShineReported by: Salam Fatayer and Dan Reiner

Cactus Club is one of Milwaukee’s beloved music and arts venues. Many have walked through the doors of the Bay View spot, but not everyone could enter with ease. The nearly 140-year-old building had 4-1/2 stairs to climb before you could enter, and its design wasn’t fully accessible to all. This month, that started to change. There’s now a ramp alongside the building — just the first of many planned improvements to this legacy property. In this episode, host Kim Shine takes listeners on an exclusive visit to the Cactus+ ramp celebration to learn more about the years-long process and owner Kelsey Kaufmann's mission of accessibility. Later, Radio Milwaukee morning show host Dori Zori sits down for an in-depth conversation with Kate Klingbeil, the mosaic artist who brought color and texture to the project.*****Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

The Menomonee River isn’t your typical classroom. Then again, the group of 10- to 12-year-olds who spent a week along its shoreline weren’t your typical class.These students, and some older teens, were part of a summer program from All Hands Boatworks, a local nonprofit teaching youth — and adults — about the craft of wooden boatbuilding, Milwaukee’s rivers and the Great Lakes. But the learning extends well beyond the water.“When we’re building this boat, it’s not about building a boat,” longtime volunteer Trent Myers said. "You expand their sense of what they’re capable of achieving.”Podcast host Kim Shine takes you to the river, and inside the weeklong experience includes building birdhouses and kayaking on the river before culminating with a dedication ceremony and boat launch. —Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

The future is technology. The future is A.I. It’s shaping industries while transforming how we communicate and how we learn. In this episode, we go inside a new summer program showing those capabilities — and more — to the young minds in our community.A.I. Academy is teaching a group of sixth through eighth graders how they can benefit from this technological leap, as well as how it can fuel entrepreneurship. With hands-on lessons that use platforms like ChatGPT, the students learn topics like the fundamentals of data science.They’re also working on financial literacy, an area getting increased attention from companies in the industry like Associated Bank, which provides support for A.I. Academy. The Wisconsin-based company is a program partner with the Milky Way Tech Hub, a company focused on making Milwaukee a nucleus for Black people and people of color to thrive in technology.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

We’re taking a break this week, but that doesn’t mean the stories stop. In fact, it turned out to be the perfect time to revisit and update our episode from last July about Milwaukee’s Hydroponics STEM Program, which teaches Milwaukee high schoolers STEM and urban farming. That means they use technology, not soil, to grow their own food, eat healthier and even become entrepreneurs.The program makes a positive impact on youth in food insecure areas while also teaching them the historical influence of Black people in agriculture. It’s going on right now with a new cohort of students in its new location at 1109 W. Mitchell St. They also have an apprenticeship program that high school freshmen, sophomore and juniors can apply for on their website.*****Mitchelle Lyle grew up in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood, a community with limited access to fresh produce and grocery stores — not that she would’ve known that as a child. Lyle was surrounded by gardens and fresh produce, often enjoying tomatoes with salt and vinegar as a snack. This early exposure to gardening and self-sustainability would later inspire her mission to give back to her community.Lyle’s professional journey led her through engineering and manufacturing, driven by a passion for science and mathematics. Upon returning to Milwaukee in 2018, she was disheartened to see her childhood neighborhood in decline. This spurred her into action."I felt a sense of responsibility to do something,” she recalled. “If you have achieved success, then what is your responsibility to the rest of the community that you came from?"Determined to make a difference, Lyle brainstormed the issues facing her community, identifying food and health disparities as critical areas. She then launched the Hydroponics STEM Program, a five-week summer initiative designed to educate students about the history of agriculture through the lens of Black history, and teach them practical skills in hydroponics and STEM.In this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, we sit down with Lyle, the director of Milwaukee's Hydroponics STEM Program, to explore her personal journey and her deep connection to the Amani neighborhood. We also throw ourselves into the program itself by playing with water balloons! OK, it’s actually a lesson about fluid dynamics, but it does highlight the initiative’s fun, hands-on approach to learning.*****Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Harlem and Bronzeville. Two neighborhoods separated by more than 700 miles. Despite the space between them, there’s plenty that unites these epicenters of Black culture — with reputations built over more than a century.There’s a historic connection between Harlem in New York City and Bronzeville here in Brew City. It’s something Radio Milwaukee’s digital-first platform HYFIN will put center stage at its third annual Anti-Gala, which this year pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance. In this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, host Kim Shine talks with HYFIN program director Element Everest-Blanks about the upcoming gala but also takes a step back into history. In part one, you’ll hear from three Milwaukee notables about how the city’s Black community spurred its own renaissance starting in the 1920s up to a thriving Bronzeville in the 1950s.Guests:- Raynetta "Ray" Hill, executive director, Historic King Drive BID (guest interviewer)- Clayborn Benson, founder of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Museum- Reuben Harpole, Milwaukee’s “Second Mayor” Read the full article, see pictures from the past, and recommended books on Black Milwaukee by visiting radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories —Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

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.—Episode hosts: Kim Shine and Britney "B~Free" Freeman-FarrUniquely 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.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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 SummerfestBrandon 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.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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. —Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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.—Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely 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 GrzybowskiUniquely 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 PerezUniquely Milwaukee is sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Library and supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.