Uniquely Milwaukee

This Latine Heritage Month, we celebrate the work of Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez.Martinez was elected in 2022 as County Supervisor of District 12, representing various southside neighborhoods. In this role, he helped secure a $30 million commitment from the county for the Mitchell Park Domes, a prime example of his advocacy for the parks system and securing resources for the neighborhoods he represents.Along with his work in civic engagement and labor organizing, he writes for publications like the Milwaukee Record and frequently DJs at the Wiggle Room, using that time to unwind and share music from his eclectic collection. But with everything he does, he always keeps his focus on highlighting stories about people of color in Milwaukee. "The reason these stories are important," he explained, "is because we make up the fabric of this city.” For the full story, go to radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.#####Episode host: Paula LovoUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Milwaukee is a place of resilience and service. But a shadow of crime and violence hovers over parts of the city. You’ll find evidence of all these things in the people who see the latter and embrace the former by working to make Milwaukee safer. Vaun Mayes is one of them. For years, Mayes has been an interrupter, building community trust and understanding while advocating for alternative approaches to policing and public safety. His efforts on the North Side haven’t gone unnoticed and are the subject of a a new documentary from doc|UWM students: Heavy Is the Crown.The film features conversations with elected officials, law enforcement, educators and young people about the challenges and solutions to building safer neighborhoods. Director Sean Kafer and producer Mackenzie Savin played key roles in the project, and Uniquely Milwaukee host Kim Shine sat down with them — along with Mayes — to talk about the documentary ahead of its premiere at the Oriental Theatre at 4:30 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 27.To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.#####Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

Survivors of violence in the Milwaukee area have a new place to turn for help. Wisconsin’s first trauma recovery center (TRC) opened in September, offering specialized mental-healthcare services.The Medical College of Wisconsin launched the clinic at ThriveOn King in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood. It’s one of nearly 60 TRCs across 28 states in the country that use an evidence-based model to reach communities, individuals and families who slip through the cracks of traditional services. Their holistic approach includes outreach, therapy and case management alongside community partner support.In line with the national model, all services are free and for the most part the Milwaukee TRC will help clients aged 14 and older. The goal is to grow the network and add self-referrals in early 2027. “Our goal is to help people go from surviving to thriving, and mental health and mental wellness is a huge part of that," said Dr. Terri deRoon-Cassini, director of the Milwaukee TRC. "This adds to the ecosystem of everything else going on in Milwaukee." To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.#####Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.

The phones we carry in our pockets give us the ability to snap a picture any time we want. But a nearly 200-year-old form of photography is still around today — and still finding new fans.Milwaukee’s own Amber Ascher has made a business out of her interest in the Victorian-era artform, which is making a return in this fast-paced digital age.  “I think with the rise of A.I., digital-perfected images, people want this even more because it's so obviously handmade,” she said. “Sometimes, you literally see the fingerprint of the photographer on the plate from them handling it, and it's just special for that reason.”In this episode, we go along on a tintype shoot to learn how it's done and why people continue to choose an antique form of photography in an age of advanced technology.#####Guest host: Rachel TarbyUniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.

No matter where you are in the world, technology is changing how we work, live and collaborate. In October, we’ll see once again how the Badger State is part of this evolving landscape as Wisconsin Tech Month returns for its sixth year.The annual event spotlights the innovators, ideas and curious people shaping or learning about technology, all around one theme. This year’s is “Connected Through Innovation.”"Technology does not necessarily require in-person (events), said Nadiyah Johnson, Milky Way Tech Hub CEO and co-founder of Wisconsin Tech Month. “However, the advancement of technology in the right direction I think warrants more in-person, in-real-life efforts. That's where we really make true connection.“We're able to really grow empathy for each other, understand each other's problems and actually then start creating technology that society needs, not just building because we can."For this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, Kim Shine sits down with Johnson to get her perspective on where innovation can start and who can shape it.To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories.#####Episode host: Kim ShineUniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.