Listen now:
This week: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture officially opens its doors, the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness calls for funding after proving its “Saving Our Babies” model works, Urban Triage gets into the hemp business, we remember the founder of Shabazz City High School, and Rally Madison puts together an advisory board for its players. Plus, Dr. Alex Gee’s full grand opening speech, and we debate how many hats is too many hats.
Stories discussed:
- “A great day to be Black.” Center for Black Excellence and Culture celebrates grand opening — The three-story, 37,000-square-foot building on Madison’s South Side held its grand opening Wednesday, featuring a theater, podcast studio, art studio, senior center, co-working space, and more. Dr. Alex Gee raised $32 million to open the center debt-free. His full speech is featured in this episode.
- “Saving Our Babies” initiative highlights its effectiveness in achieving better birth outcomes for Black mothers and babies — The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness held its seventh annual press conference urging the state to fund programs like ConnectRx and doula services that have shown measurable results in addressing Wisconsin’s Black maternal and infant health disparities.
- Urban Triage launches new hemp brand, Less Noise Wellness, powered by local agriculture, sustainability, and community ownership — Urban Triage launched Less Noise Wellness, a full-spectrum organic hemp and CBD brand grown at Farley Center, in partnership with La Crosse-based Stacks Family Farms and Carbon Cannabis. The move aims to reduce the organization’s reliance on government funding.
- Stuart Dymzarov, founder of Malcolm Shabazz City High School, dies at 81 — Dymzarov, a teacher in Madison who secured a Ford Foundation grant to start the alternative high school in 1971, passed away last week.
- Rally Madison announces advisory board to support player development on and off the field — The pre-professional women’s soccer team announced an advisory board featuring Lauren Sesselmann, Mason Crosby, Jay DeMerit, Gianca Bocelli, Michelle Behnke, and Ismael “Melo” Calderón to provide mentorship and professional development for players.
Fun stuff: The hosts riff on Rob’s Chromebook going into tablet mode, Stephanie’s ongoing war with Rob’s 30–40 hats and shoes scattered around the house, and the group’s love-hate relationship with podcast advertising.
