Big things are happening for Dee Star. His podcast will be the first ever enshrined at the Wisconsin History Museum and the Sun Prairie Historical Society. He now has a day in his honor during Black History Month — Dee Star Day on Feb. 3 — and will receive a Legislative Citation.
Star started his biweekly podcast, OuttaDeeBox, in April 2022. On the show, he speaks with current and former inmates and their families in Wisconsin. The podcast has earned acclaim for its vulnerable look at the experiences of those impacted by incarceration.
“It hasn’t really sunk in, the impact, yet. I’m still working. It’s like that’s great, that’s awesome, but I still got more work to do,” Star said. “It’s a huge honor. I really wanted to show people that you can do things that’s never been done before. There’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.”
Star knows the enshrinement and the honors are a big deal. But for him, they’re secondary to the work itself.
He wants to be a role model for kids in the community — someone they can look up to and see a path forward for themselves.
“If you walk down the hall every day and you see this hall of fame at your high school, but no one looks like you, how could you ever aspire to be that? When you see all these great things that all of these people have done, but you don’t see anybody that looks like you, it’s deflating,” Star said.
To that end, Star works with youth across Dane County. He has partnered with the City of Madison, Madison Central Library, alternative schools, Sun Prairie Music and Arts, elementary schools and the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center, which he visits regularly. He teaches young people how to podcast and handle production.
Star has his own role models he looks up to: his wife, whom he thanks for her constant support, and Boys and Girls Club of Dane County CEO Michael Johnson.
“He’s, to me, a shining example of what you can be if you put your mind to it. I always look to him and see what his next moves are and what he’s doing, because a lot of the things he’s done have never been done before,” Star said.
Star also points to the recent Vel Phillips statue on Capitol Square, calling the effort “monumental” and “historic.”
Legislative Citations are official recognitions by state senators and representatives to individuals or organizations for significant achievements. Star will receive his tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sun Prairie Lions Club. District 48 Rep. Andrew Hysell and Lions Club President Bill Baker will give remarks and present the citation.
