Black Like Me

Dr. Gee brings Dr. Karen Reece back to the show to discuss the complexity of leading a Black focused organization in a majority white community. Dr. Reece brings first hand knowledge of working with white women in the non-profit sector with race relations involved. They talk about if you want different results in their kind of work, you need to try something different. Don't miss this insightful and honest conversation. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Tyler Nylen and Joel Ballivian return to the show to ask Dr. Gee how white men can face the accountability of their history and move forward. Dr. Gee works to help people understand that we are all broken, not saviors, and then we can start to get work done. The three of them dig deep into understanding the place of white men in the current racial reckoning in American society. They try to model the space white men need to process the new reality of a multicultural society, race relations, and white supremacy. Dr. Gee sheds light on how racism has done damage to everyone in America. Hear more: 7 Observations For White People During This Historic Moment alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee continues his Season 8 focus on leadership with one of the greatest highlights of his career, interviewing his first grade teacher, Alice E. Turner. Mrs. Turner is a vibrant 103 and has so much wisdom to pass along. In their conversation they cover Mrs. Turner's influence on Dr. Gee, the experience of being a Black teacher through so much history, and inspiring Black youth to greatness. This conversation is so vital to capturing the excellence and experience of our elders.

Dr. Gee welcomes his friend and fellow pastor, Peter Ahn back to the show to talk about authenticity in leadership development. They speak about different moments of crisis, such as the Pandemic, that bring new roads, roles, and rules. These two leaders bring a unique perspective on cross-cultural relationships and empowering others to live into their leadership abilities. Their partnership has been about bringing communities together to be allied against racism and the important of understanding the history between communities. Don't miss this conversation about leading with clarity of vision over popularity and comfort. Peter reinforces the need for empowering a multicultural leadership approach in local communities. He has demonstrated raising up local leaders and resourcing them to make change on their own in the Englewood community of New Jersey. Check out Peter's podcast Weak Pastor for more of his insights. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee speaks to a group of Black students from the University of Wisconsin that formed the Black Power Coalition in response to a video of a UW student using racial slurs and language that appeared online in May, 2023. The students from the coalition organized several marches on the UW campus as call to action demonstrations, including presenting a list of demands to the UW Chancellor to address the racist incident. The conversation with the students covers their personal experiences and what they each brought to addressing the racism on campus. There was a Black student solidarity that grew out of this incident and Dr. Gee calls out the excellence and leadership of these student organizers. Read the letter of demands that the coalition sent to the University Read more about the demonstrations around the event alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

On this episode Dr. Gee has a conversation with Jacquesha Hunt about growing up in his church, finding her first job with his non-profit organization, and now assisting with the podcast as well. With so much history together and being able to see Jacquesha develop in her life, Dr. Gee shares some new angles on his leadership and mentoring. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee continues his heart-felt and truthful conversation with his white cousin, Brandon Cook, about their shared family legacy that dates back to American slavery. They are open about discussing the racial trauma that has carried through generations of their family history. In this second part of their conversation, they talk about the truth of using your own experience and guilt versus healing. Having both served as pastors and being committed to transformational leadership, they have a lot in common, while still experiencing very different sides of American society. Brandon Cook is a writer, trainer, and business/personal coach. He attended Wheaton College (IL) and studied in Jerusalem, Israel before graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University near Boston. He also received a Master’s degree in ancient Judaism from Oxford University in the UK. Brandon is passionate about helping people courageously step into their future and into who they are made to be, through Brandon Cook Coaching. You can

Dr. Alex Gee has a conversation with his long-time and wise friend, Rick Phelps. They share a thoughtful, sharp, and strategic approach to leadership for the greater good of the local community. You won't want to miss Rick's insightful and sensitive questions and the wisdom they bring out of Dr. Gee about his visionary leadership, including the development of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Rick Phelps is the former Dane County Executive and chaired redevelopment of East Washington Ave/Capitol East District in Madison, WI. He is currently serving as an integral part of the advisory council for The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has a heart-felt and truthful conversation with his white cousin, Brandon Cook, about their shared family legacy that dates back to American slavery. They are open about discussing the racial trauma that has carried through generations of their family history. Having both served as pastors and being committed to transformational leadership, they have a lot in common, while still experiencing very different sides of American society. Brandon Cook is a writer, trainer, and business/personal coach. He attended Wheaton College (IL) and studied in Jerusalem, Israel before graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University near Boston. He also received a Master’s degree in ancient Judaism from Oxford University in the UK. Brandon is passionate about helping people courageously step into their future and into who they are made to be, through Brandon Cook Coaching. You can also listen to his podcast, Naming the Real, wherever you listen to podcasts. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee gets interviewed by his accomplished guest, Jason Fields. They discuss how to develop leaders, professionally and spiritually, and the unseen loneliness and cost of leadership. Fields asks about how he observes Dr. Gee’s consistency of voice and personality in every environment. Jason Fields represents the United States as a senator of the World Business Angel Investment Forum (WBAF). He is founder of The Financial Promise Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that teaches personal financial & business literacy. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of Dark Knight Capital Ventures, a venture fund that seeks to invest in underrepresented founders across America. Jason started his career in the financial services sector where he collaboratively managed over $100 million in assets. His experience includes bonds, equities, derivatives, insurance, and both residential and commercial loans. He has also worked as a financial advisor, investment advisor, personal banker, credit union bra

For this episode of the Pass the Mic Series, get an inside look at the cross-cultural production team dynamic of the Black Like Me podcast itself. Producers Jeremy Holiday and Eli Steenlage ask Dr. Gee about mentoring and leading 'eager white men' who want to be part of the racial justice movement. The conversation covers the importance of building cross-cultural relationships, following Black voices, and showing up when it matters.  alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

The Pass the Mic leadership series continues with the return of Dr. Tony Chambers to the podcast. Dr. Gee and Dr. Chambers exchange stories and insights on their leadership values. In their conversation, Dr. Gee digs into the circumstances that led him to write the Justified Anger article in 2013 and recalls the exact moment that he felt the American dream fade. Dr. Chambers also brings the idea of gratitude into the role it plays in leading others. Listen to Dr. Tony Chambers' first appearance on Black Like Me in Season 3. Learn more about The Center for Black Excellence and Culture alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme    

Dr. Alex Gee is kicking off his new Leadership series with the Executive Vice President of his non-profit organization, Nehemiah. Harry Hawkins has studied Transformational Leadership like Dr. Gee and of how this powerful style of leadership has played out first-hand in their relationship.  The two leaders discuss the difference between a Black leader and a leader who is Black. Harry Hawkins brings his experience in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) training to the conversation and what they both have learned in this developing business setting. Listen in as these two leaders discover stories together that they have never shared before. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Season 8 is here! Dr. Alex Gee is starting the season off with another mic check to set the tone for what is to come. Get a glimpse into what is on Dr. Gee's mind and heart right now, and why the Pass the Mic Series is going to be so special. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

As a special treat to lead into the new season of Black Like Me, we are sharing this recording of a live event at Cafe Coda from December of 2022. In partnership with Justified Anger and Lean Into Allship sessions, Dr. Alex Gee brought together an exciting group of storytellers for a night of music, celebration, and community connection. The evening of stories told live was curated by Dr. Gee around the theme of "Hope."  Listen in to experience a group of storytellers as they share their own personal Allyship experiences in their racial justice journey. Celebrate two big milestones with two years of the Lean Into Allyship community and the Black Like Me podcast's Best of Madison win. Enjoy this special evening with live music performed by Mitch Guzick and Joey Thomas.  alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

To celebrate the Black Like Me Podcast winning Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison podcast 2022, we are highlighting some favorite episodes from past seasons. For the third episode in the Best of Black Like Me series, Dr. Gee talks with Kellie Carter Jackson about how she teaches Black history and the discourse around race in education happening in America right now. Carter Jackson breaks down Critical Race Theory (CRT) and how we actually view history, whether it is through facts or memory. Kellie Carter Jackson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at Wellesley College. She was also the 2019-2020 Newhouse Faculty Fellow for the Center of the Humanities at Wellesley College. Carter Jackson’s research focuses on slavery and the abolitionists, violence as a political discourse, historical film, and black women’s history. She earned her B.A at her beloved Howard University and her Ph.D from Columbia University working with the esteemed historian Eric Foner. Her book, Force & Freedom

To celebrate the Black Like Me Podcast winning Madison Magazine's Best of Madison podcast 2022, we are highlighting some favorite episodes from past seasons. For the second episode in the Best of Black Like Me series, it seemed like an appropriate time of year to highlight Black excellence in education. Who better to talk to than Dr. Gee's personal friend and the person who literally wrote the book on African American pedagogy, Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings. Dr. Gee has an invigorating conversation with Dr. Ladson-Billings that starts with demystifying Critical Race Theory (CRT) and continues through explaining systemic racism. Dr. Ladson-Billings brings career-long expertise to the topic of considering how to teach history equitably and how to look at our current cultural landscape as well. Gloria Ladson-Billings is the former Kellner Family Distinguished Professor of Urban Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and faculty affiliate in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the Univ

To celebrate the Black Like Me Podcast winning Madison Magazine's Best of Madison podcast 2022, we are highlighting some favorite episodes from past seasons. For the first re-release, Dr. Alex Gee shares a series of observations into what he saw during the Summer of 2020 with the state of racism and national upheaval. This was originally recorded soon after the deaths of Breanna Taylor and George Floyd and racially motivated incidents like Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper in Central Park. Don't miss how Dr. Gee can take account of significant moments and bring fresh insight for those who want to pay attention and understand the Black experience. alexgee.com Best of Madison Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee uses a personal experience to frame a discussion about how the white surveillance of Black people in their community is alive and well. In the process, explores how a white ally takes responsibility for some racism around them, absorbs some of the hurt, and lightens the burden on Dr. Gee's heavy heart. Don't miss this glimpse into Dr. Gee's life as a Black man and his raw reactions. Hey, we also just won Madison's Magazine's 2022 poll for Best of Madison! We were voted the Best Local Podcast. Check out the full list. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee reflects on the true nature of being a victim, as he is accused of taking advantage of victimhood. He reflects on what a victim complex looks like and flips the definition on the white troll to consider the insecurities of white supremacy. Dr. Gee points to the excellence and resilience of his family to dispel alarmist victim-shaming. You are going to want to hear this! alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Find out more about the Justified Anger Black History for a New Day Course and how you can get involved: nehemiah.org/our-work/justified-anger/