Black Like Me

Dr. Gee and Raven Jemison bring raw conversations about race to white spaces where these conversations do not usually happen. Raven discusses the importance in her work of an authentic connection to a community and one that you can have an impact on. Their conversation covers sports as racial harmony that brings people together under a common goal, and the debate over sports players and public figures being allowed to speak out on social issues. Raven Jemison is a sports business executive with 10+ years of experience in managing multi-million dollar business operations and generating revenue across teams and leagues. She currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Business Operations for the Milwaukee Bucks. Prior to her time in Milwaukee, she worked for the NBA League Office, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Pirates and the Florida Panthers.  alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Did you get the "The Talk" growing up? Have you given "The Talk" to your kids? Dr. Gee riffs on the cultural significance of "The Talk" in the African American community. He tells his story of learning his own racial identity and what that tells us about American culture.  *Unfortunately, you may hear some crackling and popping noise in the recording this week* alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has a conversation with Bridgette Craighead, a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate running to represent her community in the Virginia House of Delegates. She shares her story of activism after the racial violence of 2020 and how it connects to the capitol insurrection in January of 2021. Her revealing story of the insurrection connected to her hometown went viral and demonstrated the racism underlying the nation. Bridgette Craighead’s Campaign: https://www.bridgettefordelegate.com https://www.facebook.com/BridgetteForDelegate https://twitter.com/BridgetteForYou https://www.instagram.com/bridgettefordelegate/ alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee reflects on where he was when heard about George Floyd's death and the impact it had on him and the trajectory of the nation over the last year. He then shares 5 steps to have hope about where we move after understanding this point in our racial justice history. This episode is a powerful perspective from Dr. Gee as a Black man working for years to fight racism, invest in Black leaders, and promote Black excellence. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

As a companion conversation to this week's episode with Tyler Nylen and Joel Ballivian about race in the church and what exactly Frickin' A even means, we are re-sharing a similar earlier conversation with Tyler Nylen and the white men of the Black Like Me Podcast crew. On this fun and honest episode, Dr. Alex Gee teases his upcoming full discussion of the Netflix series Dear White People by sharing his thoughts on the first episode. Dr. Gee is joined by some of his podcast crew to get a White perspective on the topic of White people entering Black spaces, such as Black churches. Plus, hear the group struggle to understand the use of the phrase “Frickin’ A.” You don’t hear open discussions on race like this anywhere else. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee welcomes back to the show Tyler Nylen, former Black Like Me podcast manager, to answer some questions we know you have been wanting the answers to. Tyler Nylen is joined by his good friend, Joel Ballivian, to bring a philosophical and theoretical perspective to systemic racism, Critical Race Theory, and talking to other white people about racism. These two white men discuss some hard questions in the current racial justice environment. Is systemic racism actually real? What are white people afraid of believing in white privilege or systemic racism? What are people saying when they accuse someone like Dr. Gee as a promoter of Critical Race Theory? Also, listen in to hear if these two white guys pass the Black Ice Breaker test? Social Psychologist Brian Lowery on Privilege https://stanfordmag.org/contents/social-psychologist-brian-lowery-on-privilege The Invisibility of White Privilege with Brian Lowery, PhD (Audio interview) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R32OP1X0dkw   alexgee.com patreon.com/bl

For this episode, Dr. Gee shares a conversation he had with Judge Everett Mitchell at a live virtual event for non-Black allies. The two discuss the Derek Chauvin trial and the surrounding violence toward Black people in the US. Judge Mitchell provides some perspective on how race impacts the criminal justice system, the discretion of judges, and how judicial diversity matters in our changing society. They explore how it is evident that change has not taken hold in our justice system. Listen to hear how this kind of change requires us all to be engaged and active in our local communities, and practical ways to create change. Judge Everett Mitchell is a community activist and Dane County Circuit Court Judge, as well as pastor of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison, WI. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has an insightful and honest conversation with two of his friends, fellow men of faith, and fathers of daughters, Dr. Efrem Smith and Rev. Adam Edgerly. Their conversation covers the spectrum of recent concerns for Black people, from patriotism, cross-cultural relationships, racial justice movements, to the future of the US racial landscape. The group also uses the recent film, Judas and The Black Messiah, to spark relevant connections with historical context. This is a powerful snapshot of Black perspective on current events.  Pastor Efrem Smith is an internationally recognized leader who uses motivational speaking and preaching to equip people for a life of transformation. He consults on issues of multi-ethnicity, leadership, and community development. Pastor Smith is the former- president and CEO of World Impact, an urban mission, church planting and leadership-development organization. He is the current co-lead Pastor of Bayside Church, Midtown. He’s the author of several books, including his

As a companion conversation to this week's episode with Joy Bailey-Bryant about the importance of Black space, we are re-sharing a conversation about navigating white space. Dr. Alex Gee has a conversation with Patrick Sims, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion, and Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer for the Univerisity of Wisconsin-Madison. Sims oversees the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement at the University.  The discussion is an honest exploration of how large educational institutions handle diversity and the challenges of race in the campus environment. You are going to want to hear about Patrick’s unique background and how he came into this role to affect positive change at the university. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme  

Dr. Alex Gee talks with Joy Bailey-Bryant, Lord Cultural Resources President, about the importance of cultural spaces and innovative museums. Baily-Bryant is involved in supporting the development of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison, WI. They connect over shared Black culture and tell stories of the power of preserving culture, demonstrating the resilient power of culture that has space to speak into itself. You won't want to miss a fun new edition of Black Ice Breakers. As leader of cultural planning at the largest cultural consultancy in the world, Joy works with city officials, institutional leaders, and developers, in global municipalities like Chicago; New York; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Dharan, Saudi Arabia to creatively plan cities and bring people (life!) to public institutions. Joy led the teams for institutional and cultural planning on remarkable projects like the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., reaching more than 1,000 stakeholders ac

Because of recent events that are bringing greater attention to issues that impact African Americans, Black Like Me is highlighting past episodes that are relevant to the current national conversation. Be sure to also listen to Robin DiAngelo's return to the podcast in Episode 126. Dr. Alex Gee brings you an important figure in the White Allyship conversation, Dr. Robin DiAngelo. Their conversation is insightful, truthful, and challenging to the system of racism. Dr. Gee and Dr. DiAngelo share the ability to speak from life experience, both personally and professionally, in an episode that is not to be missed. Dr. Robin DiAngelo is the Affiliate Associate Professor of Education at the University of Washington. Her area of research is in Whiteness Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis, explicating how whiteness is reproduced in everyday narratives. Dr. DiAngelo has numerous publications and books, including Is Everybody Really Equal?: An Introduction to Key Concepts in Critical Social Justice Education, co-w

Dr. Gee welcomes back Robin DiAngelo for a conversation about the racial atmosphere of the last year. Dr. Gee asks what DiAngelo would tell his white listeners that may feel like things will be better now in our country? What is the role of white progressives in the racial environment? DiAngelo gives some clarity to how systemic racism adapts and how a sense of complacency is dangerous. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee brings back his friend Justice Jill Karofsky to give perspective on recent events. They cover voter suppression, the Washington Capitol insurrection, and mass incarceration. Justice Karofsky gives honest views of how important mental health is to judicial decision-making, the vitality of all elections, and diversity on the bench. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

With recent events bringing more attention to Asian and Asian Pacific racism and violence, we wanted to re-share this episode that discusses many of these issues. Just as with racism against African-Americans, this racism against the Asian community is not new. Let's use the exposure of the pandemic and recent events to keep the conversation going. Dr. Alex Gee sits down for a return visit with his good friend Peter Ahn to share about the Asian-American experience during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Gee and Peter discuss connections between their cultures, how it has shaped them and their friendship, and shed light on racism in their communities. They want to help guide the way with their shared experiences during and beyond this crisis.

Anthony Cooper returns to the podcast to discuss his recent pardon by the WI state governor. Wisconsin State Public Defender Kelli Thompson also joins the conversation to comment on the importance of pardons in shifting the narrative on an individual's life. Anthony Cooper, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Reentry Services, is always a passionate advocate of those pushed aside in society and not letting people's mistakes define them. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee brings Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Chair, back to the show for a conversation on elections. They cover the role of Black voters, the power of Black women organizing, voter suppression, and the vital position of Wisconsin in the election. This is the election and voter perspective that you aren't going to hear other places. Ben Wikler was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, where he now lives with his wife, Beth, and their three children. Ben has spent his life fighting for economic, social, and racial justice. In his work, most recently for the progressive group MoveOn.org, Ben has played a leadership role in some of the most critical political fights of recent years—from the successful battle to save the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, to the defense of Dreamers, immigrants, and refugees, to the rise of the Blue Wave of 2018. While working across the country, Ben has always stayed connected to his Wisconsin roots, recently working to help elect the Evers/Barnes ticket and sounding the alarm about th

Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. returns to the show to catch up with Dr. Gee about a traumatic year for Black people. As Black men and husbands, they commiserate on self-care and family life during the pandemic and the racial unrest of 2020. Their conversation then moves towards the insurrection and "how white people need to clean up the mess they made." Also, don't miss a short discussion about Eddie Moore Jr.'s National White Privilege Conference as guest speaker Robin Di'Angelo joins in. Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., currently serves as Director of The Privilege Institute (TPI) and The National White Privilege Conference (WPC), both founded under his direction to provide opportunities and possibilities for research, publications, speaking and collaborations by those committed to true social and institutional change. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies at the University of Iowa and under his direction and inclusive relationship model the White Privilege Conference has become one of the top nation

In a candid interview, American Family Insurance CEO and Chairman, Jack Salzwedel shares his racial equity journey with Dr. Gee. While exploring his leadership and career, Jack Salzwedel discusses witnessing redlining, creating inclusive company culture, and his own pursuit of equity. Listen to hear another open and insightful conversation from Dr. Gee. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee discusses Dr. Jasmine Zapata's involvement in the COVID-19 vaccine research at the University of Wisconsin under the leadership of Dr. William Hartman. Their conversation highlights the importance and rarity of including African Americans in the research process. This important topic explains the mistrust of the Black community for health care services and the impact of COVID on African Americans. Dr. William Hartman is an anesthesiologist at UW Health and an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He is the Medical Director for the UW Health Preanesthesia Assessment Clinic. He is leading a UW Health study looking at whether plasma transfusions from people who have recovered from COVID-19 will help others who are still fighting it. Dr. Zapata is a dynamic author, physician, health educator, speaker, youth empowerment specialist, and community leader known both locally and internationally. She is a board-certified pediatrician as well as a preventive med

Dr. Gee brings back Psychologist Dr. Christopher Bass just in time to help him process the stress and hurt that is sadly building up with current events. This stress has compounded for Black folks since the Pandemic has brought greater disparities and systemic racism to the forefront. Whether you need to hear how to address underlying stressors for the Black community or want to better understand the conditions facing people of color in our current environment, this episode is enlightening. Dr. Chris Bass has served clinically in a variety of posts including; Clinical Director at a residential treatment facility for adjudicated late adolescent males, Psychologist for the City of Atlanta and Senior Psychological Partner at The Bass Medical and Psychological Consultants firm LLC. He has held faculty appointments on the campuses of Hampton University, Morehouse College, University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University and others. He continues to serve as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Clark Atla