Black Like Me

Dr. Alex Gee interviews Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc., who pioneered a new way of tracing African lineages using genetics, and a new marketplace for people of African descent looking to more accurately and reliably trace their roots. Leveraging her pioneering spirit, lifelong entrepreneurship and corporate expertise, Paige travels the world helping people demystify where they’re from so that they may better understand who they are --- optimizing success in their lives, communities and businesses. From Oprah Winfrey, John Legend and Spike Lee to Condoleezza Rice and The King Family, Paige has had a personal hand in demystifying their unknown African roots. Dr. Gee discusses the revelation of his own African roots that were shared by Dr. Paige while they were in Ghana. Special Offer for Black Like Me listeners: 10% off africanancestry.com website. Use code: "blacklikeme" alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee captures an exclusive interview with Dr. Yusef Salaam of what became known as the "Central Park Five" and are now known as "The Exonerated Five." You won't want to miss Dr. Salaam's powerful and honest story that details his resilience, integrity, and faith in the midst of great injustice. Dr. Yusef Salaam's story has been presented in Ken Burn's documentary, "The Central Park Five" and Ava DuVernay's award-winning Netflix series, "When They See Us." Since his release more than 20 years ago, Yusef has become a family man, father, poet, activist, and inspirational speaker. He has committed himself to advocate and educate people on the issues of mass incarceration, police brutality and misconduct, false confessions, press ethics and bias, race and law, and the disparities in America’s criminal justice system, especially for young men of color. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee hosts a roundtable of Thanksgiving conversation with his friends and family, Lilada Gee, Harry Hawkins, and Jim Bower. This feast of a discussion covers cultural and family traditions that bring unique flavors to the holiday. Listen in for one of the most fun Black Like Me episodes. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has an eye-opening conversation with University of Wisconsin Professor of History and one of the most celebrated lecturers in the Justified Anger African American History Class, Christy Clark-Pujara. Christy Clark-Pujara is a historian whose research focuses on the experiences of black people in French and British North America in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries. Books: Dark Work: The Business of Slavery in Rhode Island (New York: New York University Press, 2016). alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee welcomes his friend, General Marcia Anderson, to the Black Like Me podcast. They discuss the trajectory of her career as both a woman and African American in the military. She is a trailblazer in her service and work, exemplifying integrity and leadership. In 2011  she became the first African-American woman to become a major general in the United States Army Reserve. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode is part of Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Dr. Gee talks with Pia Kinney James, who was born and raised in South Madison and was the first Black woman to serve on the Madison police department. Now retired, she still devotes her time to mentoring officers and community members alike,  building a lasting bridge between the two. Kinney James has also done extensive genealogical research into her family's history and made some startling discoveries. Don't miss her amazing stories that reveal so much about American history and it's systems. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode is part of Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Dr. Richard Harris, Betty Banks, Billy McDonald share their extensive history of being black in Madison as the city has grown. Listen to hear if anything has changed much for race relations through the years and learn more about the Stoney the Road project. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This episode continues Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. Three young African American women discuss growing up in Madison and the challenges they have faced. Lexi Gee, Ali Gee, and Malaika Robinson share their experiences in the education system and young professional world. These millennials don't hold back and Madison risks losing them. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

This is the first episode in Dr. Alex Gee's "Our Madison" series, looking at the history of Madison, WI from the perspective of different generations born in the city. First, Dr. Richard Harris shares stories from his book Growing Up Black in South Madison: Economic Disenfranchisement of Black Madison. Dr. Harris was born in 1937 in Madison, Wisconsin, grew up in South Madison and attended the Madison public schools. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in 1961, the University of Illinois-Chicago with a MSW in 1964 and later received his Ph. D. in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee talks to Joseph Rogers about his experience of bringing his ancestors and historical figures to life. Rogers does living historical interpretation work by acting as slaves at public and private historical sites around the country. Recently, he took part in a federal 1619 commemorative event at Fort Monroe.  alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee interviews Ben Wikler, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, about the power of Wisconsin politics for America and the world. The discussion covers the potential of the Black vote, the need for Black wealth, and practical ways to make an impact. 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 a young age, Ben has been driven by a passion for change and inspired by Wisconsin's progressive tradition. Ben worked nationally for climate change, peace, human rights, and many other issues. As MoveOn's Washington, DC director, Ben worked closely with the Obama White House, served as a surrogate for Bernie Sanders, and helped raise millions of dollars for grassroots organizing to elect Hillary Clinton. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee answers listener questions with podcast producer Tyler Nylen. Their conversation addresses the complex work of racial reconciliation and justice. Keep listening for the most honest discussions of race and the African American experience. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee continues the conversation connected to the anniversary of the 1619 African slave trade and his trip to Ghana. On this episode, he gets the perspective on the relationship between Africans and African Americans with Dr. Kwasi Obeng. Dr. Obeng grew up in Ghana, studied in England, and now works in the U.S. Currently, Dr. Obeng is the Madison Council Chief of Staff who is responsible for coordinating the execution of strategic initiatives, assisting the program development and policy responsibilities of 20 elected City Council members, and manage the Council office and staff. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has a boldly honest conversation with his sister Lilada Gee about their experiences in Ghana for the Year of Return trip. Lilada brings a female perspective to their journey to Africa and reflecting on the 400 years since the beginning of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. You won't hear the authenticity of this kind of discussion anywhere else. Lilada Gee's Artwork: society6.com/Lilada Read more about the Ghana trip at alexgee.com Support the show at patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee relates ten thoughts of reflection on his recent trip to Ghana in remembrance of 400 years of the first Africans enslaved. It was a powerful, insightful, and emotional experience for Dr. Gee. If you have listened to The Black Like Me [Gee]nealogy series about Dr. Gee's ancestry, then you will want to hear more about his African heritage in this episode.  Read more about the Ghana trip at alexgee.com Support the show at patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has a conversation with University of Wisconsin student, Eric Washington Jr. about his prospects of going into education in a white school system. Eric relates his experience of student teaching and being shut down for expressing his Black cultural heritage. You will want to hear about this young man's vision for his future in education. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

On this episode, Dr. Alex Gee takes you behind the scenes of the podcast for a discussion with two members of the white crew, Jeremy Holiday and Eli Steenlage. They share their perspective on being a part of producing the show and what they have learned about race relations through the conversations on and off the show. As always, Dr. Gee facilitates some of the most authentic and honest conversations around the experience of being Black in America. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee introduces a new segment that features fun and raw conversations between Black friends on current events. On this episode, Dr. Gee is joined by his sister Lilada Gee and lifelong friend David Smith. They discuss everything from scandals (college admission, R. Kelly, Epstein), Madison generational changes, racism in schools to the 2020 election. alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee speaks with three women that have stepped up to learn and advocate for people in the court system. You won't want to miss hearing about their journeys and how this volunteer work has transformed their perspective on the criminal justice system. Betsey Day, Mary Kateada, Sandi Reinardy, and Karen Reece recommend that people just keep showing up to support the African American community and fighting racism. Dr. Gee also shares about his experience sitting alongside a local judge for a day in order to get a perspective on the court system.  alexgee.com patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Alex Gee has a discussion with his daughter, Lexi Gee, about a disturbing incident in the college classroom and the resulting academic article that she co-authored. This personal and honest conversation covers issues of race relations, intersectionality, and white fragility. Read the Article: A Collaborative Dialogue on the N-Word in a University Classroom by Lexi Gee, Sarah Wood Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, Penn State University Press, Volume 28, Number 2, 2018