Black Like Me

Dr. Gee returns to the topic of a childhood fascination with astronomy as he takes a journey through the cosmos with Eric Wilcots, University of Wisconsin-Madison dean of the College of Letters & Science and Professor of Astronomy. Both began their interest in astronomy at a young age with the same model of telescope. Professor Wilcots explains how few Black astronomy academics there were in his early years and now works to encourage diversity in academic departments.  They continue their fun and informative conversation by exploring questions about the universe and what we currently know scientifically. Dr. Gee asks questions to understand black holes, stars, and life on other planets. Don't miss this awe-inspiring  conversation as Professor Wilcots shares his passion for the big questions of our universe and beyond. Learn more about the UW Washburn Observatory and when to visit alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Join the Black Like Me Listener Community Facebook Group

Dr. Gee has an honest discussion with author and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Their conversation starts with southern cooking and how food provides insights into our histories and continues into how race relations impact policing. Ellison has written a book about his experience leading the prosecution when the Derek Chauvin case came to trial involving the killing of George Floyd. Hear what he saw when he looked into the eyes of Derek Chauvin. They also discuss Ellison’s involvement in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Read Keith Ellison's book: Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence  From 2007 to 2019, Keith Ellison represented Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he championed consumer, worker, environmental, and civil- and human-rights protections for Minnesotans. He served for 12 years on the House Financial Services Committee, where he helped oversee the financial services industry, the housing industry, and Wall Street, amo

Dr. Gee and Leonard Pitts discuss bringing American history to life in order to reclaim the role of Black people in the development of the nation. Both men share the power of story to display the experience of the Black community in history and today. Leonard speaks to the Black experience through journalism, academic scholarship, commentary, and historical fiction. Hear how the details of his writing inform a long-standing missing perspective on history, including complicated characters that reveal the trauma and hurt of the Black community in American history. Read Leonard Pitts novel 54 Miles alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Join the Black Like Me Listener Community Facebook Group

Dr. Gee starts his conversation with faith leader and professional musician Marquis Hunt by talking about addressing young Black men to understand that they do have voice that can matter. Marquis wrote a letter to a “Black Brother” as “a call to every Black man who’s ever felt overlooked, undervalued, or trapped in a system that wasn’t built for us.” They discuss why there is a need to call young Black men to create a greater narrative than the one that society is telling them.  Before the recent election, Dr. Gee and Marquis look deeply into the environment around the Black vote in the 2024 election, especially for Black men. Also, don't miss an extra fun Black Ice Breakers session. Marquis Hunt is a Spiritual Director, Interfaith Leader, professional musician and author of The New Human: When People We Love, Love The People We Love. From Little Rock, Arkansas, Hunt is the founder and developer of The FloW, a community-based practice that integrates music, philosophy, and strategic discourse. Marquis has wor

Dr. Alex Gee has a special episode to talk through and process the recent election from his perspective. He is joined by Black Like Me producer Jeremy Holiday for a raw conversation that seeks to break down first thoughts on how community and justice minded people look ahead in our current landscape. They share their raw feelings and reflections in this challenging moment. As always, Dr. Gee brings his wide-ranging experience as a Black man in a majority white community who is also a visionary community and faith leader. RSVP for The Center for Black Excellence and Culture Public Update alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Join the Black Like Me Listener Community Facebook Group

Hear about how spiritual leader and author David Gibbons felt that he wrote his memoir as a way to process his life and his experience, calling the book The Shape of My Eyes. In an honest conversation, Dr. Gee and David break down what “model minority” means for Asian Americans and African Americans. They consider how this concept also worked toward putting the two racial communities in opposition to one another by weaponizing the term. They continue Dr. Gee’s awareness around how the unity between Asian American and Black communities can be perpetuated. Also, hear how David tries to get Dr. Gee to go white water rafting. Read Dave Gibbons new book, The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself Dave Gibbons was born in Seoul, Korea yet culturally raised in America. He works in both for profit and not for profit organizations. Dave is an Advisor, Speaker and Spiritual leader. Dave founded an influential church known for diversity, innovation and social impact. At the same time, he launched

Dr. Gee hosts a special episode recorded live with an audience and a young jazz group in summer 2024 at Cafe Coda in Madison, WI. The night was a celebration of the 10th season of Black Like Me and Dr. Gee brought together Black podcast hosts to talk about their unique position.  Bianca Martin hosts the City Cast Madison podcast. She is skilled in audio journalism and multi platform storytelling. Bianca has produced a wide range of radio and podcast programs, including for National Geographic, NPR, and Chicago Public Media. You can hear Bianca every weekday on the City Cast Madison podcast at madison.citycast.fm Rev. Lilada Gee is a dynamic voice on behalf of Black girls and women throughout the African Diaspora who carry the heavy burden of generations of sexual trauma, as well as their own—Lilada Gee has committed her life to the defending of Black girlhood and the healing of Black women. She is the host of the Defending Black Girlhood podcast. Their conversation covers the specifically Black space that pod

Black resistance to white supremacy is often reduced to a simple binary between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolence and Malcolm X’s “by any means necessary.” Dr. Gee discuss how in her book, We Refuse, historian Kellie Carter Jackson urges us to move past this false choice, offering an unflinching examination of the breadth of Black responses to white oppression, particularly those pioneered by Black women. Dr. Carter Jackson explains the dismissal of “Black violence” as an illegitimate form of resistance is itself a manifestation of white supremacy, a distraction from the insidious, unrelenting violence of structural racism. Dr. Gee and Dr. Carter Jackson also explore the fact that Black men are being killed in the streets but Black women are being killed in the private space of their own homes. Hear about how “Black flight" is connected to joy in that Black folks needs space to get away from regular white supremacist life. Finally, Dr. Carter Jackson also shows her enthusiasm for dolls, and especially

Dr. Gee talks to Michelle Behnke about how she is motivated by the commitment of the The American Bar Association (ABA) to make the nation and their community better. Michelle is inspired by the ABA's mission of defending liberty and pursuing justice through professional development throughout the nation. They discuss how to encourage Black people to stay in Madison by creating the community for them and how to be the change they want to see. In their experience, to be successful in the local community they have had to be “Bilingual” by knowing how to interact with both the Black community and the white professional community. Listen in to hear about what Michelle calls the “Multiple Realities.” Michelle joined Boardman Clark in 2024 after being elected the 2025 – 2026 president of the American Bar Association (ABA). Outside of her role with the ABA, Michelle has a broad practice, including business and commercial real estate. She is also active in her community and has served on a number of boards including

Hear the inside story on the transition from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate from Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Ben considers how Harris has been active as the Vice President and making energetic appearances but the broader media has chosen not to report on this angle of Harris until her presidential candidacy.  They also discuss this year’s Democratic National Convention and how it felt more joyful and stood out. Ben also explains the use of “weird” comments in the election process. Dr. Gee and Ben also explore the role of Black women in the 2024 election and the impact of their engagement. Can Harris inspire other women of color to participate in politics? alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme Join the Black Like Me listener community Facebook Group

Dr. Gee has an in-depth conversation with University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin on what the university is doing to improve the sense of belonging for students of color. Their discussion covers Dr. Gee's participation in a committee working to recognize the universities history with students of color and what can be done moving forward. The committee will be releasing a report soon with their findings and recommendations. Chancellor Mnookin shares about her plans and initiatives in this role at the university and how she sees that they are developing so far. Jennifer L. Mnookin is the 30th leader in the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s 175-year history, and one of the nation’s top legal scholars. Chancellor Mnookin is dedicated to pushing boundaries to bring the university to new levels of excellence in research and education, and to energizing and expanding the Wisconsin Idea, UW–Madison’s commitment to innovating for the public good. She recently launched the largest cross-campus initi

Dr. Gee kicks off the new season with his signature mic check episode. Season 10 is going to be big and he is saying it loud! Hear Dr. Gee unfiltered and get a preview of the season. The Black Like Me Podcast is also creating some new opportunities for listeners to connect and interact with the show and other listeners. You can Join the Black Like Me Community Facebook Group. If you are one of the Patreon Supporters watch for the opportunity to join an exclusive online forum for the podcast as well. You can check out becoming a Patron Supporter here. Learn more about  The Center for Black Excellence and Culture Read more about Dr. Gee's Honorary Doctorate  Watch Verlene Gee Moment at Farmer's Market alexgee.com  

This is the second in a series on Alzheimer’s on both a personal and medical research level, focused on the impact on Black and Indigenous people. Hear about Dr. Gee’s collaboration with University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Alzheimer’s Research Department, including his guests Dr. Carey Gleason, MD and Dr. Fabu Carter. Dr. Carey Gleason shares the science behind Alzheimer’s and the need for a diverse population of research participants. Dr. Fabu Carter discusses reaching out to the community and in particular the Black community. Also, don't miss a special cross-cultural Black Ice Breakers segment with the week’s guests. UW-Madison - Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/about alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

This is the first in a series on Alzheimer’s on both a personal and medical research level, focused on the impact on Black and Indigenous people. Rev. Lilada and Dr. Alex Gee share funny stories about their mother after the effects of Alzheimer’s. They discuss some of the signposts of Alzheimer’s for others dealing with those in their lives They also tell about the process of discovering Alzheimer’s with their mother and her journey, including finding home for assistance. Plus, Lilada finally gets in on the Black Ice Breakers. Read an article Dr. Gee wrote about when he discovered his mother had alzheimer's: https://www.alexgee.com/my-mom-has-alzheimers-disease/ Help create the Verline Gee Senior Center: https://givebutter.com/xieAH6 alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee welcomes Nolan Dunham, one of the founders of the Madison chapter of the Black Motorcycle Club. They connected while Nolan was working in the community. He explains the history of why the original Black motorcycle clubs were formed. Nolan also talks about misrepresentations of motorcycle groups with the club’s commitment to the community and the community service work they do. Don't miss Dr. Gee trying to convince Nolan into allowing him to have honorary membership in the Black Motorcycle Club. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Justified Anger had drastically shifted the experiences and thinking of the white people who have become connected through the educational opportunities. Andrea Dearlove was an early attendee of Justified Anger's Black History for a New Day course and it drastically transformed her personal and professional priorities. She discovered that when white people step back in their power and influence, they are actually enriched and enlarged in their personal life. Andrea's allyship journey has led her to a new perspective on racial dynamics in her community and also the state of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) efforts in civic and organizational arenas. Dr. Gee discusses the system change efforts of Justified Anger and his experience with systemic racism. Learn more about Justified Anger's leadership development. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Gee talks with the experienced consultant, Jim Bower, about empowering visionary leaders to actually create the social change that they envision. Listen in on the ongoing conversation these two men have about how to approach the cross-cultural work of addressing racism in a local community, in particular through their work in developing The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Jim responded to the call to get to work on improving racial disparities in the community as a result of the original Justified Anger article.  He helped approach the issues in the community as Complex Adaptive problems compared to technical problems. Racism is a problem that without a quick fix and eliminating racism requires a multi-layered approach, not just addressing one factor of the issue. alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme  

Sandi Reinardy discusses how she and the Court Observer team have developed the program with the goal of holding the court accountable and advocating for a just system. Hear how it is unavoidable to see the impact of race in the courtroom and sentencing process. Sandi shares how the data they collect is used and how the system responds to information they gather. She also explains some of the biggest issues for those encountering a courtroom and what changes she would mandate for judges. Aaron informs the conversation with his experience of being in front of a judge and having the decision impact the rest of his life. He shares passionately about the disparity in how bail is used to maintain class and race lines, where some are privileged over others. They also brainstorm how they can all build on what they are already doing and use their resources and networks to create systemic change. Learn more about the Court Observers Learn more about the Justified Anger Black History for a New Day Course alexgee.com Su

What was it like to try to create systemic change after the release of Dr. Gee's Justified Anger article? Hear how the article was encroaching on white people’s territory with pushback to maintain the system from guests Rev. Lilada Gee and Harry Hawkins.  Mr. Hawkins provides perspective on the release of the Justified Anger article from someone who had just moved to Madison and was seeing the environment with fresh eyes. They also discuss how language matters in race relations because it frames the issues and who has the power. Dr. Gee breaks down why he got labeled a “Black” leader and not just a community or civic leader.  Read Justified Anger's Our Madison Plan The Center for Black Excellence and Culture alexgee.com Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme

Dr. Karen Reece explains Justified Anger's  innovative research and strategic approach to Justice centered systems change work. As Justified Anger took off as a movement, Dr. Reece gives insight into the funding of Black-led organizations and the struggle to create long term solutions and change.  Dr. Reece clarifies the difference between quantitative vs qualitative analysis for the kind of work that Justified Anger does. Though it can be harder capture the data, qualitative data gives a deeper understanding of the change that is accomplished.  Dr. Reece explains how she considers Ripple Effects as a way to show the impact of Justified Anger's work. Ripple Effects looks at how people who are learning and being changed by contact with the Justified Anger initiative are enacting change in their spheres of influence, whether it is at the interpersonal, business, or community level. Learn more: Justified Voices: What we've learned about racial justice in Madison Justified Anger's Our Madison Plan Article: Dispar