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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Angela's Journey & Why Race Matters in Wisconsin

    • March 10, 2021
    • PBS

    Host and producer Angela Fitzgerald introduces us to the motivation behind Why Race Matters, and the call to action she felt after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. She shares her own story of moving to Wisconsin and her struggles adjusting to life in a predominately white community. We preview forthcoming episodes, guests, and topics while exploring Why Race Matters in Wisconsin.

  • S01E02 Mental Health, Trauma & Black Communities

    • March 17, 2021
    • PBS

    Angela Fitzgerald sits down with Myra McNair, a licensed therapist, to talk about mental health challenges facing Black communities. They discuss images of Black death, racial trauma, the effects of social media and how finding joy can be a revolutionary act. They also look at how media coverage and racism are provoking a public health crisis for Black people.

  • S01E03 Civic Engagement & Representation

    • March 24, 2021
    • PBS

    Black voters are told their votes matter, but after an election their concerns often go unheard. In this episode, Angela Fitzgerald talks to activist Tatiyana Benson about civic engagement. They’ll explore representation in government, policy reform and the hurdles to political participation.

  • S01E04 The School-To-Prison Pipeline

    • March 31, 2021
    • PBS

    Host and Producer Angela Fitzgerald speaks to Rudy Bankston, a survivor of the school-to-prison pipeline. They discuss how education gaps and strict disciplinary policies in schools can lead to the suspension, expulsion and incarceration of Black students.

  • S01E05 Black Farming & Land Ownership

    • April 7, 2021
    • PBS

    Where food comes from and who has access to it makes a difference in the health of a community. In this episode, Angela Fitzgerald sits down with Robert Pierce, a farmer who works to address food insecurity in Black neighborhoods. They'll discuss organic foods, the importance of land ownership and the stereotypes Black farmers face.

  • S01E06 Maternal Health & Birth Equity

    • April 14, 2021
    • PBS

    The birth of a child is a time for celebration, but for Black women, it comes with a higher risk. Racial disparities in birthing complications and deaths are serious issues for Black communities. On this episode of Why Race Matters, host Angela Fitzgerald sits down with certified doula Tracey Russell to discuss problems and solutions when it comes to Black maternal health.

  • S01E07 Black Artists & Appropriation

    • April 21, 2021
    • PBS

    Black artists have driven popular trends worldwide for decades. But what happens when society celebrates art while overlooking the communities who created it? Angela talks with dancer Papa-Kobina Brewoo and together they discuss issues around cultural appropriation and how Black artists are underrepresented within artistic and creative spaces they helped forge.

  • S01E08 Women & Barriers After Incarceration

    • April 28, 2021
    • PBS

    In Wisconsin, Black women are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up just 6 percent of the state’s population but 21 percent of women in our correctional system. In this episode, Angela Fitzgerald talks with Carmella Glenn, coordinator of JustDane's “Just Bakery.” They discuss issues facing Black women leaving incarceration, roadblocks, and solutions for returning home.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Critical Race Theory

    • September 12, 2022
    • PBS

    Critical Race Theory is not a new concept, but it has received renewed attention in recent years due to anti-CRT legislation created across the United States. But what is CRT? Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings breaks down the history of CRT and how it’s used in educational settings.

  • S02E02 Higher Education

    • September 19, 2022
    • PBS

    A college degree can be an important step for starting a career, but many colleges and universities struggle to create a welcoming environment for students of color. Angela Fitzgerald sits down with Tiffany Tardy from All-In Milwaukee, a nonprofit working to improve college retention and graduation rates for students from underserved communities.

  • S02E03 Home Ownership

    • September 26, 2022
    • PBS

    Home ownership is considered part of the American Dream, but that dream has not been historically accessible based on race. Decades of discrimination have had an impact that still lingers today. Realtor Tiffany Malone and new homeowner Myesha Thompson talk about the difficulties facing Black home buyers.

  • S02E04 Art & Black Joy

    • October 3, 2022
    • PBS

    Art can bring attention to serious issues and create momentum for social change, but it’s also a space to celebrate culture and community. Milwaukee artist Anwar Floyd-Pruitt joins Angela Fitzgerald to explain how he incorporates identity into his work and why Black joy is a revolutionary act.

Season 3

  • S03E01 DEI & Workplace Culture

    • April 23, 2024
    • PBS

    DEI and workplace climate and culture can be a personal topic for some and a political topic for others. But history and present-day disparities support the fact that it remains an important topic for all of us. Workplace Culture Strategist Chevon Bowen provides her perspective on its impacts in and around the workplace.

  • S03E02 Public Safety

    • April 30, 2024
    • PBS

    Public safety remains a relevant issue globally, and specifically within the United States when layered with racial inequality. But how do we understand the need for safety and think about the idea of it when considering the Black American perspective? Aaron Hicks of Focused Interruption gives his thoughts on the issue.

  • S03E03 COVID-19

    • May 7, 2024
    • PBS

    While conversations around COVID-19 may have subsided, the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt in many areas - especially for students of color. Scholar and public education advocate Dr. Kevin Lawrence Henry Jr. has been working to improve educational outcomes for underserved students and is here to share his experiences and recommendations.

  • S03E04 LGBTQ+

    • May 14, 2024
    • PBS

    Oftentimes, the many lived experiences of queer and trans communities of color are underrepresented, untold, and understated. Find out what it means to exist at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities – and how Black queer and trans folks create community and fight for their spaces.