S11 E204: Wicked Pt.2 Conversation: How Black Womanhood Is Invested In The Elphaba Role With Lexi Gee
Release Date: 06/09/2025
S12 E226: Catching The Vision: Community Connection With Susan Pierce Jacobsen
Black Like Me
Susan Pierce Jacobsen is a community connector and advocate who has worked in many different positions. Through several of Susan’s roles she has supported . Dr. Gee shares about Susan’s support and their relationship in development projects in the community. They discuss some of the various connections that Susan helped bring together with The Center from architects, community organizers, and company leaderships. Support the Show:
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S12 E225: Point Of No Return: Iterating On Vision Until It Becomes A Reality With Jim Bower
Black Like Me
How did the vision for find its shape? Dr. Gee talks to Jim Bower about how their collaboration helped shape the vision for what was valuable for the Black community in Madison. Jim’s role was to continually clarify Dr. Gee’s vision and find a way to make it a reality. He saw Dr. Gee as a social innovator, who had something important he wanted to change in society that needed to have a track for the project to move forward on. Dr. Gee explains how the cross-cultural partnerships involved coalesced around the vision despite issues that the community and country were facing. The...
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S12 E224: Sharing The Story Of The Center: Marketing Partnership With Dave Floran and Dana Arnold Of Hiebing
Black Like Me
Hear about the long term relationship with for marketing services for with Dave Floran, CEO, and Dana Arnold, Chief Growth Officer. Dr. Gee discusses how Hiebing helped articulate the story of The Center and share this visionary cultural space with the community. The team partnered in bringing the language and image of The Center to clarity and the public. Support the Show:
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S12 E223: "Building Belonging": Carrying The Space With You With Jim Yehle And Denzel Bibbs Of Findorff Construction
Black Like Me
Dr. Gee tells the story of how and Culture was actually built with Jim Yehle, the President and CEO of Findorff Construction. Denzel Bibbs, Findorff Construction Project Manager, fills in the details of the building process. He discusses his role in maintaining the vision of the Black aesthetic laid out by the team. Hear how the design and physical building exemplify the multi-dimensionality of the African Diaspora and the African American communities. The relationship of this team demonstrates the cross cultural innovation that strengthens the accomplishments of The Center for Black...
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S12 E222: Bringing The African Diaspora To Madison: ZEBRADOGs Mark Schmitz Helps Design A Space Full Of Black Truths
Black Like Me
ow do you share a vision that has never been seen before? Mark Schmitz shares how ZebraDog acted as a conduit for the vision of . Zebradog knew how to tell stories through a space and The Center team knew the stories of the Black community, and they came together to bring these stories to life. Dr. Gee and Mark discuss the importance of storytelling, especially right now, where history and storytelling are in danger. Mark works on projects all over the world but he has been changed by the this hometown project that is a part of his shared community. They explore together how we are the...
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S12 E221: The Ring Of Truth In A Groundbreaking Project: A Successful Cross-Cultural Dynamic With Rick Phelps and Amanda White
Black Like Me
Hear about the revolutionary vision and community development of The Center of Black Excellence and Culture. Amanda White’s fund development experience and Rick Phelps community development expertise brought a cross-cultural dynamic to the project that reflected and modeled the reality of the community The Center was built in. Cross-cultural fund development is complicated when race and new ideas are in the mix. The trust that was earned and formed between this project team was important to the process, allowing for amazing results and life-long friendships. Also, because there was a...
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S12 E220: A Space That Calls To Your Excellence: The Building Is Just The Beginning With Jason Fields and Janine Stephens Hale
Black Like Me
The Center for Black Excellence and Culture’s development is groundbreaking in so many ways and now the staff are inspired to build a movement of excellence. Jason Fields, Chief Strategy Officer, and Janine Stephens Hale, Chief Operating Officer, talk about infusing the Black space with the potential for Black excellence because of the empowering process and the intentionality of the space itself. Hear about the personal value of The Center and the value for the whole community. The visionary standard set by Dr. Gee has extended to the staff who experience the creative energy everyday...
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S12 Preview: Introducing The Black Center For Black Excellence And Culture Rises Series
Black Like Me
Dr. Alex Gee gives a preview of the new season of the Black Like Me podcast. It is the big moment as Dr. Gee’s vision of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture is revealed to the community. This season shares conversations with the key people that brought this innovative Black space to life. Not only do these conversations highlight the meaningful relationships in all spheres of the process but also show how this project has already inspired individuals involved personally. Hear about how this season will bring together those that invested in the Black aesthetic and culture of The...
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S12 E219: Blickity-Black: The Shapes, Colors, and Flavors Of The Black Aesthetic With Rev. Lilada Gee and Rafeeq Asad
Black Like Me
Dr. Alex Gee welcomes two of the most important creatives in the development of The Center of Black Excellence, Rev. Lilada Gee and Rafeeq Asad. They discuss their roles in the innovative design and aesthetic of the building. Rev. Lilada is the co-founder and interior decorator, and Rafeeq is the chief architect that worked to infuse a visceral Blackness into the building design. Hear about the deep cultural thought and feeling that went into the design, including the fight needed for keeping Blackness in the visual aesthetic. It was important to infuse the space with the Black...
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S11 E218: Season 11 Mic Drop with Producer Jeremy Holiday
Black Like Me
Dr. Gee ends Season 11 with his deep and thoughtful reflections on the season and the times we are living in, as a Black man. His mic drop episodes don't hold back but speak from an honest place, making sense of our world. This episode is a special conversation as Jeremy Holiday reflects on being a part of the show from the beginning as a producer and engineer. He discusses the evolution of the show alongside his own ongoing racial justice journey. Dr. Gee talks to Jeremy about the lessons he has learned from being involved in the show and who were the guests that stuck out to him...
info_outlineDr. Gee is joined by his daughter, Lexi Gee, to discuss the depth of Black womanhood in the film version of Wicked. Lexi brings a wealth of story and cultural criticism to topic as she has recently been appointed the Curator of Stories position at The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Hear about how she is establishing the library and reading room in the Center, and especially how it will impact Black children.
Find out the racial significance of the film version of Wicked by casting a Black woman in the role of Elphaba and how the connection to her green skin becomes more relevant. Lexi explains why Black woman are able to identify so much with the character of Elphaba, and in particular how Cynthia Erivo invested her Black womanhood into the role. The main female friendship dynamic is explored with their differences and bonds.
Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme