Black Oxygen, from the Archives: Esther Monroe, A Life Well Lived
Black Oxygen
This episode features my grandfather, Esther Monroe, who I call Daddy Monroe, recorded in the spring of 2023 when he was 96 years old—still driving, still living independently, and still sharing the wisdom of nearly a century on this earth. Today, he’s 98, no longer driving or living independently - but is surrounded by family, friends and health care providers that love him tremendously. What you're about to hear is a legacy—a testament to a life extraordinarily well lived. Daddy Monroe was born during the Great Depression, a Black man in the South who witnessed this country transform...
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Semaj Sconiers - Find your breath
Black Oxygen
Semaj Sconiers is a respected educator, mindfulness and wellness practitioner, and a Racial and Gender Justice Practitioner with the YWCA of Dane County. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Semaj shared her personal journey and experiences with mindfulness practices, including her connection to her grandmother and how she came back to her mindfulness practice while in the intensive care unit during a medical emergency. She shares, “in difficult moments, find your breath … it helps you recalibrate.” In addition, Semaj talks about her work as a race and gender...
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Corinda Rainey Moore, PhD - Boots on the ground
Black Oxygen
Dr. Corinda Rainey Moore is a community steward and leader here in Madison, WI. She is a passionate racial equity advocate who believes in leading by example. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Dr. Rainey Moore and I discuss how UW-Madison brought here to Wisconsin, how love kept her here in Wisconsin, and her passion for all things community related. She provides wonderful advice on how to engage in community leadership in honest and authentic ways and reminds us all that if we’re not happy with something we have the power to change it. #BlackOxygen #BlackOxygenPodcast...
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Michelle Robinson, PhD - Living and Thriving with ADHD
Black Oxygen
This week Dr. Michelle Robinson and I talk about being Black women with ADHD. We discuss growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, being diagnosed as adults, how ADHD presents differently in girls and women compared to the traditional understanding, and shared experiences in perfectionism and executive functioning. During our conversation, Michelle emphasized the importance of neurodiversity as natural variation instead of pathology. We go on a number of ADHD related side-quests and also end up talking about the Tamia Hustle, science, and climate change. #BlackOxygen #BlackOxygenPodcast...
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Keena Atkinson Part 1- Living into my Purpose
Black Oxygen
When Keena Atkinson was in sixth grade she moved to Madison, Wisconsin in hiding. Her mother, escaping domestic abuse, moved Keena and her sister here as a place of refuge and safety. In this episode of Black Oxygen, Keena discusses her experience with domestic violence, the discerning power of Black women, how she’s learned to live into her purpose, the UW-Madison Odyssey Project and so much more. She offers so much wisdom and provides the following advice regarding life and learning, “whatever you learn, teach it.” #KeenaAtkinson #BlackOxygenPodcast...
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Angela Lang and Ali Muldrow - What happened to #TrustBlackWomen?
Black Oxygen
This week on Black Oxygen I’m in conversation with Angela Lang, Executive Director of BLOC of Milwaukee, and Ali Muldrow of the Wisconsin Abortion Fund. In this episode, we discuss what it means to be engaged in democracy locally, the role of Black women in the last presidential election, and the importance of telling our stories in real time so that our legacy and impact are not erased. AND, in addition to all of that we talk about the vision of the creation of a multiracial democracy and connecting it to the film Sinners. Beware, the second half of this episode contains spoilers -...
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Alice Gilliam - The Vibe Curator
Black Oxygen
This week on Black Oxygen we have Alice Gilliam, also known as DJ Gemini Gilly. In this episode, Alice shares her life in Wisconsin, how she become a full-time DJ after starting her career as a social worker, key highlights of her career - including being a DJ for the Milwaukee Bucs AND DJ for VP Kamala Harris, and the role of DJing in creating community. #DJGeminiGilly #BlackOxygenPodcast #BlaakInWisconsin
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Ashley Moseberry: I Created What I Needed
Black Oxygen
Ashley is the Founder and Creator of Black on State, a community-driven organization dedicated to elevating voices, art and creativity. In this episode, Ashley talks about growing up in Madison, her vision of creating a more welcoming and inclusive downtown Madison, the 2025 Black on State event which is being held on August 23, and so much more. In our conversation Ashley states that Black folks intentionally stay away from downtown Madison and discusses what is being done to create a better sense of belonging. Ashley has a big vision for Madison - take a listen and find...
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Sabrina Madison: Protect Your Peace
Black Oxygen
This episode of Black Oxygen features Sabrina Madison. Sabrina is a multifaceted leader based in Madison, Wisconsin, known for her advocacy, entrepreneurship, and public service. She currently serves as the Alder for District 17 on Madison’s Common Council. In addition to her role as an elected official, Sabrina is the founder and CEO of The Progress Center for Black Women, an organization dedicated to empowering Black women through entrepreneurship, professional development, and community wellness. In this Black Oxygen conversation, Sabrina talks about her journey to Madison, the...
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Trust Black Women with Yolanda Shelton-Morris
Black Oxygen
In this conversation, Yolanda Shelton-Morris shares her journey from meeting her husband in a middle school program to becoming a recognized leader in her community. She discusses the challenges of being a Black woman in predominantly white spaces, the importance of legacy and recognition, and her commitment to education and social work. Yolanda emphasizes the need for empowerment over mere help, the interconnectedness of poverty and social services, and her vision for her organizing business. She also reflects on the power of music in her life and the importance of representation in...
info_outlineIn the Fall of 2023, local Madison leader Ali Muldrow took a new job as the first Executive Director of the Wisconsin Abortion Fund. The Wisconsin Abortion Fund is one of the oldest abortion funds in the nation and works to eliminate the financial and resource burden of abortion as health care. In this epsidoe of Black Oxygen, Ali discusses her story around abortion and reproductive health care, the meaning of reproductice health care for Black women, how folks can connect with the Wisconsin abortion fund and much more.
#BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackOxygen #Madison365 #BlackInWisconsin #DopeBlackPodcasts #ReproductiveHealthCare #ReproductiveJustice #WisconsinAbortionFund #CollectiveCare #CollectiveLiberation #AbortionFund #AbortionAccess #AbortionRights #ProChoice
Wisconsin Abortion Fund - https://wiabortionfund.org/
Books referenced on this episdoe:
We Live for the We, Dani McClain - https://www.akpress.org/weliveforthewe.html
The Source of Self-Regard, Toni Morrison - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566846/the-source-of-self-regard-by-toni-morrison/