Uniquely Milwaukee

Radio Milwaukee

Our flagship program finds the stories in Milwaukee that lift your spirits, prompt you to think, make you feel grateful and inspire you to do more. They connect you to our community, shining a spotlight on what is good about the city, what still needs work, and what makes it Uniquely Milwaukee.

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Yesterday · 4 min
A different kind of student council makes a real impact in Milwaukee
When we think of who’s making the decisions that affect our city, we usually think of roles held by adults: the mayor, aldermen, City Council members — politicians with years of experience in local government. But, here in Milwaukee, Arias Dinan and 14 other high-schoolers are making a difference as part of the Milwaukee Youth Council. “There's a lot of messaging around, ‘youth are the future,’ and ‘youth are going to have to take over these roles,’” the Ronald Reagan High School senior said. “But I would argue that youth are the present as well, and they should play a role in active policymaking, not just this future void.” Dinan, who represents District 14 on the council and is in his second term, added that civic engagement is something he’s been passionate about from a young age. “I've kind of just become really frustrated with the state of our school system, how we remain one of the most segregated cities in the country, and there's not really adequate action being taken,” he said. “And I think that, as it has for generations, movements of change start with the youngest people.” Sitting next to him during a recent council meeting was Safiyah Osman, a junior at Rufus King High School who’s in her third year serving as the representative of the 5th District. That experience in local government has changed the way she sees Milwaukee and her peers. “I was living in a city that I had no idea about,” she said. “I didn't know about the politics. I didn't know about our streets, our [Milwaukee Police Department]. I had no idea. I just would have opinions because of hearing adults around me, but I did not have my own yet. So I think that's something that was very important to me about being on the Milwaukee Youth Council … not just making change, but educating myself further.” In this episode, host Rachel Tarby takes you to a meeting of the council and talks with city leaders --- both current and future --- about how the group positively influences policy that affects young people in Milwaukee. ##### Guest host: Rachel Tarby Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.
November 5 · 15 min
‘AfterDark’ reveals truths about creation, inspiration and liberation
When we're willing to share parts of ourselves with others, that’s storytelling — a connection through experience, laughter, pain and joy. “AfterDark: For the Culture” celebrates all of that and more as a storytelling series centered on the lived experiences of people of color. It's a special collaboration between HYFIN and Ex Fabula, and the next installment is coming up Nov. 19. So it seemed like the perfect time to share four stories from the series. The first is from LIV, a self-taught visual artist and painter based in the Cream City who shares the deeply rooted inspiration behind one of her most cherished pieces and its connection to a loved one. The next comes from Navy veteran Shawn Mitchell. He was a young man on tour, proud of his heritage and connection to African culture, yet he quickly learned that liberation doesn't happen for everyone. The third story is from Christine Reardon, who navigated the complexity of being from a diverse family of high achievers and found success in her own way despite life's prejudices and challenges. Finally, Kentrell Washington shares a short poem dedicated to Black men, fatherhood and raising your sons like a gardener tending to his flowers. To hear more pieces like these straight from the people who tell them, come to our next AfterDark: For the Culture at 7 p.m. Nov. 19. And if you want to explore your own storytelling potential, you can join Ex Fabula’s free StoryStarter workshop right before the show at 5:30 p.m. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
October 29 · 4 min
SHOUT Robotics fights for all voices to be heard in STEM fields
Every October, Wisconsin Tech Month unifies and celebrates tech and innovation across the state — both the present and the future. That includes a big effort to get more young people involved in STEM through events like a recent competition that encouraged marginalized gender identities to take the lead. SHOUT Robotics was founded just this year but has quickly gained traction with its focus on amplifying underrepresented voices in STEM fields. As part of that effort, 40 teams from Wisconsin and Illinois led by female and non-binary individuals battled at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in a competitive but supportive environment. In this episode, guest host Rachel Tarby talks with two of the student competitors and the event's organizers to explore the impact of SHOUT Robotics, as well as the importance of creating space for underrepresented communities. ##### Guest host: Rachel Tarby Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.
October 22 · 3 min
Cristo Rey's civic lessons go from desks to front doors
Election Day is coming up. On Nov. 3, Wisconsin residents will vote for candidates in Congress, the State Senate, the Assembly, governor and even three questions about amending the state constitution. With all of that at stake, information is key — and students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Milwaukee are making sure voters have it. The school’s Civic Engagement Team includes 10 seniors, including Daniel Gonzalez, who was well aware of the stakes for the upcoming election. “It's mainly important to make sure that everyone knows what's at risk,” he said. “Either changing the ballot, the Constitution, or what they would possibly bring to us since many different senators would bring many different things. It can also bring many different consequences to our communities.” In this episode, guest host Rachel Tarby goes along with Gonzalez and the rest of the Cristo Rey team -- plus a couple like-minded local organizations -- on a recent voter-canvassing session to see how students not even old enough vote are still finding ways to get involved with democracy. ##### Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by our Radio Milwaukee members.
October 15 · 12 min
Getting back in the ‘Swing’ of Wisconsin election season
Who has power in Wisconsin? Two of our friends at WUWM ask — and answer — this question in their podcast that’s back just in time for election season. For season three of Swing State of the Union, hosts Joy Powers and Sam Woods decided to uncover who makes the critical decisions about changes in Wisconsin and the impact on the voters who elect them. To do that they went into communities to explore topics like data centers, school funding, immigration and affordability. They also went into our studio for this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee to talk with Kim Shine about this season of their podcast and what they discovered along the way to the midterm elections Nov. 3. Find all of our recent episodes, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
October 8 · 5 min
A decade after his death, Juan Gabriel still connects with the community
This Latine Heritage Month, we remember the lasting legacy of Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, in the 1950s, he has touched generations of audiences with his powerful lyricism and magnetic energy. Known as “El Divo de Juarez,” he composed more than 1,800 songs and sold more than 100 million records. His iconic ballads, like “Amor Eterno” and “Querida," are still very beloved. Most notably, he was the first non-classical act to perform in Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1990. He passed in August 2016. In this episode, guest host Paula Lovo shares her memories of Gabriel and asked community members to do the same (thank you Alexa, Marielena, Miguel, Maura, Mara and Tiana). To find all of our recent episodes, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Paula Lovo Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
October 1 · 4 min
Through tech and teaching, My Way Out provides a path forward
"I’m actually changing the oil. Right now, they’re giving us a speech about the PPE." Terence is one of about a dozen particpants in a virtual-reality class inside Milwaukee County’s Community Reintegration Center. The class is part of a six-week course for men and women residents provided by My Way Out, a program that provides reentry services to justice-impacted individuals. Ruben Gaona is My Way Out's executive director. The navy veteran launched the program after his own incarceration that followed an honorable discharge due to a back injury. He says he started selling drugs in 2007 to provide for himself and his family. In 2010, he was charged in a federal case. Now, his nonprofit hires staff that was formerly imprisoned while helping hundreds of people stay out of the justice system. “Obviously, when I came home, I didn’t know where technology was,” Gaona recalled. “So I started spending lots of hours with my laptop — learning, watching YouTube videos, learning how to use Excel, Word documents — because I also wanted to go back to school. I knew technology had advanced so much, so that started the passion of saying, ‘OK, there’s something here.’” To learn more about My Way Out and find all of our recent episodes, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 29 · 2 min
Creativity is sustainable, accessible at 414 Art Revival
When Julianna Jackson and Nate Carpenter moved from St. Louis to Milwaukee, they quickly found a lot to like about their new home. “What did draw us… is the sense of community that I feel whenever we're in Milwaukee,” Jackson shared. But they also noticed something their new community could use — or reuse. At the end of July, the pair opened the doors to 414 Art Revival, an art-resale shop where people can find pre-loved art supplies at a reasonable price and donate materials they no longer need. But the location on West National Avenue in West Allis is also a community space that features Milwaukee artists and hosts classes. On this episode, guest host Rachel Tarby goes inside the store to talk with its co-owners and the patrons finding value of all kinds within (and even on) its walls. ##### Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 24 · 3 min
Through words and work, Juan Miguel Martinez represents a movement
This Latine Heritage Month, we celebrate the work of Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez. Martinez was elected in 2022 as County Supervisor of District 12, representing various southside neighborhoods. In this role, he helped secure a $30 million commitment from the county for the Mitchell Park Domes, a prime example of his advocacy for the parks system and securing resources for the neighborhoods he represents. Along with his work in civic engagement and labor organizing, he writes for publications like the Milwaukee Record and frequently DJs at the Wiggle Room, using that time to unwind and share music from his eclectic collection. But with everything he does, he always keeps his focus on highlighting stories about people of color in Milwaukee. "The reason these stories are important," he explained, "is because we make up the fabric of this city.” For the full story, go to radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Paula Lovo Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 23 · 14 min
New film explores the weight Milwaukee’s community leaders carry
Milwaukee is a place of resilience and service. But a shadow of crime and violence hovers over parts of the city. You’ll find evidence of all these things in the people who see the latter and embrace the former by working to make Milwaukee safer. Vaun Mayes is one of them. For years, Mayes has been an interrupter, building community trust and understanding while advocating for alternative approaches to policing and public safety. His efforts on the North Side haven’t gone unnoticed and are the subject of a a new documentary from doc|UWM students: Heavy Is the Crown. The film features conversations with elected officials, law enforcement, educators and young people about the challenges and solutions to building safer neighborhoods. Director Sean Kafer and producer Mackenzie Savin played key roles in the project, and Uniquely Milwaukee host Kim Shine sat down with them — along with Mayes — to talk about the documentary ahead of its premiere at the Oriental Theatre at 4:30 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 27. To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 17 · 4 min
WI's first trauma recovery center offers specialized services to violence survivors
Survivors of violence in the Milwaukee area have a new place to turn for help. Wisconsin’s first trauma recovery center (TRC) opened in September, offering specialized mental-healthcare services. The Medical College of Wisconsin launched the clinic at ThriveOn King in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood. It’s one of nearly 60 TRCs across 28 states in the country that use an evidence-based model to reach communities, individuals and families who slip through the cracks of traditional services. Their holistic approach includes outreach, therapy and case management alongside community partner support. In line with the national model, all services are free and for the most part the Milwaukee TRC will help clients aged 14 and older. The goal is to grow the network and add self-referrals in early 2027. “Our goal is to help people go from surviving to thriving, and mental health and mental wellness is a huge part of that," said Dr. Terri deRoon-Cassini, director of the Milwaukee TRC. "This adds to the ecosystem of everything else going on in Milwaukee." To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 10 · 3 min
The trendy photo method bringing patience, artistry into focus
The phones we carry in our pockets give us the ability to snap a picture any time we want. But a nearly 200-year-old form of photography is still around today — and still finding new fans. Milwaukee’s own Amber Ascher has made a business out of her interest in the Victorian-era artform, which is making a return in this fast-paced digital age. “I think with the rise of A.I., digital-perfected images, people want this even more because it's so obviously handmade,” she said. “Sometimes, you literally see the fingerprint of the photographer on the plate from them handling it, and it's just special for that reason.” In this episode, we go along on a tintype shoot to learn how it's done and why people continue to choose an antique form of photography in an age of advanced technology. ##### Guest host: Rachel Tarby Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.
September 3 · 12 min
In a virtual world, Wisconsin Tech Month thrives on actual connection
No matter where you are in the world, technology is changing how we work, live and collaborate. In October, we’ll see once again how the Badger State is part of this evolving landscape as Wisconsin Tech Month returns for its sixth year. The annual event spotlights the innovators, ideas and curious people shaping or learning about technology, all around one theme. This year’s is “Connected Through Innovation.” "Technology does not necessarily require in-person (events), said Nadiyah Johnson, Milky Way Tech Hub CEO and co-founder of Wisconsin Tech Month. “However, the advancement of technology in the right direction I think warrants more in-person, in-real-life efforts. That's where we really make true connection. “We're able to really grow empathy for each other, understand each other's problems and actually then start creating technology that society needs, not just building because we can." For this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, Kim Shine sits down with Johnson to get her perspective on where innovation can start and who can shape it. To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
August 27 · 4 min
The seed of something special is flourishing in the Garden District
Driving past the corner of 6th and Howard, you might breeze by pollinators pollinating, sunflowers bending in the wind and tomatoes soaking up the sun. But, if you stop, you’ll find a window into the natural world and a community coming together. This is the location of the Garden District Community Garden, a plot of land that has flowered because of the people who power it. “We have raised beds, and we have in-ground plots,” Dawn Riegel explained. “We don't have an irrigation system, so we have four 250-gallon tanks that we have to fill, which we get a hydrant permit through the city, and that's how we fill it.” This particular neighborhood garden is a true local hub where anyone can grow food, share gardening tips and much more. “Our community garden is really a community,” Riegel emphasized. “All the people have befriended each other. You see a lot of people hanging out outside of the garden. They talk gardening a lot, and they hang out in the garden and give tips. We do a lot of events, too.” They also welcome groups like the Centers for Independence (CFI), a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that supports people with disabilities and behavioral health needs through innovative, person-centered programs. One of those programs, Farm 2 Table, takes an agrarian approach to providing learning opportunities and work skills training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this episode, guest host Erin Wolf takes you to the Garden District to find out what brings people to the Community Garden and how they cultivated a real sense of unity in a unique environment. ##### Guest host: Erin Wolf Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.
August 20 · 4 min
Drivers in the city are seeing red. Your Move MKE wants to change that.
Colors do more than just catch our eyes. They can influence our moods and our actions. In Milwaukee's Lincoln Village neighborhood, some hope that colors will make a positive impact on our driving — and our safety. "People just be reckless driving everywhere,” Malik Hughes observed, echoing how a lot of people in the city feel. “All through the North Side, going through bike lanes, speeding through school zones — they’re just always speeding. That's what our city is really known for: reckless driving." That unofficial title frustrates the 17-year-old senior at Shalom High School. So he and about a dozen other young people recently headed outside to paint a raised crosswalk and street poles near 8th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Your Move MKE leads the initiative to paint raised crosswalks like these across the city. With help from a mix of funding sources, the youth-focused nonprofit based on the south side partnered with Milwaukee's Department of Public Works, whose traffic-calming efforts — including 43 projects slated for 2026 — are part of the city's Vision Zero plan to have no traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2037. According to data from the Traffic Safety Unit, Milwaukee police have issued more than 1,700 speeding citations this year and more than 9,500 tickets since 2024. Plus, over that time period, drivers have averaged between 20-24 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Traffic safety has become a shared priority in the city, including within Your Move MKE, which wants ensure Milwaukee's young people are being heard and are in a position to make change. “It's so important to keep these kids busy,” co-founder and executive director Raquel Aleman noted. “I always tell the kids: ‘I don't care what you're doing. If it’s painting, breakdancing, rapping, just find something productive to do, master your craft.’ “We're just trying to keep them active, and it’s really important to develop these principles and characteristics within them now — the values of investing in your community.” To learn more, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
August 6 · 3 min
FunkClub Wagon brings rhythm to the river
Milwaukee is a city where people love live music, no matter where it’s playing. “I will go anywhere where funk music is playing. And if it’s on water, it’s an absolute yes.” Jade Holcomb said that from her floating seat not far from the concert that happens every Wednesday night during the summer. Organized by FunkClub Wagon, the MKE River Round-Up music series puts that week’s band in a pontoon and invites anyone with a seaworthy vessel to join. In this episode, we paddle along with one of these weekly gatherings to talk with organizers and attendees about what brings them to Milwaukee's splashiest concert venues. ##### Episode host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
July 30 · 2 min
At Skate on 8’s, a Milwaukee man helps others find balance
Nicole Olive has owned skates for 20 years but never used them until this summer, when someone who was in a similar position a few years ago gave her a reason. Every Wednesday, Olive and other community members gather right across from the Milwaukee Public Market to attend lessons at Skate on 8’s, a program Arian Rice started after teaching himself how to skate three years ago. While that was satisfying by itself, he gets something even better through the program he leads while spreading a sense of community, one wheel at a time. “I'm doing this because I love to skate,” he said. “I love seeing people come together.” ##### Intern guest host: Justice Durham Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
July 23 · 3 min
Grand Avenue Club matches people with purpose
When Grenesha was 18, she felt the pressure of becoming an adult. Then she retreated. “I was very isolated, just spent all my time at the library mostly by myself, just reading books,” she said, adding that her isolation led to hospitalization and a bleak outlook on her future. “I honestly didn't see myself past 30. I didn't want to be past 30.” Then Grenesha heard about Grand Avenue Club — a voluntary, non-clinical mental-health organization. She became a member and has stayed involved for 14 years, moving well past the point where she imagined her road ending. “Now, this August, I'll be turning 40,” she said. “I went from not having any work skills to having a full resume and being offered jobs. Went from dropping out of college numerous times to now having a degree and continuing on with another degree.” Founded in 1991, Grand Avenue Club supports members through the pillars of employment, education and enrichment. Since 1994, it’s been a part of Clubhouse International, a model committed to enriching the lives of people experiencing mental illnesses. “We're the only clubhouse in Milwaukee,” Grand Avenue Club associate director Ben Holt said. “This is a model that's been around since the ’50s. Started in Manhattan. There's about 370 or so clubhouses around the world in about 32 countries.” In this episode, we hear from Grenesha, Holt and others about how Grand Avenue Club helps its members navigate mental illness and recognize their purpose. ##### Guest host: Rachel Tarby Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
July 16 · 4 min
NeuVue gives Milwaukee’s youth a new perspective on their future
It started as an idea. This summer, it broke ground. NeuVue is a $16.2 million housing project that’s unlike any other in Milwaukee: a six-story building on the city’s North Side intended entirely for young adults in the city. “Neuvue will help pave the way for self-sufficiency for the young people who will call it home,” said Joann Harris-Comodore, founder and CEO of Neu-Life Community Development, the nonprofit behind the project. “That alone is just so invigorating and so exciting as we move forward.” In addition to 36 high-quality, affordable apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom spaces, there will be workforce opportunities in Neu-Life’s Farmfork Culinary School and Cafe; Neu-Media Studios; and amenities like a gym, community rooms, a rooftop garden and underground parking. In this episode, we hear from Neu-Life's leaders about the project's potential, and from current and former youth positively impacted by the organization's mission. ##### Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members.
July 9 · 4 min
In Vivent Health's fight to end HIV/AIDS, care is everything
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Wisconsin — and especially Milwaukee — emerged as the paradigm for response and ongoing advocacy. “Forty years. It’s an amazing amount of transformation that happened.” Brandon Hill reflected on that era from a unique perspective: as the president and CEO of Vivent Health, which helped create an integrated model of care that’s now in six other states and touted nationwide. According to Hill, 80% of people currently living with HIV in Wisconsin receive some service from Vivent Health, and 95% of their patients are virally suppressed — meaning the virus levels are low enough and not transmittable to others. Still, prevention remains a key effort. That means continuing to treat the whole patient and the whole person. In this episode, we talk with Hill and Doug Nelson, who led the organization when it was still the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, about Vivent Health's decades-long mission, as well as its impact on Milwaukee and beyond. ##### Host: Kim Shine Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the generous support of our members.

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