Black Like Me Alex Gee

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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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: Disparities in Funding for Leaders of Color Leave Impact on the Table
Collection of reports on racial equity in philanthropy
NCRP Report: Too Many Local Community Foundations Still Underinvesting in Black Communities
 
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On this special episode, Dr. Alex Gee and his sister Lilada Gee reflect on the passing of their mother, Ms. Verline Gee. They celebrate her memory with stories and insights from her life. For decades, Ms. Verline created a profound impact in the Madison community as a mentor to young leaders, social worker, poet, published author, family therapist, faith community leader, and, above all, a cherished mother and grandmother.
Through their mother’s experiences, Dr. Gee and Rev. Lilada are able to explore historical and racial conditions in the period of her life. They reflect on the strength of her character and the lessons they learned, as well as her great intellectual sense of humor. Don't miss the heartfelt and honest conversation around the life of a powerful Black community mother.
Learn more about Ms. Verline Gee's story
Dr. Gee and Rev. Lilada invite you to make a donation to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, allowing us to share Verline Gee's incredible story and continue her legacy of community building through a senior space and senior programming dedicated in her honor: https://givebutter.com/xieAH6
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Support the Show: patreon.com/blacklikeme