365 Amplified Madison365

On today’s edition, we round up a few stories from the week: the state files a lawsuit against an employer accused of firing employees when they organized; a Madisonian is a finalist for a Hugo Award; and a County Board supervisor says “sin is the root cause” of homelessness. Then, we visit the headquarters of Urban Triage, where founder and CEO Brandi Grayson gives us an update on the organization’s activities and programs, and previews next month’s Black Brilliance Gala fundraiser.
 
Links:
 
State sues owner of Crushin It Promotions, alleging unlawful labor practices
 
Sci-Fi zine GigaNotoSaurus, edited by Madison writer LaShawn Wanak, nominated for a Hugo Award
 
“Sin is the root cause” of homelessness, Dane County Supervisor says
 
Black Brilliance Gala Tickets
 
Black Brilliance Gala Volunteer Opportunities
 
Nominate an Unsung Hero

University of Wisconsin Multicultural Student Center director Claudia Guzman joins the show to help us celebrate the 35th anniversary of the MSC’s beginning within the Wisconsin Union. She also has an announcement – the Wisconsin Union and MSC teamed up to create a special limited edition Mini Terrace Chair – a tiny version of the iconic furniture found in only one place in the world. She and our cohost Stephanie (who helped on the design of the chairs, among other things related to the anniversary) talk about the inspiration for this specific design. Claudia also talks about what the anti-DEI push has meant for the MSC and what’s in store for the future. 
 
Plus, our own Omar Waheed has done some pretty deep digging on the cannabis industry in Wisconsin and talks us through the issues and opportunities there, especially for Indigenous nations.

It’s Spring Break, so we have an abbreviated episode this week. Fitchburg Common Council candidate Donald Dantzler joins us to talk about his vision for one of the area’s fastest-growing cities. He’s also on the Police & Fire Commission and chairs the Madison College board of trustees, so we also get an update on the search for the college’s next president.

The gang’s all here! It’s just the 365 team this week talking through some important stories from the week. First, it’s Ramadan, and our own Omar Waheed put together a list of Muslim-owned businesses you can support during the holy month. He also educates us a bit about what Ramadan is and how it’s practiced. Then, we hear from David Dahmer about a major gift to Centro Hispano, Centro’s new building and how it’ll serve the Latino community center’s mission. Finally, after we reported on some problematic elements in the new language arts curriculum approved by the Sun Prairie school board (and talked about it on the podcast last week), we got an email saying we were wrong. But that email, and a few others, actually raised more questions. On this week’s podcast, the team talks through all the developments. Finally, what’s your special talent? Our reporting team has some surprising answers.

Earlier this week the Sun Prairie school board voted to approve the purchase of new language arts curriculum that some parents and community members felt is, at best, not culturally competent, especially in its depictions of Native American culture. Today, the team – including Rodlyn-mae Banting and Omar Waheed, both of whom reported on the issue for Madison365 – talks through the issues with the curriculum, the response from the community, and the much bigger issues at stake. Then, we hear from 2022 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Kabby Hong on a the state Senate’s approval of a law requiring Asian American history be taught in Wisconsin schools. And finally, a grab-bag of stuff: our Most Influential Native Americans list, our new print magazine, the awards we’re nominated for and whether we prefer to spring forward or fall back.
 
Helpful links:
 
https://madison365.com/sun-prairie-school-board-approves-purchasing-new-english-curriculum-some-community-members-find-culturally-offensive/
 
https://madison365.com/sun-prairie-parents-push-back-on-proposed-curriculum-seen-as-racist-vote-coming-monday/
 
https://madison365.com/wisconsin-senate-passes-bill-to-require-asian-american-history-in-schools/
 
https://madison365.com/madison365-finalist-for-five-milwaukee-press-club-awards-including-best-local-news-website/

Fitchburg alder Joe Maldonado announced last week that he’s running for the Assembly to represent Fitchburg, Stoughton, parts of McFarland and rural areas in between. He joins the show today to talk about what his legislative priorities would be if elected – leading with youth services and development. We also talk velour, braids, and Norwegian food. Then, we chat with Derek Nhieu and Emma Lazaroff about POC-IT, a group convened on the online platform Discord to provide a social space for Madison’s people of color, which grew out of a Reddit thread. Finally, we get a taste of OuttaDeeBox, the newest podcast on the 365 Network; learn what goes into reporting on a vice presidential visit; and name the outdoor activities we’re looking forward to – or avoiding – as the weather warms up.
 
Useful links:
 
https://madison365.com/fitchburg-alder-joe-maldonado-announces-bid-for-state-assembly/
 
https://madison365.com/poc-it-new-group-provides-place-and-space-for-madisons-bipoc-residents-to-socialize-together/
 
To join POC-IT, email nhieu.derek@gmail.com or emmaevl@gmail.com.
 
https://madison365.com/in-visit-to-madison-vice-president-kamala-harris-touts-apprenticeship-programs-creating-good-paying-union-jobs/