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Watch the new season of ‘Why Race Matters’
May 5, 2025 Leave a Comment
PBS Wisconsin’s digital series, Why Race Matters, returns with eight all-new episodes premiering each Monday, May 5 through June 23.
Stream the first episode now at whyracematters.org and on the free PBS app on all streaming devices and smart TVs. New episodes premiere 6 p.m. each Monday through June 23. Podcast versions of the episodes will also be available at whyracematters.org.
In Why Race Matters, producer and host Angela Fitzgerald engages in conversations with everyday people whose work and commitments focus on community, identity and belonging. We share stories from artists, community organizers, health professionals and subject experts while amplifying their lived experiences. The series explores topics that are both historically rooted and urgently relevant – identity, civic engagement, spirituality, education, economic opportunity and representation – while offering hope, guidance and resources to empower all communities to thrive.
“This season is our best yet,” Fitzgerald said. “I had great conversations with people who are all doing amazing work, personally and professionally, to bring about change in our community. Now more than ever, we’re leaning into understanding Why Race Matters, for our state and beyond.”
The history of Black Midwesterners before the Great Migration
Learn how Black communities in the Midwest formed before the Great Migration with University of Wisconsin-Madison historian and professor Christy Clark-Pujara.
Black vs. African American Identity
Discuss the difference between identifying as African American or Black American with legal professional Naman Siad and University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. candidate and instructor Harry Kiiru.
Black Spirituality and Resilience in the U.S.
Investigate how Black spirituality in the United States is deeply rooted in the resilience and creativity of African-descended communities with Pastor Coliér McNair, a dedicated spiritual leader and community advocate based in Madison.
Reentry — Employment and Education
Examine the challenges Black individuals in Wisconsin encounter as they re-enter society after prison with Dynae Saba.
Food Deserts and Racial Disparities
Analyze the impact of food deserts – areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food – with Mariam Nunez of Luna’s Grocery.
Racial Identity and Belonging
Study how racial identification is both personal and shaped by society with Johnathan Delgado, founder of the Puerto Rican Awareness Project.
Climate Change and Gentrification in Milwaukee
Investigate new studies that show how climate change and its cascading effects on urban development intersect with the gentrification of Black neighborhoods, intensifying existing inequities with social scientist and community advocate Dr. Nicole Robinson.
Black Journalism
6 p.m. Monday, June 23
Explore how journalism can be a challenging place for many Black journalists with Capital Times local government reporter Enjoyiana Nururdin and Milwaukee PBS’ Black Nouveau host Earl Arms in the season finale.
