Community Engagement

Connecting with communities all across Wisconsin

Our Community Engagement team creates and fosters authentic relationships to ensure that all the communities we serve feel represented, valued, and connected with PBS Wisconsin through our programming, events, and outreach.

In 2023, our work focused on three projects — Wisconsin in Black & White, The Wisconsin Muslim Project, and Wisconsin Pride — and opened the doors to crucial public conversations around local history, gender identity, cultural and religious diversity, and dismantling racial disparity in Wisconsin.

Explore PBS Wisconsin Engagement Events

A group of children dressed like Daniel Tiger around a Daniel Tiger sign.
A group of children dressed like Daniel Tiger around a Daniel Tiger sign.

Community Engagement

11
events in 8 cities across the state
1,975+
event attendees
22+
community partners

THE TEAM

Meet our Community Engagement Team

Woman smiling, wearing a black dress and necklace with the name "Dulce". She has a tattoo of the Aztec diety Huitzilopochtli on her arm.

Dulce Maria Vlisides

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT

[email protected]

Young man with a cheerful expression, wearing a dark button-up shirt. He has slicked-back hair and a friendly smile.

Andrew Carlson

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

[email protected]

Melissa Perry

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

[email protected]

Wisconsin in Black & White

Sparking crucial conversations with Wisconsin in Black & White

A partnership project of PBS Wisconsin and Justified Anger, an initiative of the Madison-based Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development.

Wisconsin in Black & White exposes racial disparities in the daily lives of Wisconsinites. In collaboration with Justified Anger, we engaged the community through a screening and panel discussion experienced in-person by over 250 people.

Explore the series

An audience watching a screening of Wisconsin in Black and White.
An audience watching a screening of Wisconsin in Black and White.
 

My partnership with the PBS Wisconsin Community Engagement team was a positive and fulfilling experience that created space for us to each truly bring our unique strengths to the table. Then the local community responded and showed up for an event with which they connected and wanted to be part of a better community.

Eli SteenlageDIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, NEHEMIAH CENTER FOR URBAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

WISCONSIN MUSLIM PROJECT

Building bridges through the Wisconsin Muslim Project

PBS Wisconsin co-hosted screenings with Altoona Mosque, Milwaukee Film, Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and We Are Many United Against Hate

With an immersive photo gallery, new episodes of Wisconsin Life, and collaborations with local leaders, PBS Wisconsin hosted community events in Madison, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee.

Explore the full project

Portrait by Lila Aryan from The Wisconsin Muslim Project online gallery.

Portrait by Lila Aryan from The Wisconsin Muslim Project online gallery.

Gathering of individuals seated for "THE WISCONSIN MUSLIM PROJECT" presentation.

Milwaukee: Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival

Wisconsin Life: The Wisconsin Muslim Project featured prominently on opening night of the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, including film screenings and an engaging panel of local leaders.

Madison & Eau Claire

In both Madison and Eau Claire, PBS Wisconsin hosted open-house events that brought communities together around The Wisconsin Muslim Project’s photo gallery, Wisconsin Life episodes, hosted discussions and local stories.

WISCONSIN PRIDE

Bringing Wisconsin Pride across the state

A groundbreaking collaboration between PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

LGBTQ+ history is Wisconsin history, and we brought these stories to every corner of the state through community events and by amplifying the work of local organizations.

PBS Wisconsin and our partners hosted events in Appleton, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Mineral Point and Rhinelander.

Explore the full project

An image of the poster for Wisconsin Pride.

Wisconsin Pride Event Partners

The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ+ Center

Diverse & Resilient

Enduring Families Project

La Crosse Public Library Archives

Lawrence University I.D.E.A.S.

Milwaukee Film

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center

Milwaukee Pride

Nicolet College Rainbow Hodags

OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center

Pendarvis House

Rivoli Theatre

UW-Green Bay Archives

UW-Green Bay Pride Center

UW-La Crosse History Department

Wisconsin Historical Society

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

Outdoor event with speakers and audience under a pergola, next to a "WISCONSIN PRIDE" banner by PBS Wisconsin.

Poage Pride Picnic in La Crosse

In celebration of La Crosse’s George Poage, we brought the community together for a free picnic. Together, we enjoyed soul food, family activities, and a reenactment of Poage’s life.

Wisconsin Pride Events

PBS Wisconsin and local community partners brought together more than 1,350 community members, with free events across the state and more to come.

Panel discussion with audience and "WISCONSIN PRIDE" presentation screen, PBS Wisconsin event.
Group of seven people smiling for a photo at a PBS Wisconsin event, dressed in formal attire.

Wisconsin Pride at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee

Pulling all stops, our premiere at the historic Oriental Theatre was a free red-carpet affair. We highlighted community organizations and enjoyed an evening celebrating LGTBQ+ trailblazers in Wisconsin history.

 

I really enjoyed working with the Community Engagement team at PBS Wisconsin. Not only are they just plain fun to engage with, it’s clear to me that they really care about our community.

Kathy FloresCOMMUNITY LEADER, RETIRED ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT DIVERSE & RESILIENT