Black Oxygen

Black Oxygen

Angela Russell is a Black woman who loves Wisconsin. That said, with so few Black folks in the state, sometimes she needs a little extra dose of Black oxygen. A place where she can breathe, connect, restore by hearing and listening deeply to Black folks in this shared journey of life. This podcast will feature and highlight the Black voices in Wisconsin and a little beyond. We hope that these conversations will lift your spirits and give you a few moments to breathe. Get your candles lit and your incense burning. It’s time for Black Oxygen.

Episodes

July 21, 2025 74 mins

This week Dr. Michelle Robinson and I talk about being Black women with ADHD. We discuss growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, being diagnosed as adults, how ADHD presents differently in girls and women compared to the traditional understanding, and shared experiences in perfectionism and executive functioning. During our conversation, Michelle emphasized the importance of neurodiversity as natural variation instead of pathology.  We g...

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When Keena Atkinson was in sixth grade she moved to Madison, Wisconsin in hiding.  Her mother, escaping domestic abuse, moved Keena and her sister here as a place of refuge and safety.   In this episode of Black Oxygen, Keena discusses her experience with domestic violence, the discerning power of Black women, how she’s learned to live into her purpose, the UW-Madison Odyssey Project and so much more. She offers so much wisdom and ...

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This week on Black Oxygen I’m in conversation with Angela Lang, Executive Director of BLOC of Milwaukee, and Ali Muldrow of the Wisconsin Abortion Fund. In this episode, we discuss what it means to be engaged in democracy locally, the role of Black women in the last presidential ele...
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June 9, 2025 40 mins
This week on Black Oxygen we have Alice Gilliam, also known as DJ Gemini Gilly. In this episode, Alice shares her life in Wisconsin, how she become a full-time DJ after starting her career as a social worker, key highlights of her career - including being a DJ for the Milwaukee Bucs AND DJ for VP Kamala Harris, and the role of DJing in creating community.  
 
#DJGeminiGilly #BlackOxygenPodcast #BlaakInWis...
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Ashley is the Founder and Creator of Black on State, a community-driven organization dedicated to elevating voices, art and creativity.  In this episode, Ashley talks about growing up in Madison, her vision of creating a more welcoming...
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May 12, 2025 47 mins

This episode of Black Oxygen features Sabrina Madison. Sabrina is a multifaceted leader based in Madison, Wisconsin, known for her advocacy, entrepreneurship, and public service. She currently serves as the Alder for District 17 on Madison’s Common Council.  In addition to her role as an elected official, Sabrina is the founder and CEO of The Progress Center for Black Women, an organization dedicated to empowering Black women throu...

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In this conversation, Yolanda Shelton-Morris shares her journey from meeting her husband in a middle school program to becoming a recognized leader in her community. She discusses the challenges of being a Black woman in predominantly white spaces, the importance of legacy and recognition, and her commitment to education and social work. Yolanda emphasizes the need for empowerment over mere help, t...

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April 14, 2025 54 mins

In this episode of the Black Oxygen podcast, host Angela Russell reconnects with Dr. Sagashus Levingston to discuss the importance of amplifying Black women's voices, the historical context of their political engagement, and the complexities of Black womanhood. They explore personal journeys, the impact of the 2024 presidential election, and the parallels between historical events and current societal issues, emphasizing the need f...

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Hello Black Oxygen subscribers! On March 7, The OuttaDeeBox Podcast will officially become part of the 365 Media Network, with new episodes every other Thursday. Watch Madison365.org/Podcasts for new episodes or search for OuttaDeeBox on your favorite podcast app. In the meantime, here’s a classic episode from the OuttaDeeBox archives! 

From the unforgiving streets of Humboldt Park, Chicago, to the relentl...

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Hello Black Oxygen subscribers! On March 7, The OuttaDeeBox Podcast will officially become part of the 365 Media Network, with new episodes every other Thursday. Watch Madison365.org/Podcasts for new episodes or search for OuttaDeeBox on your favorite podcast app. In the meantime, here’s a classic episode from the OuttaDeeBox archives! 

Today, Stacey Clay lays bare his life's journey from the streets of Mi...

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Hello Black Oxygen subscribers! On March 7, The OuttaDeeBox Podcast will officially become part of the 365 Media Network, with new episodes every other Thursday. Watch Madison365.org/Podcasts for new episodes or search for OuttaDeeBox on your favorite podcast app. In the meantime, here’s a classic episode from the OuttaDeeBox archives! 

When streets talk, they tell tales of struggle and success, of alleywa...

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Poet and Green Bay community leader Miriam Brabham came to Wisconsin for love … but stayed because of community. On this episode of Black Oxygen, Miriam, who lives in Green Bay, discusses being biracial, how moving and living in Wisconsin helped her better understand her biracial identity, and the roll of community on her life.  In addition, we discussed The Bridge Poem by Kate Rushin - and want it means to be the bridge across com...

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Ranell Washington and Geraud Blanks are two Milwaukee-based entrepreneurs who recently launched Culture By Design. Culture By Design is focused on designing experiences that gets people talking. On this episode of Black Oxygen Ranell and Geraud talk about the the difference between event planning and experience curation, lessons they learned by leading Black Lens in Milwaukee, the role of gender regarding vulnerability and intimacy...

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January 15, 2024 47 mins

Kayla Conklin, President of Urban League of Greater Madison Young Professionals, Kayla Conklin wants to make Madison a model city for equity. Originally from Illinois, Kayla came to Wisconsin to attend and cheer for UW Madison. After graduating, Kayla stayed here and Madison has become her home.  In this episode of Black Oxygen we discuss Kayla's undergrad experience at UW, her relationship with her father, her career journey and s...

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January 8, 2024 51 mins

In the Fall of 2023, local Madison leader Ali Muldrow took a new job as the first Executive Director of the Wisconsin Abortion Fund.  The Wisconsin Abortion Fund is one of the oldest abortion funds in the nation and works to eliminate the financial and resource burden of abortion as health care. In this epsidoe of Black Oxygen, Ali discusses her story around abortion and reproductive health care, the meaning of reproductice health ...

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December 4, 2023 50 mins

Jasmine Banks was born and raised in Madison and her family has been in this community for five generations. In this episode, Jasmine talks about growing up on Madison's near east side, working with emerging adults at Operation Fresh Start, and her love of nature - including birding and hiking. Near the end of our conversation she reminds us that with so much going on in the world right now that we must find the good. 

Give her a f...

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October 30, 2023 26 mins

Henry Sanders, founder and CEO of Madison 365, has been observing and studying leadership since he was a child growing up in Madison, Wisconsin. On this episode of Black Oxygen Henry discusses why leadership is important to him and lessons from great leaders. He also previews the upcoming 365 Leadership Summit, being held this year on November 6 and 7 in Madison, Wi. To learn more and register please visit this link.

#BlackOxygenPo...

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Cassaundra Thorpe is the Assistant Director of Career and Leadership for Wisconsin Athletics and is the co-host of the Madison based podcast MTZ Overflow. On this episode we discuss what drew Cassaundra to the Madison area, the intentionality she had to have in creating her community when moving to Wisconsin, her faith, how she has learned to live in her purpose, and some of the challenges that are faced in transitioning from being...

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October 9, 2023 47 mins

Born in Orange County, California and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Travis Beckum wants his life to be about making a positive impact. Travis is incredibly driven and passionate - and he has all the receipts to back it up.  He is a Super Bowl Champion, a DJ, a UW-Madison Hall of Fame inductee, and serves of the board of directors for the W Club and the Madison Areas Sports Commission. On this episode of Black Oxygen we discuss Tr...

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October 2, 2023 43 mins

Kiba is a spray paint muralist based in Stevens Point. Carisa is a singer-songwriter based in Madison. They met this past Spring via Black Oxygen. On this episode, you’ll learn how these two Wisconsin based artists met, how they inspire each other’s creativity and how art making helps them process the unknown. This conversation also covers topics including Juneteenth and the increasing Black community in Stevens Point, mosquitos in...

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