Bridge the City

Latest Episodes:

Episode 126: Power to the People Campaign Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Deisy España sit down with Anna Dvorak and Gregory Brown with the Power to the People Campaign. They talk about their campaign to turn our energy utilities from an investor-owned utility to a municipally owned and operated utility, the success of the campaign so far, and why they think it’s important for working families in Milwaukee.

To learn more, visit:

Power to the People Website

Milwaukee DSA

Action Steps:

Anna’s action steps include:

Sign the online petition

Donate to the campaign

Gregory’s action steps include:

Get your community, neighborhood, or street involved in the campaign

Reestablish social relations

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 125: Mexican Fiesta Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Deisy España sit down with Nora Godoy-Gonzalez and Kate Rodriguez the current and future Mexican Fiesta Ambassadors, respectively. They talk about how much fun the Fiesta is, how the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation supports the community year-round, and what the Fiesta means to them and our Milwaukee community.

To learn more, visit:

Meixcan Fiesta’s Website

Volunteer at the Fiesta

Action steps:

Nora’s action steps include:

Attend Mexican Fiesta

Attend and explore other ethnic and neighborhood festivals

Donate to the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Kate’s action step is:

Vote local and support your community in whatever ways you can

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 124: Rethink 794 - Milwaukee Central Park Project Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with guest Jacob Krieg, founder of the Milwaukee Central Park Project. They talk about the potential removal of the I794 spur of freeway on the the Eastside of the city and what could take its place. Specifically, they discuss Jacob’s idea to create a park and greenspace, the Milwaukee Central Park, in its place.

To learn more, visit:

Milwaukee Central Park Project on Youtube and Twitter

Rethink 794

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Action Steps:

Jacob’s action steps include:

Follow Milwaukee Central Park Project on Youtube and Twitter

Reach out and support Jacob’s project with your skills and talents

Read John Norquist’s Wealth of Cities

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 123: April General Election Preview Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Bridge the City teammate and guest producer, Ashlie Benson, to break down the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023.

They talk about the following:

State Supreme Court Election:

Referenda:

Milwaukee Public School Board At-Large Election:

Municipal Judge Election

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Election:

To learn more, visit:

Myvote.wi.gov

Milwaukee Election Commission

Action Step:

VOTE

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Shoutout to our supporters (include first names of new Patrons and include in episode if possible)

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 122: Housing First Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Eric Collins-Dyke, Assistant Administrator of the Milwaukee County Housing Division, to discuss Housing First and homelessness in the county.

To learn more, visit:

Milwaukee County Housing Division

Action Steps:

Eric’s action steps include:

1. Get involved with nonprofits and organizations advocating for Housing First.

2. Don’t ever forget the humanity of people experiencing homelessness that you encounter.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 121: Election Special w/ Everett Mitchell Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down Judge Everett Mitchell one of four candidates on the ballot in the upcoming Wisconsin State Supreme Court Primary Election. Judge Mitchell was an Assistant District Attorney in Dane County and was elected to the Dane County Circuit Court. He has his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he also was an adjunct professor.
The primary election is February 21, 2023 and the general election is April 4, 2023. The other candidates running against Judge Mitchell are conservatives Justice Daniel Kelly and Judge Jennifer Darrow and fellow liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz.

To learn more, visit:

Judge Mitchell’s website

myvote.wi.gov

Other candidates websites:

Judge Darow

Justice Kelly

Judge Protasiewicz

Action Step:

Become a CASA (Court-appointed special advocate) volunteer to advocate for young people

Visit judgemitchellforjustice.com to learn more and support Judge Mitchell

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 120: Milwaukee Talkie w/ Elmer Moore Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Elmer Moore, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), to discuss Elmer’s route to Milwaukee, the challenges of affordable housing, and NIMBYism.

To learn more, visit:

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority

Action Steps:

Elmer’s action steps include:

1) Avoid NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) when it comes to affordable housing projects. Participate in local conversations about zoning.

2) Participate in your government, your neighborhood, and beyond.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 119: Sojourner Family Peace Center Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Carmen Pitre, President and CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center, to discuss domestic violence in Milwaukee and the resources available for survivors.

To learn more, visit:

Sojourner Family Peace Center

The Domestic Violence Hotline is 414.933.2722.

Action Steps:

Carmen’s action steps include:

1. Be a safe space for others–listen and believe people when they share with you.

2. Educate yourself about the resources available around domestic violence and be an informed voter

Learn more about our sponsor, Trinity Fellows at Marquette University.

The Trinity Fellows Program is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Fellows participate in a 21-month study/work program while earning a master's degree in one of fourteen fields of study.

In addition to full time studies, Fellows are placed at nonprofit organizations in the Milwaukee area, where they work in meaningful roles.

Financial benefits include a full tuition scholarship and a monthly stipend.

Student Application Deadline is January 15, 2022

Learn more at marquette.edu/trinity-fellows.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 118: Milwaukee Esports Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Brandon Tschacher, Founder of the Milwaukee Esports Alliance, and Abbey Diedrich, Director of Career Development at New Horizons Wisconsin, to talk about the state of Esports in Milwaukee. They talk about the MPS summer class that integrated Esports and gaming with tangible tech skills, how Milwaukee is doing relative to other cities when it comes to tech and Esports, and how gaming can provide young people with essential skills to succeed in the modern world.

To learn more, visit:

Milwaukee Esports Alliance

New Horizons Wisconsin

Action Steps:

Brandon’s action steps include:

Engage with the alliance, especially on Discord and subscribe to the newsletter

Attend their Annual Esports Summit at the UW Panther Arena on March 6, 2023

Abbey’s action step include:

Educate yourself on what career pathways and educational programming (apprenticeships and short term training programs)

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 117: Kinship Community Food Center Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Anna Fahrendorf, Communications Associate at Kinship Community Food Center. They discuss food insecurity, what Kinship does, and the importance of dignity.

To learn more, visit:

Kinship Community Food Center

Action Steps:

Amanda’s action steps include:

1. Volunteer with Kinship Community Food Center through kinshipmke.org.

2. Be O.K. with learning and listening.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

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