Interviews I Led

Few people have contributed more to the lives of Black Milwaukeeans over the last sixty years than Reuben Harpole. From collaborations with Milwaukee Public Schools with long-running initiatives like Homework First, to bringing the pride and principles of African heritage to Milwaukee youth with the Rite of Passage Program, to his contributions to our city’s pioneering Black newspaper, the Milwaukee Star, Harpole has helped to empower Milwaukee’s Black youth since the 1960s. .

After a whirlwind of national press following the reboot, Kaczmarek took time to chat with a fellow Greendale native about the important things in life: Milwaukee’s top butter pecan custard, the best places to make out in Greendale, co-stars in underwear and the importance of Nuns in Pink Flannel Pajamas.

From the taverns of West Allis to the spotlight of the then Marcus Amphitheater, “Lightning and Thunder” are now immortalized in Hollywood.

Wright has some advice for parents of young children: “Let them spill milk.” Wright, director of the city of Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives, believes that if we let kids make little decisions now, the experience will help them build the ability to make bigger and better decisions later.

The former longtime morning host at 102.1 FM shares why his new role at 88.9 Radio Milwaukee has been such a great fit. Milwaukeeans may have noticed a familiar voice on an unfamiliar frequency on the FM dial. We chatted about his new FM home, the importance of local music and the future of Milwaukee radio.