Nehemiah Community Transformation Podcast

Liz Hadacheck and Eli Steenlage discuss the importance of showing the impact of transformational change with data tracking with Dr. Karen Reece. As Nehemiah's Vice President of Research and Education, Dr. Reece is committed to bringing just and equitable research and learning practices to the process of creating systemic change. Nehemiah is innovating with academic research projects that connect p...

Rebecca Barber, Nehemiah Director of Reentry Housing, Advocacy, and Program Oversight, has a truthful and deep conversation with Tony Hoffman about his life journey of being justice impacted. Their conversation goes into the hard realities of mental health, addiction, incarceration and the hope of reentering life with purpose. Don't miss hearing his amazing story. On December 13th, 2008, Tony Hoff...

Listen in to this exclusive live podcast announcement event that was held in front a small live audience in early June, 2025. Harry Hawkins and Dr. Alex Gee tell the story of the smooth transition of leadership for Nehemiah that has been in the works for awhile. Both leaders are committed to transformational leadership and discuss how this transition is a natural demonstration of this leadership e...

With the recent school shooting in Madison, everyday gun violence hurting the community, and individuals hurting each other, Anthony Cooper breaks down how we can heal and do things differently. As Nehemiah's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Reentry Services, Anthony knows how to connect with people when they are at their lowest points and help build them. He is so passionate about hel...

Nehemiah has seen many faith groups participate in the Justified Anger Black History for a New Day course and find transformation in their communities. Eli Steenlage has a conversation about the role that the course has played in the journey of church leaders and members with Madison Church Pastor, Stephen Feith, and Nehemiah's Faith Community Relationship Manager, Tyler Nylen. These two pastors d...

Bill and Betty Rockwell have been devoted allies that have supported the Black History for a New Day course for six years through their training of group discussion facilitators. When they first participated in the course, they were transformed initially by the history content and then they went deeper with the discussions and building relationships that helped them learn more about themselves. Bi...

Jackie Hunt exemplifies Nehemiah's mission in her life by applying her lived experience and education toward empowering the Black community through transformational leadership. Now she is sharing her community leadership skills with other women that she has built relationships with through the EmpowHER Initiative. Nehemiah values raising up leaders that are already serving their community and givi...

What does Mutual Aid look like and why is it important to Nehemiah's community transformation work? Eli Steenlage talks with Nehemiah Director of Mobilization, Siobhan Jackson, about the power shift of collective action. The discussion covers the history of African American mutual aid initiatives and current ways that people come together to support the Black community, including how you can get i...

Nehemiah’s Executive Vice President, Harry Hawkins, sat down with Kaitlyn Ko and Alex Li, two high school seniors that work at Saranghae Desserts, a non-profit organization that uses baked goods to spread love and promote Asian-American and African-American cross-cultural solidarity. For the past few years, Saranghae Desserts has generously donated its profits to Nehemiah in partnership with recog...

Listen in to a honest conversation over dinner about the experience of Black youth in our public school system and how Nehemiah has worked for decades to bridge the gap for kids of color. Nehemiah staff members Andrea Dearlove and Eli Steenlage sat down with Ozanne Anderson, Nehemiah Director of Youth Development and Education, and her husband Marlon Anderson, Security Assistant at West High Schoo...

Nehemiah staff members Ozanne Anderson (Director of Youth Development and Education) and Lindsey Johnson (Director of Youth, Family, and Community Wellness), have had to be innovative in how they serve youth and families in our community in the uncertain times of the last few years. For the last school year, they have had the opportunity to serve in new roles that are helping transform the Madison...

As Nehemiah celebrates 30 years of serving the Madison, WI area community in 2022, we are bringing you an exclusive taste of one of our staff training sessions with founder and president, Rev. Dr. Alex Gee. In this training time, Rev. Dr. Gee shares stories and lessons he has learned from leading Nehemiah for the last 30 years. He offers deep insights into what it means to be a visionary leader, e...