Let's talk about some fun
activities coming up as a
minor fact there are a couple
of this weekend, but one of
them we're going to talk about
us from the Racine Public
Library. It's called, uh, it's
an expo. It's called Lakefront
Expo, and we have two experts
to talk about it today. Megan
Harper's here in Phil Hill. They're
both board members of the African
uh, let me get to sign my
writing is very tiny. The
African American, uh, Chamber
of Commerce of Greater Racine
in Kenosha. Do I get that
right? Yes. Absolutely. If
you saw my writing, it would
be a miracle that even
pronounced it correctly. Okay.
So we got Lakefront Expo
coming up. This is happening
every year at this time. Is
it an annual event? Yes, this
is the fifth year. We're so
so great that we're able to
bring this back for an
additional year. I mean, we're
so excited. Um, I think
it's going to be a little
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little bit of a little bit of backed
a little bit of a little bit of a
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little bit of a little bit of a
little bit of a little bit of a
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put to be an
to be an
to be an
27
and then always there's anything
that we have will be on our website as well.
Yes, our Facebook page which you can find via our link
to the African American Chamber of Commerce.
Greater Racine.
Now what is the African American Chamber of Commerce?
I know what the C of C's are,
but what's the African American Chamber of Commerce?
So we're a collective of business owners here in Racine
and Kenosha that have come together
under the guidance of Georgia and Stenson.
Her collective vision has been to bring underrepresented
businesses
to the forefront
as well as to provide
any resources such as classes
and other online
connectivity
and endorsement to push it out into the community
so we can make a better connection with it.
In real life,
these two people have very interesting lives
when they're not doing the late front expo
Megan, you in real life,
you are a
I take it in real life
and you're in your normal everyday life.
I'm actually an analytical chemist
so I'm second generation small business owner.
So I will be at some point
taking the reins of analytical testing laboratories
so we are currently
looking at insecticides
as well as
various other consumer products
and we typically use
gas chromatography analysis.
Sounds really complicated
but all it is is a separation process
where you vaporize something
and send it to a really tiny tube
and then as it goes down the tube
it separates and you can
see the compounds
and analyze them as they
will tell you
whether or not you're still in specification
for that product over months of storage.
And you have to be a grammar school graduate
I assume
you had a graduate,
at least the 60 grade to get to this job.
It definitely helps.
It helps.
There's a math involved.
I may have been forced
to take a quantum mechanics class
but that's neither here nor there.
You know when I was a little kid
I want to do you want to three things
that even a nice cream man
stock driver or on the radio.
Did you want to be a chemist
when you were a kid?
I actually wanted to be a paleontologist
before anyone knew what Jurassic Park really see.
And that's not I had always explained it.
What is what's a paleontologist
and then Jurassic Park came on
and it was like, oh, thank goodness.
I don't need to explain it.
Wow.
How about you feel?
What are you doing real life?
It's been about 45 years.
Most of my adult life since high school
in electronic security and safety systems.
That is basically alarm systems,
burglar fire alarm,
access control door systems
and camera systems.
The things we use every day in life
that you let me in the building the day with
the very door system.
My sneaky camera system.
The doorbell system.
The video doorbell.
Which can't I say because we're talking
about African American businesses.
The video doorbell system was
basically,
innovated through an African American nurse
from New York.
She was a nurse full time.
Her husband was an electrical engineer
but she came home at night
and she was worried about her safety.
So she drew on a piece of paper
which became a blueprint
and that blueprint basically
is today's ring doorbell and smart home system.
A-A-D-T.
The global giant recognizes her
as the innovator.
Really?
Yes.
Her name is Marie Van Bitt.
Van Britten Brown.
Everybody's got the ring doorbells now.
Yep.
Yes.
And they're so kind.
Very much.
And when you think about how simple it is to use.
I wish I'd have two together.
Doorbell.
Doorbell in the video camera.
And yeah, so that's what I've done
and I teach it now as well
at the Milwaukee Electrical J-A-T-C.
The Training Center
continued education for our
electrical trade members in Milwaukee.
Well, my wife has to control the ring system at home
because I can't, I don't understand this.
She's got the main control panel on her phone.
Yep.
I can't reset things.
I can't set it up.
She just put me on there as a,
you know, I just be a user of it.
Sure.
But I can't control anything.
Keep your fingers off.
Those controls work these.
I changed the battery in it once a month outside.
That's about all I'm allowed to do on that.
Well, that's interesting.
You guys have interesting jobs in your real lives.
Yes.
Whoa, that's very good.
I was talking about some of the things
at the Lakefront Expo,
a Taekwondo demonstration, right?
Yes, that's correct.
So we actually have a demonstration squad
from United Taekwondo,
we're seeing.
That's you.
Actually, yes.
I'm a fifth degree black belt there.
I've been practicing for almost 18 years now
under the instruction of Masterberry Barrett,
who's taught thousands of students
and his instructor is
one of the longest continuously running programs
out of North, South Eastern Wisconsin here,
Grandmaster Ducanyan and Milwaukee.
Whoa.
And you don't look like you can start beating up people.
You're kind of a slim bill that, you know, now.
Oh, thank you.
What's Taekwondo?
It's not, I know there's judo.
There's Taekwondo.
So what is Taekwondo?
So Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art.
There's two major iterations.
So there's WTF is what you see in the Olympics.
So that's World Taekwondo Federation.
It's more of the sport Taekwondo.
A lot of people refer to us as Karate,
so I almost said it.
It makes it easier for people to understand.
And then the one that we practice
is ITF International Taekwondo,
which is more of a traditional hard style.
So you'll see the forms, traditional forms.
You'll see we still freeze spar.
Unlike the Olympic style,
we allow punching to the head.
There's some little other iterations,
but we do more of the traditional.
You'll see a lot of the things that you think of
when you see none of the clay pots holding
not quite the movies that we're hours on in.
We try to make it palatable for the children.
You're not the karate kid.
Not exactly.
We die quite late.
So as a demonstration,
you can throw filth for the studio window here
in just a few minutes.
Just the cameras for that.
Yeah, I was going to say.
Does it matter how big your opponent is?
What could you take on anybody?
The point, okay,
so we also have a sister art,
which it would be demonstrated to called hep keto,
which actually is more of the joint manipulations,
joint locks, throws,
which is what you're referring to,
incorporated into our system,
again, traditional Korean martial art.
And with the two together,
we have what we call a more complete system.
So as far as size goes,
it's always wise to evaluate and use your...
Don't pick a fight with somebody
who's a beacher by a hundred pounds.
But my instructor has always said something very
apt, which is he's never been picked on by someone smaller than him.
Wow, man.
Now this is interesting to me.
So do you feel safer walking places
because you know this?
It's more of a general confidence boost.
It's always teaching the students to have confidence
in what they're doing in general.
So by projecting that confidence,
you're also bringing something into the world
which will protect you in general as well.
Not just a sense of protection,
but also you're looking your awareness,
you're better prepared.
So when is the demonstration at the Lakefront Expo?
Do you know what time it is?
It's 11 a.m.
So we'll be there...
And where is it on the second floor?
I believe we'll most likely be very visible.
We'll announce, make announcements,
but almost like we'll be on the second floor.
Oh.
And you're gonna do it, huh?
Yes, sir.
Well, I just worth the price of admission alone,
which is free, by the way.
Yes, and thank you.
Yes.
And that's the other thing we wanted to make sure
that we really hammered home is that
for businesses to join a registry,
it's free to come to the Expo.
It's free all the information that we're giving...
Tip to the food.
The food truck.
Oh, please.
Just make sure we point that out.
Yeah.
But all of everything that the African-American
Chamber of Commerce is providing is completely free
to the community and to the vendors.
So please contact us and get in touch with us.
We want to help building Racine
as much as we can continue to build it.
So feel what superpower you have.
Dad?
Yes, that's amazing.
Dad, granddad.
Speaking of granddad,
one of my little-as-granddaughters,
she's three, soon to be four.
When she hangs out with grandma, granddad,
granddad, she has three things she wants to do.
Libraries one.
Oh.
The boats are nearby,
so she wants to see the boats.
And she wants to go to double tree
to get the chocolate chip cookie.
So it's the boats.
And she knows the difference between power boats
and sail boats.
We take her right down on the lakefront area
to walk around.
Then we walk over to get the cookie at the double tree.
And then she wants to go to,
she just started school,
so she says the barberry.
But it's the library.
And actually, she's gotten it pretty good.
Hey, adults, I hear calling it the library.
So the library has a one-of-a-kid section,
you know, like they can play
with interactive games and toys.
And then I found out there's a log cabin
in a glass, like a case thing there
that might even my adult kids now remember,
the log cabin is still there.
So the library has a lot to offer
and it sits on the best place in the world,
the lakefront of Michigan, so.
Ellen DeGeneres.
I was looking it up here.
I can't find it fast enough.
Ellen DeGeneres does a bit about the library.
And she goes, you know,
I don't judge people,
except people that say library.
I judge those people.
And she said,
the library's got everything.
Every word you can imagine, except one word.
Doesn't have the word library.
Okay.
So let's talk more about the lakefront expo.
It starts at, I got this start times.
You don't say it.
I got it right in front of me here.
10 30 AM to 4 PM.
Yes.
Doing people walking is like...
What's an asterisk?
There's a little activity
that we're supporting,
been supporting for a few years now.
And that's a cancer walk.
Oh, that's right.
Yeah, you have that.
The fourth annual.
The breast cancer walk.
Prior to the expo.
Yes.
And what times that's done?
I believe that is,
well, the expo is at 10 30.
It starts at my, my or park right by gateway.
Yes.
And you walk on a path of.
Oh, that's not too long.
And then you end up at the library.
Yeah.
So, yeah.
So there's the sister.
It's a, the sister network of Southern Wisconsin.
It's been the sponsor of it, hosting of it.
You'll find them on our website as well with the details too.
You can show up.
I think the morning off.
Sign up.
Absolutely.
And have a short,
and then you'll find the lakefront and then end up at our expo.
We check the weather.
It's here partly sunny.
It's near 80.
So you get a perfect day to walk.
That's a nice walk, too.
It's not that long.
So if you say, well, I'm that into, you know, 40 mile hike.
It's not a 40 mile hike.
It's not even a mile.
It's just it.
It's just to walk there.
Well, that's great.
So that's before the expo.
Yeah.
Excuse me for the expo.
Talk about some of the other things people will see there.
Yes.
There's also going to be a breakthrough team,
which is a bunch of adorable little children with pompounds,
dancing to music,
and providing just lots of joy.
So it'll be great to see them.
That's 230 to 245.
And they were there last year as well.
And just they did an amazing job.
It was absolutely phenomenal.
Okay.
What else do you have anything else you can point out?
Yep.
The legacy on the lake.
Yes.
So, so legacy on the lake will happen around 131 30 to 215.
And legacy on the lake is going to be honoring a very special person.
This is Loretta life associated with the library.
How's your answer about that?
Loretta life.
I thought it was Loretta a life presentation.
But it was Loretta life is her name.
Let's talk about her.
Who is she?
She's one of the first black librarians for the Racine Library here.
And it's just absolutely amazing to have the legacy of just decades of providing a promotion of love of learning to the community
and making sure that there are programs that help the children in the area of literacy.
So that's kind of been her biggest contribution to one of her biggest contributions to our area.
You know who also worked at the library?
Ms. Wisconsin.
And then later the newest Ms. Wisconsin.
I forget her name.
It's a Kimberly.
What's her name?
I forget her name.
You guys.
She knew it off top of my head.
Of course.
I don't know.
She is going to be in the Miss America pageant.
Yeah.
And she works at the library.
She still does.
She didn't quit or anything.
She works at the library.
That's kind of neat to have Ms. Wisconsin work in there.
Absolutely.
And she'll be on TV in the Miss America pageant.
And she's right here.
It was at the Racine Public Library.
And by the way, I know a lot of people don't go to the library.
If you don't, you're missing out.
First of all, on the second floor, you can sit in chairs.
They have lined up there and just look.
It's the most picturesque view of Lake Michigan.
Because there's nothing blocking your view.
It's just a straight shot right out to the lake.
Get a book.
Just relax and just stare out that window.
And all you worries and anxieties seem to go away.
Okay.
Let's see.
We got her name right here.
Her name is.
Oh, that's right.
Willow Newell.
And yeah, she's the new Miss Wisconsin and she works at the library.
What did she do there, do you know?
I thought 100% sure.
But I think the page had just took place.
The Miss America.
I think it did.
I think it did.
Did they just have the pageant?
I'm pretty sure.
I just came in going away.
Particle.
The director's post.
Oh, I didn't know that.
I used to make a big deal about it on TV.
You remember?
Yes.
Here she comes.
Miss America.
Kind of changed.
Okay.
So yeah, if you haven't gone to the library, go.
Yeah.
I have never been head out to the expo.
It's late front expo.
It is coming up this Saturday.
And the hours are 10 30 game to 4 p.m.
But there's a breast cancer walk about an hour or so before you send.
Yep.
And that starts at Gateway, which is right down the block.
Yes.
As you can gather there.
Yes.
Can we just share about our sponsors that we can do this alone.
It's besides the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Racine.
We also have Racine County supporting.
We have Racine Public Library as well.
The NAACP Racine Economic Development Committee, which you'll hear from.
I think one of their, their president possibly will be speaking.
We'll have other community leaders speaking throughout the event as well.
And the Professional Women's Network for Service also sponsoring our event.
And there are a few other sponsors and donors that have given along the way.
But we so greatly appreciate just having this collaboration and now going into.
How many years is forced now?
Fifth year.
Fifth year.
So who from the library, do you want to make?
I know Shade King is the one I see.
Nick Dempsey.
Nick Dempsey, obviously.
He's just the newest official.
He was, he was acting head of the library.
Now he's not acting anymore.
He knows it.
And network is hand in hand with us each.
He comes in here early on our, our, all of our meetings.
And Shade King helps set this up.
So I want to thank Shade as well.
Thank you.
Well, good luck this weekend.
This is exciting.
You know, outdoor.
It's indoor, you said.
Yeah.
But even the walk is outdoor.
You're always sweating it out.
It's a good, all right.
And you can't control it.
But in your case, it's going to be a beautiful day.
Anyway, there's plenty of parking.
Yep.
And all kicks off with the walk around 930-ish.
And then the 1030, the expo starts inside the public library.
Food to purchase.
A DJ.
It'll be plenty of excitement.
A DJ.
A DJ.
Yeah.
A DJ.
Yep.
I think you're not supposed to make noise in the library.
It's going to be outside.
Oh, he's a DJ.
And you're going to get to see Megan beat somebody up.
And her team.
And her team.
Yes, also.
Like, we have excellent staff and wonderful students.
So they're all be there to help spread traditional tech window.
Well, I'd love you to.
Thanks for coming in.
And Don, we thank you.
And we are James for giving us the moment to share this.
Oh, yeah.
Phil actually came in yesterday by accident.
I did.
And I met him at the door with, who are you and why are you here?
I'm Phil Hill, the race car driver.
Phil Hill.
I'm no one race car driver, Phil.
And I was sweating and I said, did I forget?
Because I never forget these that right him down in the book.
Because I will forget.
And then you mentioned Megan's name.
And I said, oh, that's tomorrow, Megan Harper.
Yeah.
No, no, no, that's good.
But anyway, thank you guys.
Good luck with the Lakefront Expo.
One more time.
I'm going to tell people that it is kicks off.
It is kicks off at 930 with the breast cancer walk starting a gateway.
You walk up to the library.
And then they all kicks off at 1030 to 4 p.m.
Yes.
And then you pack them up.
Well, thank you guys are pretty neat.
Thank you.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
You need to.
Thank you.
I live right down the block.
You're coming down, right?
I can walk there.
I'll go.
But I'll drive.
I'm going to walk.
Slip over the bridge and all that kind of stuff.
Well, good luck tomorrow.
Well, not tomorrow.
Saturday.
Saturday.
What is today?
Today's Wednesday.
It's Wednesday.
Good luck.
And if you missed any bit of our chat, it will be podcast tomorrow morning at WRJN.com.
Just search Don Rosen and then you'll be able to find it there.
Thank you guys.