It has been over a year of the COVID-19 virus wreaking havoc in the lives of the worlds’ residents. With everything we are learning and adapting to it, there is still so much unknown now with the few emergency vaccines released and slowly being administered to the public. Host Beverly Taylor is joined by Dr. Kevin Izard on the 411 Live’s 4th season to answer a lot of the big questions: what is the COVID vaccine? Does it provide the immunity relief people are looking for? Is the end of this pandemic in sight? Dr. Izard not only brings awareness to the current situation, but relief and hope to those who tune in.

Society tends to forget the minds that get locked up in correctional facilities. In comparison to the amount of change happening in our world today, little of that is focused on the people who are trying to establish their lives after months or years in prison. Dr. Robert Smith, professor and researcher, says “We’ve crafted this notion that if you’re incarcerated, you’re different, you’re on the margins of society.” In this podcast, the thoughts and experiences of men and women incarcerated and their hunger for a better life are revealed. There are only a few individuals who have experienced this hunger in those that reenter society. Host Beverly Taylor sits down with Dr. Robert Smith, Michael Carriere and Shannon Ross, a collaboration of university life and the incarcerated to innovate the delivery of resources for men and women looking to establish themselves after release.

For Black History Month, The 411 Live highlights an innovative app created by Deborah and Geraud Blanks that promotes the African-America journey through time. The mother and son duo uncover the origins of the app as well as their hopes and plans for it as well. “Knowledge of history can go a long way. It can help us as black folks feel more power and pride about who we are.” It can help expand knowledge and appreciation from others as well. Come discover the app that will unveil the missing pieces of history.

Dennis Biddle joins host Beverly Taylor to share a one of a kind experience as the youngest player in the Negro Baseball league, which has only recently been officially included in the major leagues. He shares personal stories about Jackie Robinson, his efforts to bring recognition and honor to his fellow players, and his plans to preserve the rare experiences of his time in the Negro Baseball league.

Beverly Taylor speaks with filmmaker and former TV journalist Joanne Williams in this episode of The 411 Live. Joanne Williams is finishing up a documentary about a controversial play that included two very different schools of Wisconsin, one white and one black, collaborating in a production in 1966. She initially started the film to tell the story of that production but through her research found herself in a story bigger than her own. Join Joanne Williams in the discovery of a narrative that came alive in our very own community.

For Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Beverly Taylor meets with Jenny Almquist, the executive director and founder of Fierce Freedom - an organization that is working to educate and move people to work towards the abolishment of human trafficking. In this episode of The 411 Live, Jenny shares the devastating truths of sex trafficking hidden in middle and high schools of the rural communities. She also shares tips for parents and mentors to create the right conversations that could prevent sex trafficking. “Parents aren’t aware that their kids aren’t aware.”

In this episode of the 411 Live, Rose Ernst, Ph.D., and Angelique Davis, J.D., expand on the phenomenon that’s been floating around in the shadows for years: Racial Gaslighting. It has affected people of color all over the world, and while many recognized it, they did not have the term to name it. Join Beverly Taylor as she discusses examples of racial gaslighting and how to address them, especially in the workplace.

Young black men are more likely to be incarcerated than sentenced to probation than any other gender, race or ethic group. In this episode of The 411 Live, Beverly Taylor addresses the demographic disparities that exist in those who are sentenced to incarceration and those given probation with Dr. Tina Freiburger, Dean of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

When it comes to a strong community, a balanced family really sets the foundation. In this episode of the 411 Live, we talk to Dennis Walton, founder of Made Men Worldwide, a social entrepreneur and activist by trade. Beverly and Dennis talk about some of the myths and stigmas attached to the men of Milwaukee and the world today. Watch as we give invaluable advice for fathers of all economical backgrounds to succeed not only for their families but for themselves.

In this episode, Beverly Taylor talks to former CEO of the Social Development Commission and author of Project Central Voice, Deborah Blanks. Join us as we dive into the issue of grant money given to organizations to support African American communities. Deborah shares some shocking revelations about how the funding is used and how some organizations who are doing the work are left out of the funding equation.