Melee.

Did you know that 'a holler' is a place, not just a way to say 'hey'?

This episode is an homage to Black motherhood. While the United States recognizes February as Black History month, at NOISE, every day of every month is a moment to recognize Black history and culture. The conversations in this episode are a tribute to Black mothering -- which is not always rooted in biology, blood or even gender. Mothering is the acting of loving unconditionally, protecting, and preparing our little ones to take on this world, and grow into Black history in the making.

Our guests on this episode, Pastor LaShea Pogee, and foster parent Mercedez Langford Brown, chat with NOISE's Ashley Salem about the many dimensions mothering.

Using a garden as a metaphor in this episode their conversations wind up and down the beanpoles of resiliency, self- sufficiency, and self respect. Both raised by strong single mothers, our guests share what seeds were planted in them and how they plan to pass that onto the next generation.

COVID-19 update: Boosters, HIPAA, and lessons learned from those who’ve been treating patients and fighting for public health for the last 18 months.

NOISE's Ashley Salem and Emily Chen-Newton sit down with two heavy-hitters of public health and medical expertise to bring you an accurate update on everything from the COVID-19 vaccine boosters to self-care during this time. Dr. Ali Khan, Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center speaks about the differences between the vaccines and he touches on the complicated topic of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He explains that public health information is typically exempt from HIPAA, and so it should not be used as a reason to restrict the information publically available about rising case numbers in Nebraska; though it has been used in just this way in recent weeks by NE government officials including Governor Ricketts and the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Jasmine Marcelin, who has been treating COVID-19 patients for over 18 months now as an infectious disease physician shares some of the heaviness she's experienced as a Black female physician seeing the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities over the past year and a half.

More than 30 years after his death, the influence of groundbreaking African American choreographer, Alvin Ailey lives on — whether at his dance studio in New York City or right here in Omaha, Nebraska.

NOISEmaker, Ashley Salem went to see the new documentary film, AILEY, about the legendary creator, and after spoke to Aaron Gregory, a local North Omaha dancer and choreographer who danced with the Ailey American Dance company (@aaronderellgrooves).

Gregory's personal experiences navigating the intersections of his identity and dance is why he stands committed to creating safe space for African American youth to explore dance and artistic expression at his studio Love To Groove Movement School (@lovetogroovefitness).

In this Melee Special Report Ken Ingram, speaks about the incomprehensible suicide of his son, Nigel Phillips, following a police chase initiated from a traffic stop for expired plates on Thursday, June 10 in Omaha, Nebraska.

His remarks followed a memorial at the spot where his son took his own life after the police pursuit turned into a foot-chase through neighborhood streets and yards. His daughter Sierra Phillips offered prayers to the crowd of mourners.

Ingram spoke about viewing the body camera footage the next day, and being allowed to see his son's body after a delay of a day and a half. It finally allowed him to accept that his son had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as police had initially reported. Ingram's final words were a directive to authorities, offering a different approach to traffic stops for misdemeanor violations.

Leslie and Jeff sit down with organizer, Ja Keen Fox.