During the first part of this episode, Clifton is joined by Dic Wheeler, Executive Artistic Director at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. they talk about the unique mission of the playhouse and explore Dic's long legacy with this endeared community organization that is celebrating it's 50th birthday 2025! Our second interview features Clifton in Conversation with Justin Mitchell and Jackson Mitchell who operate Meriden CT's Ball Headz, an organization dedicated to teaching youth to apply the principles of mindfulness to every aspect of their lives so that they feel empowered to make a positive impact on the community. 

Engage Radio Episode 7 with Oddfellows Playhouse and Ballheadz

On Episode 8 of Engage Radio, Clifton Watson is joined by Ramona Burkey, Director of Middletown's Russell Library. through this conversation, listeners' will learn how the library engages with the communities it serves, challenges the organization faces, future plans, and how you can get involved!  

Engage Radio Episode 8 with Russell Library Director, Ramona Burkey

This episode of Engage Radio celebrates Black History Month by exploring two of Connecticut’s important cultural and historical legacies. The first part features Lauren Tran-Muchowski and Zion Alexis in conversation with Bishop Marichal Monts as he wraps up 43 years as host of The Gospel Express on WESU. The second half of the program features reflections on the life and legacy of the late Connecticut-based artist Winfred Rembert, whose life was shaped by his experiences in the Jim Crow South. 

Engage Radio episode 9  - Black History Month 2025 - Marichal Monts and Winfred Rembert

For our final episode of February, Engage Radio is honored to offer reflections on the rich and multifaceted African-American history of Middletown.

This episode is presented in partnership with Dr. Jesse Nasta and the Middletown Historical Society. Alongside Professor Nasta, we’ll hear from Middletown municipal historian Debbie Shapiro and historian John Mills, who will discuss their successful efforts to honor "Prince Mortimer", a slave who was held captive in Middletown, through an honorary street name dedication. The program also features a reading of an original poem by Middletown poet Grace Figueroa.

Throughout this episode you'll also hear reflections on Black history from our family, friends, and listeners. Thanks to Clifton Watson, Annika Willewicz, Lauren Tran-Muchowski, Audrey Nelson and Zion Alexis for their work to help produce this episode.

Engage Radio episode 10 - Black History Month - Prince Mortimer

In this episode, Engage Radio contributor Audrey Nelson explores the City of Middletown's TunnelVision public art project. TunnelVision is the brainchild of artist and Educator Kate TenEyck, which aims to beautify one of the City's darker corners while reconnecting Middletown residents to their waterfront and history!    

Engage Radio Episode 11 - Tunnelvision

As April begins, communities across the country celebrate National Reentry Month, to appreciate helping the individuals, communities, programs and agencies that support the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. For the last 15 years, The Wesleyan Center for Prison Education (CPE) has offered some 220 courses to over 200 incarcerated students. 55 students have earned their associate’s degree, with 18 men and women having earned their Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree from Wesleyan. 

In this episode of Engage Radio, Clifton Watson is joined by Resource Center Director, Demetrius Colvin. Their conversation is facilitated by Campus Engagement Fellow at the CPE, Caelan Desmond. They talk with educators, who offer courses sponsored by the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, under the CPE. Listen as they reflect on the work of the administrators and on the significance of the program!

If you are interested in the work of the CPE, here is a link for more information: https://www.wesleyan.edu/cpe/index.html

Engage Radio Episode 12 - Celebrating National Reentry Month

April is Earth Month, a time to celebrate and take action to protect our planet, culminating on Earth Day on April 22nd. On today’s program, we turn to our friends at Wesleyan’s office for Sustainability who will talk about their work fostering sustainability initiatives on campus and partnerships with the City of Middletown. First: we’ll hear Wesleyan office of Sustainability Intern Laine Gorman’s interview with Jen Kleindienst, Sustainability Director at Wesleyan. In the second part of today’s Episode, Laine welcomes John Hall, Director of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art to engage Radio.

Engage Radio - Episode 13 Sustainable Middletown  & The Jonah Center

Today’s program features a conversation produced by Siggy Soriano with student peers reflecting on their experience with Music Professor  Noah Baerman’s,  course Experiments in Public Life: Creating and Presenting Socially Conscious Music Socially Conscious Music during their spring semester. The Course if offered through Wesleyan University's Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life.    

Engage Radio Episode 15 - Creating and Presenting Socially Conscious Music

This episode features Clifton Watson in conversation with Professor Kehaulani Kauanui and Gary Red Oak-O’Neill, inviting us to reflect on the ongoing histories of Middletown's first residents, the Wangunk people and the importance of confronting indigenous erasure. They discuss Gary's current gallery exhibit, which remains open through November 16th at the Ezra and Cecile Zilka Gallery on the Wesleyan campus. They also discuss and invite us to learn more at the Wangunk History Symposium, which includes an artist talk happening today, Friday, October 24th at 4:30, and a symposium, which is all day tomorrow, Saturday, October 25th. 

We also hear a personal reflection from Wesleyan students in honor of Pride History Month and the upcoming Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th.  Learn more at https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/events/2025/10-2025/10242025-artist-talk.html

Engage Radio S2-E2 Wangunk erasure & reflections on Trans Day Of Rembrance-10-24-25

November is National Hip Hop History Month, honoring a movement born in the African-American and Latino communities of the Bronx in 1973. Hip hop has always been more than music — it’s a global cultural force blending DJing, beatboxing, sampling, and lyrical storytelling, while shaping art, language, fashion, and activism.

On this episode of ENGAGE Radio, we explore hip hop’s roots, reach, and relevance today with reflections from some extraordinary guests and members of the WESU Hip Hop Community:
•	Akua Naru – internationally acclaimed hip hop artist and Assistant Professor of Music at UC Santa Cruz - https://www.akua-naru.com/ 
•	Bobito Garcia – hip hop cultural pioneer, producer, writer, filmmaker, and distinguished Wesleyan alumnus. https://koolboblove.com/ 
• Open i - Based in Middletown, Connecticut, open i crafts beat-based hip-hop and instrumental tapes that embrace a raw, hands-on aesthetic. https://openi.bandcamp.com/ 
His recent August 2025 LP elephant.314 is billed simply as a “labor of love music.”
• DJ Sabotage - A WESU community volunteer DJ who has been spinning “boom bap” hip hop for over 25 years.  
** This episode features excerpts from the Open i mixtape "Mean Streets" interwoven throughout he program. Many thanks to Open i for his support. 

Together, our guests offer an array of unique perspectives on how hip hop continues to inspire creativity, connection, and change, from Middletown to the world.

To listen, tune in to ENGAGE Radio 
🗓 Fridays at 1 p.m. | Every 2nd and 4th week of the month
📍 WESU 88.1 FM
Or stream anytime at soundcloud.com/wesufm


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