DON'T SHY AWAY FROM THE HARD TOPICS. Conversations in Color host Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton (far right) opens up about season two. (Submitted photo)

With ongoing conflicts happening all around the world, Conversations in Color offers a place locally for honest and in-depth conversations about race, gender, sexuality, local and world politics, and many other weighty topics. 

After the success of season one of Conversations in Color – an Eau Claire-based show that delves into issues of social justice, equity, and diversity – season two brings the same nuance with some major changes. The most notable is the change of location from the Pablo Center at the Confluence to SHIFT Cyclery and Coffee Bar and the departure of co-host Ed Hudgins. 

“Ed has this voice and grace and he has this intelligence that we are going to miss,” said the host, Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton. “He has been a heart and soul of this program. And to find someone with that kind of heart is going to be difficult. We’ll go looking, though.”

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We have always kind of wanted to be in the community and to be in an environment where eventually the community would be able to sit with us.

It had always been envisioned in the ‘sitting around the table with a cup of coffee, this is how your neighbors talk.’

Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton

Conversations in Color Host

The change of scenery to SHIFT was unexpected, but a great opportunity for the crew. The Pablo Center had been a great base for season one, but with more shows picking up after COVID-19, their schedules started to conflict. 

“We have always kind of wanted to be in the community and to be in an environment where eventually the community would be able to sit with us,” Ducksworth-Lawton said. “It had always been envisioned in the ‘sitting around the table with a cup of coffee, this is how your neighbors talk.’ ”

Many new topics have been and will be covered in season two, including Asian, Latino, and Indigenous experiences and issues, transgender issues, and mental health. As other issues arise around the world, the crew tries to be cognizant of those topics which will also be discussed, such as the conflict in Ukraine. 

They are also hoping to bring on some local individuals with differing views to discuss in-depth topics, one example being this year’s Super Bowl halftime show and its implications and impacts within the Black community.

This show is sponsored by SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar, Uniting Bridges, UW-Eau Claire, Converge Radio, and the Pablo Center, making this a true community effort. Conversations in Color team members include Justin Anderson, Sheng Elizabeth Lor, Amy Renshaw, and Dr. Roderick Jones.

“If you want to see real people talking about real solutions, if you want to know what you can really do, if you want to know how real people talk about it and not be people who are just looking to get eyeballs, this is the place to be,” Dr. Ducksworth-Lawton said. “This is what reality looks like.”

To watch the program and learn more, you can visit convergeradio.org or visit its Facebook page. Episodes are also available to watch on YouTube.