In this powerful episode of KZ Community Beat, Ross catches up with a returning voice and friend of the pod, Brett Brooks — now two years stronger. Together, they dive into the significance of Juneteenth, the meaning behind the Miss Juneteenth Pageant, and the reality of being minority in a city still learning to face its reflection.

They unpack the beautiful chaos of Peoria’s legacy, the echoes of racism locally, and the internal struggles minorities face even within media spaces. This one gets honest — talking about systemic silence, microaggressions, local pride, and the future goal of launching a scholarship rooted in community empowerment.

It’s not performative. It’s not corporate. It’s the kind of conversation that might make some uncomfortable… and that’s exactly the point.