Out of the dozens of local media companies in Milwaukee there is still a lack of Black positive news. There aren’t many outlets locally that intentionally focus on the Black community through a positive lens. The B.E.E. (Black Excellence and Empowerment) Narrative is one of its kind because it does just that: highlight the talent and excellence of Milwaukee’s Black community. The B.E.E. Narrative Founder Anita Mogaka saw a problem and decided she would solve it even with no background in journalism.
She does have a background in marketing, which was her introduction into the media world. Plus, she always loved being in front of the camera, so starting her own media company didn’t seem too out of the norm.
The B.E.E. Narrative.
Mogaka is originally from Minnesota so she said she was able to see Milwaukee from a different perspective. And that perspective isn’t one that media covers often. Through The B.E.E. Narrative, Mogaka is “exposing the brilliance in Black Milwaukee.”
“When we change the narrative then I feel the climate in Milwaukee will change as well,” Mogaka said.
She sees Milwaukee as the future Atlanta of the Midwest. Mogaka hopes to turn the city from being the worst place for Black people to the hub of Black Millennials. According to Mogaka, she wants people to see Milwaukee as a city of positivity and value.
The B.E.E. Narrative posts daily about inspirational Black content with monthly feature video storytelling.
By showing the good, The B.E.E. Narrative is hoping to inspire others to see the good in themselves and others. Growing up, Mogaka didn’t always see the beauty in herself as a dark-skinned woman. She also used to avoid sharing her African side. It wasn’t until the media started covering things such as Black Lives Matter and other prominent movements and Black leaders that Mogaka stepped into her comfort zone of being a Black woman.
“I see the power of owning who I am,” she said.
It’s not hard for Anita Mogaka to find her next story for The B.E.E. Narrative. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
As a member of the media, Mogaka understands her role and uses it to give Black people a safe place to see themselves thriving.
And although The B.E.E. Narrative is tailored to Black stories, the content can be consumed by anyone.
“I want people to reframe the stories they tell themselves and the stories they tell others,” Mogaka said. “Words really matter…that’s why we need to consume positive news.”
“The [media] influences how we think and what we say,” she added.
Anita Mogaka. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
Storytelling is the beginning for The B.E.E Narrative. Mogaka plans on hosting events and collaborating with different talents from the city to make a bigger impact. Too many people are working in silos doing the same work when we could all be working towards the same things together.
“Compliment each other’s skills [and] don’t be afraid of competition,” Mogaka said. “There is no such thing as competition. Understand the uniqueness you bring and you won’t feel like you’re competing.”
Mogaka wants to make networking fun again and to get our young people more civically involved.
“We have more power than we think by using our voices,” she said. “It’s time to reclaim the power that [we] have.”
The B.E.E Narrative will continue to fill the gaps other media companies are missing. To check out the latest news happening in Milwaukee’s Black community, click here.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
