Generation Rising Celebrates a Transformative Year

Generation Rising concludes its second season with a special year-end episode that revisits some of its most powerful stories and introduces a new artistic exploration. The finale reflects on the themes of justice, resilience, and creativity that shaped the season.

The season began with “The Risk of Giving Birth,” an episode that illuminated the racial disparities Black women face in maternal healthcare. Through interviews with Midwife Ana Sophia De Brito and doula Keesler Gomes, the episode shed light on alarming statistics while spotlighting community-driven solutions.

Another standout episode tackled the controversial Karen Read trial, delving into allegations of police corruption and its broader implications for justice reform. Featuring expert analysis from retired state trooper Todd McGhee, the episode explored how systemic issues in law enforcement lose trust with communities.

The series also celebrated the power of storytelling in its episode “Celebrating Black History Month,” which highlighted the work of Black authors, poets, and filmmakers. These creatives shared their journeys and discussed how their work preserves culture and inspires change. Marlon Carey and Valerie Tuston also performed two spoken stories that brought new life to past history.

The episode concludes with a new segment showcasing The Avenue Concept, a public art initiative in Providence. Viewers join a walking tour of vibrant, illuminated installations, guided by local artists and organizers, one of them being TAC’s Board Chair, Jamie Coelho.

As Generation Rising wraps up its second season, the team reflects on the journey and looks forward to continuing its mission of amplifying underrepresented voices.

The year-end episode will air Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS. You can watch past episodes here and listen wherever you get your podcasts.