100 Years of Black History Commemorated on Open Record

FOX6 journalists discuss Jesse Jackson's death, missing Black girls in Milwaukee, and America's first Black TV meteorologist

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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This week on the FOX6 News podcast Open Record, hosts Bryan Polcyn, Bria Jones, and Holly Baker commemorated 100 years of Black history in America. The episode covered the death of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, efforts to raise awareness for missing Black girls and women in Milwaukee, and a profile of America's first Black and first female TV meteorologist.

Why it matters

The commemoration of 100 years of Black history in America on Open Record highlights the ongoing importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions and experiences of the Black community. The discussions around Jesse Jackson's legacy, missing Black women and girls, and the trailblazing Black meteorologist shed light on both the progress made and the work that remains to be done for racial equity and justice.

The details

The Open Record episode featured in-depth discussions on several key topics related to Black history and current issues facing the Black community. Hosts Bryan Polcyn, Bria Jones, and Holly Baker covered the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, the push to get more attention for missing Black girls and women in Milwaukee, and a profile of Rhonda Lee, America's first Black and first female TV meteorologist.

  • The episode aired on February 19, 2026.
  • February was designated as "Black History Month" in 1976, 50 years after "Negro History Week" was established in 1926.

The players

Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate who passed away in 2026.

Rhonda Lee

America's first Black and first female TV meteorologist, whose story was profiled in the episode.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Open Record episode's commemoration of 100 years of Black history in America underscores the ongoing importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions and experiences of the Black community, while also highlighting the continued work needed to address issues like missing Black women and girls and the lack of diversity in fields like meteorology.