2026-27 MUSIC LAB dates (season 10):

September 25 ○ October 23 ○ November 20 ○ January 29 ○ February 26 ○ March 26 ○ April 23 ○ May 21 ○

For all updates, stay tuned to our Facebook + Instagram pages (@gwmuslclab)

NEXT UP: “MENTAL WELLNESS & THE CREATIVE MIND” FEAT. LAKIESHA RUSSELL, LPC!

YOUR MIND. YOUR MUSIC. YOUR VOICE

We’re keeping the energy going for SEASON 10 of Grace Weber’s Music Lab, & this month, we’re getting into something that matters to EVERY creative: MENTAL WELLNESS!

October is National Depression Education & Awareness Month, & we’re taking this opportunity to explore the connection between mental health, music & the creative mind!

Music is more than just what we hear. It’s how we express ourselves, process our emotions, connect with others & sometimes make sense of the world around us. But what happens when life gets overwhelming? How do we protect our peace while pursuing our passions?

Join us Friday, October 23rd as we welcome special guest Lakeisha Russell, LPC, for an engaging conversation exploring mental wellness through the lens of music, creativity & self-expression!

We’re talking about the connection between our emotions, artistic expression & the importance of taking care of YOU while doing what you love. Whether you’re an artist, musician, songwriter, producer, or simply someone who uses music to get through the day, there’s something here for you!

And OF COURSE, you already know the vibes! Our teen open mic is BACK, giving Milwaukee’s young creatives another opportunity to take the stage, share their talents & connect with their community!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Radio Milwaukee | Walker’s Point
Teen Social Hour: 4 PM
Music Lab: 5–7 PM
Teen Open Mic + Special Guest Conversation
FREE FOOD, GOOD VIBES & CREATIVE COMMUNITY!

Ready to join us? RSVP & sign up for the teen open mic at gwmusiclab.com!

*NOTE: All Lab attendees, including students, parents, family & teachers, must RSVP online for entry.
*Teen Open Mic slots are limited! Registration open until day before Lab or when slots are full. Clean show tracks & instrumentals for Open Mic can be sent as YouTube/SoundCloud links or mp3s to gwmusiclab@radiomilwaukee.org
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Grace Weber’s Music Lab is presented by HYFIN, a Radio Milwaukee station, & sponsored in part by American Family Insurance, & MPS Partnership for the Arts & Humanities.

GUEST BIO:

Lakiesha Russell, LPC is an award-winning licensed professional counselor, speaker, and founder of The Evolving Chair Counseling and Consulting Agency. With more than 13 years of experience in the mental health field, Lakiesha has worked across community mental health, hospitals, schools, outpatient settings, and higher education, giving her a broad and practical perspective on mental wellness across the lifespan.

Lakiesha currently serves as a Clinical Director at a local University, where she provides clinical leadership for student, faculty, and staff mental health services, supervises clinicians and counselors-in-training, leads crisis response efforts, and works to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive. She also serves as an adjunct instructor, helping prepare future mental health professionals.

As the founder and lead clinician of The Evolving Chair Counseling and Consulting Agency, Lakiesha provides therapy, clinical consultation, supervision, organizational training, and mental health education. Her professional expertise includes trauma, mental health, racial trauma, relationship building, emotional wellness, and restorative practices.

A passionate mental health educator and communicator, Lakiesha has facilitated workshops, keynote presentations, panels, and trainings for universities, corporations, educators, community organizations, faith communities, and professional audiences. She has also served as a guest mental health expert for Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin, Huffington Post, NBC, CBS, Forbes and a host of other amazing media outlets.

Lakiesha is a former President of the Wisconsin Counseling Association and continues to advocate for accessible, culturally responsive mental health care and professional development within the counseling field. She is also a recipient of the Mount Mary University Teaching Excellence Award, Mount Mary University Alumni Tower Award, and the City of Milwaukee’s National Mental Health Check-Up Day Proclamation.

Through her clinical work, teaching, speaking, and community engagement, Lakiesha's mission is to make mental health conversations accessible, practical, culturally responsive, and relevant to real life, helping individuals, families, organizations, and communities move from simply coping to creating healthier ways of living and connecting.