by Usnije Fonseca
“For the culture.” I’ve heard this phrase before but never really understood how to interpret it. What was “for the culture”? I thought to myself. What did this mean? As someone who doesn’t particularly feel in tune with my culture and where I come from, I felt that this is where the disconnect may have come in during my thought process. What was I missing? What did I need to know to decipher the meaning behind those three words? Was it something within myself? Could it be found in the world around me? How could I make this phrase relevant to myself?
As I walked into Ex Fabula’s AfterDark: For the Culture event at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, I felt a bit intimidated. I was surrounded by people I didn’t know in an unfamiliar environment, placing me far outside what I typify as my comfort zone. However, I soon realized that my initial feeling was far from the vibe curated by the passionate individuals and the welcoming nature of the venue.
The atmosphere was very inviting overall. It was somehow low-key but also full of energy that radiated excitement at the same time. The mood felt very alive, and there was a general appreciation of being together among strangers present. There were strong senses of humor and collaboration, but most importantly, support.
I watched speakers walk to the stage — some full of confidence, others with a bit of hesitation. They all spoke with purpose and a willingness to share parts of themselves with a room full of strangers. I witnessed bravery and drive. I heard things that made me laugh hysterically and others that made me consider my own individuality. Though the context of each story differed, there was a central theme: staying true to yourself, your experiences, and your values.
From the exploration of today’s so-called “rap beef” by featured speaker #1, Antoine Carter, to the very not “life, liberty, and justice” that comes with gentrification discussed by featured speaker #2, Fatima Laster, both spoke about their own societally impactful experiences and how they were influenced. Antoine said, “Hey, Drake and Kendrick did bring some people together,” and Fatima shared, “I hold true to my community, and not money.” Featured speaker #3, Dasha Kelly, took a look back at her childhood to reflect on the idea of cultural lags and the impact they carry on those experiencing them. She explored the idea of “too much culture” and the opposite side of the spectrum, “not enough culture.” Her words — “If I say I’m hip-hop, that’s who I am” — really stuck with me. This idea of portraying yourself as something or someone made me think back to my initial question of what “for the culture” really means.
It showed me that culture isn’t necessarily just about where you come from, but also about the way in which you envision yourself. I was so stuck in thinking that culture is something that shapes me, but maybe it’s me who shapes my culture. This event truly showed me the importance of staying true to who I am and who I aspire to one day become. I felt very moved, joyous, and grateful to have heard so many experiences from others.
I entered feeling not cultured enough, but after hearing the wise words of speaker Dasha Kelly, I now know those intuitions were false. I am cultured, and it’s my experiences that have allowed me to be. So to conclude, I will end with the phrase with which I began: for the culture. I write this for the culture, so I can speak on how the words and experiences of others influenced me to find my own sense of who I am.
Upcoming HYFIN x Ex Fabula events:
StoryStarter Workshop: For The Culture
Discover and explore the power of storytelling!
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: Doors open at 5pm, workshop begins at 5:15pm
Location: Radio Milwaukee, 220 E Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Cost: This Brave Space workshop is an affinity space offered at no cost to Black and Brown community members.
Tickets: https://www.exfabula.org/product/storystarter-for-the-culture-2-12/
AfterDark: For The Culture
A Night Celebrating Black and Brown Voices
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6pm, stories begin at 7pm
Location: Radio Milwaukee, 220 E Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Cost: $12 advance / $15 at the door
Tickets: https://www.exfabula.org/product/afterdark-for-the-culture-2-12/
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