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Voices of Sherman Park: Three years later: ‘Give us a voice at the table,’ young people say | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 16, 2019
Young people from the Sherman Park neighborhood reflect on the unrest that took place after the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer three years ago.
Name: Sherlean Roberts
Age: 17
Neighborhood: 9 District
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School: Dr. Howard Fuller Academy
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The park itself and the Boys & Girls Club
Sherlean Roberts, who represents the 9 District on the Youth Council, recalled watching the unrest unfold via social media. Someone tried to light up a garbage can, while others broke into different buildings, she said. Roberts said during the actual unrest, she only had a vague sense of what was happening. Afterward, she learned more about what sparked the unrest.
In the three years since, Roberts said the biggest change is the Sherman Phoenix, which is considered a “safe space” within in the neighborhood. Moving forward, she said that the community needs to come together, like it did immediately after the unrest.
“No one is going to stop a community that’s together,” she said.
She added that young people need to be a part of the conversation, because they’re the most affected by these decisions. “Give us a voice at the table,” she said.
Name: Tyrane Graham
Age: 17
Neighborhood: Sherman Park
School: Whitefish Bay High School
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The community knows how to have a good time and enjoy each other’s company.
When the unrest broke out in Sherman Park, Tyrane Graham knew that someone had been shot by the police, social media was going crazy and that emotions were running high.
“It was kind of scary because I never though something so serious will happen in Milwaukee,” she said in an email.
At the time, Graham’s brother was home alone.
“We lived down the street from Sherman Park where everything was happening,” she said. “My whole family was worried because there was no way for him to get out … everything was chaotic.”
Graham was tired of hearing about black men being shot. She said the aftermath of the unrest  drew the community together but hurt residents’ relationships with law enforcement.
“I think people may want to mend that relationship with police so something like what happened in 2016 doesn’t happen again in Milwaukee,” Graham said.
She wants adults to know that even though there’s been a bigger police presence in the park, kids aren’t always trying to cause trouble.
Name: Nautica Whitelow
Age: 18
Neighborhood: Walnut Hill
School: Purdue Global University
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The park because it’s sentimental.
Nautica Whitelow recalled everyone being hurt and saddened by the events of three years ago. Up until the unrest, Whitelow and friends would hang out in the park – but not anymore.
“It was crazy, just crazy to be in that type of situation,” she said.
Since then, the biggest change is that people don’t go to the parks anymore, she said. And the situation isn’t made better with the police presence.
“I feel that the police haven’t changed and [that] they’ll never change,” she said.
She said that for the community to move forward, it needs to work together. Part of that includes addressing its relationship with law enforcement. Right now, future generations are watching and all they see is tension.
The community and law enforcement need to put all difference aside, respect each other and come out with a plan, she said
Name: Ricky Suggs
Age: 11
Neighborhood: Sherman Park
School: Darrell L. Hines Academy
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The basketball courts
When the unrest in Sherman Park occurred, media stations flocked to cover it. From there, Ricky Suggs heard about the many shooting and fires occurring throughout his neighborhood. Since then, Ricky has noticed that fewer people go to the parks, because they don’t want to be harassed by the police.
“Sometimes we make bad decisions but sometimes the police make bad decisions,” Ricky said.
Ricky noted that police and community relations have improved a bit over time. Certain officers play with the kids, but others continue to harass them, he said. His advice to police officers is to talk first.
“I say don’t reach for your gun first, because sometimes you reach for your gun for nothing,” he said.
Name: Darrin Madison
Age: 22
Neighborhood: Rufus King
Employment: Urban Underground
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The playground and Sherman Perk
In 2016, Darrin Madison was home after his first year of college. At the time he was a paid summer staffer at Urban Underground. Madison along with others, would frequent the park to act as an “adult presence” for the youths.
“There was a whole divide between the sheriff and young people,” Madison said.
One the night that Sylville Smith was shot, the situation reached a new level of escalation. Young people were feeling attacked in a space that they considered theirs, he said. The entire situation was intense.
Three years later, Madison said there’s a lack of resources for young people, especially ones that help them transition into adulthood.
“There’s a gap and we need to do better because we failed them [young people],” said Madison.
Madison added that the relationship between law enforcement and the community has improved in some ways but is lacking in others.
“The expectation is on the community to carry the weight of that dynamic,” he said.
The relationship can become better, but the police need to “address the elephant in the room” and acknowledge that their actions have left a scar on the community.
Name: Kalan Haywood II
Age: 20
Neighborhood: Brewers Hill
Employment: State representative of the 16 District
Favorite part of Sherman Park: The rich history and the neighborhood’s ability to bounce back despite adversity.
At the time of the unrest, Haywood  as a member of the City of Milwaukee Youth Council. The uprising was a dark moment, but it made people realize they needed to come together, he said in an email.
Since then, Haywood noted that there’s a strong sense of support for the neighborhood that goes beyond its residents and into the greater Milwaukee area.
He believes that now is the time to bridge the generational divide and to start having “much needed conversations.”
“…We will need the energy and creativity of young people to be married with the experiences and wisdom of our elders,” Haywood said.
About Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Ana serves as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods. You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.


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darrin-feature | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019

source: news-milwaukeenns

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Dwayne Burtin


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darrin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019


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kaylan | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019


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nautica | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019


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sherlean | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019


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tyrane | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2019


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Aug. 19 to Aug. 24 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 19, 2019
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Second annual Hip-Hop Week MKE: Monday, Aug. 19 – Sunday, Aug. 25
Ald. Khalif Rainey will officially launch the second annual Hip-Hop Week MKE, which celebrates old and new hip-hop cultures, at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 during a news conference in City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. There will be various events all week long including a pop-up museum, live performances and more. Click here for full list of events.
2. Concert in Johnson Park: Thursday, Aug. 22
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Friends of Johnson Park is hosting a concert in Johnson Park, 1919 W. Fond du Lac Ave., starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. The concert is family-friendly. Chae Harris and Company will be performing. Those interested in attending are encouraged to bring their own blankets and/or chairs.
3. Women Build with NAWIC and Milwaukee Habitat: Thursday, Aug. 22 – Saturday, Aug. 24
Women Build is a national event that invites women to learn how to build and construct a home. Starting on Thursday, Aug. 22 through Saturday, Aug. 24, women can volunteer to help build one of four houses with Milwaukee Habitat and the National Association of Women in Construction Milwaukee chapter. Event locations vary, but the workday goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
4. COA’s Beyond the Book Bag carnival: Friday, Aug. 23
Join COA in Moody Park, 2250 W. Burleigh St., for the Beyond the Book Bag Carnival on Friday, Aug. 23. The first 500 attendees will receive a free book bag. There will also be free carnival games, a bounce house, food and more. The carnival starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m.
5. MPS 12th annual Run Back to School: Saturday, Aug. 24
MPS is hosting its 12 annual Run Back to School on Saturday, Aug. 24. The event includes a 5K fun run and a 1.5-mile walk through Washington Park. The run/walk will begin and end at Wick Playfield, 4929 W. Vliet St. Those interested can register online or before the run at 7:30 a.m. The run starts at 9 a.m.
Bonus: Style and Substance: Mental Health and Community resource training: Monday, Aug. 19
The City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention is hosting a specialized training for barbers, stylists and beauticians at the Zilber School of Public Health, 1240 N. 10 St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19. Attendees will gain a better understanding of mental health, how to support someone in a crisis and how to identify and make referrals to community resources.
About Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Ana serves as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods. You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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DSC02621 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 18, 2019

author: Adam Carr


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hiphopweek2019 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 18, 2019


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RIVERWEST BID HOSTING “Music on the BLT” MUSIC EVENT Featuring Shle Berry | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Catera
August 19, 2019
Riverworks Development Corporation is hosting “Music on the BLT”, a one day music event on Friday August 23, 2019 at 5:30pm on the Beerline Trail. Music performances include Shle Berry (hip hop), Cory Pieper, Jazzaveli (hip hop) and DJ NuStyles.
The beerline trail is located behind Family Dollar at 3334 N Holton St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
“We want to real community connections through the collective love of music,” adds Rosalynn Wolfe, Riverworks Development Corporation
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Music on the BLT is a part of year long programming to activate Beerline Trail.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
This year’s sponsors include Riverworks BID , US Bank, Chase JP Morgan, Catera, Copywrite Magazine, Diversatek, Outpost, Milwaukee Pretzel Company, Hip Hop Week MKE and Sharp Creatives
For interviews or to cover event, please contact Kennita Hickman with Catera at Kennita@cateramonnivision.com

author: Catera


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image | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 19, 2019


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Music on BLT_Insta-1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 19, 2019


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Free summer homeownership fair | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Take Root Milwaukee
August 20, 2019
Take Root Milwaukee is a consortium of over 40 community organizations, neighborhoods groups, HUD-certified housing counseling agencies, Realtors, and lenders working to promote sustainable homeownership in the City of Milwaukee. Take Root Milwaukee members offer free or low-cost services that can help you buy, keep, or fix a home.

author: Take Root Milwaukee


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Screenshot 2019-08-20 12.27 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 20, 2019


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Help celebrate National College Colors Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Renee Pasciak
August 20, 2019
Help us kick off the start of the new school year and celebrate the hard work of our students from low-income backgrounds by wearing college gear from your alma mater or favorite college on Friday, August 30, which is National College Colors Day!
Use #CPCollegeColorsDay to share your pics on social media.
This is a fun, easy way to show your support for our students and the value of education to our community. Learn more about College Possible here.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!

author: Renee Pasciak


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IMG_8876 v2.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
August 16, 2019

author: Name *


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MPL partners with Cream City Coders for Game Jams, Teens Learn to Create Video Games | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Benjamin Juarez
August 20, 2019
Milwaukee Public Library partnered with Cream City Coders, a local tech company, to bring game development to all 12 library branches this summer. As part of the MPL Teen Summer Challenge, the Game Jams offered teens the opportunity to make video games using a video game development platform called Unity.
“We were grateful for the opportunity”, stated Ben Juarez, Founder of Cream City Coders. “It’s important for our city’s youth to experience the wonder of video game design and code, especially with Unity.”
Over 300 teens participated in the challenge, where they gained points at each Game Jam by creating and submitting video games. Equipment was brought to every event for participants to create their own animations and sounds. Unity instructors were on hand at each branch to help with the more complex portions of Unity. All Game Jams were free and open to all teens.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Participants were given a Unity “shell” which had coded video game hero and enemy characters. The teens would put this code together in order to make their own style of video game. The vast majority of the games that were created are “platformers”, where a character runs and jumps on top of platforms such as streets or bridges.
The program was considered a success, and could be returning for next summer.
“The Milwaukee Public Library is so please to have worked with Cream City Coders on this year’s city wide, summer long Game Jam,” said Petra Duecker, Teen Education and Outreach Specialist at Milwaukee Public Library. “With over 125 entries to celebrate, 3 Game Jam prizes to award, and one People’s Choice winner to determine, it promises to be an exciting night!”
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Learn more about Cream City Coders at http://www.creamcitycoders.com.
Learn more about MPL at https://www.mpl.org.

author: Benjamin Juarez


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NNS Spotlight: TV segment focuses on health in Hmong community | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Amanda Parrish
August 20, 2019
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
Three students from the Medical Collegeof Wisconsin have made it their mission to raise awareness of healthdisparities in the Hmong community through a partnership with Nyob Zoo
Milwaukee TV
James Wu, along with Jacey Sirinit andMai’ana Feuerborn, both second-year students and members of the MCW chapter ofthe Asian Pacific American Medical Association, put together five-minute healthsegments that air the last Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. on WDJT-TV (Channel58) or on WMLW-TV (Channel 49). The shows are later posted on Facebook.
“A lot of times, especially in Americanpolitics, a big group such as Asians are homogenized into one entity,” said Wu,a third-year medical student.
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He said problems can arise when the socioeconomic standing or health outcomes of only one Asian population, which may be better than the average American, are recognized.
“When that is used as a measuring stickfor all Asian populations, then a lot of populations that are less well-off arelost in the mix and not looked after, or their issues are not addressed,” Wusaid, adding that this is the case of the Hmong population in Milwaukee.
Hmong refugees from Laos started comingto the United States in 1970s following the Vietnam War. Wisconsin has thethird-largest Hmong population in the United States after California andMinnesota.
Wu pitched the idea for a televisionsegment centered on Hmong health topics to Thay and Dawn Yang, CEO and generalmanager, respectively, of Nyob Zoo Milwaukee TV.
The MCW students have put together fivehealth segments covering hypertension, alcoholism, depression, diabetes andhepatitis B and are planning five new segments. The segments are beingsponsored by Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Sirinit said the main goal of the show isfor its viewers to feel comfortable enough to reach out when they recognizesomething that may be a concern.
Health education, Feuerborn said, isimportant to create trust between doctor and patient.
“I like the TV program because it’s notabout sensationalizing or scaring people into going to the doctor,” she said.“I think a more powerful and maybe ethical way is to give people information andallowing them to make their own decisions confidently.”
About Amanda Parrish
Amanda, a student in the Diederich College of
Communication at Marquette University,
is a reporting intern for NNS. She is especially
interested in covering environmental issues. You can reach her through email or
call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood.
Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highlyeffective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news
published on our site.HELP US HELP
YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling yourstories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Amanda Parrish


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48268740451_d57551d625_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 19, 2019


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48268821947_eda608b38d_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 19, 2019


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Community Care to host FREE Community Health Matters event at its Vliet Street Center on September 21 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Heidi Fendos
August 21, 2019
Community Care, Inc., will be hosting a Community Health Matters Event from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, September 21, at its Vliet Street Day Center located at 3220 W. Vliet Street.
The event is free and open to the public and will include: flu shots for the first 100 participants over age 18, blood pressure checks, blood glucose checks for diabetes, depression screenings, educational presentations and meet and greets with Community Care doctors as well as other vendors including Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), Milwaukee Police Department, Near West Side Partners, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hmong/American Friendship Association, Inc., Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Milwaukee Fire Department and Vliet Street Business Work Group.
There will also be various children’s activities and Jammin’ 98.3 Radio entertainment.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
In addition, the first 200 families who complete a health passport by stopping at each health station will receive a free reusable lunch tote filled with healthy food.
According to Kenneth Munson, chief executive officer, “We are thrilled to host this event again this year because we know there are many people in the community in need of quality health services for either themselves or their loved ones.
The goal of the event is to support these individuals by providing valuable resources and to give them the opportunity to become familiar with Community Care’s quality program and services.”
The Community Health Matters Event is one of many events that Community Care, Inc. has planned in honor of national PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly) Month. Community Care, Inc. is Wisconsin’s only PACE provider serving over 500 adults in Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha Counties.  PACE programs provide and coordinate all needed preventive, primary, acute and long term care services so that older individuals can continue living in the community, rather than living in a nursing home.
Community Care, Inc., headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., is a private nonprofit organization that serves the long-term care and health needs of more than 10,000 older adults and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1977, Community Care is the only Wisconsin managed care organization to offer all three programs of Family Care, Family Care Partnership and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The organization provides care in the 14 eastern Wisconsin counties of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca and Winnebago.
For more information about Community Care, visit www.communitycareinc.org.

author: Heidi Fendos


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NNS Audio: Voices from Sherman Park: Three Years Later: State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff thinks the system is still broken | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
August 21, 2019
Three years ago, Wisconsin State Assembly Rep. Jonathan Brostoff was talking with residents on the block where 23-year-old Sylville Smith was fatally shot by a Milwaukee police officer when he, ACLU organizer Jarrett English and several others were arrested.
It was the Tuesday night after the Aug. 13, 2016, shooting. Police say residents had asked them to disperse the crowds that had been gathering at a memorial on the block.
A police officer arrested Brostoff and English, forced them to the ground and searched and restrained them before eventually releasing them without charges.
Brostoff spoke with NNS about his thoughts at the time and his perspective three years later.
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Brostoff would like to see reforms to the system of policing and to the city’s and state’s priorities for investment.
He also would like to make life easier for law enforcement officers.
Although he doesn’t believe that the frustrations that led to the unrest in Sherman Park three years ago have changed much, Brostoff said he has been impressed with the work that grassroots activists Vaun Mayes and others are doing to help youths.
In addition, the work being done by advocacy, leadership development and organizing groups of color — he named Black Leaders Organizing for Communities and Leaders Igniting Transformation — give him hope, he said.
Sherman Park: Three years later
Our special report: For more on what’s happened to Sherman Park three years after the unrest, click here.
Hear NNS Editor Ron Smith discuss our coverage of Sherman Park on  WUWM-FM’s (89.7) “Lake Effect.”
About Andrea Waxman
Andrea is a senior staff writer for NNS, where she writes about people who do great things as well as education, policy issues and economic development that affect our neighborhoods. You can reach her through email or call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Andrea Waxman


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29370056715_d1d2898e6a_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 20, 2019


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Adam Carr
August 20, 2019


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Adam Carr
August 20, 2019


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NNS Video: ‘I am not going to lose this opportunity’: Locked-up mothers bond with their kids at camp | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bridget Fogarty
August 22, 2019
One of the most moving stories of the summer was about Camp Reunite, a weeklong camp that reunites locked-up mothers with their kids.
We thought it would be great to recirculate the video. And we hope you agree.
More than 5.1 million kids have had a parent in jail or prison in the United States, including 88,000 in Wisconsin, according to research published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Parent incarceration can have short and long-term effects on a child, and it disproportionately affects children of color.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
About Bridget Fogarty
Bridget is a community engagement intern at NNS and a senior in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University. You can email her or call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Bridget Fogarty


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48128900501_7057cb70de_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 21, 2019


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5 things to do this weekend: Aug. 23 to Aug. 25 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 23, 2019
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Take Root Milwaukee’s free homeownership fair: Saturday, Aug. 24
Take Root Milwaukee is hosting a free homeownership fair on Saturday, Aug. 24. The event is scheduled to take place at Bradley Tech High School, 700 S. 4 St., from 8 a.m. to noon. Lenders, neighborhood organizations, homeownership specialists, realtors and more will be on hand to talk.
2. Community Coffee and Conversation with William Rogers: Saturday, Aug. 24
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Impact Coalition for Families is hosting Community Coffee and Conversation at Wake-Up Program, 3353 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on Saturday, Aug. 24. William Rogers, a retired lecturer from UWM and host of Black Reality Think Tank Radio, will be the guest. Tickets are free and can obtained here. The event will start at 10 a.m.
3. Academia Bembé summer recital: Saturday, Aug. 24
Academia Bembé’s summer recital will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24. The recital, which features student drummers and dancers, is being held at Escuela Verde Milwaukee, 3628 W. Pierce St. The performance will include pieces from West Africa, Brazil and Puerto Rico. It starts at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $5.
4. Back 2 School block party with Heal the Hood: Saturday, Aug. 24
Heal the Hood is hosting a Back 2 School block party at Peak Initiative, 2480 W. Cherry St., on Saturday, Aug. 24. There will be free food, vendors, free book bags and performances by Hands in Harmony, the Milwaukee Flyers Tumbling Team and more. The party starts at noon.
5. Community barbeque in Lincoln Park: Saturday, Aug. 24
414 Milwaukee Mil Town, a local nonprofit, is hosting a barbeque in Lincoln Park, 1301 W. Hampton Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 24. Everyone is welcome to join and can bring a dish or donation if desired. The BBQ starts at 2:30 p.m.
Bonus: Alice’s Garden at Sherman Phoenix: Friday, Aug. 23
Alice’s Garden will be hosting a marketplace at Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., on Friday, Aug. 23. There will be collards, kale, fresh herbs and peppers available for purchase. Alice’s Garden will be at the Phoenix from noon to 4 p.m.
About Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Ana serves as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods. You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.


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RECITAL | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 22, 2019


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Aug. 26 to Aug. 31 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 26, 2019
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Bianca J. Baldridge on “Reclaiming Community”: Tuesday, Aug. 27
Bianca J. Baldridge, an assistant professor at UW-Madison, will discuss her book “Reclaiming Community,” which explores race, after-school programs and the future of youth work. Baldridge will speak at Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer Ave., on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The talk begins at 7 p.m.
2. Walk for the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge: Wednesday, Aug. 28
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As part of Mayor Tom Barrett’s Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge, NEWaukee is hosting a walk starting in Jackson Park, South 43rd Street, on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Walkers are encouraged to meet at 7:45 a.m. for some coffee before starting the walk at 8 a.m. Plan to walk for an hour and wear comfortable attire.
3. Milwaukee town hall meeting: Wednesday, Aug. 28
Milwaukee County leaders along with community leaders and advocates will discuss the Fair Deal proposal during a town hall meeting at McGovern Park Senior Center, 4500 W. Custer Ave., on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
4. Amani outdoor job fair: Thursday, Aug. 29
Ald. Milele Coggs, Ald. Khalif Rainey and Ald. Russell Stamper are hosting the Amani Job Fair at the intersection of North 20th and West Locust streets on Thursday, Aug. 29. There will be employers from FedEx, Paratech Ambulance Service, Stainless Foundry & Engineering and more. The fair starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
5. Jackson Park farmers market: Thursday, Aug. 29
Check out what local vendors are selling at Jackson Park’s farmers market, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave., on Thursday, Aug. 29. Explore various vendor’s stalls, enjoy food and music during this family-friendly event. The market starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 6:30 p.m.
Bonus: Free, fresh food at the Mobile Food Pantry: Thursday, Aug. 29
Feeding America and the Dominican Center are bringing the food to the people through the Mobile Food Pantry on Thursday, Aug. 29. Families and individuals will have access to healthy and nutritious food, free of charge. The Mobile Food Pantry will be parked at the Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
About Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Ana serves as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods. You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.


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FARMERSMARKET (1) | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 25, 2019


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FARMERSMARKET | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 25, 2019


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NNS Video: She was ‘not the one to take’: Remembering Quanita “Tay” Jackson | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mark Doremus
August 27, 2019
By all accounts, Quanita “Tay” Jackson was someone trying to make a difference.
On Saturday, the 20-year-old helpedorganize a three-on-three basketball tournament that drew a large crowd toMoody Park for hoops, food and music. A day later, she was shot and killed nearthe park.
“Quanita was the energy Milwaukee so desperately needs,” oneof her colleagues said in a news release released by the city. “She was friendsto a few, but family to most. Her desire to be greater than her circumstanceswas both refreshing and empowering.”
Jackson served as a youth ambassador in Programthe Parks MKE campaign, organized by activist Vaun Mayes, which aimsto tamp down violence in inner-city neighborhoods.
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It was Mayes’ group that put together the basketballtournament.
After Mayes got a message that one of his youths had beenshot, he raced to the scene.
Reporter-videographer Mark Doremus pieced together Mayes’ Facebook Live posts to document what happened next.
Jackson was interviewed Saturday by Mark Doremus, who coveredthe basketball tournament for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
Here is what she had to say:
About Mark Doremus
Mark is the video
content strategist for NNS. He holds a Ph.D. in journalism and a law degree from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked as an administrator for the
University of Wisconsin System for 20 years before he retired in 2015.
You can email him or call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood.
Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on
our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, weneed your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Mark Doremus


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48624196692_57d1477185_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 26, 2019


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image | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 26, 2019


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Transition on the City’s Northwest Side | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Northwest Side CDC
August 27, 2019
Please join us in congratulating the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation’s Executive Director, Howard Snyder, who announced today that he will step down as Executive Director on December 31, 2019.  A transition process has begun to find a new ED; Snyder plans to remain active in community economic development.
Snyder has led NWSCDC since 1983 when he founded the transformative organization it has become. Since then, the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) has served the economic development needs of Milwaukee’s North Side communities. NWSCDC includes a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides a range of financial products for underserved market niches. It also seeks to partner with Opportunity Zone investments in its target market, and serves the community through economic development, community organizing, and strategic planning. Snyder established strong roots, and the NWSCDC is poised to lead the transformation of the Northwest Side of Milwaukee into a preferred destination for businesses and residents thanks to the efforts of Snyder, his staff, and it’s board.
Under Snyder’s leadership, NWSCDC launched several initiatives focused on leveraging partnerships and collaborating in business creation and real estate transactions. It has lent over $10 million to numerous catalytic projects on the City’s Northwest Side since 2000 that have created over 1,000 jobs. He led efforts to resist the closing of the Villard Avenue Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library in 2003 that culminated in an innovative design combining library and housing that the Milwaukee Public Library has replicated three times and has been copied nationally. The protest and successful rebuilding of the library was a topic he explored in his 2016 TEDx talk at UWM.
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In announcing his decision to NWSCDC staff, Snyder said, “Few people get to do in their careers what they seemed to be born to do. I think the secret to my longevity is that running the CDC was, and is, the pinnacle of my career. I never wanted to do anything else or go someplace other than Milwaukee.”
NWSCDC Board President Kirsten Thompson and the other board members will continue working with Snyder to ensure a smooth transition. The selection process for the next executive director will take place through this fall. “Over the next weeks, I will provide the board with an update on the process by which we will work with people in the community, stakeholders, and staff to select our next executive director. I will keep partners involved in the process well informed as we move ahead,” Thompson said.

author: Northwest Side CDC


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39054984284_e999145e81_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 27, 2019


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We’re hiring: NNS seeks part-time multimedia reporter | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
August 27, 2019
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is looking for a part-time multimedia reporter who is ready to set the journalism world on fire.
Help us cover Milwaukee’s diverse central city neighborhoods and, most important, the people who live in them.
Are you a self-starter? Can you juggle several stories at once? Are you passionate about telling stories about people and issues other media ignore or under-report? And can you do all of this in a collaborative, creative nonprofit newsroom that is relentless in serving its audience? If you answered yes to all these questions, then the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service could be a fit for you.
We are an award-winning, evidence-based news organization housed in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University. We are editorially independent from the university and have a paid part-time staff of five and a brilliant cohort of community volunteers and student interns. Our work is regularly republished in local media, including Urban Milwaukee and OnMilwaukee. In addition, we have partnerships with WTMJ (Channel 4), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WUWM-FM (89.7) and The Associated Press, where our work regularly reaches audiences across the state and the nation. We champion great journalism and believe in “proceeding until apprehended.”
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The successful candidate will have the following traits and experiences:
This position is for 15 to 20 hours a week.
Want more information?
Our editor shares his vision for NNS.
See us on WTMJ (Channel 4).
Hear us on WUWM-FM (89.7).
Here’s what is needed for the application:
Please email your application to ronald.smith@marquette.edu and put “NNS Job” in the subject line.  And please share with your friends. We are looking for someone who wants to make a difference in Milwaukee. Our readers deserve nothing but the best.

author: Ron Smith


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46032734202_e5427f0440_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 26, 2019


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Milwaukee Public Schools survey | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dr. Keith Posley Superintendent of MPS
August 28, 2019
A group of Golda Meir music students show off their instruments. (Photo by Analise Pruni)
For generations, Milwaukee Public Schools has been the educational home to millions of Milwaukee children and their families. Over the years, our graduates have gone on to achieve amazing success in a variety of fields.
While we can point to many areas of success, there are also areas where we can improve. We are now engaged in a process that will move our district forward and upward, in a direction that is consistent with our vision to provide an equitable educational environment that is child-centered, supports achievement, and respects and embraces diversity.
Although we are passionate about this vision and the hard work that needs to be done, as educators we want to be as collaborative as possible. We need your help to determine how we can strengthen our students’ academic experience and enrich opportunities for them.
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To that end, we are requesting your participation in an important survey. This is an opportunity for you to provide input and help guide MPS in creating a learning community that achieves our bold vision.
This confidential survey will be open through September 12, 2019. The estimated time to complete the survey is 10 minutes. You may access the survey via this link: www.mpsmke.com/survey
District staff and school board members will use information from this survey as we plan four feedback sessions to help guide our efforts to ensure our vision becomes a reality. Please mark your calendar to attend one or more of the following sessions:
September 19, 2019 (Thursday) at Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning (WCLL) – 6:30-7:30 p.m.September 21, 2019 (Saturday) at Reagan High School – 9:30-10:30 a.m.September 23, 2019 (Monday) at North Division High School – 6:30-7:30 p.m.September 25, 2019 (Wednesday) at Vincent High School – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Thank you in advance for your participation. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us at 414-475-8388 or feedback@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Keith Posley
Superintendent of Schools

author: Dr. Keith Posley Superintendent of MPS


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 4, 2019

created: September 4, 2019


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Post from the Community: Local startup, launching on September 3, will be delivering free books to Milwaukee County residents | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ian Buchanan
August 28, 2019
Helium is bringing books to Milwaukeeans, taking no money, and reinvigorating communities
Helium announces the launch of its library book delivery service in Milwaukee County. Helium enables residents, both public library cardholders and non-cardholders alike, to rent library books online, have them delivered to their home, and picked up and returned. Helium will provide this full range of services at no cost to readers. In an age of declining readership, Helium effectively removes obstacles to establishing strong reading habits – money and time spent obtaining books.
Helium seeks to transform the way readers get their hands on their next book. By harnessing interconnected communities of local libraries to source books, Helium effectively acts as a liaison between library-owned, free-to-the-public books and readers. This business model has been tested and has succeeded in other applications, namely food delivery services, such as Madison, Wisconsin based Eat Street, or more nationally recognized services, such as UberEats. Helium can be thought of as the Eat Street or UberEats of books. Unlike food, however, books sourced from libraries need to be returned. Helium takes care of that as well, also at no charge to the customer. In addition, with each rental order placed through Helium, the company pledges to donate to causes that support our local reading and education ecosystems.
In 2018, 26 percent of Americans admitted to not reading one book, up from 21 percent just seven years prior, according to a study conducted by Pew Research. Within the same study, the data shows that print books are the preferred medium of American readers, with 67 percent of Americans having read at least one print book in 2018, compared to 26 and 18 percent of Americans having read or listened to at least one e-book or audiobook, respectively. Further, an independent survey conducted by Helium, observed that greater than 97% of the Milwaukee County residents surveyed that claim to not be meeting their reading goals cited limited time and money as inhibitors. Helium leaves time and money in the hands of the individual, aiming to elevate readership levels by delivering free books, and in the form readers seem to cherish most – print.
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“Books hold a certain power. A lot of us have felt it first-hand, and many of us have not. I think it goes without saying that we all deserve to realize the many benefits of reading. This is Helium’s mission and we couldn’t be more excited to begin this journey,” said homegrown founder of Helium, Ian Buchanan.
To take advantage of the service, readers can visit Helium’s website, place an order to rent the books they desire and have those books delivered to their door. When it comes time to return the rented books, the reader will again visit Helium’s website, indicate their books are ready to be picked up. Helium will then do so, returning them to the local library. Helium’s services will be available to Milwaukee County residents on September 3, 2019.
Helium is a book delivery service that enables readers to rent library books, have them delivered to their desired location, and picked up and returned, free of charge. With each rental order placed through Helium, the company pledges to donate to causes that support local reading and education ecosystems. Helium will launch its service on September 3, 2019 to the residents of Milwaukee County.
To learn about Helium and its launch, please contact:
Ian Buchanan, Founder
(414) 614-0208
ian@heliumbooks.com
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

author: Ian Buchanan


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‘These are things people with cars just don’t think about’: Potential MCTS cuts create anxiety in community | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Caroline White
August 28, 2019
Melody McCurtis is worried.
The community organizer of Metcalfe Park Community Bridgesknows that anything that affects Milwaukeeans transportation to work is always acause for concern.
She says Uber or Lyft are often tooexpensive for those working on an hourly wage. Carpooling can be time-consumingfor coworkers who don’t live close to one another. And walking miles from a busstop is not an efficient option.
Anxiety in the community continuesto rise ever since the Milwaukee County Transit System recently
announced that 16 routes are in danger of being cut; two routes arepotentially being shortened; and some seasonal services will be eliminated becauseof proposed funding cuts in the 2020 Milwaukee County transportation budget.
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The routes facing cuts include sixFreeway Flyer lines, four UBUS routes, five shuttles, Route 52 and seasonalservices such as the Brewers Line. Route 55 and Route 80 could be shortened.
MCTS leaders say 97 percent ofridership will not be affected by cuts.
So long, JobsLines
In July, MCTS announced that Route57 would end
its service to Waukesha County on Aug. 24 because itstemporary funding has run out. The branch of the route, known as JobLines, includedstops in Menomonee Falls and Germantown. Now, the bus line will not extend pastMilwaukee County.
MCTS leaders say the majority of Route57 patrons do not ride to the stops in Germantown or Menomonee Falls and won’tbe affected by its absence.
The extension has only existedsince the beginning of this year. Before 2019, rides outside of MilwaukeeCounty were provided by Route 6 and Route 61.
A $13.5
million settlement funded the JobsLines routes from 2014 to 2018. Itstemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Alliedfor Hope , or MICAH, and Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, or BHCW, againstthe State of Wisconsin and the U.S. Department of Transportation over fundingfor the I-94 Zoo Interchange reconstruction in 2012.
The Milwaukee Country Board ofSupervisors was able to allocate funds in the 2019 county budget to allow Route57 to provide the service to Waukesha for a few months. Additional funding wassought from Waukesha County and the state to maintain the extension, but thoseefforts failed.
“When are we going to stop sayingwhat we don’t have the money for?” Lisa Jones, the lead organizer of MICAH, asked.“We say we want people to have jobs and we want them to be taxpayers, then wehave to find ways of being able to create that. Instead, we’re creatingimbalances and injustices that always impact folks of color the most.”
The mathematics of public transit
The county points to “fiscalconstraints” in the cash flow from the state to the county as the primaryreason for the possible changes.
Steve Hirshfeld, the transit planningprogram manager at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said public transithas a four-pronged funding model, including supplemental funds from thefederal, state and local levels and ride fares. It is highly unusual that aform of public transit would be funded only by ride fares— Hirshfeld likenedthat model to taxicabs.
In response to what the county hascalled “a looming crisis,” county leaders have developed a Fair
Deal for Milwaukee plan that calls for a larger piece of the shared taxrevenue divided among all Wisconsin counties. The proposal intends to lessenthe county’s budget gap, which is the reason for potentially reducing publictransportation.
Jones and McCurtis both emphasizedthat funding carries real-life consequences for some Milwaukee residents.
“Access to transportation is a realissue, and frankly it’s a social justice issue,” Jones said. Bus route “cutsare going to impact the most vulnerable folks that we have in our communities:people who are disabled, people who are living paycheck to paycheck that nowhave to figure out how to get to work. These are things people with cars justdon’t think about.”
McCurtis and Jones expressedconcern that cuts would further isolate communities of color.
“Black people in Milwaukee need tobe the beneficiary of their investment. They’re stakeholders. They spend moneyin these businesses, in these stores, to their landlords, but they aren’treceiving any benefits. We got to have some really serious conversations aboutthis,” McCurtis said.
On the subject of racial injustice,the requested budget reads: “Racial equity was also given deliberateconsideration in the preparation of this budget. While it was necessary toconsider service reductions, efforts were made to avoid changes that have adisparate impact on minority populations or cause a disproportionate burden onlow-income individuals.”
WHAT’S NEXT
The next Fair Deal Town Hall is 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 at theMcGovern Park Senior Center, 4500 W. Custer Ave.
The next Transportation, PublicWorks and Transit Committee meeting is 9
a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 in Room 201B of the Milwaukee CountyCourthouse,  901 N. 9St.
FOR MORE ON PUBLIC TRANIST
Check out our partner WUWM’s (88.7)collection
of stories.
About Caroline White
Caroline attends MarquetteUniversity and is an intern
for NNS. You can reach her through email or call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood.
Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on
our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, weneed your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Caroline White


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Joblinrd | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 27, 2019


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NNS Spotlight: ’I have an unwavering belief that all of our kids can achieve’: New CEO of Carmen is on a mission | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Caroline White
August 29, 2019
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
A school designed to help kids beat the odds requires a leader who has done the same.
Meet Jennifer López.
Lopez, formerly the vice president of academic affairs of St. Anthony School, was unanimously selected to be the CEO of the Carmen schools network in July.
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“Jennifer’s qualifications, experience and values were exactly what we were looking for,” said Ivan Gamboa, chair of Carmen’s board of directors.
López replaces Carmen founder Patricia Hoben, who announced her resignation in March.
Carmen Schools of Science and Technology include five schools. School leaders say 90 percent of the approximately 2,000 students come from low-income homes. Many enter school with reading and math skills below state averages.
López can relate. Raised by immigrant Salvadoran parents, she attended under-resourced urban schools in Los Angeles from kindergarten through eighth grade. Although she was always a top student, she found herself feeling lost when she began attending a college preparatory high school.
“That was the first time I really felt the effects of the education disparity in this country,” she said.
Her father was a janitor, and her mother was a homemaker. She and her three siblings all graduated from college and begin ambitious careers: a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, an engineer and, now, a CEO.
López first attended Occidental College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, then Loyola Marymount University, also in Los Angeles, for her master’s in school administration and policy. In between, she participated in a Teach for America program where she taught math to students in under-resourced high schools.
What helped her power through were high expectations, a belief she could succeed and seeing people who faced similar challenges flourish. She calls them “proof points.”
“It’s incredibly important to make sure all of our students see themselves reflected in positions of power and influence to ensure that (they know) they all really have a seat at the table making decisions that impact them,” she said.
Throughout her career, López has worked closely with low-performing schools that sought to be better. She found that when kids are given a high bar to meet, along with the proper tools and support, they achieve.
“I have an unwavering belief that all of our kids can achieve at high levels,” she said. “It’s a matter of showing our kids that we love and care about them, and we believe in them even when our kids have been told that they will not amount to anything in life. We want our kids to recognize the power that they have.”
Carmen is a network of charter schools: two high schools; one combined middle and high school; a middle school at 1300 S Layton Blvd.; and Stellar Collegiate Elementary School, 1115 S. 7 St.
The original campus, Carmen School of Science and Technology South Campus, 1712 S. 32 St., has historically earned high marks on its state report cards. U.S. News and World Report’s list of high schools ranks the campus second among Wisconsin high schools and 47th in the U.S. among public charter high schools. The south campus was one of only three high schools in the Milwaukee area to “exceed expectations” or higher on its state report card.
The northwest campus, which opened in 2013, includes a middle school and high school at 5496 N. 72 St. Its latest state report card stated the school failed to meet expectations. The score was marked as an outlier because it had dropped more than 10 points from the previous year.
The southeast campus shares a building with Pulaski High School at 2500 W. Oklahoma Ave. It has not been established long enough to receive traditional scoring but was marked satisfactory for the past few years.
About Caroline White
Caroline attends Marquette University and is an intern for NNS. You can reach her through email or call the newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.
HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.


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CARMEN | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 28, 2019


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5 things to do this weekend: Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 30, 2019
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Screening of “Amandla: A Revolution in Four Part Harmony”: Friday, Aug. 30
Throughout the month of August, Peace Action of Wisconsin, 1001 E. Keefe Ave., organized screenings of four documentary films. On Friday, Aug. 30, “Amandla: A Revolution in Four Part Harmony” will be screened. The documentary takes a look at South Africa during the Apartheid and examines the music that came out of the struggle. The event starts at 7 p.m.
2. “Porch Life: An intergenerational open mic”: Friday, Aug. 30
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Tina “Ms. Jazzi” Jackson and Neighborhood Creatives in Residence Project are hosting an intergenerational open mic event on Friday, Aug. 30. The event is designed for residents of Linsdey Park to share their memories through storytelling. The event will take place across several porches and begin on West Hampton Avenue and North 89th Street at 7 p.m.
3. Drug Take-Back in the Amani neighborhood: Saturday, Aug. 31
In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, organizers are hosting a Drug Take-Back event at the Moody Park Pavilion, 2201 W. Auer Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 31. Residents will be able to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medication, which can help prevent substance abuse. In addition, there will be a resource fair, games, Rec ‘N’ Roll skate mobile and more. The event starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m.
4. Free cupcakes and hugs in Sherman Park: Saturday, Aug. 31
Baked Dreams Creations will be in Sherman Park, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 31 from noon to 3 p.m. The bakery will be handing out free cupcakes and hugs, while supplies last.
5. Black girl magic night at Paint and Sip: Saturday, Aug. 31
Vibez Creative Arts Space, 3536 W.Fond du Lac Ave., is hosting a second Black Girl Magic Paint & Sip night onSaturday, Aug. 31. Check-in starts at 7:30 p.m. and the event begins at 8 p.m.Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased via Facebook or here.
About Ana
Martinez-Ortiz
Ana serves
as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible
for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as
making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods.
You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our
community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is(414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on our site.HELP US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling your stories, we need yourhelp. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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48644035077_5453cbf4a9_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 29, 2019

author: Adam Carr


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America’s Black Holocaust Museum hires new president and CEO | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
America's Black Holocaust Museum
August 30, 2019
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The Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Robert “Bert” Davis has been selected as the new President and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM). Dr. Davis will be stepping into his new role on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Dr. Davis assumes leadership on the eve of the reopening of the beloved museum, which closed in 2008, two years after the passing of its founder Dr. James Cameron.
“It is indeed an honor to continue the great and most necessary work of Dr. Cameron,” said Dr. Davis. “He not only was one of the world’s only survivors of a public lynching, but also a true Griot (West African term for storyteller). We must celebrate and advance his vision by keeping America’s Black Holocaust Museum alive.”
Dr. Davis brings an extensive background in nonprofit museum management, education, and fundraising. Most recently, Dr. Davis was Principal of the nonprofit strategic consulting firm DRMD Strategies, LLC and former President and CEO to two Iowa organizations: the Dubuque County Historical Society and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.  He is the former President and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. During his tenure there, Dr. Davis secured a $6.7 million donation, the largest foundation gift the Society had received to date. Prior to the Zoological Society, Dr. Davis was Vice President of Education for Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.
“Of all the candidates in our search, we felt that Dr. Davis had the greatest combination of skills, experience and commitment to help make the long awaited reopening of the museum successful for generations to come,” said Ralph Hollmon, ABHM Board Chair.
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Dr. Davis has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine (Tuskegee, Alabama) and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Biology from Tuskegee Institute and University. He is a Board member of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) and also a Board member and former Vice Chair of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Dr. Davis humbly and proudly accepts the opportunity and responsibility of continuing Dr. Cameron’s legacy. Standing on the shoulders of the museum’s founders and committed successors – Brad Pruitt, Dr. Fran Kaplan, Reggie Jackson, and countless consultants, volunteers, and supporters – Dr. Davis is excited about the next chapters in the museum’s historic story.
For more information on the museum, fundraising, or other opportunities, please visit www.abhmuseum.org, call 414-374-5353, or email development@abhmuseum.org.
Dr. Robert “Bert” Davis, new President and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Current Mailing Address abhmuseum.org New Museum Address 11933 W. Burleigh Street, Suite 100 414-374-5353 401 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa, WI 53222 email: info@abhmuseum.org Milwaukee, WI 53212 ABOUT ABHM and DR. JAMES CAMERON LEGACY FOUNDATION, INC. Dr. James Cameron founded ABHM in 1988. He survived a brutal 1930 lynching in Marion, IN when he was just 16 years old. Dr. Cameron went on to devote his life to civil rights and promoting a just and peaceful society. He founded ABHM to teach others about the forgotten history and harmful legacy of slavery, as well as to promote racial repair, reconciliation, and healing. The museum closed its doors in 2008, two years after Dr. Cameron’s passing in 2006. The new museum is built upon the same footprint as its predecessor on the corner of Vel R. Phillips Ave. (formerly 4th St.) and North Ave. Like the original museum, the new ABHM will include exhibits on African people before captivity, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, auction blocks, the civil rights movement (both past and present), as well as local and national civil rights leaders. One of the primary goals of the museum is to share the under-told stories that are an integral part of U.S. history.
The new museum is a program of the nonprofit Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation, which was founded in 2012 by friends and supporters of Dr. James Cameron to continue his legacy. We envision a society that remembers its past in order to shape a better future – a nation undivided by race where every person matters equally. The new physical museum will complement the existing virtual museum (www.abhmuseum.org), which was created to share Dr. Cameron’s story and museum exhibits to a broader national and international audience. Millions of visitors from over 200 countries visit ABHM’s Virtual Museum annually. For more information and/or to donate, please visit https://abhmuseum.org/support/ #

author: America's Black Holocaust Museum


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Dr. Robert Davis ABHM President and CEO | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 30, 2019


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‘Things are getting worse’: Drug overdose deaths continue to menace Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
August 30, 2019
As he walks the streets of Milwaukee’s South Side in the middle of the night, Rafael Mercado fears he’s fighting a losing battle.
“Things are getting worse here,” saidMercado, as he fended off pimps while other volunteers talked to prostitutesabout getting help for their addiction.
Statistics show that Mercado —  leader of Team HAVOC, a volunteer group that conducts needle cleanups, among other activities — is correct.
If current trends continue, MilwaukeeCounty  could record 423 overdosedeaths in 2019, its highest total in a decade, according to the medicalexaminer’s office.
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The most recent data shows 184 overdose deaths from Jan. 1 to July 26, with another 80 to 90 suspected cases pending toxicology reports. Those cases include 14 deaths that occurred during the last weekend in July. Not included is a body found last week in the bushes behind a gas station on South 20th Street and West National Avenue.
Those statistics, and the reality of whathe’s seeing in the streets, paint a grim picture for Mercado, 49, the co-founderof MKE Heroin Diaries, a Facebook pagedevoted to increasing awareness and providing resources about opioids.
Mercado conducts the majority of hisoutreach on the near South Side, which has become the city’s heroin hotspot.There have been 22 confirmed overdose deaths in the 53204 ZIP code and 10 in53215, adjoining areas on the South Side.
Those aren’t the only Central Cityneighborhoods in Milwaukee that have been hit hard. Ten residents each from53206, 53208, 53209 and 53212 have also lost their lives to overdoses so far in2019.
The victims are diverse — 91 are minorities compared to 93 whites.  In fact, nearly 35 percent of overdosevictims were African American, and 12 percent were Hispanic.  Seventy percent of the overdose victimswere men. In addition, deaths involving only cocaine comprise 13 percent of thefatalities, while opioids were involved in 82 percent, according the medicalexaminer data.
The data shows that 140 deaths have occurred within the city limits, while 44 have occurred in the suburbs. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that officials said is commonly used as a cutting agent for heroin, cocaine and other drugs was involved in 58 percent of all deaths.
A local  and national issue
The increasing number of opioid deaths inMilwaukee County was cited in a Wisconsin Policy Forum
reportas a factor in the decrease of life expectancy in the state. Another report from RAND, a nonprofitglobal think tank, states that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are responsiblefor tens of thousands of deaths annually in the U.S.
Just this week, the drug manufacturerJohnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $572 million to the state of Oklahoma fordownplaying the dangers of opioids and for overselling the drug.
Ald. Michael Murphy, co-chairman of theCity-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force, has also recommended legalaction against manufacturers as a method to recover costs associated with drugabuse locally and to fund treatment.
Michelle Jaskulski, director offaith-based initiatives for the Washington D.C.-based Addiction Policy Forum, said she sees anincrease in awareness and talk in Milwaukee about drug abuse and, morespecifically, the opioid epidemic.
“But not a lot of action,” she said.
Many addicts simply aren’t quitting despitethe dangers, said Jaskulski, who lives in Cudahy and became involved in themovement after experiencing her two sons struggle with addiction. The reasonaddicts ignore the dangers of using opioids, including fentanyl, is becausethey hijack the brain, she explained.
“It makes your brain feel like you needthat drug like you need air or water,” said Jaskulski, whose organizationfocuses on education and bringing high-level science into discussions aboutaddiction.  “It affects the part ofthe brain that makes rational decisions.”
One man’s struggle
Jonathan Martin, who grew up on the South Side, said he became involved in the drug and gang lifestyle at an early age.
“I was always selling drugs, then startedusing drugs, then got addicted to Percocet and eventually heroin,”  Martin said.
Though he’s been clean for a year, Martinsaid it wasn’t easy.
It took cutting off old friends, twomonths of intensive inpatient treatment and two more months of outpatientservice. He also experienced a spiritual transformation.
“I gave my life to Jesus,” Martin said. “Sothe key for me was a lifestyle change and finding a higher calling.”
He still runs into old friends and comesacross plenty of people who are addicted and struggling. But he has found thestrength to stay clean.
“I have a whole different view anddirection in life. I hope that those who are addicted realize that they canchange, too, and that they don’t have to end up in the grave,” Martin said.
It’s those successes that keep Mercado,who became an advocate after losing four cousins
to opioids within a year, walking the streets in hopes that someone will listen.
“We just keep doing what wedo and letting them know that we care about them,” he said.
Where you can get help
Here is a partial list of drug treatmentservices in the Milwaukee area:
10th Street Comprehensive
Treatment Center
Rogers Behavioral Health
West Milwaukee
Comprehensive Treatment Center,
First Step Community
Recovery Center
Meta House
God
 Touch Milwaukee
United
 Community Center Substance Use Treatment Program

author: Edgar Mendez


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Adam Carr
August 29, 2019


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Adam Carr
August 29, 2019


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Sept. 3 to Sept. 7 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
September 3, 2019
It’s Tuesday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Unlock the Vote MKE official launch: Wednesday, Sept. 4
EX-incarcerated People Organizing, better known as EXPO, along with its partners, is officially launching Unlock the Vote MKE at Hepatha Lutheran Church, 1720 W. Locust St., on Wednesday, Sept. 4. “Unlock the Vote” is proposed legislation to restore the right to vote to people released from prison. Learn more about the legislation during the event, which starts at 6 p.m.
2. Havenwoods annual luncheon and meeting: Thursday, Sept. 5
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Havenwoods Economic Development and the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce are hosting the annual Havenwoods luncheon at the Wisconsin Club, 6200 W. Good Hope Rd., on Thursday, Sept. 5. The meeting provides an opportunity to celebrate Havenwoods and discuss the community’s shared vision for its future. To register click here. The event starts at 11 a.m. with lunch to begin at noon.
3. Crafting Art in the Near West Side: Friday, Sept. 6
Near West Side Partners is hosting an art and music exhibition at the Central Standard Distillery, 2330 W. Clybourn St., on Friday, Sept. 6. The show will feature performance by Dasha Kelly and art by Milwaukee artists. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
4. Silver City InterNational Fest 2019: Saturday, Sept. 7
Silver CityInterNational Fest will celebrate the
cultures of Silver City on Saturday, Sept. 7. The annual festival will beheld on West National Avenue between south 33rd and 35th streets. Admission isfree. Come enjoy food, music and dance from Asia, Latin America, Africa andmore. It starts at noon.
Bonus: NNS at Silver City InterNational Fest:
Saturday, Sept. 7
Did you miss youropportunity to get your photo taken in NNS’s living room set? Well fear not, because NNS will bestationed at Silver City InterNational Fest from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept.7. Look for the infamous orange couch on West National Avenue between south 33rdand 35th streets. Hope to see you there!
About
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
Ana
serves as NNS’ newly created community engagement reporter and is responsible
for writing stories that help our readers navigate their lives as well as
making sure they know the fun things that are happening in their neighborhoods.
You can email her here or call (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood. Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is(414) 604-6397.
Here’s
how to get your news published on our site.
HELP
US HELP YOU: As a nonprofit newsroomdedicated to telling your stories, we need your help. Make sure you and yourfriends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE.Every little bit helps.

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Adam Carr
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EXCLUSIVE: St. Joseph hospital will focus on access to care, chronic disease prevention, infant mortality and mental health | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
September 4, 2019
Ascension St. Joseph hospital will focus on access to care, chronic disease prevention, infant mortality and mental health, according to a detailed three-year plan being released Wednesday.
The Community Health Improvement Plan for AscensionWisconsin’s  five Milwaukee Countyhospitals, including St. Joseph, lists four priorities and the strategies thehealthcare system will implement to address them.
Among its strategies for increasing access to healthcare services for St. Joseph patientsare:
Ascension Wisconsin’s strategies for chronic disease prevention at St. Joseph include:
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Strategies at St. Joseph for reducing infant mortality will include:
To address mental health at Ascension St. Joseph, strategies will include:
The priorities were selected through a Community HealthNeeds Assessment process led by the Milwaukee
Health Care Partnership, whichincludes Ascension Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora Health, Children’s Hospital ofWisconsin and Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin. The process included acommunity health survey, community health data from public sources and keystakeholder interviews.
Resources
NNS will be running more stories about the plan throughout the year.
Click here to see the Community Health Improvement Plan and other reports.
About Andrea Waxman
Andrea is a senior
staff writer for NNS, where she writes about people who do great things as well as education, policy issues
and economic development that affect our neighborhoods. You can reach her
through email or call the
newsroom at (414) 604-6397.
Your neighborhood.
Your news. Our community.
How to reach us: Email is highly effective. We can be reached at info@milwaukeenns.org. Our newsroom phone number is (414) 604-6397.
Here’s how to get your news published on
our site.HELP US HELP
YOU: As a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to telling yourstories, we need your help. Make sure you and your friends SUBSCRIBE to our daily newsletter. And DONATE. Every little bit helps.


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Adam Carr
September 3, 2019


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NNS on WGLB radio: Reporter Edgar Mendez talks about Milwaukee’s drug overdose crisis | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
September 5, 2019
Edgar Mendez talks about his in-depth look at drug overdoses in Milwaukee and what people working the front lines are saying about the issue, with Saryea Murchison and Dennis Walton of WGLB radio.
The trio discusses how the issue of drug abuse and related overdose deaths, particularly those tied to the use of opioids such as fentanyl, is a growing problem that residents of central city Milwaukee cannot afford to ignore.
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created: September 5, 2019

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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Adam Carr
September 5, 2019


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TEAMHAVOC | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
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Post from the Community: Mental Health Summit will focus on mitigating and managing self-harm | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Cole
September 5, 2019
The Alverno College graduate program in Community Psychology is hosting a mental health summit focused on mitigating and managing self-harm. Participants will learn from a panel of Milwaukee-based experts, take a deep look into issues ranging from non-suicidal to suicidal self-harm, and understand how these issues impact various populations in our community.
Dr. Laura Riggle, a clinical psychologist and former chief psychologist for the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, will be the keynote speaker. She has provided clinical services in the acute and long-term inpatient units, partial hospitalization program, outpatient clinic, and center for developmental disabilities. She also co-developed one of the first Dialectical Behavior Therapy Day Treatment programs where she specialized in risk assessment and management.
In addition to the opening session and keynote, the summit includes breakout sessions and a resource fair. The objectives for the day include:
The summit, which will take place on September 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is free and open to mental health practitioners, community leaders and students. For more information or to register, visit alverno.edu/summit.
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About Alverno College
Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy and business are open to women and men.
A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For the past two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.

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Post from the Community: Work of FACT, Wisconsin’s youth-led tobacco prevention movement more vital than ever | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Cherub Anurag
September 5, 2019
(Photo courtesy of FACT)
Back in 2001, 300 Wisconsin teens started FACT, an organization created to fight the epidemic of tobacco use among youth. Today, there are nearly 3,000 FACT members that spread the truth about tobacco throughout our state. Their work might be more crucial now than ever.
Recent statistics show that 20 percent of high-schoolers in Wisconsin smoke e-cigarettes, and 11% of middle schoolers have already tried an e-cigarette. Moreover, the second most popular tobacco product amongst youth, especially in inner-city of Milwaukee, are cigars and cigarillos which are available in countless different candy and fruit flavors at gas stations for as low as 99 cents!
All of these products contain nicotine and are getting young people addicted. How are underage youth able to get their hands on these products, you ask? Well in Milwaukee, 19 percent of retailers sold tobacco products to minors during compliance checks in 2017. Many of our own FACT members in Milwaukee, associated with the ‘Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network’ have found it very easy to purchase tobacco products despite being minors.
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These statistics show the importance of the role that FACT plays on the future of our youth in Wisconsin. Members of FACT participate in several different activities throughout the year such as: educating youth about the dangers of smoking, leading activism initiatives, peer-to-peer advocacy, media outreach, and talking to Wisconsin’s leaders.
One of their biggest achievements include raising the citation for selling tobacco to minors from $187 to $691! Their efforts have helped lower smoking rates, raise tobacco taxes and pass clean air laws in various parts of Wisconsin. This summer our youth have been conducting Tobacco retailer assessments: surveying how tobacco retailers advertise tobacco and the prices and availability of various tobacco products at various stores throughout Milwaukee.
The youth immediately recognized how tobacco is often placed right next to candy, a potential lure for young people who can be challenged at telling the difference between fruit flavored candies and tobacco products. Moreover, the availability of singles and different flavors of tobacco products at cheap prices further attract youth. One of the most recent activities that our local FACT members participated in could have wide ranging impacts.
They were invited to and participated in an all-expenses-paid tobacco prevention conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. The conference was called ‘Truth Action Summit’, which took place from the July 16- 18. The conference equipped around 200 high-schoolers, including our FACT youth and other young people from various parts of Ohio and its surrounding states with the skills and knowledge to curb and prevent smoking in their communities. The students attended various sessions learning about various issues surrounding the tobacco industry: like the social justice issue of how they have been targeting the African American community with menthol cigarettes throughout history thereby widening the health disparities between communities.
The students were also trained to conduct an effective event on the national day of action, which will occur in the Fall of this year. The National day of action will be a nationwide movement where high school students all over America will be spreading the truth about tobacco. This year’s focus for the national day of action will be e-cigarettes and Flavors. No one knows the long-term effects of e-cigarettes, and humans are being used as lab rats to test its effects. I hope that eventually all youth have access to the information and resources to help quit smoking: eventually making our future generations smoke-free.

author: Cherub Anurag


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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September 3, 2019


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The story of Sherman Perk: How a salvaged bit of the city’s past became a community gathering spot | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
September 5, 2019
When their kids were growing up in Sherman Park and started going to coffeehouses, they would all hop in cars and leave the neighborhood because there wasn’t a shop in their neighborhood.
Their parents, Robert and Patrice Olin, decided thatestablishing the Sherman Perk coffeehouse would be their way of “giving back tothe neighborhood that raised their kids,” Bob Olin said.
“Unfortunately, by the time we opened, we only had one childleft at home,” said Bob Olin, “but she worked here, and she and her friendswould come and hang out, which was fun.”
Bob and Pat Olin grew up in Whitefish Bay and Bay View,respectively, and met at the University ofWisconsin-Eau Claire, where he majored in business and she earned a nursingdegree.
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After college, they returned to Milwaukee and moved to the Sherman Park neighborhood. They chose it, they said, because the cost of housing was affordable. They’ve owned three homes and raised four children in the neighborhood — moving as their family grew and later as their kids left home. Now they live on North 49 Street, a stone’s throw from the coffee shop.
Since opening in August 2001, the coffee shop has emerged asa community gathering spot in one of the most racially, religiously and socioeconomicallydiverse neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
“Our customers have really shaped our business” — themenu, hours and the activities, Bob Olin said.
After Labor Day, the shop features live music on Friday evenings throughout the winter. During the summer, bag toss is popular. Over the years, the Olins have hosted karaoke and poetry readings and provided an audience for new musical groups, among other activities.
‘You see all types’
Greg Kirkish, friend, neighbor and regular customer, said hewalks or bikes to Sherman
Perk about four mornings a week. In addition to good coffee and a bite toeat, he enjoys reading the newspaper and chatting with other customers, hesaid. He’s become acquainted with many people who live in the neighborhood thatway.
“You see all types of people and everybody seems to getalong,” Kirkish said.
Noting that the Olins turned a blighted eyesore into acommunity asset, with “a lot of sweat equity,” Kirkish added, “If somebody comesin there, and they forget their money, or they don’t have any money with them,Bob will give them a coffee.”
“I don’t think you’re going to find that at Starbucks orother places,” he said.
When Sherman Perk opened, it offered four flavors to go intodrinks. Now it has 36, Bob Olin said.
From gas station to
coffee shop
In early 2000, the company Bob worked for abruptly closedthe computer manufacturing plant that he managed. Bob was thinking about hisnext career move and Pat was working nearby at St. Joseph Hospital when theylearned that a gas station on North 50th Street was going to be razed.
A neighborhood association considered buying the propertyand turning it into a coffee shop, but legal and environmental issues createdtoo many barriers.
The building had been in tax foreclosure and wascontaminated with automotive and aviation fuel. The need to pay tens ofthousands of dollars in back taxes and fund an environmental cleanup made italmost impossible to find a buyer, Olin said.
Then Cliff Leppke, an automotive and architecture enthusiast,came to the rescue by passionately advocating for and eventually winning city historicaldesignation.
“It took 14 months for us to legally acquire the propertyusing a new state statute that one of the assistant city attorneys in Milwaukeehad authored that specifically addressed tax delinquent, contaminatedproperties,” said Bob Olin.Pat Olin added, “It paved the way, I think, for many other people to dosimilar (projects) … with the potential to really create something wonderfulfor their communities.”


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5 things to do this weekend: Sept. 6 to Sept. 8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
September 6, 2019
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. #LiberateMKE lobbying training: Saturday, Sept. 7 The African American Civic Engagement Roundtable is inviting Milwaukee residents to learn how to lobby elected officials on Saturday, Sept. 7. The training will be at the Milwaukee Public Library Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St. It will start at 10:30 a.m. To RSVP, click here.
2. Be THEE Village: Community Talks: Saturday, Sept. 7Rebuild You Incorporated is a local group of professionals whose main goal is to strengthen Milwaukee’s youth, especially young boys in the inner city. The group is hosting a community talk at Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11:30 a.m. Topics include the “importance of mentoring” and “protecting our youth.” Tickets are free, but guests are encouraged to RSVP.
3. “Men Who Cook” and bookbag giveaway: Saturday, Sept. 7The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce and My Father’s House are hosting the 20th annual “Men Who Cook” at McGovern Park Senior Center, 4500 W. Custer Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 7. The event is free and starts at 11 a.m. Food samples cost $1 and all proceeds go to My Father’s House. The first 100 children also receive a free book bag.
4. Cancer Disparities: A community conversation: Saturday, Sept. 7 The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center is hosting a conversation about cancer disparities at America’s Black Holocaust Museum, 401 W. North Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 7. The event is free and open to everyone. It starts at 2 p.m.
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Bonus: NNS at Silver
City InterNational Fest: Saturday, Sept. 7Did you miss your opportunityto get your photo taken in NNS’s living room set? Wellfear not, because NNS will be stationed at Silver City InterNational Fest fromnoon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Look for the infamous orange couch on WestNational Avenue between South 33rd and 35th streets. Hope to see you there!

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Get your family photo at Silver City InterNational Festival | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
September 6, 2019
Back by popular(-ish) demand.
Come meet us for a free family photo!
NNS will be at SilverCity InterNational Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 2 p.m.
At our photo session, you can pose on ourvintage couch in the middle of the festival for a professional photograph. Tosweeten the deal, we will also take a Polaroid-style instant photo for you tokeep.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
It’s all going down on West National Avenuebetween South 33rd and 35th streets. We will be just west of Mamie’s, near SouthShea Avenue.
It’s just a small way for us to connect withthe community we love so much.
See you there!


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Adam Carr
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Post from the Community: i.c.stars|* Milwaukee Information Sessions | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Rosalinda Fowlkes
September 8, 2019
Are you ready to become the next star in Business, Leadership, and Technology?
Do you want to learn skills that will help you become an entrepreneur or make a descent income?
i.c. stars|* Milwaukee is hiring now for our 5th Cycle!
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
*4 month paid internship, 16 month residency
*Coding bootcamp
*7 step application process, so APPLY TODAY!
Whether or not you have a background in technology, the i.c.stars training program can help transform your career. Our training covers the technical skills needed for entry-level technology jobs and professional tools that leaders look for in rising talent.
We Find Talent- We Train Talent- We Put Talent to Work
Our mission doesn’t end with training. Instead, our aim is for each intern that completes the program to be gainfully employed and at the start of a long and successful career.
Once you complete the program, our staff will work with you as you seek to begin your career in business or technology, coaching you along the way, and making connections where possible with our network of business leaders.
Requirements:
-High school diploma or GED required
-A needs-based program, geared toward people with partial or no college
-Six months of work experience needed
-NO Technology experience needed
-Availability 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for 16 weeks
-PAID a weekly stipend, $150 for 16 weeks
Ready to be the change you want to see?
Register on Facebook or Eventbrite for our upcoming INFORMATION SESSIONS on 9/25 at 1pm, 2pm, or 3pm!
https://www.facebook.com/events/3496641567020067/
Or apply on our website:
http://milwaukee.icstars.org/
For questions please call:
414-501-5294
i.c.stars|* Milwaukee
200 N Jefferson Street, 2nd floor, Milwaukee, WI 53202

created: September 8, 2019

author: Rosalinda Fowlkes


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Post from the Community: Join us for the third annual 5th Street Fest in Walker’s Point | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kat Kneevers
September 8, 2019
Walker’s Point 5th Street Fest returns for its third year with a daylong celebration of music, food, activities and fun on Saturday, September 28.
Hosted by the Walker’s Point Association, the fest takes place on 5th Street from the South Stage on National Avenue to the North Stage on Virginia Street, both of which feature live music and demonstrations all day. The Fest also includes a midpoint DJ stage and is expanded with access to the new Zocalo Food Truck Park on Pierce and 6th Street.
This year’s entertainment lineup is curated by Kneeverland Productions to bring together a diverse array of artists and celebrate the many aspects of the 5th Ward’s  past, present, and future. Artists include Mariachi Monarcas offers traditional music while Brown’s Crew blends hip hop with Latin sounds. The North Stage evening headliner is renowned Santana tribute band Abraxes, while the South Stage lineup is capped off by the extravaganza of Hamburger Mary’s Drag Show.
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The entertainment schedule includes a yoga class by Abliss Yoga, and moves into genres including punk rock from Assault and Battery and the Size 5’s, indie pop showcased by Wax Lips, Saebra and Carlyle, Paper Holland, and Cullah. Many others, such as Jayne Joyce as well as Funk Summit Bass Team, will bring irrepressible groove beats to the Fest.
In addition to the two stages of entertainment and retail vendors, activities including mural painting will take place, plus plenty of food and drink from area establishments, representing an array of the tastes of the Walker’s Point neighborhood.
12pm John McWilliams with Old B
12:40 Nazario Chickpesio
2:00 Wax Lips
3:30 Mariachi Monarcas
4:30 Walker’s Point Association
5:00 The Truck
6:15 Brown’s Crew
7:30 Andrew David Webber Band
8:45 Funk Summit Bass Team
9:45 Hamburger Mary’s Drag Show
11:30 Abliss Yoga
1:00 Saebra & Carlyle
2:15 Jayne Joyce
3:15 Size 5’s
4:15 Assault & Battery
5:30 Buddhalicious
6:45 Paper Holland
8:00 Cullah
9:15 Abraxes

author: Kat Kneevers


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September 6, 2019