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Groups demand answers after 4 deaths at Milwaukee County Jail | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Devin Blake
April 6, 2023
Jail safety advocates say Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball refuses to meaningfully engage with them about how to improve conditions at the Milwaukee County Jail, where four people have died since June.
The first of these deaths was Brieon Green, who died in June at the age of 21.
His death spurred the formation of the Justice for Brieon Green Coalition, which has made several demands on Ball throughout the past nine months, including the opportunity to tour the jail, a town hall with Ball, an independent investigation into the deaths and the posting of standard operating procedures for the jail on the sheriff’s website.
Since Green’s death, 20-year-old Cilivea Thyrion died in December; 49-year-old Octaviano Juarez-Corro died in January; and 37-year-old Terrance Mack died on March 16.
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The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said three of the four cases are under official investigation by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department. The fourth case is under “internal review” by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, which declined to comment on specifics of the cases.
The ultimate aim of the coalition is for the deaths to stop.
The coalition met with Ball in January, shortly after she was sworn in, Omar Flores, one of the coalition’s organizers, said.
During this meeting, Ball agreed to several initial demands, including her participation in a town hall and the opportunity to tour the jail, Flores said.
However, Ball has failed to honor the in-person commitment, according to both Flores and Alan Chavoya, the outreach chair of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racism & Political Repression, or MAARPR, the group that helps organize the coalition.
Chavoya also said the coalition has emailed Ball roughly five times and called her office multiple times and she has not responded.
“Just give us an understanding of what’s going on in there that is leading to so many deaths,” Chavoya said.
The coalition helped organize a rally on March 21 outside the Milwaukee County Safety Building, part of the complex of buildings that includes the jail.
“We know there’s this myth, right, that everyone who’s locked up in there (the county jail) deserves it,” Chavoya said during the rally. “And I think that’s why the sheriff thinks she can get away with it – because it’s a jail and people are not going to care.”
“But we care,” he said. “What’s going on inside that county jail?”
The coalition also includes family members of  Green; Students for a Democratic Society-Milwaukee; and the Young Workers Committee.
County officials also have expressed concern over the alleged lack of urgency by the Sheriff’s Office in addressing concerns.
In a joint statement on March 21, following Mack’s death, county Supervisors Felesia Martin and Ryan Clancy called for an audit of the deaths of people while in jail, including an examination of the jail’s mental health and suicide protocol.
“We stand with community demands for both transparency and footage to be released,” said Clancy, who is also chair of the Judiciary, Law Enforcement and General Services Committee. “As with the last three, I expect that neither will be forthcoming.”
By email, James Burnett, director of public affairs and community engagement with the Sheriff’s Office, saidthe investigation into Mack’s death is active and “there will be no further comment from the Office of the Sheriff about it at this time, beyond condolences for his family and other loved ones.”
“The deaths of Cilivea Thyrion and Octaviano Juarez-Corro also remain under investigation, as well,” Burnett said. “Both of these investigations as well as that into Mr. Mack’s death are being conducted by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.”
Although Green’s death was officially ruled a suicide, Burnett said “an internal review of it is still underway.”
During an event on Wednesday, hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club, Ball said she still plans to participate in a town hall but did not provide a timeline as to when.
“When I made that promise, I didn’t mean I was going to do it right then and there,” she said.
Ball also said her office does plan to put the standard operating procedures for the jail on the sheriff’s website but did not provide a timeline as to when. For those who want access to a standard operating procedure that is not on the site, Ball suggested submitting an open records request.
The conditions in the jail affecting those with mental health problems have emerged as an issue for those  advocating for improved safety — problems Ball emphasized during her campaign.
Ball’s campaign website still lists “supporting mental health” as one of her top priorities, stating, “Milwaukee County needs to invest more into mental health services, community-based approaches and mental health intervention programs. We need to ensure deputies are trained in recognizing and responding to mental health crises and especially how to de-escalate those situations.”
The official investigation into Green’s death ruled it a suicide, but footage from the jail depict “gross negligence” and “complete indifference to human life” by officers at the jail, said B’Ivory LaMarr, one of the lawyers for the Green family, during a news conference in December after viewing footage.
“Brieon Green literally had a phone cord strangling himself … while a sheriff’s officer goes directly past the cell while he was supposed to be conducting a cell check,” LaMarr said.
“The purpose of the cell check,” he added, “is to … check on the well-being of the inmate, and that completely was not done.”
Thyrion, who died in December, was on suicide watch when she died by choking on an adult-sized diaper provided to her by officers at the jail, according to LaMarr, who is also the lawyer for Thyrion’s family, during a separate news conference.
Ronald Schroeder, who is currently in custody at the jail for two felony charges, said, “Certain individuals are just not safe here. And that is why they are committing suicide.” Schroeder spoke to NNS by phone and was contacted at the suggestion of an advocacy group, Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee-Wisconsin.
Some of the factors that increase risk for those with mental health conditions, Schroeder said he’s observed, include people being forced to stay in their cells for long periods as well as virtually no access to sunlight and fresh air.
Schroeder also said he is alarmed by the difficulty of accessing needed medications.
“There are a large number of occupants in the jail that suffer from severe mental illness, including schizophrenia,” Schroeder said. “After talking with many of them, I have learned that many were prescribed and taking psychotropic medications in the community, or the prison system, before they arrived here. But they are not given their psychotropic meds here. When they do have an episode, the reaction is purely putative and not clinical.”
The Sheriff’s Office did not respond to requests for comment about the medication policy for those with mental health conditions. But during the Milwaukee Press Club event, Ball said “it definitely used to be the case” occupants were restricted to their cells for long periods of time, especially at the peak of the staffing crisis around the early months of 2022.
However, Ball said, those in jail have not been locked up for that amount of time “in months” and are currently permitted to be out of their cells from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ball also said her office is enacting additional changes to better address the mental health needs of those who are incarcerated.
A new mental health counselor will “work in conjunction with our health and mental health providers. This is just an extra layer that we hope will help.”
The Sheriff’s Office also is adding the role of an occupant safety and compliance staff member who will review footage from the jail and serve as “a second set of eyes to make sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to being,” Ball said. The new staff member will be responsible for helping to ensure officers are “doing inspections right.”
Ball’s office also is increasing oversight of the jail, including more unannounced inspections by her, other executive staff members and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Meanwhile, the coalition plans to continue to put pressure on Ball.
“I think she is seeing that a lot of people are asking questions, and they’re demanding answers,” Chavoya said. “And so, we would love for her to give us those answers.”
Those interested in updates concerning actions of the coalition can go to the Facebook page for MAARPR.


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52769164299_e49c048e5f_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 5, 2023

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Ron Smith


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 7 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 7, 2023
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
There will be no garbage or recycling pickups on Friday, April 7 in Milwaukee. You can review your collection schedule on the city’s website.
Share your talents with local artists at this open mic, featuring musician Nakara Forjé. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the open mic starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at LBJ Club, 2302 W. State St. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Green Fest MKE is a free showcase of environmental sustainability, weatherization, health and more. The festival will include workshops, lectures as well as entertainment, and runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Flores Hall, located at 2997 S. 20th St.
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Gardening veterans and newcomers are welcome to this free workshop on vegetable gardening to get you ready for spring. The workshop runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Havenwoods State Forest Auditorium, located at 6141 N. Hopkins St.
Write and perform your own poetry with the help of local poets,Kavon Cortez Jones, Nakeysha Roberts Washington and Portia Cobb. The poems will commemorate the “WaterMarker” pole installation at Green Tech Station. No prior poetry experience needed. This free event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Century City Tower, located at 4201 W. North Ave.
Bronzeville Collective MKE, a home to over 30 local creative brands, is hosting five small businesses for a pop-up event “for a mini market full of Black Girl Magic.” The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Bronzeville Collective MKE, located at 339 W. North Ave.

author: Sam Woods


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52798689459_b4b792d62e_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 6, 2023


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FREEEGGS | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 6, 2023


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: April 10 to April 14 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 10, 2023
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Forget Everything And Run, or F.E.A.R., is a diverse run crew organized by Social X MKE that aims to promote healthy lifestyles and build relationships with like-minded Milwaukeeans. This is a recurring event with runs occurring throughout the summer, but the new season kicks off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11 starting at Mobay Cafe, located at 1022 S. 1st St. There will be a post-run party with a happy hour and a live DJ. In case you missed it: NNS Spotlight: How one group provides a safe space for Milwaukee’s runners of color
Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa invites residents of the 8th Aldermanic District (primarily near South Side and Menomonee Valley west of South 21st Street) for an evening of coffee, pan dulce, conversations and games. The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 at Ascension Lutheran Church, located at 1236 S. Layton Blvd.
Lideres por la Salud and partners have organized a free community walk to help you warm up with the weather and connect with your neighbors. The walk takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Thursday, April 13, beginning and ending at Kosciuszko Park (Kozy Park) at the intersection of South 7th and West Grant streets.
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If you live in Harambee, you’re invited to this series of virtual feedback sessions on how to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood. You will receive $25 for each session you attend, plus an extra $10 if you bring a neighbor. This week’s session is the fifth and final session and runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 online via Zoom.
The Milwaukee Parks Foundation is seeking applications from groups with strong community ties, especially grassroots organizations, to submit their project ideas that “meaningfully serve their park and community.” The application deadline is Friday, April 14. Multiple ideas will be funded, with grants available from $500 to $10,000.


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49985093433_601bd64114_b-1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 9, 2023


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UMOS, partners launch new effort to stop labor trafficking in Wisconsin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
April 11, 2023
At some restaurant in the city, a victim of human labor trafficking could be preparing or serving your next meal.
“Human labor trafficking is absolutely happening in Milwaukee,” said Mariana Rodriguez, director of the Latina Resource Center at UMOS.
Rodriguez said many of the cases of labor trafficking in Milwaukee that her organization has worked on have been tied to the food and beverage industry.
“We’ve had restaurants and bars where they tend to recruit young women who are promised an hourly rate, but then only paid tips or not paid at all,” she said. “Some are also forced to share tips with others and are owed a lot of money.”
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UMOS and its partners hope to combat human labor trafficking with the help of a $5.1 million, three-year grant from Howard G. Buffet Foundation.
The funds, awarded to UMOS and its Wisconsin Labor Trafficking Project partners, which include the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, LOTUS Legal Clinic and The Women’s Community Inc., will be used to engage prosecutors, law enforcement, advocacy organizations and others to stem labor trafficking.
Rodriguez said there are several forms of exploitative tactics that are considered labor trafficking.
“Forced labor, bonded labor or debt bondage, where the laborers demand repayment of a loan by working it off and then don’t pay or pay very little,” she said.
The work is performed under the threat of punishment, which includes violence, being reported to immigration or other methods used to restrict freedom.
“It’s enslavement,” she said.
Benjamin Poller, a director of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, said labor trafficking has come into the light more in recent years in the state.
“There’s a lot more proactive efforts out there to educate the public and law enforcement on labor trafficking, so we’re starting to see more cases,” he said. “Sometimes we get multiple tips in an area.”
Although the project itself focuses primarily on workers in agricultural, dairy or carnival industries, this doesn’t mean that labor trafficking is limited to rural areas that are distant from Milwaukee.
“We’ve received tips about labor trafficking in Milwaukee and rural areas just outside of Milwaukee,” Poller said.
In some of those cases, labor trafficking crossed over into sex trafficking.
The restaurants “close and become after hours drinking establishments for VIP customers and then they force young girls to exchange sex for money,” Rodriguez said.
Another industry where labor and sex trafficking collide in Wisconsin is the massage industry, Rodriguez said.
In reality, though, she said, labor trafficking can occur in most any industry.
“It happens wherever there is a need to bring foreign workers to fill the gaps for jobs,” she said.
The goal of the partners is to create a more coordinated response to cases of labor trafficking, Rodriguez said. The effort includes the hiring and training of two new officers for the Department of Justice who will focus exclusively on tracking down cases of labor trafficking.
“It sounds like we have a large number of agents working on human trafficking, but we don’t,” Poller said. “The new agents will work proactively with state and federal law enforcement agencies to increase prosecutions.”
Poller said the new agents will receive training, as will other law enforcement agencies in the state, to help them understand the complexities of labor trafficking and also the specialized local and federal laws related to it.
In addition to finding victims, Poller said, is the need for coordination among several different agencies, as many also involve the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
The funds will allow the partners to hire a part-time prosecutor as well as  attorneys to help victims address immigration-related issues.
The grant will also be used to put more people on the ground to find and help victims.
“Taking a multidisciplinary approach makes efforts to combat labor trafficking more effective,” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said. “This grant increases the resources available to support victims and fight this serious crime.”
Victims of labor trafficking can get help by calling the UMOS 24-hour crisis line at 414-389-6510 or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

author: Edgar Mendez


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52797312422_cec67c67c1_b | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 10, 2023


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Posts From Community: $1,000 CNS Scholarship Opens April 17 for Milwaukee writers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Nyesha Stone
April 12, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
The CNS 2023 Loren Martin Hintz Travel Writing Scholarship will award $1,000 to a Milwaukee writer who submits the best essay on the theme, “If you could travel to one place you’ve never been, where would it be and why?”
This scholarship is an annual tribute to the award-winning career of Loren Martin Hintz, who traveled around the world capturing unique people and moments in words and photographs.
Applications open at 9 a.m. CST on April 17, 2023 at the link: https://bit.ly/cnstravelscholarship2023.
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Applications open on April 17, 2023, at 9 a.m. CST and will close on May 17, 2023 at 12 p.m. CST.
In order to apply, applicants must fit all requirements:

author: Nyesha Stone


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Posts From Community: Alverno Community Conference will focus on building a stronger Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Cole
April 12, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Alverno College will host its annual Community Conference on Friday, April 28, as part of the college’s Teach & Learn: Alum Reunion Weekend. This year’s theme is “Building a Stronger Milwaukee,” and participants will explore the challenges facing the city and potential solutions in regards to safety, education and community development. The conference will be held in-person with limited virtual options.
The event will begin with a keynote panel featuring three highly regarded community leaders. Panelists include:
The panel will be co-moderated by James Causey, an award-winning journalist and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who has spent more than 30 years generating community conversations on urban youth, mental health, employment, housing and incarceration; and Mei Ling Hansen, an Alverno College Doherty Scholar who is majoring in psychology with a minor in biology, and who is active on campus working as a peer leader, peer tutor and greenhouse lab assistant.
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The annual day of learning, which provides an opportunity for the extended Alverno community to share research, new initiatives and best practices, includes workshops, discussions and creative activities. Twelve breakout sessions will be offered on a variety of topics including affordable housing, urban agriculture, professional mentoring, non-binary and transgender rights, racial equity and more.
For more information about the 2023 Alverno Community Conference or to register, visit https://www.alverno.edu/community-conference#. Additional questions can be directed to the Alverno Assessment and Outreach Center at 414-382-6020 or alverno.outreach@alverno.edu.
The event is sponsored by the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation and the Dr. Mary Ann Schwartz & Dr. Richard Brewer Speaker Series.
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, music and liturgy, 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 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.

author: Kelly Cole


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CC_Logo_22_red-23.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 5, 2023

author: Name *


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Posts From Community: Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS brings Jamaican good vibes to First Stage this spring | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Cindy Moran
April 12, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Infectious reggae music, colorful costumes and sets bring the culture of Jamaica to life in the Todd Wehr Theater with First Stage’s production of Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS. This delightful play is based on the children’s book by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s daughter, and includes music and lyrics by Bob Marley and is adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt. Arrangements, orchestrations and additional music and lyrics are by John L. Cornelius, II. Ziggy is afraid to leave his house. He is too busy worrying about tropical storms, evil spirits and the sneaky, hair-grabbing trickster, Duppy. With the help of his feathered friends, Ziggy will learn that “every little thing is gonna be all right!” With music from the legendary reggae artist, audience members young and old will enjoy jammin’ with this timeless tale of peace and love.
Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS runs April 21 – May 21, 2023 at the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 N. Water Street, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at firststage.org. Performance runtime is approximately 70 minutes, which includes a brief intermission.
From Director Samantha D. Montgomery: “Ziggy is fearful about what might happen to him and this restricts him from living and enjoying the adventures of life. This play, Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS, adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt, encourages us to enjoy the adventures of life by not allowing our fears to stifle us. Instead, we must rebuild ourselves and overcome our fears by finding the strength within ourselves to make bravery our only choice.”
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Or as Debbie Minter Jackson with DC Theatre Scene commented: “Filled with powerful messages without resorting to maudlin sentimentality, Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS shows a youngster facing his deepest fears – who hasn’t feared that? But with friends and loving support (and terrific music), he discovers strengths that he didn’t even know he had – again, timeless life lessons applicable to all.”
BIOGRAPHIES
Cedella Marley (Author) is the first born of Bob and Rita Marley and a descendant of reggae royalty. She is an accomplished singer, an inspiring author, an adventurous fashion designer and visionary entrepreneur. The world first met Cedella as a singing and dancing teenager with The Melody Makers, the Marley sibling group featuring her younger brothers Ziggy and Stephen. The group toured the world establishing a new generation of Marley musical mystique, as they sold millions of albums and won three Grammy Awards. In 1993, Cedella was appointed as C.E.O. of Tuff Gong International, the group of companies now includes a renowned state of the art recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica, which is utilized by the island’s top reggae artists and producers, Marley’s sons and an array of international artists. Cedella is also an accomplished children’s book author, having written The Boy from Nine Miles (The Early Life of Bob Marley), Three Little Birds, One Love and Every Little Thing. Published by Chronicle Books in 2012 is Cedella’s Every Little Thingis adapted from the lyrics to her father’s beloved song Three Little Birds. Debuting in an Off-Broadway children’s play adaptation in 2014 this children’s book is a follow up to Chronicle’s widely successful earlier release of One Love. Adapted from one of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs, One Love brings the joyful spirit and unforgettable lyrics of his music to life for a new generation. This heartwarming picture book offers an upbeat testament to the amazing things that can happen when we all get together with one love in our hearts. To learn more about her creative and philanthropic work, visit: cedellamarley.com
Bob Marley (Music and Lyrics), born Robert Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), was a Jamaican singer, musician and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady as well as his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley’s contributions to music increased the visibility of Jamaica worldwide and made him a global figure in popular culture to this day. Over the course of his career, Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music and culture and identity and was controversial in his outspoken support for democratic social reforms. Bob Marley
Michael J. Bobbitt (Playwright) is an award-winning theater director, choreographer and playwright who has dedicated his professional career to arts leadership. He began his tenure as Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council in February 2021 and is the highest-ranking cultural official in Massachusetts. Bobbitt serves on the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Board of Directors, the National Assembly of State Arts Agency’s (NASAA) Board of Directors and was selected for artEquity’s BIPOC Leadership Circle. He is the former Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theater in Watertown, Massachusetts and the Adventure Theater in Maryland. Bobbitt gained extensive experience in nonprofit arts management by training at Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, The National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Program and Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program. As a director and choreographer, he has worked nationally and internationally. As a writer his plays have been published by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Publishing and Plays for Young Audiences. Bobbitt is the recipient of the Excel Leadership Award (Center for Nonprofit Advancement), the Emerging Leader Award (County Executive’s Excellence in the Arts and Humanities) and Person of the Year Award (Maryland Theatre Guide), along with eight Helen Hayes Awards.
Samantha D. Montgomery (Director/Director of Artistic Inclusion and Community Engagement) is a performance artist who is committed to the process of learning. She has worked in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings. Teaching is her passion, connectivity is her goal and working collaboratively in unity to nurture trust, acceptance, inclusion and community is her commitment. She has enjoyed working at First Stage as a Teaching Artist and is grateful for the opportunity to work as the Artistic Inclusion and Community Engagement Director. Samantha is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. She holds a BA from Alverno College in Professional Communication, a MS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Administrative Leadership and Supervision in Adult Education and a MA from Alverno College in Education.
Sonya Thompson (Choreographer) was born and raised in Jamaica. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old. Embedded in her soul are the traditional culturalisms of African people throughout the Caribbean Diaspora. She has an Associate’s Degree from MATC in Administrative Professional Applied Science and plans to pursue her Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in Criminal Justice.
ADULT
Cynthia Cobb* (Cedella/Montego/Spanish Bird/Great Aunt African Bird); James Carrington*(Duppy/Villager/Great Grandfather Spanish Bird); Ogunde Snelling (Dr. Bird); Brandite Reed (Understudy for Cynthia Cobb); Nicole McCarty (Understudy for James Carrington) and Sam Gist (Understudy for Ogunde Snelling).
*Appearing through an Agreement between First Stage and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
YOUNG PERFORMER CASTS
Young Performer roles are double cast. Young Performers in the Jamaican Owl Cast include: Reece Davis (Milwaukee) as Ziggy; Amirah Muhammad (Milwaukee) as Nansi and Maya O’Day-Biddle (Greenfield) as Tacoomah.
Young Performers in the Jamaican Becard Cast include: Julius Newman (Milwaukee) as Ziggy; Amira Harris (Milwaukee) as Nansi and Zoe Chambers (Milwaukee) as Tacoomah.
Please note: To find which cast is performing on a specific performance day, please refer to the website on the show page located here: firststage.org/events-tickets/2022-23-season/bob-marley-s-three-little-birds/
The Artistic & Creative Team for Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS includes: Samantha D. Montgomery (Director); Sonya Thompson (Choreographer); Benito Leatherwood (Music Director);Sydney Lynne Thomas (Scenic Designer); Erica Lauren Maholmes (Lighting Designer); Kenann Quander (Costume Designer); Kevin Alexander, USA (Sound Designer);
Madeline M. Scott* (Stage Manager) and Lauren Westfahl (Assistant Stage Manager).
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Tickets start at $18 – Tickets may be purchased at firststage.org or through the Marcus Center Box Office, in person at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee or by phone (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500. The number for TDD (for deaf and hard of hearing patrons) is (414) 273-3080.
COVID Protocols: First Stage no longer requires proof of vaccination upon arrival, and masks will be optional in the theater, unless the community level in Milwaukee County is rated in the High category, as determined by the CDC. First Stage COVID safety protocols and updates can be viewed here: firststage.org/covid-19-safety-protocols/ – performances
Security at the Marcus Performing Arts Center: Upon entry to the Todd Wehr Theater, attendees will walk through a security scanner to check for any items not permitted in the building. While purses and small bags are allowed, please leave larger bags, backpacks or other items at home. Review Security Procedures at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Please allow ample time for parking and security checks before the performance.
Digital Playbill: The digital playbill includes artistic/actor/designer and cast bios. To view the digital playbill when it gets posted closer to the show opening, please go to: firststage.org/about-us/media-center/playbills/
Please note: Please refer to the digital playbill for updates on any cast changes as well as for the appropriate pronouns for actors.
Enrichment Guide: An Enrichment Guide for the production can be found here:
firststage.org/media/jbhllq5g/threelittlebirds_enrichmentguide.pdf
Special events for Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS
Pay What You Choose Performance: Friday, April 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Pay What You Choose tickets are available on a first come, first served basis with a minimum suggested ticket price of $5 per person. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the performance. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early. Tickets may also be reserved in advance by phone at (414) 267-2961, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, please visit: firststage.org/events-tickets/tickets-offers/pay-what-you-choose/
Sensory Friendly Performance: Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.
A Sensory Friendly Performance with accommodations for families with children on the autism spectrum will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. Sensory accommodations include a quiet area staffed by an experienced educator, adjusted sound and lighting, and more. Tickets for Sensory Friendly Performances are $10. Order online or by phone at (414) 267-2961, weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to reserve tickets. To learn more visit: firststage.org/plan-your-visit/sensory-friendly-performances/.
ASL Interpreted Performance: Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.
This performance will be sign language interpreted for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Assistive listening devices are also available at the Todd Wehr Theater. To learn more, please visit: firststage.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility/sign-language-interpreted-performances/
FACT SHEET
About: Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS
Based on a story by Cedella Marley; Music and Lyrics by Bob Marley
Adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt
Arrangements, Orchestrations, Additional Music & Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II
Directed by Samantha D. Montgomery
Choreographed by Sonya Thompson of Ko-Thi Dance Company
Location: Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee
Live Performances: April 21 – May 21, 2023
Description: Ziggy’s afraid to leave the house. He’s too busy worrying about tropical storms, evil spirits and the sneaky, hair-grabbing trickster, Duppy. With the help of his feathered friends, Ziggy will learn that “every little thing is gonna be all right!” With music from the legendary reggae artist, get jammin’ with this timeless tale of peace and love. Performance runtime is approximately 70 minutes, which includes a brief intermission. Suggested for families with young people ages 3+.
Performances:
For more information, please visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.
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About First Stage
Founded in 1987, First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families, and a driving force behind the creation of the best and most innovative plays for family audiences, theater training programs for young people and education initiatives for its schools and community. First Stage ensures that all programming is not only accessible to its community but that it is reflective of the community it serves.
First Stage produces plays that honor the young person’s point of view, include diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices and inspire meaningful conversations. First Stage has presented more than 70 world premiere productions that address important subject matters relevant to today’s youth. The Theater Academy is one of the nation’s largest high-impact theater training programs for young people (3-18 years old). Through a challenging curriculum taught by professional teaching artists, the Academy nurtures life skills through stage skills and includes the Next Steps Program that tailors Theater Academy classes to the needs of young people on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education Programs cleverly blend theater activities with standard curriculum – allowing more than 10,000 students annually to learn traditional academic subjects through creativity and self-expression.
First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Milwaukee Arts Partners and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). firststage.org

author: Cindy Moran


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April 3, 2023


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Here’s where struggling Milwaukee renters can get help | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, , Rental assistance help, , , Other programs that help residents, Right to Counsel:, Housing Authority:, Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union:, Other resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
April 13, 2023
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that rental assistance help for low-income county residents is still available.
Renters, you don’t need to struggle alone.
There are plenty of organizations in Milwaukee that are willing to help you navigate any challenge.
Here are some resources you should know about:
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The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center is fully staffed and open to walk-ins for those in need
The center, which streamlines housing services and service providers in the city, is located at Community Advocates’ downtown location at 728 N. James Lovell St.
Maudwella Kirkendoll, the chief operating officer of Community Advocates, said walk-ins get same-day service from the organization’s general housing staff.
Officials can be contacted at info@renthelpmke.org or 414-895-RENT.
Community Advocates and the Social Development Commission are still providing rental assistance to low-income Milwaukee County residents who have experienced a financial hardship. The Social Development Commission also is open for walk-ins.
Here’s what you should read before you apply for help at Community Advocates
Here’s the application for Community Advocates
Here’s information on how to apply at the Social Development Commission
Here’s the Social Development Commission’s application
Although the deadline to apply for funds from the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program was Jan. 31, providers say other programs still exist.
Here are some:
Right to Counsel: The Right to Counsel or EvictionFreeMKE pilot program provides legal counsel to Milwaukeeans who make under 200% of the federal poverty line and are facing eviction.
You can call the hotline at 414-892-7368 or visit the website at EvictionFreeMKE.org.
Housing Authority:  The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee has wait lists for its properties.
Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union: The tenants union organizes to challenge evictions, makes tenants aware of their rights and sometimes takes on negligent landlords. You can contact it at intake@matunion.org or 414-410-9714.
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee: 414-727-5300
Mediate Milwaukee: 414-939-8800
Legal Action of Wisconsin: 855-947-2529
Take Root Milwaukee for assistance with mortgage issues/foreclosure: 414-921-4149


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Ron Smith
April 12, 2023


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Here’s how to keep your power on as April 15 deadline nears | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
April 13, 2023
The annual winter moratorium that prevents utility providers from disconnecting residential services for nonpayment ends on April 15.
This means thousands of Milwaukee residents could be without gas and electricity in their homes soon if they don’t act soon.
“Contact us today. It doesn’t matter how much you owe, you are at no risk of disconnection if you contact us,” said Brendan Conway, a spokesman for We Energies, which serves 278,000 customers in Milwaukee and 1.1 million statewide.
In 2022, 8,000 people were at risk for disconnection when the moratorium ended. The year before, the number was 12,000, Conway said.  In 2020, the moratorium was extended through Oct. 1 because of coronavirus concerns.
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A disconnection from utility services is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations,  including those who are very ill, very young or the elderly. A disconnection can make existing illnesses or conditions worse, as utility services are often essential for refrigerating medications, powering needed medical equipment and maintaining a safe temperature in the home, according to the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Another danger related to disconnections is the use of candles for light. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires from 2015 to 2019.
Conway said that We Energies has been sending letters and calling customers who are behind on their bill to urge them to set up a payment plan with the company or to direct them to other services for help.
“A disconnection always has been and always will be a last resort,” Conway said.
For those who don’t want to contact We Energies or are hesitant, there is also an option to set up a payment plan online.
“Don’t see that date on the calendar and start to get worried about it,” Conway said. “The sooner you contact us the better.”
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, or PSC, and the Department of Administration have also urged customers to work proactively to avoid a shutoff.
“Wisconsinites should start making a plan with their utility providers, but I encourage them to seek additional assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program and contact the Public Service Commission if more help is needed,”  PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq said.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin supports customers by resolving disputes with utilities regarding electric and natural gas service and other services. The commission can help with payment arrangements, disconnection of service and other billing and utility service concerns, Meghan Sovey, communications director for the PSC, said.
“The PSC remains committed to improving energy affordability and reducing Wisconsinites’ energy burden,” she said.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly referred to as the Energy Assistance Program or WHEAP, provided nearly $120 million in support for monthly utility expenses to more than 200,000 customers last fiscal year. This year, the program has already provided $83 million to more than 153,000 households.
WHEAP assistance involves a one-time payment during the heating season (Oct. 1-May 15) that covers a portion of energy costs. The amount of the energy assistance payment depends on household income and size, energy costs and other factors. To be eligible for energy assistance through WHEAP,  you must be at 60% of state median income or lower. Here’s more information about the WHEAP program.
You can apply for the Energy Assistance Program locally through UMOS and Community Advocates, two local nonprofits that provide a variety of services to residents. You can schedule an appointment, apply online , call 414-270-4653, or call 2-1-1 for assistance scheduling an appointment.
Residents can also access several other programs available to help, including the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund and the affiliated Heat and Housing for Heroes Campaign, which serves veterans and their families who need energy assistance. We Energies donated $4 million to that fund last year.
Conway said that one popular option to help We Energies customers avoid being overwhelmed when gas costs increase during the winter is a budget-billing option. Budget billing takes into account your average spending throughout the year and spreads it out evenly across each month. This option helps people know what to expect on their bill each month, although the average is recalculated each six months, he said.
More energy saving tips are available on the We Energies website.


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Ron Smith
April 3, 2023


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 14 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 14, 2023
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Starting on 414 Day and continuing through the weekend, 4Waukee (created by Radaya Ellis) leads a multimedia celebration of Milwaukee culture. The four-day event includes performances by Milwaukee artists such as Emmitt James and Ammorelle; a multimedia gallery exhibition; a movie screening; and community conversations. The event begins on Friday, April 14 and continues through Monday, April 17 at La Gente Art Gallery, located at 2478 N. Murray Ave. Tickets are $16 for a day pass and $40 for the whole weekend.
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges has organized a free “Sip and Paint” with a lunch provided and art kits to take home. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. The exact location will be texted to those who RSVP, but it will be in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood.
Muskego Way Forward has organized neighborhood cleanups at different sites in the Muskego Way neighborhood through April, and the group is looking for volunteers to help beautify the area. This weekend’s cleanup is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and begins at the corner of West Becher Street and South Muskego Avenue.
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MPS is offering a free overnight summer camp to MPS students currently enrolled in grades four through eight. Parents can learn more about the overnight summer camp at an information session taking place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center, located at 1130 N. 60th St.
Eleven years after Milwaukee-based poet Brit Nicole wrote her poem “Soulmate,” students from Arts @ Large have turned the poem into a short film by the same name. The film follows a young woman’s journey through poetry and art before attending an event where she meets her soulmate. You can see the film and meet Nicole and the student producers at the film’s premiere from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Arts @ Large, located at 1100 S. 5th St.
The Urban Ecology Center is looking for art from artists of all skill levels for an exhibition running from June 3 through August commemorating the 10th anniversary of Three Bridges Park., which is along the Menomonee River between South 27th and 37th streets. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 14.


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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Free in-person COVID-19 tests end in Wisconsin starting Saturday | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 14, 2023
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, or DHS, will no longer support its Community Testing Support Program, which allowed Wisconsin residents to access free rapid and PCR COVID-19 testing at sites throughout the state.
While you can still receive a limited number of free at-home tests through state and federal programs while supplies last, Wisconsin locations supported by the program will no longer offer free in-person testing as of Saturday, April 15.
The Community Testing Support Program began in 2021 to help local governments and community organizations provide free in-person COVID-19 testing.
To find in-person testing sites that will continue after Saturday, DHS officials said that it will continue to update its online site map with locations to receive COVID-19 testing. However, the site map will not indicate which sites have a fee associated with receiving a test.
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Before visiting a site, call to confirm the site’s hours or to make an appointment.
You can still receive free at-home tests shipped to your home without insurance:
These programs do not have a defined end date but will continue to send free tests while supplies last.


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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Happy 414 Day, Milwaukee: Spread the love and spread the news from Team NNS | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service staff
April 14, 2023
In tribute to Milwaukee’s area code, 414, 4/14 (April 14th) has become a day to celebrate and unite over everything that makes our city special and unique.
For the past 12 years, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service has provided a much-needed news alternative in our city’s most diverse and underserved neighborhoods—one that is in the community, with the community and by the community.  Our professional daily reporting provides trusted information while representing the voices, needs and interests of our city’s greatest asset – its people.
At NNS, we see YOU in Milwaukee, which drives our mission to paint a complete portrait of our neighbors..
Our community-centered reporting:
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This 414 Day, we thank you for being our neighbor in the city we love and for supporting us in the journey to make Milwaukee residents the most informed, connected and engaged.
This 414 Day,  spread the love for Milwaukee and spread the news – NNS and News 414!
Subscribe to our daily newsletter (and encourage your neighbors to do the same): Get the news you need to stay informed delivered to your inbox so you know what’s happening in Milwaukee with a free subscription today.
Share Your News Through Posts From Community, our free platform to submit news releases, short articles, and photos about issues and events.
Share Your Opinion through Community Voices: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service invites community members to submit opinion pieces of 500-800 words on topics of interest to central city Milwaukee. To send a submission for consideration, please email info@milwaukeenns.org. The views expressed are solely those of the authors.
Engage with Us through News 414: News 414 is a collaboration between Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Wisconsin Watch, in which we share information and respond to your questions and perspectives in whatever way is convenient for you — whether through email, social media, phone calls, in person or text. Those conversations power our journalism and inform us of what information and accountability Milwaukee residents want and need. Subscribe today by texting ‘MKE’ to 414-409-5831.
Donate and Give the Gift of News To Your Neighbor: NNS is an independent, nonprofit news outlet, so while our news is free for everyone to access,we would not exist without support from individuals and philanthropy. Your tax-deductible donation funds our journalists and newsroom operations so we can inform and transform Milwaukee’s underserved communities.


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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News414: We’re upgrading our texting service. Here’s what to know. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch
April 14, 2023
On this 414 Day, we have an update about News414.
For those unfamiliar, News414 is an initiative from NNS and the Wisconsin Watch in which we share information and respond to your questions and perspectives in whatever way is easiest for you — whether through email, social media, phone calls, in person or texting.
Texting creates two-way conversations with Milwaukee residents on issues ranging from food security, housing, employment, civil rights and public health — allowing us to share information you’ve asked for. Those conversations also power our journalism, helping us understand what information and accountability Milwaukee residents want and need.
About 1,300 people subscribe to our English-language service. More than 100 subscribe to our Spanish-language service.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Here’s what’s new: We just upgraded our texting technology.
We’re now working with a company called Subtext, which has helped many newsrooms connect with residents through texting. On our end, the switch makes texting a little smoother and easier to monitor. On your end, not much should change — other than the number where you can reach us.
We can no longer respond to texts to our old number (73224). Previous subscribers will receive  a text alerting them of the change.
You can sign up for the texting service or enter your cell number in the sign up box below. An automated text from a 414 number will welcome you to News414 and instruct you on how to finish signing up. Please save that number in your phone and text us there if you ever want to connect with a reporter.
Or you can sign up by texting the letters MKE to the number 414-409-5831. You will automatically get a welcome message from a 414 number. Save that number in your phone for future texting.
Three years into News414, we’ve learned so much from what you’ve shared through News414. You’ve helped us better understand community needs around food access, housing, public health, transportation and more. You’ve inspired dozens of stories, ranging from resource lists to investigations.
Those include an examination of a Milwaukee Area Technical College’s attempts to better serve Black and Latino students. Separately, we documented tenants’ long waits for rental assistance, and one story examined how the state was giving undocumented immigrant renters mixed signals about whether they qualified for aid.
News414 chats inspired our 2021 story about residents who struggled to navigate a confusing federal funeral assistance program after loved ones died of COVID-19. One resident received compensation for her father’s funeral shortly after we published details about her long wait.
Also in 2021, News414 connected a Milwaukee landlord with information about her tenant’s rental assistance application, helping to prevent an eviction
Last summer, we investigated Milwaukee’s lack of investment in cooling aid after several residents asked where to find affordable air conditioners. We learned that about 36,500 Milwaukeeans lack air conditioning and government agencies and nonprofits offer little help. But we also learned that Eras Senior Network, serving older adults of Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, is trying to fix that for older Milwaukeeans.
You alerted us early to a baby formula shortage that began in early 2022 and is still not completely over. That helped us learn that market consolidation and contracting practices left Wisconsin and other states vulnerable to a shortage.
The list goes on, and it will keep getting longer the more we hear from you. So please keep asking questions and letting us know what our journalism — and our communities —  should look like.

author: Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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Ron Smith
April 13, 2023


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April 13, 2023


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April 13, 2023


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: April 17 to April 21 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 17, 2023
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Carvd N Stone, a weekly source of positive news founded by Nyesha Stone, is offering a $1,000 travel writing scholarship for a Milwaukee writer from the  ages of 17 to 28. The application process begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 17.  From the archives: NNS Spotlight: Meet the woman behind Milwaukee’s newest source for positive news
The deadline this year for filing your taxes is Tuesday, April 18. If you made under $66,000, you can get free help with filing your taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
MATC and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges are hosting a job training program as part of MATC’s electrical power distribution and line mechanic training program. Line mechanic salaries start at over $60,000. You can learn more at an information session from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18 at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges’ office, located at 3624 W. North Ave.
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Meet MPS staff and learn more about MPS after-school and recreation programs, college and career preparation, early childhood programs and more. This event is part of MPS’ 53206 Initiative. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 at Andrew S. Douglas Middle School, located at 3620 N. 18th St.
Milwaukee youths ages 13 through 18 are encouraged to submit an original poem online for the 2023 Teen Poetry Contest between now and Friday, April 21. The contest is sponsored by Milwaukee Public Library. There will be prizes for three age categories (13-14, 15-16 and 17-18.) Visit mpl.org/PoetryContest for contest rules and resources.


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Ron Smith
April 16, 2023


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Groups urge We Energies to end shut-offs for nonpayment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 18, 2023
The annual winter moratorium of utility disconnections ended on Saturday. This means We Energies can now legally disconnect residential power for nonpayment.
However, several community groups are urging We Energies not to shut off utilities for nonpayment because of rising prices on other necessities such as food and rent.
For instance, at a protest outside the We Energies location at 3100 W. North Ave. two days before the moratorium ended, groups such as North Side Rising, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Green Muslims and Faith in Place urged residents to “fight for our lights” to a continual chorus of horns from passing cars.
Earlier in the day, the groups circulated an open letter to the We Energies Board of Directors that called for a commitment “to dramatically decreasing the number of electric shutoffs” and for measures to reduce rates, weatherize old homes and provide energy efficient alternatives such as solar to Milwaukee homes.
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The end of the moratorium marks the first time We Energies and other utilities in Wisconsin can lawfully disconnect utilities for nonpayment since an 11% residential rate increase went into effect in January.
In Milwaukee, the rate increase was unpopular. A majority of speakers at community listening sessions spoke against it, while primarily shareholders or nonprofit groups that receive funding from We Energies spoke in favor. The City of Milwaukee also formally filed a statement against the rate increases.
Brendan Conway, a spokesman for We Energies, said the utility company has helped customers behind on their bills by sending $4 million to the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund, and that there is energy assistance available through the state.
Conway also noted that customers can enter a payment plan if they are worried about paying their energy bill.
“Any customer concerned about their bill should contact us right away. Customers who enter into a payment plan are not at risk of disconnection,” he said.
Keviea Guiden, energy burden organizer at Citizen Action Wisconsin, led the protest outside of We Energies’ Metcalfe Park location and is one of those who signed the letter. She noted that utilities are not the only bills increasing, pointing to rising costs of rent, food, car insurance and recent cuts to FoodShare that have increased traffic at food pantries.
This results in an often unmanageable burden on low-income residents, seniors and those on a fixed income, she said.
“These prices are outrageous, and how are we to pay these prices when there’s no change in income?” Guiden asked.
Geneva Jones said that a recent utility bill for her Lindsay Heights home was $499. Because of their age, many homes in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood aren’t efficiently weatherized, leading to expensive utility bills like this one.
For Jones, a bill this large makes it difficult to also pay her bills for other necessities. This leads to her juggling bills month to month to keep the lights on, a roof over her head and food in the pantry.
“In the energy-burdened community, we juggle bills to make sure everyone gets paid,” she said.
Maria Beltran, who also lives in Lindsay Heights, said disconnections also affect a person’s health.
Beltran sleeps with a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine. This machine relies on electricity, and without it, Beltran fears what might happen after she goes to sleep.
“I don’t want to die in the middle of night,” she said.
Tips on what to do if faced with an energy shut-off.


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Ron Smith
April 17, 2023


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In new role, Judge Derek Mosley wants to get us talking | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
April 19, 2023
Civil discourse for the purpose of enhancing understanding of public matters and concerns is lacking in Milwaukee and elsewhere.
That’s according to Derek Mosley, the former Municipal Court judge who now serves as director of Marquette University Law School’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education.
“The Lubar Center is a place where we’re going to have those interactions,” he said. “That’s my goal, to break down barriers and get people talking.”
Rather than the arguments typical in conversations among those with different viewpoints, Mosley said he wants to see intelligent civil discourse.  Doing so, he believes, will help bring people from different neighborhoods and experiences together to hash things out and work together.
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“We’re not advocates, but we are a convener of people and want them to get together to talk,” he said. “We’re all humans.”
The Lubar Center supports the Marquette Law School Poll, which gives insight on local and national elections and other public policy issues; conducts its own research on water law, housing trends, redistricting and other topics; and hosts public events such as the popular “On the Issues.”
With Mosley at the helm, the center has diversified its offerings. In February, for example, it sponsored “For the Soul: A Narrated Food Tasting and Conversation,” at Turning Tables Tavern & Eatery at Turner Hall.
That event, co-sponsored by America’s Black Holocaust Museum and Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens, featured cuisine prepared by several local Black chefs and gave participants the opportunity to explore the rich influence of African American food on American cuisine.
Emilio De Torre, executive director of the Milwaukee Turners, said the event reflects Mosley’s passion for bringing people together.  Milwaukee Turners provides a downtown space for the community to practice the development of sound minds and bodies at Turner Hall.
“It’s the idea of placemaking and gathering around meals,” De Torre said. “He’s wedding together the idea of building relationships and fostering friendships by breaking bread.”
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he is excited to see Mosley in this role.
“I’m eager to see how he will continue to positively impact our greater Milwaukee community as well as be a national voice in this, the next chapter of his illustrious career,” Crowley said.
Although Mosley can almost be considered synonymous with Milwaukee, it isn’t his hometown. He was born in Chicago. His father was an engineer for Illinois Bell, and his mother was an administrative assistant at Governors State University. He left the city to earn his undergraduate degree in Iowa.
As for why he went to law school, that decision was made because of a TV show and specifically a character on that show. While watching “L.A. Law,” he was introduced to a character named Jonathan Rollins, played by Blair Underwood.
“There’s Black lawyers!” he recalled thinking at the time.
He would eventually earn a full-ride scholarship to Marquette University Law School. There he would meet his future wife, Kelly L. Cochrane, also a graduate of the law school.
He was hired as an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee County, representing the state in more than 1,000 criminal prosecutions while also delving deep into the community outreach work.
His mentor during the time was Louis B. Butler, who was a Municipal Court judge in Milwaukee. Butler, who would eventually be appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, also served as a Wisconsin Circuit Court judge.
Before he moved on, he urged Mosley to run for his  Municipal Court job. Mosley would serve as a judge in Municipal Court for the next 20 years.
Mosley, who joined Marquette in January, said this is the work he’s always wanted to do from the bench.
And although his role as an impartial judge prevented his advocacy on some issues, his impact on Milwaukee cannot be denied.
During his time as an assistant district attorney, Mosley founded the Community Prosecution Units, which deal with urban blight and other quality-of-life issues; set up after-school programs; conducted outreach to homeless and justice-involved residents; and created events such as Warrant Withdrawal Wednesdays. He also served on the board of numerous organizations, including Safe & Sound.
Bridget Whitaker, executive director of Safe & Sound said Mosley assisted the board in numerous ways.
He “has always had a way of helping us lean into our missions, which for us is empowering people and creating a safer neighborhood,” she said. “It’s something that he did while in the courtroom and beyond by sharing helpful resources, helping others learn the system and residents understand what the courts are all about.”
In addition to that work, Mosley has always made it a point to reach out to youths. It’s something he made a point to do early in his career as a prosecutor, when he met a young man who had a small case but hung out with a bad crew, he said.
“His mom stopped me and said: ‘Would you mentor my son?’ So she gave me her card,” he said. “I put the card on my desk but never picked it up again.”
A few months later, as he read the paper, he learned that the young man in his courtroom had been murdered — not because of something he did but what he saw.
“I called her and promised her that I would never do that again,” Mosley said.
Since then, he’s served as a mentor to countless youths, showing up at schools in his robe to let students know that they can achieve their dreams.
“I was trying to normalize Black men in robes,” he said. “In society, we normalize Black men in orange jumpsuits.”
Although Mosley acknowledges that there are many issues plaguing Milwaukee, he does see hope. To move forward, he said the city will need to build a great education system for all and create access to family-sustaining jobs.
To do so, he believes there needs to be greater collaboration between the city and state.
“Once people from other places sit down with people from Milwaukee, or anywhere else, we realize that we’re the same and we care about the same things,” he said. “It’s really easy to sit back and throw stones, but if we engage, we can find out why things are the way they are.”
“We don’t live in the same neighborhoods, but we’re all humans of Milwaukee,” he said.


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Ron Smith
April 18, 2023


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OPINION: Milwaukee has the rare chance to address the climate crisis. Let’s not blow it. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
David Libert
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Milwaukee has a once-in-a-generation window to think big and work with residents to increase the creativity, opportunity and joy in our central city neighborhoods.
What would you like to see in your neighborhood?
Something else?
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In 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and has since begun investing $550 billion to improve the physical condition of communities.
This investment promises to do many things at once.
It will address the “climate crisis”— the changing weather patterns that put neighborhoods at increased risk of natural disaster — by investing in environmentally friendly projects.
Funding will support the rebuilding of America’s roads, bridges and rails; expanded access to clean drinking water; high-speed broadband access; electric vehicle chargers; and more.
This infrastructure investment is on top of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which provides billions of additional dollars for tax credits, rebates and grants to promote consumer adoption and business manufacturing of cleaner energy technologies.
The Inflation Reduction Act includes a national total of $3 billion for Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants for community-led projects and another $3 billion in Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants for affordable transportation access in disadvantaged communities.
New green jobs will be created through these laws that pay living wages and offer new career pathways. The Biden administration has promised that these investments will focus on equity by making sure communities that “too often been left behind” benefit.
In fact, the Biden administration started the Justice40 Initiative to ensure that at least 40% of these funds directly help residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods.
So, how will this funding be spent to help you and your neighborhood?
As of February, $2.8 billion of the Infrastructure Act funding has been allocated to Wisconsin and has supported 170 projects with more than 85% going to  roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports.
Remaining funds have supported projects such as clean water access through the replacement of lead pipe laterals and resident discounts for internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Total federal infrastructure funding to Wisconsin will exceed $5 billion over five years to fund project areas such as “brownfield” pollution cleanup, weatherization initiatives, public transit efficiency (e.g. clean buses) and electric vehicle charging stations.
Gov. Tony Evers recently proposed that, over the next two years, state funding should support new projects such as a Southeast Wisconsin Green Jobs Corps, a clean energy and small business incubator, and other projects that will create 40,000 new jobs by 2030.
These state-level investments have only been proposedas part of the 2023-’25 budget and must be approved through the budget process that includes assent by the Republican-led legislature.
Many questions remain:
Of course, similar projects and investments have been made in the past and have notresulted in transformation. It is clear that “business as usual” approaches — simply increasing funding of existing programs — are unlikely to achieve greater climate equity.
Examples exist, however, of innovative projects and new ways to directly engage residents that are transforming lives, neighborhoods and economic realities.
The window of opportunity has already begun to close, however.
You can make a difference.
You will have the opportunity to participate in upcoming public hearings and share how you think state funding should be spent.
The Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy is working to develop reporting tools and gather resident input to ensure that communities like yours benefit from federal funds.
Your voice and ideas can help to ensure that this once in a generation investment makes a big difference in your community.
I hope you will join me in investigating existing projects and new ideas that will help us increase the creativity, opportunity and joy in Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods.
David Libert is a Milwaukee resident, educator, nonprofit consultant and talent recruiter. You can contact him at dplibert76@gmail.com or 414-331-4113 to share stories and ideas about the people, programs and projects you like or want to see in your neighborhood.

author: David Libert


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Ron Smith
April 19, 2023


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Ron Smith
April 19, 2023


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Post From Community: 2023 Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Symphony Swan
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
BlackSpaceMKE is an urban art cooperative with a basic principle of spreading the message about cooperative economics. In an effort to raise awareness about social entrepreneurship and garner support of Black owned businesses, BlankSpaceMKE has established Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week. The week will take place Tuesday, April 25, 2023 through Sunday, April 30, 2023.
For the past 8 years BlankSpaceMke (founded by Black women Bridget Whitaker & Symphony Zawadi) have launched a week dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurship of our locally Black owned restaurants and want to direct patrons to  support those eateries. We have done this at no cost to the restaurant owner! This is a grassroots effort to engage Milwaukee in helping create practical strategies around building wealth in our community. The goal is to increase social entrepreneurship and support the sustainability of local businesses – specifically Black owned businesses.
This year, there are over a dozen Black owned restaurants who have signed up to participate and featured in this cooperative economics project. Black restaurant owners who are excited about being highlighted for their creative food art and who desire to welcome new customers across the city to celebrate the culture.
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Black Restaurant Week is not a new project. Cities across the country often host an annual restaurant or dining week during which they offer deals or menu specials to bring in new customers. BlankSpaceMKE hosts have decided to bring the same movement to the city of Milwaukee. In this project, we hope to direct attention to thriving restaurants that could benefit from the exposure and marketing.
To kick off the week of good eats – families and stakeholders are invited to The Sherman Phoenix located at 3536 West Fond du Lac Avenue on Tuesday, April 25 between 3pm – 7pm to patronize the Black own restaurants within this marketplace as a way to celebrate the 8 year of Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week and to learn more about how to further support the project.
Over the past eight years, participating restaurants realized a significant sales increase (some almost doubling in daily sales amidst a very uncertain and challenging time for small business owners). The surge in media attention and the boost of new customers that placed orders for dine-in, curbside and delivery helped tremendously keep the doors open of many restaurants listed in our lineup today.
We have researched local Black owned restaurants and asked them to allow us to include them in the project. With their permission, we use data collection from the week to demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperative economics and the significance of the local dollar to sustain businesses.
We then ask residents of Milwaukee and surrounding communities to visit one or more restaurants on the list. Patronize! Spend money! Eat good food! And document your attendance by “checking in” on social media using the hashtag #MkeBRW23 and taking a photo of your receipt. We also ask that customers will share their experience using the power of social media to help raise awareness about these businesses. We track all of this data for our final community report.
*It is important to note that this year’s lineup is a reflection of those business owners that signed up to participate as a featured Black owned restaurant for the week. We acknowledge that there are dozens of other Black owned restaurants that were unable to participate at this time.
BlankSpaceMKE is an urban art cooperative aimed at empowering the community to work together to strengthen values of entrepreneurship by way of fundamental cooperative economics. We believe that a community motivated to invest in themselves while embracing models of shared collective consciousness can build relationships that will sustain business and improve socio economic conditions. At the intersection of art and activism – BlankSpaceMke has curated projects to illustrate the power of artists working together to build community.
For more information about BlankSpaceMKE’s Black Restaurant Week including a lineup of restaurants visit us at https://blankspacemke.weebly.com/ or contact us at blankspacemke@gmail.com.

author: Symphony Swan


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April 14, 2023


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Post From Community: Alverno College Names Christy L. Brown, J.D. as its Ninth President | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Cole
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Alverno College’s Board of Trustees announced today (April 19, 2023), they have unanimously selected Milwaukee native and local executive Christy L. Brown, J.D. as the College’s ninth president. She succeeds Sister Andrea Lee, IHM, Ph.D. who ended her service in June 2022.
Brown has served as Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) since 2012. With more than 17,000 members, GSWISE provides programming in seven area counties designed to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
“I see a comparable goal in Alverno’s mission to prepare women for personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world,” Brown said. “To lead Alverno College — embracing its unique identity, Franciscan values, dedication to women’s education and commitment to social justice, inclusion and equity — will be a privilege and extraordinary opportunity to continue to impact the city from which I come.”
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Brown starts her term July 5. Building on Alverno’s strengths, she will drive academic excellence and innovation, continue to attract courageous and forward-thinking students who look to develop themselves and contribute to their communities, and expand Alverno’s national and international reputation.
“Christy brings to Alverno a unique mix of higher education and mission-driven expertise focused on girls and young women’s leadership development,” said Katherine M. Hudson, Chair of Alverno’s Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee Co-Chair. “She is a dynamic, inspirational and transformational leader with more than two decades of results advancing organizational mission, vision and values while achieving unprecedented operational outcomes.”
Prior to joining GSWISE, Brown served as Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administrative Affairs, at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2007 to 2012 and as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Milwaukee Area Technical College from 2002 to 2007. She also served as Vice President, South East Region and Corporate Counsel, for Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan from 1997 to 2002, and as an Associate Attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich from 1994 to 1997.
Brown is a member of The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Board of Trustees and the Duke Law Alumnae Leadership Council, which is a select group of women graduates that advise on issues that impact women students and alumnae. She has also held leadership and membership roles at several other state and local organizations, including serving as past member of the Carroll University Board of Trustees and as a past appointee of the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board.
Brown has received numerous awards and honors including the TEMPO Mentor Award, the Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence (Inspiration) award and the Women and Girls Fund Women of Distinction award.
Like many Alverno students, Brown was a first-generation college student. She graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1987. With a passion for learning and scholarly achievement, she then pursued a joint-degree graduate program earning in 1994 both her Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and a Master of Arts in Humanities with a focus on African American History and Women’s Studies from Duke University Graduate School.
Brown’s appointment concludes a nine-month national search led by the nine-member Presidential Search Committee comprised of Alverno trustees, faculty, staff and alumnae. Spencer Stuart, a global executive search and leadership consulting firm, assisted Alverno with the search process.
“Known both locally and nationally as a passionate advocate for girls and women, we can’t wait to welcome Christy to Alverno,” Hudson said. “We look forward Christy’s visionary and strategic leadership as we embark on the 2023-2024 academic year and celebrate the 50 anniversary of Alverno’s innovative and revolutionary ‘8 Abilities’-based curriculum, which is the foundation of the Alverno experience.”
Brown’s inauguration ceremony is planned for next spring as part of Alverno’s annual Founders Day Celebration programming. To view Brown’s curriculum vitae, photos and more, please visit alverno.edu/Alverno-President.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis which promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. 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.


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April 19, 2023


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Post From Community: Groundwork Milwaukee Kicks Off Growing Season On Earth Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Michelle Dobbs
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
A local nonprofit, Groundwork Milwaukee, is celebrating community gardening from April 22nd-29th, 2023 with Garden Week 2023. The Milwaukee Grows Garden Network (MGGN), a constellation of more than 80 active community gardens across the city, will get a boost from dozens of volunteers as they tend to several of the network’s most active gardens. They’ll be building new beds, setting up water harvesting structures, and prepping the soil for use in the coming growing season.
Last year, the MGGN mobilized 3230 community members  to serve as civic stewards to maintain  acres of green open space or park land in the city of Milwaukee. Each of these gardens was  started and maintained by ambitious residents with a desire to activate unused space in their neighborhoods. Most of the gardens are just that, gardens, with fresh produce growing in raised garden beds while others serve as Healing Spaces, recreational greenspace while  still others function as full-scale farms. Groundwork collaborates with gardeners to provide legal and safe access to city-owned vacant space, materials and labor for garden builds and maintenance,  and planning and training of health-based educational and recreational programming in the gardens.
Groundwork crews will  start the party with Milwaukee River Keepers by joining the 28th annual river clean up on April 22nd, and then send teams of volunteers out to help the neighbors in Community Gardens across the city. They’ll be building and maintaining  ten greenspaces including their own showpiece, Kilbourn Community Gardens.
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Groundwork Milwaukee has garden beds available to rent at their Kilbourn Garden location, beginning April 12, 2023. Visit their website at www.groundworkmke.org/ for more information about how to get involved at Kilbourn Park or to find a Groundwork community garden in your neighborhood.
Groundwork Milwaukee is a local nonprofit that works to bring about sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being. Groundwork Milwaukee achieves this mission through the transformation of brownfields and vacant lots into community gardens, and through the education and training of at-risk youth to become environmental professionals in their communities.
For more information about Groundwork Milwaukee’s programs, visit: http://www.groundworkmke.org/
For more information about Groundwork Milwaukee’s current events, please visit our Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GroundworkMKE/.
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author: Michelle Dobbs


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Post From Community: Meet & Greet with UBUNTU on April 22nd | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Koren Dennison
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
YOU’RE INVITED! We are pleased to invite you to a Meet & Greet event on April 22, 1- 3 p.m., at Milwaukee Public Library Atkinson Branch, hosted by UBUNTU in partnership with University of Wisconsin-Madison’s researchers, Mike, Lillie, and Todd. They have recently been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) federal grant to partner with Black Wisconsin Communities to understand how we all talk about issues that involve science.
Their research has focused on health communication in Black communities and communication about scientific issues. We believe that their work is important, and we are excited to support them in this effort.
Lunch from Uppa Yard will be provided, and we will have time for networking and informal conversation.
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The purpose of this event is for you to get to know Mike, Lillie, and Todd, and for them to get to know you. They want to understand your perspectives and needs as it relates to science information, and talk with you about how their work could benefit you and the Black communities of Wisconsin.
We hope that you will join us at this event to start getting to know each other and to help us understand how to make participation meaningful for everyone who may choose to help us in this important effort.

author: Koren Dennison


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April 17, 2023


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Post From Community: Nativity Jesuit Academy Receives $500,000 Donation to Bolster Graduates’ Success | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Emily Keuter
April 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Nativity Jesuit Academy, a K4-8th grade Catholic, Jesuit school on the near southside of Milwaukee, received a $500,000 donation from Anne Kebisek Dudek. This transformational donation is the cornerstone of an endowment that will ensure that all Nativity graduates have the ability to attend the Catholic high school of their choice, regardless of their family’s financial abilities.
This gift was made in loving memory of Kebisek Dudek’s late husband, John “JD” Dudek, and in honor of their close friend and co-founder of Nativity, Larry Siewert. While this gift mirrors JD’s legacy of hope and persistence, it also amplifies Kebisek Dudek’s passion to give back to the Milwaukee community by providing access to exceptional academic pathways.
While at Nativity, 97% of students qualify for a School Choice voucher; the transition into a Catholic high school is their first time leaving a tuition-free experience. When Nativity students look to enroll in area Catholic high schools, they often enter a highly competitive lottery to receive a Choice seat. For some Catholic high schools, the number of accepted students who qualify greatly exceeds the available Choice seats per class. If a student does not receive a Choice seat, Catholic high schools step up to provide incredibly generous financial aid packages, but the remaining balance (typically in the $3,000-$7,000 range) remains a significant barrier to enrollment. Most Nativity students come from the 53215 zip code, which has a median household income of $41,810.
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Kebisek Dudek’s gift is part of Nativity’s initiative to build an endowment, ensuring high school tuition assistance and wraparound support for Nativity graduates in perpetuity. Nativity is currently at $2,054,742 towards its $4 million endowment goal. Kebisek Dudek’s generosity bolsters the legacy of financial support that Nativity has provided to its students and graduates since its founding nearly 30 years ago.
“This gift unburdens Nativity graduates and their families of the struggle of meeting the demands for high school tuition as well as day to day living expenses,” reflects Kebisek Dudek. “I want Nativity students to be able to fully immerse themselves in the top Catholic high schools in the Milwaukee area without worrying about the financial impact on their family. It reflects J.D.’s life experience that we all rely on the bonds of friendship and love to carry us through life.”
With this gift, Nativity students will build upon their education from one of the top-performing K-8 schools in Milwaukee at some of the most academically rigorous schools in the Milwaukee area.
“Anne stepped into Nativity’s mission with a rush of intentionality and care, all focused on what is best for our students,” Nativity President Vanessa Solis said. “Anne’s depth of generosity unlocks doors of opportunity to ensure that Nativity students can continue their journey of Catholic education at the best high schools in our community. We cannot thank Anne enough for creating this legacy of hope for Nativity graduates.”
Nativity Jesuit Academy is a K4-8 co-ed Catholic, Jesuit, urban school serving young men and women since 1993 on the near southside of Milwaukee. Nativity prepares its students, in partnership with their families, for lives of Christian leadership and service. During the current school year, Nativity serves 258 K4-8th grade students and 99 high school-aged alumni through their graduate support program. 100% of Nativity students identify as Latino and 97% of students qualify for participation in the School Choice voucher program. Through its unique and proven model of education, Nativity strives to be a “mission that does more” to serve students and families on the southside of Milwaukee.

author: Emily Keuter


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 21 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 21, 2023
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Walker’s Point Center for the Arts is celebrating two new exhibitions at this opening reception. “Electric Eclectic III” is a collection of photos from 20 southeastern Wisconsin photographers, while Mi Salgado’s feature exhibition “shares reflections of culture, the inspiration of flora and fauna and the collection of human temperament.” The opening reception for both exhibition’s runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 21 at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts, located at 839 S. 5th St.
“Peace in the beat of the drum” is a free all-day event of Latin, African American music and storytelling that seeks to inspire “a message of peace in Milwaukee.” The event starts at noon at City Hall, located at 200 E. Wells St., and continues with a “Gran Fiesta” at 7 p.m. at South Division High School, located at 1515 W. Lapham Blvd.
Earth Day is Saturday, and you can celebrate by volunteering to pick up litter and beautify your local area. Milwaukee Riverkeeper has organized cleanups at over 80 locations through Saturday, April 22.
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Before or after volunteering with Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Red Bike and Green invites you on another Earth Day mission. The assignment starts with a community clean up at 10 a.m. in Johnsons Park, located at 1919 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., before embarking on a community bicycle ride to the “Rock the Green” Earth Day celebration at Harley-Davidson Museum, located at 400 W. Canal St.
April is national poetry month, and Safe & Sound is celebrating by hosting It Takes a Village Youth Open Mic. Youths ages 18 and younger are invited to share their poetry from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 23 at Safe & Sound, located at 4422 W. Leon Terrace.
Do you have an old TV or monitor sitting around? Usually recycling these items costs a fee, but you can recycle them for free from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 at 5311 S. 9th St.


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Ron Smith
April 20, 2023


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: April 24 to April 28 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
April 24, 2023
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Urban Ecology Center is turning Earth Day into Earth Week with a host of events that include trash pickups, uprooting invasive plants, garden bed prep and more. There are events everyday through Saturday, April 29 at Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside Park, Menomonee Valley and Washington Park locations.
The Fresh Food Access Fund is a grant opportunity from the city government that “provides financial support to activities that increase fresh food access in underserved communities.” The grant is available to for-profit businesses and nonprofits. Here’s more information about the fund, and you can attend a webinar from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25.  Register to attend here.
Residents of the 15th Aldermanic District are invited on this walk with Ald. Russell Stamper III as an opportunity to speak directly to him about your neighborhood. The walk begins at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 at the corner of North 21st and West Clarke streets.
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CORE El Centro, a bilingual provider of affordable health care and wellness, has hired Vanessa L. Llanas as its new executive director. Meet Llanas;  co-founder Madeline Gianforte; and the staff and board of directors at this informal meet-and-greet from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 at CORE El Centro, located at 130 W. Bruce St. on the third floor. Refreshments will be provided.
La Revo Books and partners are hosting a book signing and discussion with Angel Aviles, who played “Sad Girl” in the 1993 film “Mi Vida Loca.” 30 years after the film, Aviles has written “Too Happy to be Sad Girl: Surviving Sadness, Ditching Anxiety and Learning to Thrive,” a self-help memoir that juxtaposes her real-life outlook with her on-screen character. The free discussion and book signing takes place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28 at Alverno College, located at 4100 W. Morgan Ave.


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52835576395_a2fc3e5cd6_b | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 23, 2023