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Post for Community: YMCA calls on city to come together to advance equity on MLK Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
January 15, 2021
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.
In the wake of national and local civil unrest, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is asking Milwaukee to come together for change during the state’s largest Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event, in remembrance of Dr. King’s famous words:
Guests can join top Milwaukee leaders beginning Monday, Jan. 18 to advance health and education equity across the city by engaging in virtual sessions, meaningful discussion, networking and more while honoring Dr. King, local service organizations, and winners of the YMCA’s student spoken word contest. This is the first year the popular annual event will be digital, and follow-up discussions about social determinants of health will continue throughout the week.
“It’s worth remembering, now more than ever, Dr. King’s legacy and his commitment to social change,” said Shaneé Jenkins, VP of Social Responsibility at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “The Y has been building a community network around action, and this event brings key voices to the table to shape the future of health and education equity in our city. It’s everyone’s chance to take a meaningful part in some of our most critical issues.”
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Alongside guests like Kevin Washington, President and CEO of the YMCA of the USA, and other key local leaders, attendees can:
Another attendee-favorite highlight will return: Presentations from student winners of the YMCA’s spoken word contest. Attendees are encouraged to digitally commend the kids as they share their pieces.
Top health organizations like Advocate Aurora, Froedtert Medical College of Wisconsin and GE Healthcare will join business leaders from Northwestern Mutual, Potawatomi, and other companies to connect and strengthen equity efforts across different sectors of the city.
Tickets start at $25, which goes toward the Y’s integrated efforts in health, education and equity. Organizations that want to strengthen their presence can sponsor or buy groups of tickets for their teams. The community can learn more about the event at ymcamke.org/about-us/mlk-celebration.

author: YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee


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Screen-Shot-2021-01-12-at-7.01.16-PM.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
January 12, 2021

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: January 12, 2021

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

author: Name *


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Post from Community: 41,000+ men pledge to fight human trafficking | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Convergence Resource Center
January 15, 2021
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 men’s movement to oppose human trafficking continues to gain momentum, six weeks after launching. As of yesterday, more than 41,350 men in Wisconsin and seven other states have taken the HEMAD pledge to stand against human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of adults and children.
HEMAD (Human trafficking Educators working with Men and boys to stand Against the Demand) is a program of Convergence Resource Center (CRC), a faith-based nonprofit community service organization helping women rebuild their lives after trauma with an emphasis on justice-involved women and female survivors of human trafficking.
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“Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and January is recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month,” said CRC co-founder and CEO Debbie Lassiter. “HEMAD helps raise awareness of this horrible crime and provides a mechanism for men to take a stand and influence other men to lessen the demand for the sexual exploitation of women, girls, and boys.”
The HEMAD campaign, now in its third year, kicked off just before Thanksgiving and officially ran through the end of December. Organizers hope 60,000 men will go to CRC’s website (https://www.convergenceresource.org/hemad) to watch a 3-minute video and take the pledge. Men in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin have taken the pledge.
“By this time last year, nearly 10,000 men had taken the pledge. Then, the movement spread through social media, eventually reaching 30,000 men in the U.S. and in several foreign countries,” said Arnold Cifax, senior youth pastor at New Testament Church in Milwaukee and a CRC board member. “We are ahead of last year’s pace and are hearing from groups that they are spreading the HEMAD message throughout Wisconsin and nation.”
Cifax noted that most HEMAD presentations at churches and civic groups are being done virtually through Zoom, Teams, or Facebook Live because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are happy to have one of our ambassadors make in-person or virtual presentations to churches, civic groups like the Rotary, Lions or Kiwanis Clubs, or neighborhood watch groups in the coming weeks and months,” said Cifax. “People are using these methods to stay connected despite the pandemic.”
Individuals or organizations should contact CRC by email at hemad@convergenceresource.org to schedule a 15-minute presentation.
“HEMAD is showing people that stopping the commercial sex trade is an important issue. It is a multimillion-dollar criminal enterprise operating every day in every area of all 50 states – from big cities and suburbs to small towns, rural areas and tribal lands,” said Lassiter. “It is victimizing vulnerable teen boys and girls in every community.”
Cifax credits the high-profile arrests of Jeffrey Epstein associates Ghislaine Maxwell and Peter Nygard as well as local cases involving federal charges in sex trafficking in helping raise awareness of the issue.
“Roughly 80 percent of human trafficking cases in the U.S. involve sex trafficking, and more than half of the criminal trafficking cases in the U.S. involve children,” noted Cifax. “Statistics show that one in three runaways will be lured into sexual exploitation within 48 hours of leaving home and the average age of entry into the commercial sex trade is 13 – the age of seventh and eighth graders.”
“About 300,00 children are at risk of being sex trafficked each year in the U.S. and we know Wisconsin is one of the top states for human trafficking,” said Jason Fields, CEO of Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and a HEMAD leader. Fields is a former state legislator who had introduced or supported numerous bills aimed at helping human trafficking victims escape the commercial sex trade.
“To put that number in perspective, 300,000 is the combined populations of Madison, Marshfield, and Kaukauna or Green Bay, Eau Claire, Sheboygan, Oak Creek, Mequon, and Germantown or Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, and Wauwatosa,” he said. “The number of human trafficking cases in the U.S. is rising every year. Nearly 45,000 cases of human trafficking have been reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888 or text 233733) in the past five years, but the number of actual cases is much more.”
“People are recognizing that the commercial sex trade exists in all corners of every state and it’s victimizing vulnerable teen boys and girls in every community,” added Cifax. HEMAD’s intent is to unite men to put this multimillion-dollar demand-driven industry out of business.”
About Convergence Resource Center
Convergence Resource Center (CRC) is a faith-based nonprofit community service organization providing support for women rebuilding their lives after trauma with an emphasis on justice involved women and female survivors of human trafficking. It is a contracted member of the Milwaukee Joint Human Trafficking Task Force (MJHTTF). To learn more, call (414) 979-0591 or visit www.convergenceresource.org.
About HEMAD
Human trafficking Educators working with Men and boys to stand Against the Demand (HEMAD) is a program of Convergence Resource Center directed at men on the importance of ending human trafficking. To learn more, visit  https://www.convergenceresource.org/hemad-campaign or contact HEMAD@convergenceresource.org.

created: January 15, 2021

author: Convergence Resource Center


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HEMAD-logo.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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January 11, 2021

created: January 11, 2021


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Post from Community: First Stage and Betty Brinn Children’s Museum Announce New Collaboration | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
January 15, 2021
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.
First Stage, one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families, and the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, an industry leader for creating interactive exhibits and programming for children, are pleased to announce a new virtual educational collaboration called STORY DRAMA: LEARNING LETTERS.
Designed for children ages 3 – 6 and their adult, these 35-minute live Zoom sessions will feature First Stage Teaching Artists who will facilitate classes from the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum’s Home Town exhibit. Each session will explore a unique theme through both drama (led by First Stage) and tactile sensory experiences (led by Museum educators). Classes will be held on Tuesday mornings on February 9, 16 and 23 at 9:30 a.m. and will give young participants an opportunity to learn their letters through exploring their hometown of Milwaukee.
“The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is excited to partner with First Stage on the creation of a virtual workshop series that presents young families with the unique opportunity to access live, theater instruction and STEAM education activities inspired by and hosted in the Museum’s playful exhibit environments,” said Museum Education Director Bill Pariso. “Enrichment opportunities for children are particularly meaningful at this time and this partnership is a wonderful way for our organizations to realize our missions and engage children in hands-on learning from their homes.”
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Added First Stage’s Director of Programming Julia Magnasco, “We are so excited to start this new partnership with the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum this winter. We have been reaching our youngest Academy students virtually throughout this past year through weekly story drama and creative drama sessions, and we can’t wait to expand our offerings with sessions that will explore the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and bring learning to life for young people and their entire families. Each week we will focus on a different location in the Home Town exhibit with dramatic activities and tactile experiences for our youngest learners to do with their adult. These sessions are going to be a lot of fun for everyone, and hopefully the start of more programming to come between the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and First Stage.”
The cost for this virtual series is $15 per session or $40 for all three sessions. Materials will be required for each session, which will be made available for families ahead of time to gather on their own or purchase through us for curbside pick-up for an additional fee. These classes are for children ages 3 – 6, with an adult. This is a virtual class. Enrolled families will receive a Zoom link shortly before each session.
The schedule for STORY DRAMA: LEARNING LETTERS is:
Tuesday, February 9, 9:30 a.m. – Learning Letters at the Sendik’s Food Market
Tuesday, February 16, 9:30 a.m. – Exploring Opposites at the Super Service Center
Tuesday, February 23, 9:30 a.m. – I Want More at the Pizza Factory and Cafe
Registration opens January 9, 2021. To register for any or all of the sessions please go to:
http://bit.ly/FS-StoryDrama-BBCM.
For more information, please go to www.FirstStage.org/schoolyear or call (414) 267-2970.

author: First Stage


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Post from Community: First Stage offers free Virtual Storytelling event on Martin Luther King Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
January 15, 2021
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.
Name of Event: First Stage offers free Virtual Storytelling event on Martin Luther King Day
Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
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Time: 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Description: In honor of Martin Luther King Day, First Stage will be offering a free Virtual Storytelling event to the Milwaukee community on Monday, January 18. This interactive storytelling of the book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats will be led by Kim Hardtke, First Stage Education Manager and Samantha Montgomery, Next Steps director and lead teacher at First Stage. Families will have the opportunity to experience a fun, inspirational activity together on the MLK school holiday.
The livestream storytelling event will be available on First Stage’s YouTube channel from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 18. It will also be available for families and classrooms to view on First Stage’s YouTube channel following the livestream. This interactive storytelling will take families on Peter’s journey through his neighborhood as he discovers the magic, wonder and joy that freshly fallen snow brings. The Virtual Storytelling event is best suited for young people ages 3 –7 and their families.
Cost: Free
Location: Online at www.youtube.com/firststage
Website: www.FirstStage.org
Phone: (414) 267-2970


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Post from Community: The Milw. Natl. Lawyers uild condemns false GOP allegations of voter fraud in Wisconsin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
National Lawyers Guild of Milwaukee
January 15, 2021
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.

author: National Lawyers Guild of Milwaukee


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Post from Community: BBB Scam Alert: New round of stimulus checks could trigger more cons | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
January 16, 2021
(Photo by Adam Carr)
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 second round of stimulus checks was announced in December by the IRS for most Americans, and for many, the money has already landed in their bank accounts. For others, the wait continues as the distribution of the refunds is still taking place. BBB warns this is an ideal situation for potential scammers to take advantage of consumers. Watch out for the following signs.
Is that call or text a con or the real deal?
Previously, BBB Scam Tracker received numerous reports from people who were contacted through text messages, email, and phone calls about the new COVID-19 stimulus checks. BBB believes many of these same tactics may be used again.
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Watch out for email or text messages instructing to click a link to “request benefit payments.” The link connects to an application prompting the entering of personal information in order to “make sure you are getting all the payments owed to you.”  Beware! This “application” is really a way to phish for personal details and commit identity theft.
In a phone variation of the con, the scammer pretends to call from a government agency. The con artist insists on being paid immediately – or confirmation of personal information – before a stimulus check is sent.  Other times, scammers claim additional funds are available or that the consumer can receive funds immediately once a small “processing fee” is paid with a pre-paid debit card. These are all red flags and should be reported to BBB Scam Tracker.
Tips to Spot a Government Imposter Scam:
For more information
Learn more about government grant scams in this BBB tip and for more information about scams related to the coronavirus, see BBB.org/coronavirus.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.

created: January 16, 2021

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 16, 2021

author: Adam Carr


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Post from Community: Make 2021 the year you resolve to recycle right and reduce waste | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Recycles
January 16, 2021
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.
2020 taught us many things and among them was the value of recycling as an essential public service and a critical component to supply chains providing items like cardboard for online order shipments and food packaging. According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the economic impact of recycling in Wisconsin in 2019 was over $4.5 billion dollars, including over 20,000 jobs and wages exceeding $1.2 billion dollars. You help make that happen!
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If you’re tired of the same old New Year’s resolutions – you know – the ones you abandon before the end of January, why not resolve to reduce waste and recycle right? We’re here to help with a few resolutions to choose from.
10 Resolutions to Help You Recycle Right and Reduce Waste in 2021
1. Know Before You Throw: The items accepted for recycling can vary depending on where you live and who provides your recycling collections. Before you throw something into the recycling cart, make sure it’s on your approved list. If you live in a 1-4 unit household in the City of Milwaukee, download a copy of the accepted materials list and post it by your collection containers. If you don’t receive City collections, check with your property manager for a copy of the accepted materials list for your apartment or office and ask for it to be posted near receptacles.
2. When in Doubt, Throw it Out: I know you want to recycle as much as possible, but “wishcycling” or throwing unaccepted items in the cart hoping they might get recycled is very detrimental to the system. If you don’t have a guide handy to confirm something is recyclable, it’s best to throw it out and help protect recycling equipment and the value of accepted materials arriving at the recycling facility.
3. Don’t bag your recyclables: Curbside recycling should be collected loose in your cart. No bags, please! This allows the material to arrive at the recycling facility ready to be sorted by a variety of equipment. If you have extra curbside recyclables that don’t fit into the cart, consider setting them to the side in open paper bags or take them to a Drop Off Center for free recycling.
4. Properly dispose of masks, wipes, and gloves: While recycling should be loose in the cart, garbage on the other hand should always be bagged. Items like gloves, masks, and wipes are not recyclable and should be bagged and placed in the garbage cart for proper disposal.
5. Donate small and bulky items that could be reused: A great way to reduce what you send to landfill is by donating gently-used and working-condition items you no longer need. Start a donation pile in a corner of your home and make a trip as needed. Do you have items that are too large to transport yourself? We’ve put together a list of donation locationsincluding companies that can pick up from your home.
6. Perform a home waste audit: To help reduce your waste this year, put on your sleuthing hat and investigate the materials you throw into the garbage. Are there a lot of plastic containers that aren’t recyclable? Try switching to a product that comes in a #1, #2, or #5 plastic container that can be recycled. Mainly food? Consider installing a garbage disposal in your sink or make plans to compost this year. The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works hosts a compost bin sale every year. More information will be available this spring.
7. Return plastic bags and film to stores for recycling: Plastic bags, wraps, and films should never be placed into your recycling cart as they tangle around recycling facility sorting equipment, cause downtime, and can lower the value of other materials when they sneak into sorted bales. However, many retail locations provide recycling collection containers for these items where they can be collected together and recycled together. Find a plastic film drop off location near you.
8. Keep electronics, batteries, and propane tanks out of recycling and garbage carts: Electronics, batteries, and propane tanks can cause fires at our recycling facility, in trash centers, and inside trucks. Many residential electronics can be recycled at a Drop Off Center, cell phones can be traded in with your provider or taken to a retail drop off, and propane tank retailers and manufacturers should be contacted regarding returns. As much as possible, choose refillable tanks that can be reused.
9. Empty and rinse your recyclables: We wash our dishes so that they’re clean and ready to be used again. Recyclables should be thought of in a similar way. Before you recycle your cans, bottles, jars, and cartons, empty them of leftover beverages or food waste and give a quick rinse. This helps maintain high material quality, limits contamination of other items (wet, sticky paper is tough to sort), and promotes a clean, safe environment for recycling facility workers.
10. Reduce, reuse, and rethink: Sustainability starts at the cart. Find ways to reduce your consumption, reuse items, and rethink your needs and approach with examples like these:
i. Reduce by purchasing smaller amounts of food that quickly spoil at a time. While frequent trips to the store may not be easy these days, planning grocery trips around produce and other quick to spoil items helps you take stock of what’s in your pantry and should be consumed first.
ii. Reuse by replacing products that you most often throw away with reusable options. This might include reusable bags, a coffee thermos, or glass jars to store bulk food purchases that have a longer shelf life.
iii. Rethink by considering the packaging of what you purchase to see if it’s recyclable and made from recycled content before buying.
Whether it’s a resolution from the list above or another of your imagining, remember that no action is too small. Everything adds up! Find a resolution that fits well with your life and can become routine to give it longevity and see you through 2021.

author: Milwaukee Recycles


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Jan. 18 to Jan. 23 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
January 18, 2021
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are events happening throughout Milwaukee both online and off. (File photo by Emma A. Yates)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. MLK Day: Milwaukee food giveaway: Monday, Jan. 18
Several Milwaukee groups have partnered together for a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The event includes free COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 health information, T-shirts, food distribution and more. Those interested in volunteering can click here. The event will be held at the Quality of Life Center, 1530 W. Atkinson Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.
In case you missed it: ‘It is not my fight to surrender’: Read rousing words from the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest winners
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2. WORLD presents “Metcalfe Park: Black Vote Rising”: Monday, Jan. 18.
Last year, 371 Productions released its documentary, “Metcalfe Park: Black Vote Rising.” The story followed Melody McCurtis and Danell Cross of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges as they worked to provide information and resources to the residents of Metcalfe Park. The WORLD Channel will be broadcasting the documentary at 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.  In case you missed it: Community Heroes: Metcalfe Park organizers go digital with mass-texting and mutual aid during COVID-19 crisis
3. Restaurant celebrates 20th annual King Fest: Monday, Jan. 18
Pass Da Peas soul food restaurant is hosting its 20th annual King Fest celebration. This year, the celebration will take place virtually on Facebook Live from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18. Janette Herrera will be hosting the event, which includes a scholarship writing contest.
4. Free mask distribution: Monday, Jan. 18
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation is handing out free masks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The masks will be distributed by drive-thru only at 4201 N.  27th St., in the front parking lot. A limited number of masks will be available.
5. Community survey on bicycle boulevard: Ongoing
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works is planning to develop a bicycle boulevard on West Washington and Scott streets on Milwaukee’s near South Side. Bicycle boulevards prioritize bicycling, walking and playing. Community members can express their opinion in an online community survey. The survey will remain open until mid-February. It is available in English and Spanish.
Bonus: Slide & Glide at Hawthorn Glen Education Center: Saturday, Jan. 23
Learn how to cross-country ski at Hawthorn Glen Education Center, 1130 N. 60th St., during Milwaukee Recreation’s Slide & Glide program. The class consists of two 2-hour sessions. There is a class from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. To register, click here or call 414-647-6050. The class costs $10 for Milwaukee residents and $15 for non-residents. Equipment is available to rent for $5.

Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: January 18, 2021

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 17, 2021

created: January 17, 2021


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The NNS coronavirus update for the week of Jan. 18: A new nominee for health commissioner; website offers vaccination resources; free masks being given away on MLK Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
January 18, 2021
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation is handing out free masks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 18 in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 4201 N. 27th St. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
Highly contagious strain found in Wisconsin
A recently discovered strain of COVID-19 made its way to Wisconsin last week.
The strain, known as B.1.1.7, was first reported in England in November. Health officials in Eau Claire County said last week that a patient with the strain had recently traveled abroad.
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Dr. Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, said leaders are trying to determine whether the strain has reached Milwaukee County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that B.1.1.7 could be the dominant strain of coronavirus in the U.S. as early as March.
The strain is not deadlier than the novel coronavirus but is more contagious. Officials indicated that social distancing and masking will be even more important with the new strain, which is easier to catch.
New ‘COVID-19 connector tool’ launches to help people get vaccinated
Here’s a new website you should know about.
HealthyMKE.com combines information about the vaccine, such as frequently asked questions and a breakdown of the distribution phases, with a service that is meant to help people find the best place to get the shot.
The Milwaukee Unified Emergency Operations Center  launched the website last week. ring it, provides updates on vaccine phases and has other useful information about COVID-19.
Aziz Abdullah, co-founder of IMPOWER, a North Side sales and marketing company that helped create the website, said HealthyMKE.com was designed to be user-friendly and inclusive. The website is available in five languages: Arabian, Hmong, Burmese, Spanish and English.
“One of the priorities that we really wanted to reinforce is the importance that we work in a space where we don’t duplicate efforts, where there’s not an ‘infodemic,’ where people have to go to five different places to be able to sort through information,” Abdullah said.
In case you missed it: Want more information about vaccines?  Check out our explainer by clicking here.
Kirsten Johnson nominated as new health commissioner
Kirsten Johnson has been nominated to be Milwaukee’s next health commissioner. (Photo provided by the City of Milwaukee)
After a months-long search, the city announced its nominee for health commissioner last week.
Kirsten Johnson, the director and health officer of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department, was nominated by Mayor Tom Barrett to replace Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik, who left the department in September.
The health commissioner’s role is currently being filled by Interim Health Commissioner Marlaina Jackson. The commissioner is responsible for public health assessment and policy development and plays a crucial role in the city’s fight against COVID-19.
Johnson’s nomination heads to the Common Council for approval. Jackson will continue in her role until  a decision is made. Barrett said this could take four to five weeks.
Free masks distributed on Jan. 18
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation is handing out free masks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The masks will be distributed by drive-thru only at 4201 N.  27 St., in the front parking lot. A limited number of masks will be available.
Health Department eases restrictions on bars and restaurants
Some limitations on Milwaukee bars and restaurants expired last week, as the Milwaukee Health Department reverted to Phase 4.2 of its coronavirus guidelines.
Bars and restaurants will be able to operate at the full capacity stated in their approved safety plan.   Establishments without approved plans will be limited to 25% capacity.
Under the last order, Phase 4.3, all restaurants, including those with approved safety plans, were limited to 50% capacity as a result of the COVID-19 surge in November. The new guidelines went into effect at the end of last week.
How you can help friends and loved ones who test positive
Read our story here.
Where to get free masks
To obtain a free mask, residents can visit these sites:
NNS reporters also gathered a list of where to buy locally made masks if you’re looking to show some local business love when masking up.
Check the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s website for the most updated facts and answers to questions about the mask ordinance.
Resources to know
Look here for up-to-date statistics on COVID-19 in the county. More precautions on how to stay safe and information on COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Contact your health provider, call IMPACT 2-1-1 or take a look at the county’s testing site map to find a testing center near you. The free community testing sites at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St., are now open and operating. Miller Park, 1 Brewers Way, is also open.
For more information on testing, including how to identify symptoms and when you should get tested, visit TestUpMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
For more information on vaccine distribution and where to find it, visit HealthyMKE.com. Available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Burmese and Arabic.
Check out our continuing coronavirus coverage.
Looking for more personalized direction to resources and information during the coronavirus crisis? Get connected with News414, a texting-based news resource from Milwaukee NNS, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. You can text MILWAUKEE to 73224 and begin to receive free, personalized data via text messages.

author: Matt Martinez


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UPDATE: ‘Design Your Future’ application deadline extended to Jan. 31 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
January 18, 2021
“Design Your Future” is built on the outreach work of groups like MPS’ Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement, or BLMA. Here participants of BLMA pose after a screening of Black Panther in 2018. (Photo provided by MPS)
The deadline to submit ideas for the “Design Your Future” pitch competition has been extended to Jan. 31.
The competition is looking for ideas on how to improve the educational outcomes of young Black males in Milwaukee.
The winners will receive two different payments: a $10,000 grant to spend on making the idea a reality, as well as a $2,500 stipend for each individual youth working on the proposal.
Ideas can be submitted by individuals or groups and can be presented in a written, visual or audio format. You can find more information on how to submit your idea here.
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Click here for our original story about the pitch contest.

author: Sam Woods


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Inside the NNS newsroom: Community voices have never been more important. Here’s how to get yours published. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 19, 2021
While our systems strained through a pandemic, protests and politics, even while couped up in my home, I never felt disconnected from our communities.
For NNS, 2020 was a banner year for our “Community Voices” feature, as we published a new level of quality and quantity. No matter what new challenge arose, new writers and familiar friends put in the energy and thought to share what was on their heart and mind.
Among the year’s many highlights, a few I’ll remember beyond 2020:
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In 2021 and beyond, NNS will continue to be a venue for community voices especially those that are underrepresented in Milwaukee’s media landscape.
That could mean you.
If in the next few days, weeks, month or beyond you have an idea for a personal essay or op-ed pertaining to Milwaukee’s North and South Side neighborhoods, know we’re here.
E-mail me at acarr@milwaukeenns.org if you have something to say.
Adam Carr is the deputy editor for community engagement at the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.

created: January 19, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 19, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 18, 2021


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Post from Community: First Stage streams Escape from Peligro Island – A create your own adventure play, from Jan. 29 – Feb 28 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
January 19, 2021
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.
Up next in First Stage’s Virtual Season of Plays is– , written by award-winning, internationally renowned children’s playwright  (THE SNOW, 2015 and ANTARCTICA, WI, 2018). Each performance will be a unique livestream performance where the audience votes at critical times as to the choices protagonist Callaway Brown should make – and the actors will need to respond in the moment and plunge forward. No two performances will be the same.
In this virtual play we find Callaway Brown – an unlikely young hero – who has been stranded on a desert island, and it’s up to the audience to decide what happens next! In this interactive production, audience members vote on Callaway’s actions in an energetic romp through time and space. Will Callaway time travel to the Wild West and meet a talking horse? Develop superpowers and fight crime in the future? Or have a crush on a vampire? This is create-your-own-adventure theatre using your phone – audience members will be voting on the path for the hero. And Callaway’s fate is in their hands! Sponsored by .
Performances for will be livestreamed through Broadway On Demand on If audiences want to check out a specific adventure, they can also choose a recorded episode (with description) – available to stream through Tickets are available for $15, $25 or $40. Patrons are encouraged to choose the price point that best fits their family and budget. Ticket buyers will receive an access code to stream this performance through the streaming service Broadway On Demand. Tickets can be purchased online at www.firststage.orgor by phone at . Performance runtime is approximately 65 minutes. Recommended for families with young people ages 6+.
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New this year:  includes streaming access to this and all other virtual productions this season and starts at $200 per household. More information is available at: www.firststage.org/membership.
In giving some background on this unique virtual production, Director  had this to say: “A typical First Stage play is 50 pages and this has over 200 because of the create-your-own- adventure component. The play reminds me of the old-time radio/TV serials – Flash Gordon, The Green Hornet, etc. with adventure and cliffhanger moments throughout. We also looked at the world of graphic novels and comic books for inspiration. Through the use of OBS, (Open Broadcast Software), we’ve basically created a living graphic novel – with illustrated backgrounds and animations and the characters appearing and storytelling in frames that we can move all around the screen. It has been quite remarkable to see all of the elements come together.”
He added, “Part of the magic of live theater is the danger of it all. What happens if something goes wrong? In the digital realm, it may feel that some of that magic and danger is gone. Well – that is definitely not the case with this play – the actors will need to be on their toes at all times! With this virtual play audiences will be able to come back and watch repeatedly if they hope to see all of the adventures of the hero. ESCAPE FROM PELIGRO ISLAND is truly inventive, consistently engaging and always funny.”
Playwright shared some insight into his protagonist Callaway Brown: “I like heroes who don’t realize they are a hero, who are often overlooked and it’s thrust upon them. They don’t fit in. They haven’t proven themselves to be great in their own life. But if a big adventure were to befall them, could they prove themselves to be great? I have faith in characters that don’t tell you everything at the start, but then as we go on a journey together with them, we discover more about them. My plays often have both internal and external explorations. One kind of assists the other – if you have somebody who doesn’t think they are worthy of being a hero and then they’re thrown into a situation where they discover they can be and they’re also going on a journey – that’s very exciting to me as a playwright! So inside they are changing and they are becoming braver with every step on the outside. I like protagonists who choose a different path and take the braver option.”


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Post from Community: Milwaukee Repertory Theater awards $60,000 to 80 artists through the Freelance Artist Relief Effort | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
January 19, 2021
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.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater awarded $60,000 to 80 individuals through the Milwaukee Rep Freelance Artist Relief Effort supported by the Rep Rising Emergency Relief Campaign. Over 125 artists applied for the Freelance Artist Relief Effort and 80 were granted awards ranging from $500 to $1,000. Milwaukee Rep’sRep Rising campaign launched to help the theater rebound from the impacts of COVID-19, and to do that, investments in its regional theater artists proved critical to the theater’s ability to recover and create the world-class art it is known for.
“A truly great theatre company is ultimately defined by the extraordinary artists that inhabit it, which is why it is so crucial for us to use whatever resources we currently have to meaningfully support them during this catastrophic time for our industry,” said Artistic Director Mark Clements. “In order for Milwaukee Rep to rebound strong (when it is safe for us all to do so), and immediately start producing again at the quality level we are renowned for, it is vital that we play our part in preserving the talent pool that is so precious to us. That we are able to do so in such a way right now is a true testament to the amazing generosity and loyalty of our extraordinary trustees and donors who have not wavered in their tremendous support and belief in us while our stages have been dark for so long now.”
Special thanks to the Freelance Artist Relief Effort Selection Committee including Chair Diane Dalton(retired Milwaukee Rep General Manager), Maram Samaha (Milwaukee Rep Assistant Production Manager) N’Jameh Camara (Milwaukee Rep Associate Director of Engagement), Deanie Vallone (Milwaukee Rep Literary Director and Associate Artistic Producer) and Amaris Bates (Milwaukee Rep Management Associate) for their thoughtful consideration of each applicant.  The eligibility requirements and selection process were as follows:
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Eligibility
Selection Process
Timeline:
For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com

author: Milwaukee Repertory Theater


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Renters on verge of eviction may get more aid, housing advocates say | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
January 19, 2021
Housing advocates are optimistic that Milwaukee residents will have stable housing this year. (File photo by Aaron Maybin)
As the Jan. 31 deadline nears for the end of the federal eviction moratorium, housing advocates and landlords alike are optimistic about Milwaukee residents having stable housing.
The moratorium was enacted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and put in place on Sept. 4, 2020. The emergency order was intended to halt the spread of COVID–19 and seasonal influenza and to reduce the increased risk of homeless shelters becoming overcrowded in fall and winter.
When the original deadline, Dec. 31, was approaching, housing advocates were concerned — but this time around, they said there is reason to believe more aid is coming.
They attribute their optimism to the passage of federal relief at the end of December. It included $25 billion in temporary rent assistance (funds that also had a bit more flexibility than in earlier programs) and extended the moratorium through January.
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“It is anticipated that the Biden administration will extend the moratorium further, so that is good news, too,” said Kristi Luzar, the executive director at Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin. “Gives everyone a bit of breathing room.”
She said the federal relief bill includes a provision that state and local governments could keep any unspent CARES Act funds to spend through Dec. 31, 2021.  “So, we’re hoping that applies to the funds allocated for rent assistance in 2020 but maybe weren’t spent.”
In addition to the help provided in the $900 billion relief bill passed in December, President-elect Joe Biden is proposing another $1.9 trillion relief package that would include rent relief and help for low-income families facing homelessness.
He also has called for extending further the nationwide restrictions on evictions and foreclosures, according to a recent NBC News report.
What’s happening in Milwaukee
Despite the optimism that such actions inspire, evictions are still rolling in, with 130 eviction filings in Milwaukee County for the week of Jan. 4 through 8.
“As of now the moratorium will come to an end at the end of the month,” said Raphael Ramos, Eviction Defense Project director at Legal Action of Wisconsin. “There is no guarantee of an extension and that’s concerning.”
He said the best thing tenants can do now is communicate with their landlords.
“Both tenants and landlords are hurting,” he said. “Communication if you are applying for funds is the best thing to do.”
Others echo his sentiments.
“There are still some concerns about what post-January will look like,” said Deborah Heffner, housing strategy director with Community Advocates’ Public Policy Institute.  “But there are reasons to be hopeful.”
Housing advocates are still preparing for the worst.
Ramos said Legal Action has services to help those facing eviction in court.
Also, the Rental Housing Resource Center space should be open to the public soon, Luzar said.
“Staff are already answering the hotline and email; we’re working on streamlining referrals now. The full website should be up by the end of February,” she said.
Heffner added that the Rental Housing Resource Center will be working with tenants and landlords on education and communication.
“We want to give some alternatives to filing evictions right away,” she said.
Other housing advocates are continuing work as normal.
“Since the eviction moratorium got extended through January 31, we are continuing to connect clients to available funding and represent individuals in evictions,” said Colleen Foley, the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee.
Housing advocates aren’t the only ones feeling optimistic about the new federal bill — landlords are, too.
“Both tenants and landlords can be optimistic about the new bill,” said Heiner Giese with the Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, a group of rental property owners that provides education, legislative support and networking opportunities for landlords in Southeastern Wisconsin. “The new bill will allow landlords to directly apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants.”
Giese said this will allow for more help to tenants with no access to internet or computers and weed out the minority of tenants who are misusing the moratorium.
For the time being, both Community Advocates and the Social Development Commission, who are both known for being resource centers, are still accepting application for assistance.
Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.”
Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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‘I watched her take on so many battles’: Community leaders reflect on the life of Maria Monreal-Cameron | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
January 20, 2021
Maria Monreal-Cameron, shown in 2005 in front of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on National Avenue, inspired many in the community. (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
As she accepted being awarded the 2013 BizTimes Women Executive of the Year, Maria Monreal-Cameron delivered a speech that spoke volumes about her passion for the community.
“I was given the unique opportunity to work for, by and with my Hispanic community,” she told the crowd. “Hispanic progress during the past two decades is undeniable and notable. Through our collective hard work, every day we are shaping this city, this state and certainly our counties.”
On Monday, the vocal community leader and longtime CEO and president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, died at the age of 75 after a battle with leukemia.
Although Monreal-Cameron accepted the award while preparing to retire from the chamber, she remained at the forefront of many issues that affected Milwaukee and Wisconsin, especially it’s Latino community. Her legacy is being celebrated by the many whose lives she touched.
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“She was one of the first public figures that I saw actively, progressively trying to mobilize the Latino base,” said Jessica Cavazos, who first met Monreal-Cameron in the ‘90s while working as a sponsorship director for Mexican Fiesta.
Cavazos, who is executive director of Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County, described Monreal-Cameron as a change agent and credits her as a major reason that Latinos are an economic and political force in Milwaukee and across the state.
“Back in the day, you mainly heard about us being part of the workforce or as a source of labor, but she developed a space for leaders such as myself,” she said. “If it wasn’t for her ingenuity and her political savviness, I don’t think we would be advanced as a community as we are.”
Monreal-Cameron’s parents came to America as immigrants from Mexico. One of 13 siblings, she was born and raised in Milwaukee and took over the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin in 1989. Under her leadership, the organization grew from 62 members to more than 500 when she retired in 2013.
The chamber also became nationally recognized under her watch, racking up multiple awards and bringing the annual United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convention to Milwaukee in 2005. Along the way, she helped to raise the profile of Hispanics and proudly spoke of their work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and impact.
“In today’s global economy, Hispanics are not just employees and consumers,” she said during the speech in 2013. “In fact, we are employers and investors who are woven into every fabric of the American economy.”
In her role as a business leader and advocate, she mentored many, including Zonia Lopez, owner of Flylda Travel Agency. Lopez went to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2003 looking for support and met with Monreal-Cameron, with whom she shared her dream of opening a business. The guidance she received helped her launch a small business, which is still in operation, but it also went beyond that.
“She inspired me to focus on my role as a leader, and, in turn, my role as a woman, a mother and a member of a minority group,” Lopez said.
Peggy West, a former county supervisor, said she first met Monreal-Cameron as a 22-year-old with two small children and no professional experience.
“Maria showed me that as a Latina, you need to stand up for yourself, your community and for what you believe in,” West said.
Although they didn’t see eye-to-eye on some issues, she said, she admired the way Monreal-Cameron stood up for what she believed in.
“I watched her take on so many battles, never backing down and never conceding,” she said.
Victor Huyke, the owner and publisher of El Conquistador Latino Newspaper, said Monreal-Cameron was his mentor and an outspoken advocate for the community.
“She had no problem getting stuff off her chest and sharing her beliefs on issues,” Huyke said. “She was very involved in politics, education and other community issues, and although people didn’t always agree with her, everything she did was out of the care she had for her community,” he said.
Huyke recognized her accomplishments several times, giving her a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Key to the Community. Monreal-Cameron also won many other awards including the Business of Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Journal, and the TEMPO Milwaukee Mentor Award. She was also known as a philanthropist and supported many other activities and committees.
Monreal-Cameron shared her thoughts on many community issues aside from business, including immigration and the role of women.
“For too long the role of professional women was taken for granted and discounted as insignificant, not worthy of recording for posterity,” she said in 2013.
She also spoke out on other issues, such as the importance of education, which she described as the great equalizer, and the need to support the city’s next generation of leaders.
“They must be properly equipped to take positions of leadership; to become professionals in our community,” she said. “It is abundantly clear, if our inner cities fail, Milwaukee fails. If Milwaukee fails economically, the region fails.”

created: January 20, 2021

author: Edgar Mendez


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If you had two minutes with the new president and vice president, what would you say? | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service staff
January 20, 2021
We circled back with community members whom we heard from before last November’s election and asked them: “If you had two minutes with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, what would you say?”
Here’s what they told us:
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Wanda Booker
60
Capitol Heights
If I had two minutes with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, I would first congratulate them on a tumultuous, hard-fought win.
I would then tell them how I, along with most Americans, just want to heal from the past four years of division, blatant racism and promotion and support of white supremacy in this country. A house divided against itself cannot stand. And unless we unite as Americans, our enemies will take advantage of our division to our demise.
I would tell them that I’m from Milwaukee’s 53206 ZIP code, one of the most impoverished and challenged in the country. But I also know that there’s a lot of good in the ‘hood.
There needs to be more focus on the plight of young Black men who get sucked into violence and drugs that leads to imprisonment or premature death.
They have already stated their most critical priorities: Defeating COVID-19, restoring the economy and getting kids back in school. I concur with these priorities.
As a believer, I would advise them to put their trust in God, who alone can change the hearts of men. I would also advise them to surround themselves with wise counsel, for in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.
-Compiled by Damia S. Causey
Iuscely Flores
24
South Side
I would tell the vice president and the president that they need to thank all of the Black and brown people of color who put them there.
This was a four year, uphill struggle that deserves to be acknowledged with mandatory law changes like demilitarizing the police, immigration reform for all and, most importantly, universal health care.
They have their work cut out for them with the residue of white supremacist policies and sentiments left behind by 45. I would ask them to consider the millions of people of color who placed them in their seats to serve our country when signing anything else.
-Compiled by Sam Woods
Terrence Moore Jr.
22
East Town
I would give them thanks and advise them to stay true to who they are and their mission. There’s a reason that democracy won, and we, as a nation, need a leader who’s going to be honest and not lie to us just because they feel like it.
Be who you are for the people not for yourselves.
Joshua Moore
25
East Village
If I had two minutes with Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, I would ask them, “How will you keep your promises?”
I would also tell them that the incarceration rate for African American men is too high and ask how they plan to fix it. Do they plan on handing out equal justice? People have ransacked the Capitol building like it was a joke and nothing happened to them except a few arrests and warrants.
The state of our country is in turmoil.
How do they plan on running the country effectively as leaders of the so-called “land of the free”?
-Compiled by PrincessSafiya Byers
Esperanza Gutierrez
68
Near South Side
As I ponder on the premise of what I would say to President Biden and Vice President Harris, many thoughts swim in my head and lay heavy in my spirit.
So, I have decided to say as a Latina, a woman of color, to Vice President Harris: “Woman, you got this!! Let in the fresh air from that broken ceiling.”
To both President Biden and Vice President Harris, “You have some healing in our country to render, a major rebirth. We cannot afford to fail. We need Democrats, Republicans and independents, young and old, to move forward. Stay strong and safe, I have faith in the constitution and the people.
Anna Maria Contreras
63
Riverwest
Dear President Biden and Vice President Harris, I am so honored to be able to call you both my vice president and president.
The past four year have been difficult to say the least, but I have a request that’s lingered since way before Obama. Can we finally get some REAL immigration reform in the United States for my family of Mexico as well as those coming from Central America and beyond? Those who are fleeing desperate circumstances in their countries of origin? If it weren’t for immigrants, we wouldn’t have food on our tables. Or lettuce and tomatoes for your Whopper hamburgers or tacos at Taco Bell.
We need this done now. America would not be American without the blood, sweat and tears of the labor that immigrants give as they are receiving very, very low wages. Speaking of which, we need to increase wages of hard labor in the fields as well.
THEY DESERVE BETTER. They deserve the justice and respect given to those who have come to these lands in prior generations.
Free all of the children who are still in cages at the U.S.-Mexico border and find their families. DEMAND this is taken care of and PROMISE this will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
-Compiled by Adam Carr
Kai Gardner Mishlove
: 55
Sherman Park
If I had two minutes with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, I would congratulate them on their win and express the optimism that I have regarding their leadership at this very painful time in our country.
At the top of their list, I hope that they:
I would remind them that we are a nation of resilient and diverse communities and that any plan that they develop must address disparities on a macro, meso and micro level. Diversity and inclusion of all communities are crucial to effectiveness. Communication and action rooted in cross collaboration and centering of communities are key.
We cannot heal the multilevel and intergenerational trauma caused by the historical disenfranchisement of various groups without addressing the roots and effects on every institution entrusted to provide care and services to our nation. The storming of the Capitol was rooted in a shameful history of racism and “othering” that we have yet to confront. We must address fears and make suitable amends. We must offer alternatives to dysfunctional systems in which the promotion of certain communities occurs or is perceived to be at the expense of other communities. We must elevate together and restore confidence in values that preserve human dignity.
-Compiled by Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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24-hour mental health emergency center planned for North Side | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
January 21, 2021
Ald. Russell Stamper (at left) has hosted in-person town halls, including this one in 2015. Now the town halls are virtual due to the pandemic. (NNS file photo by Marlita A. Bevenue)
Plans are underway for a new mental health emergency center on the North Side that will bring unprecedented psychiatric services to residents.
The proposed center is expected to open in March 2022 and provide 24-hour mental health services near North 12 and West Walnut streets, making services more widely accessible to the central city residents, in particular. The center would occupy a lot currently owned by Milwaukee County.
A virtual town hall about the project is planned for Thursday, Jan. 21.
The project is a joint effort between the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division and four major area health systems: Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert Health.
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The project also receives support from the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership. Pete Carlson, president of Advocate Aurora Health, said without the Partnership’s efforts to unite these services, plans for the center would not have gotten this far.
Carlson said each partner will contribute to funding for the program. The Behavioral Health Division will provide 50% of the funding, and each of the health systems will provide 12.5%. The center is projected to cost $22 million.
Carlson said the center will combine the county’s clinical expertise in treating patients with the management of the health systems.
He said a shortage of mental health providers makes it difficult to provide psychiatric services in emergency departments for the health systems. He expects the center to help give services to a population that needs it.
“This is what we consider a specialty niche,” Carlson said. “Health systems can’t provide that 24/7.”
In addition, Carlson said psychiatric services in the county are not always easy for people to get to. He said the new center’s location should make this care much more accessible.
The Rev. Walter J. Lanier, pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church and a member of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board, said the center will be a good first step in bringing more psychiatric services to the city. He said the center will also help leaders connect to the community and hear more about their needs.
“It’s more visible, more tangible, [and] people are aware of it,” he said.
Lanier said he expected the center to reduce any stigma for receiving mental health services, an important hurdle to getting more people help. He said having a “first-class, world-class building that people want to go in” and that people in the community know is OK will be key.
“It leads by its presence,” he said.
A virtual town hall is being held Thursday, Jan. 21 to discuss the center.
The town hall is meant to inform residents, said Ald. Russell Stamper, who represents the 15 Aldermanic District, and to give them an opportunity to comment. It will begin at 5 p.m. and be hosted on Zoom.
Stamper said “the need is great” for mental health services in the area. Referrals for mental health services in the district are up, he said, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We want people to know this is a part of the community, not from some outside entity,” Stamper said.
Carlson said the center will run independently, despite its connection to the health systems.
The center is expected to employ 70 full-time workers as well as dozens of union construction workers from James Phelps Construction, Stamper said.
The town hall will be hosted over Zoom:
Zoom Webinar ID: 829 0225 5141
Passcode: 546682
Anyone interested can also click this link to get into the Zoom call. They can also call in at 312-626-6799.
The town hall will feature Stamper, Lanier, James Phelps of JCP Construction, senior design architect David Groth and representatives from Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership.
The Behavioral Health Division’s crisis services are available to everyone in Milwaukee County. There are resource locations at 2057 S. 14th St. on the South Side and 5409 W. Villard Ave. on the North Side. There also is a 24-hour emergency room at 9455 W. Watertown Plank Rd. in Wauwatosa.
When it is constructed, the mental health emergency center will replace the psychiatric emergency room in Wauwatosa.
The county’s crisis line is (414) 257-7222.

created: January 21, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 20, 2021


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Vaccinated: Five Milwaukee health care workers share their experiences after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
January 21, 2021
Health care workers across Milwaukee have been receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as the first phase of inoculations begins to roll out.
We caught up with five Milwaukee professionals about their experiences receiving the vaccine.
‘I don’t have a doubt in my mind that this is the right thing to do’
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Dr. Nicole Fortuna (Photo provided by Nicole Fortuna)
Dr. Nicole Fortuna
When Dr. Nicole Fortuna, a general pediatrician at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, began feeling soreness in her arm and fatigue 12 hours after getting the vaccine, she was actually relieved.
“That’s a normal response,” Fortuna explained. “You actually want that after a vaccine. It means your immune system is responding.”
Fortuna got the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 28. She said she thought it went smoothly but noted some differences between the COVID-19 vaccine and regular vaccines.
For instance, she said, the nurses who provided the shot took more time to go through the consent form and inform patients about side effects and “contra-indications,” or reasons why they could not get the vaccine.
Fortuna said she had some questions about the vaccine when it was first announced but had enough time to read up and educate herself by the time she was able to get it.
She said she tries to address people’s hesitance: There is no live virus in the vaccine so you cannot get COVID-19 from it. She said that although the vaccine was being released quickly, important safety protocols were not skipped.
“The scientists didn’t cut corners where it mattered,” Fortuna said.
Fortuna also encouraged parents to get the vaccines when they are available since children will not be able to get them. This will protect families.
She said it can be hard to reassure people about vaccines, but she believes this is the best hope to end the pandemic.
“I recommend it to all my family and friends,” she said. “I don’t have a doubt in my mind that this is the right thing to do.”
‘Would you rather get the shot or be laying up in the hospital not able to see your family?’
L’Tanya Silas (Photo provided by L’Tanya Silas)
L’Tanya Silas
L’Tanya Silas, an environmental services worker at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, had her doubts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s why she enlisted the help of a “vaccine buddy.”
Silas went to get the first dose of the vaccine with her coworker Lauren, who works in the respiratory department at St. Joseph. She’ll get her second dose Saturday.
“I finally decided on it because I do work in the health care field, and I’m here every day,” Silas said.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t apprehensive. But after seeing long lines to get the vaccine elsewhere in the country on the news, she felt she was being given an important opportunity.
“It’s OK to have doubts, but in this world we’re living in, I’d rather have this vaccination than not have the opportunity to get it,” she said.
At the end of the day, all she had to deal with was a sore arm. Her sister has expressed skepticism about getting the vaccine, but Silas has been working to persuade friends and family to get inoculated. One of her childhood friends saw her Facebook post about getting the vaccine and decided to sign up to get one.
For Silas, the choice is simple.
“Would you rather get the shot or be laying up in the hospital not able to see your family?” she asked.
‘If I can do that, I can take a vaccine’ after chemotherapy
Lillian Sardina
Lillian Sardina (Photo provided by Lillian Sardina)
For Lillian Sardina, getting the COVID-19 vaccine was a matter of perspective.
Sardina, a mental health and substance abuse therapist at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, has been in remission from lung cancer for two years. Recalling countless rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, she said getting a vaccine seemed to pale in comparison.
“If I can do that, I can take a vaccine,” Sardina said.
Sardina naturally had her doubts, though, and spoke to her doctor first. When it was clear that the benefits outweighed the risks, she got her vaccine on Dec. 28.
There were no side effects besides arm soreness for Sardina, which surprised her. She said she spent the next few days anticipating side effects, but they never came.
“It’s like when you get the cancer diagnosis,” she said. “You expect the worst.”
After hearing the hesitations of some of her patients, Sardina wanted to be a role model for them. She encouraged anyone on the fence about the vaccination to educate themselves. She also encourages everyone to get vaccinated and to take the disease seriously.
“Being able to share that with my patients was important,” she said.
‘If more people get vaccinated, we can put a dent in this disease’
Dr. Srisham Darisetty (Photo provided by Ascension St. Joseph Hospital)
Dr. Srisham Darisetty
Dr. Srisham Darisetty, an internal medicine physician at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, has received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Darisetty said the process went relatively smooth, but he did experience some side effects. He had arm soreness and “symptoms of a very mild viral infection without a fever.” But he’s convinced the vaccine was worth the mild discomfort.
He said he’s heard apprehension even from nurses and other members of the medical community.
He had his own doubts six or seven months ago but now feels there’s enough data to say the vaccine is safe.
“The question isn’t ‘if it’s going to work,’ it’s ‘if it’s going to hurt you,’ ” Darisetty said. “Clearly, the answer is no, based on what we’ve seen.”
Darisetty works with COVID-19 patients regularly, and said he suggests everyone get the vaccine when they can.
“If more people get vaccinated, we can put a dent in this disease,” he said.
‘Some flu shots I received were worse’
Sienna Barillas-Greengrass
Sienna Barillas-Greengrass (Photo provided by Sienna Barillas-Greengrass)
Sienna Barillas-Greengrass, front desk coordinator at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center dental office, got the Moderna vaccine just before Christmas. She’ll get the second round on Jan. 21.
Barillas-Greengrass said she experienced very mild side effects. She felt a soreness in her arm and had a headache for about an hour. After that, she said, the only extended effect was the stiffness in her arm for about two days.
“Some flu shots I received were worse,” she said.
Barillas-Greengrass said she was monitored for about 30 minutes to make sure that she did not have an elevated heart rate or any change in her oxygen levels.
Barillas-Greengrass comes from both Hispanic and Native American backgrounds. For the numerous people who asked her about the vaccine afterward, she wanted to show them there’s nothing to be afraid of.
“You can be nervous, but don’t be afraid,” she said. “If you’re afraid you’re letting it control your fear.”
Barillas-Greengrass said that when she got the vaccine, she was thinking of her family at home: Her father who has an underlying health condition and her grandmother who lives with them and everyone else in the household.
“It’s not just for you, it’s for everyone you care about,” she said.
In case you missed it: 8 things you need to know about coronavirus vaccinations


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Jan. 22 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
January 22, 2021
There will be a blood drive at the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. (Photo by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Golden Lotus Market grand opening: Friday, Jan. 22
Golden Lotus Asian Food Market, 8428 W. Silver Spring Drive, is celebrating its grand opening beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. The first 10 customers who purchase groceries will receive a 50 pound bag of rice. (Please note, the sign still says Sophia Asian Food Market.)
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
2. Milwaukee Area Labor Council blanket drive: Friday, Jan. 22
The Milwaukee Area Labor Council is hosting a blanket drive. Blankets can be bought online and sent to the Labor Council, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53214. Council members will also be collecting blankets at the office, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be made out to the Labor Community @ Work.
3. Blood drive at Sherman Phoenix: Saturday, Jan. 23
Evelyn’s Circle, Sherman Phoenix and Jammin’ 98.3 are hosting a blood drive at the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. The drive is a part of Versiti’s Sickle Cell-abration, an event designed to honor sickle cell patients. To schedule your donation, click here or call 877-232-4376.
4. “Identifying Features” screening at Avalon Theater: Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24
“Identifying Features” follows Magdalena as she travels through Mexico in search of her son who recently entered the United States. Along the way, she encounters Miguel, who was recently deported. The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles. The film will be screened at the Avalon Atmospheric Theater, 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., starting Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24. For showtimes and tickets, click here.
5. Cozy winter sale at Royally Vegan: Sunday, Jan. 24
Royally Vegan, 2923 N. 57th St., is having a cozy winter sale from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24. The menu includes a grilled cheese sandwich, veggie chili, chili supreme and chili cheese fries. Orders must be placed by Saturday, Jan. 23. Curbside pickup and delivery are available. To place an order, call or text 414-202-0231, send a message via Facebook or Instagram or visit the Royally Vegan website.
Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

created: January 22, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 21, 2021


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How residents 65 and older can register for a coronavirus vaccine | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
January 22, 2021
The main way to register for the vaccine in Milwaukee County is through HealthyMKE.com. (stock photo)
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced this week that it will that it will begin vaccinating people ages 65 as it moves into Phase 1B of its inoculation plan.
Here’s how you can get the vaccine in Milwaukee County:
How to register in Milwaukee
The main way to register for the vaccine in Milwaukee County is through HealthyMKE.com.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Using this site, you can register for text and email updates from vaccinators around Milwaukee about availability for the vaccine and then set up an appointment.
To do this, visit HealthyMKE.com/phase-alerts and hit “Click Here To Register.” Then, submit your personal information to receive updates on vaccines.
What happens next?
Registering is just the first step in the process. After you’ve signed up for alerts, be on the lookout for messages from vaccine providers in the area, such as health systems, clinics or pharmacies.
Residents should now be able to begin scheduling appointments.
Are there other ways to register?
The city plans to have a hotline that people can call for vaccination services. The hotline is still being set up and isn’t operational yet.
An important note
There are roughly 700,000 people over the age of 65 in Wisconsin, and the Department of Health Services has received only 70,000 doses of vaccine so far.
Health officials say they expect the rollout to get faster, but it may take a week or two to get rolling. They’re urging patience among the 65-plus population.
“People will get their vaccine,” said Julie Willems Van Dijk, deputy secretary of the Department of Health Services during a media briefing. “Not tomorrow, but sometime in the next month or two.”
In case you missed it:
Vaccinated: Five Milwaukee health care workers share their experiences after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
8 things you need to know about coronavirus vaccinations


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NNS Spotlight: Clarke Square herbalist connects community with nature | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
January 22, 2021
Angela Kingsawan says the earth communicates with her through her garden, which encompasses her backyard. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
As a child, Angela Kingsawan remembers treating illnesses with salves and teas, similar to what her Indigenous and Mexican ancestors from the Mexica, Tigua and Tarahumara tribes used.
Since then, instead of keeping the knowledge to herself, Kingsawan has always found ways to pass her knowledge on.
When she worked as a machinist and welder for Harley-Davidson, Kingsawan would make salves to help with the aches and pains that came with the job, sharing her homemade remedies with co-workers.
“When my daughters were growing up, it was just something I did,” said Kingsawan, 45, who grew up and lives in the Clarke Square neighborhood.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
But her side interests eventually evolved into something more after she sustained a back injury in 2012. Left without a job and in severe pain, Kingsawan did what she had been taught to do: She took a holistic approach to healing.
She immersed herself in the world of herbs and such holistic healing practices as yoga. Eventually, her middle daughter encouraged her to seek her yoga teaching certificate, if only to deepen her own knowledge. And after Kingsawan completed the course, her instructor encouraged her to find a way to teach her community. Kingsawan eventually connected with the Ho-Chunk Nation in Milwaukee.
In her classes, Kingsawan began incorporating her knowledge of native herbs and movement, some drawn from lessons her mother and her paternal grandmother taught her.
Her classes focused on decolonization and empowering communities to reclaim their way of life. She works with groups that have been colonized or historically mistreated and helps them reconnect with their roots. For example, when she worked with the Ho-Chunk Nation, she incorporated herbs and practices native to that community.
“I think everyone wants to connect with culture, and people are starting to reclaim their culture,” she said.
As she taught, she continued to learn.
Aside from researching on her own, Kingsawan made a point to talk with people – from the Indigenous communities she connected with to the European grandmothers at the park to the refugees who attended her workshops.
“I always want to learn and grow,” she said. “Every time I learn something, I put it into action and all these methods can be put into modernized use.”
These days, Kingsawan offers workshops to locals, refugees and organizations interested in learning how to garden, cook and embrace nature. The workshops take place at various organizations, Kingsawan’s own home and occasionally the homes of her students, whom she calls apprentices.
‘Her knowledge drew me in’
Angela Kingsawan says that every time she learns something, she finds a way to share it. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Rita Saavedra, 43, a Milwaukee resident and one of Kingsawan’s apprentices, first met Kingsawan two years ago when she began seeking a healthier alternate lifestyle.
“Her knowledge drew me in,” Saavedra said. “She knows her history and history of ethnic groups, and she’s always willing to share her knowledge.”
With Kingsawan’s guidance, Saavedra and her family began living a more natural lifestyle that focused on herbs, eating right and mindfulness.
“It’s been a blessing,” she said. “She taught not just me, but my family, how to be mindful about food and waste.”
These days, Saavedra avoids medication and instead uses herbs to heal her and her family’s ailments. Her husband even built a greenhouse so that the family can have access to fresh herbs and vegetables.
A resource to the community
Kingsawan works with the Lynden Sculpture Garden and the Wisconsin African Community Advocates, a nonprofit organization that focus on integration, development, education and social empowerment in the African American community. She also worked for Walnut Way Conservation Corp. as its urban agricultural coordinator before her position was eliminated in a restructuring in July 2020.
Emonia Barnett, a Lindsay Heights resident, was encouraged to connect more with nature after meeting Kingsawan at Walnut Way.
“She’s a lovely lady and genuinely good spirit,” Barnett said. “Her knowledge was something I needed.”
Once, Barnett had to postpone a meeting with Kingsawan because she was not feeling well. Kingsawan came over anyway, recommending which herb would make the best tea and compress.
“People don’t want to share their knowledge anymore, but she’s not like that,” Barnett said.
Because of Kingsawan, Barnett and several other community members planted gardens at their homes and at a plot connected to Walnut Way.
Plans for the future
Five years ago, Kingsawan moved back into her childhood home and transformed the backyard into an herbalist paradise. Her garden contains traditional plants and herbs such as mint as well as milkweed and whatever else chooses to grow there.
Her dream is to combine Milwaukee’s industrial history and her herbal background and turn the city into an herbal industry. For now, she’s focusing on making herbal mail-order boxes, which she hopes to start sending out soon.
The boxes will contain healing herbs and remedies, a piece from a local artisan and something of cultural significance. Her goal is to not only help heal people’s mental, emotional and physical ailments but also to expose a bigger audience to the culture that’s impacted Milwaukee.
As she forages ahead, her focus remains as always on not only helping but learning from the community.
“I always want to learn and grow and enjoy being invited in,” she said. “When you’re humble, grateful and kind, it moves mountains.”
In case you missed it: OPINION: What Native American Heritage Month means to me
This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.


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UPDATE: CDC extends federal order halting evictions to March 31 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
January 22, 2021
You are still obligated to pay rent and must file a declaration form to your landlord to be covered under the order. (NNS file photo by Aaron Maybin)
We reported earlier this week that some Milwaukee housing advocates and landlords were optimistic that struggling tenants would get more financial relief this year.
And it looks like they were right.
Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced Thursday that the federal order to temporarily halt evictions will be extended to March 31.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a historic threat to our nation’s health,” she said in a news release. “It has also triggered a housing affordability crisis that disproportionately affects some communities.”
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
The initial emergency order to halt residential evictions was meant to go through Dec 31 and then extended through January. (Here is a link to a document that explains more about the order in detail.)
As explained in previous articles, tenants are still obligated to pay rent and must file a declaration form to your landlord to be covered under the order.
Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
We need your help
Throughout the pandemic, Milwaukee NNS has been covering housing, evictions and rent assistance with the goal of keeping our readers informed.
We have spoken to housing advocates, landlords, tenants and even lawyers. Now we want to speak to those who have gone through evictions.
If you or anyone you know would like to share your story, please email princesssafiya.byers@marquette.edu.
Here are other stories on this topic
Milwaukee housing advocates prepare for end of federal eviction moratorium
‘Rent is still due’: What you need to know about the federal order to halt residential evictions
A Milwaukee County program has prevented over 1,000 evictions. But as 2021 approaches, money’s running out.
‘Nowhere to go’: Wisconsin renters face evictions as emergency aid falls short
Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.”
Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Jan. 25 to Jan. 30 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
January 25, 2021
The Harambee Community Association is holding its quarterly meeting this week. (File photo by NNS)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
Acts Housing and BMO Harris Bank are hosting a free webinar on buying a house. The webinar will take place from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. To register, click here. The webinar will go over the homebuying process and offer tips on being a homeowner.
2. “The Power of Mentoring” with Mentor Greater Milwaukee
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Mentor Greater Milwaukee is hosting an event in honor of National Mentoring Month. “The Power of Mentoring: Empowering, Uplifting & Transformation” is split into different sessions and will take place virtually from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Those interested can register for sessions here.
Race and Faith, a nonprofit organization, is launching its four- week seminar, “Entry points into understanding racism,” this week. The first session will take place online from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Click here to register.
The Fire and Police Commission is hosting a virtual community meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Acting Chief Aaron Lipski of the Milwaukee Fire Department will be in attendance to discuss the department’s goals for 2021. The public can submit questions and comments through the public comment form, which can be found here.
5. Harambee Community Association quarterly meeting
The Harambee Community Association is hosting its quarterly meeting this week. The meeting will take place virtually from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The meeting will include an overview of the association, neighborhood news, a civics lesson and more. To register, click here.
Bonus:
The Wisconsin Policy Forum, the statewide nonpartisan research organization, is hosting its annual meeting virtually from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25.
University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone and former governor and interim University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson will discuss the Forum’s recent report during a panel discussion titled “Falling behind? The future of higher education in Wisconsin.” Click here to register.
The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. If you or someone you know need information to help you get through the coronavirus crisis, you can now text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to use our news service called News414. We’re here to serve you.

created: January 25, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 24, 2021

created: January 24, 2021


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27573934971_29989895ba_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
January 24, 2021


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Got questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
January 25, 2021
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Check out our Instagram story for News414 on vaccines by clicking here.
In case you missed it:
8 things you need to know about coronavirus vaccinations
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Vaccinated: Five Milwaukee health care workers share their experiences after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
How residents 65 and older can register for a coronavirus vaccine
To try out News414, you can text MILWAUKEE to 73224.
The project, which connects Milwaukee to news and resources through text messages, is a collaborative effort between the Milwaukee Neighborhood News and Wisconsin Watch.

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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OPINION: As a white kid growing up in Milwaukee, Henry Aaron represented more than just baseball | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Frank Schneiger
January 25, 2021
Henry Aaron was the guest of honor at the groundbreaking ceremony for Three Bridges Park in the Menomonee Valley in 2012. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
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.
Frank Schneiger is the founder and president of Frank Schneiger and Associates., a planning and change management company serving the nonprofit and public service sectors.
In this year of death, suffering and dislocation, Henry Aaron’s passing at age 86 will be duly noted, and his extraordinary baseball accomplishments celebrated. It is quite possible that, had he played in New York or Los Angeles, he would be seen as the greatest player ever.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
But for a group of white kids in Milwaukee, growing up just when he arrived in 1954, Henry Aaron’s impact went well beyond baseball. And his passing is a particularly somber event, especially as this group now confronts its own mortality.
The enormous impact of the Braves arrival in Milwaukee in 1953 is hard to overstate. We were now big league. Race barely entered into the discussion in those pre-civil rights days. My friends and I went to all-white schools and played on all-white playgrounds and parks. Our Stars of Yesterday team, Milwaukee’s low-budget, working class version of Little League, played at Merrill Park on North 35 and Clybourn Streets. The league was all white.
As a result, our views on race, to the extent that we had any, were formed based on our parents’ and neighbors’ stereotypes. At that time, the Black image in the white mind was not today’s menacing one. It was of a group of people who weren’t too bright, didn’t work hard the way white people did — “shiftless” was the term of art — and went to get welfare checks in pink Cadillacs. And, because they never encountered anyone Black, there was little to refute these stereotypes. The N-word was verboten, evidence that “the colored are treated good here,” a view that you would be hard pressed to find a white person not sharing.
For a group of impressionable, baseball crazed pre-adolescents, there was nothing like the arrival of the Braves from Boston. From our diamond at Merrill Park, we could look down into the valley at County Stadium and dream of wearing a Braves uniform. And this is where, especially with the arrival of Henry Aaron, race and cognitive dissonance came into play.
These early Braves included a number of Black players, among them Aaron, Bill Bruton, George Crowe and Wes Covington. What struck us as kids when these players were interviewed or talked to you after batting or infield practice when you skipped school to sneak into a day game, was how “smart” they seemed. They also had what could be referred to as dignity. All of a sudden, those white kids playing at Merrill Park began to imitate Aaron’s distinctive running stride.
(This scenario would be repeated with the Lombardi Packers of Willie Wood, Willie Davis, Herb Adderley, Lionel Aldridge, Elijah Pitts and others.)
In some ways, Wes Covington was the outlier in this group because he didn’t smile for white people. As a result, he was labeled as being “surly,” which, more or less, meant that he didn’t appreciate everything white people were doing for him. As a white Yugoslav kid who generally tried to avoid looking on the bright side of things, I thought that surliness seemed like a kind of cool quality. So I immediately gravitated to Covington and followed his career even after he left the Braves. It has always been interesting to me that later in life, Covington migrated to Canada.
Probably by accident, those early Braves had a number of white players, including fan favorites, who could be reasonably described as dummies and were also not very dignified. Over time, not as some bolt of lightning, some in our group of white kids began to doubt what adults, including our parents, had taught us about these things. Our minds were opening. We were beginning to think for ourselves.
Much has been written about the vicious racism that Henry Aaron faced as he closed in on Babe Ruth’s home run record. The experience of these kids in Milwaukee in the years at the dawn the civil rights movement is a whole other story, one that changed lives in ways that have become clear only after looking back after many years.
Henry Aaron was a great man. In a lot of ways.
Inside the NNS newsroom: Community voices have never been more important. Here’s how to get yours published.

author: Frank Schneiger