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OPINION: We don’t often hear the voices of Latina activists. That’s why I co-authored a book to reclaim our history. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Eloisa Gómez
October 8, 2020
(Photo by Adam Carr)
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.
Eloisa Gómez is a poet and voting rights advocate who co-authored Somos Latinas: Voices of Wiscconsin Latina Activists.
Biases about what gets written, how it’s written and what gets left out influence how we understand the world and our communities. Required textbook readings from years ago through today were largely written by white men and their views of the world. Biographies of presidents and international events are examples.
These types of writings leave such a large void in acknowledging the realities of our communities of color.  Reclaiming a small fraction of community history is a reason why my co-author, Andrea “Tess” Arenas, and I wrote “Somos Latinas: Voices of Wisconsin Latina Activists.” This book shares the experiences of 25 Latinas, 55 years and older, from various parts of Wisconsin, who contributed toward community-building.
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Gloria Steinem once said, “Women have always been an equal part of the past. We just haven’t been a part of history.” I would say this is true based on the lack of written records of Latinas’ contributions in our state and country. When we decided to reclaim their stories, I knew that not having ever written a book, and seriously doubting that any publisher would be interested in the subject area, would not stop us from pursuing this vision. Thankfully, the Wisconsin Historical Society Press believed the time had come, too.
“Somos Latinas” shares the personal journeys of activists from their time as girls and following them into adulthood. From a series of interviews, we learn about their different journeys as change agents — some came from Latin American countries, such as El Salvador and Mexico. Others were U.S. born in such places as Texas, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin. All experienced levels of economic hardship and the struggle to defend and maintain their cultural heritage while experiencing prejudices to racism.
We learn about how they dealt with societal restrictions that minimized or ignored their potential solely for being female. And within our Latino culture, how they dealt with breaking from traditions as they took on leadership roles that were often not extended to them.
The book explores their advocacy toward community empowerment: ensuring quality education at all levels; advocating for equitable services for Latinos from government agencies; addressing racist attacks in their communities; and more. You will likely admire their years of volunteerism to promote cultural heritage, create and grow funds to help students’ access higher education and build racial bridges for political change.
To do all this, they took many risks in organizing for the right to vote, walking in marches where they were spat upon and threatened, submitting proposals to school boards worth millions within ridiculous timeframes as a way to sabotage their efforts.
You will not forget their sacrifices either: the hours and days of leaving their children at home, the self-doubts of whether their efforts could be effective, which took a toll on their physical and emotional health over the years. Look also for the ways in which they problem solved, the friendships that evolved and how they found joy in seeing their communities improve.
Most of the women in this book asked my co-author and me, “Why me? I was really just doing what needed to be done!” With this humility I recall the words of United Farm Worker co-founder Dolores Huerta, who initially felt “it was wrong for me to take credit for the work that I did.” And maybe our women thought that their leadership model, largely built on collaboration, wasn’t as legitimate as the dominant hierarchical model. In all cases, despite successes and failures, they persisted.
“Somos Latinas” shares only 25 stories. Now multiply that by 100 or more of our men and women who have passed away or are still with us just in the Milwaukee community alone.
With this in mind, I remind everyone that much more needs to be recorded and shared. How else do we more fully reclaim our stories of community-building, to be inspired by those working selflessly before us and to build upon the strategies they created for a stronger, resilient community?
To learn more about Wisconsin Latina activists, visit the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Somos Latinas Project Oral Histories.

author: Eloisa Gómez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 7, 2020

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: October 7, 2020

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

author: Adam Carr


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Post from Community: Budget proposal fails to address key disparities, threatens to create greater inequities | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Delores Green, Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network Member
October 8, 2020
(Photo provided by Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network)
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.
Bravo to our many community colleagues — the African American Roundtable (AART), Liberate MKE, BLOC, Coalition On Lead Emergency (COLE), Hephatha Lutheran Church, and so many others who provided public testimony during Tuesday’s City of Milwaukee Common Council hearing to discuss the Mayor’s Proposed 2021 Executive Budget. As a member of the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network and supporter of the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network, I stand in solidarity with those organizations working to ensure adequate investments in community health, housing, education and community development.
Among the many concerns over the proposed budget is that the City of Milwaukee Health Department, which currently receives only 2.2 percent of the total budget, and neighborhoods, which receive 2.9 percent, would again be seriously and dangerously underfunded. The proposed budget is disgraceful and will not serve our residents in addressing COVID-19, lead abatement, tobacco use, and the many other health and economic disparities that cripple our community.
In extreme contrast, 45.2 percent of the budget is allocated to police.  Surely, there is a need for a more balanced approach that recognizes health, housing, educational and economic disparities as issues that demand increased support and attention. Doing so could help reduce the burden on law enforcement by increasing treatment options for those suffering from mental and physical health disorders, improving our educational system, providing more stable and affordable housing options, and creating jobs and training opportunities for residents in our neighborhoods.
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Developing and increasing access to smoking cessation and addressing other preventable health problems through public health initiatives would also reduce the burden on local healthcare systems, help to address health inequities, and save the City money in the short and long-term, while also saving lives. Cost-savings could then be reinvested in the community. COVID-19 has already deepened gaps created by decades of discrimination, segregation, disinvestment, and unequal access to health care. We should not allow the City of Milwaukee’s 2021 budget to create even greater inequalities for our residents.
Sincerely,
Delores Green
Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network Member
Renew Environmental Public Health Advocates, Inc. (REPHA)

created: October 8, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 8, 2020


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Oct. 9 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 9, 2020
Voces de La Frontera is hosting a community block party and will be painting “Voting is Power. Black and Brown Lives Matter” on the street. (NNS file photo)
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 .
1. Community Block Party: Voting is powerVoces de la Frontera is hosting a community block party. During the event, the group will be painting “Voting is Power. Black and Brown Lives Matter” on the street. The block party is being held on West Mitchell Street between South Seventh Street and South Eighth Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Everyone is invited to help paint and learn about voter engagement.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to respond to the 2020 census. The census can be completed online, over the phone and by mail. The deadline to respond to the census has been extended to Oct. 31. Read on to learn why the census should matter to you and why it should continue to matter to you.
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3. Lincoln Park weed outFriends of Lincoln Park is hosting a weed out to remove invasive species from Lincoln Park. The group will be meeting at the Blatz Pavilion, 1301 W. Hampton Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 10. All ages are welcome. Tools will be provided, but participants are asked to bring their own gloves and wear comfortable shoes.
“On The Table MKE”Registration is open for “On The Table MKE,” the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s fourth annual event dedicated to meaningful conversations about Milwaukee.  The theme is “Healing Justice.” This year, the conversations will take place virtually starting Monday, Oct. 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 14. To see the topics and register for free, click here.
5. Black Wmnz Emancipation: Protect Black womenKamila Ahmed, Connie Sille and SunShine Raynebow are hosting a Black Wmnz Emancipation event to protect Black women. The event will take place at Sojourner Family Peace Center, 619 W. Walnut St., from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. The protest is in honor of Breonna Taylor and all other Black women who have died by police brutality, domestic violence and medical malpractice.
Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
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: October 9, 2020

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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OPINION: I want undocumented youth to live their lives without fear | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alejandra Gonzalez
October 9, 2020
(Photo provided by Alejandra Gonzalez)
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.
Alejandra Gonzalez is a DACA recipient and the youth organizing statewide director for Voces de la Frontera and Voces de la Frontera Action. She is a proud product of the Milwaukee Public School system and a recent graduate of Alverno College.
My parents made the choice to bring my older brother and me to the United States after my fifth birthday. Poverty and the impending danger of drug cartels forced my parents to flee the country for their children’s sake. Life in the United States fared much better for my family.
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My undocumented parents went from sleeping on the floor of an attic with their children, in a shared home off Cesar Chavez Drive, to becoming homeowners with their Legal Permanent Residency in the Silver City neighborhood.
While the rest of my family has gained legal status in this country, my pathway to citizenship has been longer and more difficult. My experience with the United States immigration system has pushed me to become an advocate for immigrant rights and to empower undocumented youth in Wisconsin to come out of the shadows and live their lives without fear.
My earliest memory of finding out that I was undocumented was when I was 12 years old and I was a student at Samuel Morse Middle School. My mother told me I wouldn’t be able to get financial aid to go to school because I didn’t have a Social Security number after I told her I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t know what any of that meant, I just knew I wouldn’t be able to get what I wanted. It wasn’t until my junior year at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, when I saw my friends prepping for their lives after high school, that it hit me. I had no idea what would happen to me. What was my life going to be like after graduation?
After I graduated from high school I didn’t adapt to the real world with grace. While I was able to find jobs to support myself financially as a nanny in Shorewood, I was always fearful of what would happen to me if I was pulled over by a police officer. Without a driver’s license, the simple act of commuting to and from work could get me in trouble. Could I be deported? Would I see my family again? The stress and anxiety got to be too much, and I eventually started to abuse alcohol to suppress the fear. Eventually I began thinking about ending my life so I wouldn’t have to deal with the fear anymore. I wanted to be at peace.
Fortunately, I have a very loving mother and at the time I was a part of a very supportive theater community. They pulled me out of my dark thoughts and helped me cope with my mental health issues through affirmation and love. Around that time, I also found hope in an emerging movement led by undocumented youth.
I was inspired by a group of young immigrants who voluntarily came out of the shadows to tell their stories and state that they were “Undocumented and Unafraid.” It was their advocacy that pushed President Barack Obama to sign the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, in 2012, granting undocumented youth in the United States protection from deportation and a work permit. I was happy to apply in 2013 and even happier when I received my approval in 2014. I was able to obtain my driver’s license, pay my way through college and follow my passions.
Because of the actions and the results from a young group of immigrant advocates, I vowed to work toward a pathway to citizenship for all. I didn’t want other children to experience what I went through.
My first experience as an activist was in 2017, while I was still a freshman at Alverno College. I worked with Voces de la Frontera to pass the sanctuary resolution in Milwaukee County. I shared my story and the importance of making sure undocumented immigrants feel safe around law enforcement to report crimes or problems in their communities. After the resolution passed, I kept working with the organization by advocating for Driver’s Licenses for All and a Clean Dream Act.
While we fight for immigration reform, I want to help other undocumented youth navigate the world without status. Since the recension of DACA another generation of kids is going out into the world without protection. The weight of the fear and uncertainties can be toxic and deadly, and I want to alleviate some of those pressures.
My role as the youth organizing statewide director for Youth Empowered in the Struggle allows me to do that and more. In the last year we have used combined efforts of protests, acts of solidarity and electoral power to enact change at local and statewide levels.  That is what activism looks like to me, the act of voicing your concerns on the streets and in public community hearings. For those of us who can’t vote, it is the most powerful way to make a change.
But I can’t do it alone. Under the Trump administration, the immigrant community has been under constant attack.  From the Muslim ban to his “zero-tolerance policy” to the attempted removal of TPS and DACA holders, the Trump administration has made it clear that it does not want a certain kind of immigrant in this country – it does not want me.
Which is why I am asking those who believe in human rights to vote this November. I am asking you to be my voice at the polls. Be the voice of undocumented youth, be the voice of their parents, be our voice. And after you vote – organize.

author: Alejandra Gonzalez


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Post from Community: Goodwill, ManpowerGroup and United Way to offer free virtual workshops for job seekers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
October 9, 2020
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.
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, ManpowerGroup, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County will partner to present three virtual workshops for local men looking to develop skills and prepare for the next steps in their employment journey.
Job experts from Goodwill’s Workforce Connection Center and Goodwill TalentBridge, in collaboration with United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and ManpowerGroup, will present on important career-related topics including: “Building your Resume” (October 14), “Virtual Interview Preparation” (November 17), and “Success in Work” (December 9).
The workshops are open to the public; local men are encouraged to register and attend. These events are a follow up to the 5th annual Success Starts Here! 2020 Virtual Men’s Seminar, held this year on September 9.
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https://www.unitedwaygmwc.org/Calendar/Success-Starts-Here-Building-Your-Resume.htm
This event supports United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society, which has set a goal to reduce barriers to employment and advancement among African-Americans in the region.
If you or someone you know is looking to polish their professional skills, please encourage them to attend.
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Learn more at: http://www.unitedwayGMWC.org
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago is the largest Goodwill organization among 158 agencies in North America and has been providing services to the community for the past 100 years. With over 90 locations, Goodwill’s mission to provide training, employment and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence helps those in need across a 23-county territory. In 2019, Goodwill served nearly 43,000 men and women with disabilities and disadvantages and helped 7,932 individuals enter employment. Visit www.goodwillsew.com


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Post from Community: Outpost installs voter information kiosks in co-op and launches call to action public advocacy campaign | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative
October 9, 2020
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 partnership with the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, Outpost Natural Foods has installed voter information kiosks at each of its four co-op locations to help shoppers learn more about how to register to vote, how to request an absentee ballot if needed and how to create an election day plan.
“As a co-op we are a democratic organization – one owner, one vote – and believe in the spirit of democracy,” said Outpost’s Margaret Mittelstadt, director of Community Relations. “We believe everyone should participate in the democratic process and want to help inform and prepare our shoppers to vote.  Especially this year when the information has been so confusing.”
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The deadlines to register by mail or online to vote is October 14, to request an absentee ballot is October 29, and to register in person to vote at a clerk’s office is October 30. Voters can also register at the polls on election day.
Outpost has also launched a Call to Action public advocacy campaign encouraging the collective force of its 23,000 owners and almost 400 employees to contact their elected officials about issues important to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
“As a values-based organization, we do more than just sell food. We exist so that our owners and shoppers have a healthy, diverse and sustainable community,” said Outpost Sustainability Manager Kurt Baehmann. “We know, based on our own surveys, that sustainability, support for local producers and farmers, and the availability of natural and organic products are important to our shoppers, as well as to our business.”
Outpost has created a section on its website to serve as a resource center on these issues and how to contact elected officials. Resources include a sample phone/letter script to use when contacting lawmakers.
“A phone call is one of the most effective ways to make your views known, even more so than email and social media,” Baehmann said. “It demonstrates an issue is important to you and you’re highly engaged. So, we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for our owners and shoppers to have their voices heard. Imagine the impact even if just one percent of owners contacted their legislators.”
Each month Outpost will highlight a particular issue.
About Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative: Serving the greater Milwaukee area since 1970, Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative operates four convenient retail locations in Metro Milwaukee. Co-owned by more than 23,000 individuals from Southeastern Wisconsin, Outpost employs about 400 people, is a union employer represented by UFCW local #1473, as well as publishes an award-winning food and dining magazine (GRAZE).

author: Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative


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vote-your-choice-matters.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
October 6, 2020

created: October 6, 2020

author: Name *


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Post from Community: Seeds of Health launches ‘COVID-19 and Our Children’ virtual series October 12 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Seeds of Health Schools
October 9, 2020
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.
Seeds of Health, Inc. is launching a virtual series to examine the impact of COVID-19 on education, health, and the emotional well-being of youth in Milwaukee. The first program in the series is set to take place Monday, October 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM on ZOOM, with guest speaker Alan Borsuk, senior fellow, Marquette Law School; reporter, editor, specializing in K-12 education.
On October 12, Borsuk will explore the potential long-term effects of prolonged disruption in traditional in-person schooling and which schools are keeping kids engaged and actively learning and how they are doing it, among other topics. The event is free but registration is required by October 10 at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XbPnR5AeTpKggohR-Ldc7Q.
Future programs in the series are scheduled for October 26 and November 9, both also happening at 10:00 AM via ZOOM. On October 26, guest speaker Dr. Laura Cassidy, Professor & Director Epidemiology Division, Medical College of Wisconsin, will discuss the physical consequences of COVID-19 on children. On November 9, guest speaker Amanda Ramirez, MS, LPC, School-Based Therapist, SaintA, is scheduled to talk on the emotional lives of our children in a COVID-19 world.
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The virtual series is put on by Seeds of Health with sponsorship from Kapco, Inc.
About Seeds of Health, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Seeds of Health, Inc. is the only K-12 charter school agency in the state of Wisconsin serving approximately 1,300 students in four high schools and a K-8 elementary program. The five individual and unique education programs serve a broad range of student needs – from at-risk to the college bound. Seeds of Health is Milwaukee’s innovative “home grown” answer to imaginative, collaborative and cutting-edge education options, with the vision to positively impact the growth and development of urban children. For more information, please visit www.seedsofhealth.org.

author: Seeds of Health Schools


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SOH-Logo.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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October 8, 2020


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Post from Community: Three days of healing justice through On the Table MKE starts Monday | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
October 9, 2020
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.
Reimagined as a three-day, fully virtual experience, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s On the Table MKE aims to bring community together this year through meaningful interaction around the theme “Healing Justice.” Activities begin Oct. 12 with a keynote address by activist Frank Nitty Sensabaugh and go on to feature a range of discussion formats and topics suited to the current times, concluding on Oct. 14.
Since 2017, On the Table MKE has offered people throughout greater Milwaukee a unique opportunity to build relationships with others, engage in productive dialogue and turn ideas into positive action that benefits the community in a variety of ways. The past three Octobers, thousands have gathered at hundreds of places across the region on a single day to take part in these community-driven conversations. Although 2020 will look different, the brave spaces and collaborative spirit of On the Table MKE will continue.
“When you consider the burdens our community is carrying right now – whether a result of COVID-19, persisting racial injustice, economic hardship, or all of the above – we just cannot overvalue the need for healing,” said Foundation president and CEO Ellen Gilligan. “On the Table MKE has a track record for bridging perspectives and ideas, which can be a powerful catalyst for a healing during our collective journey toward a more just and thriving metro Milwaukee.”
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Visit onthetableMKE.org for more information and to register for as many sessions as you like. As always, participation in On the Table MKE is free. The anticipated itinerary (subject to adjustment) is as follows:
MONDAY, OCT. 12, 2020
HEALING JUSTICE
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Frank Nitty Sensabaugh
Also featuring: Ellen Gilligan, Greater Milwaukee Foundation; Rep. Kalan Haywood II; Tiffany Henry, Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals; others TBD
Join as us we launch Healing Justice, featuring well-known Milwaukee activist, Frank Nitty Sensabaugh. Frank, who recently led a march from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C., will kick off the day by discussing his journey as a local activist, why his role is critical during this time, and how this road led to him speaking at the March on Washington on Aug. 28.
Register
TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 2020
MOMENT OF MINDFULNESS
9 to 10 a.m.
Featuring: Piper Anderson, Create Forward
Throughout the pandemic, many of us have experienced a loss of control, a great sense of vulnerability for ourselves and others, and a whirlwind of challenging emotions, including fear, guilt and grief. Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention to present-moment experiences with curiosity and compassion. Learning how to cultivate mindfulness will allow community members to not only help themselves but to help others within their wider social network.
Register
WE GIVE: A FOCUS ON BLACK & BROWN PHILANTHROPY
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Featuring: Local philanthropists
As the demography of America changes, the face of philanthropy is changing along with it. Join us in this engaging conversation to discuss the landscape of giving by African American and Hispanic communities. We will share different ways philanthropists of color are giving and will debunk myths and misconceptions about the giving power of Black and Brown communities.
Register
LEADING ACROSS GENERATIONS
Noon to 1 p.m.
Featuring: Corry Joe Biddle, Fuel Milwaukee; Oby Nwabuzor, American Heart Association and One MKE; Sam Woods, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Bridge the City Podcast
Each generation has its own culture and ideas about leadership. With an increasing number of generations working alongside one another in organizations and across various movements, this table will discuss different styles of leadership and strategies to bridge the gap for shared decision-making and accountability.
Register
USING ART AS A WAY FORWARD
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Featuring: LaShawndra Vernon, Artists Working in Education; Kennita Hickman, Imagine MKE
Every community has artists. Artists offer hope. And hope heals. Join us as we discuss how art and culture play an important role in creating healthier, more equitable communities, as well as the existing barriers that artists face to creating a thriving art ecosystem.
Register
BUILDING COMMUNITY: AN ECOSYSTEM FOR CHANGE
3 to 4 p.m.
Featuring: Danell Cross, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges; Zeno Franco and David Nelson, Medical College of Wisconsin and ThriveOn Collaboration; others TBD
We believe that change won’t happen if we continue to work in silos. The challenges facing our communities – gentrification, homelessness, lack of health care – are all interconnected, and we all have a role to play in creating a better future. This conversation will explore innovative strategies for community transformation rooted in our shared vision for a thriving, inclusive and equitable community.
Register
FUNDING THE FRONTLINES
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Featuring: Camille Mays, Sherman Park Community Association and Peace Garden Project MKE; others TBD
Through our work with community leaders, we have found that a number of solutions for a more equitable community already exist. Still, there is an immense need for greater communication and collaboration between funders and grassroots leaders who are building within communities. Join us as we discuss the barriers that hinder authentic relationships and discover new opportunities to build bridges in this space.
Register
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 2020
RECOMMITTING TO MILWAUKEE’S PROMISE
9 to 10:30 a.m.
Featuring: James Causey and Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Also featuring: Ellen Gilligan, Greater Milwaukee Foundation; George Stanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Join us for a solutions-focused conversation with James Causey and Angela Peterson – journalists with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – about their current series, “Milwaukee’s Promise.” Learn how Milwaukee can reclaim its future as a community where every life is valued, and people of color realize their full potential in a welcoming, thriving community. Editor George Stanley will also talk about the need for public service journalism and its role in supporting an informed community.
Register
For all sessions, Anita Mogaka and Fiesha Lynn Bell of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation will provide facilitation and guidance for participants.
About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has inspired philanthropy by connecting generous people to community needs that align with their interests. The Foundation was founded on the premise that generosity can unlock an individual’s potential and strengthen the community as a whole for everyone who lives here. We work in partnership with those who are committed to ensuring greater Milwaukee is a vibrant, economically thriving region that comprises welcoming and inclusive communities providing opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all.
greatermilwaukeefoundation.org

author: Greater Milwaukee Foundation


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OTT-2020-reg-image.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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October 8, 2020


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5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Oct. 12 to Oct. 16 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 12, 2020
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 .
Darick Books is hosting a workshop for young entrepreneurs. (Photo provided by Darick Books)
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
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: October 12, 2020


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50442252787_b4d0870ae2_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 11, 2020

created: October 11, 2020

author: Dwayne Burtin


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The NNS coronavirus update: What Milwaukee residents need to know the week of Oct. 12 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
October 12, 2020
The testing sites at Custer Stadium and UMOS will close this week. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
The Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., and Southside Health Center,  1639 S. 23rd St., will open as testing sites starting Oct. 12.
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The Milwaukee Health Department operates both health centers.
On Oct. 17, the testing sites at Custer Stadium and UMOS will close. Mayor Tom Barrett said a new testing site will open at Miller Park to maintain capacity for the two locations.
Barrett said the National Guard will provide support at sites until Nov. 25. Barrett also said the mobile testing unit will expand its capacity from 100 tests per day to 300 tests per day. The mobile unit is used to bring testing to residential areas, nursing homes, homeless shelters and other neighborhoods.
“Our actual capacity will grow,” Barrett said at a media briefing. Testing capacity is expected to increase from 2,000 tests per day to 2,800 tests per day.
The Milwaukee Election Commission announced that Miller Park and Fiserv Forum will not be used for early voting.
The decision comes from concern that ballots cast at those sites would not be counted due to a technicality in state law.
According to state law, all early voting sites had to be designated by June 12. The plan for the stadiums was not submitted until Sept. 1, and the city was not able to obtain an exception.
The deadline to register to vote online is Oct. 14, and any applications to register to vote by mail must be postmarked to your municipal clerk by that date. You can register in person at your municipal clerk’s office until 5 p.m. Oct. 30, and you can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Gov. Tony Evers announced that an alternative care site will open Oct. 14 at State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St.
The move comes as hospitalizations in the state are reaching new highs. Nearly 900 people across Wisconsin are hospitalized with COVID-19 as of last week, and beds are filling up in some areas of the state.
The field hospital will have 530 beds and help to take the pressure off of health systems.
Dr. Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, said the alternative care site will be used for patients with less severe cases of COVID-19.
The move comes as hospitalizations surge in Milwaukee County, which has seen an increase from 77 hospitalizations to 165 in three weeks.
“We’re certainly seeing an increase in hospitalizations … however we are lucky in Milwaukee County to have the large hospitals, the large health systems that we do,” Weston said. “I don’t think we’re by any means pushing the capacity of Milwaukee County, but it’s going to be a trend to keep a close eye on.”
In response to rising coronavirus cases around the state, Evers issued an order last week to limit restaurants and bars to serving only 25% of their capacity. The order is meant to limit the number of indoor transmissions during the pandemic.
Barrett said the order will be followed in the city, although Milwaukee’s current plan that requires bars and restaurants to provide a 54-point COVID checklist should already meet that standard.
“It was the opinion of the health department and the opinion of our city attorney’s office that our local order is actually more restrictive than the state order,” Barrett said.
Restaurants and bars are named directly in the order, but it extends to any businesses serving the public with exceptions. To find out if your business is exempt from the order or meets criteria, email askcovid19@milwaukee.gov.
To obtain a free mask, residents can visit these sites:
Places where you can get the flu shots in Milwaukee.
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.
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 UMOS, 2701 S. Chase Ave., and Custer Stadium by Barack Obama School, 4300 W. Fairmount Ave. continue to operate.
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.
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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medakit-ltd-21JjjvG9hDA-unsplash | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 11, 2020


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Dwayne Burtin
October 11, 2020


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NNS Spotlight: ‘He was raised to pay it forward’: Scholarship honors legacy of Dr. Terence N. Thomas | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
October 13, 2020
Editor’s note: This story is part of an  occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
Dr. Terence N. Thomas (far right) is pictured with his family. Patricia Pattillo (far left) and Speech (second from right) helped set up the scholarship fund after Thomas died of a sudden asthmatic attack. (Photo provided by the Milwaukee Community Journal)
“My grandma’s passed, my brother is gone
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I’ve never at once felt so alone”
Todd Thomas, aka “Speech” from Arrested Development, wrote these words as part of the song “Tennessee” after losing both his grandmother and brother within days of each other.
Speech’s vulnerability was felt by the country as well, as “Tennessee” became a hit single, topping at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 100 and winning the Grammy Award for best Rap Performance from a Duo or Group in 1993.
However, the memory of Speech’s brother continues to live in Milwaukee through the Dr. Terence N. Thomas Scholarship Fund. Since beginning in 1992, it’s given away over $1 million in stipends to low-income students and students of color in Milwaukee.
The fund honors Thomas, Speech’s brother and a Milwaukee-born doctor who died from an asthmatic attack in 1991.
Patricia Pattillo, publisher of the Milwaukee Community Journal and Thomas’ mother, organized the scholarship to preserve the memory of her son and to help  Milwaukee’s young people have the educational opportunities Thomas valued.
“He was raised to pay it forward,” Pattillo said of her son’s willingness to give back to the community that raised him. “And through the scholarship he is paying it forward to these young people who will then pay it forward after they get their education.”
A Milwaukee native, Thomas was a high achiever from the beginning. His mother said he had an interest in medicine since his early days, and he eventually made it to med school at Michigan State to study.
After graduating, he began residency at a hospital in Flint, Michigan. He planned to come back to Milwaukee after completing his residency.
Thomas heads out for a trip. The scholarship fund that bears his name has given away more than $1 million to Milwaukee youth. (Photo provided by the Milwaukee Community Journal)
In his first year of residency, Thomas’ grandmother died. At the funeral in Tennessee, Pattillo said Thomas reflected  on the fragility of life.
“He had such deep regret that his grandma had not seen any more of what he would do,” Pattillo said. “He made sure that what he had been given was returned to this community.”
However, days after returning home from the funeral, Thomas suffered a fatal asthmatic attack. He was only 29.
On the night he learned of Thomas’ death, Speech went into the basement and began to write what would become the song “Tennessee.”
“That song, and the album, speaks to what we were going through at the time,” Pattillo remembered. “As well as what we’re going through right now in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Chicago and all of our cities.”
As the family worked through the double tragedy of losing Thomas and his grandmother, Pattillo was thinking about how Thomas lived his life.
“As we began to think about how best to remember him, we thought of how important education was to him and how determined he was to give back,” she said.
The scholarship offers a $2,000 annual stipend for college students.
One recipient is Truscenialyn Brooks-Williams, who received the scholarship for four years of undergraduate studies at Marian University of Fond du Lac and three years at University of Wisconsin Law School.
When she was young, Brooks-Williams wanted to be a doctor in order to spend her life helping people, but after watching Maxine Shaw use her law degree for good on the show “Living Single,” Brooks-Williams began to think about a career in law.
“Maxine was the first Black attorney I remember seeing, real or otherwise,” said Brooks-Williams. “After taking classes in writing and public speaking, I started to think that maybe I could help people as a lawyer.”
Brooks-Williams said the scholarship made the difference between having to pick up another job while in school and being able to focus solely on her studies and legal work.
“We want our students to be able to focus completely on their education,” said Pattillo. “We tell our students ‘your job is to get an education, we’ll figure out the money.’”
Brooks-Williams now works as a civil rights attorney, where she helps employees being fired over race, gender or sexuality issues file lawsuits or enter into confidential mediation with their employer.
“I’m doing what I set out to do – help people and give back to the community,” said Brooks-Williams.
Beyond the money, Brooks-Williams credits the intangible benefits the scholarship offers, such as the support she receives from Pattillo and the scholarship’s alumni network. Every year, the scholarship holds a gathering with current and former recipients of the scholarship to celebrate their successes and the life of Thomas.
Over the years, Brooks-Williams says these gatherings have grown in size.
“It is a room full of Black people who support each other,” said Brooks-Williams. “It feels like family.”
Common Council President Cavalier Johnson is a scholarship alumnus who also returns to the gathering every year.
Johnson, the first in his family to attend college, said the scholarship helped him not only get through school with minimal debt but also serve as a role model for his family and neighbors.
“The opportunity to go to college on a full ride opened doors not just for me but for the rest of my family and neighborhood,” Johnson said. “Here we are decades later, and I still come back every year to talk about the impact this scholarship had on my life.”
When Alethia Tilford applied for the scholarship in 2015, she said she was sure of herself, but not sure of her future. What she did know is that the scholarship could help her graduate debt-free, which was her goal at the time.
“I was very outspoken, determined and unsure of my future,” said Tilford. “Now I am more polished and focused on securing a career, not just a well-paying job.”
Tilford would go on to graduate from Howard University and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in international economics with a Latin American studies concentration. Her goal is to become a foreign service officer.
Pattillo is proud of how the scholarship has helped students in the community but now faces a new challenge: Keeping the scholarship funded after the recent recession. Pattillo said the fund needs another $40,000 before next August in order to meet its commitment.
“With all that the fund has done, it’s always work, hard work in recruiting funds for these brilliant students,” she said. “Of course, I shall continue, it is imperative to keep our pledge to these tenacious academicians.”
You can donate to the scholarship fund here.

created: October 13, 2020

author: Sam Woods


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50275572978_f039fb2030_w | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 12, 2020


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legacy-of-dr-thomas | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 12, 2020


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Post from Community: Drive-Thru Job Fairs bringing opportunity to the community | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City of Milwaukee
October 14, 2020
Northside and North West Side events take place on Wednesday, October 28th from noon to 4 p.m.
The City of Milwaukee Office of Workforce Development will be holding north side and northwest side Drive-Thru Job Fairs on Wednesday, October 28th for Milwaukee job seekers looking for immediate employment opportunities.
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The job fair events are enthusiastically supported by Common Council members Ashanti Hamilton (1st District), President Cavalier Johnson (2nd District), Nikiya Dodd (5th District) and Chantia Lewis (9th District) as a creative way to bring immediate job opportunities to residents (where they live) and in a manner that is safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The job fairs will focus on neighborhoods within the 1st, 2, 5 and 9 Aldermanic Districts, all of which have been hit hard by COVID-19. All attendees will receive a no-contact bag packed with information on employment assistance programs and employers hiring right now, and the events will feature employers from manufacturing, office, healthcare, retail, transportation/logistics and much more.
The Drive Thru Job Fair event on October 28 is co-sponsored by Northwest Side CDC Milwaukee LISC, Direct Connect MKE (DCMKE) Employ Milwaukee, We Care Crew, Leader Paper Products, Milwaukee County Parks and CDBG Milwaukee.
Wednesday, October 28th
Noon – 4:00 PM
North side (Location 1)
Lincoln Park
Blatz Bldg. Parking Lot
1301 West Hampton Ave..
*Enter lot from W. Hampton Ave..
North West side (Location 2)
Walgreens
Parking lot
9040 W. Good Hope Road.
*Enter lot from West Good Hope Road

created: October 14, 2020

author: City of Milwaukee


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Screen Shot 2020-10-13 at 4.49.13 PM | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 13, 2020


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Milwaukee opens waitlist process for project-based housing. Here is what you need to know. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
1 Person, 2 Persons, 3 Persons, 4 Persons, 5 Persons, 6 Persons, 7 Persons, 8 Persons
October 14, 2020
Becher Court is one of several properties for those interested in living in project-based housing. (Photo provided by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee)
Editor’s note: The headline of this story has been updated to make clear that the waitlist is specifically for project-based housing.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, or HACM, has opened its waitlist for those interested in living in project-based housing, which includes Section 8.
This list opens every few years as space becomes available in the city’s public housing projects.
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Eligible applicants must be adult Wisconsin residents with total household incomes no more than those indicated below.
Those who pre-apply will be contacted via email to fill out the official online application. After they do that, they’ll be called in order of when they applied once space becomes available for them. Officials say it is important to note that this waitlist is different from that of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list. The Section 8 program offers rent subsidies to people living in privately owned housing and the housing projects are owned by the city. The Section 8 list is not open for applications now.
We talked with Amy Hall, the communication coordinator for HACM, to answer questions about the process.
HACM is calling people back as space becomes available. The list was opened because it was getting low, but people can be on the list for around two years before getting a call.
You’re applying to apply. Once space becomes available, they reach out to you and you then go through the actual application process.
A staff member will call you. They communicate with renters at times that work best for them.
Once the required information is returned, the application process is quick. However, there is no way to determine how long someone will be on the waitlist.
Provide the following and understand that you will receive an email to fill out the full application — and then a call when and if space becomes available.
– First and last names of all household members.
– Dates of birth of all household members
– Mailing address
– Social Security number
– Phone number (including area code)
– Email address
No. You can be eligible. However, if you do not verify eligibility through proper sources, you may not receive assistance.
This is just an application to be in the program.
Pre-applications are being accepted at waitlist.hacm.org. This type of assistance subsidizes the cost of housing at the specific housing developments listed above.


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BECHERCOURT | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 13, 2020


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OPINION: ‘We have shared our father with the community’: Daughters reflect on famed artist Reynaldo Hernandez | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Rozalia Hernandez-Singh and Marisa Hernandez-De Windt
October 14, 2020
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.
Family photos of the Hernandez family, then and now, with the authors and their father pointed out. (Photos provided by Rozalia Hernandez-Singh)
Reynaldo Hernandez is a Milwaukee-based artist who has created some of the city’s most recognizable murals during his 50-year career, including the “Mural of Peace” and “Celebrate the Arts.”
In this piece, his daughters Rozalia Hernandez-Singh and Marisa Hernandez-De Windt reflect on their experiences growing up with the renowned artist as a father.
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When we talk about my father‘s legacy, we need to first give credit to his ancestors.
My great-grandmother migrated to the North looking for a better life. My great-grandfather migrated from Mexico to Chicago and Milwaukee, dying very young. As a single African American mother, what my great-grandmother wanted most was for her children to thrive. Their gifts were in the arts as tap dancers, singers and musicians.
My father’s talent was discovered at the age of 2. His mother, a gifted dancer and trained pianist, encouraged him to draw. My grandmother also made sure that her children knew of their Mexican heritage.
My father grew up in the ’60s and ’70s, and I believe that era shaped my father — racial injustice, riots, the growth of Puerto Rican and Mexican immigrant communities in Milwaukee.
My father grew up on the South Side of Milwaukee and experienced intense racism. His skin was darker in comparison to his brothers and sister, which gave him an awareness and perspective, leading him to develop a love of his Black and Mexican heritage.
Growing up, my father taught us to embrace our culture through music, visual art, history and language. Just as he grew up in a very diverse environment, he wanted to teach his children the same. He taught us facts about our cultural history, which made us proud to be who we are.
My father is the greatest teacher and storyteller. His stories about Bible characters and historical figures would inspire anyone.
Definitely, my favorite gift that I got from my father is the love of learning. So much of his work involves reading and research. I always thought of my father as a walking encyclopedia. He is a bookworm and a sponge for knowledge.
His humility is another quality that I adore. He sees the greatness in others. The simplest and smallest act of creation can spark creativity. He taught us to pick up bugs and view them with a magnifying glass, noticing a pattern of the wings, the iridescence of the two colors and their strong armor — the fascinating details that make it amazing!
As a child, I remember frequenting the United Community Center and Inner City Arts Council with my father. I remember going to UW-Milwaukee for the film festival. I remember being surrounded by many inspiring artists and attending mural dedications on a regular basis.
Art can also be a double-edged sword. There is beauty of expression, but there’s also hardship — the struggles until the next job comes, mental strain to perform and the loneliness that can come with greater awareness of harsh realities.
We were exposed to art in the raw.
It took me some time to make art a full-time career for myself. After years of unfulfilling jobs, and my father in my ear telling me to go for it, I finally took the plunge.
Mentorship from my father has been much like the Karate Kid. He needs perfection, asking me to read deeply about every technique before I put it into practice. I also constantly remind my father that I am just me. When I don’t see or realize my worth, he reminds me, “Yes, you are a woman of color and your struggle is even greater. But you are just as good — if not better. “
My father takes joy in seeing me perform as a visual artist. It took a lot of growth for both of us to get to the point where he can watch me from a distance, nod and say, “That’s good.” That brings me a great sense of satisfaction and joy.
When it comes to the legacy of my father, as his daughter, I was surrounded by wisdom, passion, creativity, and sometimes, harsh truth.
My father taught us through conversations that made us think deeply about life from a young age. We listened, taking in every single word — he just has a way of making you get excited to learn more.
I used to sneak into my dad’s art room, the vault of his soul, so I could secretly read his favorite books. He was always working on himself, spiritually and emotionally, which led me to do the same, since I was a little girl.
My father also has a passion about everything he does. He took pride — almost too much — in pushing us to be our best. I can appreciate it now. The passion to give of yourself authentically has helped me to be more effective in my work.
I am a birth worker, an artist, a wellness specialist, a mother and a wife.
When I paint, I want my art to tell a story. My papi is passionate about history. In fact, he worked with a historian to ensure his art elevated Black people with real true dignity and loyalty.
The creativity he instilled in me is powerful — his mind never stops. As an artist you are full of ideas and sometimes can’t sleep. He is a visionary, which is part of why he created such powerful images.
Even now, people share with me how much his murals helped them as a child growing up in the inner city. “The Black Wonder Woman” mural is one example. A friend recently told me that this mural made her look inside herself and see how beautiful she was.
Larger than life murals heal and influence the community. We have shared our father with the community, as that was part of his purpose. He was always working on something creative either alone or in the community.
Always deep in thought, my father shared the harsh truths of life with us. He would worry, as he wanted the best for us children and the world. The frustration and emotions, struggling to live authentically as an artist, can make you go crazy at times. You feel intensely the harsh realities in your face.
I’m sure being Black and Latino, raising six kids on one income and not knowing where your next job is coming from was very stressful. Even so, he encouraged us to work four times as hard, to make sure we could present ourselves in spaces where we normally wouldn’t be allowed.
I am grateful my father pushed me so hard, but as a sensitive child, I didn’t always understand why. Now I know he saw parts of himself in me and wanted me to see me believe in myself and find my gifts.


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hernandez-family-photo | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 13, 2020


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hernandez-family | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 13, 2020


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Election 2020: What you need to know to vote on Nov. 3 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
October 15, 2020
Election officials register voters on the first day of early voting in 2014 at the Zeidler Municipal Building. (File photo by Andrea Waxman)
This year’s general election is Nov. 3. On the ballot, voters will have the opportunity to choose their lawmakers, including seats in the House of Representatives and the president of the United States.
Here’s everything you need to know to make sure your vote counts this year:
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In order to participate in the general election, Milwaukee residents should make sure they’re registered to vote.
The deadline to register to vote online or by mail was Oct. 14
But you can register to vote in person at your local municipal clerk’s office until 5 p.m. Oct. 30. Click here to find your municipal clerk location. You will need  proof of residence.
If you plan to vote in person on Nov. 3, you can also register to vote at your polling place. At this location, you can cast your ballot or register to vote until 8 p.m. This will require a proof of residence document. Visit this link to find your polling place by entering your address.
Starting on Oct. 20, Milwaukee voters can vote in the general election. The early voting period lasts until Nov. 1.
The following locations are open for early voting from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
These locations also are open for early voting from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The UW-Milwaukee Student Union is also open for early voting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located at 2200 E Kenwood Blvd.
The following locations will be available for early voting by appointment. Email kdzapat@milwaukee.gov to request an appointment:
The deadline to request absentee ballots which can be submitted by mail is 5 p.m. Oct. 29 for regular and overseas voters, and 5 p.m. Oct. 30 for military voters and the indefinitely confined.
To request an absentee ballot, visit this webpage.
Here’s a link to a map created to help people find ballot drop boxes, created by teacher Blake Burgess for people to locate the drop box closest to them.
Ballots will look different depending on what area of the city you’re voting in, as you’ll be able to vote for local elections that are specific to your district as well as state and federal elections. To find out more about what elections you’re eligible to vote for, visit this link.
Wisconsin voter identification laws requires most voters to present a photo ID. Accepted forms of photo ID can include:
There are some exceptions. Voters in the military, people living permanently overseas and confidential electors do not have to provide a photo ID to get an absentee ballot. Similarly, voters that are indefinitely confined in nursing homes or care facilities do not need to show a photo ID but do need a signature from a witness in order to get an absentee ballot.
Senior citizens might have easier access to voter resources, thanks to the civic engagement group Souls to the Polls. The organization reached an agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee to set up voter assistance kiosks in senior housing units. This means that seniors living in public housing can get assistance registering to vote and applying for absentee ballots.

created: October 15, 2020


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14966357243_99bc6e4fb7_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 14, 2020


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OPINION: I am an experienced Black female creative, and I’m done working for free | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kennita Hickman
October 15, 2020
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.
(Photo by Wes Tank of TankThink)
Kennita Hickman is a cultural and music writer, entrepreneur and health enthusiast.
I knowingly and graciously accepted a contract that required me to work for free.
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And it’s because I’m Black.

I know that sounds wild. Maybe even salacious. Bait-clicky. But it’s not.

In fact, throughout my 21-year career in writing for magazines (local to international), working in radio and managing artists — most of that work was for free.
Quick rundown of who I am. I wrote my first nationally published article at 15; contributed articles to magazines in Milwaukee, Canada, Germany and stateside; and I worked in radio, including some voiceover work. Most folks know me for artist management of hip-hop and rock artists here in Milwaukee.
I’ve been around.
And yet I knowingly and graciously accepted a contract that required me to work for free.
In this case, I was asked to create semi-exclusive content for a media company. I was elated for the opportunity. The media company had seen my work before, so it felt like we were building a relationship around building content.

I did ask about being paid. Several times, actually. I used words like “licensing” and “distribution” — language a media company would understand.
I was told explicitly there was no money in the budget for me. None. And that I’d shoulder the financial burden of creating this content. I was also going to have to find advertisers and sponsors –  and potentially share the profit with the media organization.
So I shouldered the cost of everything. Initially to create written content, I spent maybe $250 or so for each package, including materials, photographer, but not my time. Then we switched to video. I went from paying $250 a piece to $2,500 for each video — again, not including my time.
I created six published pieces in total — three printed and three video pieces. This doesn’t include additional photoshoots to accompany each piece and a teaser video. From the analytics I’ve seen, all of them have performed well for the media company.
I’m not an anomaly, nor is this situation. Free work is often offered to folks of color and poor people under the guise “This will be an exposure opportunity for you.”
Let me tell you — I can count, on one hand, how many folks have booked me for another gig or became a client as a result of me working for free.

I’m not ungrateful for opportunities. I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one. My question is: When have I worked enough to no longer have to work for free?
In the above case, I said “yes” because I didn’t want to be viewed as difficult. As a Black woman in white spaces, I don’t get the luxury of having a bad day. I don’t get to show the fullness of my emotions in non-Black spaces. I often don’t get the opportunity to say “no” and be asked again or negotiate.
Once I was told there was no money on the table, I looked to what’s the next best thing in this partnership. It was ownership. Being able to own my content seemed a bigger play.
I was scared to continue to push the money issue. What if they said “no” to distributing my content? Or what if they decided not to book me as their emcee?
I would later find out that everyone was getting paid except me, the only Black content creator.
That’s the rub. Again, I’m not an anomaly as a Black woman creative in Milwaukee. First off, we’re often not sought out for work. It can seem particularly difficult for folks to FIND Black talent — I’ve sat at tables where they literally said: “How do we find rappers? Where do we go to look?”
Especially with paid work. Folks will book us and hire us to check off that diversity box. We’re often paid less, if at all. And then it all goes back to, “Hey, it’s not in the budget but we really need this work done,” or, “Hey, this is an opportunity to grow your brand and elevate you on our platform.”
Can we be honest about how we leverage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) work and labor without proper compensation? And how that’s really the language of America? It’s literally HOW this country was built? Can we be honest and just take that in for a moment?
What I didn’t see is that folks book me because they see value in what I could bring. I brought affluent people of color. Millennials. When I tag something and say ‘shop here,’ ‘eat here,’ I can measure folks who do just that. People trust my personal and professional ethos, which is why no one in my circle understood why I said yes to not getting paid.
I just didn’t trust that I had that influence. I didn’t believe it. I said yes because of the lack of value I placed in myself, my skills, my influence.
I’m sad that I didn’t advocate for myself. That I didn’t trust my abilities enough. I’m sad that I got used to continuously proving my worth by doing free work.
I’m not an anomaly there, either.
What I want BIPOC creatives to know right now is this — you’re worth it now. Set the amount. Negotiate if you want. Work for free if it’s your choice.
People who value your work and what you’re bringing to the table will pay.

author: Kennita Hickman


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COMMUNITYVOICE15 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 14, 2020


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kennita | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 14, 2020


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There’s still time to vote absentee in Milwaukee. Here’s how to do it. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
October 15, 2020
If your absentee ballot is not received by Nov. 3, your vote will not be counted. (Photo by Adam Carr)
If you would rather avoid in-person voting Election Day (Nov. 3), you have options.
Here’s what you need to know about absentee voting.
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The first thing you need to do to vote by absentee ballot in Wisconsin is make sure you’re registered to vote and that your address is current. Click here to see if you’re registered and to check the address you have on file. If you are registered but your name or address has changed, you will need to update your registration and submit a copy (photo) of your ID card. Visit BringitWisconsin for a list of acceptable IDs. The address on your ID does not have to be current.
If you’re not registered, you can do so here and then request an absentee ballot here. To register for the first time you will need to submit a photo of your ID online, or another approved form of identification.
The deadline to submit an application for an absentee ballot is the Thursday before the election, which is Oct. 29, but voters are being strongly encouraged to submit one as soon as possible. A federal court in Wisconsin recently blocked an extension of the absentee ballot deadline, so if your ballot is not received by mail or in person by Nov. 3, your vote will not be counted.
That means you must receive your ballot and mail it back or drop it off at an early voting site before Election Day. Early in-person absentee voting begins on Oct. 20 and runs to Nov. 1. In-person absentee voting sites can be found here.
There are a few other ways you can request an absentee ballot. You can request one by mail by downloading the application for absentee ballot.  Once you complete the form, you need to mail it  with a copy of your photo ID to the Election Commission, 200 E Wells St Room 501, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
You can also email either your completed application for absentee ballot with a copy of your ID to absenteeballot@milwaukee.gov, or send a copy of your ID with the following information: 1. Your full name 2. Voting address 3. Specific election for which you would like a ballot.
Finally, you may fax your application for absentee ballot to (414) 286-8445, along with a legible faxed photo of your ID. If you still have questions, you can call the City of Milwaukee Election Commission at (414) 286-3491 or email  voterinfo@milwaukee.gov.

author: Edgar Mendez


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BALLOT | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 14, 2020


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Oct. 16 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 16, 2020
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 .
Tricklebee Cafe is hosting a virtual fundraiser gala and silent auction. (File photo by Andrea Waxman)
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Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
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: October 16, 2020


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31258526522_1cb38965cc_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 16, 2020


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Dwayne Burtin
October 15, 2020


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Menomonee Valley businesses carry on despite the pandemic | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
October 16, 2020
Slot machines at the casino are now separated by Plexiglass. (Photo provided by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino)
In mid-July, Rodney Ferguson, CEO and general manager of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, was faced with the unenviable task of informing 1,600 employees that he didn’t have work for them anymore.
“It was extremely difficult because it’s a family here,” Ferguson said. “It hits close to heart and close to home because many of them have been here since the opening.”
The casino is the business hardest hit by the fallout from COVID-19 in the Menomonee River industrial valley.  A few firms, such as Palermo’s Pizza, have actually added employees, though others, such as the Harley-Davidson Museum, have struggled as well.
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Potawatomi, a major employer and philanthropic supporter in the city, opened in the Menomonee Valley as a modest bingo operation in 1991. The casino has since expanded several times, adding a hotel tower in 2014 and a second tower in 2019. The casino and hotels were set to accommodate the throngs of visitors expected in town for the Democratic National Convention this summer.
But the pandemic ruined those plans, shutting the casino from March to June. Employees were kept on the payroll until furloughed workers were permanently laid off in July.
Since reopening June 8, capacity at the casino has scaled up from 400 visitors to its current limit of 3,000, Ferguson said.
Visitors no longer need reservations to visit the hotel or casino, though table and bingo games remain closed, and bars and restaurants offer only to-go service, he added. The casino currently employs roughly 1,000 workers.
A return to normal operations for the casino, said Ferguson, is largely dependent on a vaccine that still doesn’t exist.
“That’s what the virus has done across the state, country and the world,” he said, discussing the coronavirus’s impact. “As the vaccine comes into place, we will try to hire as many people back as possible.”
Until then, he said, the casino will continue to employ safety measures to keep employees and the public as safe as possible, including limiting capacity, regular cleaning of machines and other areas, Plexiglass dividers between slots and temperature checks.
On the western end of the Menomonee Valley, between Potawatomi and Miller Park, sits L & R USA Inc., a medical equipment and supply company based in Austria and Germany. The company has been able to maintain its 70-strong workforce and add 20 temporary employees since the pandemic began, said  Lindsay Ryback, a senior product manager for the company.
Sales took a hit early in the pandemic, she said, but a government contract to produce 400,000 face masks helped the company supplement reduced sales of medical equipment.
Lindsay Ryback, a senior product manager for L & R USA Inc., wears a mask that was developed and produced by her company after the pandemic began. (Photo provided by Lindsay Ryback)
“We adjusted some of our operations to make the masks, and we’re able to help save lives across the world,” she said.
Ryback said that once the order was completed, the company developed its own washable and reusable masks and added other new products to help sales reps pick up new business for the company. Like Potawatomi, the organization introduced numerous safety measures, including mandating masks in the building, keeping office personnel at home, hiring a porter to clean the building and limiting visitors, to keep workers safe.
“We were very focused on supporting our people during the pandemic,” Ryback said.
Corey Zetts, executive director of Menomonee Valley Partners, said the pandemic’s effect on Valley businesses has varied. The hardest hit, obviously, was Potawatomi, the Valley’s biggest employer. Another Valley business that shut down for several months and is now open at limited capacity, Harley Davidson Museum, has also struggled, she said.
Other Valley companies, including meat producer Cargill, have gone into a hiring mode since the pandemic began, Zetts said. Palermo’s Pizza expanded its refrigeration market and is in the process of hiring as many as 100 more employees, she added.
Catrina Crane, director of workforce development and business solutions for Menomonee Valley Partners, said Valley companies teamed up to hold a drive-up job fair and have been supporting each other in other ways since the pandemic began.
“Many of them were sharing their processes for screenings and temperature checks, and they shared information on signage and other tips to keep employees from contaminating each other,” Crane said. They also shared resources on child care, provided guidance on how to increase internet bandwidth for those who were working from home, and helped each other access essential safety items such as gloves and hand sanitizers, she said.
Another important aspect of helping Valley businesses navigate the pandemic has been working to support employee morale, Zetts said. Among the challenges employers faced were quelling animosity for workers who had to be on site versus those who were able to work from home. Ryback said her company has been treating its employees to box lunches, other treats and offering incentives as a way to show their appreciation.
Valley businesses have also tried to minimize the negative effects of employees having to socially distance from each other.
“Outdoor spaces are now more important than ever,” Zetts said. “Employees have been able to get outside, explore the Valley and have safe interactions with others.”
As for Potawatomi, there’s no telling if or when the company will get back to normal, Ferguson said.
“We’re appreciative of all those guests who returned and understand the many who haven’t for obvious reasons,” Ferguson said. “To this day we knock on wood that none of the cases have been traced back to our property and that our team members and guests have stayed safe.”


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Lindsay2 (1).JPG (1) | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 15, 2020


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SLOT1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
October 15, 2020


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5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Oct. 19 to Oct. 24 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
October 19, 2020
The Mobile Legal Clinic is going virtual on Mondays and Wednesdays. (File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
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. Milwaukee’s annual Data Day: Wednesday, Oct. 21
Data You Can Use will host its sixth annual Data Day, an event that brings neighborhood leaders, data scientists, researchers and funders together to discuss how data can be used to better understand the issues affecting Milwaukee and the actions that can be taken. Data Day will take place virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 21.  As part of Data Day, there is a Data Dream Competition in which local groups have the chance to win services that will help them move forward. You can pick your favorite through the People’s Choice Voting, which ends Monday, Oct. 19. READ: NNS Spotlight: Nonprofit uses data research to spur change in communities
2. Early voting caravan and party: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges is hosting an early voting car caravan and party. The group plans to meet at Butterfly Park, 3717 W. Meinecke Ave., at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The plan is to form a caravan to the Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., where people can cast their ballot. There will be a celebration to follow. Registration is required.
3. Expungement and pardon clinic: Wednesday, Oct. 21
The Mobile Legal Clinic is hosting a free expungement and pardon clinic from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The clinic will take place through Zoom and individuals can make appointments by calling 414-278-2046 or emailing expungemke@gmail.com. Appointments will last one hour. For additional clinic dates, click here.
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4. MICAH’s annual public meeting and celebration: Thursday, Oct. 22
MICAH Milwaukee is hosting its annual public meeting and celebration virtually this year. “MICAH: We Rise 2020” will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. To register for the event, click here. Attendees will hear from outgoing MICAH president, the Rev. Marilyn Miller, and incoming president, the Rev. Joseph Jackson.
5. Bike the vote: Tour of Milwaukee: Saturday, Oct. 24
Bike the Vote MKE is inviting people on a bike tour of Milwaukee. The six-mile tour will make stops at local landmarks that showcase diversity. The tour will also be encouraging civic engagement. The group will meet at O’Donnell Park, 910 E. Michigan St., and the ride will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Click here to register.
Bonus: Service journalism for Milwaukee: News414
Earlier this year, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media launched News414. News414 is service journalism that works for and with Milwaukee residents to provide them with the information they need regarding housing, mental health and domestic violence, food security, health and safety and jobs and money. Join News414 today by texting MILWAUKEE to 73224.
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: October 19, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 18, 2020

created: October 18, 2020


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The NNS coronavirus update: What Milwaukee residents need to know the week of Oct. 19 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
October 19, 2020
New testing sites are opening as the city prepares to close National Guard sites at Custer Stadium and UMOS. (Photo by Adam Carr)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Gov. Tony Evers’ restaurant capacity order has been reinstated.
Here’s the latest update on COVID-19 in Milwaukee and the resources you need to combat it.
The National Guard sites at Custer Stadium and UMOS are closing this week and will be replaced by the city-run Northwest Health Center, South Side Health Center and Miller Park as new testing locations.
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Mayor Tom Barrett said the Milwaukee Health Department is looking for individuals to help staff the three locations.
Barrett said the department needs  registration assistants, runners and testers to work part time and full time. “Runners” are responsible for transporting medical supplies and testing materials. Training and orientation for these positions will be provided on-site.
“This is not something where you need to have a PhD in something,” Barrett said. “These are opportunities for you to have a job where you can help support your family.”
Anyone interested can find applications on MilwaukeeJobs.com by searching “testing sites.”
The Milwaukee Health Department announced last week that free flu shots will be offered at the Northwest Health Center and Southside Health Center, the same sites that will become primary testing locations for the city.
Flu shots will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Individuals can receive a COVID-19 test and flu vaccine in the same visit.
The move comes as health officials recommend flu vaccination to avoid coinfection with the coronavirus.
Greenfield Health Commissioner Darren Rausch said the county averaged 319 new cases per day last week, higher than any other time during the pandemic.
Rausch said no one thing could be attributed to the rise in cases but pointed to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that small household gatherings may be the reason for the recent surges across the country.
“We know there are things happening,” Rausch said. “We know there are gatherings in the community, and we know those can be a driver.”
Rausch urged people to continue wearing masks and to maintain social distancing. He also added to be mindful of the people you spend time with, and make sure that you’re not putting yourself in unsafe social situations.
Ben Weston, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Department of Emergency Management, said the county is still doing slightly better than the state in terms of cases.
A state order from Gov. Tony Evers that limited restaurants and bars to 25% capacity was struck down last week in court.
But Monday, a judge in Barron County ruled that Evers’ order can be reinstated, dealing a blow to the Wisconsin Tavern League, which  sued the Evers administration for the order. The league said the order would be responsible for many taverns and restaurants closing because of the economic impact of serving under capacity.
Barrett spoke out about the order being struck down, saying that he was happy Milwaukee had its own plan in place and criticized the lack of action from the Wisconsin legislature in COVID-19 safeguards.
“What the legislature can do, should do, must do is come into session since it’s been out of session essentially for half a year and address these issues,” Barrett said. “But for the legislature to do absolutely nothing and then criticize the governor, they couldn’t be more wrong.”
This comes as Barrett warned bars in Milwaukee to begin following local mandates more closely after reported violations.
The state topped its daily positive cases count again on Oct. 15, reaching 3,747 new cases.
This increase continues a bad month for Wisconsin, which continues to see a rise in hospitalizations and deaths. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said 10 of the top 20 metro areas in the country for coronavirus cases were located in Wisconsin.
“The trends are very real, and they’re very bad,” Weston said. “Hospitals in the state are feeling so overwhelmed in some cases that they’re transferring out patients, and you better believe that is not a decision those hospitals reach lightly.”
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.
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 also is opening as a testing site effective Oct. 19.
The community testing sites at Custer Stadium and UMOS closed last week.
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.
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.


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UPDATE: Boys & Girls Clubs says closing of sites will be temporary | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
October 19, 2020
In an interview last month, Kathy Thornton-Bias, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Milwaukee told NNS that she did not know if or when the Pieper-Hillside club would reopen. (File photo by Adam Carr)
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee says that the closings of clubs as previously reported by NNS will be temporary.
A Sept. 30 story revealed that the organization, which bills itself as the largest youth-serving agency in the city, was closing six locations.
Kathy Thornton-Bias, president of the organization, which provides child care, mentoring and support for area children, told NNS that COVID-19 has put a dent in the Clubs’ finances.
Imposing social distancing has made operations difficult to maintain and kept many regulars from returning, she said.
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But no clubs are permanently closed, a spokeswoman said last week. She stressed that 80% of the clubs are operating, and that other sites will reopen when in-person learning resumes.
The closing of the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club, in particular, drew concern as the club has been a fixture in the community for more than 20 years and a frequent stop for kids in Hillside Terrace and students at Golda Meir School.
For many, a news release from Ald. Milele Coggs was the first they had heard about the issue.
In the interview, Thornton-Bias told NNS that  she did not know if or when the Pieper-Hillside club would reopen, as this year has proven unpredictable. But she said officials were working as hard as they can to serve the community.
A spokeswoman for the club says that out of 45 locations, 35 Clubs and Camp Whitcomb/Mason are “actively providing services.” Kids at the other clubs, which have temporarily moved their services to other locations, are attending the Mary Ryan Club, Daniels-Mardak Club and Davis Club.
All remaining locations, she said, are set to have programming resume on-site when schools reopen, including Bradley Tech High School Club, Kagel Club and Gaenslen Club
The following clubs have had services temporarily moved from their locations and members from these sites are attending other Clubs.  These Clubs will also resume in-person programming at each site when school reopens, the spokeswoman said:
Early View Club
Milwaukee Academy of Science Club
Northwest Catholic Club
Prince of Peace Club
St. Joseph Club
For a complete list of clubs, click here.


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COVID-19 survivors tell us how you can show up for an infected loved one | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
October 20, 2020
Even when symptoms are mild, quarantining and re-entering the world can be a lonely experience for COVID-19 survivors.
We talked to two recent COVID-19 survivors to get an idea of what having the virus is like physically, but also how their community showed up in their moment of need.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
When Mikey Murry woke up with a headache and sore throat in early June, she did not think much of it. After all, she had been protesting the day before, and while she does not get sick often, a headache and sore throat were not alarming.
Mikey Murry (Photo provided by Mikey Murry)
But when the sore throat and headache were joined by fatigue, loss of smell and taste as well as chest pains “like heartburn but much, much worse,” Murry got tested for COVID-19. Her results came back positive.
“Everyone thought I was sick because of stress, but I knew this was not like any usual sickness for me,” said Murry, a Milwaukee author and filmmaker.
Two months later, Ambrose “WB” Wilson-Brown was driving from a work event in Chicago when he felt a headache and fatigue coming on. As a social entrepreneur running his own business, Wilson-Brown had to continue working in order to make a living. While he knew the risks of continuing his work in-person, he didn’t think he had caught COVID-19 and that he just needed some rest.
“I feel a little tired and have a headache at the end of the day all the time,” Wilson-Brown said. “I was not thinking about COVID at all, but a few days later I tested positive.”
Murry and Wilson-Brown’s symptoms were common to patients with COVID-19: loss of smell and taste, headaches, trouble breathing. While neither thought their life was ever on the line, the experience was still unpleasant, and both found it easy to get caught up in catastrophic “what-ifs.”
“I worried about making it a bigger deal than it was,” Wilson-Brown said. “I had to be careful about what I was reading on the news, because it wasn’t helping me at that time to hear about how bad the virus is.”
Ambrose Wilson-Brown (Photo provided by Ambrose Wilson-Brown)
In addition to the physical and psychological effects of the virus, both Murry and Wilson-Brown noted how lonely the experience was.
“My partner and I were even staying socially distant inside the house,” Murry said. “This is a very lonely time as is, but it’s extra lonely when you are sick.”
Luckily, Murry and Wilson-Brown’s friends and family showed up for them while they were quarantining. People dropped off food, wished them well and stayed in contact throughout the period.
But Wilson-Brown, who is still experiencing a little fatigue and headaches, says being specific with your questions can go a long way.
“Instead of asking if they want food, ask questions like: ‘Are you eating?’ ‘Do you need any soup?’” Wilson-Brown said. “And if they don’t get back to you right away, it’s not personal. Give them some space.”
Murry, who still sometimes gets intense chest pains similar to when she was sick, also noted that it’s better to reach out too much than too little when someone you know is sick. Also, keep your loved ones in mind even when they aren’t sick by following mask and distancing guidelines.
“Stay six feet away from me and wear your mask anytime you’re outside,” Murry said. “Consent is important when it comes to masks; ask the people around you if you can take it off before taking it off.”
David Bowen (File photo by Grace Connatser)
While they recovered from COVID-19 over six months ago, the virus is still on the minds of state Rep. David Bowen’s and Jackson Park resident Rebecca Quesada. When we last checked in with Quesada, she saw COVID-19 as a make-it-or-break-it moment for the country. As COVID cases rise in Milwaukee County and throughout Wisconsin, Quesada is not optimistic about the near future.
“I hate to be Debbie Downer, but it doesn’t look good,” Quesada said. “I pray for this country, and that tomorrow will be a better day.”
Rebecca Quesada (Photo provided by Rebecca Quesada)
Bowen said he hoped the pandemic would force folks in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to work together. He was encouraged that the nonprofit health-care system Advocate Aurora Health announced it had joined the Milwaukee County executive’s office in declaring racism a public health crisis.
This announcement comes as Black people in Milwaukee County are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates. At the time of Bowen’s interview, Black people made up about 36% of deaths from COVID-19 despite making up only 28.5% of Milwaukee County’s total population, according to data from the county and the 2018 American Community Survey.
Bowen said he also is looking for stronger leadership.
“It’s important to acknowledge the leadership needed right now,” he said. “We’re looking at more than six months without a federal plan to combat this virus, with numbers increasing here and in northeast Wisconsin.”

created: October 20, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 19, 2020


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covid-survivors-collage | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 19, 2020


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quesada | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
October 19, 2020