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Marcher sees link between open housing marches, Sherman Park unrest | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matthew Unger
July 20, 2017
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of 15 pieces about the Milwaukee Open Housing marches, which took place 50 years ago beginning on Aug. 28, 1967.Download a free copy of “The Long March to Freedom” ebook, a compilation of all the articles in this series.
Fifty years separate the Milwaukee open housing marches from the civil unrest in Sherman Park that took place last August. However, Barbara David Salas, a member of the NAACP Youth Council in the 1960s, and a participant in the marches across Milwaukee’s “Mason-Dixon line” in 1967-1968, says that the city still has invisible barriers that hold back people of color.
“Issues that were brought to the spotlight in 1967 have not been resolved yet today,” Salas said. “Just because you have a neighbor that is African-American, does not mean the world has changed for your neighbor.”
Recent studies show that not much has changed in the city of Milwaukee in the past half-century. According to a 2013 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee study, fewer than 9 percent of African-Americans in the Milwaukee metropolitan area reside in the suburbs.
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A 2016 study conducted by the National Urban League also found that Milwaukee has the second-largest income gap between whites and African-Americans. In addition, 17.3 percent of blacks reported being jobless compared to just 4.3 percent of whites.
According to a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee report, the city has the highest incarceration rate in the country for African-American men. Additionally, two-thirds of incarcerated men come from the six poorest ZIP codes. The gap in high school graduation rates among African-Americans and whites is also the highest in the nation.
The Sherman Park neighborhood is an example of these disparities. The median household income is $26,676 compared to $43,385 in the city as a whole; and the unemployment rate is 14.2 percent in the mostly black community, compared to 3.9 percent for the city.
Salas, who remains a civil rights activist, has seen the racial divisions in the city firsthand. In addition to marching across what is now called the James E. Groppi Unity Bridge during the 1967-1968 marches, her family was involved in the Milwaukee school desegregation lawsuit. She sees similarities between the Sherman Park civil unrest and the open housing marches.
“I don’t believe in violence; the people in the Sherman Park neighborhood don’t believe in violence; vandalism is against the law,” Salas said. “However, people tend to put the emphasis on that rather than the underlying issue.”
“If somebody is not willing to stand up and force the issue, nothing is going to happen. We still unfairly put a burden on our African-American citizens.”
Although Salas acknowledges there have been signs of progress, she still believes more needs to be done in terms of equality and justice.
“It (housing law) was a very visible issue that was addressed in many portions of the country,” Salas said. “There are as many serious or more serious issues but they’re not being addressed.”
“White privilege exists in this country, and people do not address that issue. They deny it. They declare that their privilege has been earned by their ancestors. These are the issues that are going to have to be taken on before this becomes a society where everyone has a fair chance,” she added.
Many of the frustrations Salas expressed were manifested in the Sherman Park uprising, she said.
At the same time, citizens there feel like the government is idle in addressing their concerns and problems. According to Salas, individuals nationwide need to wake up and realize these issues still exist.
“People just cannot seem to wrap their heads around the fact that if you believe in justice, then you have to stop putting the burden on one group,” Salas said. “We unfairly put a burden on our African-American citizens to solve the problem…. The problem is all of ours, and the people most responsible for solving it should be the people in power.”
“If they’re not willing to do it, then pressure needs to be put on them.”

author: Matthew Unger


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 19, 2017

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Adam Carr


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NNS on Lake Effect: Men4Men Initiative | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
July 20, 2017
Gaulien “Gee” Smith (front, left), owner of Gee’s Clippers, takes care of a customer in his barbershop. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

author: Dwayne Burtin


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Men4Men Innitiative | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
July 20, 2017
“0719a”. Genre: Other.


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RadioMilwaukee commissions murals in Near West Side and Walker’s Point to spark dialogue, bring art to neighborhoods | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
88Nine RadioMilwaukee
July 21, 2017
Two colorful, original murals aimed at spurring community conversations will be created by Milwaukee artists on large blank building walls in the Near West Side and Walker’s Point neighborhoods, as a result of an 88Nine Radio Milwaukee (88.9 WYMS-FM) initiative announced Friday.
Radio Milwaukee recently applied for and received a grant from the Mary L. Nohl Fund to pay artists for the project. The non-profit station launched the mural initiative and commissioned artists as a way to give back to Milwaukee as part of the station’s activities recognizing its 10th anniversary on air and in the community this year.
Work on the first mural is slated to take place from July 31 to Sept. 10 on the north wall of Penfield Children’s Center, 833 N 26th St., in the Near West Side neighborhood. Artist Stacey Williams-Ng (http://staceywilliamsng.com/) created the mural, which at 122′ x 27′, will be exceptionally large. The mural concept plays on themes of rhythm, community and cohesion. It recognizes that music brings us all together and that differences disappear when we bind together as a community.
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“Radio Milwaukee is a tremendous community asset, and we are thrilled to partner with them on this mural project,” said Jason Parry, vice president – development and communications at Penfield Children’s Center. “As a long-time anchor and committed member of the Near West Side, we appreciate the opportunity to spark discussion about how we can work together to make our neighborhood an even better place.”
The second mural will be created on the north wall of Var Gallery at 643 S 2nd St., in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. Artists Katie Mullen and Jordan Pintar of BlackPaint Studios (http://blackpaintstudios.com/) designed the mural. The idea for the mural follows the artists’ unique style of vibrant color and interconnected elements that will contain the word “listen.” Work on the Walker’s Point mural is planned to run from Sept. 1 through Oct. 6.
“We designed our mural program to create a long-lasting message from 88Nine to our community,” 88Nine Marketing Director Alyssa Feuerer said. “We want these pieces to propel dialogue. By seeding thought-provoking messages through the city, we hope to encourage people to be more accepting and empathetic with their neighbors.”
“Radio Milwaukee asked each artist to express the idea of ‘listening to others’ through their own artistic vision. The idea of having an open mind is a way we can start connecting more closely with each other.”
Empire Painting (http://www.empirepaintingwi.com/), a local professional painting company, has donated paint supplies to the project.
The murals are part of the celebration of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee’s 10 years on-air, online and in the community. The non-profit, non-commercial station launched on Feb. 26, 2007. It has become known for its unique mix of new and Milwaukee music and its Community Stories, which foster community engagement and positive change.

author: 88Nine RadioMilwaukee


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‘Sherman Park Rising’ mural ‘will be a constant reminder to unite’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Hailey Richards
July 21, 2017
Tia Richardson displays the design for the “Sherman Park Rising” mural. (Photo by Hailey Richards)
Standing in the basement of Bethel-Bethany United Church of Christ, artist Tia Richardson holds up a vibrant painting to a group of 16 community members.
Smiling, Richardson points to the large white board behind her where community issues and concerns are written in blue ink. “Everything we talked about and everything you care about is all on here,” Richardson told the group.
The design for “Sherman Park Rising,” a mural created by Richardson, was unveiled recently to residents and members of neighborhood associations.
With funding from the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Safe & Sound, the 17- by 56-foot mural will sit on the east-facing wall of the property at 4715 W. Center St.
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“I think this will be an anchor to the community, a reminder of the hope we all have,” said Gabriel Taylor, a representative of the Sherman Park youth initiative, Program the Parks.
Veronica Stern applies paint to the new mural at 47th and Center streets. (Photo by Hailey Richards)
About 30 community members participated in two workshops in June to identify the concepts for the mural. Richardson said that it was the largest group she has worked with on a mural project.
“A project of this size is time consuming, but the passion and drive that this community has to create unity pushed me to take on this job and keeps me motivated,” said Richardson.
Groups such as the Sherman Park Community Association, Sherman Park Action Network (SPAN) and Saint Catherine School worked with Safe & Sound’s District 7 community organizer Amanda Schick to commission the mural.
Toni Wagner, a Sherman Park resident and SPAN member, met with Schick about nine months ago to discuss how to beautify Center Street. “Amanda helped us find Tia, who is doing a beautiful job,” said Wagner.
Richardson said “Sherman Park Rising” is inspiring, uplifting and offers hope. “I believe that is what this community is crying out for — hope,” she added.
Richardson noted that the purple vines in the illustration represent all the issues that hold community members back. The white lilies stemming from the vines portray the hope that the community holds dear.
Speaking to the group in the Bethel-Bethany basement, Richardson added, “The issues you guys mentioned like gun violence, trauma, diversity and culture are all represented.” The bright sun in the back represents a catalyst for action and change, as well as a look into a brighter future, she said.
Community members are invited to participate in painting the mural on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Devvie Walton, who attended a community paint day Tuesday, is a Sherman Park resident who believes in the impact of positive imagery. “I have been a resident here for over 18 years,” said Walton. “I want to see Sherman Park thrive and I know that the mural on Center Street will be a constant reminder to unite and continue to reach our goals.”
Added Richardson, “Sherman Park is filled with so many caring individuals who come together and share a passion and commitment to build a better community, and that’s what this mural really shows.”

author: Hailey Richards


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 20, 2017


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35884907192_f912bc1651_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 20, 2017


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Access to data needed to hold lenders accountable | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bethany Sanchez
July 24, 2017
Members of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), including representatives of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, gather at the Capitol. (Photo courtesy of NCRC)
Bethany Sanchez, director of the Fair Lending Program at the nonprofit Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, asks Milwaukeeans to urge their U.S. senators and representatives to fight against weakening the reporting requirements for home lenders.
Housing is a basic human need. Yet Congress is attacking sensible, productive housing policies and programs on multiple fronts. If successful, those attacks would threaten the ability of all credit-worthy borrowers to have equal access to fairly priced credit.
Owning one’s home is considered part of the American Dream, a dream that predatory lending shattered for as many as 10 million families who lost their homes between 2006 and 2014 during the foreclosure crisis and resulting recession. In response to widespread predatory lending and other unfair practices, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act, which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and updated the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) to require lenders to report and disclose more about their loan underwriting practices.
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HMDA data shows where mortgage lending is taking place — and where it isn’t. It shows the characteristics of the people who are getting the loans, as well as who is being denied loans and for what reasons. Dodd-Frank’s additional reporting requirements include information on loan pricing; loan terms and conditions, such as prepayment penalties and adjustable rates; and additional home loan types such as reverse mortgages and home equity lines of credit.
Having access to HMDA data is critically important to tracking fair lending practices in Milwaukee and across the country.  Looking at that data shows us where there are gaps and where redlining is taking place.
Several bipartisan bills have been introduced in Congress to exempt most lenders from having to report the additional information about their home lending. There are also other efforts to repeal or delay the new HMDA requirements.
In the House of Representatives, H.R. 2954 and H.R. 2133 would raise the reporting threshold for each financial institution providing home loans to 1,000 mortgages or 2,000 home equity lines of credit in each of the preceding two years.  On the Senate side, SB 1310 raises the reporting threshold to 500 mortgages or 500 home equity lines in each of the preceding two years.
To understand the impact, the 1,000 threshold in H.R. 2954 and H.R. 2133 would exempt nearly all of the nation’s home lenders from the updated reporting. Using a 500-loan threshold, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that 85 percent of the nation’s banks and nearly half of the nonbanks would be exempt from the updated reporting.
Despite banks’ claims that the new HMDA requirements would impose undue regulatory burdens, it is important to note that banks already routinely collect most of the new HMDA data for other purposes.
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NHFA) are collaborating to lead the national effort to protect HMDA reporting requirements. In their joint letter to Congress, they summarize the concern: “The stark disparities in access to mortgage credit and the continued struggle for economic recovery in the communities hit hardest by the financial crisis call for a strengthening of our nation’s fair lending laws, specifically HMDA, not a weakening of them. Quite simply, the updated HMDA data will provide critical information about whether similarly situated borrowers and underserved communities are receiving equitable access to mortgage credit, data that we lacked a decade ago when the crisis hit. This is not the time to limit the nation’s ability to adequately assess the reasons for restricted credit access for underserved borrowers.”
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council is a longtime member of both NCRC and NFHA. In Milwaukee, we have seen firsthand the devastation to our families and neighborhoods caused by segregation, racism and unscrupulous lenders whose practices flew under the radar. We echo the NCRC/NFHA letter, which concludes, “We must increase efforts to address the causes behind the increased difficulty in accessing safe, affordable credit. We urge you to oppose H.R. 2954 or any other efforts on appropriations or other bills to roll back this critical data collection and reporting.”
If you are concerned about holding lenders accountable, and ensuring that the data needed to evaluate lenders’ records is available to the public, now is the time to weigh in with Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Ron Johnson, and your congressman or congresswoman. Do not assume anything about their positions on this issue. They need to hear from you to know that you value all credit-worthy borrowers’ ability to have equal access to fairly priced credit! Please contact them today.

author: Bethany Sanchez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 23, 2017


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Fight for equality must be rooted in community, sustainability, leaders say | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
July 24, 2017
Black residents, leaders and elected officials stand in solidarity at a Garden Homes press conference in early 2015 that marked the beginning of the Safe Zones Initiative. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of 15 pieces about the Milwaukee Open Housing marches, which took place 50 years ago beginning on Aug. 28, 1967. Watch for the stories every Monday and Thursday.
Frank Miller, a sergeant in the Milwaukee Police Department and head of its tactical squad during the late 1960s, left behind a couple items when he died. One was a scrapbook that, among other things, included a “wanted” poster with his face on it that was published by an alternative newspaper in 1969 and called for his dismissal from the force. The other was a checkbook-sized spiral notebook that contained the names, addresses and mug shots of the Milwaukee Commandos, a branch of the NAACP Youth Council instrumental in the 1967 Open Housing marches.
“I’ve never seen a book like this,” said Prentice McKinney, 70, an original member of the Commandos. “Why would he carry that book?”
The tactical squad was assigned to observe and report on the Commandos, and, at times, engaged in intimidation tactics against the young men. McKinney, who is featured on the third page, thinks the notebook wasn’t officially issued — it strikes him as personal — and not surprising. McKinney said it’s to be expected for anyone who “seeks to disturb the balance of this city,” one he calls “the most racist city around.”
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The Commandos clashed with police at times during the marches but were clear that their role as protectors necessitated they not instigate violence. However, unlike other civil rights groups, they were not willing to endure violence either. “If you struck one of us, we were not gonna lay down and let you beat us,” McKinney said.
Gail Hicks sits at a picnic table in the South Side’s Kozciuszko Park, often a destination of the 1967 marches. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Gail Hicks, a former special education teacher and participant in the marches, said Milwaukee has been segregated since black people began to migrate north to the city. The African-American community was generally confined to an area bounded by 20th Street, 1st Street, Center Street and North Avenue. However, according to Hicks, “it wasn’t really thought about or visible” until the city, exercising eminent domain, made way for construction of the I-43 (formerly US 141) expressway by tearing down houses and closing black-owned businesses in the early 1960s.
“Now, [there] was no place to move,” she said.
A group led by the Commandos, the Youth Council and the Rev. James Groppi marched for 200 consecutive nights, many times crossing the 16th Street Viaduct to the overwhelmingly white South Side. During the marches, they encountered thousands of hostile counter-protesters and occasional police brutality.
The Milwaukee Common Council passed a citywide Open Housing Ordinance in April 1968, after voting it down multiple times. But, 50 years later, according to McKinney and Hicks, the jury is out on whether the marches and the ordinance were ultimately a success.
Still, there is one aspect of the movement McKinney refuses to dismiss.
“What was more important (than success) was that we stood up,” he said. “I would rather die … standing up fighting for something than bending down accepting it.”
Following hundreds of race riots (including in Milwaukee) that swept the nation during the “long hot summer” of 1967, federal and state governments began allocating funds to inner city programs across the country in an effort to prevent further unrest. In a controversial move, which Groppi characterized as a “sell out,” some of the Commandos decided to break from the Youth Council and move into social service. They applied for and received funds to create a work program that employed more than 250 inner-city youth in 1968.
Over the next decade, the Commandos became a force in Milwaukee’s central city, providing counseling, employment and re-entry programs, as well as operating two halfway houses, an annual summer camp and an alternative high school. But beginning in 1981 with President Ronald Reagan’s cuts to urban social service programs, the Commandos began to struggle. Shortly after 1990, as a result of diminished funding, the Commandos disappeared.
These days, a new guard of black leaders has taken on the fight for equality.
Segregation has continued — for economic rather than legal reasons. The city is home to some of the greatest racial disparities in the nation when it comes to poverty, incarceration, employment and educational achievement.
Many of the city’s black people feel restricted by “social, political and … unspoken rules,” according to Vaun Mayes, a local activist.
Last year, Mayes and Gabriel Taylor founded Program the Parks, a grassroots organization that works with struggling youth in Sherman Park.
Khalil Coleman (in grey) speaks with a neighborhood resident near 16th Street and North Avenue. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
“There’s still that sense of, ‘We don’t belong here,’” said Mayes, referring to the case of Corey Stingley, who was killed in 2012 by three white civilians while being restrained after shoplifting from a West Allis store. Mayes said he gets “numerous calls” regarding “racial incidents, dealing with being in those areas outside of Milwaukee.”
Mayes and Taylor said the issues that affect Milwaukee’s black community hit young people the hardest because, many times, they are not able to meet their own needs. As a result, black youth are unfairly criminalized early on, they said.
This understanding has informed the group’s focus, which is to empower young people in an effort to “instill a spirit of entrepreneurship.” Mayes said he wants to help provide them with the tools to function outside of the system. He added, “It’s a different mindset than what we are taught.”
Khalil Coleman, a co-founder of Safe Zones, called the movement for black lives, which has come to the fore as a result of high-profile instances of violence, “the fight for black people to find their purpose.” Black Lives Matter and more than 50 other organizations are part of the coalition; no Milwaukee organizations are officially involved.
A pillar of Safe Zones is for individuals formerly involved in criminal activity or previously affected by violence to act as ambassadors who help prevent violence before it happens. However, the future of the initiative is in question after a split between Coleman and Shawn Moore, another co-founder.
“Our practices became different and our perspectives became different,” said Coleman, adding, “We saved some lives. That was definitely worth it.”
The initiative, which has demonstrated success despite only operating for a total of nine months over the last two years, was hampered by a lack of cooperation from police and insufficient funding.
Moore said it’s not enough to demonstrate that something like Safe Zones can be done — he said it’s important to be available to people when they need help. He added that the movement must be grounded in trust and loyalty to the community, “and knowing that you’re accountable to those people.”
Markasa Tucker, a founder of UBLAC (Uplifting Black Liberation and Community), an advocacy organization led by black women, queer and trans individuals, echoed Moore. She said, while people may hold different beliefs, those who are fighting for change must agree on the importance of love, growth and sustainability.
“We can’t hold grievances … The work still needs to be done and that’s what the focus needs to be,” she said. “I’m interested in people’s lives being affected and changed.”
Young men and boys who spent their Saturday mornings with We Got This working in the garden at 9th and Ring streets and the surrounding neighborhood celebrate the last day of the summer program in 2014. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
And, unlike the Commandos, which some historians say became too reliant on government funding, the movement must constantly evolve and develop new leadership to maintain its energy, according to those interviewed. Like the open housing marches in the 1960s, that leadership has to start with the young people, they said, stressing the importance of not shielding children from the realities of the world.
Erica Metcalfe, author of a 2015 article on the Commandos, acknowledged the importance of community support, which was essential to the success of the late-1967 economic boycotts of Schlitz, the biggest beer brand in Milwaukee, and local stores, particularly those in the downtown area, selling “gifts, decorations, or any other Christmas materials.” Though the boycotts  did not have an immediate effect, they demonstrated the power of the black dollar, causing substantial drops in consumption. Hicks said that kind of involvement will again be necessary to transcend the “divide and conquer” tactics of government.
“We’ve got to stop fighting each other,” said Andre Lee Ellis, founder of We Got This, an initiative meant to train young boys in hard work, agriculture and community. “Your neighbor has to become your ally.”
He said people must be willing to share resources and invest in each other. “We’ve got to teach people the old-fashioned way of living. When you lack, and I’ve got it next door, I’ll lend it to you. But, when you go to the grocery store, you pick up some eggs for me, too.”
“Those individual interactions, those small things, it’s not small to me — it’s grand,” said Taylor. “All the little things we do are grand successes to me.”
Ellis added, “How do we expect anybody else to respect [us], or give us what we ask for, when we can’t even treat each other right?”

author: Jabril Faraj


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Clarke Square / WWBIC competition recognizes local small businesses | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative
July 25, 2017
The Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative (CSNI) and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) are excited to announce the results their 2017 small business competition, aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs. Contest winners—one grand prize and 3 runners up—include Directive (Jess Goehner), Escobar’s Kitchen (Jose Escobar), Into 3D LLC (Steven Hartig Jr. & Kurt von Eckroth), and El Refugio (Victor Vela).
Earlier this spring, the two non-profit organizations released details of a small business competition. Applicants were required to submit a business concept and organizational information as well as marketing, financial information about a Milwaukee SEO. The contest was designed to challenge applicants to grow and develop their portfolio, as well as to become familiar with some of the technical assistance services that WWBIC can provide.
The overarching goal of this collaborative effort between private and non-profit resources was to attract new businesses to and grow existing small businesses in the Clarke Square Neighborhood– Only Clarke Square neighborhood residents, or businesses located within the Clarke Square Neighborhood geography were eligible to participate. Clarke Square is a neighborhood of many assets en route to prosperity. Above all, the people of Clarke Square fill the neighborhood with their talents, ambitions, and values. This contest promotes economic prosperity, which is a key outcome of the Clarke Square Neighborhood’s Quality of Life Plan Project 10 (Health & Wellness) Strategy and its Economic Development Strategy.
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The results will be announced at the Clarke Square Neighborhood Night Out Finale on July 27 between 6-8pm, in Clarke Square Park (2330 W. Vieau Place)—All are welcome to attend. This contest was made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: WWBIC, CSNI, the Zilber Family Foundation, Associated Bank, PNC Bank, and Town Bank.
About the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative (CSNI)
The mission of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative is to improve the neighborhood and benefit community residents. CSNI is responsible for leading and coordinating the continued implementation of the Clarke Square Quality of Life Plan. Read more at http://www.ClarkeSquare.org
About the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
WWBIC is statewide economic development corporation focused on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being. They particularly focus on women, people of color, and low-income individuals, providing direct lending and access to fair and responsible capital, quality business education, one-on-one technical business assistance and education to increase financial capability. Read more at https://www.wwbic.com.

author: Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 25, 2017


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On The Block: Artistic space | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Keith Schubert
July 26, 2017
Earlier this year Syandene Alexander noticed that most art and performance spaces are located either on the South Side or East Side of Milwaukee and that there were none in the central city.
With that in mind, she started 2035 Studios, 6729 W. Capitol Dr., to provide those spaces to urban youth. The studio’s mission is to “protect the future of art, media and culture by creating connections, building relationships and providing platforms.”

author: Keith Schubert


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Report calls for new local taxes to benefit downtown, surrounding neighborhoods | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
July 26, 2017
The new Milwaukee Bucks arena being constructed downtown is part of the city’s building boom, which could generate income to benefit surrounding neighborhoods if changes are made to the state’s revenue-generating system. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Milwaukee is in a position to create a “world-class downtown,” which could generate much-needed income to support public works, safety and health, and additional quality-of-life benefits to surrounding neighborhoods. However, for that to happen, city, state and county officials must work together to make long-needed improvements to their antiquated revenue-generating system, according to a new Public Policy Forum report.
“A key question is whether a structure that was imposed on Milwaukee by state government more than a century ago — and that makes no distinction for the city’s unique economic attributes — is adequately meeting the city’s financial needs and the expectations of its residents, businesses and visitors,” said Forum President Rob Henken.
The report, “On The Money?,” is a follow-up to an earlier PPF report that identified problems with the current revenue system. After analyzing revenue systems in 39 peer cities, PPF researchers found that Milwaukee is the only city that relies almost entirely on two revenue streams — state funding and property taxes.
The study found that state aid, which accounted for nearly half of Milwaukee’s revenue in 2015, was a much smaller source of revenue in the peer cities analyzed. Constraints in the Wisconsin tax laws prohibit municipalities from diversifying their revenue streams through the use of general or selective sales taxes — money-generating tools used by each of the other cities the Forum report examined.
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With a substantial need for more police and other local services, as well as an increased number of retirees with city pensions, said Henken, Milwaukee residents are likely to see increases in property taxes unless other funding sources are found.
Unless additional revenue sources are found, local homeowners will likely see an increase in property taxes in the future, according to a recent Public Policy Forum report. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
State funding has remained stagnant or dropped for years, despite inflation, according to the report. The city’s hands are tied on the issue and will likely remain so, according to Alderman Bob Bauman, who represents downtown on the Common Council.
“I don’t think the ball will even be put into play,” Bauman said. “Hell will freeze over before the state legislature will give us a general sales or dedicated tax.”
Among the possibilities for revenue growth identified in the report is the creation of a mechanism for nonresidents who are “engaged in business, employment, tourism, or entertainment,” in the city to pay taxes on the services they use while in the city.
State Rep. David Crowley supports the idea.
“We need to figure out a way to tax people who come into the city and utilize the services but go home to spend their money and pay taxes there,” Crowley said.
Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), said there needs to be a way for commuters to share the costs the city is bearing by providing services to them, so that local taxpayers aren’t overburdened.
“It’s worthwhile to look at usage fees to recapture the costs for other people that visit or work in Milwaukee,” Taylor said.
GMC commissioned the report as part of its MKE United effort. The city’s revenue framework has limited its progress, said Taylor, especially for low-income communities that don’t draw enough investment to grow their property tax base.
“Areas that don’t have a lot of private sector investment can’t use tax incremental financing or other developmental landscape tools that help neighborhoods be successful,” Taylor said.
The state’s restrictions on municipal taxes have severely hindered Milwaukee’s ability to take advantage of its many assets, Crowley said. “There are legislators around the state who feel the need to try and stop dollars from going to the city of Milwaukee, even though it’s the economic engine for the state,” he added. The city of Milwaukee contributed more than $1.37 billion in state taxes with a return of only $227 million in shared revenue payments in 2015, said Mayor Tom Barrett during his “state of the city” address in March.
Crowley cautioned that any new taxes in Milwaukee should not be directed at nor disproportionately impact low-income residents. Still, if nothing is done, he said, property taxes will end up being raised, which means rent will go up and Milwaukee residents will suffer because of it.
The report outlined several scenarios in which the city could provide property tax relief as well as raise income for services.  It could create new local taxes such as income taxes or specialized taxes on hotels, entertainment, downtown restaurants and alcohol. Though the report did not recommend which options would best suit Milwaukee, discussion between state and local leaders needs to occur now, warned Henken.
“We have had this very nonproductive argument for decades between city and state leaders about state aid. Therein lies the attractiveness of having some type of sales tax in the revenue mix of a major city like Milwaukee. Every other city of its size or larger makes use of some type of sales tax,” Henken said.
State Rep. Evan Goyke said the biggest challenge is convincing state legislators outside of the city that they too will benefit from taxes created in Milwaukee.
“It’s a local solution that solves a statewide problem. The more empowered Milwaukee is to generate and spend revenue and solve local issues, the less the state has to pay in a number of local areas,” Goyke said.
The downtown building boom provides an ideal moment in time to capture and take advantage of the city’s growth, he added. The problem with coming to a consensus, he acknowledged, is the city’s image problem across the state, and the fact that many smaller cities are struggling as well. Goyke said the solution is to build a coalition of rural and urban communities to change Milwaukee’s economic structure.
“We need to free up Milwaukee so that Eau Claire, La Crosse and Green Bay could see a benefit as well,” Goyke said.
The report should be the beginning of a long discussion, said Taylor, who agreed that any solution would need to work for the entire state and local counties. Still, she said, “facts are facts.”
“The system is breaking down and we need to create a more balanced approach to local taxation. It’s time to sit down and have that discussion.”

author: Edgar Mendez


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First-ever Vliet Street Gallery Night and Day calls attention to area | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Hailey Richards
July 27, 2017
Local artists, musicians and small-business owners attended the first-ever Vliet Street Gallery over a two-day period last weekend.
Hosted by Near West Side Partners (NWP), the Vliet Street Gallery was funded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, along with a grant from Reason for Hope MKE.
“We created this event to bring residents to this area to show them the potential. Once business owners and residents see all that Vliet Street has to offer, we hope that Vliet will come alive,” said Darrian Davis, an NWP community outreach specialist.
The gallery featured live bands such as “Nite and Day,” food from Jamaican Kitchen & Grill and Buck’s Burger Dogs & BBQ, as well as visual art and vendors.
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According to Davis, Near West Side Partners hopes to bring attention to and revitalize Vliet Street.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 27, 2017


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City of Milwaukee Health Department announces dates and locations for 17th annual back-to-school health fairs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City of Milwaukee Health Department
July 28, 2017
A family checks in at the 2016 South Division High School health fair. (Photo by Clara Hatcher)
With school season right around the corner, Mayor Tom Barrett and the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) have announced that the City’s 17 annual Back-to-School Health Fairs will be held Friday, Aug. 4 at North Division High School (1011 W. Center St.) and Friday, Aug. 11 at Hayes Bilingual School (971 W. Windlake Ave.). Both events will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
“Our annual Back-to-School Health Fairs offer families an opportunity to get their children ready for a healthy school year,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “We are thankful to our generous sponsors for their support and to all the organizations providing services and resources at the events.”
The health fairs are presented by the City of Milwaukee Health Department and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Children’s Community Health Plan, and Molina Healthcare. Community partners include Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield, MHS Health Wisconsin, Independent Care Health Plan, and Milwaukee Urban League.
Services at each fair include school-required vaccinations for children without private insurance as well as lead testing, vision screenings, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and more, including back-to-school haircuts.
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“Each year we serve thousands of attendees at our annual Back-to-School Health Fairs,” said Commissioner of Health Bevan K. Baker. “Ensuring that families have access to required vaccinations and important health screenings is essential to keeping schools and our community healthy year-round.”
Free backpacks and school supplies will be provided to children with an up-to-date shot record, or those who receive vaccinations and lead testing at the fairs. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive gifts and services. For more information, call (414) 286-3521 or visit Milwaukee.gov/health.

author: City of Milwaukee Health Department


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 30, 2017


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COA Youth & Family Centers hosts first Kohl’s Explore Your Future STEM Showcase for over 125 youth | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
COA Youth & Family Centers
July 28, 2017
(Photo courtesy of COA Youth & Family Centers)
On Friday July 21st over 125 youth participated in Kohl’s Explore Your Future STEM Showcase at COA Youth & Family Centers’ Goldin Center (2320 W. Burleigh). Teams competed to complete physics and engineering challenges. Preteens teams from Auer Avenue School, Hopkins-Lloyd CommunitY School, O.W. Holmes School, the COA Riverwest Center, and Westside Academy participated.
The event was split into two fun STEM activities, which teams of 8-15 kids worked in to demonstrate their growing knowledge and complete collaboratively. To kick things off, the energetic youth teams experimented with weight distribution and basic engineering principles to see which team could support a person’s weight with the least number of paper cups used. The second activity included youth teams working to assemble do-it-yourself paper rocket launchers out of 2-liter bottles, bicycle tubing, tape, and other supplies within a short time limit.
The STEM Showcase was part of the brand-new Kohl’s Explore Your Future STEM program at COA, which aims to provide high-quality scientific education and career exploration to over 550 children in the first year alone. This program is a new addition to the agency’s year-round youth development programming and is offered at nine sites, including the Riverwest Center, Goldin Center, Hopkins-Lloyd Community School CLC (Community Learning Center), Auer Avenue CLC, O.W. Holmes CLC, Anne F. Doerfler School CLC, Lincoln Center for the Arts CLC, Riverside University CLC, and Westside Academy CLC.
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(Photo courtesy of COA Youth & Family Centers)

author: COA Youth & Family Centers


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 28, 2017


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Low-income neighborhoods need more access to bike, walking trails, community groups say | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Lydia Slattery / Wisconsin Watch
July 28, 2017
Manny Mayorga and his three children adjust their bicycles before going for a ride on the Kinnickinnic River Trail. (Photo by Lydia Slattery)
Manny Mayorga, a South Side resident, took his first bicycle ride on the Kinnickinnic River Trail about a week ago, along with his wife and three children. Mayorga and his family attended a workshop and ride sponsored by the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, intended to familiarize people with the trail, which is difficult to navigate. The Wisconsin Bike Fed distributed bikes to attendees.
“I didn’t know about this trail before, but now that I know it exists, I’ll try to use it,” said Mayorga in Spanish.
“People don’t know about the trail, so our job is to tell people about this wonderful space,” said Elizabeth De Leon, who led the workshop at Pulaski Park. De Leon is an environmental health educator for the Environmental Health department at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers.
According to Tatiana Maida, Healthy Choices department manager at Sixteenth Street, community members in neighborhoods of color are often left out of the conversation in decisions that affect their communities.
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The blue line shows the proposed expansion of the Kinnickinnic River Trail. (Graphic from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy)
That concern also was raised at a recent event sponsored by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to discuss its study, “Reconnecting Milwaukee,” which found that Milwaukee’s low-income neighborhoods lack access to biking trails, disproportionately affecting black and Latino residents.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a national organization that works to expand walking and biking trails.
The study found that 24 percent of city residents live within two miles of a trail, compared to only 8 percent of residents in low-income neighborhoods. Two miles is the maximum distance most people are willing to bike to a trail.
The study proposed connecting trails within the Kinnickinnic River Trail, as well as within the 30th Street Corridor on the North Side.
“There are plenty of access points, but the big issue the Kinnickinnic River Trail has is connectivity; it’s not a continuous trail,” said Tony Girron, events manager for the Wisconsin Bike Fed. A continuous trail would make bikers and walkers feel safer, he added.
Expanding the trails would raise the “connectivity” score for trail access citywide to 59 percent, and 66 percent in low-income neighborhoods. The score measures the ease of getting to “critical destinations,” including schools, libraries and grocery stores. The proposed improvements would increase the number of residents with access to a trail from 25,000 to 200,000, according to the conservancy.
The Wisconsin Bike Fed distributes bikes to attendees of the Kinnickinnic River Trail Workshop in Pulaski Park. (Photo by Lydia Slattery)
Julie Biernat, a teacher at Lincoln Avenue School, bikes the Kinnickinnic River Trail to work and back from her home in Bay View. An avid biker, she would like to see better access to the trail.
Biernat added that the Kinnickinnic River Trail could connect to the Oak Leaf Trail, which runs for 120 miles in and around Milwaukee, and connects to the Hank Aaron State Trail a 15-mile trail that stretches from the Milwaukee lakefront to West Allis along the Menomonee River.
Rails-to-Trails has proposed expanding the 30th Street Corridor and Kinnickinnic River trails to connect to the Hank Aaron State Trail, which passes Miller Park, the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Maida said planning for connecting trails should include community residents. “Those trails and streets will be a way to create a new culture of health that neighborhoods of color don’t have,” she noted.
Elizabeth Thorstensen, vice president of trail development at Rails-to-Trails, added, “If we make these (improvements to the trails) there could be transformational changes.”
Expanding Milwaukee’s trails is part of the Route of the Badger, a Rails-to-Trails proposal to expand Southeastern Wisconsin’s trails from 340 miles to more than 500 miles through seven counties.

author: Lydia Slattery / Wisconsin Watch


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Supervisors approve continuation of free birth certificate program | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
July 28, 2017
The Board of Supervisors voted today to continue Milwaukee County’s Free Birth Certificate Program. The program helps individuals get a photo ID for voting purposes and enables youth aged 15-21 to apply for jobs.
The County program covers the cost of accessing and printing a birth certificate and is available to anyone born in Wisconsin in order to promote voting access and youth employment.
“By continuing this program we remove an impediment to voting and ensure our young people have access to jobs,” said Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., who sponsored the measure.
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More than half of the free birth certificates provided by Milwaukee County in 2017 were provided to help young people apply for jobs.
Funding for the popular program was unexpectedly set to run out before the end of the summer, which prompted Milwaukee County Supervisors to act quickly in order to ensure its continuation.
Wisconsin residents who wish to take advantage of the Free Birth Certificate Program can contact the Register of Deeds for more information.
Supervisor Sequanna Taylor joined Chairman Theodore Lipscomb Sr. in co-sponsoring the resolution, which was adopted by the full Board on a vote of 17 to 0.

author: Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors


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Thousands answer the call, but Red Cross blood shortage continues | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
American Red Cross
July 28, 2017
Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, but there continues to be a critical summer blood shortage. Eligible donors of all types are urgently needed.
After issuing the emergency call, the Red Cross has experienced a 30 percent increase in blood donation appointments through mid-July. About half of the appointments were scheduled by donors using the free Blood Donor App or at redcrossblood.org. Despite this improvement, blood products are still being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in, so more donations are needed to meet patient needs and replenish the blood supply.
“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” said Laura McGuire, external communications manager of the Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”
Nearly 61,000 fewer blood donations than needed were given through the Red Cross in May and June, prompting the emergency call for donations in early July. The shortfall was the equivalent of the Red Cross not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.
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How to help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.
Who blood and platelet donations help
Blood shortages could lead to delays in patient care, something Arthur Bourget learned firsthand after being diagnosed with leukemia in July 2007. When he arrived for his second blood transfusion, he was told the blood he needed was not available. He waited eight hours for blood to arrive and to receive the transfusion he needed that day.
“One thing that I committed to my wife was that I was going to beat leukemia, no matter what, and I was going to do that,” said Bourget. “But what I wasn’t going to be able to do was survive without the blood that I needed.”
Bourget went into remission following a successful treatment plan, which included 28 blood and 34 platelet transfusions. He has been a faithful advocate for blood donations ever since.
“If it wasn’t for the generosity of volunteer blood donors, I would not be here today,” he said. “My daughter would not have a father, and my wife would not have a husband. Thank you and please give blood. You may never know the life you have saved, but I guarantee they will never forget you.”
Milwaukee:
7/25/2017: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 West Wells Street
7/28/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Xperience Fitness – West Allis, 6706 W. Greenfield Avenue
8/7/2017: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2419 E Kenwood Blvd

author: American Red Cross


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Community-building necessary to address violence, residents say | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
July 29, 2017
Milwaukee residents are calling for more proactive community-based violence prevention strategies in the wake of the July 22 killing of 6-year-old Justin Evans Jr.
Evans, who was shot and killed outside his grandmother’s home near 23rd and Nash streets, is the youngest victim of the summer so far. In 2017, there have been 66 homicides; 85 percent have been shootings and 82 percent of victims have been African-American.
Only four days before Evans’ death two young girls — a 6-year-old and 9-year-old — were shot during an exchange of gunfire near 39th and Burleigh that also injured two older men. The girls and both men survived.
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Angel Lewis, Evans’ aunt, described the boy as an enthusiastic and caring older brother who loved school and thought often about what he wanted to do later in life.
“He had so much ahead of him,” she said.
A prayer vigil and peace march were held Sunday for Evans. Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and Milwaukee Police Department Chief Ed Flynn attended the gathering, along with about 50 community members.
But residents said the reaction was not enough. They drew comparisons between Evans’ death and the police shooting of Sylville Smith last August in Sherman Park, which led to two nights of unrest that brought national attention. Keith Martin, who attended the vigil, criticized the turnout for the event, as did Darrin Reasby, founder of Born2Dream.
Lewis and Martin called for the shooter to turn himself in. And Reggie Moore, director of the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, asked that anyone with information come forward. But Reasby, Martin and Moore also said the central city black community must build relationships and provide positive examples for children in order to address violence at the root level.
Ameka Jacobs, a resident of 23rd Street, said, “When does ‘Black Lives Matter’ start?”


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Common Council approves new Pioneering Innovations Commission | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Khalif J. Rainey
July 31, 2017
Today the Common Council unanimously approved establishing the Pioneering Innovations Commission to keep track of developments in research and emerging strategies for addressing societal issues.
Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, the primary sponsor of the legislation creating the new commission, said the new body will include two Council members, the Mayor or his designee and one representative each from Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“Establishing a Pioneering Innovations Commission to review developments in academic research and a broad range of emerging strategies for dealing with societal issues will ensure the city is positioned to evaluate and implement the latest technological innovation and policy initiatives to operate more effectively and best serve city residents,” Alderman Rainey said.
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“The City of Milwaukee is blessed to have numerous institutions of higher learning where important research is taking place regularly on some very timely and important issues, and the Commission could help tap into some of that work and create an important synergy that could help our city as a whole as we try new approaches and make changes,” he said.
The Commission will be staffed by the City Clerk’s Office and will report on its work to the Common Council at least once annually.
Co-sponsors on the Pioneering Innovations Commission legislation: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Tony Zielinski, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderman Cavalier Johnson and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski.

author: Ald. Khalif J. Rainey


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Open housing marcher passes legacy of activism to daughter Chantia Lewis | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jenny Fischer
July 31, 2017
Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of 15 pieces about the Milwaukee Open Housing marches, which took place 50 years ago beginning on Aug. 28, 1967. Download a free copy of “The Long March to Freedom” ebook, a compilation of all the articles in this series.
Milwaukee City Hall’s first-ever Black History Program was held in a packed rotunda on a gloomy day in late February. Ald. Chantia Lewis spearheaded the effort to honor strong-willed African-American citizens who have made a difference in the Milwaukee community.
Lewis braced herself before she spoke.
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“She’s not only my mother, but many of you are like her,” Lewis said. “You work behind the scenes. You don’t like to be recognized.”
Lewis explained that her mother, Deborah (Campbell) Tatum, was one of the children who marched in the Milwaukee open housing marches 50 years ago.
“Everywhere she goes, she has this activism spirit,” Lewis said. “She gave me my spirit.” Tatum and Lewis embraced on stage, each holding the award.
“Mommy,” Lewis said with a laugh, “I wanted to do this for you to show you how much you mean to me and how many lives you have touched.”
Tatum said she felt God telling her that Lewis should go into politics.
“Chantia was just 10 years old,” Tatum said. “I told her, ‘Write it down, honey.’ I knew she wouldn’t, so I did. And I always remembered.”
Lewis served in the United States Air Force before being elected to the Milwaukee Common Council as alderwoman of District 9.
Tatum’s passion for serving others began when she was a young teenager.
“I think I was 12 or 13 years old at the time,” Tatum said. “Father (James) Groppi came around to the classrooms at St. Boniface rallying kids to march with him because he couldn’t get much participation.”
The marches took place for 200 consecutive days over the 16th Street Viaduct. Thousands advocated for the Common Council to pass an open housing bill.
“We marched twice a day, from the North Side to the South Side and back,” Tatum said. “And I never missed a day, either.”
Tatum said she wishes she remembered more about that time. “I was just so young,” Tatum said. “But I knew right from wrong. I knew what being treated unfairly looked like. And I wanted to help change things.”
Lewis said she has always envied her mother’s “full-steam-ahead attitude.”
Half a century later, her daughter is making similar strides for change.
In addition to her role on the Common Council, Lewis has served for three years on the board of 9to5 Wisconsin, an organization fighting for women’s advancement. She was recently appointed to the 9to5 national board.
Tatum said she’s seen her passion for serving others come full circle in her grandchildren. “Chantia’s kids helped her campaign,” Tatum said. “They stuffed envelopes and knocked on doors. They know what’s right and fight for it, too.”
Tatum credits the open housing marches for making a difference in Milwaukee.
“We got the bill passed. It took a while, but we rallied and we made it happen,” Tatum said. “Now, I live to see it — all the results of all that walking.”
Earlier this year Lewis unveiled plans to revitalize the Northwest Side of Milwaukee, the neighborhood where her mother now resides. The plans include a re-imagined Northridge Mall, which has been closed and abandoned since 2003, and the area around it.
Lewis said she will continue to take strides for change, one foot in front of the other, just as her mother did.

author: Jenny Fischer


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
July 31, 2017


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Joy in light | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Hailey Richards
August 1, 2017
Milwaukee native Mayloynii Coste Carabello said she has had nine professions at the age of 35. She believes that finding your passion is vital to understanding who you are and how to love others. Carabello encourages others to share their inner light to live a fulfilling life.

created: August 1, 2017


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Proposals for Community Block Grant Funding mean development, jobs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II
August 1, 2017
Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee, said the city’s Funding Allocation Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be released on Friday, August 4, triggering a deadline for Milwaukee residents, community organizations and non-profits wishing to submit program funding proposals for CDBG funds. Completed proposals will be due to the Community Development Grants Administration no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017.
Starting on August 4 RFP application packet and additional information can be accessed at http://city.milwaukee.gov/CommunityDevelopment310.htm. In addition, copies will be available for viewing at the following Milwaukee Public Libraries: Main Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.; Capitol, 3969 N. 74th St.; Center St., 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Zablocki, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave., and Forest Home, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
Alderman Stamper said his focus (and the charge of the Community and Economic Development Committee) is centered on economic development, employment and youth services. “We are looking to allocate millions to help bring positive impacts on key issues affecting Milwaukee including economic development, employment, youth achievement and neighborhood revitalization,” he said.
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“I especially want to thank everyone who attended and participated in the three public hearings held last month across the city by the Community and Economic Development Committee,” Alderman Stamper said. “Your input was invaluable and your engagement was most helpful.”

author: Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II


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Schedule set for 2017 Bronzeville Week | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Milele A. Coggs
August 1, 2017
Drummers during 2016 Bronzeville Week. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
The attached 2017 Bronzeville Week schedule includes descriptions of each day’s events. Bronzeville Week 2017 is taking place August 5 – 12, with the Bronzeville Arts and Cultural Festival kicking things off on Saturday August 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
An official City of Milwaukee event now in its fifth full year, Bronzeville Week has blossomed as the premier celebration of Milwaukee’s rich African American legacy of culture, arts, history and entertainment. It is sponsored by the Historic King Drive BID, the Milwaukee Bucks, Maures Development Group, Office of Violence Prevention, WestCare Wisconsin, The Private Bank, Pete’s Fruit Market and VISIT Milwaukee. Sponsors for individual events will be highlighted throughout the week.
“Bronzeville Week has become synonymous with arts, culture and commerce and thousands have enjoyed its diverse events and offerings each year. It has truly become an enjoyable and enriching August tradition in Milwaukee, and one that is welcoming to families and people of all ages and backgrounds,” Alderwoman Coggs said.
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Now in its second year, the HaRUNbee 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, August 5, is sponsored by Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF) organized the HaRUNbee Walk/Run for Healthy Birth Outcomes to promote wellness by encouraging families to stay healthy and fit, both mentally and physically. In-person registration on August 5 starts at 7:30 a.m. and the event will begin at 9 a.m. at N. 6th St. and W. North Ave. To register online for the 5K Walk/Run, please go to http://bit.ly/29oJeoQ.
Alderwoman Coggs was the primary sponsor of legislation creating the partnership between Bronzeville Week & the HaRUNbee Walk/Run. “According to the City of Milwaukee Fetal Infant Mortality Review Report (2013), during 2009-2011, the Harambee neighborhood, in which Bronzeville is located, had the second highest rate of infant mortality in the City of Milwaukee. HaRUNbee will again bring together residents of Milwaukee, from both within and outside of the Harambee community, to participate in a 5K Walk/Run as an effort to increase infant mortality education and to support each other in this important public health endeavor,” she said.
Several new businesses and developments have occurred recently in and around the Bronzeville area and the Bronzeville Art Walk on Saturday, August 12 will feature an expanded list of 13 various locations along N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. between W. Hadley St. and W. McKinley Ave. showcasing many of them.
The Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District is a City of Milwaukee redevelopment initiative inspired by Milwaukee’s original Bronzeville, and it is striving to revitalize the area of Milwaukee where African-American culture has been a mainstay. The Bronzeville Redevelopment Plan seeks to create economic development in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in a way that recaptures the enthusiasm and attractiveness of the original Bronzeville District. Bounded by Garfield Avenue to Center Street, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive to 7th Street, the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District is wholly located in the 6th Aldermanic District.
Please visit Milwaukee.gov/Bronzeville for additional 2017 Bronzeville Week details.
2017 Bronzeville Week Schedule:
August 5th – 11th
Free Bronzeville Health Check-Ups
(Free-HIV, HEP C, Blood Pressure, Glucose testing, immunizations) MLK Heritage Health Clinic
2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Monday – Thursday (Friday by appointment only)
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Bronzeville Cultural and Arts Festival
North Ave. between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. and N. 7th St.
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
HaRUNbee 5K Walk/Run
Beginning & ending at 6th and North Ave.
7:30 AM – Registration 9:00 AM – Race begins
Sunday, August 6th
Crown Sunday
King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, 2375 N. 4th St.
(Outdoor Services)
9:00 AM
Community Clean-Up – 11:00 AM -2:00 PM
Monday, August 7th
BRONZEVILLE HISTORICAL CONVERSATION: The Role of Art in the Fight for Social Justice
Milwaukee Urban League 435 W. North Ave.
5:00 PM Reception
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Program
Tuesday, August 8th
Bronzeville Cash Mob
Birdsong Distribution 2216 N. Dr. MLK Jr. Drive
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
A NIGHT IN BRONZEVILLE: AND THE MEN SHALL ALSO GATHER… PRESENTED BY THE MEN
Gee’s Clippers
2200 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. 6:30 PM –8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 9th
Cool-Aid & Canvases
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library 310 W. Locust St.
12:00 PM – 1st session
2:00 PM – 2nd session
Trolley Rides
Pick-up in front Skybox Sports Bar 2213 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. 12:00 PM -1st Tour
5:30 PM – 2nd Tour
MOVE THE CROWD: BRONZEVILLE
The Big Eazy Restaurant
2053 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. 8:30 PM-11:30 PM
Thursday, August 10th
Paint-N-Sip
4th Quarter Sports Bar & Grill
2722 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. 6:00 PM
Friday, August 11th
BRONZEVILLE BUSINESS BREAKFAST
P3 Development Group
1916 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
BRONZEVILLE BATTLES
Skybox Sports Bar
2213 N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bronzeville: Sleepover for Education
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and North Ave. 7:00 PM – 8:00 AM (Saturday, August 12th)
Saturday, August 12th
Bronzeville Bike Ride
Reader’s Choice Book Store
1950 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. 10:00 AM
Bronzeville Black Food Truck Fest
Garfield Ave. (between N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. and 2nd St.) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bronzeville Art Walk
N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Various locations from Hadley St. to McKinley Ave. 12:00 PM -8:00 PM

author: Ald. Milele A. Coggs


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 1, 2017

author: Adam Carr


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UWM architecture field school focuses on nine blocks in Sherman Park this summer | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mitchell Mittelstedt
August 1, 2017
For the sixth year, the Field School has compiled stories of the people and architecture in Milwaukee. This year’s focus is a nine-block area within Sherman Park.
Arijit Sen, associate professor of Architecture at UWM, began the project in 2012, with the help of Historic Milwaukee, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison, among others. “Every year we collect positive stories of neighborhoods — stories that are usually not heard — and most of them are stories of stewardship and caring.”
The fundamental idea of the five-week course is that that residents of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods have a deep sense of caring for their neighborhoods and their neighbors. The first neighborhood examined was Thurston Woods, followed by the Historic Water Tower neighborhood. The goal for the next three years was to compare neighborhoods across North Avenue in Washington Park. The basic assumption behind these comparisons is that in every neighborhood there are people who serve, of their own accord, as stewards.
Stewardship comes through multiple local acts of caring, and maintaining homes for the benefit of the greater community. “There are some central common stewardship ethics that we share, and our goal was to learn from the neighbors and community residents some of these ethics of stewardship, so that we can bring that to the practice of architecture, planning and geography,” Sen said.
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Residents of the nine-block area in Sherman Park (between West Meinecke Avenue and West Center Street, on 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st streets) call it the “Center of Peace Neighborhood.”
Though the school has moved to a new neighborhood after three years in Washington Park, Sen says it has never completely moved out. Mavis McCallum, one of the first community members in the Field School who met Sen in Thurston Woods in 2012, once told him, “Look, you have to stay in a neighborhood long enough.” Sen said, “It’s very hard to move out of a neighborhood when you’ve made friends.”
This year has taken a particularly grassroots approach, according to Field School student Chelsea Wait. “In the past we have just focused on individual houses and people who live there as well as a couple community institutions. This year we’ve really tried to go for stories of neighborliness, whether that is loaning your drill to a neighbor, or sitting in a chair on the lawn and keeping an eye on the street, or … even at a bare minimum waving at people.”
Although the Field School is technically an architecture program, it attracts people from diverse backgrounds and different levels of experience.
Tesia Zietlow, another Field School student, had been living abroad before she searched the keywords “architecture” and “summer” online, and read Sen’s blog page and some his research on other websites. “We’re not all architects. We’re not even all students, and we’re at different levels; some of us just coming into undergrad, some [with] master’s, some Ph.Ds, and so getting all these perspectives from all these disciplines is really, really cool,” Zietlow said.
The first week of the program consists of drawing and measuring a house. In the second week, students research archives in the public library, City Hall, the City Records Office and Milwaukee County Historical Society, and in the third week they interview about 30 people. The last two weeks are spent perfecting the storylines and producing storyboards, videos, blog posts and other materials.
The Field School is planning an exhibition at which students will present their work. It will take place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the Old Finney Library, 4243 W. North Ave.

author: Mitchell Mittelstedt


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‘Beyond Sherman Park’ takes stock of central city a year after unrest | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
August 2, 2017
About 270 community members gathered at Parklawn Assembly of God Church for Milwaukee PBS’ event. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
MPS teacher Lakeshia Myers has observed police harassment of African-American residents and is sometimes asked by her students for help interpreting and responding to that behavior. She advises them to do the best they can to make it home alive and to always be respectful to officers.
But, she said, she is “heartbroken” that she has to have those conversations.
Myers, who is black, was one of 270 people who came to “Beyond Sherman Park,” a recent community gathering organized by Milwaukee PBS and WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio. The event addressed the state of the central city a year after violent protests broke out in response to the shooting of Sherman Park resident Sylville Smith by a police officer on Aug. 13.
In a video interview, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn cited a study of 1960s era riots saying, “the flashpoint was always, inevitably, a police action but… it wasn’t the fundamental cause of the conflagration. Flynn added, “social challenges, failure, government ineptitude, economic dislocation etc. … created communities that felt disconnected from the mainstream, that felt unrepresented, that felt left behind by the American dream that everybody shared.”
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In Sherman Park, police involvement was absolutely the cause of the violence, said Camille Parham, a senior process analyst for a financial institution who lives nearby. “The people feel oppressed. They feel threatened. They’re constantly being harassed so there’s a build-up of frustration with our youth, with our … people.”
Bohdan Zachary, general manager of Milwaukee PBS, welcomes the audience, as (from left) James Causey, Reggie Jackson, Laura Marshall (obscured), LaToya Dennis and Portia Young stand by. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Myers said, “It is reminiscent of the apartheid era in South Africa … when folks are being stopped and asked for ID and where they’re going and where they’re supposed to be, as if they are being restricted and watched and should not be in certain communities.”
Audience member Peavy Holmes noted that Milwaukee’s high rates of segregation and African-American male unemployment, as well its failing school system, were contributing factors to the unrest.  Holmes is assistant director for life underwriting at Northwestern Mutual.
“When my brother and I were growing up we used to run up to police officers because they gave out baseball cards. When a cop pulled up in the neighborhood, we’d run up to their cars,” said Holmes, who is black.
Even though he has close friends and relatives who are police officers and knows “not all cops are bad,” he does not feel the same way about police as he did then. Alluding to police shootings, Holmes added, “I still don’t feel comfortable getting pulled over … even as a successful person.”
The police could use more sensitivity or soft skills training, Holmes noted, adding that he and his brother, who lives near Sherman Park, agreed it would nice if the police could rebuild relationships like they had when they were boys.
Attendees had differing opinions about whether more teens and young adults are engaging in the community since the events of last summer.
Myers said that if the community wants to hear more from young people it needs to go where they are, as Program the Parks founder Vaun Mayes has done in Sherman Park.
Although she sees her students and other young people participating in conversations about the community, Myers said they often are excluded. “Some of those involved in the uprising are probably not engaged,” she said, adding, “A lot of times these conversations are geared toward adults.”
Parham noted that the unrest last year was a wake-up call “to engage more with our young people, to show them that (violence) is not the appropriate outlet when there’s some type of police brutality.”
She added, “The young people expressed that they want to be heard. A lot of the teenagers expressed their frustration to us. And that’s something that’s not to be ignored.”
Moderator LaToya Dennis takes a question from attendee Darrin Madison. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Holmes, who grew up on the Northwest Side and now lives in Hales Corners, said his brother and younger cousins, who live in the Sherman Park area are constantly discussing ideas for solutions to community problems.
Panelist Reggie Jackson, head griot at America’s Black Holocaust Museum, postulated, “No downtrodden community in history has healed itself alone,” igniting a discussion about what kind of help is needed from the city, county, state and residents of other parts of the city and suburbs. Jackson was on the panel along with James Causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist; and Laura Marshall, a Sherman Park resident. WUWM’s LaToya Dennis moderated.
“What we need is action and not just lip service,” Myers said. She noted that after an incident such as the Sherman Park uprising, the community sees an outpouring of questions about why it happened. The community knows that housing and poor schools are issues and they have said that repeatedly, she said, adding, “But we don’t actually do anything to fix them,” she added.
Myers was disappointed that Sherman Park’s elected leaders said little during the discussion. “People want to see action …. I would have liked to hear more from the representatives … about plans that they may have in place or programming that they may be aware of to help the constituency they serve.” She gave kudos to Sen. Lena Taylor, who does not represent Sherman Park but who discussed community issues in a video interview.
According to Holmes, it is essential that Milwaukee’s education system and the job prospects for African-Americans be improved. We have to have jobs that are attainable with a high school education, Holmes said. “If you’re left with the option of no work … then your alternative is to do something illegal to make money for your family,” he added.
Parham would like to see residents of other communities come into the central city. “(Do) not be afraid to go into the urban areas and share your knowledge. Don’t stereotype. Don’t judge the kids; just take a step. I challenge those who live perhaps downtown, or who may live in West Milwaukee, to branch out and invest in the Sherman Parks around the city or other communities outside of their (own).”
Myers, Parham and Holmes, all in their 30s, suggested solutions.
“We have to strap up our boots and do more to engage one another and that starts at the basic human level of knowing who your neighbors are, making sure that you know … who the people are in the next five houses down, that they know my children, that they are able to tell me what’s going on when I’m not present,” Myers said.
Parham would like to see more parental and community involvement to make the neighborhoods better, she said.
“Part of it is we have to help ourselves. African-Americans have to reach into our own pockets and help ourselves first,” said Holmes.
Added Myers, “I think that this is an opportunity for us to move forward and to show what we can become. I think that we are a world-class city and we have to work together to show that to the rest of the world.”
The discussion, which was held at the Parklawn Assembly of God Church, 3725 N. Sherman Blvd., was hosted by Portia Young of Milwaukee PBS’ 10thirtysix. It will be broadcast on Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. on Milwaukee PBS and WUWM 89.7 FM.

created: August 2, 2017

author: Andrea Waxman


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How to volunteer in August | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Martha Cannon, Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee
August 2, 2017
VISIT Milwaukee volunteer Sarah Baily works an information table during an NCAA basketball tournament game.
Dog days getting you down? Break out of the hot summer routine and help others in your neighborhood or community. Volunteer Milwaukee, a service of the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee features a calendar full of events for volunteers, both one-time and ongoing.
Greet visitors and answer questions at the airport, prepare packets and convention bags and provide directional assistance at events for VISIT Milwaukee; weekdays, weekends and occasional evenings.
Contact: Tony Snell at TSnell@milwaukee.org or 414-287-4243.
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Provide ASL interpretation for deaf and hard-of-hearing program participants and clients at Milwaukee LGBT Community Center meetings, events, and counseling and advocacy services; must have ASL education, training and experience.
Contact: Marissa Burns at mburns@mkelgbt.org  or 414-292-3070.
Sign in seniors, serve meals, assist with serving trays or clean-up weekdays at theInterfaith Clinton Rose Senior Center; must be 55 or older.
Contact: Eddy Magnus at emagnus@interfaithmilw.org or 414-291-7500.
Diverse & Resilient needs groups to assemble kits that include condoms, lubricants, and information about safe sex and STI testing as part of the 414ALL Condom Campaign citywide effort.
Contact: Matthew Lewis at mlewis@diverseandresilient.org or 414-390-0444.
Set up, register guests, serve food, distribute clothes or assist in children’s area for St. Vincent de Paul Society of Milwaukee; Thursday, Aug. 10 at north side location, noon-8 p.m.
Contact: Peggy West at pwest@svdpmilw.org or 414-915-3353.
Help Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful bring environmental education to Irish Fest attendees; help with setup, arts & crafts or games Aug. 18-20, 3- to 4-hour shifts. Sign up here.
Contact: Betsy Bolte at betsy@kgmb.org or 414-272-5462.


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Ex Fabula seeks community members to tell race and equity stories | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ex Fabula
August 3, 2017
In Fall 2015, Rochelle Fritsch was part of the inaugural cohort of Ex Fabula Fellows, a group of community members who came together to craft and share personal stories about equity topics. While she had previous storytelling experience and was intimately acquainted with the concepts of race and privilege, Fritsch reflects that the experience was still an eye-opener. “Telling your story is only part of the equation. The other and equally valuable part is listening… and being challenged and enlightened because of what you’ve heard.”
Today, Fritsch is one of the storytelling coaches for the 3 cohort of Fellows – and she invites all adults in the Greater Milwaukee area to apply. “It’ll be the one of the best and life-changing decisions you’ll make,” she notes. (Read more from Rochelle about her experience: www.exfabula.org/discovering-the-whole-story)
The Fellowship is a program of Ex Fabula, a Milwaukee nonprofit that strengthens community bonds through the art of storytelling. “In order to connect people, we need to address the factors that divide us – things like racial and economic inequity and subconscious bias,” said Ex Fabula Executive Director Megan McGee. “When community members share true, personal stories about those topics, they reveal the complex ways that inequity and bias shape our lives. They also demonstrate that it’s okay to be vulnerable and get uncomfortable, so when we invite audience members to reflect and share their own experiences in small group dialogues after hearing the stories, the result is quite powerful.”
In the first two years, almost 50 Fellows – many without previous performance experience – have come together to identify, craft, practice, and share their stories. Ex Fabula storytelling coaches lead the Fellows through 6 workshops, one-on-one coaching, and StoryCircles where Fellows can continue to practice. Fellows have said, “It’s a joyful experience and I learned new skills that help me feel more genuine power” and “I joined not just to share stories, but to enter a community – which is exactly what happened.”
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Ex Fabula is now seeking the next class of Fellows – and they are especially interested in finding community members who would like to craft stories related to race and place. “This is the 50 anniversary of the 1967-68 Housing Marches, so we want to craft stories that will help explore the history, the legacy, and the current housing situation,” said McGee.  Applications will be accepted through September 12. More information plus audio and video stories from the first two years are available at www.exfabula.org/fellows.
The 2017-18 Fellowship is supported in part by a $25,000 grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation‘s Douglas L.P. Hamilton Fund and Harold Grosskopf Fund; a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment of the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin; and a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

created: August 3, 2017

author: Ex Fabula


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 3, 2017


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Uptick in deportations leads undocumented parents to make plans for children | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Keith Schubert
August 3, 2017
Residents congregate at City Hall to protest policy changes to the Milwaukee Police Department’s immigration procedures. (Photo by Keith Schubert)
The “Lopez” family moved to Milwaukee from Mexico in 2008. As undocumented immigrants, they have always known deportation was possible. But it was not until President Trump signed executive orders to expand deportations that they took tangible steps to prepare. In early June they met with an attorney to assign a temporary guardian to care for and make decisions on behalf of their children in the event of emergency, illness or absence.
“There’s a real and legitimate fear,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera.
According to a report released by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in May, immigration arrests were up 40 percent during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.
Maria and Juan Lopez (not their real names) have signed a Power of Attorney to protect their children, who are 10 and 7, in case they are deported.
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“Our children are everything to us,” said Maria Lopez. “We don’t want them to go into foster care if we get deported.”
The city has recently gone back and forth on how to handle police interactions with undocumented people and when police should report suspected illegal immigrants to ICE. As it stands now, the policy states police members “shall, using discretion consistent with federal law, inform federal immigration officials of the whereabouts or behaviors of any suspected illegal immigrant.” At one point, the policy stated that police should contact federal immigration officials after contact with a suspected illegal immigrant who met certain criteria, including arrest for a felony, involvement with terrorist activity or suspected of participating in gang activity.
Attendees of the most recent Fire and Police Commission meeting celebrate the reversal of a city immigration policy. (Photo by Keith Schubert)
“Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief now that the City of Milwaukee is standing with immigrants,” said Neumann-Ortiz about the policy changes.
Since the start of the Trump administration, undocumented people across the state have been filling out Power of Attorney forms (POA), according to Milwaukee Mexican Consulate director Ingrid Fernández Tamez. The POA allows a family to designate a person to take responsibility for their children’s care, including getting them to and from school and taking them to doctors’ appointments.
The POA doesn’t go into effect unless both parents are deported, or if a single parent is deported. Guardians have some restrictions on their authority: they cannot permit minors to have an abortion or join the military, or put them up for adoption.
Theodore Chadwick, an immigration attorney for Grzeca Law Group, questioned why parents feel it is necessary to sign POA documents before they are detained. “People have filled out these POAs in a fit of fear, but once a person gets picked up their court date isn’t until three to four years later,” he noted. During that time, he suggested, parents can make arrangements for their children.
“Usually custody just gets transferred, officially or unofficially, to a family member,” Chadwick added. However, he stated that it is possible for child protective services to become involved, which would be the worst-case scenario.
Neumann-Ortiz defended the use of POAs. “What people are doing is what parents do, being responsible for their children — being responsible in case both parents get picked up, which we’ve seen happen,” she explained.
The consulate has been holding sessions twice a week to assist families with the POAs. The United Community Center and Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic provide lawyers to help parents complete the forms.
“One of the duties of the consulate is to protect the well-being of Mexican nationals abroad,” said Tamez. More than a quarter million Mexican nationals live in Milwaukee.
Changes to local and federal immigration policies have resulted in escalated fear and immigration arrests in Milwaukee and the country. UCC president Jose A. Olivieri said that since Trump became president, undocumented people believe that any contact with police will lead to being deported. “People have been coming up to me and asking if it’s safe for them to even go to the park,” said Olivieri. “There’s a sense of fear right now that’s pretty strong in the community.”
However, he pointed out, “We haven’t seen as many of the things going on here as we do in other parts of the country where local police are much more involved in immigration enforcement.”
At a recent Fire and Police Commission meeting, Assistant Police Chief James Harpole emphasized that the Milwaukee police department does not enforce federal immigration law.
Of the 41,000 undocumented people arrested throughout the country in the first 100 days of the Trump administration, half have not been convicted of crimes, according to ICE.
“The biggest advice I can give undocumented people is what ICE has told us … and that is to be prepared before they get picked up,” Chadwick said.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 2, 2017


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Mountain biking team trains youth for fall races | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sue Vliet
August 4, 2017
Teenagers looking for fresh air and exercise can register online at Milwaukee Recreation for the Milwaukee Mountain Biking Team. The team meets every Tuesday and Thursday at Riverside Recreation Center, 1615 E. Locust. Practice is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Estabrook Park.
According to Paul Zettel, one of the coaches, 16 young people are currently training for the fall mountain bike races, which take place throughout Wisconsin.
“We provide bikes and helmets for new riders. If they stay with the program in the fall we will outfit them with racing clothing,” said Zettel. The fee is $25 and scholarships are available.
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created: August 4, 2017

author: Sue Vliet


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New Marcus Garvey Community Garden launches in Amani | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
August 6, 2017
Lavita Booker, Camille Mays and partners from Groundwork Milwaukee recently launched a new community garden with the building of eight beds at 3052 N. 37th St.
The new Marcus Garvey Community Garden is located between Burleigh and Chambers streets in the Amani neighborhood. In addition to Garvey, the garden honors historical African and African-American heroes and heroines as well as Milwaukee icons Mother Scott, Jeannetta Robinson and Vel Phillips. It is modeled on Andre Lee Ellis’ “We Got This” garden and mentoring program for black boys and young men.
Also involved in the launch were community leaders David Muhammad of the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention; County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde; Andre Lee Ellis, founder of We Got This Milwaukee; Vaun Mayes and Gabri-El Taylor Bey, founders and co-directors of Program the Parks; WNOV Radio personality Homer Blow and Groundwork’s Daisy Romero.
Booker will employ young people in the garden and teach skills and values that will help them succeed in school, work and life. Booker said African-American youth will learn about black “heroes and she-roes” in order to better understand their people’s history and their own place in it.
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created: August 6, 2017


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Bronzeville Week continues with wide range of events | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Milele A. Coggs
August 7, 2017
Children with face paint at the at 2015 Bronzeville Cultural and Arts Festival. (Photo by Allison Dikanovic)
Bronzeville Week 2017 will be home to many different and unique events this week, for people of all ages. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs is the host of Bronzeville Week, which goes through Saturday, August 12.
Throughout the week, Bronzeville Health Screenings will be taking place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the MLK Heritage Health Clinic, 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Testing includes HIV, HEP C, blood pressure, glucose and immunizations.
Tuesday’s events consist of a Cash Mob and a gathering sponsored by Gee’s Clippers. The Cash Mob will be located at Bronzeville area businesses like Birdsong Distribution, 2216 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., there will be special pricing and promotions. A Night in Bronzeville: And the Men Shall Also Gather will go from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 2200 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., and will be presented by Andre Lee Ellis and the Men.
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Cool-Aid and Canvases should be a fun event for kids to attend on Wednesday August 9 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, at 310 W. Locust St. Session 1 starts at 12:00 p.m. and session 2 starts at 2:00 p.m. Kids will be given punch and healthy snacks, and will also able to paint while learning from local artist India Miller.
There will be two Trolley Ride Tours on Wednesday night that will explore the Bronzeville District. The first tour takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the second tour starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. Pick-up for the trolley tour will be located at Skybox Sports Bar, at 2213 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Wednesday wraps up with a Move the Crowd: Bronzeville event, a gathering with musical performances from several hip-hop and R&B artists, at the Big Eazy Restaurant, 2053 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
For more information about Bronzeville week, visit http://milwaukee.gov/Bronzeville.

created: August 7, 2017


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
August 7, 2017