Milwaukee Independent, Milwaukee’s leading independent news publication, proudly marks a decade of journalistic excellence, having published over 12,000 in-depth news features since its founding in 2015.
This milestone underscores the publication’s long commitment to delivering impactful, community-centered reporting that informs, inspires, and empowers.
As a nonprofit news outlet and a member of the Associated Press since 2021, Milwaukee Independent has firmly established itself as a trusted source for reporting on the city’s diverse communities.
Its mission to elevate marginalized voices and foster understanding has made it a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s media landscape and a model for independent journalism.
TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNALISM
Milwaukee Independent began with a bold vision: to create a news platform that prioritizes depth and integrity over clickbait and sensationalism. At a time when local journalism was under threat, the publication emerged as a voice for truth, equity, and inclusivity.
It has since become a vital resource for news and analysis, offering thoughtful coverage of topics ranging from economic development and public health to untold storiesarts, culture, and social justice.
Operating as a nonprofit, Milwaukee Independent has built a reputation for prioritizing the public interest above all, and seeking out important stories that are overlooked by mainstream media outlets.
The publication’s core mission remains rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices, exploring complex issues with nuance, and fostering constructive dialogue across Milwaukee’s richly diverse communities.
ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE
In the ten years since its launch, Milwaukee Independent has achieved numerous milestones.
12,000 NEWS FEATURES PUBLISHED: From breaking news and investigative journalism to photo essays and personal narratives, Milwaukee Independent has delivered content that resonates deeply with its audience.
MILWAUKEE PRESS CLUB HONORS: 80 top awards for excellence in journalism in Wisconsin, and designated as the best local news site for two consecutive years.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: Since 2021, the publication has been part of the AP network, further enhancing the credibility and reach of its reporting.
SYNDICATED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM NATIONAL ANALYSTS: Renowned commentators such as Heather Cox Richardson and Thom Hartmann have provided Milwaukee Independent readers with insightful analyses, connecting local concerns to broader national and global contexts.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION: The publication has become known for its consistent focus on stories that matter most to Milwaukee residents, with a special emphasis on issues of equity and community resilience.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS AND STAFF
Milwaukee Independent’s success would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of its talented team, including the following key contributors:
LEE MATZ: As the Senior Photojournalist, Matz has been an integral part of Milwaukee Independent since its early days. His award-winning photography has provided powerful visual narratives that complement the publication’s in-depth reporting. Matz’s lens has captured everything from Milwaukee’s grassroots movements to its vibrant cultural celebrations.
REGGIE JACKSON: As an author, historian, and journalist, Jackson has played a pivotal role in Milwaukee Independent’s coverage of systemic inequities and racial justice. His articles delve into Milwaukee’s complex history and offer pathways toward understanding and reconciliation.
PARDEEP KALEKA: A contributing writer and community advocate, Kaleka has brought unique insights into issues of trauma, healing, and social cohesion. His powerful pieces reflect his commitment to fostering unity in the face of division.
DOMINIC INOUYE: A writer, cultural historian, and educator, Inouye has enriched Milwaukee Independent’s content with thought-provoking explorations of the city’s history, diversity, and struggles for equity. His work has been instrumental in connecting Milwaukee’s past to its present.
In addition to many other dedicated contributors and former staff members who have helped Milwaukee Independent expand its mission to educate the public about complicated subjects with thoughtfulness, compassion, and editorial responsibility.
A DECADE OF MEMORABLE STORIES
Among the 12,000 stories published by Milwaukee Independent, several stand out as defining moments in the publication’s history.
CHRONICLING MILWAUKEE’S SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS: From protests demanding racial equity to grassroots efforts addressing homelessness and poverty, the publication has been at the forefront of documenting Milwaukee’s fight for a fairer future.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Milwaukee Independent provided critical, timely reporting during the pandemic, offering public health updates and sharing stories of resilience and solidarity in the community.
VISUAL STORYTELLING AT ITS BEST: Matz’s photojournalism has been a hallmark of Milwaukee Independent, capturing the humanity, beauty, and challenges of life in Milwaukee.
REPORTING FROM THE FRONTLINES IN UKRAINE: As the only Wisconsin news service to report on the ground in Ukraine about Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion, Milwaukee Independent undertook two assignments in 2022 and 2023. Coverage from Irpin, Milwaukee’s sister city, highlighted its recovery efforts and resilience, forging deeper ties between the two cities while providing an intimate view of the war’s human impact.
EXPLORING CULTURAL CONNECTIONS IN JAPAN AND KOREA: Through its Japan and Korea series, Milwaukee Independent examined the cultural and historical ties between Milwaukee and East Asia. These stories celebrated the shared heritage and offered insights into the experiences of Milwaukeeans living and working abroad.
STORIES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: Reporting from Jordan and Jerusalem highlighted the cultural richness and ongoing challenges in these regions, and their impact on Milwaukee’s ethnic communities. These features delved into stories of resilience, religious diversity, and efforts toward social progress in some of the world’s most historically significant areas.
COVERING GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN CRISES: Reporting on the devastating Türkiye earthquake showcased the profound challenges and recovery efforts in the affected regions, and lessons about long-term recovery and refugee mental health. These stories connected Milwaukee readers to distant tragedies that had very local footprints.
LOOKING AHEAD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
As Milwaukee Independent reflects on its first decade, the work ahead remains clear. The challenges facing local journalism, from shrinking newsrooms to growing public distrust to the political weaponization of the truth, have only underscored the need for independent reporting rooted in accuracy, fairness, and depth.
The publication’s record demonstrates that stories centered on Milwaukee’s neighborhoods, its immigrant communities, its history, and its place in the world can reach audiences well beyond the state’s border. That work will continue in the years ahead, with the same attention to detail that has earned both awards and the trust of readers.
Future coverage will focus on issues shaping daily life in Milwaukee: economic inequality, public health, education, environmental change, and the continuing debates over democracy and civic participation. International reporting will remain part of that mission, drawing connections between local residents and global events in ways that larger outlets rarely attempt.
For the journalists, photographers, and contributors who have built Milwaukee Independent, the tenth anniversary is less a point of arrival than a reminder of the responsibility to keep going. The past decade’s 12,000 features show that consistent, independent reporting can inform and sometimes even reshape public conversations. The next decade will demand the same persistence, with new tools and new voices joining the effort.
In marking this milestone, Milwaukee Independent acknowledges not only its staff and contributors but also its readers, whose engagement has made the work possible. The publication’s first ten years have shown what local journalism can achieve. The years to come will test and expand that promise in Milwaukee, across Wisconsin, and in the broader world that remains connected through the city’s stories.
© Photo
Lee Matz
