Author: Editor

Mural movement paints its home in East Side Alley

A foundation for the Milwaukee street art movement, built on a frog. Black Cat Alley held a fundraiser on July 21 on the patio level of the UWM Kenilworth Apartments to kick off its September project, when ten artists will paint murals that transform the alley between Farewell and Prospect Avenues. Because the Kenilworth Campus borders the alley, which was originally envisioned as a school project to be painted by art students, Black Cat got its name in reference to the UW Milwaukee Panthers. The gala event was also organized to help Milwaukee understand the organization’s vision for developing...

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John Gurda’s Making of Milwaukee rebooted for 10th anniversary

In the fall of 2006, Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV) aired what would go on to become a local broadcast phenomenon. The five-hour television event, The Making of Milwaukee, told the Cream City’s story in a way that connected with the community unlike previous documentaries. Written and hosted by esteemed historian John Gurda, the MPTV produced series explored the intriguing people who came to live beside Lake Michigan, their politics, triumphs and tragedies, and how they worked and played. From civic saints to backroom scoundrels, industrialists to Socialists, Potawatomi to Hmong, the program presented Milwaukee’s formation and evolution over almost two...

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Kashoua Yang: When our future is in the hands of others

Growing up in poverty as a Hmong immigrant to Wisconsin, Kashoua Yang saw the devastating effect on her family without a knowledge of the law. She overcame this position of helplessness to become a lawyer and advocate for families and those at the lowest point in their life. | Q&A with Kashoua “Kristy” Yang Milwaukee Independent: Who or what had the biggest influence on your youth? Kashoua Yang: I think the biggest influences were the numerous acts of discrimination my family and I experienced, and growing up in poverty. These experiences have made me who I am today. They taught...

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