Editor, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Care packages mailed to families in devastated Puerto Rico sit in Oak Creek

Posted by Editor | Sep 30, 2017 |

Milwaukee’s large Puerto Rican community has been struggling to reach family and send help, facing a lack of information and impaired public services. There is still no power on the island after nearly two weeks, with the exception of generators. The initial recovery response from the US federal government has been lackluster, but is moving forward. In the meantime, local Milwaukee families have tried to mail essential items to their loved ones and relationships in Puerto Rico. A powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds made direct landfall on Puerto Rico, bisecting the entire island and drenching it...

Reggie Jackson and Jesús Salas honored with 2017 Frank P. Zeidler Award

Posted by Editor | Sep 28, 2017 |

Reggie Jackson and Jesús Salas were the 2017 recipients of the Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award, and both men were honored at a special ceremony in the Council Chamber Anteroom of Milwaukee City Hall on September 26. Reggie Jackson is a public speaker and writer concerning equal rights and Black history, as well as Chief Griot and leader at the America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Jesús Salas is a life-long migrant workers activist, educator, and a former member of the UW-Board of Regents. “The Committee’s decision recognizes these two outstanding leaders, coming from different segments of our community, who...

Community Warehouse continues momentum of Bronzeville development

Posted by Editor | Sep 27, 2017 |

The non-profit organization dedicated to community improvement is expanding operations with a new location opening on September 28 to better serve North Side of Milwaukee. Community Warehouse, a faith-based organization centered on community empowerment through meaningful employment, is opening its second Milwaukee location in Bronzeville at 324 W. North Avenue, next door to Pete’s Fruit Market. Serving the area since 2005, the nonprofit’s purpose is two-fold: it provides low-cost home and facility improvement materials needed for rebuilding Milwaukee’s under-resourced communities to help improve quality of life in those neighborhoods; and it employs background-challenged individuals who want to make a...

Milwaukee mother gets help building her first home in Walnut Hill

Posted by Editor | Sep 26, 2017 |

On September 11, as the nation mourned the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 loss and destruction, a Milwaukee woman and her family were full of hope as they built their future. A large group of volunteers from Komatsu joined Lavitta Moore and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity to raise the walls of her very first home. As a mother of three, Moore has had to move her children through multiple rentals because of increasing rent and safety concerns. Moore’s future home in District 15 is on the 2100 block of North 31st, and with every nail she pounded into planks...

Robert J. Miller: Lessons from a time when both sides prayed to the same God

Posted by Editor | Sep 22, 2017 |

Even before he attended seminary studies in southeastern Wisconsin on his journey to priesthood, Reverend Robert J. Miller held a fascination and interest in the history of the American Civil War. Spanning a lifelong ministry that started in Chicago’s African-American south-side community, including the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, Reverend Miller has authored six books related to history and religious faith. This unique perspective has made him a leading authority of probably the least explored issue that also happens to be one of the most important aspects of America’s worst conflict. In 1861, the world’s most devout, Bible-reading country went to...

Tattoo convention draws inked bodies as living art

Posted by Editor | Sep 21, 2017 |

“But what is shape? Only a cup for the blazing soul that God provides us all.” ― Ray Bradbury, The Illustrated Man Philadelphia-based tattoo convention organizers, Villain Arts, returned to America’s Dairyland for the 8th year to host their traveling tattoo arts event over the September 15 weekend. The Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention hosted hundreds of the finest professional tattooers, tattoo memorabilia, and a curiosity-themed carnival of sideshow performers. The sprawling exhibition has produced annual appearances nationwide for more than two decades. This year Villain Arts added four major cities to its annual convention circuit, including Houston, Denver, and...