In the heart of Fukushima Prefecture remains silent and haunting reminders of a tragedy that reverberated around the world more than a decade ago. The catastrophic events following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, led to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
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3.11 EXPLORING FUKUSHIMA: This feature is part of an original Milwaukee Independent editorial series that documented the 13th anniversary of the "Great East Japan Earthquake," tsunami, and nuclear accident, including the conditions of both the people and places that remain affected by the disaster across the Tōhoku region. mkeind.com/exploringfukushima As a nation with a long history of seismic activity, Japan has faced numerous challenges due to earthquakes. Two of the most significant modern events were the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and the 2024 Noto earthquake. And each tragedy had a direct impact on my life, both personally and professionally. In...
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After celebrating its birthday and 178-year history on January 25, the City of Milwaukee began a new chapter of international friendship and cooperation on January 26 with Kragujevac, a city in the heart of Serbia’s Šumadija region. Separated by continents yet united by shared aspirations, both cities formalized their bond as Sister Cities at the agreement signing ceremony. Kragujevac became Milwaukee’s 7th Sister City after Abuja, Nigeria in December, and 2nd after Zadar, Croatia to have been part of the former Yugoslavia. The historic event was witnessed by a gathering of city officials, leaders from the local Serbian American...
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I accepted photojournalism assignments with connections in Milwaukee to some of the most volatile places in the world last year. In the moments when I could step back from the trauma and clear my mind, I often found those brief moments of solitude in ancient places of worship. At the core of all the “Great Faiths” is the concept of treating others with kindness and respect. Regardless of the expression, ritual, language, or belief, in my experience – it all comes down to love. And so I always find it calming to visit any place built for a community...
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With the end of any year comes a time for reflection. That was never more true for me in 2023. It has been an unprecedented year of opportunities and adventures, along with the corresponding sacrifices. A senior photojournalist for Milwaukee Independent, I visited five countries in the combined span of two months, and produced a full year’s worth of journalism in that short time. It was a time of inspiration, and exposure to unparalleled trauma. Aside from the physical toll of travel, wounds, and injuries along the way, the emotional tax also came at a steep price. After each...
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As I reflect on my second assignment to Ukraine from June to July, and the corresponding news series of articles, interviews, and photo essays I produced, a flood of thoughts come to mind. One in particular involved a hotdog. I originally intended to post the image for this story to social media. As I thought about how to introduce it for context, what I wanted to say stretched beyond a simple caption. I have had the privilege and burden to see a side of Ukraine during war that no other journalist in Wisconsin has been exposed to. I have...
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