Guest, Author at Milwaukee Independent

A lasting bond between Big and Little

Posted by Guest | Feb 9, 2017 |

In a political climate where many people feel helpless to affect change, becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most impactful volunteer efforts someone can make for the positive future of Milwaukee. Jill plays many roles in life, but one of the most satisfying has been as a Big Sister. She is a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Metro Milwaukee. Jill was compelled to participate in the program, and wanted to make that difference in the community by spending one-on-one time with a young person. Jill felt she could “help a child...

The Muslim Mind: Ayad Akhtar’s “Disgraced”

Posted by Guest | Jan 25, 2017

This essay is part of a series that explores the Muslim community in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Independent previously published an extensive interview with Janan Najeeb. It was an effort to help our readers better understand the people of Islamic faith who live in the city, and address questions that were not the usual fear-based reactions to news events. As a result of the positive impact and popularity of Najeeb’s profile, the Milwaukee Independent invited her to offer a continuing editorial voice about our Muslim neighbors and their shared stories from the community. I recently attended one of the Milwaukee...

The Muslim Mind: The story of Christmas in the Holy Quran

Posted by Guest | Dec 25, 2016

This essay is part of a series that explores the Muslim community in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Independent previously published an extensive interview with Janan Najeeb. It was an effort to help our readers better understand the people of Islamic faith who live in the city, and address questions that were not the usual fear-based reactions to news events. As a result of the positive impact and popularity of Najeeb’s profile, the Milwaukee Independent invited her to offer a continuing editorial voice about our Muslim neighbors and their shared stories from the community. “Proclaim: We believe in God and the...

Bobby Drake: Because, I am Black

Posted by Guest | Dec 8, 2016 |

Months ago I started working on a one man show. It was an idea that was born out of my need to provide the kind of leadership that reminds you of old generals that had done all the things they told their soldiers to do. My 2015 Independent Music Awards accomplishment, as the artist that won Best Spoken Word Album, gave me a unique set of skills. A combination of entrepreneurial drive and artistic audacity gave me the crazy idea to answer one question before I dіе. “Why can’t artists get loans for their art? It’s a business too...

Benefit concert gives “Heralds of Hope” in a tough holiday season

Posted by Guest | Dec 8, 2016 |

A 90-minute, alternative holiday program of music, theater, and literature about “struggle through hardship into hope” to perform on December 20. Critically acclaimed Milwaukee-born author and performer Paul McComas, along with Chicago singer and songwriter Maya Kuper, will present Heralds of Hope in Story & Song at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust Street. The show’s $6-per-person admission donation will benefit Milwaukee’s vital community-building agency Safe & Sound, Inc. “We’re thrilled Paul and Maya have chosen Safe & Sound as this event’s beneficiary,” said executive director Katie Sanders. “Heralds of Hope demonstrates how song and spoken word can inspire...

The Muslim Mind: What a Trump presidency means for Milwaukee minorities

Posted by Guest | Nov 14, 2016

Photo by Gage Skidmore and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 This essay is part of a series that explores the Muslim community in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Independent previously published an extensive interview with Janan Najeeb. It was an effort to help our readers better understand the people of Islamic faith who live in the city, and address questions that were not the usual fear-based reactions to news events. As a result of the positive impact and popularity of Najeeb’s profile, the Milwaukee Independent invited her to offer a continuing editorial voice about our Muslim neighbors and their shared stories...