Author: Staff

Commemorating Freedom: Juneteenth officially recognized as a holiday in Milwaukee County

Commemorating Freedom: Juneteenth officially recognized as a holiday in Milwaukee County

Posted by | Jun 16, 2020 |

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson announced on June 15 that Milwaukee County employees will have a floating holiday on June 19 to mark Juneteenth Day and the end slavery in America. Executive Order #20-15 is part of Milwaukee County’s efforts to achieve racial equity and be the healthiest county in Wisconsin. The County has recognized that Milwaukee and the nation are presently facing two public health emergencies, one acute emergency caused by COVID-19 and one deep-rooted emergency caused by racism. “Beginning this year, Milwaukee County will officially recognize this important day in American...

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Comeback Cuisine: Box lunch program encourages employers to support neighborhood eateries

Comeback Cuisine: Box lunch program encourages employers to support neighborhood eateries

Posted by | Jun 16, 2020 |

Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 kicked off the Comeback Cuisine challenge on June 3 to encourage downtown companies to support nearby restaurants by purchasing box lunches for their returning employees. The effort was designed as a “welcome back” gesture to thank those workers who have remained on the frontlines during the pandemic. The goal of this gratitude campaign is 3,000 lunches in 30 days. As employers begin to staff return to their office space, downtown restaurants remain poised to serve the long absent workforce. “Our downtown restaurants have done a phenomenal job in serving downtown’s day and nighttime populations, but...

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Pandemic causes Underground Collaborative to permanently close community arts center

Pandemic causes Underground Collaborative to permanently close community arts center

Posted by | Jun 15, 2020 |

Milwaukee’s unique creative venue, art gallery, and rental space on the Lower Level of the Plankinton building in the Shops of Grand Avenue will close permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Established in 2012, The The Underground Collaborative featured over 8,000 sq. ft of space including a 100+ seat theatre, art gallery, recording studio, dance studio, rehearsal and practice rooms, administrative offices and creative work spaces. Founder Matt Kemple issued a statement to theatre groups and artists about the decision on June 1. “The pandemic has affected all of us in big ways. The Underground Collaborative being an arts-based...

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Milwaukee County’s housing initiative allocates $10M to prevent evictions and offer mortgage assistance

Milwaukee County’s housing initiative allocates $10M to prevent evictions and offer mortgage assistance

Posted by | Jun 15, 2020 |

The Milwaukee County Housing Division received $10 million of Milwaukee County’s allocated CARES Act funding to provide eviction prevention, housing acquisition, and mortgage assistance. The funds became available on June 11 and will support Milwaukee County residents facing housing instability. The announcement is the first of a series of initiatives that will be rolled out in the coming weeks with a strategic plan to address the two pandemics confronting Milwaukee County: COVID-19 and racial inequity. “Addressing housing instability is critical in advancing health and racial equity for Milwaukee County residents,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Currently, African-American families...

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Franklin students petition school district to improve insufficient education about racial injustices

Franklin students petition school district to improve insufficient education about racial injustices

Posted by | Jun 14, 2020 |

Following the lead of the Elmbrook, New Berlin, Kettle Moraine, and several other Wisconsin School Districts, a group of Franklin Public Schools alumni recognized that its educational program did not prepare them to deeply understand and analyze the social injustices of racism that pervades America. In a June 10 letter addressed to Dr. Mueller and Members of the Franklin Public Schools Board of Education, the current and former students expressed their regret at not being taught the historical and systemic causes of the racism, or the violence and injustice that our people of color face each day. “These are...

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Racism and Shorewood: Eric Lucas talks about being spit on during peaceful demonstration

Racism and Shorewood: Eric Lucas talks about being spit on during peaceful demonstration

Posted by | Jun 13, 2020 |

A public outcry continues to grow for the disbarment of a Shorewood attorney who spat on a high school student during a peaceful anti-racism rally and march on June 6. Lawyer Stephanie Rapkin, who is white, showed up at the protest as it traveled from Whitefish Bay to Shorewood and parked her car in the street, blocking the march. When protesters approached her to urge her to move her car, mobile phone video shows Rapkin spitting on Eric Lucas, a black teen and a junior at Shorewood High School. The 17-year-old helped organize and lead the march. “I continue...

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