Author: Staff

Johnson, Crowley, and Obama: Three leaders respond to how people of color are being brutalized

In an essay published on June 1, former President Obama wrote that the protests sweeping the nation – in response to the death of George Floyd – have the opportunity to represent a “turning point for real change” as long as activists channel their anger into “peaceful, sustained, and effective action.” On a local level, County Executive David Crowley and Common Council President Cavalier Johnson shared their views of the situation, encouraging the Milwaukee public to show restraint in their expressions. “How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change” – Barak Obama As millions of people...

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Milwaukee Independent reaches 30 awards since 2016 for excellence in journalism with 13 more MPC honors

Winners of the Milwaukee Press Club’s 2020 Gridiron Awards for Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism were recognized on May 29 at a virtual ceremony, with 13 significant honors going to the Milwaukee Independent. After the COVID-19 pandemic halted plans to hold the 90th annual dinner event, the oldest continuously operating press club in North America decided to host a virtual awards ceremony as the only safe option to present the special recognition. The virtual awards ceremony was presented live on the Milwaukee Press Club’s YouTube channel to recognize professional and collegiate winners. The staff of Milwaukee Independent won 13 honors...

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Amtrak to restore Amtrak Hiawatha Service from Milwaukee to Chicago on June 1

Beginning June 1, Amtrak and its partner state transportation departments will restore a Hiawatha Service round-trip between Milwaukee and Chicago in response to anticipated increased demand. Hiawatha Trains 332 and 339, and continued service by Amtrak Empire Builder Trains 7/27 and 8/28 at all Hiawatha stops will together offer morning and afternoon departures daily on Amtrak’s most popular corridor. Additional Hiawatha round-trips are planned to begin on June 29, with morning, afternoon and evening departures by Trains 330, 332, 338, and 342 from Milwaukee and Trains 329, 331, 337, and 339 from Chicago. The Peak Fare Surcharge is suspended. Trains 329 and 330...

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You Matter: Uplifting solidarity campaign launches for Milwaukee’s communities of color

The community conversations campaign “You Matter” kicked off on May 28, promoting a positive message for members of the African American and Hispanic-Latinx populations about their shared and brighter future together in Milwaukee. The Stronger Together Collective organize and launch the new social initiative. The campaign’s goal seeks to ensure that communities of color stay informed, inspired, and hopeful as they continue to be negatively impacted by the current pandemic. The group of Milwaukee advocates created the “You Matter” campaign, or “Cuidate” en espanol, as a platform for virtual conversation between community members, social advocates, and the local government....

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Milwaukee nonprofit included in Oprah Winfrey’s $12M coronavirus relief grants to “home” cities

The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation awarded SaintA a grant to provide telehealth mental health services to some Milwaukeeans hit hardest by COVID-19, as part of Winfrey’s $12 million coronavirus relief effort for underserved communities she has called home. The COVID-19 Relief Fund was announced last month, initially giving $1 million to America’s Food Fund. That expanded to organizations in other cities where she had spent her life like Chicago, Baltimore, Nashville, and Kosciusko, Mississippi, where she was born. Winfrey moved to an inner-city neighborhood in Milwaukee at age six with her mother, Vernita Lee. That connection brought the $100,000...

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Online resource launches to help teach about Milwaukee’s historic Solders Home

The Milwaukee Preservation Alliance (MPA) launched an at-home learning resource focused on the Milwaukee Soldiers Home on May 14. Teachers, parents, and students are encouraged to learn about Milwaukee’s historic and future role in providing care to our nation’s heroes. The online resource is the latest in MPA’s more than decade-long commitment to building awareness of and engagement with the Milwaukee Soldiers Home, to drive its ultimate goal of returning the District’s vacant buildings to the service of veterans. “As COVID-19 has taken education online, we wanted to be sure students had the opportunity to explore Milwaukee’s often untold...

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