Milwaukee has roughly 2,500 vacant properties across the city, a problem that weighs more heavily on predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. Research has shown that vacant houses attract crime, are easier to set on fire, and can lower the value of homes nearby.
Martha Chambers Speaks Out for Disability Voting Rights
Kai Gardner Mishlove Helps Communities Find their Similarities through Food
Food tells the story of migration, evokes memories, reminds us of where we came from and connects us to the land that produces the food we eat. As Kai Gardner Mishlove so beautifully explains, food unifies us and heals us. “When you prepare a dish, you’re putting your heart and soul into it and you’re evoking the memory of your ancestors in that work,” she says.
Dr. Samantha Majhor and Danielle Barrett are Working to Restore Ecosystems and Culture with Wild Rice
The students and faculty working on the Wild Rice Project in Marquette University’s Indigeneity Lab are trying to answer the question: Will wild rice grow in Milwaukee’s rivers? What may seem like a straight-forward science-based approach, requires relationship building with Indigenous communities and a deep understanding of the connection Native people have with the waters and wild rice.
Mariana Rodriguez Built a Space for Latinas to Thrive
“I think about my 20-plus years advocating for the safety and empowerment for women, and healthcare has always been core to everything we do,” says Mariana Rodriguez, director of the Latina Resource Center at United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). “When women have resources and when they have options, they’re safer.”
Sheila Badwan Helps Refugees Seeking Freedom
On July 4, America celebrates its independence—our day of freedom. But many of us may never truly appreciate the freedom we have because we’ve always had it. For centuries, America has offered the promise of safety and a better life for those fleeing war, religious persecution, or other hardships. Unless we are Indigenous, our ancestors came to this country seeking that freedom we celebrate today.
Richard Diaz fights for families with lead poisoning
Three thousand, nine-hundred and twelve children up to the age of six were reported being poisoned by lead in Wisconsin in 2018—and that’s with a testing rate of only 10 percent of children. The fact is simple. There is not enough being done in Wisconsin to prevent lead poisoning and to help families who are being lead poisoned.
Ericka Sinclair is Redefining Healthcare
After working in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, Ericka Sinclair had a vision of redefining patient care by creating a community-based clinic. In traditional clinical care, she saw patterns that were not beneficial to the patients: physicians weren’t trained to have deep conversations with them, and people often didn’t know how to use their insurance.
Jessica Sunier Redefines Fitness to be Inclusive
The health and fitness industry has been built to serve a certain type of person. “Health looks white. Health looks like straight teeth. Health looks thin… So, health has a look and if you don’t match that look, people judge on outside appearances and they’re going to assume you’re not healthy,” explains Jessica Sunier, Owner and Founder of the gym FitPower LLC. Sunier studied health and worked in various gyms, but she was tired of being in an industry that was focused on appearances and making money. So, in 2011, she started her own gym.
Thresa Stevens is an Advocate for Native Victims of Sexual Violence
If you look up the number of victims of sexual assault, sexual violence and sex trafficked victims in Milwaukee, the numbers are striking. Particularly among Native women, the rates of sexual violence and abduction are high and under reported.
Thresa Stevens, who is Menominee, works with Native women and men in Milwaukee who fall victim to this violence and suffer from trauma. As the Native American Advocate for Women and Children at Healing Intergenerational Roots (HIR) Wellness Institute, she helps people find resources, gets them to a safe space, and if they want, she connects them to counselors at HIR Wellness.
Jim Godsil, Integral to Our City
On a quiet overcast morning, I sat next to James Godsil on a bench overlooking Lake Michigan—this was his office, he told me. Full of life and humor, he had plenty to say, often looking off at the lake and speaking about philosophical ideas and future possibilities. Many know Godsil as a community connector, a co-founder of Sweet Water Organics, a civil rights advocate, or a long-time community roofer. One could say he is a part of this city – a man who has put his heart and soul into helping Milwaukee grow and flourish since he moved here in 1969.
Melody McCurtis is Working for the Residents of Metcalfe Park
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges (MPCB), a neighborhood organization that services Metcalfe Park residents, truly embodies the meaning of community. Melody McCurtis, the deputy director of priorities and lead organizer of the organization, explains that everything they do is based off of the input and direction of their residents. Whether that be surveys they conduct going door to door or following the advice given by board members that live in the neighborhood, the community speaks for their needs and the organization listens.
Dana World-Patterson Works to Free Victims of Human Trafficking
January was Human Trafficking Prevention Month, but this is an issue that needs more attention than 31 days can offer. A study released in 2018 shows that in a four-year period, 340 adults and children under the age of 25 were victims of sex trafficking in Milwaukee. And that only includes the people that reached out to the police. There are many individuals in the city who are deeply invested in this issue, but one person who deserves the spotlight is Dana World-Patterson, founder of Foundations for Freedom, Inc. The mantra of the organization says it all: “One less victim in Milwaukee. One less victim in the world.”
Lea Denny’s HIR Wellness Institute Works to Heal Intergenerational Trauma
Our mental health systems were never meant to help Indigenous and marginalized communities because they have been built inside a system of patriarchy and colonialization, according to Lea Denny, founder of the Healing Intergenerational Roots (HIR) Wellness Institute. For the last few years, Denny has been working nonstop to build an organization specifically for the healing of Indigenous people who have suffered from trauma passed down through generations. To effectively heal people who have been subject to oppression, she knew she had to look at mental health services in a new way and build her organization in a way that doesn’t mimic the power structure of this country’s mental health system.
One Person Can Really Make a Difference
Of the many heroes in our city, Camille Mays stands out because of the tireless work she has committed to violence prevention and speaking out for our city’s underrepresented neighborhoods. She is a hero because dedicates every free moment she has to helping others. Whether she is supporting families of victims of gun violence, organizing a protest or assisting people to register to vote, she puts her community first.
Vivian King Leads Riverwest’s Kneel in Solidarity for George Floyd
On June 2, Vivian King kneeled for nine minutes in honor of George Floyd alongside at least 50 other people in Riverwest’s Gordon Park. A long-time activist, King learned about the national Kneel for Nine event the day before it happened. She planned to participate in the peaceful action taking place around the city but wanted to do so in her own neighborhood.
Groundwork Milwaukee's Deneine Christa Powell
Since 2007, Groundwork Milwaukee has been an organization in the city that is fundamental to the development of urban green spaces, urban farming and sustainability-focused programming for youth. During this time of crisis, their Urban Farm Program is the initiative that is changing lives by growing food and donating it to people in need.
Ryan Povlick, Ice-cream Maker and Mentor for Recovering Addicts
Ryan Povlick is becoming well-known around Milwaukee for his success with Scratch Ice Cream, but his road to success has not been an easy one. He struggled with heroin and other substances for about 10 years and had a long road to become sober. Once he was back on his feet, he began putting his energy into helping others with drug addictions. At the same time he started Scratch, he also opened his own sober living house to help men like him get sober. As Povlick continues to build his ice cream business, he is always looking back at his experiences and helping men like him find success.
Dr. Robert Fox Sets Example for Helping in the Face of COVID-19
Shalem Healing, a nonprofit health clinic that provides services to the underinsured, is setting an example of how to treat COVID-19 patients in Milwaukee. Dr. Robert Fox, Shalem Healing’s owner, treats patients with nutritional counseling and natural remedies before resorting to medicine. Using the latest research on the disease, he has been prescribing patients supplements and antivirals that strengthen the body to fight against the disease.
County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde is Optimistic on Milwaukee
Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde outside of the Milwaukee Public Library.
When we talk about local heroes, Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde comes to the forefront of many people’s minds here in Milwaukee. A member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors representing District 10, Moore Omokunde has been a figure to look up to for years. In an interview, he talks about his experiences that eventually led him to run for office and what he believes an elected official is meant to do. He has an optimistic outlook for a better Milwaukee but explains that people must organize and know their neighbor in order to make their voices heard.
How did your background lead you to where you are today?
“I grew up in Midtown on the 1200 block of 25th street,” in the district his mother, Rep. Gwen Moore, once represented in the state assembly. His father, Rev. Dr. Tolokun Omokunde, was a Presbyterian minister who gave Supervisor Moore Omokunde a strong sense of self identity and an understanding of his African heritage. Moore Omokunde was heavily influenced by his parents, both of whom were very involved in community organizing.
As an adult, he began working with organizations that service youth in the city, providing them with more opportunities—nonprofits like True Skool, the Boys and Girls Club and Public Allies. That work stretched into other avenues of community organizing, such as helping the Sherman Park Community Association to establish local block clubs which gave people a way to voice their concerns.
What motivated you to run for office rather than staying in the nonprofit sector?
Moore Omokunde is passionate about his work he did with local organizations, but now as an elected official, he is able to represent his constituents and work to change policies based on their needs, or as he says, “be in the room where it happens.”
Since being in office in 2015, he has reallocated money to create safe zones in neighborhoods which helps prevents violence. Moore Omokunde worked with neighborhood groups, for example, to transform Tiefenthaler Park to an active community meeting space, preventing crime from occurring. Last year, he also helped kick off the Milwaukee City-County Joint Taskforce on Climate and Economic Equity, which aims to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, while also minimizing the racial and economic divide.
What is the best way for everyday people to get involved and have their voices heard?
“It’s important to ask yourself, how well do you know your neighbor?” That’s the first step, explains Moore Omokunde. Community organizing is as simple as getting to know the people close to you, whether that’s your local block club, residence council, neighborhood association, etc. “At that level, connect with other people who have similar desires as yourself,” then as an organized body, make your concerns known to your local representative. “I think it’s really important to let people know that their elected officials work for them and give people the kind of representation that redirects the power back to themselves,” he says.
More than ever, our local communities need to continue to organize and stay connected. Supreme Moore Omokunde is running for reelection unopposed to represent District 10 on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Thanks to everyone that went out to vote on April 7th in the midst of these challenging times.
Learn more on the Milwaukee County Board website. Read this article on the Shepherd Express, part of the column “Hero of the Week.”