Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: The transition from Vermont to Northwestern Mutual

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 30, 2016 |

In the shadow of the nearly completed Northwestern Mutual Tower, a second skyscraper is finally lifting off the ground at Mason Street and Van Buren Street. In the shadow of the nearly completed Northwestern Mutual Tower, a second skyscraper is finally lifting off the ground at Mason Street and Van Buren Street. Northwestern Mutual’s mixed-use Van Buren Tower is in the early stages of construction, for a completion date expected in the Spring of 2018. With foundation pours underway, the 34 floors will feature retail space, penthouses, apartments, a rooftop pool, and much needed parking for the company’s workforce....

Photo Essay: 103 years of festive illumination

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 21, 2016 |

Thousands of Milwaukee residents joined the century-old tradition of the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting on November 17, returning to its historic location at City Hall. The holiday celebration was surrounded by hundreds of thousands of lights installed downtown, with festive performances of music and dance, and a fireworks show along the river to kick-off the season. These images from the tree lighting ceremony and the holiday lights festival show the multi-cultural spirit that does exist in Milwaukee. The events serve as an example of people coming together in community, to erode the city’s history of self-segregation. © Photo...

Photo Essay: Standing Rock Sioux finds Milwaukee support

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 19, 2016 |

The Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota have been joined by more than 300 other tribes, and supporters from all walks of life. The peaceful, prayerful encampment of water protectors has been repeatedly attacked by a private security company with attack dogs, sprayed with tear gas, and fired on with rubber bullets by militarized police. A national day of rallies started in Milwaukee outside of the Wells Fargo Bank on 100 E. Wisconsin Avenue, with the public request that the financial institution pull its funding out of the DAPL construction. Wells Fargo is one of several national banks financing...

Photo Essay: An Evening with Dr. Steve Perry

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 18, 2016 |

Author, educator, and the founder of the Capital Preparatory Magnet School, Dr. Steve Perry spoke candidly to the Milwaukee public on November 14. Based in Hartford, Connecticut and considered one of the top schools in the country, Capital Prep has sent 100% of its predominantly low-income, minority, first generation high school graduates to four-year colleges every year since its first class graduated in 2006. These image are from the event, “An Evening with Dr. Steve Perry” that was held at The Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse, and produced by the Athena Speakers Bureau. A full audio recording of the presentation was...

Photo Essay: An Artistic Revolution

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 17, 2016 |

“Revolution Spoken” was a performance version of the curated exhibit that focused on the subject of revolution, as a transformative experience, at home and overseas.

Zeidler Center honored for fostering healthy public discussions

Posted by Lee Matz | Nov 16, 2016 |

Founded in 2006, the Frank Zeidler Center for Public Discussion is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that invites civil dialogue in the midst of differences. Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor presented the Zeidler Center with a citation on its anniversary, in recognition of the organization’s decade of work bridging the ethnic divides in Milwaukee. “I can’t see change without conversation. I can’t see change if people are not in the same room listening to each other,” Senator Taylor told the audience, during the fundraising dinner held on November 10 at the Astor Hotel. “So I became a champion to support...