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Income inequality adds to growing divide in Milwaukee

Posted by Tamarine Cornelius | Aug 1, 2017 |

A 2014 national report found that the city of Milwaukee had the 6th largest increase in income inequality among the 50 largest U.S. cities. That finding is particularly troublesome when considered in the context of the substantial increase in income inequality across the nation. The study by the Brookings Institute examined the change in income inequality in major cities from 2007 to 2012. Their analysis found that Milwaukeeans at the 95th percentile of the income scale had a $237 increase in income over that five-year period, whereas those at the 20th percentile lost $3,481 in annual income over those...

Wealth gap leaves Milwaukee families of color financially vulnerable

Posted by Tamarine Cornelius | Jul 31, 2017 |

An improving economy should offer more people a chance to climb the economic ladder to the middle class. But too many people in Wisconsin and nationwide are still being left behind, with their path to prosperity blocked by low-paying jobs, high housing costs, and lack of access to higher education, according to a new scorecard from Prosperity Now. Families of color are among those facing the most difficulty getting by, as they continue to feel the effect of generations of wealth-stripping policies targeting households and communities of color. There are some signs of improvement in the national economy, most...

Free perks coming to Downtown workers for Employee Appreciation Week

Posted by Correspondent | Jul 19, 2017 |

Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 will team up with downtown businesses and community leaders to celebrate downtown’s 83,490+ employees during the 12th annual Downtown Employee Appreciation Week from July 31 to August 4. The weeklong celebration rewards downtown employees with outdoor entertainment, games, prizes, free lunches and after-hours events. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music and prize opportunities will kick off the weeklong celebration on Monday, July 31 at 11:45 a.m. at Red Arrow Park. Lunch for 1,000 employees will be provided by Cousins Subs, Davians Catering & Events and Starbucks. Tickets to Wisconsin State Fair will also be distributed. Throughout...

Milwaukee to get $100K grant supporting inclusion in City contracting

Posted by Correspondent | Jul 12, 2017 |

Mayor Tom Barrett, the Citi Foundation, and Living Cities announced the expansion of the City Accelerator program to Milwaukee. Five cities, including Milwaukee, will work together over the next year to refine approaches to procurement spending, pursuing at least one new strategy to increase the diversity of municipal vendors and contractors and direct more spending to local minority-owned businesses. This collaboration supports the goal of City Accelerator, to support innovation in local government that has a significant impact on the lives of residents, especially those with low incomes. The City will work will the African American Chamber of Commerce,...

Last African American-owned bookstore in Wisconsin closes its doors

Posted by Editor | Jul 11, 2017 |

After nearly three decades, the only remaining African-American owned bookstore in Wisconsin closed on July 8. Carla Allison, owner of the Reader’s Choice bookstore, officially retired at the age of 74. Her books have inspired and educated children of color over the past 28 years. “My fondest memory of being here is putting the first books on the shelf the day we opened, in the knowledge that I’m going to serve the community,” said Allison. “This has been the work of mission for me. It is not a profit point, but a service to the community. I’m gratified and...

LISC highlights revitalization progress during MLK Drive tour

Posted by Editor | Jul 10, 2017 |

Area residents are well aware of the developments under construction in Milwaukee’s downtown, from the Streetcar to office buildings and the sports complex. While those big budget projects continue to disproportionately grab headlines, the bigger story is how this latest renaissance cycle has spread outside of the city center and taken root in the supporting neighborhoods. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a Milwaukee branch of the New York-based organization that was started by the Ford Foundation in the 1970s. It has worked to assist in the revitalization of distressed communities, and remove the barriers to and stereotypes...