HaRUNbee 5K kicks off Bronzeville Week’s event schedule

An official City of Milwaukee event in its fifth year, Bronzeville Week has blossomed into a premier celebration of Milwaukee’s rich African American legacy of culture, arts, history and entertainment.

The Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District is a City of Milwaukee redevelopment initiative inspired by Milwaukee’s original Bronzeville, and it is striving to revitalize the area of Milwaukee where African-American culture has been a mainstay.

“Bronzeville Week has become synonymous with arts, culture and commerce and thousands have enjoyed its diverse events and offerings each year,” said Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. “It has truly become an enjoyable and enriching August tradition in Milwaukee, and one that is welcoming to families and people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Taking place from August 5 to 12, the festival features the second annual HaRUNbee 5K Walk/Run, to promote wellness by encouraging families to stay healthy and fit, both mentally and physically. Alderwoman Coggs was the primary sponsor of legislation creating the partnership between Bronzeville Week & the HaRUNbee Walk/Run.

“According to the City of Milwaukee Fetal Infant Mortality Review Report (2013), during 2009-2011, the Harambee neighborhood, in which Bronzeville is located, had the second highest rate of infant mortality in the City of Milwaukee. HaRUNbee will again bring together residents of Milwaukee, from both within and outside of the Harambee community, to participate in a 5K Walk/Run as an effort to increase infant mortality education and to support each other in this important public health endeavor,” Alderwoman Coggs said.

The Bronzeville Redevelopment Plan seeks to create economic development in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in a way that recaptures the enthusiasm and attractiveness of the original Bronzeville District. Bounded by Garfield Avenue to Center Street, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive to 7th Street, the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District is wholly located in the 6th Aldermanic District.

2017 Bronzeville Week Schedule: