Author: NNS

The mobile market is part of the SEED initiative, which stands for Sowing, Empowering, and Eliminating Deserts of Food. Randy Simmons, a North Side resident, was making his monthly trip to the food pantry at the House of Peace at 1702 W. Walnut St. when he saw a large truck that read: “Pick ‘n Save Fresh Picks Mobile Market.” Intrigued, he walked in and found the walls lined with shelves of produce, vegetables and meat, with a checkout counter in the back. The initiative, which pulls together the mobile market, community gardens and other elements, was adopted by Milwaukee...

During the past three months, Reggie Jackson and Fran Kaplan of America’s Black Holocaust Museum brought together people of different races, ages and genders to talk about the role institutional racism plays in people’s lives. “Seeing that there are differences in how we experience life allows us to come together,” Jackson said. “We hope people learn that institutional racism plays a role in all of our lives.” Troy Freund, a participant in the series, said the clips drove home the reality of how serious racism is. He added that he benefited from hearing his group members’ reactions. “We all...

More than 80 volunteers descended on the block to repair homes and beautify the Washington Park neighborhood on June 29. The collaboration project was one of three “Rock the Block” events that Milwaukee Habitat and Lowe’s will conduct this summer in an effort to repair 60 homes. The other two events are on Aug. 13 and Sept. 13. Washington Park resident Shanita Brown tears up as she explained the impact a Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity initiative has had on her neighborhood. Brown’s two-story house is one of 20 on the 2100 block of N. 39th Street upgraded through the...

Residents of Bronzeville and Walker Square are glad that Bublr Bikes are now available in their neighborhoods, but some parents would like to see the bike-sharing service offer cargo bikes, so they can transport their children. Lucia Jenkins, a Halyard Park resident, said she would not be using Bublr because her family has their own bikes. However, she too said she would be open to use them if cargo bikes were available. Xochitl Morales who lives in the neighborhood and works at Time Warner Cable, uses Bublr Bikes on her lunch break to explore downtown. She said she would...

A record 45 African-American college students have been named MKE Fellows by the Greater Milwaukee Committee for the next academic year. The program provides scholarships and mentorship for the young men, who have demonstrated academic talent. “No other program like this exists in the country,” said John Daniels Jr., chair of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and founder of the MKE Fellows program. “Milwaukee is setting the pace.” MKE Fellows board member Blaine Gibson said Milwaukee suffers from a “brain drain,” with a lot of talented people leaving the city. “The idea is to show the students it is possible...

The newly renovated Johnsons Park, in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood, is now officially open. The occasion was marked by a community celebration. The $1 million park renovation was part of Milwaukee County’s Johnsons Park Initiative, which also included renovations to Alice’s Garden, completed in 2010 and the Brown Street Academy schoolyard, completed in 2012. A private-public partnership that complements other redevelopment efforts underway in Lindsay Heights spearheaded the project. Milwaukee County, Center for Resilient Cities, the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, LISC-Milwaukee, and Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association are all partners in the revitalization project. “Johnsons Park is the biggest park...