Author: NNS

By Emmy A. Yates • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service The local nonprofit I Will Not Die Young, which works to combat youth violence, is using a $25,000 donation from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to expand its writing workshops and offer “peace assemblies” for young people. When “I Will Not Dіе Young” co-founder Muhibb Dyer learned that his organization had received a $25,000 donation from Milwaukee-born Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, he thought it was a prank. “I have no idea to this day how Kaepernick became aware of our organization,” Dyer said. Kaepernick attracted...

By Alexandria Bursiek • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service U.S. Cellular and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee sponsored an art contest commemorating Black History Month. Artwork is now on display and voting will run through February. Xzavier Ledesma’s drawing of Malcolm X for a Black History Month art contest depicts the African-American leader as half-human, half-lion. Xzavier, 10, said he wanted to show that Malcolm X was smart and strong like a lion. On a recent Monday, Xzavier and Lamarr Hughlett, 13, had the opportunity to display their artwork to Mayor Tom Barrett and others at the...

By Dean Bibens • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Marquette students and community members are working to eliminate the food desert on the Near West Side by coming up with ideas to bring a grocery store to the area. Marquette University and Near West Side Partners are teaming up for a “Grocery Challenge” intended to bring a new grocery store to the Near West Side. “Bringing a grocery store to the area should be good for the community,” said Marquia Currin, 31, who lives in the Avenues West neighborhood. “ I just want to be able to get the things...

By Jabril Faraj • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service In response to recent anti-immigrant federal actions, local immigrants and advocates are organizing a “Day without Latinos, Immigrants and Refugees” to protest the implementation of policies they say would criminalize non-citizens. Zahra Omar describes her aunt as a strong woman. But when she resisted armed Somali militants who had entered her home, they tied her up before one of the men shot and kiIIed her. “My daddy, too, he dіеd like that,” said Omar, 25. “I’ve never seen my dad.” Omar was an infant when her mother fled the country, which...

By Andrea Waxman • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Veterans and reservists attending University of Wisconsin System institutions face difficulties in their attempts to receive academic credit for education and experience they acquired in the military. UW-Milwaukee student Samuel Rogers served eight years in the U.S. Army, mainly working as an interrogator. During that time, he took 15 months of courses in Army schools, including a six-month intensive course in human intelligence collection. Despite submitting a Joint Services Transcript (JST) that recommended Rogers receive more than 50 credits, UW-Milwaukee has only awarded him five. When he first applied, UW-Milwaukee encouraged...

By Allison Dikanovic • Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service A new development model makes Lindsay Heights residents co-owners and co-developers of a renovated, job-creating property that houses small businesses and a sit-down restaurant. Ashley Lee, a special assistant to the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools and Lindsay Heights resident, had never invested in real estate before, but her belief in community-driven development led her to join 42 neighbors in becoming a co-owner of the recently renovated Historic Walter Schmidt Tavern. The project, at 1848 W. Fond du Lac Ave., pioneers a new model of development in an historically disinvested Milwaukee...