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Spectrum Announces $25,000 Grant for Digital Bridge of Milwaukee

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Spectrum presented the $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education Grant to representatives from Digital Bridge of Milwaukee.

Second-year funding helps further the “Bridge Milwaukee” digital literacy program

MILWAUKEE – Feb. 12, 2020 – Spectrum today announced that Milwaukee nonprofit Digital Bridge has been awarded a $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education Grant to continue its “Bridge Milwaukee” digital literacy program, as part of a $5 million national commitment to digital education in Spectrum communities across the country.

Spectrum’s newest $25,000 grant will allow Digital Bridge to expand the digital literacy program it helped launch in 2019 through an initial $32,500 Spectrum Digital Education Grant.

“We are proud to once again support Digital Bridge, whose digital literacy program and commitment to provide access to technology helps further our mission to provide families and seniors in the Milwaukee area with the necessary tools to grow and prosper in the digital age,” said Rahman Khan, Vice President of Community Impact for Charter Communications, Inc.

Spectrum’s Digital Education Grant will enable Digital Bridge to launch new and strengthen existing partnerships with area nonprofits and community organizations, to host digital workshops at their facilities and provide distribution of electronic resources to participants. Bridge Milwaukee removes barriers by bringing the technology and related training directly to individuals at the community-based organizations with which they are already comfortably engaged.

First-year results from the Bridge Milwaukee Program are promising. In less than a year, more than 170 individuals have obtained training and access to a device working through a variety of Milwaukee-based community organizations.

“Digital Bridge’s focus has been taking technological resources donated by companies and refurbishing this equipment to get it into the hands of those who would otherwise lack access,” says Jeff Hanson, Executive Director for Digital Bridge. “With Spectrum’s partnership and grant funding, we’ve added a layer of education and access training to help individuals confidently take the equipment and utilize it to improve their lives.”

“It’s all about removing the barriers. Sometimes barriers are access, so we’re bringing the program and more devices to different locations. Sometimes barriers are knowledge-based, so we’re providing some digital literacy training along with information on how to obtain low-cost internet service.”

YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin is one of the initial partners to incorporate the Bridge Milwaukee curriculum into their programs. They’ve collaborated with Digital Bridge to conduct various workshops and distribute equipment to those in need, and continue to identify further ways to expand the program’s reach and influence. For example, students enrolled in their High School Equivalency Diploma program participate in a Bridge Milwaukee workshop to receive training, information on broadband access and a working device.

“Our partnership with Digital Bridge has been extremely valuable and the feedback we’re receiving from program participants tells a story of impact,” says Jennifer de Montmollin, YWCA SEW Chief Program Officer. “Over the past six months, our partnership has helped 104 under-resourced people create personal digital access. Through one-to-one and group technical education sessions, combined with low-cost, high-quality computers, we’re creating improved access for work and educational opportunities for those we serve. By bringing the knowledge and resources into homes, we’re supporting improved educational options for the many adults we serve and their children.”

Spectrum Digital Education Grants is Charter’s philanthropic initiative supporting nonprofit organizations that help local community members improve their lives through digital education. This support includes financial and technology grants, PSAs and technical assistance for local nonprofit organizations. In 2019, the company received more than 200 eligible applications and awarded grants to 31 organizations across 13 states. Since the inception of Spectrum Digital Education in 2017, the company has awarded 71 financial and technology grants to local nonprofits in 41 communities.

Charter Communications, through its Spectrum brand, is committed to improving communities and impacting lives where our customers and employees live and work. More information on Spectrum Digital Education and Charter’s other signature program, Spectrum Housing Assist — a commitment to engage employees and community volunteers to improve 50,000 homes by 2020 — is available at communityimpact.spectrum.com.

Black Ministers Rally February 17 to Mobilize the Community; “Vote in the Primary Elections and Fight Voter Suppression”

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geralt / Pixabay

On Monday, February 17, ministers from Milwaukee’s inner-city churches will hold a rally and press conference for congregation members, community leaders and concerned residents. The event will kickstart the 2020 Souls to the Polls Campaign, building momentum for vital elections this year. Black religious leaders will organize to boost voter participation in Milwaukee’s inner- city neighborhoods. Churches are publicizing the importance of 2020 election outcomes for the African American community. They are also organizing to  fight efforts to suppress the Black vote by purging registered voter lists. Souls to the Polls will encourage community residents to vote for candidates focused on fixing critical problems in low income areas – mass incarceration, struggling schools and gun violence.

 

EVENT INFORMATION

WHO:                  Souls to the Polls and allies.

 

WHAT:                 Rally to get out the vote on February 18th for the Primary Election and to protest

                               voter suppression tactics

 

WHEN:                Monday, February 17 at 10 a.m.

 

WHERE:               New Holy Ghost Holy Tabernacle Church (140 West Garfield)

 

February 18, 2020 is the beginning of the 2020 elections where Milwaukee voters select candidates for Mayor, County Executive, State Supreme Court Judge and other judicial positions.

 

In the 2016 elections, there were 40,000 fewer voters in Milwaukee than in 2012 — 29,000 were African American. Most lived in the five poorest districts in the city. Over 9,000 had no voter ID. In 2018, Souls to the Polls was established by inner city church ministers and leaders to rebuild a powerful voting base in the central city. Souls to the Polls ministers and congregation members canvassed neighborhoods, registered voters and organized a massive ‘ride to the polls’ center on election day. Voter turnout increased in the areas organized by Souls to the Polls.

 

“It’s time to restart the education and mobilization work,” says Rev. Greg Lewis, the Lead Organizer for Souls to the Polls. “Our ministers will encourage people to go out to vote in the first primary elections this year.” Reverend Lewis adds, “This year, we need to inform people about the status of the voter purge threat, help people make sure they are registered, keep voters informed about candidates and issues and help get everyone to the polls, early if possible. We also need to reach the younger generation to expand the voter numbers and ensure that the community has the power to create real meaningful change.”

 

Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Announces Henry Maier Festival Park as Site of Official Convention Delegate Welcome Party

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Event will introduce several thousand delegates to all Milwaukee 

has to offer and kick off convention week activities

 

MILWAUKEE– The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee today announced Henry Maier Festival Park, home to Summerfest, as the site of the official Delegate Welcome Partyfor the Democratic National Convention. The event, which will take place on Sunday, July 12, 2020, will serve as delegates’ official introduction to the city of Milwaukee before the convention kicks off on July 13.

 

“Milwaukee is a great place on a Great Lake, and by hosting the Delegate Welcome Party on the Summerfest grounds, we can showcase one of our city’s finest assets to the world,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Co-Chair of the Host Committee. “It’s the perfect opportunity to set the stage and give convention delegates a first glimpse of America’s Fresh Coast.”

 

The delegate welcome party will take place on the north end of the Summerfest grounds, providing a view of the Lake Michigan shore to the several thousand delegates who will be invited to attend.

 

“Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is especially excited to host the Democratic National Convention Delegate Welcome Party at Henry Maier Festival Park. As the home of Summerfest, The World’s Largest Music Festival, we have an incredible opportunity to showcase why Milwaukee is known as “The City of Festivals”. We could not be more thrilled to roll out the red carpet for the thousands of delegates from every corner of the nation,” said Don Smiley, President & CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

 

As part of its host duties, the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is responsible for organizing three large events during the week of the convention – the Media Welcome Party, which will take place on July 11; the Delegate Welcome Party, which will take place on July 12; and the Volunteer Appreciation Party, which will take place on July 17. The locations for the other two events will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Hosting the events associated with the 2020 Democratic National Convention will require a robust, diverse, and engaged team of 15,000 volunteers. In order to recruit that volunteer force, the Host Committee recently launched its official volunteer portal. Those interested in becoming Milwaukee 2020 volunteers are encouraged to register and build their volunteer profiles at milwaukee2020.com/volunteer. The portal will serve as an essential resource for volunteers leading up to and during the Democratic National Convention in July, allowing them to view opportunities as they become available, apply for shifts, communicate with convention organizers, and more.

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About the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee

The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is responsible for funding, organizing, and hosting the Democratic National Convention. Through community engagement, grassroots fundraising, and intentional inclusion, the Host Committee works to ensure that the convention builds capacity for and makes a lasting, positive impact on Milwaukee and the surrounding region. This is not just a convention in Milwaukee, it’s a convention with Milwaukee. Learn more at Milwaukee2020.com, or follow the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

About Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is an independent, private 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1965 that produces Summerfest, presented by American Family Insurance, an 11-day festival that generates approximately $187 million in economic impact for the community each year.  Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. also maintains and improves Henry Maier Festival Park, located on 75 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park hosts a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, concerts, walks, runs, and other special events, attracting nearly 1.3 million people. The mission of the organization is to promote an understanding of different ethnic cultures, the histories and traditions of various nationalities, harmony in the community, civic pride and provide a showcase for performing arts, activities and recreation for the public and employment opportunities for the youth of the community. For more details visit MlwaukeeWorldFestival.com, Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest, Twitter: @Summerfest or Instagram: @Summerfest.

 

Love Your Block MKE offers Mini-Grants for Block Projects in Nine Milwaukee Neighborhoods

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Do you have a project idea for that empty city-owned lot in your neighborhood? Apply to make it happen with Love Your Block MKE!

 

Love Your Block Milwaukee is giving nine Milwaukee neighborhoods the chance to apply for reimbursable mini-grants up to $1,000 to fund a community project. The Love Your Block (LYB) program is supported by the City of Milwaukee and Cities of Service, an international nonprofit. The grant provides opportunities for community members and organizations to engage residents in revitalizing their neighborhood through mini-grant-funded block projects on city-owned lots.

 

In addition to the grant, LYB MKE provides technical assistance and planning resources to community members for the project(s). Grant applications are open until April 1st 2020 and can be found here.

 

Some examples of possible projects include: pocket parks, gardens, art installations, information boards, and neighborhood cleanups. However, we are open to other ideas residents may want! Last year’s Love Your Block project sites are The Keefe AVE Pocket Park (2nd and Keefe), Our Next Generation Community Peace Project (3320 W Lisbon), and The Walnut Hill Community Garden and Pocket Park (3118 W Brown).

 

The nine eligible Milwaukee neighborhoods and their boundaries are listed here. 

If you live in or near these nine neighborhoods, you can apply to do a mini-grant funded project as long as it is executed within the boundary, preferably on a city-owned lot/ property.

If you are interested in applying, volunteering, and/ or have any questions, feel free to come to one of our upcoming Open Info Sessions.

 

You can also check out our website, email us at: [email protected] or call 414-286-6458 if you have any questions.

 

Please email: [email protected] if you are interested in having the Love Your Block team attend a community event to speak about the program or would like us to drop off information!

Chief Judge White Recognized for Service to Milwaukee County

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MILWAUKEE – The Board of Supervisors awarded Chief Judge Maxine White with a special citation today that recognized her long list of accomplishments and her many years of service to Milwaukee County.

 

“Judge White has been a tireless advocate for improving our community and is a powerful force for good. She has given voice to some of our most vulnerable children and admirably served the people of Milwaukee County,” said Board Chairman Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., who sponsored the citation.

 

Governor Tony Evers appointed Chief Judge White to serve on Wisconsin’s District 1 Court of Appeals in January. Her term starts next week.

 

In 2015 the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed White to serve as Chief Judge of Wisconsin’s First Judicial District, which is comprised of Milwaukee County.

 

Chief Judge White earned her Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin from 1985 to 1992.

 

Chief Judge White was first appointed to the bench as a Milwaukee County Judge in 1992 and was re-elected several times.

 

The Board of Supervisors commended Judge White for her dedication to the community and her work leading several statewide justice initiatives.

 

The citation also credits Chief Judge White with sounding the alarm on the inhumane treatment of youth at Wisconsin juvenile detention facilities, which is leading to significant reforms.

Senator Taylor Calls for Smart Justice Reform

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(MADISON) –State Sen. Lena Taylor attended a public hearing in Madison as a member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.  There she listened to public testimony and spoke on the importance for smart justice reform, alternatives to incarceration, and corrections budgets that are dwarfing other critically needed state agencies.

Following the Committee Hearing, Senator Taylor released the following statement:

“There are currently 70,000 residents in the state’s correction’s system which includes those in incarceration, probation, monitoring, or some form of community corrections. The State GOP believes it is best to increase these numbers, which is outrageous.

Now more than ever, we need to implement smart justice reform to cut off the pipeline to prison.   This means fighting for fair wages, quality education and stable communities.  Instead of spending time, energy, and taxpayers’ hard-earned money on bills that would only increase incarceration and pull us further into a criminal justice hole we must reallocate that spending to reform the system entirely.”

 

U.S. Cellular Celebrates New Store Open with Interactive Tech Tour and Donation to Local Boys & Girls Club

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MILWAUKEE, WIS. (Feb.6, 2020) – U.S. Cellular, the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, announced today that it is expanding its Milwaukee footprint with a new store located at 4138 N. 56th Street. The 2,536 sq. ft. store opened its doors to customers starting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

 

Today, the store welcomed its new neighbors, the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club members, for an interactive tech tour complete with fun music and connected home-focused activities. Following the activities, U.S. Cellular surprised the members with a donation of smart backpacks. All 140 members at the club will be receiving the tech-forward backpack, complete with charging capabilities.

 

The new store, open in the Midtown Center, will employ approximately 7 associates and will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

 

“At U.S. Cellular we strive to provide a great wireless experience for our customers, and we are excited to expand our fair way of doing business into another Milwaukee location,” said Jared Blecha, director of sales in Wisconsin for U.S. Cellular. “We’re pleased to be a business that lives, works and plays in the communities that we serve, so assisting in the revitalization of this Midtown Center is a point of pride for our team.”

 

The new store was built with modern features and allows customers to personally interact with the technology and devices on display. It has a large showroom and features multiple areas where customers can have hands-on access to the newest devices, smart home solutions and consumer electronics from popular national brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, Google and more.

 

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier is building a stronger network with the latest 5G technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

Zoos’ Cruel Plan to Separate Elephants After Decades-Long Companionship Put On Hold

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photo credit: Deanna Garcia _ 90.5 WESA

MILWAUKEE, WI (February 7, 2020) – In Defense of Animals has welcomed news that cruel plans to send a female African elephant to a different zoo than her companion of as many as 25 years have been put on hold. In Defense of Animals recently revealed documents showing the Milwaukee County Zoo would take Seeni from Pittsburgh Zoo’s International Conservation Center.

 

“We are relieved to hear that the transfer of Seeni has been put on hold,” said Fleur Dawes of In Defense of Animals.“Seeni was first housed with Sukiri and Thandi in the 1990s after their families were killed in separate slaughters. Yet, shockingly, Thandi was sent to Granby Zoo in Canada just last year. Elephants form deep social bonds that mean everything to them, but zoos split them up, trade them like objects, and confine them in cruel conditions. We call on the Pittsburgh Zoo, Granby Zoo, and Milwaukee County Zoo to reunite and permanently retire Seeni, Sukiri, and Thandi in an accredited sanctuary.”

 

Records obtained by In Defense of Animals under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law revealed a loan agreement between the two zoos, detailing plans to ship Seeni from the Pittsburgh Zoo’s International Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset, Pennsylvania, to the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin.

 

A Milwaukee County Zoo representative told Urban Milwaukee that “Pittsburgh was indecisive about the move and schedule.”

 

The documents reveal how the zoos each attempted to pass off liability for Seeni during transport. Pittsburgh Zoo’s director of Animal Health noted their experience that zoos can be subject to “a large fine and action from USDA” for killing animals in transit if a vet or tech is not with “the shipment.”

 

Milwaukee County Zoo has since “acquired” another elephant and stated that they are in “no rush” and have no plans in place at this time to ship Seeni.

 

US President George W. Bush (2nd- left) and his daughter Barbara Bush(L) look at elephants during their visit to the Mokolodi Nature Preserve in Gaborone, Botswana, 10 July 2003. Bush is on a 5-day, 5-nation trip through sub-Sahara Africa. AFP PHOTO/Luke FRAZZA (Photo by LUKE FRAZZA / AFP) (Photo by LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images)

Seeni was captured from the wild in the 1990s after her family was slaughtered. Shortly after, she was raised by a family in Botswana along with Sukiri and Thandi. The three elephants made headlines in 2003 thanks to a visit from then-President George Bush in the Mokolodi Nature Reserve. In 2011, they were shipped to Pittsburgh Zoo’s ICC.

n 2017, Seeni gave birth to a female calf. Shockingly, Pittsburgh Zoo cruelly separated Seeni from her newborn within one day of birth and put the calf on display too soon afterward. The calf later sickened and was euthanized at just three months old.

 

Pittsburgh Zoo forfeit its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2015 since it refused to comply with occupational safety standards for handling elephants.

 

Pittsburgh Zoo is ranked as the #1 Worst Zoo for Elephants in 2019. The Milwaukee County Zoo has been featured on In Defense of Animals’ list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants three times.

 

This traumatic elephant transfer is the second nixed this year after In Defense of Animals revealed the plans. An In Defense of Animals investigator recorded a representative at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY, stating that a male elephant named Doc would soon be sent “to another zoo for breeding purposes.” Rosamond Gifford Zoo later stated that they were not going to separate Doc from his family.

 

Elephants cannot thrive in zoos. Many zoos have already shut down their elephant exhibits or plan to phase them out. In Defense of Animals is calling for the Milwaukee County Zoo and Pittsburgh Zoo to do the same.

 

In Defense of Animals’ list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants for 2019 illustrates striking examples of the different ways that zoos harmfully dominate elephants, including separating long-bonded individuals and family members, repeatedly forcibly inseminating females, and condemning others to a life of extremely unnatural solitude.

 

Discover the full list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America for 2019: http://www.idausa.org/worstzoos2019

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 37-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns, and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi.

Representative Myers’ Black History Month Event

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Representative Myers will be hosting an event to honor Black History Month titled: A Night with the Oshkosh 94 on February 10th from 6-730p at Villard Library in Milwaukee. The event will be a panel discussion with members of the Oshkosh 94 in which they will go into detail about November 21, 1968 also known as Black Thursday. Black Thursday has been deemed one of the first civil rights protests in the state of the Wisconsin. Last year, Representative Myers presented each member of the Oshkosh 94 with a plaque, honoring them for their courage. Click Here for the official flyer for the event.