Good morning, everyone and thank you media partners for being here. My name is Dr. Eve M. Hall and I am proud to be the president and CEO of the Milwaukee Urban League. The Milwaukee Urban League is one of approximately 90 urban league affiliates located in 34 states and the District of Columbia. We are all working collaboratively in our perspective communities across this country to advocate change.
I am honored to be joined today by the chairman of my board, Mr. John Salemi, Vice President for U.S. Bank and Alderwoman, Milele Coggs of our 5th district which includes historic Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Bronzeville. They are both champions for a just and fair society for all.
In the audience I want to recognize my neighbor Dr. Bert Davis, President & CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum, Deshea Agee, Executive Director of the MLK BID, along with his board chair, Mr. James Phelps owner of JCP Construction.
For just over a century, the Milwaukee Urban League has empowered communities and changed lives through our economic and social justice efforts. Our focus is on equity AND equality.
This is our time to heal and help each other, not to lash out in anger that results in the destruction of our community. We are watching a community in pain and turmoil, responding not just to the murder of George Floyd, but to centuries of systemic racism. We stand with the peaceful protestors and thank them for their courage and persistence. We do not support, however, the violence, looting, and destruction that hurts businesses or the reckless driving that endangers lives in our community, but we DO understand the pain and frustration.
The Milwaukee Urban League condemns all acts of racial discrimination and joins with all of those who believe the anguish we have seen in the past week tells us it is past time for systemic change. Even in the midst of our pain and confusion, we must begin to think and to act – and to ask ourselves what’s next. To question how we create new opportunities and solutions right now and for future generations.
We must move from protest to progress with specific and tangible solutions and outcomes to the issues that make Milwaukee less than it can be.
Today, the Milwaukee Urban League is announcing we are using our historic role as a convenor to bring together those who understand we must work together to move Milwaukee forward. We need community, business and government leaders, as well as our youth-led organizations to join and work together to develop viable solutions to build a foundation for success rooted in economic, educational and social equality.
The Milwaukee Urban League is NOT taking on this issue or solving this issue alone. This is a call for all who want this great city and region to be even greater in tackling the issues that separate our community from those who suffer and from those who prosper. Those who have hope and those who have none. We can do and be better.
Over the coming weeks, the Milwaukee Urban League will reach out to our friends and partners across the city, county, and state, inviting them to come together as we work collaboratively to identify solutions to the challenges our communities face.
But don’t wait for us. Visit our website or our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Sign up to be part of the solution.
I cannot stand here and tell you today what those solutions will be. We have to work together to determine and implement efforts that will make every community a great community.
I have every confidence that we can step forward and step up. We have to. We cannot go back. We can only go forward, and we can only move forward together.
Thank you.
Dr. Eve M. Hall
President & CEO
Milwaukee Urban League
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