Revamped Harambee building honors neighborhood philanthropists Reuben and Mildred Harpole

By La Risa R. Lynch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

It’s not every day a building is named after you.

So, when Bader Philanthropies named one of its newly renovated buildings after the husband and wife known for their community service, the widower called it a great honor. But more so for his wife.

“It’s fabulous,” said Reuben Harpole, whose name, along with that of his wife, Mildred, now graces the former Merchant and Farmers State Bank at King Drive and Fifth Street.

“My wife was a great lady and this building will always remind us of that,” Harpole said. “She is the one who pushed me out of bed and told me I had to do something. So I started working with the whole community here,” Harpole said. Mildred Harpole died in 2019.

Their work in the community focused on fighting for the city’s youth and vulnerable, fair housing and quality education. Results of their efforts have had a lasting effect on the Harambee community and the Milwaukee area for decades. Their influence has led many to often refer to them as the city’s Black Mayor and First Lady.

The Harpole Building’s $5.7 million redevelopment was heavily influenced by what Bader Philanthropies President and CEO Daniel Bader learned from Reuben Harpole – to listen.

Once the organization acquired the building, it held listening sessions to understand what residents wanted from the new development. Bader said residents want more sit-down dining options and a place focused on health and wellness.

“I would call Reuben and Mildred friends and mentors,” said Bader, who met them 30 years ago. “They taught me a lot about the community. Taught me what the word Harambee means in Kiswahili. But most importantly they taught me the importance of listening to people.”

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Editors Note: Reuben Harpole was also very active with ABHM since its very inception. He brought Daniel Bader to meet Dr. Cameron at the boxing gym that Cameron was remodeling with his own hands and funds to serve the museum. Mr. Bader was so impressed by the concept of the museum that he took out his personal checkbook then and there and made the first major donation to ABHM.

Dr. Cameron and Bader remained connected throughout Cameron’s life, and Daniel Bader continued to support ABHM, promoting it to the community and helping to find other donors.  Mr. Harpole is a member of the small group of community members who spent 11 years working to re-open ABHM and serves on the board of the Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation that operates the museum.