Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin and the home of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Originally settled by German immigrants, Milwaukee became more of a melting pot during subquest immigration waves. The city was well known for manufacturing materials and beer, and local sports teams such as the Brewers still pay homage to those roots. Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood, of which America’s Black Holocaust Museum is a part, was originally settled by Germans before becoming the African-American center of the city.
Currently, Milwaukee has 1.18 more Black or African American residents than any other race. Racism is often prevalent, and Milwaukee is also known as the most segregated city in the country. The economic disparities are especially dire, with Black Milwaukeeans experiencing poverty at five times the rate of their white counterparts. Racial issues in Milwaukee made the city important in conversations about race during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Milwaukee is more politically liberal than much of Wisconsin, perhaps because of the demographics of its residents. Due to political lean, some politicians have attempted to influence politics by closing polling places in the city, much like they attempt to control elections by changing polling maps.
Nevertheless, the Black community and culture survive and even thrive in Milwaukee. The city welcomes speakers, organizations, and events recognizing and celebrating Black culture, including an annual weekly celebration of the Bronzeville neighborhood, which includes America’s Blakc History Museum. Mayor Cavalier Johnson is the city’s first Black mayor, while the city recently inducted its first Black woman as deputy fire chief.
Posts Tagged ‘Milwaukee’
Milwaukee Museum Days – Museums As Community Builders
Join us for a panel discussion. Representatives from the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Visit Milwaukee, and the City of Milwaukee discuss the importance of museums and their impact.
Read MoreHistoric Bronzeville Milwaukee (Museum Days with ABHM)
Learn about the work produced at Milwaukee Bronzeville Histories and the tools they’ve created to offer an interactive virtual platform designed to enrich, expand, and share the history of local African American communities.
Read MoreBlack News in 2022: A Year of Firsts, Finallys, and Frustration
Take a look at some of the most notable news stories that impacted the Black community in the USA and beyond in 2022.
Read MoreCommunity Day on January 13th!
Please join us at ABHM on January 10th at 5 PM CT for a special screening of The Loyal Project followed by a panel discussion and reception.Visit the Network Health table for information and giveaways.
Read MoreMilwaukee Forever
Celebrating the Black and Latinx Diasporas. Join us for HYFIN’s Milwaukee Forever at Radio Milwaukee! The night of Afrofuturism will celebrate the Black and Latin diasporas through music from DJs Bizzon and DJ Nicole Acosta, dance, food and fashion.
Read MoreBronzeville District street in Milwaukee renamed for Black pioneer Dr. William Finlayson
Milwaukee residents may notice a new street sign marking Dr. William Finlayson Street in honor of an important Black OBGYN.
Read MoreBlack Arts Milwaukee Donation Event
Help celebrate and support Black Arts Milwaukee. BAM is increasing the availability and quality of African American arts and culture while providing MKE-based artists of color with employment, access, visibility, and development opportunities through high quality public performances.
Read MoreRematriating the Milwaukee singer who was the 1st African-American woman cantor
Gladys Sellers had humble origins in Milwaukee before she gained notoriety as the first Black woman Jewish cantor in the early 20th century.
Read MoreRegister for the Remembering Emmett Till: A Conversation with author Dr. Dave Tell
America’s Black History Museum will host Dr. Dave Tell for a free event as he talks about his book, Remembering Emmett Till on October 27th.
Read MoreBlack queer Milwaukeeans on Netflix’s Jeffrey Dahmer series: ‘How dare you?’
Milwaukee’s Black gay residents who remember the terror inflicted on their community in the 1980s have choice words about the new Dahmer series.
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