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This Weeks Articles for 10/4/2024 ...

1. Navigating a DE&I Changing Landscape: Thrive Not Just Survive...
2. Faculty of Color Reception celebrates diversity among educational leaders...
3. UW System president defends recent campus free speech policies in address to conservative groups...
4. With So Many CEO Exits, It’s Time To Tap A Diversity Officer To Lead...
5. PBS Wisconsin Education’s ‘Wisconsin Biographies’ collection welcomes Roberto Hernández...
6. Awareness of ‘Latinx’ increases among US Latinos, and ‘Latine’ emerges as an alternative ...
7. Here`s how American Players Theatre is changing to serve Wisconsin ...
8. Madison Public Library celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month...
9. Reducing the world to English: My job as a court interpreter...
10. Milky Way Tech Hub, Latinos in Tech to host panel discussion at Black Business Hub...
11. Students, faculty say being Black at UW-Madison isn’t easy...

NAAAHR-Milwaukee is thrilled to announce our 5th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference, taking place at Alverno College in Milwaukee on Friday, November 8, 2024. Conveniently located near downtown Milwaukee, Alverno College provides the perfect setting to once again welcome our NAAAHR members and friends!

Our conference planning committee has been hard at work curating a full lineup of dynamic speakers and interactive breakout sessions aligned with this year`s theme: "Navigating a DE&I Changing Landscape: Thrive Not Just Survive." This event is designed to equip Human Resources professionals, Organizational Development leaders, Diversity practitioners, and those passionate about DE&I with actionable insights to help drive impactful change within their organizations.

Don`t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and take meaningful steps toward advancing DE&I efforts in your workplace...

Black student enrollment at the state’s flagship university has never surpassed 3 percent of the student body

“Latino” and “Hispanic” have long been the most prominent terms used to describe people in the U.S. with roots in Latin America and Spain. But over the last several years, “Latinx” has become a de-facto gender neutral alternative to Latino and Hispanic, according to a new study by race and ethnicity researchers.

Despite the increased awareness of the term among Latinos — 47% have heard of it — only 4% or 1.9 million people use “Latinx” to describe themselves, an increase of 1 percent since 2019, according to the study by the Pew Research Center.

“’Latinx’ is more broadly known among U.S. Latinos today, but still few embrace it,” said Mark Lopez, Pew’s director of race and ethnicity research.

Of the Latinos who have heard the term, 36% view the usage of the term as a bad thing instead of a good thing, according to the study.

And with opinions mixed, about “Latinx,” a new term has emerged: “Latine” (pronounce LA TEE NEH). That term has gained popularity among people from Latin American countries and Spanish speakers who have pushed for the term to be used instead of “Latinx,” because in Spanish “e” can be used to better note gender neutrality, said Josh Guzmán, an associate professor of gender studies at the University of California at Los Angeles...

Library hosts bilingual story times, movie nights, etc. to honor Hispanic culture

PBS Wisconsin Education recently added a new story to the Wisconsin Biographies collection. Roberto Hernández: Working for La Comunidad shares the story of Roberto Hernández, who became an activist for better educational opportunities for his fellow Latino students in Milwaukee.

Hernández joins other Wisconsin community leaders in the collection, geared to students in grades 3-6. Wisconsin Biographies’ animated videos, historical image galleries, digital books and educator guides are designed to introduce learners to historical figures and make connections to our lives today.

Check out Hernández’s story below, along with other community builders from the collection. Then, head over to the Wisconsin Biographies webpage to learn about more influential Wisconsinites!

UW continues to strengthen commitment to faculty diversity with 22nd annual reception

UW System President Jay Rothman addressed freedom of expression leaders about the UW System’s plans to promote a marketplace of ideas.

In a crucial 2024 legislative race, Democratic candidates for the Wisconsin State Assembly are poised to make history, potentially shifting the balance of power in this key battleground state.

Two years ago, the University of Wisconsin-Madison celebrated its most racially diverse incoming class of students. Enrollment numbers this fall spurred a different reaction, though.

University leaders and higher education researchers speculated for months whether a financial aid form fiasco would lead to lower enrollment. UW-Madison administrators also expected a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious admissions would affect the diversity of new students.

While the latest enrollment numbers provide a first glimpse into those predictions, Dominique Baker, an associate professor of education and public policy at the University of Delaware, cautioned against drawing “big, broad, sweeping conclusions.”

MADISON—The 2024 Diversity Forum, “Threads of Belonging: Navigating Differences and Building Community,” is now open for registration. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA), the forum will take place at Union South on November 13 and 14. Author and entrepreneur Steve L. Robbins and playwright, performer, educator and producer Fanshen Cox are keynote presenters.

For over 20 years, UW–Madison has hosted the annual Diversity Forum for participants to engage in discourse and education on contemporary issues related to creating equitable and inclusive learning and working environments. Diversity Forum is the largest of its kind in the Midwest and draws over 500 people to the university campus and more than 1,000 virtual attendees each year. 

Register now

Award honors staff at UW-La Crosse, UW-Platteville, UW-Stout for work supporting UWs mission

Parents in a Milwaukee suburb have filed a discrimination complaint with their local school district claiming that removing a book from a traveling library of supplemental material for kindergarten students will have a negative impact on their child’s learning.?? 

Other parents in the same suburb had requested that the book, “Love Makes a Family,” be removed from the traveling library. The school district’s curriculum and learning committee removed the book, which showed a diverse variety of family structures, in July.?? 

And in Idaho, private schools and privately funded libraries sued state officials recently, challenging a controversial new law that allows community members to challenge library books they believe are harmful to children.?

Savion Castro serves on the Madison Metropolitan School Board and he became the youngest board member in its history when he first joined it in 2021.

He joined In Focus to discuss the overhaul of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives throughout the Universities of Wisconsin, and the ongoing efforts to attain equity and success for students in Madison and across our state...

Video at the link...

STOUGHTON, Wis. — Please join Dan Cornelius and REAP Food Group for the fourth annual Harvest Dinner and second annual Harvest Gathering during Harvest Weekend 2024 at Yowela Farms in Stoughton. We spend the weekend celebrating Wisconsin’s harvest and highlighting the diversity of this region’s rich culture and history. Reserve tickets today for Saturday, Sunday, or both!

Saturday, September 21: Harvest Gathering

A community celebration and educational workshops highlighting Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural foodways. Family friendly! Kids 12 and under attend for FREE. $25 or sliding scales for adults. Workshops include: making cornhusk dolls, corn braiding, wild rice processing, and tortilla making.

PURCHASE HARVEST GATHERING TICKETS

Sunday, September 22: Harvest Dinner & Farm Tours

Enjoy an evening centered around themes of food sovereignty, education, and preserving Indigenous foodways. Participating chefs include Dan Cornelius of Yowela Farms, Yusuf Bin-Rella of TradeRoots Farms, Francesca Hong formerly of Morris Ramen and the Dane County Food Collective, and Elena Terry of Wild Bearies. Don’t miss Chef Yusuf’s menu, which will include a goat terrine, Lake Superior fish and Wisconsin hand-harvested wild rice with oyster mushrooms.

PURCHASE HARVEST DINNER TICKETS

The best college in Wisconsin for student experience is ... the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

That`s based on the Wall Street Journal`s rankings of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.

In collaboration with research partners College Pulse and Statista, WSJ determined the nation`s top 500 colleges and universities. Rankings were based on numerous factors, including student outcomes and graduate salaries, career preparation, learning facilities and opportunities, and multiple diversity measures.

WSJ`s Student Experience rankings considered the quality of campus food and housing facilities, extracurricular activities, community and social life, and ethnic, ability and socioeconomic diversity.

UW-Whitewater was the highest-ranking Wisconsin college, at 281st.

These are the student experiences rankings for the other state colleges:

• No. 318: Lawrence University
• No. 334: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• No. 391: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• No. 398: Marquette University
• No. 458: Milwaukee School of Engineering
• No. 460: Carthage College
• No. 484: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• No. 491: University of Wisconsin-River Falls

  Here are the Wall Street Journal`s Best Colleges in Wisconsin

  Milwaukee`s Marquette University ranked highest on WSJ`s top 500 overall list among Wisconsin colleges, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison finished highest among the state`s public universities.

• No. 55: Marquette University
• No. 73: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• No. 165: Milwaukee School of Engineering
• No. 213: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• No. 275: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• No. 342: University of Wisconsin-River Falls
• No. 351: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• No. 357: Carthage College
• No. 453: Lawrence University

On July 27, a new, historic statue was unveiled in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol. It is a bronze statue of the late Vel Phillips, who was the first woman and first African American on the Milwaukee Common Council. In statue form, Phillips sits up straight while wearing a slight smile.

Michael Phillips is Vel’s son and part of the task force that helped create the statue. He says one of the major barriers to the project was a Wisconsin law that prohibited any new statues on Capitol grounds. For the project to come to fruition, Michael needed bipartisan support.

"We had not one contrary voice to the idea of putting a sculpture of my mom up in the state capital," Phillips says. "I had buy-in across the aisle, and it`s because she stepped across the aisle."

Vel Phillips was known for breaking barriers. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from the UW-Madison Law School in 1951, and she later became the first African-American woman to hold statewide office in the US when she was elected Wisconsin’s secretary of state in 1978...

Huge celebrations across the U.S. are expected to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, an annual tradition that showcases the broad diversity and culture of Hispanic people.

Celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is a chance for many in the U.S. to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hispanics, the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority, according to the census. The group includes people whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

There are more than 65 million people identified as ethnically Hispanic in the U.S., according to the latest census estimates.

From classes to campus life to job and internship opportunities, many things make up the college experience.

Some students look for a fun social atmosphere, while others seek to be set up for career and financial success. And, of course, many consider a mixture of these and other factors.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal released its list of 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.. In collaboration with research partners College Pulse and Statista, WSJ determined the nation`s top 500 colleges and universities. Rankings were based on numerous factors, including student outcomes and graduate salaries, career preparation, learning facilities and opportunities, and multiple diversity measures...

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber is proud to host our LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp.

Our next LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp will be held September 19 in Stevens Point.

Participating in the Entrepreneur Bootcamp will provide LGBTQ+ and allied individuals with the skills and information they need to launch and grow their business.

Each of the sessions will be facilitated by industry experts, certified trainers, and other business leaders from the community. Topics that will be covered include:

• Starting with the Right Legal Structure
• Ideation & Planning
• Market & Customer Research
• Marketing & Branding
• Business Financials & Human Capital
• Raising Start Up Money & Launching
• Supplier Diversity...

...At the conclusion of the Entrepreneur Bootcamp, all those that complete the program will leave with the tools they need to develop a comprehensive business plan to launch their business. In addition, those leaving the program will receive access to the Chamber`s online learning platform to continue their business plan development...

As first-year and transfer students start classes this fall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, they must watch a new presentation about freedom of expression on campus.

The seven videos cover the First Amendment, academic freedom, campus speakers, talking across differences, offensive speech, activism and civil disobedience. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin provides introductory and closing remarks.

“To disagree with one another, with your professors, and even with me, it’s part of learning to think critically,” Mnookin says in one video. “I also ask you to disagree productively, with respect for our common humanity.”...

On Sept. 10, from 10 am. to 3 pm., the city of Cedarburg Diversity Committee will host a blood drive at City Hall, W63N645 Washington Ave. The blood drive is part of the committee`s effort to amplify 9/11 National Day of Service. Many in our community recall where they were on 9/11/01 and experienced profound loss themselves. As we hold close the memory of those that perished, one way to honor the lives lost is by participating in this year¹s blood drive at City Hall.

As a thank you, all attempting blood donors will receive a 9/11 remembrance T-shirt, courtesy of Versiti Blood Center, while supplies last...

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where students, faculty, and staff feel welcome and supported. This work has been guided by the campus Diversity Framework and its 10-year implementation plan R.E.E.L. Change.

As R.E.E.L. Change sunsets, we strive to meet four priorities reflected in this Campus Climate Progress Report:

• Build a culture of organizational learning deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all, alongside a commitment to free expression and civil engagement across differences;
  
  
• Foster a culture of belonging to enhance the recruitment and retention of students, staff, and faculty, especially those from underrepresented and underserved populations;
  
  
• Facilitate an effective model of distributed strategic diversity leadership for shared visioning and implementation;
  
  
• Utilize and maximize data to inform equity-minded policies, practices, and decision-making.

Individuals and groups from across campus have embraced this work and devoted significant time and energy to making systemic change. Below are some recent examples of the efforts in these areas.

Milwaukee`s Mexican Fiesta, one of the largest Mexican festivals in the Midwest, returns to the Summerfest grounds this weekend to celebrate 51 years of culture, music, food and family fun.

The annual festival ? which benefits the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation ? features a diverse lineup of music and dance performances, the popular car and motorcycle show, traditional art and cultural demonstrations, and plenty of tasty food. Fest-goers can experience the Di?a de los Muertos parade, compete in the jalapen?o eating contest, and try authentic tequila and Pan de Feria.

Here`s what you need to know about Milwaukee`s Mexican Fiesta 2024.

Your guide to Milwaukee`s Mexican Fiesta 2024: Performers, food, car show and more

Claire Reid

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

During the day, Knipple works as the graduate programs assistant within the School of Education where he ensures graduate students have a seamless application and enrollment process and helps answer students’ questions. But come nights and weekends, Knipple puts on his shared governance super hero cape to fight the good fight as an active member of UW-Stevens Point’s Common Council, including the 2023-24 chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Policy Committee.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – On Wednesday, GBAPS leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new inclusive and ADA-compliant playground at Aldo Leopold Community School. It’s a project that’s been years in the making.

Students, families and staff were all in attendance to celebrate the occasion.

This is the third inclusive playground in the district, joining Baird Elementary and Jackson Elementary.

Officials say the playground was designed with help from Aldo Leopold students.

“Our students being a part of the design, the revision, and the completion of this project, is immensely, immensely rewarding,” said Trina Lambert, principal at Aldo Leopold Community School. “They will respect this playground, they will love this playground and they will play on it every day knowing that they were a part of it.”...

CEDARBURG — The city of Cedarburg Diversity Committee is hosting a blood drive at Cedarburg City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in recognition of 9/11 Day of Service.

All attempting donors will receive a 9/11 remembrance T-shirt, while supplies last.

Appointments are highly encouraged. Secure your spot by visiting or calling 877-232-4376. The blood drive will take place in a meeting room in the lower level of City Hall, W63N645 Washington Ave.

365leadershipsummit.com

“Using our resources and relationships, we honor our responsibility to strive for equity for not only our teammates and customers but also for our many diverse-owned suppliers,” said Adrian Moore, Schnucks Senior Director of Merchandising Enablement & Supplier Diversity. “We look forward to working with the proprietors of these companies and to providing the inside knowledge and tools that can help them take their products and sales to the next level.”

*Diverse-owned is defined as at least 51% owned, operated and managed by a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident that is a member of one or more of the following groups: Woman, Disabled, Black American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, Hispanic American, LGBT and/or U.S. Military Veteran...

This fall marks the debut of a groundbreaking series of events celebrating the impact of the African diaspora foodways on modern American cuisine.

The Flavors of Africa & the Diaspora in Wisconsin: Best Chef Edition will include a series of eight high-impact, immersive events culminating with a high-end celebratory gala, fundraiser and chefs competition meant to engage the community in a public display of positivity, diversity, inclusion and unity.

Behind the game-changing events is Cameroon native Yollande Tchouapi, an accomplished senior corporate executive and former owner of Irie Zulu restaurant and Afro Fusion Cuisine who has dedicated herself to creating meaningful dialogs, building bridges and creating change through food....

See Also:

Events Will Explore African Culture and Cuisine

‘The Ripon Commitment’ provides free or significantly reduced tuition and fees

On Monday, Aug. 5, Wisconsin will dedicate the first LGBTQ historic landmark in state history. The state landmark, sponsored by the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, is also the first to honor a person of Black transgender experience.

Dr. Tatyana Moaton will serve as keynote speaker for the event, which will also include elected state and local officials, civic leaders, project volunteers, and musical accompaniment by the Milwaukee HandBell Ensemble..

...Numerous Downtown Milwaukee buildings and the Hoan Bridge will be illuminated in transgender pride colors on Monday, August 5, to raise visibility and awareness of the challenges this community still faces today. The Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project will sponsors all costs of illumination...

Champion for accessibility, inclusion

The Colby Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a soccer tournament in partnership with several area businesses with the goal of creating a safe and healthy space for family recreation while minimizing anxiety and depression during the winter. 

Cristeta Comerford, the White House executive chef who has served five different presidents, is retiring after nearly 30 years in the role, multiple outlets reported.

Comerford joined President Bill Clinton`s White House staff as an assistant chef in 1995 under executive chef Walter Scheib III. She worked in the position until 2005, when former first lady Laura Bush promoted Comerford to executive chef, making her the first-ever woman to hold the title, the New York Times reported at the time.

Born in the Philippines, Comerford is also the first woman of color to hold the position...

• 13 highly experienced presenters
• Learn about key governmental policies and the rich history of tribes in our state.
• Understand tribal employment rights, contracting essentials, and start-up funding.
• Gain insights from a panel of experts with experience and advice on fostering relationships with tribes.
• Access valuable resources and references to advance your business relationships with tribal members.

Register now!

Business Journal chooses health system for its work promoting equity and inclusion

 “100% she is a DEI hire,” Burchett said.

During her first semester at Southern Methodist University, Savannah Hunsucker went on a retreat with the other students enrolled in her leadership scholars program. The event took them away from the Dallas campus and into the Texas countryside.

“I remember everybody looking up and being surprised to see stars in the night sky, and I thought that was so odd,” Hunsucker says.

Stars were a familiar sight for her, having grown up in a small town 30 miles north of Wichita, Kansas. Yet seeing her classmates’ awe at an experience she took for granted made her realize that her rural upbringing set her apart...

...Turns out, he says, “it was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I met so many people who had such diverse backgrounds and interesting perspectives, while being very down-to-earth, nice people. That’s what made me realize I wanted to go to the University of Chicago.”...

Join Us for the Final Session of "Beyond Boundaries – DEI Talks" Tonight!

July 25th at 7:30 PM

Don`t miss our final meeting, where we`ll explore the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. This is an exciting opportunity to discuss the direction and impact of DEI initiatives moving forward.

We hope to see you there!

You can join the virtual talk group through this zoom link or by adding the event to your Outlook Calendar. 

These meetings will follow T1W ground rules found on this page. 

Daniel Schulman loves visiting Jewish museums, and he’s visited several in Europe. 

“I love Jewish museums because I learn so much from them,” he said. “There’s so many different ways of doing programming, and of defining a museum as a Jewish museum. I think what’s so great about them is how diverse they are, how they can tell different stories about their local communities and local experiences.” 

Schulman, the new executive director of Jewish Museum Milwaukee, brings not just management experience from cultural institutions, but also a love of art, artists, history and, of course, museums. Schulman started as executive director of Jewish Museum Milwaukee on May 20, after Patti Sherman-Cisler retired from the role, having served for 9 years. 

Schulman is trained in art history and has worked as both a curator and program director for different organizations in Chicago. He previously held positions at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. He holds a bachelor of arts in the history of art from Columbia University and a master of arts from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University...

A women-led movement is pushing back against patriarchal attitudes and offering support to survivors of domestic violence.

Bravo’s Top Chef recently ended its first season with season ten winner Kristen Kish taking the reigns as the host replacing Padma Lakshmi. In addition, a number of Asian Americans who competed left the show determined to hone their craft further despite not taking the top prize.

For executive chef Soo Ahn of Chicago’s Adalina, his time on the show exemplified his love and passion for food and brought back memories growing up seeing his grandmother, mother and aunts preparing Korean family style meals during major holiday periods.

“Food was like a huge part for my family, my Korean culture and everything I can remember growing up. During major holidays, I remember all the different generations of women in my home growing up preparing Korean food – the traditional way. They would always prepare a feast for a hundred people when there were just twenty of us to feed”, Soo discussed in a recent interview with AsAmNews...

...“I think we are at a great place at the moment, where many shows on the Food Network have Asian faces as hosts, judges, TV chefs, foodies, contestants etc. We are definitely making headway in this area. However, how do we measure enough? I feel this measure shouldn’t even exist and we should just continue to be represented and be visible”....

Wisconsin Humanities awards each group $10,000

Indigenous drummers and dancers are set to compete for more than $100k in prize money

Hundreds of people attended a groundbreaking celebration in Madison for the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, a $33 million project and vision of Rev. Alex Gee scheduled to be built by 2025

June 27, 7:30 PM
Zoom Link

Weathering the Storm:
DEI During a Polarizing Election

How are you or your organization preparing for DEI during this polarizing election season? What strategies can you use to maintain workplace harmony during this election season?

Stay connected with fellow DEI professionals in Wisconsin and eliminate the wait until the next year’s conference. Join us for “Beyond Boundaries: DEI Talks,” a monthly virtual gathering that offers a space for individuals engaged in or interested in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion to engage in casual conversations and discussions.

“Beyond Boundaries: DEI Talks” convenes virtually on the last Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. CST. No registration is required! These meetings aim to foster informal and relaxed discussions surrounding DEI work. Whether you’re an experienced DEI professional or someone new looking to expand your knowledge, everyone is welcome.

You can join the virtual talk group through this zoom link or by adding the event to your Outlook Calendar. 

These meetings will follow T1W ground rules found on this page. 

MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For the fifth straight year, the Juneteenth flag is flying over the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Community members and leaders gathered in Madison for the flag raising ceremony Tuesday.

June 19 marks “Juneteenth” which became a federal holiday in 2021. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last remaining enslaved people in the U.S., in Galveston, Texas, received word of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two and a half years after it was issued...

WISCONSIN — Juneteenth, the federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the U.S., is Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

On June 19, 1865, troops in Galveston Bay, Texas told the last enslaved Black people that they were free, through the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863; the 13th Amendment was passed on Jan. 31, 1865 and ratified Dec. 6, 1865. 

As the historic day approaches, Wisconsinites are gearing up to celebrate. Here are Juneteenth events happening around the state:...

Ken Notes: Many are today, but several are this weekend as well. Take a look and have a great day...

As more organizations attempt to increase the representation of women in traditionally male-dominated occupations (such as engineering, technology or banking), new research from George Washington University professor Jennifer Merluzzi indicates that simply hiring more women into these fields may not make diversity efforts more effective.

The study, published in American Sociological Review (April 2024), "A Hidden Barrier to Diversification? Performance Recognition Penalties for Incumbent Workers in Male-Dominated Occupations," looked at the impact of increasing gender representation within the traditionally male-dominated occupation of law enforcement.

Merluzzi and her co-author Jirs Meuris, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, examined publicly available data spanning 13 years on nearly 14,000 officers working in the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Their findings revealed a performance recognition penalty for men and women workers from the process of occupational diversification itself...

Juneteenth — a combination of the words June and nineteenth — is one of the oldest known holidays commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that the nation`s last enslaved people — a group in Texas — learned that slavery had been outlawed and that they were free. The events leading to what many call "America`s true Independence Day" began with the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.

The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and WJMR Jammin` 98.3 are getting back in the kitchen with the Taste of Black Milwaukee event and the 22nd annual, "Men Who Cook" competition..

When is the Taste of Black Milwaukee and "Men Who Cook" competition?

The Men Who Cook competition will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by the Taste of Black Milwaukee, which will be from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

A live broadcast with WJMR Jammin` 98.3 will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m....

Jose? A. Olivieri, an attorney and pivotal figure of the Hispanic community, died of cancer Sunday at the age of 66.

Olivieri was a lawyer at Michael Best & Friedrich, with a specialty in immigration law, employment relations and higher education. Although he was an attorney at the firm for more than 40 years, he is best remembered for his work in Milwaukee`s Hispanic community.

Olivieri`s involvement with the United Community Center in Walker`s Point spanned four decades...

The federal government recently reclassified race and ethnicity groups in an effort to better capture the diversity of the United States, but some groups feel the changes miss the mark.

Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul, now living in Green Bay, wrote a new book called, ‘Dear You, Dream Big!’

More than 2,000 miles southeast of Green Bay lies the island of Saint Lucia, a country in the Caribbean. 

While Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul calls Green Bay home now, he remembers walking barefoot for 12 miles to the only library in town to experience adventure and escape island life.

“Even though it’s like a world away from Green Bay, there are so many similarities in what I did as a child and what kids in Green Bay do,” Paul said...

Federally recognized Native American tribal members in the state of Wisconsin will qualify in the fall for a new program covering tuition and fees, housing, food, supplies, and other educational expenses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison).

The initiative, known as the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program, is launching for undergraduate, medical degree, law degree, and currently enrolled Native American students.

Undergraduate freshmen will be eligible for four years of financial support, while transfer students will qualify for two years. The graduate degree program will start as a five-year pilot, with law school tuition covered for three years and medical school tuition for four years...

• Hundreds of business owners gathered at Lambeau Field for a workshop held by the Packers
  
  
• The joint effort between the Packers and the NFL aims to promote equitable and inclusive opportunities for businesses

Eiman Mir editor-in-chief of the Spartan Banner was awarded 2024 Wisconsin Journalist of the Year by the Wisconsin Journalism Education Association. Eiman Mir Brookfield East HS senior, was acknowledged for her outstanding commitments to diversity, community engagement and leadership at her school’s newspaper.

Michelle Behnke`s Madison firm focuses on real estate and business law

Porscha Burks lives a normal life in many ways. She is the mother to an 8-year-old boy and works as a patient service representative at a clinic on Milwaukee’s North Side.

However, there is one thing that sets her apart from the average person. 

Burks has been living with sickle cell disease her entire life.

“I don’t think people understand how difficult living with sickle cell is,” she said.

For Black patients, like Burks, there are many barriers to sickle cell treatment, the biggest among them being lack of access to quality health care and limited blood donations, experts say...

FITCHBURG, Wis. (WMTV) - Booths lined the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce for an International Women’s Day event that showcased Wisconsin Latina business owners on Friday.

Organizers said this second annual event brought recognition and new opportunities for these leaders.

“It’s important to create spaces for Latina women to be able to connect with one another,” Organizer Helene Palau-Tejeda said.

Focusing on empowerment, the event’s theme was entrepreneurship on a path to leadership. Attendees said this event highlighted efforts women make every day to fight for equality...

The Latina Savings Project through Centro Hispano of Dane County says bridging the financial literacy gap with a trusted source builds wealth after leaving the workforce

2024 Schedule

In 4 days, leaders and professionals from around the state will gather in Eau Claire for the 2024 Toward One Wisconsin Conference on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

The two-day conference, held May 7 and 8 at the Pablo Center at the Confluence, brings together multiple sectors to prioritize the work of DEI and to empower and employ the full talent of all who live in Wisconsin.

There’s still time to register and connect with the hundreds of participants who are dedicated to this important work.

Register for T1W 2024

Workshop to help educate diverse businesses in receiving the necessary certifications to apply to become a vendor for the Draft; Milwaukee and Madison events also planned

Turning Tables owner says its move out of Turner Hall is so the company can double down on giving opportunities to people getting into the city’s food industry

..."A lot of times, when you think of the United States and Mexico, you only think of the borderlands," said Peter Murrieta, the deputy director of The Sidney Poitier New American Film School. "This contest got us the opportunity to see short films about a mom who works in Wisconsin selling Mexican food to dairy farmers. It got us to see all different sides of that, and to understand the relationship, you`ve got to understand all the pieces."...

UW–Madison’s Brian Burt, an associate professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and director of the Wei LAB, is the principal investigator of the project, titled Raising Equity Values with the Inclusive Professional Framework and ISO DEI Standards for Societies (REVIIS).

Burt and his diverse team of organizational change leaders and engineering professional society leaders recently received a $1.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the project, which aims to increase diverse engineers’ access to and inclusion in professional engineering societies and engineering more broadly...

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- A crucial resource within Milwaukee`s LGBTQ+ community for the last 25 years needs help keeping those resources going.

Milwaukee`s LGBT Community Center has been around since the 1990s. Right now, a fundraising campaign is underway to help sustain vital resources.

"We are the largest LGBT community center in Wisconsin," said Ricardo Galaviz, associate director.

At the center, members are provided with various support services, therapy, access to a food pantry, clothing, and hygiene products.

Between resources and fun events, hundreds of people pass through the center each month. The impact is multi-generational, with programming offered for youth and older adults.

For many, the center is a safe haven and a place where being accepted for who you are is never a question.

MADISON, Wis. — In the heart of Madison’s southwest side, the city’s oldest Black enclave, lies a beacon of hope and resilience: Urban Triage. 

Founded by the Brandi Grayson, Urban Triage is not just an organization; it’s a lifeline for Black individuals and other vulnerable populations in need.

What You Need To Know

• Brandi Grayson`s traumatic past led her to found Urban Triage, a beacon of hope and support for Madison`s underserved communities

• The Prodigal Academy partnership provides training in construction, housing, and therapy to individuals seeking to overcome adversity

• The organization has a deep commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of their community

• Urban Triage is holding its first-ever Black Brilliance Gala.  It`s not only a fundraiser but a celebration of resilience and community empowerment

Daniel Webster`s journey from a flagger on Wisconsin`s highways to the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at a construction engineering firm demonstrates the importance of combining opportunity and advocacy to benefit the community. His commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the highway construction industry not only shaped his own career but also opened doors for and inspired numerous individuals from Tribal communities across the region to join him.

The National Association of Minority Contractors-Wisconsin has released a video urging the industry to “keep the drums beating” when it comes to minority contracting, highlighting the economic benefits of working with diverse business and showcasing projects that diverse businesses helped build.

In the video, Ugo Nwagbaraocha, president of the NAMC Wisconsin Chapter, said that achieving racial equity was the highest economic priority for the region and added it was important to include ethnic, diverse business for construction work ongoing and in the future. The video featured projects where diverse businesses shined in Milwaukee and beyond, such as the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons, the Komatsu South Harbor Campus and the incoming Microsoft data center...

With many students attending part time and coming from many different backgrounds, the Wisconsin Technical College System works to support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts among its 16 schools.

Register TODAY

Wednesday Morning Plenary Session

Meet The Speakers

Elisabeth Becker-Topkara

Elisabeth Becker-Topkara is a sociologist, currently a Freigeist Fellow/assistant professor at Heidelberg University and a Faculty Fellow at the Yale Center for Cultural Sociology. Her research and writing focus on the experiences of Jews and Muslims in the United States, Europe, and Israel-Palestine, Jewish-Muslim relations, as well as debunking Islamophobia and antisemitism. She is the author of the book Mosques in the Metropolis and writes for newspapers and magazines such as the Washington Post, Religion and Politics, and Tablet Magazine, where she was a journalism fellow. She has collaborated with many non-profits, including the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, as the principal investigator of the Muslims for American Progress New York City project and the New America Foundation. She also leads a project called Inscribing Plurality, which supports emerging Muslim and Jewish writers with the hope of pluralizing the voices that we hear.

Ufuk Topkara

Ufuk Topkara is a Muslim theologian and Assistant Professor for Comparative Theology in Islamic Perspective at the Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. Dr. Topkara’s research brings Islamic theology into discourse with Judaism, Christianity, and Modern Philosophy. He has been active in promoting inter-religious dialogue since 2005. Dr. Topkara was a Tour Guide at the Jewish Museum of Berlin from 2005-2015. He worked in the US House of Representatives as a Humanity in Action-Lantos Fellow in Washington D.C. Dr. Topkara is additionally trained as a Muslim chaplain and has worked extensively as an imam in mosque communities, serving multi-ethnic religious communities. Furthermore, Dr. Topkara has worked in inter-religious affairs, holding an MA in German-Jewish History from the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and doctoral-level training in comparative theology. He is the author of two books, Outlining a contemporary philosophical Theology in Islam: The Refinement of Character (Springer Publishing) and Happiness, Justice, and Friendship in Miskawayh’s Tahdib al-Ahlaq (Routledge Press).

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Events are planned month-long around Milwaukee. Video at the link!

Two ceremonies recognize the achievements of students of color.

Student Senate commission organized a forum for open conversation between students, professors and community members about EDI issues

What does Hispanic mean?

What does Spanish mean?

Milwaukee Public Museum (MPM) is proud to announce that Herb Kohl Philanthropies has provided a $2 million gift to the Future Museum`s Wisconsin Wonders capital campaign.

When Sergio Gonza?lez visited the Milwaukee County Historical Society for the first time 12 years ago, he expected to spend hours tracing his family`s history through boxes and boxes of Wisconsin’s Latino history. After all, the Milwaukee County Historical Society has collected over a million photos and documents since it was established in 1935.

Instead, the archivist dropped off just three boxes for Gonza?lez to sort through.

“I was crestfallen,” Gonza?lez writes in his new book. “Three boxes: this was all the archivists had preserved on my community?”

The book, “Strangers No Longer: Latino Belonging and Faith in Twentieth-Century Wisconsin,” is Gonza?lez`s attempt to place the Latino community`s extensive history on Wisconsin`s center stage. Released last month, is the first book to compile more than 100 years of Latino history in the state...

America’s Best Employers For Diversity 2024.

September 24, 2024 - May 27, 2025

The program will start in September with a two-day retreat followed by eight monthly full-day sessions, through May of 2025. We will be limiting the DEI 2024-2025 Cohort to 24 individuals.

Why Race Matters, a digital series elevating issues of importance affecting Wisconsin’s Black communities, returns to PBS Wisconsin with four all-new episodes.

Stream the first episode now at whyracematters.org and on the free PBS App on all streaming devices and smart TVs. New episodes premiere each Tuesday through May 14.

Host and producer Angela Fitzgerald connects in conversation with everyday people whose work and commitments center on race, identity and achieving racial equity in the state. The program shares the layered, lived experiences of Black people in Wisconsin, exploring topics simultaneously historic and urgent — offering hope, guidance and resources to thrive.

UW–Madison is seeking nominations of faculty, staff, students or community members for the 2024 Universities of Wisconsin Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, May 17, 2024. 

Awardees from all Universities of Wisconsin campuses will be recognized at at a ceremony and reception on November 7, 2024.

Thank you for helping us to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of individuals from UW–Madison and the broader Madison community who are advancing social justice and making transformative change...

Experts say UW-Madison degree is worth an average of $1.2M over 40 years

April 23, 12 – 1 PM
VIA ZOOM WEBINAR

Erickajoy Daniels
President and CEO, You Do I Help

Dr. Maysee Herr
CEO, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Corey King
Chancellor, UW-Whitewater

Alan Ogilvie
President and CEO, at
Church Mutual Insurance Company S.I

John Tribble
VP – Chief Diversity Officer,
Church Mutual Insurance Company S.I.

TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State University is welcoming Indigenous scholars to give keynote presentations focusing on Sovereignty at the 51^st annual Symposium on the American Indian.

The symposium will be held April 15-20 and is free and open to the public. Keynote speakers, Robert Miller, J.D. and Dr. Kasey Keeler, will present on this year’s theme, "Indigenous Scholars Speak on Sovereignty: 100 Years after the Indian Citizenship Act."...

...Keeler will deliver her keynote presentation on April 18 from 1 – 1:50 p.m. in the UC Ballroom. Her keynote will examine the complex and intertwined nature of race and citizenship in early land-based policies across the U.S.

Keeler is a Tuolumne Band Me-Wuk Tribal citizen and has her Ph.D. in American studies. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and teaches both American Indian Studies and the Civil Society and Community Studies programs.

Her research is focused on federal Indian policy, land and dispossession, placemaking and contemporary issues impacting American Indians. Keeler recently published a book titled, “American Indians and the American Dream.”...

View the full schedule of events.

MADISON, Wis., — Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday that the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board (SCERB) has granted final approval for the installation of a sculpture honoring the life and legacy of Vel R. Phillips.

The sculpture will make the Vel Phillips the first person of color to be honored on the Wisconsin State Capitol Grounds...

See Also:

What to know about Vel Phillips statue at Wisconsin Capitol in Madison

In the midst of what’s expected to be a banner year for tourism in southeastern Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee is putting its best foot forward with an entirely new corporate logo, website design, messaging and advertising campaigns.

The rebrand effort, which launched last June and was fully unveiled Tuesday, officially does away with Visit’s former logomark depicting the Milwaukee Art Museum’s iconic wings, known as the Burke Brise Soleil, which had branded the organization since 2005.

Visit’s new logo was designed to be more abstract and flexible in its use, featuring three connected “M” shapes which symbolize the city’s vibrancy, its fresh water resources and its cultural diversity...

April 8 at 7 p.m

Laird Room at the Dreyfus University Center

1015 Reserve St., 

Stevens Point, WI

Coffee Connection
April 11th
8:30 - 10:00am

REGISTER HERE

(Madison) Members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard recently attended the first bi-annual Women’s Symposium at Madison College.

In celebration of International Women’s History Month, which was in March, the symposium was aimed at empowering leaders, women, and allied to advocate for one another and focused on reinforcing the organizations commitment to gender equality. Military personnel, civilians, and interested community members were invited to attend and support the armed forces event.

Staff Sergeant Amanda Stock, who currently serves as a Public Affairs specialist, helped organize the event. Staff Sergeant Stock says the event was created for numerous reasons.

The Multicultural Student Center and Wisconsin Union debuted miniature Terrace chairs to kick off a year-long fundraising effort at the MSC’s 35th Anniversary Gala.

Three years ago, Cavalier Johnson stepped into the Milwaukee mayor’s office as a relative unknown following longtime Mayor Tom Barrett’s departure for an ambassadorship.

On Tuesday night, Johnson, 37, cruised to victory for his first full term as mayor, the lopsided vote another sign of his growing political clout in Wisconsin as a young mayor who has racked up a series of wins in a city where good news has often seemed elusive...

Watch The Video

Buy Online

Employer

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Location

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Date posted

Apr 1, 2024

Website

https://www.uwlax.edu/

Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill Thursday that adds Hmong and Asian American history to the required curriculum.

`We get to shine:` Hmong-American students react to Gov. Evers signing Wisconsin AAPI history bill

•     2024 Toward One Wisconsin Conference on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
•     Theme: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
•     Dates: May 7-8, 2024
•     Location: Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
•     Virtual Attendance: Available for those unable to join in person

March 28, 2024

Special lunch hour meeting

"We know that our heritage includes the ethnic diversity in our food. We embrace that you can find any type of authentic cuisine in the city, and I think that was important to the `Top Chef` producers," reflected Williams-Smith.

Rethinking the future of UW-Madison, and its role in the state`s economy

The first album in the orchestra’s five-year-long Musical Landscapes in Color project released March 14.

The GOP-controlled state Senate fired eight Democratic appointees Tuesday, including two members of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents who voted against a controversial deal limiting campus diversity positions in exchange for state funding.

The Senate has rejected 21 nominations since 2019. From 1981 through 2018, the chamber rejected four appointees, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

Gov. Tony Evers slammed Republicans for the unprecedented move, calling it petty, partisan politics.

"Republicans have turned a basic duty of government into a political circus, and the ones who pay the price are the people of Wisconsin," he said in a statement...

Dr. Demond Means grew up during the 1970s in Milwaukee, where he experienced firsthand the importance of diversity in education.

Growing up African American in one of the most segregated cities in the country, Means said diversity programs and initiatives gave him and other students of color a sense of belonging in school.

Means attended Concordia University Wisconsin, a predominantly white college in Mequon, where he served as the president of the Black Student Union. He said the Black Student Union was crucial in giving him and other Black students the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns, and support each other in pursuing their hopes and dreams.

“It was very important that a predominantly white institution still found it important to support me and support my classmates,” said Means. “When we make those efforts and put in the infrastructure to support our students, it does send a message that everyone has a voice.”...

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has appointed Areli Herrera as the new Supplier Diversity Program Manager. Herrera will lead the development of the Chamber`s programs aimed at supporting and increasing the number of LGBT Business Enterprises across Wisconsin.

Herrera is a graduate of Marquette University with degrees in English and Secondary education, and has held various roles in nonprofit organizations and community organizing.

In their new role, Herrera will work closely with Chamber members, certified LGBT Business Enterprises, corporate partners, and other stakeholders to drive the Chamber`s diversity strategy forward...

We’re excited to announce that the 2024 Toward One Wisconsin Conference on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is just around the corner! With only two months left until the event, we want to ensure you’re fully informed and prepared to make the most out of your experience. Here are some important details you should know:

Conference Details:

• 2024 Toward One Wisconsin Conference on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Theme: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
• Dates: May 7-8, 2024
• Location: Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Virtual Attendance: Available for those unable to join in person
  
  

  REGISTER TODAY – Secure your spot now!

Key Dates to Remember:

• April 1st: Exhibitor registration ends
• April 7th: Early bird registration ends
• April 12th: Last day to secure hotel block rate

Discover Engaging Sessions and Resources:

• Explore the Schedule: Get a sneak peek at the T1W 2024 schedule and discover a diverse range of breakout sessions tailored to your interests.
• Watch Promo Video: Meet Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack, sociologist, author, and associate professor of higher education at Boston University, and T1W 2024 Keynote Speaker
• Meet the Co-Chairs: Learn more about the passionate leaders guiding T1W 2024 towards meaningful dialogue and action.

• Plenary Session Previews: Dive into thought-provoking topics like “Third Space: Jewish Muslim Discourse in Divided Times” and “Shifting Gears: Navigating Wisconsin’s Evolving Landscape for Equity and Belonging”.
• Workforce Track Breakout Session Preview: Explore innovative approaches in sessions like “DEI is Dead: Now What?” presented by Kelly Blackmon and Ellen Ross, aimed at revitalizing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Stay tuned for more breakout session previews.

Hotel Information:

• T1W 2024 attendees can reserve lodging at the Lismore Hotel Eau Claire – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
• Deadline: Reservations must be made by April 12, 2024, to secure the conference rate.

From stimulating discussions to practical insights, the Toward One Wisconsin Conference promises to inspire and empower attendees from all walks of life.

Secure your spot today and join us in shaping a more inclusive future for all!

MADISON, WI (WSAU) — The Universities of Wisconsin have officially launched the Wisconsin Guarantee.

The program reserves a place at 12 of the 13 UW campus schools for high school students in the state who rank in the top 10% of their class at the end of their Junior year. A top 5% is required for the system’s flagship campus in Madison.

“The Wisconsin Guarantee will help us keep our best and brightest high school graduates in Wisconsin,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman in a press release. “It’s another tool to help the state win the war for talent.”

Eligible students will still need to fill out an application to the campuses that they wish to attend. Students who attend a Direct Admit Wisconsin participating high school will also receive information regarding which campuses they qualify to attend before the start of their Senior year.

More information can be found on the Wisconsin Guarantee website...

MOSAIC redefines mentoring for marginalized students, supports representation in academia

Mentorship Opportunities in Science & Agriculture for Individuals of Color is a campus organization that nurtures community by connecting Black, Indigenous and graduate students, postdocs and mentors of color in science and agriculture departments at the University of Wisconsin.

Following the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man from Georgia, then-graduate student Korede Olugbenle hoped to bring the lack of Black representation in Moore Hall-Agronomy at UW to light, according to the MOSAIC website. With fellow graduate students, Jenyne Loarca and Becca Honeyball, Olugbenle developed a solution — MOSAIC.

The Madison Fire Department announced a new internship program on Thursday aimed at cultivating up-and-coming talent from communities historically underrepresented in the public safety workforce.

The City of Madison Firefighter/EMT Development Program will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, March 13, with an expected start date in June 2024. The internship is a comprehensive, full-time paid learning experience and career development pathway geared toward youth interested in firefighting and EMS as a career. Two interns will be selected and will be paid $17.50 per hour during the program.

Throughout their two-year commitment to the program, interns will participate in the operational and administrative aspects of the Madison Fire Department, according to a press release. They will also earn an associate degree from Madison College. Upon completion of the program, successful participants will be qualified for placement on the Firefighter/EMT hiring eligibility list for the Madison Fire Department...

University of Wisconsin’s class of 2028 will be the first class admitted after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned affirmative action last June in the Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College decision.

The court ruled that affirmative action in college admissions was unconstitutional and in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

But, the decision does allow for admissions offices to consider “an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.”

In a statement issued June 29, 2023, UW Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin shared insights into a growing body of research that suggests diverse groups tend to make stronger decisions. But, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling requires modifications to UW’s current admissions process in order to be in compliance to the law, according to the statement...

C-Suite Execs Across the Political Spectrum Reveal in New National Survey that Corporate Diversity Initiatives Critical for Performance and Growth

Over 200 entrepreneurs from across Wisconsin gathered at the Pfister Hotel on Monday for a day of education and collaboration hosted by Meijer.

A new list was just released ranking the top states for minority entrepreneurs, and Minnesota and Wisconsin made the top 20.

The list was compiled by Lendio, a platform used to connect small businesses with lenders, they used a variety of data points including small business loan accessibility, entrepreneurship rates, job growth, and income equality, to determine the top states for minority-owned businesses...

Black History Month in February offers everyone the chance to learn about, honor and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans locally and beyond.

Here are some events you should know about...

February is Black History Month and WISN 12 News is celebrating

Black History Month, observed each February, commemorates African American contributions to American history.

It started as "Negro History Week" by Carter G. Woodson in 1915, 50 years after slavery ended. It expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976 and has been recognized by every U.S. president since then.

WISN 12 is celebrating black history throughout the month of February with important stories recognizing key players, critical moments, and the impact on our community...

In the U.S., Black adult women are six times more likely to be killed than their white counterparts, troubling new data reveals.

A paper published Thursday in The Lancet medical journal analyzed homicide rates of Black women ages 25 to 44 across 30 states. The data was collected between 1999 and 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics System. 

Homicides were classified in this study as death by shooting, piercing, cutting and other forms of violence. Racial disparities varied among states; in Wisconsin, for example, Black women were 20 times more likely to be killed than white women. Black women living in Midwestern and Northeastern states were also more likely to be killed by a firearm, the paper found.

ISA to highlight intersections between STEM disciplines, Islam, organizers say

Project hopes to raise awareness of impact of Latinx communities on Wisconsin economy

The event featured live music by Milwaukee’s B~Free and the Quinten Farr Duo, cheesecake from Baked Dreams Creations, crafts, a vendor fair featuring Milwaukee Black-owned businesses and more.

The kickoff was just the start of a four weeks of Black History Month events across campus...

Fifteen Badgers, including current middle school principal, Upper House hospitality manager honored on Madison365 list

“… that’s what this list is all about, introducing you to those people you may not know,” Sanders said on Madison365. “Every year, I’ve intended these lists to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want kids here in Wisconsin to see role models of people who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here.”

Anna Deavere Smith headlines MLK symposium, calls for courage, activism

Educators at UW-Green Bay, UW-Stout, and UW-Whitewater recognized for work to support student success

MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will honor the recipients of the 16th annual Regents’ Diversity Awards on February 9 in Madison at the next Regents meeting. These awards recognize individuals and programs that foster access and success for students who are members of historically underrepresented populations. Each recipient is awarded $7,500 to support professional development or continue the program being honored...

Award recipients were selected using the following criteria:

• Sustainable positive impact on equity and diversity, leading to positive institutional change.
  
  
• Accountability demonstrated through routine assessment and feedback to promote forward movement on equity and diversity goals.
  
  
• Intersections across multiple dimensions of diversity.
  
  
• Collaborations with other units, departments, or communities – within the university and beyond.

The 2024 recipients are:

Christine Smith, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, UW-Green Bay...

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, UW-Stout...

Campus Garden Program, UW-Whitewater...

The event will celebrate one of the most well-known figures of civil rights movement, known for his “I Have A Dream” speech in 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In the decades since, his words have become one of the most iconic speeches in American History...

February marks Black History Month throughout the United States.

Four years ago, the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers published the histories of 11 pioneering Black Wisconsin lawyers, the State Bar of Wisconsin reported.

According to the State Bar, the booklet, “The History of Wisconsin’s Black Lawyers 2019,” also provides a brief history of Black legal organizations in Wisconsin, along with a list of Wisconsin Black lawyers from 1888 to 2018...

Girls Inc. of Southeast Wisconsin is proud to announce a successful 11th Annual Girls Empowered by Math & Science (GEMS) Conference, held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

This year’s landmark event, was proudly sponsored by SC Johnson, American Association of University Women-Racine Branch, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Racine Unified School District, PPG Foundation, Inclusity, We Make T-shirts,United Way of Racine County, Community State Bank, Summit Credit Union, Gateway Technical College, Educators Credit Union, Ameriprise and SAFE Haven of Racine, featured 550 middle school girls from the Racine Unified School District. Students participated in campus tours, interacted with a college student panel, and engaged in three STEM workshops...

MILWAUKEE — Re-Imagine Education is creating a space for diversity, working to ensure students see reflections of themselves in the classroom. 

Isiah King is co-founder of the organization. King said the overall population of students nationwide is becoming more diverse, but not enough of those students have a teacher who looks like them.

“Research shows that students that have a teacher that looks like them are more likely to graduate from high school and college,” said King....

Women in the 1900s helped shape Wisconsin’s brewing industry, paving the way for  diversity in beer making today

We uncover the history of women brewers in our state, from making beer at home to the big companies that took over Milwaukee. Then, we take a look at current diversity in the industry...

“My job is to make sure that people know we have these resources and these resources are designed to help them and be designed to be embraced by their communities,” said Milner.

Milner has been with the association for two years. Before that, she worked at other aging services throughout Milwaukee. ...

WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) – "And she said, why are there Nazis on campus?"

Hours after moving her daughter into her dorm, Milwaukee resident Toni Pharm got an alarming text message from her daughter that led to her calling the UW-Whitewater police to report a group chanting racist words and displaying a swastika on the Knilans residence hall.

"It`s very disturbing. I think it is a deplorable act of terrorism, in my opinion," Pharm said.

She tells CBS 58 that she called campus police several times but was not connected to anyone when the incident happened on Sunday, Jan. 21.

"That was a huge problem because I had dropped my child off," she said. "I don`t feel like she`s safe right now. This was too close for comfort for me."

The next day, classes began as normal. Sophomore Derek Dussault described the mood as somber....

A pair of Wisconsin Republicans want to give the Universities of Wisconsin $500,000 a year to ensure conservative voices on public campuses are heard. 

Rep. Scott Johnson, R-Jefferson, and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton, are proposing a bill that would fund the university system’s free speech office, the Wisconsin Institute of Citizenship and Civil Dialogue.

The bill proposal says the Wisconsin Institute of Citizenship and Civil Dialogue was not adequately funded when it was created...

"The city’s recent Historic Preservation Plan, created in 2020, emphasizes the importance of honoring and preserving the full spectrum of Madison’s history", said Mayor Rhodes-Conway

Officials say the city of Milwaukee`s past efforts to confront barriers for Black males fizzled due to a lack of coordination, metrics and resources, but a new nonprofit with a trusted leader is taking on the issue.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The president of the Universities of Wisconsin says amid funding challenges, the state-funded system is doing what it can to stay afloat. 

Last month, UW agreed to a funding deal that cut diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI. 

On Tuesday, President Jay Rothman touched on the battle to pass the $800 million deal. 

While the GOP-led agreement slashed DEI, Rothman says he doesn`t think current and future students will be discouraged from attending a UW school because of it.

"I certainly hope not, I mean I think we`ve been very clear about our core values of inclusivity and belonging have not changed," Rothman said...

Report finds girls, children of color, LGBTQ youth struggle most with mental health

Madison, WI– UW Credit Union (UWCU) has hired Rolando De León as its Milwaukee Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) & Community Engagement. De León started in his role December 11, 2023, and replaces Jaimes Johnson, who retired in fall 2023.

De León comes to the credit union from Froedtert Health, where he worked in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department for two years. In addition, he has more than 16 years of experience working in higher education at Waukesha County Technical College’s Multicultural Resource Center and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater CEPS – Future Teacher Program. During his tenure, he encouraged financial conversations with students, staff, and the community by empowering them with money management skills and providing one-on-one financial coaching.

WE ARE SHERMAN PHOENIX

In 2016, civil unrest broke out in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee after a fatal police shooting rocked the community. In the following weeks, community conversations identified the need for safe, welcoming neighborhood spaces and from those conversations, the idea for the Sherman Phoenix rose out of the ashes.

Today, the Sherman Phoenix is a state-of-the-art space for small businesses of color. It is a popular place to eat, shop, practice self-care, or attend a cultural or entrepreneurial-focused event. We serve over 100 people daily and have been home to nearly 50 businesses since our opening.

The Sherman Phoenix has proven to be a powerful economic hub that lifts Black-owned businesses, embraces talent and innovation, and embodies an inclusive spirit. In the marketplace, we are home to over 25 businesses, of which people of color own 96%, and 63% are women-led. In addition to these businesses, Sherman Phoenix supports over 50 local entrepreneurs by o?ering a monthly pop-up marketplace to showcase their services, merchandise and culinary items. In total, our small businesses employ over 75 residents...

"If there`s a problem here in Whitewater, let`s resolve it together. Let`s talk about it. Not just attack," Jorge Islas-Martinez

“There is so much that River Alliance has done, and I have learned to appreciate the incredible work that River Alliance staff, board of directors, and supporters have done to keep this work going... They are passionate about building community and being inclusive. That’s what resonates with me and that’s what draws me to River Alliance.”  Tyrone Cratic Williams

The city’s past efforts to confront barriers for Black males fizzled due to a lack of coordination, metrics and resources, officials say.

A University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumna said her leadership role as Miss Hmong Wisconsin 2023 allowed her to advocate for Hmong youth, supporting them in their pursuit of life goals and dreams.

Pandora Paj Nra Thao of Madison, a spring 2022 graduate who earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and an emphasis in social equity and diversity, reflected on her reign as Miss Hmong Wisconsin.

“My term did end on Dec.10; however I am not stopping there. I hope to continue working within my Hmong community,” she said.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

WISCONSIN — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a holiday that commemorates King’s birthday and his legacy, lands on Jan. 15.

From Milwaukee to Green Bay, there are several events being held throughout the day and the days surrounding the holiday to honor King.

MLK Symposium

MLK Day events in Madison include `Little Rock Nine` speaker

Here`s a look at Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in and around Milwaukee in 2024

...and A google Search for all the rest!

During a heavy snowstorm Tuesday that caused schools to close all over Wisconsin, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly spoke by telephone with the Wisconsin Examiner about the health of the state’s public education system, student achievement, the growth of school vouchers, political attacks on diversity and her hopes for the coming year. 

Parents bill of rights

Salas` story details how the work of the farmworkers movement created a lasting impact on the Latinx community in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reports.

For 38 years, Women in Focus Inc., a long-standing organization of women focused on promoting educational excellence and the healthy development of children of color in the Madison area, has been providing scholarships to students of color.

Money for those scholarships is raised annually at the annual “I Have a Dream” Scholarship Banquet and Ball honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the beginning of the year. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 6-11 p.m. at the Wisconsin Masonic Center.

“This event is a fundraiser first and foremost. All the proceeds from the ball go towards our scholarship fund,” Teran Peterson, the Women in Focus Scholarship Ball chairperson, tells Madison365. “In our 38 years, we’ve given over $500,000 to students who color in Dane County. So we’re talking about 423 scholars who have been awarded scholarships...

Lupe Martinez remembers being a migrant farm worker with his family in Texas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, and deciding it wasn’t for him. 

The epiphany came when he was picking cotton in Oklahoma and feeling the branches scrape across his body.  

“They’re scratching your face and your arms and you’re bleeding. It was a mess,” Martinez said. “So I jumped in the truck and sat down and said, ‘I’m done.’” 

Going back home to Wisconsin, he wanted a job that kept him clean and not in the fields. His first job was at a metal stamping company, and while sitting in the break room looking for another job he saw an advertisement for UMOS.

Wisconsin is home to 58 state-funded "dementia care specialists," whose job description includes encouraging social opportunities for people with dementia.

A growing effort around the country is promoting Indigenous translations on road signs to raise awareness about Native American communities — in Wisconsin, six of the 11 federally recognized tribes in the state have installed dual language signs.

...In Wisconsin, six of the 11 federally recognized tribes in the state have installed dual language signs. Wisconsin is derived from the Menominee word W?sk?hsaeh, meaning “a good place” and the word Meskousing, which means “where it lies red” in Algonquian.

“Our partnerships with Wisconsin’s Native Nations are deeper than putting up highway signs,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said in a statement. “We are proud of the longstanding commitment to foster meaningful partnerships focused on our future by providing great care and consideration to our past.”...

UW-Madison tribal relations director Carla Vigue discusses the Wisconsin Tribal Education Promise program to fund students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribal nations in the state.

Responsible professional work advancing county-wide diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and policies through coordinating and participating in engagement events, initiatives and educational opportunities with county leadership, employees, and community members.

“The question of if diversity is worth it is ever present and not just at colleges but at organizations of all stripes. The answer is – yes, it is. But we should not be surprised when certain new groups struggle. We must move from access to inclusion, and data will help in this endeavor.”

A compromise brokered between Universities of Wisconsin officials and one of the state`s most influential Republicans is not really a done deal, even after a highly public and controversial vote of the UW Board of Regents.

Each side of the agreement still has to take steps to fulfill various promises they made to each other, a process that is expected to take years and that could face new barriers.

The agreement between Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and university officials would freeze the number of UW system positions devoted to diversity, equity and inclusion and repurpose some of the existing staff members for now...