Milwaukee, WI
College wasn’t on his radar. This nonprofit helped him — and hundreds more
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Maximus Bryant is a self-described gearhead, but he never knew what he wanted to do with his knack for cars and handiwork.
In the back of his mind, though, was his teacher’s voice nudging him to consider college. Ross Romenesko, a former Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, recognized Bryant’s interests and pushed him toward engineering.
Bryant graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2025 and works for Harley-Davidson. Without Romenesko, he said he probably wouldn’t have even studied electrical engineering.
Hundreds of other Milwaukee students have also seen their life trajectories shift thanks to encouragement from Romenesko and Future Urban Leaders, the nonprofit organization he co-founded in 2015. Bryant was in the first class of 13 students.
The nonprofit’s tight-knit support system and STEM-based activities helped Bryant learn his interests and find the right pathway for him after high school.
“[Future Urban Leaders] is not just an organization, [it’s] a family,” Bryant said. “[Future Urban Leaders] is about improving you as an individual first.”
The nonprofit celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2025, and staff has been reflecting on ways to expand and continue serving Milwaukee’s youth.
Future Urban Leaders serves K4 through high school students in Milwaukee
Founded by Romenesko and local business executive Brandon Vonck, the nonprofit serves young people in Milwaukee from ages 4 to 18.
Grade K4-8 students at Milwaukee College Prep Lloyd Street Campus can participate in the nonprofit’s programming. They focus on personal, emotional and creative skills.
“[We] start that early because you’re tapping into a young mind that’s very impressionable, very moldable,” said Darnell Hamilton, the nonprofit’s executive director.
High school programming is open to students citywide. They learn leadership skills and explore post-secondary and career opportunities.
“They gave us the resources to be able to expand ourselves,” said Trinitee Turner, a Future Urban Leaders alumna and incoming sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The ultimate goal is to mold students as people and provide tools and opportunities for students to ultimately find a path in college, trades or otherwise.
“It’s our job … that before you walk across the stage that we’ve done our part in this village mindset … to be a part of you figuring out what the next destination of your pathway is,” Hamilton said.
The program requires students to apply, though every eligible student has been accepted to date. The nonprofit serves about 150 students annually.
It’s been more than 10 years. Is the program successful?
To understand the past decade of program effectiveness, staff surveyed parents and students.
About 85% of parents said the nonprofit supported their children’s leadership skills, 90% of parents were satisfied with program quality and 90% of parents were pleased with staff engagement in the development of their children.
The nonprofit also monitors student retention, academic success, high school graduation and post-secondary plans. Staff keep in touch with students even after they graduate.
During the school year, staff meet regularly with students to hear how they are doing in school, take them on college and workplace visits, prepare for events and interviews, play golf and more.
What will the future of the program look like?
Hamilton hopes to help larger classes of students in the future if staffing can also increase.
The nonprofit currently has three part-time and three full-time employees on staff.
Hamilton also hopes to improve marketing and make more people aware of the organization.
Future Urban Leaders forms lifelong connections
Students can be in the program for up to 14 years but some alumni choose to stay connected even beyond that.
Bryant said staff are still invested in his day-to-day life, including some he now calls his friends. He helped Romenesko set up a play set for his daughters in his backyard in June.
Turner feels the same way. Her younger sister is now enrolled in the program. When Turner picks her up, she can’t help but stay and chat with staff that helped her during her own time in the program.
Drone view of the Milwaukee County Courthouse
Check out a bird’s‑eye view of the Milwaukee County Courthouse from a drone
A Milwaukee County Board supervisor wants the public to weigh in on the county’s multi-million dollar project to revamp the the county’s downtown courthouse complex.
In early July, the county updated its project estimate to $897 million to overhaul the crumbling downtown courthouse complex, roughly doubling initial projections.
Supervisor Justin Bielinski, who has been the biggest opponent to the project on the board, authored a resolution calling for a contingent referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. The referendum would ask voters whether they would require County Board approval for any additional financing needed for the construction phase of the courthouse project.
The resolution, which will go before the finance committee on July 23, also asks for the transfer of $18,000 from the appropriation for contingencies to the Milwaukee County Election Commission to offset the cost of the referendum.
“A capital project of this size is likely to require substantial long-term borrowing, debt service, and future budget commitments by Milwaukee County, which may place upward pressure on the property tax levy to service the debt issued to finance the project,” Bielinski’s resolution says.
The more than 320,000-square-foot Courthouse Complex is almost 100 years old and is home to the county’s criminal courts, County Jail as well as the Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices. The existing judicial buildings have been called “severely outdated” and “functionally obsolete,” creating public safety and security concerns over the years as its maintenance backlog exceeds $75 million.
Upon the release of new project estimates, County Executive David Crowley argued he expects his administration’s funding approach to cover the increased costs of the courthouse project and cut the cost to county property tax payers by more than $400 million by tapping other sources.
Crowley has described the project as urgent.
“The Public Safety Building has well surpassed the end of its life. The question in front of us isn’t whether we replace it, but when we will do it and how responsibly we can get it done,” Crowley said in a statement July 2.
The design phase of the new courthouse complex began in late 2024 and with initial timelines expecting to wrap up in 2028 and demolition set to start that year. Construction is expected to take place between 2029 and 2032.
So far, the county has allocated roughly $38.6 million between fiscal years 2024 and 2026 for the preliminary planning, design and consulting work for the project. Approximately $858 million will be needed for the remaining construction.
The county’s adopted capital budget for 2026 was limited to the approved bonding cap of $56.8 million, which leaves $63.3 million in requested bonding authority unfunded, Bielinski’s resolution says, adding that substantial borrowing for the project could limit the county’s ability to finance other major infrastructure needs, such as parks, transit, bridges, roads as well as other public facilities.
“Because of the magnitude and potential countywide fiscal impact of this project, Milwaukee County voters should have a voice through a contingent referendum before the County makes a final construction-phase funding commitment for the [courthouse] project,” the resolution said.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Several Milwaukee leaders are condemning recent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, though questions remain whether actions meant to limit the agency within city limits can be enforced.
The group led by U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore expressed anger at the nature of the at least 57 confirmed arrests made by ICE agents across Wisconsin during “targeted operations” that began in late June.
“They’re being kidnapped. They’re being disappeared. They’re being rushed through a judicial process without due process because they don’t have any money. And we’re here to decry that,” said Moore during a press conference July 9.
Back in April, Milwaukee Common Council members unanimously passed one of the key pieces of their “ICE Out MKE” package: an ordinance that prohibited ICE agents from wearing masks while working in the city. But the Department of Homeland Security has indicated they will not adhere to the ordinance, with representatives asserting the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause allows for federal laws to supersede any local ordinance.
“State and local sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” said an ICE spokesperson in a statement to WTMJ. “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by unconstitutional bans. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that state and local sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement.”
During the recent arrests, ICE agents were spotted by groups like Voces de la Frontera wearing masks despite the ordinance. Agents also used the Milwaukee Police Department District 2 parking lot for staging purposes, which is against another “ICE Out” city ordinance. A statement from MPD said they were not told in advance that ICE intended to use the parking lot, and then asked them to leave.
No citations have been written by Milwaukee Police against any agents who have violated the mask ban, with the department citing the need for legal clarity from City Attorney Evan Goyke.
“We’re waiting to see what the city attorney’s advice will be on that,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson July 9 when asked by WTMJ if any of the “ICE Out” package is enforceable.
ICE says those arrested will remain in custody pending removal proceedings.
TOP STORIES FROM THE WTMJ NEWSROOM:
Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)
MILWAUKEE – A shooting in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 8 left one person wounded.
11th and Locust
What we know:
According to the Milwaukee Police Department, a 23-year-old was shot around 6:30 p.m. near 11th and Locust.
The victim arrived at the hospital for treatment.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation.
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MPD tips
What you can do:
Milwaukee police are seeking information to identify a suspect in connection with this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS or P3 Tips.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department.
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