By Dakota Barnes-Rush

This story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, where you can find other stories reporting on fifteen city neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Visit milwaukeenns.org.

If you want to see teens making a difference, you need look no further than the youth programs at the African American Roundtable, or ART, in Milwaukee.

At these hangouts, teens are not just learning about leadership – they are the ones leading, sharing ideas and helping one another grow.

AART is a group that cares about giving young people a voice. Teens like Zoe Chambers, Thomas L. Leonard Sr. and Sierra Lyle all help make these hangouts special. They believe that every teen can be a leader, no matter if they are loud or quiet.

Zoe Chambers: Helping teens find their voice

Chambers is a 17-year-old student at Golda Meir High School. She is also an intern with Teens Grow Greens and a fellow in the Activists in Residence program.

“My passion is to advocate for the youth around me,” Chambers said.

She loves that AART pays teens and teaches them leadership skills. Chambers helps plan youth events and feels proud that AART listens to what teens want in the new youth membership.

Chambers has seen her friend D’adria Veal grow into a leader. At first, Veal just came to events. Soon, she was helping at school board meetings and canvassing. Now, Veal is a fellow at Leaders Igniting Transformation and helps others become leaders, too.

Chambers always makes sure everyone feels welcome at hangouts.

“If they are sitting alone, I am not afraid to go up to them and ask their name and engage them,” Chambers said.

She wants every teen to know their opinions matter and that they can make a difference in Milwaukee.

Community is important to Chambers. She watches how mentors work with their mentees and tries to learn from them. When she meets shy teens, she asks about their talents.

“When you are working through your gift, it is easier to lead,” she said.

Chambers believes leadership does not always mean being the loudest. Even small actions can make a big impact.

Chambers’ friend JaNiyah Jones surprised her by becoming more confident. At a recent hangout, Jones talked to leaders, joined all the activities and even spoke in front of everyone.

“The best part about seeing her growth is her joy around activism and leadership,” Chambers said.

AART students participate during a youth hangout event. “You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be a leader,” Thomas Leonard says. “You just need to be bold enough to care out loud.” (Photo provided by AART)

Thomas L. Leonard Sr.: Building safe spaces for Black youths

Leonard is a youth organizer and student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He joined AART because he wanted to help create safe spaces for Black youths. Leonard believes leadership is about having courage and helping others.

“You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be a leader,” Leonard said. “You just need to be bold enough to care out loud.”

Leonard remembers a teen who started a conversation about school safety. That teen was not afraid to speak up and soon got others to share their ideas too. Leonard tries to make every hangout feel welcoming. He plays music, checks in with everyone and makes sure no one feels left out.

“If they feel seen, valued and inspired to keep showing up for themselves and others, then we’ve done meaningful work,” he said.

He likes to talk to teens one-on-one to learn about their interests. Then he finds ways for them to lead that feel right for them.

Sierra Lyle: Growing leaders through community

Lyle is a 20-year-old student at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She is a community-based doula, youth leader and civil engineer. Lyle first joined AART when she was 16. She liked that AART wanted to hear what youths think about Milwaukee’s future.

Lyle believes a good leader is honest, respectful and has integrity. At a recent event, she watched teens help shy peers join group discussions.

“I hope that each teen walks away with a seed of change or a spur of growth after leaving an event,” Lyle said.

For Lyle, community is everything. She encourages networking and relationship building. At AART events, there are always lots of youth groups so everyone can meet new people.

To help shy teens, Lyle starts every event with an ice breaker. Teens work in teams and have small group talks. Staff members join in to help everyone feel comfortable and encourage quiet voices to share.

Lyle remembers someone who used to be shy but now leads group discussions.

“It is rewarding to look back on where we came from and see the youth enjoying the program and creating their own vision for the program now,” Lyle said.

What makes AART hangouts different

AART hangouts are different from other programs because teens get to make decisions. They choose the topics, music and activities.

“It is refreshing to see the youth being able to lead and speak freely, not always being led,” Lyle said.

Art and culture are important at AART. Teens use music, murals and even cooking to talk about activism. At one hangout, they used art from the Black Panther Party to show the power of voting.

All three leaders agree that adults can learn a lot from teens. Teens have ideas and energy that can help make Milwaukee better. Adults just need to listen and support them.

At AART, teens are not just the future – they are leading right now.

MILWAUKEE – From speeding cars and burnouts to fireworks and huge crowds, city leaders say they are tired of what’s being called “street takeovers” happening around Milwaukee.

What we know:

The Milwaukee Police Department told the Milwaukee Common Council on Thursday, May 22, they’ll be doing what’s called directed patrol missions. They want to see street takeovers stop and hold people accountable.

Leaders say these street takeovers are causing mayhem on the roads. The organized reckless driving meet-ups draw huge crowds as cars do burnouts. 

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The events are often fueled by social media.

What they’re saying:

“As a city, we cannot tolerate this. We can’t normalize this,” Common Council President Ald. José Pérez said. “Fireworks were going off. Spectators cheering as if it were a playoff game.”

On Thursday, the Common Council Public Safety Committee took on the issue, saying businesses and residents are frustrated by what they see as a lack of consequences for those involved.

“There’s not a place that this has not touched over the last couple of years,” Assistant Chief Craig Sarnow said. “So this is a challenge.”

Dig deeper:

For MPD’s directed patrol missions, five teams will be dedicated to the north side and five to the south side, along with two tow trucks to crack down on the takeovers and those involved.

MPD created a map of 52 locations where these takeovers are happening.

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“We’re hoping to make an example of someone that’s engaging in this so we can say to the public this will not be tolerated,” Capt. Phillip Simmert said.

Officials are trying to put the brakes on bad behavior and the chaos that goes along with it.

What you can do:

Officials said if you see street takeovers happening, call the police and report them so they can send officers there.

MILWAUKEE – An inmate died at the Milwaukee County Jail on Wednesday, May 21.

Medical emergency

What we know:

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said a 33-year-old man experienced a medical emergency Wednesday evening around 7:41 p.m.

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Around 7:41 p.m., the MCSO said a correctional officer conducting a housing unit inspection was alerted by an occupant that his cellmate appeared to be unconscious and in medical distress. The officer declared a medical emergency. 

Multiple officers and supervisors then responded and began lifesaving measures, including two Narcan deployments.

Dig deeper:

At about 7:51 p.m., emergency personnel from the Milwaukee Fire Department arrived and continued lifesaving measures.

The man was pronounced deceased at 8:19 p.m.

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The MCSO said the man was booked into custody in late November on a single felony charge of possession of methamphetamine.

What’s next:

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the in-custody death.