Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Teens Lead the way: Inside AART’s Youth-Driven Movement for Change – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper
AART students present their ideas during a youth hangout (Photo provided by AART)
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, WI
Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
MILWAUKEE — Despite a partial government shutdown causing long TSA lines at airports across the country, travelers at Milwaukee Mitchell airport are experiencing short wait times ahead of spring break.
John Wahlen and his colleague Joe Orendorf were coming back home from North Carolina and prepared for a much different scene.
“We were remarkably surprised that it was as easy as it was,” Wahlen said.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
A national TSA spokesperson told TMJ4 that over 3,450 TSA officers called out across the country on Thursday. The national call-out rate was at 11.83% percent, the highest since the shutdown began.
While the TSA could not provide specific numbers for Milwaukee Mitchell, the airport was not in the top-10 for call-out rates.
The highest percentages of call-offs came from much larger airports, including George Bush Intercontinental in Houston at 44 percent, Atlanta at almost 41 percent, and Baltimore at 37 percent.
“We were in smaller airports, Raleigh-Durham, I think we waited for two people, and one of them was him,” Orendorf said.
Watch: Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
Travelers see shorter lines at Milwaukee Mitchell despite the ongoing partial government shutdown
A spokesperson for Milwaukee Mitchell told TMJ4 that around 11,000 people are expected this Friday and Saturday, and next Friday and Saturday as spring break travel peaks.
President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents, meaning a resolution may be on the horizon. Travelers, including Selena Mauricio, said they are thankful for the agents who are still showing up.
Brendyn Jones/TMJ4
“Their jobs aren’t easy, and I commend the ones that still come to work, definitely,” Mauricio said.
This story was reported on-air by Brendyn Jones and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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MILWAUKEE — A truck drove through the Grace Coffee Co. in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward on early Friday morning, the owners announced in a social media post.
Due to the extensive damage that was done, the coffee shop will be closed until further notice.
TMJ4
“We’re incredibly grateful no one was hurt, and we’ll keep you updated as we begin repairs,” the coffee shop said in the post.
TMJ4 reached out to the Milwaukee Police Department but have yet to hear back.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
MPS cuts face backlash
Milwaukee Public Schools plans about 200 layoffs to close a $46 million budget gap, but union leaders say cuts could impact student safety while district leaders say no classroom teachers will be eliminated.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools is planning to cut roughly 200 positions next school year as the district works to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap — but there’s disagreement over which roles will be impacted.
What we know:
District leaders say the goal is to close a roughly $46 million shortfall, prompting changes that Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says are necessary.
Milwaukee Public Schools said about 201 staff members will be impacted. District leaders say no classroom teachers, counselors or social workers will be cut — something the teachers’ union disputes.
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The reductions stem from a previously approved plan to eliminate about 260 non-classroom roles. The final number dropped after retirements and existing vacancies. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved that plan on March 9.
What they’re saying:
“We have a $50 million deficit, we are for sure not going to be able to do business the same way that we’ve been able to do business,” Cassellius said. “Change is just hard. It’s just hard. And every single one of our employees is so important.”
But some educators say the cuts go too far.
“MTEA is setting up a distress signal. We are talking about our teachers, art teachers, music teachers, physical education teachers, counselors — things that the voters of referendum of Milwaukee actually voted for,” said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association. “Staffing is being cut to the extent that they are concerned about student safety.”
Cassellius acknowledged the uncertainty and asked school leaders for patience.
“We just have to for sure know our budget situation, where we’re at with that after these cuts are made in order to make those decisions,” she said. “So I’m asking my principals, be patient with us.”
By the numbers:
The district outlined the 201 affected positions as:
- 70 central office roles
- 62 educators with a teaching license but not assigned to one classroom
- 59 assistant principals
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MPS says the savings will support new class size guidelines, including:
- 18 students per teacher in K3
- 20 students per teacher in K4
- 22 students per teacher in K5
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
District leaders say no students will be asked to leave a school to meet class size guidelines. Officials say they are working with schools that may not have space or that require larger classes based on specific programs.
What’s next:
Milwaukee Public Schools plans to present its proposed 2026–27 budget to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in May.
The Source: Information in this post was provided by Milwaukee Public Schools and prior FOX6 coverage.
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