Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee's Maternally Strong Collective delivers hope and healing for new moms of color
MILWAUKEE — A group of Milwaukee women is making a powerful impact in maternal health—not by simply delivering babies, but by delivering hope.
Maternally Strong, a collective of doulas, is stepping up to support new mothers, especially in areas where the health care system often falls short.
For many new parents, the postpartum period is supposed to be filled with joy. But for many mothers of color, it is often marked by silence, stigma, and struggle. That’s why these four local doulas on Milwaukee’s North Side are rewriting that narrative.
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Though it might seem small, the space they’ve created is making a huge impact. Here, healing begins not with medicine but with conversation.
“We need a space for Black and Brown women to come together and feel comfortable in what they’re saying and how they’re feeling,” said Shanna Franklin, one of the doulas.
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Postpartum depression is a serious health concern that disproportionately affects minority women. For these mothers, it’s not just a statistic—it’s a crisis.
“Being able to have somebody along that journey who truly understands what it looks like from beginning to end is something you can’t duplicate,” said Michelle Wilkins, another member of the collective.
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Maternally Strong was formed by four CAPPA-certified doulas. Their focus is on postpartum mental health, offering free support groups specifically for Black and Brown families.
“We know there are cultural differences within communities, and we just wanted to create a space where people feel welcome and comfortable,” said Brandi Jewell.
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“Everybody needs somebody, especially Black and Brown people who don’t have a lot of support. So being able to be that in a room where they may have nobody is a very pivotal moment,” Wilkins said.
The weekly gatherings blend culturally relevant care with a sense of community. New parents are encouraged to open up about the anxiety, depression and isolation that are often ignored in the maternal experience.
Maternally Strong
“Postpartum isn’t really talked about as much. It’s like, ‘Okay, you’re having a baby—congrats! How’s the baby?’ They don’t really talk about you and what’s going on with you,” said Kiara Schott.
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Franklin agreed, noting, “It’s hard to be heard in that room. A lot of the time, they are only focused on what they see to be a good outcome.”
But it’s working. Dozens of families have found healing while helping shape a broader conversation around maternal health and equity.
“We’ve all had different experiences throughout our pregnancy and postpartum, and we were able to come up with the group and really pour into it from a lived experience,” Wilkins said.
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Their goal is to expand these free support groups, reaching more families who need this care.
“Come out, spend some time with our women. It’s a very good energy,” Franklin said.
In a world where maternal health disparities are real, Maternally Strong is not just a group of doulas—they’re a lifeline, offering support, care and a sense of community where it’s most needed.
Here are some of their upcoming free events:
Maternally Strong Doulas
Maternally Strong Doulas
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For more information, visit Maternally Strong at 9211 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53222.
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Milwaukee’s dining community is grappling with a recent string of restaurant closures that includes longtime neighborhood fixtures and newer concepts. The losses have sparked disappointment among diners and raised broader questions about why even popular locations and prime riverfront spots are struggling to survive.
On Milwaukee’s Lori Fredrich told WTMJ’s Adam Roberts that restaurant owners are increasingly speaking candidly about the realities of running a business, using social media to share financial pressures and warn customers when closure may be imminent. The shift marks a departure from past practices, when restaurants often closed quietly without explanation.
With January and February historically among the toughest months for restaurants, local leaders are urging residents to buy local. Programs like Visit Milwaukee’s Buy Local Bonus aim to provide short-term relief, but many in the industry worry about what the year ahead may bring.
Hear more about this story on WTMJ’s Reporter’s Notebook, on Sundays at 10 am or wherever you get your podcasts.
Milwaukee, WI
‘We’re still struggling’: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin has confirmed a new 24-hour rainfall record after more than a foot of rain fell in Milwaukee during historic summer flooding, but for some families like Victoria Kiepert’s, the damage never ended.
The August 9th and 10th storms brought 14-and-a-half inches of rain to northwest Milwaukee in just 24 hours, now officially the most rain ever recorded in a single day in Wisconsin. Behind that historic number are families still trying to rebuild as Christmas approaches.
“We lost all of our stuff in the basement,” Kiepert said.
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Floodwaters damaged Kiepert’s northside home, destroying nearly everything her family owned. She applied for help, but says months later, recovery is still falling on her shoulders.
“Beds, appliances, all that stuff, kids’ clothes, TVs, everything,” Kiepert said.
The Milwaukee mother, who cares for five children, says her family was left homeless for two weeks after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We had to move, and I couldn’t find a house right away, so we were homeless for two weeks, and then we moved and still don’t have the things we need,” Kiepert said.
Watch: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches
Climate experts say the storms were unprecedented, with rain falling one to three inches an hour for several hours, overwhelming basements, streets, and sewer systems. Radar estimates show 10 to 12 inches fell across northern Milwaukee and northeast Waukesha counties, confirming the devastation was widespread.
Kiepert says she and her kids have to sleep on air mattresses, and the holidays only add more pressure to an already overwhelming situation.
“People think that after people get FEMA money, it’s just done and over with, and that should be enough, but it’s really not because it takes months, even years, sometimes when you’re starting all over,” Kiepert said.
She’s unsure how she will provide gifts for her kids this Christmas, her family still needs basic necessities months after the flooding.
Victoria Kiepert
“We still need beds, dressers, kids’ clothing, a lot of stuff,” Kiepert said.
As Wisconsin marks a new chapter in climate history, families like Kiepert’s say recovery can’t stop at statistics, especially as Christmas approaches.
“This year’s really hard, because mostly because of the flood, cause all the stuff we lost, I have to buy them new stuff, because that money isn’t available for Christmas,” Kiepert said.
The flooding has made this Christmas particularly challenging for Kiepert’s family, including her youngest daughter experiencing her first Christmas.
“This is my daughter’s first Christmas, it would help for all my kids but mainly for her, to make like a Christmas miracle for them,” Kiepert said.
Despite the hardships, Kiepert maintains perspective on what matters most during the holidays.
“Sometimes it’s not about the gifts, it’s about being stable and having family around,” Kiepert said.
As Victoria’s family continues to rebuild, community support can make a real difference. A GoFundMe is available for those who wish to donate money or provide much-needed household items. If you can donate any of the furniture items she seeks, her email is Victoria.kiepert@icloud.com, or you can reach out to me by email at gideon.verdin@tmj4.com, and I will connect you with Victoria.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist 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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Security officials at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport offered advice for passengers navigating the busy holiday travel season this December.
Tim Goodman, Wisconsin assistant federal security director at the Transportation Security Administration, said Dec. 19 that the agency is prepared for high passenger volume at Milwaukee Mitchell in the next two weeks.
Goodman said the airport expects to process as many as 12,000 travelers during the busiest holiday travel days. These dates are projected to see the most traffic:
- Sunday, Dec. 21
- Monday, Dec. 22
- Tuesday, Dec. 23
- Sunday, Dec. 28
- Monday, Dec. 29
- Tuesday, Dec. 30
Here’s what to know about holiday travel at Milwaukee Mitchell this year:
Arrive early, especially for morning flights from Mitchell Airport
Goodman recommended travelers arrive no later than 90 minutes before their flight takes off, and longer if they’re boarding early morning flights.
Mornings are the busiest time of day for the airport, Goodman said.
“We are at capacity at the early morning hours,” he said. “We may see as many as 2,000 passengers going out before 7 a.m. on our busiest days.”
Don’t forget your Real ID when traveling through Mitchell
This is also the first winter holiday season after TSA began enforcing Real ID requirements for domestic flights. Starting on May 7, 2025, all domestic passengers must present a Real ID-compliant drivers license or other other acceptable forms of identification.
Earlier this month, TSA announced it will charge passengers $45 if they do not present a Real ID or other accepted identification starting Feb. 1, 2026.
In Wisconsin, Real ID-compliant drivers licenses are marked with a star in the upper right corner. More information about how to obtain a Real ID is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website.
Goodman said 97% of Wisconsin passengers already have a Real ID. Those who don’t have proper identification will see longer waits and additional screening at security checkpoints.
A list of acceptable identification is available on TSA’s website.
Some holiday items may not get through security at Mitchell
Goodman said some common holiday items should not be put in carry-on bags since security officials struggle to open and inspect them.
Those items include snow globes and wrapped gifts. Goodman recommended any gifts instead be put in a gift bag.
Goodman also said passengers should completely empty bags before packing them for a flight. It’s common for travelers to forget to remove prohibited items in their bag, only to find themselves stopped at security checkpoints.
Forecast looks clear, but weather is always a ‘wild card’
Goodman said the current weather forecast shows no significant winter storm activity, but that could change closer to the holidays.
“We can plan for everything else,” Goodman said. “The weather is always the wild card.”
Goodman also said severe weather at popular hubs like Chicago and Minneapolis could impact flights at Milwaukee Mitchell.
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