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Milwaukee's Maternally Strong Collective delivers hope and healing for new moms of color

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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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Maternally Strong Located: 9211 W Capital Drive Milwaukee WI

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.

 Shannna Franklin, Maternally Strong Doula

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Shannna Franklin, Maternally Strong Doula

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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Michelle Wilkins Maternally Strong Doula

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Michelle Wilkins Maternally Strong Doula

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.

Brandi Jewell Maternally Strong Doula

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Brandi Jewell Maternally Strong Doula

“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.

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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

Maternally Strong

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.

Kiara Schott Maternally Strong

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Kiara Schott Maternally Strong

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.”

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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.

Kiara Schott Maternally Strong Doulas

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Kiara Schott Maternally Strong Doulas

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.

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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

Maternally Strong Doulas
 Maternally Strong Doulas

Maternally Strong Doulas

Maternally Strong Doulas
 Maternally Strong Doulas

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Maternally Strong Doulas

For more information, visit Maternally Strong at 9211 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53222.


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Milwaukee, WI

Critically missing Milwaukee man; last seen near Teutonia and Good Hope

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Critically missing Milwaukee man; last seen near Teutonia and Good Hope


The Milwaukee Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critically missing man, 33-year-old Nicolas Blakely.  

Missing man

What we know:

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Blakely was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, March 9 in the area of Teutonia and Good Hope. 

Blakely is described as a male, black, 6’1″ tall, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen wearing a blue puffy jacket over a white hooded sweatshirt, with tan Nike sweatpants. 

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Police tips

What you can do:

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Milwaukee Police Department District 4 at 414-935-7242.  

The Source: The information in this post was provided by the Milwaukee Police Department. 

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Milwaukee, WI

10 months after fatal hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist, Milwaukee man charged

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10 months after fatal hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist, Milwaukee man charged


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A 23-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 44-year-old motorcyclist during the summer last year.

Jarvis L. Walker was charged March 7 with four counts: hit-and-run resulting in death, knowingly operating a vehicle without a valid license causing death, fleeing an officer and first-degree recklessly endangering safety.

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The crash occurred June 7, 2025, at the intersection of North 76th Street and West Florist Avenue. Walker crashed into Wyman Kemble on his 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and fled the scene, according to a criminal complaint.

Kemble suffered severe injuries in the crash and died at the scene.

Police said nearby security footage video shows Kemble was traveling northbound on 76th Street and had a green light when Walker, traveling southbound on 76th Street, crashed a rental car into Kemble while trying to make a left turn onto Florist Avenue.

Walker then exits the vehicle, grabs a backpack from the backseat and leaves the scene, the complaint said.

But a witness’ cellphone footage shows Walker return, yell something, and turn around and walk away before getting into another vehicle that just pulled over, according to the complaint.

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The rental car came back to a person only identified in the complaint with the initials EW. The rental car customer told police that Walker had the vehicle during the time of the crash and Walker called him and told him that he had just been in a crash after a motorcycle ran a red light.

Ten months would pass before investigators zeroed in on Walker to arrest him.

On March 3, police had reason to believe that Walker was in the area of the 7200 block of West Marine Drive, the complaint said. Two undercover officers observed Walker get into an SUV, which exited a nearby parking lot and then immediately pulled over because the trunk was open, the complaint said.

Different officers in full uniform and an MPD squad moved in to try and arrest Walker, who was at the rear of the vehicle in the trunk, according to the complaint.

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Walker then made his way back to his seat before one officer activated the squad lights and siren and exited the squad to say “Hey Jarvis, don’t do it” and “Jarvis get out of the car,” the complaint said.

But Walker fled the scene and led police on a nearly 10-mile pursuit in excess of 115 miles per hour, according to the complaint.

Police lost visual sight of Walker’s vehicle near North Teutonia Avenue and North Green Bay Avenue, but Glendale police observed the vehicle traveling southbound on West Green Bay Road and another short pursuit ensued before officers lost sight of Walker again, the complaint said.

Later that evening, Walker’s vehicle was observed unoccupied and running in the 4800 block of North 19th Place, according to the complaint. Police found Walker inside a nearby residence and arrested him.

Walker made his initial appearance in court on March 9, where bail was set at $25,000. If convicted on all counts, he faces decades behind bars.

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Wyman Kemble remembered as mother’s rock

Leanne Kemble, Wyman Kemble’s mother, previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at the time of the crash that Wyman was her oldest child and her “rock.”

She said her son loved the motorcycle he was riding at the time of his death. She described him as one of the most “kind, caring and fun-loving people you’d ever meet.”

Leanne Kemble said her son graduated from Riverside High School, where he played on the football team, and was a graduate of Milwaukee Area Technical College. Volleyball was now his sport of choice, and he played year-round, she said.

“He was always helping people with their car repairs, or just doing odd jobs to help out our neighbors,” she said. “He was an all-around great person. Everybody loved him.”



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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday

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Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday


MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius proposed cutting more than 263 non-classroom positions to help bridge a $46 million structural budget deficit.

A special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors is scheduled to take place on Monday night, March 9, to vote on this proposal. 

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Shifting resources

What we know:

The district said the reductions, which would take effect for the 2026–27 school year pending school board approval, would save about $30 million.

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“It is an extremely difficult day for us here in Milwaukee Public Schools, but in the end, I’m still hopeful. I’m hopeful for our students, I’m hopeful for all of the employees we have, and every single employee matters to us,” said Cassellius. “This is hard, and we’ll get through it.”

Officials said no classroom teacher positions are being cut to close the budget gap. That said, the district may need fewer teachers where there is lower enrollment. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions.

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Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026-27 public school students. While the recent referendum has helped to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration, the superintendent indicated it does not make up for the lack of state-funded inflation increase

Proposed reductions

By the numbers:

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The approximately 263 position reductions include the following, according to the school district:

  • MPS Central Services: About 116 positions from the offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community, and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Schools office; and the Superintendent’s office
  • Non‑classroom school‑based roles: About 147 positions, including assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers.

The Source: Milwaukee Public Schools released information about its proposal.

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