Milwaukee, WI
What residents want RNC attendees to know about Milwaukee
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Milwaukee is in the national spotlight this week with tens of thousands of visitors in town for the Republican National Convention, or RNC.
The RNC, which convenes for four days and ends on Thursday, July 18, is held every four years to formally nominate the Republican Party’s nominees for president and vice president and flesh out the party’s platform.
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters asked a cross-section of Milwaukeeans what they like most about their city and what they want the RNC attendees to know about their city. Here’s what they had to say.
Robert E. Holmes III, 54
(Courtesy of Robert E. Holmes III)
Occupation: Business Owner
What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like best about Milwaukee is the river. We can flow down inside downtown in the boats. We need an ethnic area by the river that grills food outside.”
What I want RNC to know: “I would like RNC to know how diverse Milwaukee is, and that reflects on the food we have here in Milwaukee.”
Christal West, 58
(Courtesy of Christal West)
Occupation: Community resource and research specialist
What I like best about Milwaukee: “Milwaukeeans are good down home family people and love to be a service to each other.”
What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee is culturally diverse, rich in resources and it’s like one giant family. You got some of the best hidden treasures in Milwaukee.”
Drea Rodriguez, 46
(Courtesy of Drea Rodriguez)
Occupation: Executive director of Peace Learning Center
What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love the neighborhood pride. We need to see more of it. When one takes pride in a home, they are more invested in their neighborhood.”
What I want RNC to know: “I want the RNC to acknowledge how lucky they are to be in a city as beautiful as Milwaukee and despite its past approval of horrible initiatives such as trickle-down economics, families of Milwaukee are committed to bridging divides and strengthening our communities.”
Rafael Mercado, 54
(Edgar Mendez /
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
Occupation: Owner of Top Quality Services and founder of TEAM HAVOC
What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like about Milwaukee is our diversity. We are so full of different ethnicities and cultures that there is always something going on.”
What I want RNC to know: “We are considered one of, if not, the most segregated cities in the U.S., yet I find that hard to see. We’re filled with every culture out here in this small but big city.”
Raymond Duncan, 44
(Courtesy of Raymond Duncan)
Occupation: Special education teacher; member of Martin Drive Neighborhood Association Coordinating Committee
What I like best about Milwaukee: “Us as a neighborhood, we don’t charge fees or dues. We’re able to run a number of events that are almost solely potluck by nature, just bringing together different talents. And then that’s what we see with Milwaukee. Milwaukee can be this potluck of different people and groups and thoughts, and we can really solve problems.”
What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee can be this home where I feel like it’s this big city, small town feel.”
Roderick Rush, 62
Occupation: Educator
(Meredith Melland /
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
What I like best about Milwaukee: “In the summertime, we’re the city of festivals. So you can’t lose for visiting Milwaukee during the month of July. … In general, we are a friendly place, no matter what your ethnicity or race is.”
What I want RNC to know: “It’s hypersegregated. But the people who live here, they know that … However, in summertime, and with sports, that seems to go by the wayside and people have a good time getting along with each other.”
Miriam Elizabeth Ramirez, 35
Occupation: Initiative coordinator at Muskego Way Forward
(Edgar Romero)
What I like best about Milwaukee: “We remain connected by the bridges meant to divide us. The Good land remains a place to call home for those that can appreciate its history, our skyline and architecture, and many fun festivals and food to enjoy throughout all four seasons. Milwaukee is home.”
What I want RNC to know: “Milwaukee is a place full of great potential where generations of people continue to create opportunities that represent our city’s diverse culture and community. (There are) a vast and valuable number of immigrant communities within our city who are involved in supporting the arts, music, education, health and wellness as well as business and historic social justice movements and more.”
Felice Green
(Courtesy of Felice Green)
Occupation: Director of programming at Milwaukee Water Commons
What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love my city, and I love what we stand for. And I think that Milwaukee has great lakes, great opportunities.”
What I want RNC to know: “Just like other big cities, we do have our challenges, but we try to come together to work out the challenges and work on the issues, for example, with pedestrian safety and reckless driving. … Spend some money in urban communities, Black and Brown communities while they’re here as well and learn each other.”
Howard Snyder, 74
(Courtesy of Howard Snyder)
Occupation: Semi-retired; former director of Northwest Side Community Development Corp.
What I like best about Milwaukee: “It’s easy to get around. It’s easy to live in. If you have kids, it’s a good place.”
What I want RNC to know: “It’s not Chicago, and we’re not a suburb of Chicago. We have an awful lot to offer. … Milwaukee is just not, it’s not a touristy place. You have to look a little bit. You have to work at it.”
Elijah Holbrook, 32
(Courtesy of Elijah Holbrook)
Occupation: Coffee sales associate
What I like best about Milwaukee: “What I like best about Milwaukee is the beautiful trails, parks and beaches allowing people to get outside, be in nature and see some of the best views the city has to offer while running, biking or walking..”
What I want RNC to know: “I would want the people of the RNC to be open-minded about Milwaukee and all cities. They aren’t the dangerous, crime-infested war zones conservative media often paints them to be.”
Diego Avila, 29
(Courtesy of Diego Avila)
Occupation: Quality Engineer
What I like best about Milwaukee: “I love the size of this city. Small enough to allow you to connect with your community and people in your neighborhood while still being culturally diverse and vibrant. It is so easy to find your niche and make friends as an adult out of college and outside of work.”
What I want RNC to know: “I wish people understood that there are so many programs and activities coordinated by people in the city who want to make this a safer and more accessible place for everyone.”
Gary Zajackowski, 38
(Courtesy of Gary Zajackowski)
Occupation: Factory worker
What I like best about Milwaukee: “Milwaukee is underrated. Slept on. Anyone determined to focus on negatives is missing out, and we don’t need them anyway. Always something to do. … We have basically anything a big city has, but you can get across town in 20 minutes, in bad traffic.”
What I want RNC to know: “Most people you come across are nice. Anyone willing to get acquainted with Milwaukee will probably find things they love. If you’re miserable here, you’re probably miserable anywhere, anyway.”
Victor Cambell, 66
(Courtesy of Victor Campbell)
Occupation: Musician
What I like best about Milwaukee: As a drummer, I’ve traveled all over the world, so I am comfortable saying Milwaukee is a great place to live.
What I want RNC to know: Milwaukee has its issues like driver’s education safety. We need people to gain knowledge and the wisdom to put guns down, but on the flip side of that, the history of this city is beautiful and rich if you’re willing to get to know it and the city does have some great things going on.
Dominic McCallum, 18
Occupation: Student
(Trisha Young / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
What I like best about Milwaukee: “I moved here from Dallas not too long ago, so Milwaukee was really different. I like that Milwaukee feels like a hometown. Everyone knows everyone and it feels like a safe community.”
What I want RNC to know: “I think people should know that there’s a lot to do here and people are friendly. You just have to be open to experiencing the city.”
Maurice “Moe” Wince
(Trisha Young / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
Occupation: Owner and operator of Sherman Park Grocery Store
What I like best about Milwaukee: “One of the things that I love to share with folks that I love about Milwaukee is the fact that it has amazing opportunities for businesses to start as well as entrepreneurship.”
What I want RNC to know: “While you’re here in Milwaukee, I strongly encourage you to not only come to Sherman Park neighborhood but visit all the other amazing neighborhoods and the business improvement districts, so that you know that the city of Milwaukee is not just a place to be, but it’s also fun to be here.”
A version of this story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, a nonprofit news organization that covers Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods.
News414 is a service journalism collaboration between Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service that addresses the specific issues, interests, perspectives and information needs identified by residents of central city Milwaukee neighborhoods. Learn more at our website or sign up for our texting service here.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
Pride Month is here, and Milwaukee is showing up ready to slay with a packed calendar. Whether you’re looking to find love with The Butchelorette, cruise through the city in a Pride motorcycle ride, bring the whole family to the Pride Parade, or dance the night away at PrideFest, there’s something for everyone to uplift and celebrate Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community.
1. Milwaukee Film Pride Month Series
ALL MONTH | ORIENTAL THEATRE
Milwaukee Film curated a program of campy, fun, queer films to watch all month long. The “Queerious“ series comprises films that fit into the category of “Historians Would Say They Were Roommates or Good Friends,” including The Color Purple, Challengers, Rope, and Johnny Guitar. And the Summer Camp 2 series features campy classics like But I’m a Cheerleader, She’s the He, Victor/Victoria, and Burlesque. Plus, of course, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring Milwaukee’s Sensual Daydreams cast performing live alongside the film, screening June 13.
2. Pop Pride: In Full Color
JUNE 1-7 | POP WALKER’S POINT
Pop in Walker’s Point has a full slate of events to kick off Pride Month, including bingo, a “Drag Race” watch party, plenty of DJs and a bunch of drag shows, including a day full of performances on June 7 alongside the Pride Parade. See the full lineup here.
RELATED READS: YOUR GUIDE TO THIS YEAR’S PRIDEFEST
3. Queer Oasis with Lou’s Moms
JUNE 4 FROM 4-7 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
Local DJ duo Lou’s Moms — self-described as having “fantastically omnivorous musical taste” — are spinning tunes to “make your heart swoon” in a celebration of queer community at Cactus Club. This event is free to attend.
4. PrideFest
JUNE 4-6 | HENRY MAIER FESTIVAL PARK
There’s something for everyone at Milwaukee’s annual PrideFest. Whether you want to kick back and relax by the lakefront, shop around local LGBTQ+ vendors, or dance the night away with DJs and drag performances, there’s much packed into the lineup this year.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
5. Ride With Pride
JUNE 6 AT 10 A.M. | DAVIDSON PARK
The world’s largest Pride motorcycle ride is back! It’ll begin at Davidson Park, and the police-escorted ride will go throughout Milwaukee and end at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Everyone who registers will receive a commemorative poker chip, and patches will be available for purchase. Register in person or online here.
6. Drag Queen Story Hour
JUNE 6 FROM 10:30-11:30 A.M. | COLECTIVO PROSPECT CAFE
Stop by Colectivo’s Prospect Cafe for a drag queen story hour to celebrate Pride with the little ones! And while you’re there, you can grab one of their Pride watercolor cookies, too.
7. Milwaukee Pride Parade
JUNE 7 AT 2 P.M. | SECOND STREET IN WALKER’S POINT
With the theme “Together We Are Pride,” the Milwaukee Pride Parade is back for its 22nd year. The first Pride parade in Milwaukee was a political protest. Today, thousands of folks come together for the parade to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
8. Pride Parade Watch Party & Flea Market
JUNE 7 FROM NOON-5 P.M. | POMEROY
Get a prime seat for watching the Pride Parade and shop vintage clothing, get a flash tattoo, and sip a cold drink at Pomeroy’s watch party, located right along the parade route.
9. Flour Girl and Flame Pop-Up
JUNE 7 AT 6 P.M. | ESTEREV
Raising money for the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, LGBTQ+-owned Flour Girl and Flame will be whipping up pizzas at EsterEv in Bay View after the Pride Parade until they sell out.
10. Pride Parade Queer Afterparty
JUNE 7 AT 7 P.M. | THE COOPERAGE
Venus Social Club and Pole Factory are teaming up to keep the party going after the Pride Parade. Inside, dance the night away to a lineup of DJs. Outside, watch a show from Pole Factory’s Sapphic Sirens, shop LGBTQ+ vendors, get a tattoo, enjoy a featured drink, or participate in the arm wrestling competitions. The event is for ages 21+, and tickets are available online here.
11. The Sapphic Butchlorette
JUNE 12 AT 10:30 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
Ever wondered what it’d be like to see a sapphic version of “The Bachelorette”? Well, this is exactly that. Live at Cactus Club, eight contestants will compete for local tattoo artist Syd Lange’s love. Dress formal/semi-formal and be ready to dance the night away at the afterparty with DJ Mya Goetsch and DJ Femme Noir on the music. Get tickets here.
12. Brewers Pride Night
JUNE 12 AT 6:40 P.M. | AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
From an LGBTQ+ makers market to the national anthem sung by singer/songwriter and sister duo REYNA, the Brewers are hosting a night of celebration for Pride. They’re playing the Philadelphia Phillies. Get tickets here.
13. Read With Pride Romance Book Fair
JUNE 13 FROM 10 A.M.-3 P.M. | BAIRD CENTER
If you grew up on the Scholastic Book Fair, this event is for you. The Well Red Damsel is bringing over 25 romance authors together – along with vendors including The Fruity Studio, Geeky Elves, and Good Stick Co. – for a day celebrating LGBTQ+ love stories. Admission is free, but the event is taking donations on-site for Courage+.
14. Sapphics in the Sun: Picnic
JUNE 13 FROM 1-4 P.M. | LAKE PARK
Milwaukee’s lesbian and sapphic events group CHOSEN is hosting a picnic at Lake Park. It’ll have yard games and music, and it’s bring-your-own snacks, chairs and blankets. RSVP here.
15. Midtown Pride
JUNE 13 FROM 3-7 P.M. | JOY ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Celebrate Pride in Tosa at Joy Ice Cream Social, with family and dance yoga, face painting, DIY tie-dye bandanas, a dunk tank, live music from Billy Goat Rodeo, and food trucks Heirloom and Tots on the Street.
16. Queer Karaoke
JUNE 17 AT 7 P.M. | CACTUS CLUB
The third Wednesday of every month, Cactus Club hosts Queer Karaoke – and, of course, Pride Month is no exception. Sing your heart out and hang out – if you liked it, you can go back the next month.
17. Born This Slay Drag Show
JUNE 17 AT 6:30 P.M. | CAFE CENTRAAL
“Don’t be a drag, just be a queen” at Cafe Centraal at this drag show featuring queens Roxy Toxin, Aubrey del Mar, Blythe, Ayesha Voodoo, and Jezebel Diamond St. Klare. Tickets are available here.
18. Pride Party
JUNE 18 FROM 4-7 P.M. | PRITZLAFF BUILDING COURTYARD
Milwaukee Airwaves and LGBTQ+- and woman-owned Miss Ruby Bridal Boutique are teaming up to bring a Pride party to the Pritzlaff Building. Expect a photo booth, Chase My Creations clothing, and food trucks, including Tots on the Street, Cocina Filipina, Paleteria Yayo and more.
19. Queer Book Club
JUNE 24 AT 6 P.M. | THIRST BOOKS
Thirst Books’ Queer Book Club is aptly having its first meeting during Pride Month. They’ll be reading a spicy sapphic alien romance by Emma Elizabeth. RSVP for free here.
20. Thrift & Sips: Pride Owned Edition
JUNE 27 FROM 11 A.M.-4 P.M. | STYLE POP CAFE
Shop local LGBTQ+-owned thrift and vintage shops and sip a bit of coffee at Style Pop Cafe’s Pride event. There will be lots of clothes, accessories and home decor to browse.
21. Sapphic Paint & Sip
JUNE 27 AT 6:30 P.M. | VIBEZ CREATIVE ART SPACE
CHOSEN is partnering with Vibez Creative Art Space for an evening of sapphic community and art. Tickets include a drink and painting supplies – and plenty of fun to be had. Get tickets here.
See surveillance footage of slapping incident at Riverside High School
Demitrios Visvardis, a former paraprofessional, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for slapping Shrone Dunn, an 18-year-old with cerebal palsy.
Courtesy of Milwaukee Police Department
When family members of a special education student voiced displeasure with a deferred plea agreement for former MPS paraprofessional Demitrios Visvardis in February, they were told it was fair given his lack of prior offenses.
Visvardis was charged with battery four months earlier in connection with an incident involving Shrone Dunn, 18, of Riverside High School.
“This ain’t nothing but a slap on the wrist,” Tyrone Dunn, Shrone’s father, said during the plea hearing. “We’re looking for justice.”
Milwaukee County Judge David Borowski assured Dunn of District Attorney Erin Karshen’s ability to fully prosecute based on what was known.
But records obtained by the Journal Sentinel through an open records request raise questions about Visvardis’s history, and how much was known before the plea deal was reached.
Visvardis has no prior criminal record, but documents in his personnel file at Milwaukee Public Schools reference a 2024 accusation that he struck a special education student.
In a December 2025 letter filed after a disciplinary hearing, MPS hearing officer Natalie Fluker said the November 2025 incident involving Shrone Dunn was “the second time in a year that [Visvardis has] been accused of slapping a vulnerable student.”
The letter references findings made by hearing officer Gary Johnson during disciplinary proceedings related to the 2024 incident.
Earlier incident also involved slapping
According to the December letter, another Riverside High School staff member expressed concern to Principal Jeff Lasky after witnessing Visvardis slap an intellectually disabled student on October 10, 2024. As with the incident involving Dunn, review of security footage confirmed the allegations.
Visvardis physically kept the student on a vent near an exit on the first floor of the school building despite the student’s multiple attempts to get up, according to the letter. Describing the footage, Johnson wrote, “The student appears to scream and you turn and slap him on the face. You then exit the hallway.”
Visvardis apologized for the incident, stating it was the worst thing he’d ever done.
Milwaukee Public Schools failed to report prior incident
According to the MPS employee handbook, the district generally follows a progressive discipline model that depends on the behavior and frequency of occurrences.
Johnson found the first incident to be “especially egregious, considering the unnecessary and excessive force” used on Student A and recommended a departure from the progressive discipline model. The departure meant Visvardis would be issued a three-day unpaid suspension and required enrollment in a course in nonviolent crisis intervention.
The school district did not directly respond to questions from the Journal Sentinel about whether the police were notified of the incident in 2024. It also declined to say whether Student A’s parents were informed or what steps were taken to protect the student following the incident.
“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” Stephen Davis, a media relations manager at Milwaukee Public Schools, told the Journal Sentinel in an emailed statement. “We cannot discuss the details of any personnel matter, and the current administration would not be able to speak about how a prior case was addressed in 2024.”
But according to Milwaukee Police Department records, no report associated with Visvardis exists since January 2021 beyond the report on his arrest on November 13, 2025. That’s the day after Riverside cameras captured footage of Visvardis slapping Dunn “with an open hand to the left side of face,” according to police records.
Review hearing scheduled for this week
Visvardis is due back in court on Thursday, June 4.
According to the deferred prosecution agreement obtained by the Journal Sentinel, he will be eligible to seek employment in a “school, group home or any other place of employment where he would interact with other vulnerable people” this month, given successful completion of an anger management treatment program.
Meanwhile, the Dunn Family has filed a lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Board of School Directors, and Visvardis.
April Quevedo covers Metcalfe Park for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: aquevedo@usatodayco.com.
Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Journal Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: “JS Community Journalism”) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689.
The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association, and EnMotive, a subsidiary of USA TODAY Co.
MILWAUKEE — This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which created the United States of America.
In honor of that milestone, the Milwaukee County Historical Society is launching a new exhibit, “We the People: Milwaukee Stories of Immigration, Citizenship, and Community,” on June 12.
“This is the perfect opportunity to maybe tell a story that isn’t always told,” said Ben Barbera, executive director and president of the Milwaukee County Historical Society. “We can’t necessarily talk about the founding fathers. There weren’t many Revolutionary War battles here. But we can tell a story that is essential to the country.”
That story showcases the real people who came from all over the world for a better life — people who, over time, helped shape the country into what it is today.
The story starts with those who were here first.
“The Indigenous populations of Wisconsin, because without them being pushed out and forced out, we wouldn’t have immigration come to this space,” said Olivia Hoff, community programs manager for the Milwaukee County Historical Society.
The exhibit features photos and artifacts dating back centuries.
“This is a sewing kit that was made from clothing that was worn by people who came here from England,” said Janean VanBeckum, curator of the exhibit. “They were Puritans being persecuted. They came in, settled on the East Coast, and then their family moved here.”
Families from Germany, Poland, Italy and Ireland followed. Decades later, there was a surge of immigrants from Latin America, Asia and parts of Africa.
“When you start the exhibit, you get an identification card of an immigrant,” said VanBeckum. “It’s based on real immigrants, but not any particular person, and you can go around and choose your own adventure to kind of see what happens to your immigrant’s life as they move through the process of coming here and either becoming a citizen or not becoming a citizen.”
The experience includes audio recordings from people who immigrated to Milwaukee and their children.
“This is the humanistic story,” said Hoff. “It really generates empathy too because you are hearing it from the people themselves.”
The exhibit also highlights people who came to the Milwaukee area from within the United States. A major part of Milwaukee’s history is the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the Midwest in the mid-20th century. That history is documented in “We the People.”
Overall, the team at the Milwaukee County Historical Society hopes the new exhibit reminds people of their similarities and shared home as the nation turns 250.
“People can realize that everyone has a similar scope of their life and that we all may be struggling to fight some of the same battles, and that by working together, creating a civic discourse, we can be less divided.”
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