Milwaukee, WI

Why Black Women in Milwaukee See Hope in Kamala Harris – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2024

Press Room

Why Black Women in Milwaukee See Hope in Kamala Harris – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

Black women across generations in Milwaukee are galvanizing for Kamala Harris for a variety of reasons.

By Princess Safiya Byers
Clara Lebron
and Chesnie Wardell

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.

Nationally, Black women are mobilizing to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president of the United States in the upcoming election.
Many say they support Harris because they perceive the Democratic nominee as a candidate who understands them and will advocate for racial and gender equality for women of color.

Such support became evident in July when 44,000 Black women joined one Zoom call to support Harris’ newly launched presidential campaign, raising more than $1.5 million for the campaign, according to published reports.

Harris is expected to campaign in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Here is what Black women mobilizing for Harris looks like in Milwaukee.

A renewed interest

For some, Harris entering the presidential race was a turning point.

Dana Kelley has been reinvigorated by Kamala Harris’ run for the presidency. (Photo provided by Dana Kelley)

Dana Kelley, who formerly worked for Citizen Action of Wisconsin and ran for the Milwaukee Public school board, said politics had drained her, so when it came to the presidential election, she was uninterested.

“After being so invested in politics, I had no investment in this race,” Kelley said. “But seeing a Black woman running in this moment feels necessary, like a cultural reset or the country.”

Organizing for Harris

Ald. Sharlen Moore sees this as a historic election. (Photo provided by Sharlen Moore)

Some women, like Ald. Sharlen Moore, are using their community organizing experience and personal networks to reach voters.

Moore has been getting the vote out by having intentional conversations with community members, particularly about early voting.

Mia Moore, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee political science student, believes that the voices of young voters matter. (Photo provided by Matthew Moore)

Mia Moore, 18, a political science student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has been using social media platforms to share and repost content about voter registration.

Her goal is to reach the younger generation, so individuals like her friends can register for the first time.

She said this election is important to her because she believes racial justice, having basic health care for lower socioeconomic classes and basic rights are at stake.

Teresa Thomas-Boyd, pastor of Matters of the Heart Christian Ministries, plans to encourage early voting for the upcoming election. (Photo provided by Kalida Williams

Teresa Thomas-Boyd, pastor of Matters of the Heart Christian Ministries and a consultant for faith and community organizations, has been organizing community rallies and faith-based events to bring together advocates, leaders and elected officials for conversations.

Thomas- Boyd, 67, also does tabling events to tell residents about the importance of voting. Tabling is a common practice to provide information and answer questions at community events.

She said she believes people’s everyday lives are at stake as a result of issues like the elimination of education funding, lack of employment opportunities and a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body without government interference.

“Harris brings light and hope to a country that has been in disarray,” said Thomas-Boyd, who passed out voting information at the annual Harvest Day hosted by Walnut Way Conservation Corp. in September.

Cree Howard, a senior at Marquette University, has been sharing information on voting. (Photo by Clara Lebron)

Cree Howard, 21, a senior at Marquette University, studying criminology and sociology, has been tabling for voting organizations. Howard provides assistance to potential voters who might be unsure of who to vote for or even if they are voting.

“I have all the information from all the candidates and I give it to people to make sure they are informed,” she said.

Howard is also a member of Harris’ sorority – Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., the nation’s oldest Black sorority. Harris has been a member of the organization since the 1980s, joining the international group’s original chapter at her alma mater, Howard University.

Cultural and historic resonance

For some Black women in Milwaukee, Harris’ rise will help bring attention to Black women’s ongoing struggle for racial and gender equality, especially when it comes to closing the pay equity gap.

They also believe Harris’ position, as the potential first Black woman and woman of color to be elected president, offers an opportunity for Black women to envision themselves in spaces of leadership and power that traditionally were off limits to them.

“To have the first Black woman is historical because she is a woman that is more qualified to hold the position of our highest office,” Sharlen Moore said.

Mia Moore appreciates that she can see someone representing her.

“I think seeing a Black woman that looks like me in this position is powerful and inspiring because it’s usually white men holding power,” she said.

Howard understands that feeling.

“I’m watching a Black woman on the screen running for president,” she said. “ If that ([Harris getting elected) happens, I’d have a woman in office that is a part of the same communities and groups as me. There are certain things that only AKAs do and knowing she has gone through those same processes truly makes me feel like everything will be better.”

A sense of hope

Some Black women think Harris becoming president brings them an overall sense of calm.

Kelley said Harris’ run for the presidency is a sigh of relief.

“Everything about her race is rejuvenating and graceful,” Kelley said. “Even if she doesn’t win, having the platform she has and displaying the integrity she has means something.”

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

Snow to accumulate 1 inch per hour into the evening across Milwaukee area

Published

8 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Snow to accumulate 1 inch per hour into the evening across Milwaukee area

The season’s first major snowfall is sweeping through southeastern Wisconsin, with moderate to heavy snow expected to continue into the evening.

In the Milwaukee area, moderate to heavy snowfall is expected until about 9 p.m. with about one inch of snow accumulating per hour, NWS Meteorologist Mark Gehring told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Lighter snow will continue all night, but forecasts do not show significant accumulations after 9 p.m.

“We’re in the heart of the storm right now,” Gehring said.

Gehring cautioned that current snow conditions are reducing visibility causing difficult travel conditions.

As of around 1 p.m., Nov. 29, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office has received 25 calls related to incidents on the freeways including: 17 accidents with property damage only; one accident with injuries; four disabled vehicles; two disabled vehicle spinouts; and one instance of debris on the road.

On top of moderate and heavy snowfall, winds have been increasing off of Lake Michigan, so there may be drifting snow near the lake.

Wisconsin weather radar

What to do in a winter storm

During winter storms, NWS advises staying inside, stocking up on food and water, and charging essential devices in case of power outages. If your heat goes out, NWS says you should:

Close off unneeded rooms.
Place towels or rags in cracks under doors.
Close blinds or curtains.
Eat and drink to provide your body with energy.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing.

If you are without shelter, you can visit the 211 Wisconsin website or call 211 to locate nearby warming services.

NWS also advises against driving during a storm, as conditions can create dangerous driving conditions. For live updates on road conditions and accidents in Wisconsin, you can check out the 511 Wisconsin map.

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

December Gardening in Milwaukee: It’s Time to Retreat Inward

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

December Gardening in Milwaukee: It’s Time to Retreat Inward

December 21, the shortest day of the year. I’m no physicist, but if Einstein had studied gardeners, he would have discovered his theory of relativity more quickly because of how time stretches or contracts while we are digging in the dirt. The relativity of gardening time was reinforced for me by a recent article, “How Pottering About in the Garden Creates a Time Warp”, by Harriet Gross. My theory is a bit more granular: I have experienced time at slower, faster and at a stand-still pace when gardening.

Spring is a frenetic dash between cloud bursts, planting between normal work/life responsibilities. In June I hold my breath and surveil my green queendom but with grubby clothes and a trowel, rather than an ermine cape and scepter. July is a sprint to have fun, manage the trellising and harvesting while hosting deck dates. August time fluctuates nervously while I consider fall planting or do nothing except eat greens to sloooowwww time down before fall’s frenzy. September and October are pinched days for plotting and squeezing in as many seeds, plants and bulbs as possible while trying to outrun our shifty weather.

Join us for an afternoon of inspiration and fellowship as we honor six incredible women leading Milwaukee forward in the spirit of our longtime publisher, Betty Quadracci.

Cute pots and succulents. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

You might be surprised to know that, until recently, I was afraid of indoor plants. I drowned my first one when I was 13. When folks would give me an occasional orchid I would ask: What do you have against that plant? That all changed a few years ago when my pal Shawn gave me a cute succulent inside an even cuter pot. Succulents prefer my watering neglect, so we’re a match. I have added to my indoor pot empire by visiting Urban Sense on Vliet Street. I do currently have an orchid gifted by my other pal Katie in the living room—let’s see if I can bring it back to life once it loses all its delicate white tiger-teeth flowers.

My biggest takeaway is that, like gardening outside, nature knows how to take care of herself.

Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

My sweet pots remind me that this is the time of year to consider garden gifts for family, friends or you. I’ll mention again the green clippers I got at GoodLand Home and Goods on Downer Avenue. To shake your mopey gardener awake, look for some great reading suggestions at the Wild Ones’ online bookshop, where you’ll find my current favorites Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger and How Can I Help by Doug Tallamy.

Joe Gardener mentions 17 books (plus a few extras) in his podcast episode #440. Of note for me is Sarah F. Jayne’s Nature’s Action Guide, that expands the various steps we can all take to make our landscapes more human and creature-friendly, and Plant Sapiens: Unmasking Plant Intelligence by Paco Calvo with Natalie Lawrence. If your local bookstore doesn’t have these in stock, have them order it for you. Just as we feed our local soil, let’s feed our local businesses too.

How about supporting the groups that are fighting the good fight for the earth and its inhabitants? Consider buying memberships or donating in your gardening friend’s name to a range of green-supporting groups like the Wild Ones, the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, and the National Wildlife Federation, which sponsors a Wildlife Habitat Certification program. This year I’ve donated to the National Park Federation, and the American Bird Conservancy, to protect our spaces and species at risk.

Clear vases waiting for 2026’s flowers beneath painting by Doug Holst from Marilu Knode’s Wauwatosa home. Photo by Kevin J. Miyazaki

When I was 20, I signed up for my college’s exchange program in France. Since I only had about 36 days of class (by my estimation), I learned how to read train timetables and find cheap youth hostels to launch myself into the world of art history (the gardening part would come much later).

On winter solstice that year, I found myself in front of an enormous astronomical clock inside the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg. A lightbulb went on: rather than fuss about winter, I would celebrate the shortest day of the year instead. Those few extra seconds of sunlight beginning December 22 are invisible since the winter sky is clotted with cotton batting clouds, but I take comfort knowing that they are there.

Under the watchful eye of Persephone, let’s all celebrate the solstice, December 21^st, 2025. Host an outdoor party with hot mulled wine, roast marshmallows over a cracklin’ good fire and burn some diseased plants that can’t go into the compost. Then head back inside and count green beans while you dream about the year to come.

It’s been a good garden year despite the weather whiplash we experienced, and I look forward to sharing more green joy with you in 2026!

A Few Gardening Resources

More Places to Give

Education

Joe Gardener is a prolific sharer of information, try his website, podcasts and videos for any and all things garden.
Read the Old Farmer’s Almanac—now the Almanac because, ahem, we’re not that old, right? —for gardening tips, a free guide on how to start a garden, plus weather predictions, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, a veritable buffet of the things that interest gardeners.
University of Wisconsin Horticulture, Division of Extension has online garden programs to help you make it through winter
Want to help your neighbors get cost effective native seeds for their own gardens? Host a Winter Sowing Party! Check out the Homegrown National Park’s story on Liz Myers-Chamberlin, who helped sow the seeds of native perennials with her neighbors, and download the free party instructions for your own winter wonderland of seeds.

Native Nurseries In Wisconsin

Sustainable Garden Information

National Wildlife Federation: How to create and certify gardens for wildlife
Wild Ones Milwaukee: Download the Wild Ones’ landscape design specific to Milwaukee by landscape architect Danielle Bell of Native Roots, Milwaukee. This template describes all the ecosystems that can exist in one yard, and gives you a plant list to start your native plant journey
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District, in partnership with Fresh Coast Guardians, provides resources and references for anyone wanting to help protect our waterways, create a livelier landscape and entertain the bees, bugs and other creatures that co-evolved in our region. Download their natural landscaping plan here
See the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for information on conservation and protection of species and their habitats. I’ve gotten the names of a few rare native species from this list!

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Best Milwaukee Black Friday Deals at Walmart Start: 65% Off Power Tools

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Best Milwaukee Black Friday Deals at Walmart Start: 65% Off Power Tools

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Walmart’s Black Friday Event just dropped a fresh wave of Milwaukee tool deals, and the savings are some of the strongest we’ve seen outside of the holiday season. Whether you’re upgrading worn-out batteries or investing in pro-level power tools, the markdowns on Milwaukee’s most popular M18 lineup—including kits, high-output batteries, and jobsite must-haves. Our favorite deal is the Milwaukee M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Battery Starter Kit for just $129 (was $397!), which includes two 5.0Ah batteries and an M18/M12 charger for less than the cost of a single battery at full price.

These early deals make it easy to stock up before winter projects kick off or holiday gift lists start piling up. From high-capacity FORGE batteries to a versatile 2-tool combo kit packed with torque and runtime, Walmart is serving up big-name Milwaukee gear at true Black Friday pricing, weeks ahead of schedule.

Now $129 (was $397)

Milwaukee M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Battery Starter Kit

See It

Photo: Walmart

This bundle includes two XC5.0 batteries and an M18/M12 charger, giving you a reliable power source for nearly any Milwaukee tool in your lineup. At $129, it’s an exceptional value, especially considering the batteries alone usually cost far more than this kit.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3 Inch Compact Cut Off Tool

Photo: Walmart

Precise, powerful, and easy to handle. This Milwaukee M12 tool slices through tile, PVC, and sheet metal with a reversible blade and adjustable guard for control and safety on the job or for DIY projects.

Milwaukee Shockwave 45-Piece Impact Duty Bit Set

Photo: Walmart

This bit set includes precision-machined bits built to withstand the torque of impact drivers. It’s durable storage case keeps every piece organized and job-ready.