Milwaukee, WI
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.”
Division-leading Brewers aim to avoid series sweep against Skenes and the Pirates
Having won two of their last three series, the Pittsburgh Pirates return home to PNC Park on Sunday afternoon for a matinee matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers in search of a third straight victory and their first series sweep since May in the final game before the All-Star Break. The Brewers are 23 games over .500 as the season hits the mid-Summer Classic, but are in danger of being swept for the first time since April during their season-longest six-game losing skid. Milwaukee will send left-hander Robert Gasser (2-3, 4.15 ERA) to the mound in search of his third win in his last four starts, while the Pirates will counter with three-time All-Star Paul Skenes, who is looking for just his second win since mid-May.
How to Watch Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates:
Date: July 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates
Location: PNC Park
Live Stream the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start watching now!
Skenes (7-8, 3.58 ERA), now in his third season in the majors, has struggled to replicate the success he had in his first two seasons, where he took home NL Rookie of the Year Award followed by the NL Cy Young Award the following year, having posted just one victory in his last 10 starts. The 24-year-old right-hander had his worst outing of the season on July 1 when he gave up seven earned runs, including a pair of home runs, in just four innings as part of a 10-6 loss to the Phillies.
Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers leads the team with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs this season, both marking career highs for the 30-year-old journeyman. Bauers broke into the majors in 2018 with Tampa Bay, but had bounced around the league playing in Cleveland, Seattle, and with the Yankees before landing the everyday job with Milwaukee in 2024, helping the Brewers make consecutive playoff appearances.
What time is Brewers vs Pirates?
Coverage of the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game starts Sunday, July 12, at 12:00 p.m ET. Tune in to see if the Brewers can avoid the series sweep or if Skenes can find his form and lead the Pirates to the home win.
What channel is the Brewers vs Pirates game on?
Looking to watch the game? Subscribers can tune to MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates to catch the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup at home or on the go with the Fubo TV app.
Watch the Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start watching now!
Regional restrictions may apply.
WEST ALLIS, Wis.– IndyCar racers test-drive at the Milwaukee Mile ahead of the August doubleheader.
The IndyCar Series has back-to-back races at the track on August 29 and August 30.
Racers had the rare opportunity to practice laps in West Allis on Wednesday, July 8.
“It’s a tough place; it’s a very tough course,” said four-time IndyCar series champion Álex Palou. “I feel like every time I come here, the car and the driving feels very different.”
Palou currently leads the 2026 IndyCar Series in points and will race the Milwaukee Mile next month.
“It just makes everything super close, especially being the second to last event of the year and having two races ” said Palou. “If you have a good weekend, it’s great, but if you don’t, you can be crying after it.”
The IndyCar Series consists of 18 races across the United States and Canada.
Milwaukee is the only doubleheader race on the schedule, making the event worth double the points and potentially swinging the series championship leaderboard.
“It’s one of those tracks that you need a car that gives you a lot of confidence, but you need to have confidence in this place as well.”
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden is eager to get back on the Milwaukee Mile.
“It’s the most historic racetrack that you’ll find in North America, and it’s very historic when you think of IndyCar,” said Newgarden. “I’ve always wanted to be back here.”
According to the Wisconsin State Fair website, the Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world.
The first automobile race was held there in 1903 on a dirt track. Cars similar to IndyCars first competed on the West Allis track in 1933.
“I love this market,” said Newgarden. “I think Milwaukee’s a great place to race and we’ve got a good fan base here.”
The IndyCar Series raced at the Milwaukee Mile annually from 2004 to 2015. The track did not host the series from 2016 through 2023. IndyCar returned in 2024 and has raced there each year since.
The Milwaukee Mile will host the IndyCar Series for the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday, August 29, and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday, August 30.
Milwaukee has officially joined the Global Swimmable Cities Alliance, aligning with other Great Lakes communities like Sheboygan and Ottawa in a growing movement to make urban waterways safer for recreation.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn joined WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman on The Upswing to discuss what that means for the city. With a background in environmental science and experience working with both the City of New York and the U.S. Forest Service, Nenn says joining the alliance builds on years of water quality progress – while also creating accountability through a clear action plan.
Efforts are already underway to improve both safety and accessibility. Nenn says Milwaukee Riverkeeper is pursuing grants to install more safety ladders along lower piers throughout the river system, ensuring that anyone who ends up in the water has a way to get out. At the same time, the organization is working with the city and local businesses to green riverfront areas, creating healthier habitats for wildlife and improving the overall ecosystem.
Nenn emphasized that becoming a swimmable city is a community effort. Residents can play a role by picking up trash along beaches and rivers, keeping streets and storm drains clean, and reducing plastic use.
The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.
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