Learning about the state we serve
We are super excited to be looking forward to the Wisconsin Idea Seminar’s BAY TOUR (May 16-20, 2022). The pandemic brought our bus journeys to a screeching halt, a hiatus that lasted two years. It was the first time since its inception in 1985 that the Wisconsin Idea Seminar bus did not make its annual …
Dispatches from Our Own Wisconsin: Al Castro of the United Community Center Al Castro is the Director of Health Research Programs at the United Community Center, a nonprofit Latino community organization in Milwaukee. With an extensive background in social work, Al combines public health issues in his work at UCC, facilitating community-engaged health research in the …
Adija Greer-Smith, owner of Confectionately Yours at the Sherman Phoenix in Milwaukee, has been making 500 to 600 cookies a week since March to give away to hospitals, dialysis centers, testing labs, funeral homes, and fire departments in Milwaukee. In 2019, the Wisconsin Idea Seminar visited the Sherman Phoenix and heard from Adija, among others, about how …
Alice’s Garden, an urban oasis in Milwaukee that the Wisconsin Idea Seminar visited in 2019, opened a few weeks early so that it could provide a “living labyrinth” for people to walk an intentional path and reflect inwardly. Venice Williams, executive director of Alice’s Garden, is leading some of the pre-scheduled walks through the healing …
Dispatches from Our Own Wisconsin: Caitlin Cullen of Tandem Restaurant Caitlin Cullen is the chef and owner of the Tandem restaurant in Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights. Since 2016, she has been using her restaurant to train young people on Milwaukee’s north side for careers in the service industry. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, her restaurant was …
Venice Williams, executive director of urban oasis Alice’s Garden in Milwaukee, was recently highlighted as one of Natalie’s everyday heroes. In May of 2019, the Wisconsin Idea Seminar visited the garden and heard from Williams about her work connecting the community through gardening; nurturing relationships, creating herb bundles, facilitating fun programs, and planning for more …
Adija Greer-Smith, owner of Confectionately Yours at the Sherman Phoenix shared the origins of her business with the 2019 Wisconsin Idea Seminar. Learn more from her interview with The Shepherd Express.
The Wisconsin Idea Seminar’s 2019 River Tour was five days packed full with so much learning about Wisconsin life. Rivers provided our narrative frame as we discussed and experienced the cultural, educational, industrial, social, and political realities of the state. Our bus traveled from places like Milwaukee’s Sherman Phoenix, a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs of color, …
Adam Carr, a self-described Milwaukeeist, works at the intersection of community and communication. Carr joined hands with the Wisconsin Idea Seminar team to craft a special tour of Milwaukee’s Fond du Lac Avenue. Adam shares insight with us about his hometown, the book he created, what it’s like to lead bus tours, and the Wisconsin …
The 2018 Wisconsin Idea Seminar is slated to take a trip to the regional Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute to learn about Milwaukee-based community leaders and Latino and African American families who are partnering around the creation of dementia friendly communities and care in Wisconsin. While visiting, participates can look forward to hearing …