As Black History Month unfolds, it’s not just a time for celebration — it's also time to step up and support our community, right here in Milwaukee! At Miss Ruby Bridal, we recognize the importance of uplifting and empowering Black voices and initiatives across our city and state. An impactful way for us to honor the rich history of Black heritage and resilience is by directing resources towards organizations at the forefront of advocacy, empowerment, and upliftment of the community. That's why we're diving into this guide—sharing some local organizations doing incredible work for progress and equality. From civil rights to culture, there are a vast array of initiatives tirelessly working toward a better future. Let's shine a light on these groups and show our support this Black History Month and beyond!
Standard of Excellence & Training Center, LLC is an Educational Service Agency passionately dedicated to empowering parents, caregivers, and students. Their mission is to support those who assist children, teenagers, and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. They offer a welcoming and relaxed environment, ensuring the comfort of both students and parents. Their approach to education is interactive and enjoyable, removing the notion of learning as a chore and replacing it with a fun, engaging experience. They are committed to fostering a deep desire in their students to provide exceptional care.
AALAM is a nonprofit, cross-sector network of African American leaders and allies dedicated to developing, supporting, and positioning Milwaukee’s pool of African American talent. They use a system-wide approach to improve racial equity in Milwaukee through intentional actions that expand, support, and sustain African American leadership in all economic sectors and levels of our community.
UWM CASE (Centers for Advocacy and Student Engagement), is a collective effort to educate, connect resources and develop programming that advocates for all students in order to impact change at structural, institutional, and systemic levels.
The members of CASE include the Inclusive Excellence Center (IEC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Resource Center (LGBTQ+RC), Military and Veteran’s Resource Center (MAVRC), and the Women’s Resources Center (WRC). Each of these Centers serve students by creating spaces, programs and resources that support each student’s journey through UWM.
The Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum located on the corners of North 27 and West Center Streets and is based on the premise that a people who know their history will grow to love and appreciate themselves more. The Society is striving to create a bright future out of a heart breaking past. Their mission is to document and preserve the historical heritage of African descent in Wisconsin. The Museum exhibits, collects and disseminates materials depicting this heritage. Serving as a resource center for all people interested in Wisconsin’s rich African American heritage, the Museum seeks to encourage and promote family community and cultural activities.
ALIVE helps students prepare for independence in both their personal and work lives by providing on-site training as well as community integrated vocational experiences. Through relationships with local businesses and organizations, ALIVE provides students with opportunities to work and gain on-site experience. These opportunities expand students’ experiences and provide the business community with positive experiences interacting with skilled, young talent. Their programs and projects revolve around responsibility, mentoring, art, and education. ALIVE’s mission is to inspire passionate people to pursue their purpose!
Diverse & Resilient sees a future in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Wisconsin thrive, living healthy, satisfying lives in safe, supportive communities. They place focus on anti-violence, cultivating leaders, sexual health, and substance abuse. Their mission is to achieve health equity and improve the safety and well-being of LGBTQ people and communities in Wisconsin.Â
The African-American Roundtable (AART) is an assembly of partners led by and serving Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Black community. AART exists to empower and organize the Milwaukee community to transform policies so that Black people can thrive and live at their greatest potential. AART seeks to organize, nurture, and transform Black leaders to build power in service of Black liberation and to be a joyful, political home for Black people to thrive in liberated, interconnected communities.
Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) is a Black and Brown-led independent nonprofit. They organize young people to build independent political power for social, racial, and economic justice. They engage in values-based issues and electoral organizing, direct action, public policy advocacy, and leadership development. LIT is seeking to develop the next wave of leaders, activists, and organizers through robust, year-round programming. This includes organizing inside local Milwaukee schools and on college campuses across the region, building powerful chapters to ensure institutions of learning are meeting the needs of students. They aim to build a political power that is controlled by young people of color!
The mission of Sherman Phoenix is to revitalize and uplift Milwaukee’s community of color through cultural celebration, entrepreneurship support, and wellness resources. They are a state-of-the-art space for small businesses of color. It is a popular place to eat, shop, practice self-care, or attend a cultural or entrepreneurial-focused event. They serve over 100 people daily and have been home to nearly 50 businesses since opening. Sherman Phoenix is a powerful economic hub that lifts Black-owned businesses, embraces talent and innovation, and embodies an inclusive spirit. They are home to over 25 businesses, of which people of color own 96%, and 63% are women-led. In addition to those businesses, Sherman Phoenix supports over 50 local entrepreneurs by offering a monthly pop-up marketplace to showcase their services, merchandise and culinary items.