We're excited to share our 2026-2028 Strategic Plan! Check out this video to learn more about our strategic plan journey and our vision for the next three years. Read the full report here: https://aartmke.org/strategic-plan.

AART is hiring! We're seeking a passionate, responsible, and relationship-driven Youth Leadership Organizer to help grow and develop the next generation of Black leaders in Milwaukee. Learn more and apply here: https://aartmke.org/work-with-us.

The #FeedtheChangeMKE campaign is starting strong with a Month of Action in June! Join AART and our neighbors to spread the word on doors, grab some free campaign swag and healthy snacks at Juneteenth, and gather virtually on June 25 to learn what this campaign is. https://bit.ly/NWSCampaignActions

A new Milwaukee County report shows suicides among Black residents, men, older adults, and firearm-related deaths all rose after the COVID-19 pandemic. Sylvester Jackson runs Believers for Change, a Milwaukee-based organization helping people facing trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles.

Throughout the city’s history, women have shaped Milwaukee in ways seen and unseen. Hear from the Black women who shaped Milwaukee’s arts scene for a generation — many without the recognition locally that they’ve received nationally.

The inaugural BLK Girl Fest is coming to Milwaukee Saturday, July 25 at the Baird Center. Its mission is to create a space where Black women can connect, express their individuality and foster community. The one-day event is presented by Milwaukee nonprofit Black Girl Space.

Lucille Berrien, the first Black woman to run for mayor of Milwaukee, has died. A longtime community leader, political organizer, and family matriarch, Berrien passed away on May 22 surrounded by family.

Happy #PrideMonth! 🌈 We celebrate and uplift LGBTQIA+ communities — especially Black queer and trans people whose leadership, creativity and courage continue to shape movements for justice and liberation.

Black lives matter today, tomorrow and always. ✊🏾🖤 This month, we honor the power of Black communities while continuing the work toward justice, liberation and collective care. Our fight doesn’t end when the headlines fade — it lives in our organizing, our healing, our joy and our solidarity.

Three days until we launch something bigger than a campaign — a movement for food justice, dignity and choice. The countdown is on. Register here to join us on May 30: https://bit.ly/NWSCampaignActions #FeedtheChangeMKE

Want to help voters get the photo ID they need to vote? Join Souls to the Polls WI’s Free Rides to the DMV effort to ensure no voter is left behind in the critical August and November elections. Sign up here to volunteer: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/9cv8vza/FRttDMVVolunteers

Have you subscribed to AART's YouTube channel? Hit the link! https://www.youtube.com/@aartmke

Milwaukee is introducing new flood prevention measures after experiencing historic rainfall. The city will require residents to bag leaves for pickup instead of raking them into the street. A set monthly street sweeping schedule will be implemented on streets that allow parking on both sides.

Milwaukee Public Schools will take more time to review a new School Resource Officer Program policy after concerns that community groups were not consulted.

#ICYMI: We’re proud to share our 2025 Annual Report — a reflection of what’s possible when communities organize boldly, dream bigger, and fight for liberation together. ✨ This work belongs to all of us. Thank you for helping us build a more liberated Milwaukee. aartmke.org/2025-annual-report

"The #FeedtheChangeMKE campaign spells out its core demand plainly: secure a $1 million investment for the Milwaukee Fresh Food Fund and steer that money to locally owned grocery stores, markets, gardens and nutrition education programs."

Wisconsin’s oldest Black newspaper and two Black radio stations in the city are coming together being under a new community ownership structure formed with the aim of ensuring their permanent independence.

AART youth members had their hands full with our photographer Marquis Wright of KQ Productions. Marquis taught them camera and photography basics. We're excited they are receiving hands-on experience that prepares them for opportunities in the future. Check out the some of the photos they took!

YELL Youth are part of a Sun Seeker MKE youth leadership and organizing initiative and have released a youth philanthropy project! Help them redistribute $20,000 back into the community! More information and grant requirements here: https://forms.gle/jp63mW2fsYo19bSJ8

Have you subscribed to AART's YouTube channel? Hit the link! https://www.youtube.com/@aartmke

#ICYMI: We’re proud to share our 2025 Annual Report — a reflection of what’s possible when communities organize boldly, dream bigger, and fight for liberation together. ✨ This work belongs to all of us. Thank you for helping us build a more liberated Milwaukee. aartmke.org/2025-annual-report

Father's Legal Rights Night is happening on May 14 ay 5:30 p.m. at the MLK Community Center! Get legal advice, ask questions and learn more about driver's license recovery. Register at https://employmke.wufoo.com/forms/m1vk2bgm1x14f03.

"We want a greater food system that's not relying on corporations, the unpredictability of the SNAP program or anyone beyond ourselves because, again, we keep us safe." -AART's Ryeshia Farmer Learn more about our #FeedtheChangeMKE campaign!

Connect. Dance. Learn. Join Marguerite Casey Foundation’s Common Thread for live music by Squirrel Flower and Wave Chapelle at Pilot Project on May 14 for The People’s Money, The People’s Power! Get free food, free books, free swag, and drinks and more. Learn more: CaseyGrants.org/CommonThread

The next MKE Community Impact Committee (participatory budgeting) meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 5 p.m. This meeting will be hybrid, with preference for in-person attendance in Room 301-A, City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. Join online at https://meet.goto.com/495272501.

We're excited to share that our 2025 annual report is now live! Some of our 2025 highlights include sunsetting our #LiberateMKE campaign, reaching over 100 members and launching our Activists in Residence (AiR) program to support Milwaukee youth. Learn more: https://aartmke.org/2025-annual-report

"In this moment, we need to expand our analysis beyond individual behavior and look at the systems and values that ensure this kind of abuse will happen again and again.” Karla Monterroso

Tia Richardson, founder of Cosmic Butterfly Design, has spent more than two decades creating over 50 collaborative murals across Milwaukee. She uses her art as a tool for connection, healing and self-expression, for both herself and all those who view it.

Have you subscribed to AART's YouTube channel? Hit the link! https://www.youtube.com/@aartmke

As we approach National Thank a Youth Worker Day, consider joining WACYCP for their 26th Annual Youth Work Awards Celebration on May 7 at 6 p.m. https://milwaukeenns.org/2026/04/19/opinion-can-we-shift-the-focus-from-youth-criticism-to-those-showing-up-daily-for-our-neighbors-children/

#ICYMI: As we prepare to launch #FeedtheChangeMKE, check out our latest NW Side Story that dives deep into issues impacting food access in MKE. The story also includes our solution: building people power and a more dignifying and choiceful food system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9MXnkZLQlY

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth! It's a time to focus on mental well-being, break the stigma, and encourage support for those in need. Remember, mental health is as important as physical health, and it's okay to not be okay. Resources are available! https://www.nami.org/

The Social Development Commission’s former main office building is up for sale again while the agency’s other legal cases are progressing.

#MayDay is a powerful demonstration of our solidarity and collective power. Immigrant workers help power the economy, and together, we stand to demand respect for their rights, dignity, and humanity.

"A Raisin in the Sun" remains a triumphant, deeply human portrait of the determination to build a better life than the one the world is willing to give you. It runs from May 8-24 at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee. https://www.milwaukeechambertheatre.org/a-raisin-in-the-sun.

#ICYMI: We're excited to share that our 2025 annual report is now live! Some of our 2025 highlights include sunsetting our #LiberateMKE campaign, reaching over 100 members and launching our Activists in Residence (AiR) program to support Milwaukee youth. https://aartmke.org/2025-annual-report

Are you ready to support AART's mission of building power in service of Black liberation? We'll train you, provide supplies and give you all the support you need. This year’s Canvass program will launch Monday, June 8 and run three times per month until October 11. https://bit.ly/AART2026Canvass

The Milwaukee Common Council recently took action to address food apartheid in MKE. This passed a $2.8 million bill that will help grocery and fresh food retention efforts. While this is a good step in the right direction, we don't think it addresses everything we have heard from residents.

Have you subscribed to AART's YouTube channel? Hit the link! https://www.youtube.com/@aartmke

Join AART and our neighbors 5/30 for the launch of our Northwest Side-led food access campaign: #FeedtheChangeMKE. This event will include free food, free giveaways, food-based resources, family activities, and a 12:30 p.m. press conference about our campaign. https://bit.ly/NWSCampaignActions

As we prepare to launch #FeedtheChangeMKE, check out our latest Northwest Side Story that dives deep into issues impacting food access in MKE. Our solution: running #FeedtheChangeMKE to build people power and a more dignifying and choiceful food system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9MXnkZLQlY

"When young Black boys see leaders, mentors and professionals who look like them, it changes what they believe is possible. Mentorship helps build confidence. It gives young people direction. And it reminds them that they are not alone."

HAPPENING TOMORROW: It's time to take our food access campaign to the next level! Join AART on Saturday, April 25 for a community town hall meeting to hear updates on our Northwest Side-led food access campaign and to make your voice heard. Sign up: https://bit.ly/NWSCampaignActions.

#MayDay is a powerful demonstration of our solidarity and collective power. Immigrant workers help power the economy, and together, we stand to demand respect for their rights, dignity, and humanity.

Our friends at La Revo Books are hosting an upcoming event for small business owners and community leaders ready to increase confianza (trust/confidence) in what they're building by stepping into more visibility online. Register here! https://www.confianzacollective.com/workshops

He’s known as Milwaukee’s Black baby doctor – a physician who delivered so many children in the city, it’s nearly impossible to count. Learn more about the story of Dr. William Finlayson and his wife Edith Finlayson.

"The ongoing closure of the McGovern Park Senior Center has left many seniors feeling emotional and isolated. Only some have been able to go out of their way to commute to other nearby senior centers."

We're excited to share that our 2025 annual report is now live! The theme is "Embracing New Horizons: Sunsetting the Past to illuminate a Brighter Future." Learn more about our joys, wins and impact in 2025. https://aartmke.org/2025-annual-report

We're thinking of our neighbors who are experiencing effects of climate catastrophe. We know some are still recovering from the effects of the August 2025 floods. Stay safe, practice being part of neighborhood ecosystems of care, and check in on your neighbors. Report any damage here to the city.

We believe Black communities have something to say. 🗣️ Through the Black Census Project, we’re transforming our voices into the policies and representation we deserve. Join us. Add your voice. Help build Black power. Take the Black Census. ✊🏽📌 http://blackcensusproject.org/