Three Years Later, Sherman Park Rising?

Residents, community members and elected officials gathered near the playground in Sherman Park in defiance of a weeks-long curfew. Photo by Jabril Faraj/NNS.

1. Community response

In the days and weeks following the weekend of unrest, community members gathered in and around the park to continue to protest, clean up, pray, read poetry and hold other events such as barbecues and drum circles. Many neighbors discussed their frustration and sadness, as well as the inequality in the city that many said was the root cause of the tension that led to the unrest.

Local leaders worked to provide recreational opportunities and support for youth in the park. Neighbors and youth workers expressed anger about the park’s restricted hours, saying it gave young people in the area “nowhere to go.”

A worn down home in Sherman Park. Photo by Jabril Faraj/NNS.

2. Investments promised in Sherman Park

Over the course of a few months—as conversations of root causes of the unrest surfaced and concerns were raised about unemployment, over-policing, discrimination and lack of opportunity—an influx of investments came into the Sherman Park area, and government officials and philanthropists alike made promises to the residents of the Sherman Park neighborhood to improve housing stock, quality of life and job availability.

More than 40 officers and six police vehicles blocked the intersection of Sherman Boulevard and W. Auer Avenue after 9:30 p.m. one night in August 2016. Photo by Jabril Faraj/NNS.

3. Officer faces charges, acquitted in Smith’s death

In October 2016, Milwaukee Police Department officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown was charged with numerous sex-related crimes and fired from the department. In December 2016, he was charged with first-degree reckless homicide for the shooting of Sylville Smith, and community members demanded to see body camera footage. Heaggan-Brown was acquitted for the shooting in the summer of 2017.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting at the September 2017 completion of the “Sherman Park Rising” mural. Photo by Lydia Slattery/NNS.

4.  Community marks one-year anniversary

Throughout the summer of 2017, artist Tia Richardson unveiled the “Sherman Park Rising” mural that she created in collaboration with community members. The Boys and Girls Club in Sherman Park opened up a teen center, and Sylville Smith’s family hosted a Back to School Bash event in the park.

Residents reflected on the anniversary of the unrest through an event organized by local media and in other ways.

5. Sherman Phoenix opens

In December 2018, the Sherman Phoenix opened, transforming the old BMO Harris Bank that burned down during the unrest into a community space, food hall and business hub. The development houses 29 small businesses focused on wellness, all run by entrepreneurs of color, most of whom are women. Co-developers JoAnne Sabir and Juli Kaufmann collaborated with community members, officials and local business leaders to bring the project to life, utilizing innovative financing models.

Large crowd at Sherman Phoenix grand opening. Photo by Mariiana Tzotcheva.

Recommended Readings

Other relevant links organized by theme:

Policing:

• Sherman Park residents, police work to overcome distrust
• State rep arrested in Sherman Park says police focus needs to change
• Teens and police strive to surmount barriers through personal interactions

Housing:

• Sherman Park housing program off to rocky start
• Sherman Park residents voice reservations about new city housing program
• Sherman Park housing initiative receives final Council approval
• Common Ground tour highlights Sherman Park improvements

Youth:

• Sherman Park youth earn stipend for cleaning up neighborhood
• Teens and police strive to surmount barriers through personal interactions
• Police, teens come together for feast and football

Voices/reflections:

• On the Block: Returning home
• On The Block: Listen to youth
• On the Block: ‘These kids need us’

This story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, where you can find other stories reporting on eighteen city neighborhoods in Milwaukee.