Through the intersecting pillars of story-telling, artwork and historical data, Versiti’s innovative exhibition LifeLine: The Ultimate Bond serves as a much-needed catalyst for authentic dialogue and increased organ and tissue donor registration within Milwaukee’s African American community. Educational in nature, this groundbreaking exhibition presents inspiring personal testimonies of organ and tissue donation by Milwaukee Divine Nine members. These encouraging accounts of survival are enriched through a powerful presentation of multimedia artwork by Wisconsin-based African American creatives. Supplemental facts and statistics surrounding organ and tissue donation aim to contextualize this exhibition, including a digitally interactive map of Wisconsin highlighting the community need for organ transplants by county.

LifeLine: The Ultimate Bond is scheduled for a virtual opening at America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) on April 30, 2021 before traveling to other Milwaukee venues offering in-person and interactive experiences. The virtual exhibition can be accessed and experienced on Versiti’s website at Versiti.org/Community-Resources.

EXHIBITING ARTISTS: Brad Bernard, Kierston Ghaznavi, Jerry Jordan, Rosy Petri, Sherman Pitts, Terrance Sims, Allison Ssali and Allison Westbrook.

DIVINE NINE MEMBERS:
• Kobena-Marcus J. Collins, waitlist for a kidney transplant (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity)
• Stacy Crouther, kidney recipient from a living donor (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority)
• Rep. LaKeshia Myers, kidney recipient (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority)
• Darlena Johnson, kidney recipient (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority)
• Richard Lewis, 2-time kidney recipient (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity),
• Theo Gilbert, kidney recipient (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity)
• Ken Little, bone marrow recipient from son (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity)
• Patricia Lewis and son Ray, kidney recipient (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority)

LifeLine: The Ultimate Bond Virtual Launch, Artist Talk, and Opening Reception:
Friday, April 30, 2021 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
RSVP: lifeline2021.eventbrite.com