Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District Announces Results of Annual Meeting Election and Referendum

Milwaukee, WI — The Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District (HNID #7) successfully held its Annual Meeting and Election, bringing together residents, stakeholders, and community partners to participate in the district’s democratic governance and vote on key community investment priorities.

Board of Directors Election Results

The following seven (7) candidates received the majority of the votes at the HNID Annual meeting and will serve as Board Directors in 2026:

• Ella Bennett
• LaDonna Green
• Gary Payton
• Pierre Pierce
• Sheila Smith
• Frieda Webb
• Lakesha Wilder

The newly elected Board Directors will be seated effective March 1, 2026, with officer elections to occur at the first regular Board meeting on March 24, 2026.

Referendum and Advisory Question Results

Binding Referendum – Item #1
Should the Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District (HNID #7) authorize a $20,000 contribution to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Schoolyard Redevelopment Project as part of its community reinvestment efforts?

• Result: Passed

This vote authorizes HNID to invest $20,000 toward the redevelopment of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School playground, supporting safe, accessible, and vibrant outdoor spaces for neighborhood youth and families.

Advisory Question – Item #2
Should HNID #7 pursue boundary expansion to align with the official City of Milwaukee definition of the Harambee neighborhood, thereby extending the district’s southern border to North Avenue?

• Result: Advisory approval

This advisory vote provides direction for the Board to further explore potential boundary expansion and engage stakeholders in future discussions.

Looking Ahead

The HNID Board of Directors thanks all residents, property owners, and community partners who participated in the Annual Meeting. These votes reflect Harambee’s continued commitment to transparency, resident engagement, and reinvesting resources directly back into the neighborhood.

For more information about the Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District or upcoming initiatives, please visit HarambeeMKE.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.