Indaba African Ball Announces Honorees

Seven Milwaukee history-makers will be recognized for their community contributions in a variety of fields at the third annual Indaba African Ball from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 5.

The event takes place at the Bucyrus Campus of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, 2450 W. North Ave., to support Indaba Nights, the weekly summer series that brings free family-friendly entertainment to the Indaba Band Shell for the neighborhood. Tickets are still available; money raised at the ball provides stipends to the local artists who will perform at the 14-week series in 2022, said Gloria Miller, St. Ann Center’s special events director.

Taking place amid the African-themed décor of the spacious, two-story atrium of the Bucyrus Campus, the ball helps kick off local Black History Month events. Guests are encouraged to wear African or Afro-inspired attire and participate in the informal fashion show. There will be a photo booth available for souvenirs, and a local vendor will sell African clothing, jewelry and more. The menu includes African and Caribbean-style hors d’oeuvres by Events by Day; St. Ann Center President Sr. Edna Lonergan will be selling original jewelry creations.

Entertainment will be provided by award-winning saxophonist Chris Pipkins, with his band, Christopher’s Project; and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Steel Pan Drum Ensemble.

Tickets are $65 per person, sold at StAnnCenter.org/Indaba Ball. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required for all attending. For more information, contact Miller at (414) 210-2428 or gmiller@stanncenter.org.

Being honored this year in the Hall of History Makers will be:

• Ferne Yangyeite Caulker,  founder of the Ko-Thi Dance Company, Wisconsin’s oldest African American arts organization and professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peck School for the Arts.

• Dr. Ken Harris,  Justice and Public Policy Department Chair at Concordia University; retired Milwaukee Police lieutenant;  chief strategist of Talented Strategies, a personal development company; and radio host on Milwaukee’s WKGB-FM, The Truth.

• Cassandra McShepard, TV and radio journalist and personality; host of TMJ4’s Milwaukee Tonight; former co-host of Fox6’s “Real Milwaukee”; fashion designer for national entertainers; writer; jazz vocalist and motivational speaker.

• Tarik Moody,  public radio innovator and host of the nationally syndicated program “Rhythm Lab Radio”;  program director of the 88Nine RadioMilwaukee’s forthcoming urban alternative channel, celebrating the full spectrum of Black music (launching on Juneteenth); podcaster; former digital director, with a focus on inclusion and accessibility.

• Joe V. Nathaniel, Jr., founder and director of the Majestic Community Choir, which has performed for more than 40 years throughout the Midwest, and Minister of Music at both the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church and St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

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 Dana World-Patterson, prominent local advocate for victims of sex trafficking and executive director of Foundations for Freedom; as well as a Milwaukee Fire & Police Commissioner, author, teacher and radio host.

• Sheri Williams Pannell,  founding member and artistic director at Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, a director/teaching artist at Black Arts MKE and a founder of the Milwaukee Black Theatre Festival; assistant professor of theatre at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.