Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation Announces 2018 Winners for Improving Milwaukee Neighborhoods

MILWAUKEE (March 16, 2018) — The Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (known as the MANDIs) celebrate the “good news” of successful efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen the community.

From public nominations, a volunteer Selection Committee named 12 finalists in December, and winners were announced Thursday, March 15, to an audience of 780 community leaders at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.

“LISC appreciates the opportunity to recognize what’s happening on the ground in Milwaukee neighborhoods. People are working hard to create safe, healthy, vibrant neighborhoods for their community. The MANDIs celebrate these efforts, and offer all of us inspiration and hope for an equitable economic future for all.” said Donsia Strong Hill, Executive Director of LISC Milwaukee, the nonprofit host of the MANDIs.

The event was emceed by Shannon Sims, Anchor and Reporter for Todays’ TMJ4, and welcoming remarks were made by City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; presenting sponsor Suzanne Zwaska, Vice President, US Bank; Susan Hatch, Hatch Staffing Solutions and Chair of the LISC Milwaukee Advisory Board; and Chuck Vliek, Program Vice President for national LISC.

Donsia Strong Hill highlighted the Associates in Commercial Real Estate program, or ACRE, designed to cultivate people of color in the field of real estate development. Strong Hill announced a new revolving grant fund named for ACRE’s founder, Dr. Mark Eppli, from Marquette University. The fund has raised $110,000 which includes a $25,000 matching grant from Wells Fargo.

Awarded for commitment and effectiveness over time, the BMO Harris Bank Cornerstone Award was presented by Paul Fehrenbach, BMO Harris, Vice President of Community Investments. Fehrenbach was joined by Omar Bravo, Community Liaison, Christ-St. Peter Lutheran School. This award was given to Artists Working in Education.

Artists Working in Education values the connections among art, education and community. AWE works with professional artists through a variety of community programs, including a “truck studio” and public murals.  AWE works with 6,000 youth annually, and brings together public and private partners to build communities through the arts.

Awarded to a public space that builds community, the Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award was presented by Cecelia Gore, Executive Director for the foundation. Shaw was joined by Katie Pritchard, Data You Can Use. This award was given to Fondy Park.

Adjacent to the popular Fondy Market in Lindsay Heights, Fondy Park offers multi-use green space, seating and a stage for fitness classes, chess tourneys, concerts, gardening and eco-education classes. A state-of-the-art storm water management system collects 83,000 gallons of rainwater, helping prevent flooding and helping to keep Lake Michigan clean.

Awarded for a real estate project that improves the community, The State Farm Building Blocks was presented by Spring Burgess-Ashley, an Agent for State Farm. Spring was joined by Evan Reed, Senior Program Officer, Greater Milwaukee Foundation. This award was given to Pete’s Market developed by the Haywood Group.

The development of Pete’s Fruit Market at the intersection of N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and W. North Avenue is a hope realized for area residents. The market provides fresh, healthy produce and meats at economical prices, and caters to customers and employees who live near the growing business.

Awarded for innovation, the PNC Bank Trailblazer Award was presented by Eugene Manzanet, Vice President of PNC Bank. Manzanet was joined by Amy Turim, real Estate Development Services Manager for the City of Milwaukee. This award was given to Layton Boulevard West Neighbors Block Club Menu program.

The LBWN Neighborhood Block Project Menu was created to facilitate projects on individual blocks in busy multicultural communities. Projects are intended to improve neighborhood appearance, increase social engagement, improve community safety, solidify community identity, break down language barriers, and develop resident leadership skills.

Awarded to an individual for leadership, the Northern Trust Navigator Award was presented by Jamie Reeve III, Sr. Vice President of Northern Trust. Reeve was joined by Tim McMurtry, Director, Milwaukee Area Workforce Funding Alliance. This award was given to both finalists– Dr. Mark Eppli, founder of the Associates in Commercial Real Estate Program (ACRE), and Kalan Haywood, Sr, owner of The Haywood Group LLC.

Recognizing the gaps in Milwaukee’s community, Dr. Mark Eppli alongside the Marquette University College of Business created the ACRE program in 2005. The program helps minorities in the community get involved in real estate development, area construction and community development fields. His dedication to ACRE and Milwaukee has made a positive impact on the students and alumni of the ACRE program as they continue to be actively engaged in the urban development.

Kalan Haywood has a very strong love and commitment for Milwaukee as he uses his platform to influence different decisions that benefit the city overall. He is responsible for several different developments that have improved Milwaukee’s urban landscape and given local economic growth.  His concern for the city is demonstrated through his heavy involvements in projects to help the youth and encouraging business developments in underserved neighborhoods.

A new award for collaboration was presented by Eric Christophersen, Vice President Strategic Philanthropy/Community Relations & President of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation was presented to Literacy Services of Wisconsin & WRTP/Big Step for a partnership that provides High School Equivalency and certifications in manufacturing and construction. Christophersen announced that the award would come with a $10,000 prize, and also pledged to pay for the next full cohort of participants.

Literacy Services of Wisconsin and WRTP/BIG STEP have created an innovative program that allows individuals to simultaneously receive a High School Equivalency Degree and nationally recognized construction trade credentials in just three months. Program participants graduate ready to pursue family sustaining jobs in high demand manufacturing and construction and also benefit from wrap around services to support their emerging careers.

An additional new award, the Chase Economic Development Award, was presented by Damion Heron, for Chase. He was joined on stage by May her Thao, Executive Director, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. This award was given to the Menomonee Valley revitalization.

Once an eyesore, the Valley has been transformed, becoming a national model in economic development and environmental sustainability. The 300 acres, once brownfields, are now home to 47 companies, and more than 5,000 family-supporting jobs. One million square feet of green buildings and more than 60 acres of new trails and park space have been constructed.

Three winners were named for the Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award, an online social media campaign to select public picks for three winners across all award categories. These awards were presented by Dan Sweeney, Vice President and Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo. Sweeney was joined by Dionne Grayson, Co-founder and Executive Director of Lead2Change. The three winners included Artists Working in Education, Pete’s Market, and Safe & Sound.

All winners received a trophy and $1,000 contribution.  Finalists and winners are selected by a volunteer selection committee comprised of forty private, public and government volunteers.

About LISC: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is the recognized leader in neighborhood development. Since 1980, LISC has marshaled over 10 billion dollars from investors, lenders and donors to foster the revitalization of more than urban neighborhoods and rural communities. Since 1995, LISC Milwaukee has invested $143 million in the central city by mobilizing resources for neighborhood revitalization and investing these funds through grants, loans and technical assistance to neighborhood-based community development efforts.

More information is available at www.lisc.org or www.lisc.org/milwaukee.

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.