Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI) Announces 2019 Winners for Improving Milwaukee Neighborhoods

MILWAUKEE (April 11, 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.

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. This year MANDIs celebrated its 20th year anniversary. It continues to showcase the efforts of those to make our neighborhoods stronger and economically viable. The winners and finalists and the works they do every day 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.

From public nominations, a volunteer Selection Committee named 12 finalists in December, and winners were announced Thursday, April 11, an audience of 760 community leaders at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.

The event was emceed by Shannon Sims, Anchor and Reporter for Todays’ TMJ4, and welcoming remarks were made by LISC National President and CEO, Maurice Jones, Wisconsin Governor, Tony Evers, City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; presenting sponsor Suzanne Zwaska, Vice President, US Bank; Roger Sandell, Vice President, Johnson Bank and Chair of the LISC Milwaukee Advisory Board.

Awarded for commitment and effectiveness over time, the BMO Harris Bank Cornerstone Award was presented by Paul Fehrenbach, BMO Harris, and Vice President of Community Investments. This award was given to Running Rebels Community Organization.

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. This award was given to Multi-Sport Complex at Browning Elementary and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center.

Awarded to an individual for leadership, the Northern Trust Navigator Award was presented by Jamie Reeve III, Sr. Vice President of Northern Trust. This award was given to Susan Lloyd for her work with the Zilber Family Foundation.

Awarded for innovation, the Associated Bank Trailblazer Award was presented by Brad Amundsen, Senior Vice President of Associated Bank, a new award sponsor this year. This award was given to the MATC Promise program.

Awarded for a real estate project that improves the community, The State Farm Building Blocks was presented by Holly Anderson, Community Specialist, for State Farm. This award was given to Welford Sanders Historic Lofts and Enterprise Center.

Awarded for nonprofits that collaborate and align, The Northwestern Mutual Collaboration Award was presented by Audra Brennen, Senior Director, Strategic Philanthropy was presented to Reclaiming Our Neighborhoods (RON) for a partnership between Sherman Park Community, Washington Park Partners, Riverworks Development Corporation and Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative.

The Chase Economic Development Award, was presented by Brian Grossman, Managing Director and Regional Manager for Chase. This award was given to Blue Skies Landscaping, a program of Walnut Way Conservation Corp.

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 Running Rebels, MATC Promise and Washington Park Wednesdays.

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. With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1979, LISC has invested $18.6 billion to build or rehab 376,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 63 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. To learn more, visit www.lisc.org.

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.