Milwaukee County to Host Two Events for Young Men, Closing Out Summer With a Back-to-School Empowerment Weekend
Milwaukee – As young people across Milwaukee prepare to return to school, the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Children, Youth & Family Services is closing out the summer with a bold, community-driven initiative—Grinding to Glory: Youth Empowerment Weekend. The two-day series is designed to help boys and young men ages 13–21 ground themselves, heal from summer challenges, and enter the school year with confidence, purpose, and a vision for their future.
The initiative grew out of focus groups led by violence interrupter agencies and the County’s Violence Response Public Health Safety & Action Team. County leaders recognize the urgent need to not only disrupt cycles of violence but also build long-term pathways to stability, education, and economic opportunity.
The weekend features two cornerstone events:
WHAT: Friday, August 29 – Film & Dialogue: Judas & The Black Messiah
At No Studios, 100 boys and young men will gather for a free screening of the award-winning film Judas & The Black Messiah. The evening includes a powerful discussion with Jasmine Tyler, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., and Goalden Chyld.
WHEN: Friday, August 29, 2025 Doors Open: 4:30 PM | Film Starts: 5:30 PM | Talk Back: 7:30 PM
WHERE: NŌ STUDIOS, 1037 W. McKinley Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53205
WHAT: Saturday, August 30 – Youth Empowerment Day At UW-Milwaukee’s Lubar Hall, youth will take part in grounding sessions, interactive workshops, and hear from keynote speakers including James “JB” Bell, Ajamou Butler, Frederick Coleman, Ed Hennings, Juan Hogans, Jermel Jordan, Sedan Smith, Mike Taylor, Ranell Washington, and Shawn Williams
WHEN: Saturday, August 30 | 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
WHERE: Lubar Hall, 3202 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
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.
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