Near West Side Partners Honors Changemakers, Celebrates a Decade of Impact

MILWAUKEE – Near West Side Partners (NWSP) brought together neighbors, business owners and anchor institutions at Concordia 27 to celebrate a decade of bold partnerships and transformative investment in Milwaukee’s Near West Side. Throughout the event, partners reflected on the relationships that have fueled community revitalization since 2015 and reaffirmed a shared commitment to continue collaboration for years to come.

“When a community comes together with shared purpose, even things that seem impossible are possible,” said Lindsey St Arnold Bell, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners. “For the past decade, NWSP has been powered by partnership — neighbors, businesses, institutions, and local leaders all working side by side, bringing their talents and resources together to catalyze change. After gathering to celebrate the last decade of success, I think we all left even more energized to work. This celebration was not just about looking back — it’s about honoring the people and progress that brought us here and looking ahead to an even brighter future for the Near West Side.”

Honoring Excellence: NWSP 10-Year Impact Awards
The event celebrated NWSP’s continued legacy with an awards ceremony honoring those who have made lasting contributions to the area’s revitalization, and highlighted how cross-sector collaboration remains the driving force behind transformative community development.

As part of the evening’s program, NWSP presented its 10-Year Impact Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose dedication has strengthened the community:

Community Champion Award
For fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and social progress.
Honorees: Rana Altenburg, Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at Marquette University, and Mick Hatch, Retired Real Estate Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP

Innovation & Resilience Award
For perseverance and creativity in growing local business and economic opportunity.
Honorees: Bennie and Angela Smith, Owners of Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille

Neighborhood Stewardship Award
For a deep commitment to neighborhood revitalization and engagement.
Honoree: Valerie Langston, NWSP Volunteer and 29-year resident at Merrill Park Neighborhood

The Power of Partnership — Then and Now
Since its founding in 2015, NWSP has been a catalyst for community revitalization, born from a shared vision led by the late Dr. Mike Lovell of Marquette University and championed by neighbors, small businesses and five anchor institutions. From safety and housing to small business growth and community health, NWSP has driven tangible outcomes across its focus areas — including support for 60 new businesses, nearly $1 million in grants awarded to entrepreneurs since 2021, and the transformation of key commercial corridors like Vliet Street and 27th Street.

[inarticleadas=”UM-In-Article-2″]NWSP’s success is rooted in its collaborative model, powered by the support of its five anchor institutions — Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Ventures — as well as countless neighbors, entrepreneurs and public sector allies. This wide-ranging partnership enables NWSP to rapidly implement high-impact projects based on grassroots priorities, backed by data and informed by the lived experiences of residents.

A major highlight of NWSP’s first decade is the opening of Concordia 27 (C27)—a once-vacant building transformed into a vibrant hub for affordable housing, small businesses, workforce development and community gathering. Opened in 2024, C27 reflects years of collaboration among neighbors, partners, and institutions, inspired by the community’s vision from the 2021 Appreciative Inquiry Summit. As NWSP looks to the future, C27 stands as a powerful example of what’s possible through community-led revitalization.

Looking Ahead
As NWSP embarks on its second decade, it is actively shaping a refreshed strategic plan that not only builds on a strong foundation of community-driven success but also looks boldly to the future. A recent community charrette, which brought together residents, businesses, and stakeholders to imagine what’s next for the neighborhood, is just one example of how NWSP is embracing fresh ideas and co-creating ambitious goals for the decade ahead.

“While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we know our work is just beginning,” said St Arnold Bell. “The next 10 years are about deepening our impact — expanding opportunities for residents, strengthening housing and public safety, and continuing to build a neighborhood where everyone feels they belong. This is more than revitalization — it’s about creating a place where people and possibility grow together.”

For more information about Near West Side Partners and to stay updated on future initiatives, visit nearwestsidepartners.org or sign up for our newsletter.

About Near West Side Partners
Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP) is a non-profit organization with a mission to revitalize and sustain the Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor, through collaborative efforts to promote commercial corridor development, improved housing, unified neighborhood identity and branding, and greater safety for residents and businesses. NWSP was founded through the support of business and civic leaders, including the organization’s five anchor institutions – Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Business Development Corp.

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.