A FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN MILWAUKEE’S AMANI NEIGHBORHOOD
LUNCH | ENTERTAINMENT | AWARDS
WELCOME TO GREEN & GROWING 2023
CHECK-IN • RAFFLE • SILENT AUCTION (closes at 1:30pm) • PHOTO STATION LUNCH IS SERVED (12:25pm) INVOCATION Sr. Patricia Rogers, OP • Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Former Executive Director of Dominican Center ENTERTAINMENT All Saints Gospel Choir AWARD GIFTS OF LOVE AWARD CLOSING REMARKS
EMCEE Shannon Sims, TMJ-4 GREEN & GROWING EVENT COMMITTEE Maricha Harris, DC Executive Director, Co-Chair Shelley Mathews, Founder and CEO of FullCircle26, Inc., Co-Chair Connie Kordsmeier, President of DC Board of Directors Jan Wagner, Vice President of DC Board of Directors Christina Chronister, DC Communications Specialist Katie Bell Sparks, President of Sparks Collaborate Results, LLC VIDEOGRAPHERS Chris Siegel Multi Media , https://www.chrissiegelmm.com Palante Visuals , https://vimeo.com/palante EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER Dan Herda Photography , https://www.danherdaphoto.com
KEEP GREEN GROWING Buy this Plant! To purchase a centerpiece, scan the QR code or visit: https://bit.ly/CenterpiecePlant
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR
Northwestern Mutual serves more than 4.9 million clients and was voted No. 1 best life insurance company. Find out more at https://www.northwesternmutual.com. The North- western Mutual Foundation believes in a vibrant and diverse Milwaukee and is committed to improving education and revitalizing our neighborhoods. The Foundation has invested more than $28 million to Milwaukee through our neighborhoods, education and volunteer- ing efforts. Find out more at https://www.northwesternmutual-foundation.com
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR
The Brewers Community Founda- tion harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of chil- dren and their families in Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Over the past decade, the BCF has generated more than $42 million to support local non-profits in the areas of health, education, recreation, ba- sic needs and social justice issues. Approximately 200 non-profit orga- nizations receive funding annually. https://www.brewers.com/BCF for more information.
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSOR
Connie and John give generously to several local non-profit organizations that support the arts, neighborhood safety in Milwaukee and community revitalization. Connie Kordsmeier is currently the President of the Dominican Center Board and has been on the Board since 2016. She has also chaired the Event Planning Committee and the fundraising luncheon since 2018.
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSOR
MATC’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion plan identifies four improvement areas or Pillars for Change to guide the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ef- forts for the next five years. The Pillars include Climate, Employee Experience, Student Experience and Institutional Com- mitment, with corresponding goals and objectives. To read the plan, visit https:// www.matc.edu/diversity/index.html
AARP Wisconsin is here to help you take on today – and every day. From sharing practical resources, to holding fun activi- ties and events, AARP is providing oppor- tunities to connect and help build an even stronger Wisconsin for all ages to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://states.aarp.org/wisconsin/ AARP Wisconsin recently committed to sponsoring speed deterrents in Amani.
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSOR
We Energies supports initiatives for com- munity and neighborhood development, health and human services, arts and cul- ture, education and environment. The company matches its employees’ chari- table giving and also conducts an annual workplace giving campaign. Financial sup- port is limited to the activities of nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations in communities served by We Energies. For more, visit https://www.wecenergygroup.com/com- munity/we-energies-community.htm
THANK YOU TO OUR UNDERWRITERS
AND OUR VIDEO SUPPORT
Luncheon Menu SERVED BY WISCONSIN CLUB’S SCRATCH KITCHEN
WISCONSIN CLUB SALAD Baby Mesclun tossed with iceberg, romaine, spinach and hearts of Bibb lettuce accented with cucumber fleurons, starred cherry tomatoes, allumette carrots and garlic basil croutons. Choice of champagne balsamic vinaigrette dressing or creamy peppercorn dressing. Served with fresh-baked rolls, coffee and tea
CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM RAVIOLI Pan seared Chicken Breast; Three Mushroom Ravioli topped with Burgundy Mushroom glace, Shaved Parmesan, and Balsamic Micro Greens
VEGETARIAN STUFFED SHELLS (ALTERNATIVE ENTREE) Ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend with seasoned spinach, stuffed into pasta shells, baked in Asiago cream and topped with marinara and herbed bread crumbs
Browse & Bid Our Auction! BID ON THESE ITEMS AND MORE! ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT AMANI RESIDENTS. ONLINE AUCTION CLOSES AT 1:30PM https://DominicanCenter.givesmart.com
OUR HISTORY The Dominican Center was founded in 1995 by Sinsinawa Dominicans Sr. Ann Halloran, OP, and Sr. Anne-Marie Doyle, OP, as a holistic approach to education and women’s programs in the Amani neighborhood. In 2012, the Obama administration launched the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP) to catalyze community-driven change in neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to revitalization (including poverty and underlying critical issues of educa- tion, employment, housing, health and safety).Through the BNCP, the Dominican Center was designated as the neighborhood partner, or “anchor” for the neighborhood, to sup- port resident decision-making and involvement in the program. Over the past 25 years, the role of the Dominican Center has shifted from an organization that provides services to one that also convenes partners together with residents in sup- port of its priority areas of safety; housing and economic development; and education and family well-being. OUR MISSION Dominican Center works with Amani residents and partners to build a better future. OUR APPROACH People’s lives are powerfully shaped by the neighborhoods in which they live. The Domin- ican Center believes Amani residents are closest to the solutions needed to revitalize the neighborhood. But they can’t do it alone. We are all interconnected and impacted by the challenges faced in the Amani neighborhood. Our work supports resident-led efforts to create positive social change, and we need your help to achieve our vision. Serving Amani Residents Since 1995
Amani Sankofa Honoring DC award winners with an art piece representing Amani: “A neighborhood with a rich history and a thriving future”
mani means peace in the Swahili language. Together, residents and partners are working to bring peace back to the Amani neighborhood. This work of art, which was created by an artist who was raised in Amani, represents a reflection of Amani’s past and our collective aspirations for Amani’s future. The street is a one-point perspective of the block that the artist – Allison Westbrook – grew up on. It is from the perspective of a person standing in the middle of the street looking towards the future. This viewpoint represents the future aspirations that we are working to achieve.
“go back and get it.” This symbolism reflects our aspiration that, one day, Amani will once again be a thriving neighborhood. Centered in the path is a familial representa- tion of the people who call the Amani neigh- borhood home – the residents who represent generations. They are centered because they are at the heart of our work. There is a radi- ant light surrounding the family, and they are walking down the path towards our future. This underscores our aspiration that, one day, the families in Amani will once again thrive. In the years to come, we will be able to pro- claim, “Amani is a thriving neighborhood of
choice because together we have helped restore the community.”
The Amani neighborhood was once thriving. Residents were employed and owned their homes. When Milwau- kee’s manufacturing fortune waned in the 60’s, the neigh- borhood started to decline. The housing and mortgage crisis of 2008 further dis- tressed the neighborhood. The black swans located on the street represent this history while also depicting
About the Artist Allison Westbrook was born and raised on Milwaukee’s North side within the Amani neighborhood. He and his family lived in the shadow of the old A.O. Smith factory. The street view in this work of art is the actual block Allison grew up on. As a
our hope for the future. In short, the black swans symbolize an unpredictable or unfore- seen event, usually one with extreme conse- quences. This representation acknowledges the decades of divestment and marginalizing systems that contribute to today’s chal- lenges. Moreover, the birds are craning their necks back and eating eggs in the style of the Andinkra symbol, Sankofa, which means to
kid (the second youngest of nine) art was his way of making sense of the world; it fed his curiosity and gave him the confidence to be challenged by new ideas and it helped shine a light on the dark around him. As an adult, he is even more thankful for this gift because it aids in finding the metaphors in this ever more complex world when things seem to make no sense at all.
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS AWARD WINNER Helping Students Reach their Potential Dominican Center was founded on adult education, and Mitch Anderson continued that tradition for years
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ominican Center awards one individual community member
five years at the Dominican Center helping students to achieve their GEDs.
or organization the “In the Spirit of the Founders” award each year. This award is given to those who uphold the values and tradition of our founding Domini- can Sisters. This year, we honor Mitch Anderson for his commitment to adult education at the Dominican Center. Mitch Anderson retired from MATC after 27 years as an instructor in their Workplace Education department. His career consisted of being contracted out to factories and community based organizations where he taught basic math and computer skills. He holds a bachelors in Math Education and a masters in Computer Science Educa- tion. He was privileged to work his last
He is happily married to his wife of 40 years and enjoys home life with their two amazing daughters. He is passion- ate about spirituality and health, sings in his beautiful church choir, loves the outdoors, and is dedicated to helping addicts, of which he is one, having recovered over 40 years ago one day at a time. He is grateful. The Dominican Center honors MATC math professor Mitch Anderson for his time working with Dominican Center as the education partner with MATC. Mitch worked with countless students at Dominican Center in HSED/GED prep classes.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY AWARD WINNER Taking Amani Out to the Ballgame! Funding and support from the Brewers Community Foundation provides Amani families with greater well-being
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he Dominican Center honors one individual or organization ev-
needs, with a particular focus on low-in- come and disadvantaged youth and their families. Cecelia Gore is a senior level executive with extensive experience leading com- munity/external affairs, foundation and sports philanthropy. She has led Brewers Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club as Executive Director since 2009. Gore maintains operational excellence, con- sistently advises on innovative strategies which support efforts to achieve recog- nition as a strong corporate citizen and engages in key initiatives that support the community. The Dominican Center honors The Brew- ers Community Foundation and Executive Director Cecelia Gore for providing sup-
ery year for “Continuing the Legacy” and helping us carry our Mission into the fu- ture. This year we are honoring the Brew- ers Community Foundation and their Executive Director Cecelia Gore. The mission of the Brewers Community Foundation harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of children and their families in Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The organization strides to be thoughtful, dependable, philanthropic leaders actively engaged in providing needed financial sup- port and leadership. The Foundation pro- vides financial support to nonprofits that provide quality programming in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic
GREEN & GROWING EMCEE Welcome Emcee Shannon Sims to Green & Growing TMJ4 anchor has covered Milwaukee news for a decade
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he Dominican Center is pleased to have TMJ4’s Shannon Sims as
During every stop, Shannon has been in- volved in the community. One of her big- gest achievements was raising money to outfit the entire 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade classes at the Dayton Boys Academy with brand new ties. Not only did she fund the uniform project, but she was able to bring a group of professional men into the school to spend time with each child and develop a bond that would last a lifetime. Shannon enjoys working in the Milwau- kee community and learning more about the Brew City and beyond. While not on the job, Shannon enjoys road tripping to explore new places, antique shopping, watching foreign movies, salsa dancing, opera and jazz.
our Green & Growing 2023 emcee. She co-anchors ‘TMJ4 News at 6 and 10’ daily.
According to tmj4.com, her journey to Milwaukee has not been the road typically taken by most journalists. Before starting her career in broadcasting, Shannon was a classically trained singer, aspiring to be an opera performer. She has a bachelor of arts from the Manhattan School of Music. Sims began her broadcast career as a radio announcer in Bloomington, IN. She went on to work in San Fancisco, Spo- kane, WA, Norfolk VA, Dayton, OH, Cin- cinnati and Milwaukee.
GREEN & GROWING CO-CHAIR Maricha Harris Sees the Beauty in Amani Mission and work of Dominican Center are personal for Milwaukee native and DC executive director
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aricha Harris has led Dominican Center as executive director since September 2021. In her time here, she has focused on expanding the capacity of Dominican Center and Amani United, the neighborhood organization that we work in tandem with. She has also strengthened exist- ing relationships and forged new rela- tionships with residents, partners and supporters. She works daily to serve the people of Amani and carry on the Mission of Dominican Center. Harris, who grew up in Milwaukee, sees this opportunity to serve her community – where she grew, studied and worked – and to progress change. “This is a full circle moment for me. Growing up, I lived in neighborhoods
that faced significant challenges. And while I remember those challenges, I also remember resilience, strength and the beauty that lives within our neighborhoods,” she said. “There are so many assets in our community – right here in Amani and 53206.” Harris has previously worked at Safe & Sound, where she managed day-to- day operations; Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin; Milwaukee Public Schools, Silver Spring Neighbor- hood Center; Trini-Dad’s Child De- velopment Center and as a Licensed Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “Throughout my progressive career, I have leveraged my communications, relationship building and leadership skills to achieve results,” said Harris.
GREEN & GROWING CO-CHAIR Shelley Mathews is Growing Our Future FullCircle26, Inc.’s founder and CEO supporting DC with hydroponics lab, bringing education & enterprise to Amani
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helley Mathews is an innovator and a problem solver and she has held out her hand to lead Dominican Center and Amani residents into the future of urban agriculture. Shelley was led back to her childhood school (St. Leo’s was formerly housed in the DC build- ing) as a solution to the challenges of urban farming and the accessibility to fresh produce. In 2019 she, and the company she founded FullCircle26 Inc., partnered with DC and began to build the organization’s hydroponics lab. “When I first met with the DC and Amani United team, a young man said, ‘People wonder why there is so much craziness in 53206 ... it’s from our children being raised with lead in their sys- tems (from non-removal of lead pipes) and no access to fresh produce.’” Shelley said. “He saw hydroponics as a solution and his statements confirmed my mission, purpose and the dedica- tion of our FullCircle26, Inc. team’s efforts.”
In 2022, FullCircle26 Inc. (FC26I) marked their five-year anniversary in a business journey from an independent sales contractor to a full service North American sales and distribution organization of AgTech and STEM/STEAM products. The company is committed to pro- viding access to new plant growing technolo- gies, STEM/STEAM learning tools and training for children thru adults. FC26I will also be launching its non-profit organization Next Generation Harvest with a mission to provide greater access for generational change. Shelley is a true at heart farm girl with the pas- sion to provide a platform for others to expand their entrepreneur spirit. The foundation of FC26I was built on over 30 years of professional sales and marketing positions with top brands in office, electronics, housewares, children’s and art products. All of the skills gained over the years have provided a strong company be- ginning and bright outlook for the future.
GREEN & GROWING SPEAKER Working to Strengthen Amani
Audra Brennan works with the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to provide support for resident-led change
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ominican Center believes in the power of collaboration, and we
ships across the Foundation’s priority areas as well as employee and field community engagement. Brennan’s prior experience includes education, health and tax equity policy roles at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, State of Wisconsin, City of Milwaukee Public Schools and the Congressional Budget Office in Washington D.C. Audra Brennan grew up Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of two public school ed- ucators. She graduated from North- western University with a degree in Mathematics and Economics. She was selected as a Harris Fellow at the Univer- sity of Chicago and earned a master’s degree in public policy from University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Poli- cy in 1999. Audra Brennan lives with her husband Joel and two teenage children in the Brewers Hill neighborhood.
could not do the work we do in Amani without the support of Northwestern Mutual and we could not celebrate this work without their generous Presenting Sponsorship for this event. On behalf of the organization, Audra Brennan will present today’s awards. Brennan has nearly 25 years of non-profit and public policy experience at the federal, state and local level. Audra currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Philanthropy for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, which provides more than $20 million annually to strengthen communities and improve outcomes for kids with cancer and their families. In that role, she oversees the team responsible for grantmaking and strategic partner-
GREEN & GROWING SPEAKER Youth Bring Peace to the Neighborhood Soleil Harvey has served as Youth Council President for 3 years
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oleil Harvey saw things she didn’t like in the neighborhood, so she set out to make change. In 2020, she was a founding member and president of the Amani Youth Council. “Our Council is all about bringing greater peace to our neighborhood,” said Harvey. “Not only are we about peace, but we are also uniting youth from all neighborhoods and positively changing the way elders think about the new generation.” The Amani Youth Council was in- spired by the REAL-ationships and REAL-leadership groups held in Moody Park, which allowed youth to engage with law enforcement, discuss and learn about issues they face, and build community amongst themselves. Nineteen youth from Amani graduat- ed the 6-week program and Harvey
was among the graduates. Her work, along with a personal connection to violence in her neighborhood, pushed her to lead the Council and plan the March. “I feel that everything happens for a reason, and I think because my brother has been shot, that pushed me even more to change my commu- nity because I have personal issues with violence,” said Harvey. “I love my neighborhood. I have lived in Amani almost my whole life, and this is where I am going to be. (The Council) is what I want to do, because it’s better to start early if you want to make a change.” Harvey is a senior at Bay View High School, and she will be graduating in the weeks to come. She’s been ac- cepted into Jackson State University where she will attend in the fall. Soleil is the first in her family in 2 genera- tions to attend a 4-year college.
GREEN & GROWING SPEAKER Elizabeth Brown Dedicated to Amani Families Amani resident has served her community, Moody Park and neighborhood families for more than four years
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lizabeth Brown is the President of Amani United, which is the
group (past four years). Amongst her accomplishments, she was paramount in the recent revitalization of Moody Park’s basketball courts. Brown worked with partners and residents to paint the court, designed by artist Art Fu Young. In addition to these roles and accom- plishments, Brown supports the Amani Youth Council, which is an indepen- dent group of youth dedicated to mak- ing a difference in the neighborhood. Brown is a strong advocate for resi- dents with a special passion for help- ing renters. She recently won “The Resident Leader Award” presented by Safe & Sound, Inc. She is a Milwaukee native. She has nine children and 21 grandchildren. She has been actively involved in supporting Auer Avenue School where two of her children pre- viously attended.
Amani neighborhood association. Amani spans 130 blocks with bound- aries between 20th to 30th street and North Avenue to Keefe Avenue. Brown is a long-time Amani resident. She’s lived in the neighborhood for approximately 15-20 years. Since re- turning to the neighborhood five years ago, Brown has been actively engaged in volunteering for Amani United and the Dominican Center. As a resident leader, Brown has held the following roles: Chairperson for Amani United’s Education and Family Well-being Committee (for the past two years), Chairperson for Amani Unit- ed’s Moody Park Committee (past four years), Founding Chairperson for the Parks People’s Friends of Moody Park
GREEN & GROWING DESSERT CHEF Resident Creating Sweet Moments in Amani Enjoy your Chicago butter cookies today at Green & Growing, they’re baked with love by Amani resident Sherry Green
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our Green & Growing dessert today is among one of Amani’s most favorite treats – baked with love by an Amani resident. Sherry Green, started baking in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. She baked her famous Chicago-style butter cookies and delivering them to people anonymously to help them get through the pandemic. Green received support through the Ama- ni Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, which focuses on neighborhood safety, housing and economic development. The Domini- can Center learned of her amazing cookies and connected her with our partner, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee. The organization helped Sherry turn her hobby into a busi- ness. Sherry’s Chicago Style Butter Cook- ies LLC was opened in October 2020 and debuted at an event for the Block by Block initiative, a revitalization effort to improve housing and economic development.
“I am grateful and thankful for all the staff and volunteers at the Dominican Center. Because of the Dominican Center my business is an LLC,” said Green. “I am thankful that I was able to participate in the end of the year community event, where I met some wonderful people and did some great networking. The Dominican Center has allowed my business to be featured in newspapers and my business is continuing to grow because of the connection to the Dominican Center. I want to say thank you for the work and resources that the Dominican Center provides for entrepreneurs like myself. I am grateful and thankful.” Sherry calls her business a “labor of love,” and also works as a special education teacher of Milwaukee Public Schools.
Email sheygreen22@gmail.com to order Sherry’s Cookies for your next event.
2470 West Locust Street, Milwaukee, Wisc. 53206 414.444.9930 | https://www.dominican-center.org
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