The 10th Anniversary Fundraiser Reception, celebrating 10 years of youth leadership for the League of Young Voters, took place on June 7, 2013 at the majestic Hotel Metro in downtown Milwaukee. Everything from the dining hall to the hors d’oeuvres was impressive. The space, small but quaint, allowed for a more intimate setting with current donors and League supporters. Key individuals in attendance were Alderman Bob Bauman, Alderwoman Milele Coggs and Mothers Against Gun Violence founder Marna Winbush, in addition to Campaign Against Violence co-founder Kwabena Antoine Nixon.

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Not only were we able to update donors on current campaigns being conducted by the League, it gave supporters the opportunity to interact with current members of the organization and to hear more about the League’s inception. Throughout the night, we heard testimonies from fellow Leaguers and how their involvement with the organization transformed their lives in a positive way. My personal highlight of the night was the video tribute from various League affiliates that brought the story of the national organization full circle.

This reception was a celebration of the work the energetic and ambitious young people of the League of Young Voters has done in the past, the work that is being done now and the work that will be done in the future. More than just a fundraising event, the 10 Year Anniversary celebration was time of fellowship, catching up, saying thank you and preparing attendees for the next steps in the League’s mission to engage young people of color.

-Richard M. Leckie

The Wisconsin League participated in a very important stakeholders meeting involving the war our community is currently engaged in. The #RaiseUpMKE campaign was introduced May of this year, by numerous low-wage workers and community members who voiced concern to living wages and wage theft; as well as the formation of unions within certain industries.

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Wisconsin Jobs Now, NAACP, and the Wisconsin League of Young Voters have been working together for better wages. Beginning with trips to Chicago and Detroit, the mission was to bring awareness and to gain further support. After successfully completing these demonstrations, we returned to Milwaukee to do a HUGE day of action where low-wage workers stood up for their rights and walked out of their jobs in protest.

This led to the meeting the other night, in which we gauged how people felt about the day of action and what could have been done better. There was good feedback from the workers in regards to their treatment by employers since the day of action. Also, it was very beneficial to the workers as well as the community as a whole to hear from elected officials like county supervisors David Bowen and Khalif Rainey, and State Rep.Tanya Young. This shows that elected officials are listening to the concerns of their constituents and are as committed as the organizations involved in securing higher living wages and preventing wage thefts. All in all, the meeting was very well put together and we look forward to working on future projects.

-Perfect

In celebration of Earth Day, the League partnered with Urban Grass Roots, I.N.C. to make a cleaner and greener Milwaukee for our residents. More than 50 volunteers, ranging from elders to young children, came out to support the community clean-up.
Those who participated during the Earth Day event received breakfast and lunch, a variety of flower seeds, pots of pansy or perennial flowers and a signed Certificate of Appreciation. Additionally, they walked away with the good feeling of helping to beautify our community and provide a healthier environment

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The energy that we produced for the 4/2 election felt like the 2012 presidential election! So many people were unaware of this particular local election, yet very receptive to raising awareness in the hood. The Wisconsin League, along with the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable Coalition, made sure that the city knew that the polls were open and the people’s vote would be heard!

Due to our hard work and effort, as well as other tastemakers and elected officials, Milwaukee voted overwhelmingly to protect same-day voter registration. From 4 Corners (my personal favorite organizing event) to canvassing in the snow and rain, we were out here raising awareness.

There are 355,000+ voters in my fair city, Milwaukee. I proudly say 51,000+ voted on April 2nd. Thats about 14 percent of the population. It’s low, but it counts and the more we are out here raising awareness our turnout will keep increasing until we hit the presidential turnout of 87% – I promise!!

-Ken Da Perfectionist

Politics & Poetry II, sponsored by Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Sojourner Family Peace Center, NAACP Young Adult Committee, and of course, the Wisconsin League of Young Voters was “a night of politically-charged poetry from some of Milwaukee’s best spoken word artists and politicians of all ages.” This is the one event that gives the city’s politicians and its residents a chance to connect in an organic way. The Politics and Poetry series is more than elbow-rubbing but a real chance for folks from all over the city to connect in a positive and relaxed environment.

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The League partnered with the NAACP Young Adult Committee and the Center for Progressive Leadership to throw the livest candidate forum Milwaukee had to offer. The event was held at the Milwaukee Brotherhood of Fire Fighters Hall. Though only some of the candidates running for office could join us, the discussion was interactive and on point. The candidates in attendance were Ed Fallone for State Supreme Court Judge, Khalif Rainey and Ravae Sinclair, both running for 2nd District County Supervisor, Donald Pridemore for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Tatianna Joseph for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Candidates running unopposed and newly-elected officials stopped through to support as well.

Candidates gave constituents the opportunity to hear their views, goals, and visions for the different seats that make our city’s day-to-day decisions. We are a non-partisan organization and the forum gave attendees a glimpse into the minds and hearts of those competing to serve us. The buck doesn’t stop there – these are also the candidates whom we’ll have to hold accountable once in office.

Milele Coggs, 6th Aldermanic District representative, was in the building to speak about thei importance of keeping same-day voter registration while DJ Willie Shakes turned out oldies but goodies on the turntables. The event was hosted by community organizer, Jayme Montgomery Baker, and the politically-charged Sherwin Hughes from 860am. The showed up and showed out as our conductors for the night.

The forum was very informational and swagged out “At da Same D*** Time”

Peace

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-Ken Da Perfectionist