Community to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Queen Mother Lucille Berrien on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Berrien Park

The community is invited to celebrate activist and matriarch Lucille Berrien at a Community Memorial Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at Berrien Park, 3629 N. 16th St., from Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Community organizations will share information and resources with area families and neighbors. Organizations and community members supporting this life-and-legacy celebration include Milwaukee County Parks; Milwaukee County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones; the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office; the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression; Milwaukee Turners; Souls to the Polls; the League of Women Voters; True Skool; and the Greater Milwaukee Urban League.

Please join Lucille Berrien’s family and community members for refreshments, food, music, and activities for all ages.

About Lucille Berrien

Lucille Berrien was born on April 12, 1928, and passed away on May 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She dedicated decades to civil rights and community service, working to advance equity and access to social services for children and families in Milwaukee, and she fostered more than 90 children.

Her civic work included an early mayoral campaign: in 1972 she became the first African American woman to run for mayor of the City of Milwaukee. She was a member of the Black Panther Party and was active in grassroots organizing and open-housing advocacy alongside her friend James Groppi. She also served on the board of Legal Action of Wisconsin for many years. She co-founded community organizations dedicated to peace and justice and worked throughout her life to expand opportunities for Milwaukee’s underserved communities.