Milwaukee County to Host “Milwaukee’s Story of Black Wealth” Community Event, Data Reveal, and Panel Discussion
Milwaukee County residents, community leaders, advocates, and families are invited to attend Milwaukee’s Story of Black Wealth: Community Experience & Data Reveal on Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 AM to […]
Black News 
This public event will unveil findings from Milwaukee County’s Story of Black Wealth Initiative, a community-centered effort designed to better understand how residents experience wealth, opportunity, stability, and economic barriers across Milwaukee.
Led by the Milwaukee County Office of Equity and supported by community engagement partners, the initiative engaged residents through surveys, listening sessions, and direct conversations to ensure the community voice helped shape the findings.
A total of 946 residents participated in the community survey, offering insight into what wealth means, what barriers families are navigating, and what solutions communities believe are needed most.
Turning Community Voice Into Action
The event will transform months of engagement into an interactive public experience featuring:
● A community data reveal highlighting key findings
● A live panel discussion with respected Milwaukee leaders
● Visual storytelling and data exhibits
● Opportunities for residents to reflect, engage, and help shape next steps
Survey responses also showed that housing costs, debt burdens, low wages, transportation barriers, and lack of capital continue to make long-term wealth building difficult for many families.
Featured Panel Discussion
At the center of the event will be a dynamic conversation exploring Milwaukee’s past, present, and future as it relates to Black wealth.
● Clayborn Benson
● Kirk Harris
● Deborah Blanks
● Michelle Bryant
The panel will explore:
● What the data is telling us about wealth in Milwaukee
● Historical policies and systems that shaped present outcomes
● Real-life experiences behind the numbers
● What meaningful, community-driven solutions could look like moving forward
Why This Event Matters
Milwaukee’s racial wealth disparities have been documented in previous research by organizations such as Data You Can Use, Wisconsin Policy Forum, UWM, and others. This initiative adds something critical: direct community voice.
By combining resident experience with research and data, Milwaukee County hopes to strengthen pathways toward equity, ownership, and long-term prosperity.
Who Should Attend
● Milwaukee County residents
● Community members and families
● Advocates and organizers
● Nonprofit and service providers
● Business leaders and entrepreneurs
● Anyone committed to a stronger Milwaukee
Event Information
Milwaukee’s Story of Black Wealth: Community Experience & Data Reveal
Saturday, April 25
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2620 W. Center St.
Milwaukee, WI 53206
Join the Conversation
Come hear the story.
Come engage the data.
Come help shape what happens next.
