America's Black Holocaust Museum must be saved
By Cassandra Lans

It is called 'America's Black Holocaust Museum', not Milwaukee's, or even Wisconsin's because it is a treasure in the United States where there is only one like it. There is no other Black Holocaust Museum. So when the news hit the airwaves last week that it was "temporarily closing" its doors, the news hit hard, not just here in Milwaukee, but nationally as well.
Read More »

Milwaukee milestones marked Black excellence in journalism
By Jacqualine S. Williams

Shining Star: Sarah Hoye, NABJ Salute to Excellence 2008 Emerging Journalist of The Year, is congratulated by her parents Tom and Letitia after she accepted her award. Photo by Jacqualine S. Williams

Pictured (l-r) Faithe Colas (co-host), Everett Marshburn (producer) and Liddie Collins (producer) of MPTV Channel 10 Black Nouveau earned three nominations for television documentary at the NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday, July 26th. Liddie Collins won the award for Black Nouveau - Dave Zirin Interview. Photo by Jacqualine S. Williams

Native Milwaukee journalists Sarah Hoye and Liddie Collins stood in the spotlight for the first time at the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Awards Gala held during UNITY 08 Journalists of Color convention on Saturday, July 26th. at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and hosted by Kevin Frazier, anchor of Entertainment Tonight and Diann Burns, news anchor of ABC7 Chicago.
Read More »

The MLK Back-to-School Festival returns with new additions

In its 14th year, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival returns to King Park on Sat., Aug. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is located at 1531 W. Vliet Street . In addition to its biggest attraction, the distribution of 5,000 book bags with school supplies for needy students, the Festival will have a number of new attractions.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival was founded by Tenth District Milwaukee County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs to provide families, with an afternoon of low cost summer fun while providing their children with the tools they need begin class on the first day of school.

For many families, the latter is their favorite part of the event and its biggest attraction. To get one of the free book bags, parents must bring and sign-up their children at King Park between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Every registered child will get a special wristband and must wear it in order to get their bag and school supplies when distributed at 4 p.m..

Among the new additions for the 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival is a special motorcade featuring motorcycles and collector cars. The rolling procession starts at 10 a.m. at Washington Park, 4420 W. Vliet Street, and will travel east on Vliet into King Park for a grand entrance into the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival.

Another added feature is at the Youth Talent Show Stage. In conjunction with WJMR 98.3 FM, winners from each age group will go onto to compete at the upcoming "Showtime at the Riverside." Plus, teenage all-star basketball athletes from Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, MI will match up for Great Lakes bragging rights. That game takes place at 4 p.m. inside King Park .

Other regular attractions for guests include the Gospel Area featuring performances from well over a dozen choirs, groups and individual artists. For children, there will be small and large games. Plus, more than 30 organizations and business will share education, health and other information and services in the Community Resources Area. The Milwaukee Health Department will also have a van on the grounds for immunizations. Also, a variety of foods and cold beverages will be sold.

For more details about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Back-to-School Festival, call (414) 278-4265.