MPA Call for NEIGHBORHOOD-Level Talks for Transition

MILWAUKEE, WI - MPA - Milwaukee Professionals Association is in the process of identifying process, policies and procedures for All Hands on Deck BOTTOM-UP Recovery plan for a NEW Middle Class in the City of Milwaukee. It is a concerted effort to rid the city of Enduring Concentrated Poverty and "un-trapping" over a half-million people.

Experts at the neighborhood-level are sought for advising the education, research, planning groups and those that monitor and/or provide funding.

MPA's focus on "neighborhood-level" research, education attainment, technology attainment is uppermost in the success of discovery of "hidden talent" and "emerging markets" in the City of Milwaukee, especially with the majority population which is African American, other People of Color and the Work Challenged.

MPA's call upon inclusion and accountability of those in higher education, especially our public school structure for linkage in the 3-tier structure (MPA/Milwaukee Public Schools, MATC/Milwaukee Area Technical College and UW-M/University of Wisconsin - Milwaukeee) for cost-saving, maximizing funding, banging the buck; but, most of all, to ensure that those who are traditionally left out "by design" are at the table working, learning, creating quality of life and economic development issues that will provide wellness and sustainability on their behalf.

MPA has discovered some troubling "discriminations" at our highest public school level. We will not only work to expose the wrong behavior; but work harder to ensure that going forward INCLUSION is the pre-requiste when using government funding and other funds designed for ALL USA stakeholders.

Over the next two weeks, MPA will analyze and conduct Accountability Matters alerts to the following groups to document as well as open doors on projects that have failed to call us to the table. The groups we will contact are:

- ANSYS Institute for Industrial Innovation
- Energy groups
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Marquette
- Medical College of WI
- MSOE
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. EEOC
- UW–Madison
- UW-Milwaukee
- Wisconsin Energy Research Consortium

Call for Accountability and Integrity in use of "Urban" and "Milwaukee"

MILWAUKEE, WI - MPA Calls for the University of Wisconsin Regents Board, UW System President, UW-Milwaukee Interim Chancellor, staff, students and all Milwaukeeans to put into practice the 1956 founding principle of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. It is found in the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Institutional Profile dated December 3, 2010 - presented to finalists. That is:
". . . UWM was founded in 1956 based on the belief that Milwaukee would need a great public university to become a great and thriving city. Quality education, excellence in research, and community service are all central to the University’s mission.

During the tenure of the Past Chancellor Carlos Santiago, the present Interim Chancellor and the focus of the recent Search process, the enormity of the City of Milwaukee had diminished to the campus on the east side near Lake Michigan, downtown and proposed Wauwatosa real estate. Where did the 190 neighborhoods go, especially Amani, Metcalfe, Sherman Park, Williamsburg Heights, WAICO Y, Harambee and LAND? What happen to the majority of the City that includes African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged stakeholders?

To hold true to the State Statute 36.01(1)(2) and the Select Mission of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, there is an inherent obligation that is being ignored. In other words, the City of Milwaukee (urban) and the word "urban" are not mutually exclusive.

"It appears that one thing is said, but another is done - Why?" said Mary Glass, spokesperson for MPA. "This was seen in how UW Regents, the special Regents Committee, the UW president and 25-member UW-M search committee refused to host additional neighborhood-level meetings and did not invite the people west of Humboldt Avenue to the dinners, receptions and special gatherings; as well as have NOT included them in the Master Plan, Freshwater, Neeskay, Innovation, Northwest Quadrant, and Health projects".

William & Kate - April 29, 2011

Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton, (born 9 January 1982)- An Accessory Buyer becomes Mrs. William Arthur Phillip Louis. Kate is the eldest of three children born to Carole Elizabeth (née Goldsmith and Michael Francis Middleton well-known for their successful party-planning business. Kate is first commoner in line to be queen in modern times.

She'll now be known officially as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, Buckingham Palace - the public will know her as Princess Catherine.

William Arthur Philip Louis (born 21 June 1982) - Pilot, Search and Rescue - Royal Air Force. He is second heir to the British throne to sixteen independent sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

His titles include: Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

They were married in Westminister Abbey.

We wish them a happy marriage!

RE-PURPOSING - "Re-defining", "Re-branding", and "Un-trapping" Milwaukeeans

Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Professionals Association moves forward with steps to ensure that the All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative-Plan-Project promotes awareness and education of the People.

SHORT Fast Facts
-- All Hands on Deck was born January 23, 2010.
-- It is an outgrowth of MPA Smart Growth Signature Plan (2005-2010).
-- Smart Growth Signature Plan (2005-2010) initial findings

GOAL - To get a feel of how patterns of leadership, policy and day-to-day practices create a trend that perpetuates “poverty” for neighborhoods in Milwaukee.

Observations of well-known public, private and philanthropic organizations involved in partnerships that acquire government funding and spending on behalf of the City of Milwaukee. It included those that were elected, hired, appointed, volunteered, partnered and goodwill.

The initial findings were somewhat surprising, mixed and telling. Common strands were: 1). lack of “NO transparency” – heavy bureaucratic, 2). known wrong by in-house staff but no will of change (powerless), 3). a controlled environment of fear of dismissal, 4). external power players with contracts-procurement of goods and services, 5). widespread cronyism, 6). Heavy government funding with waste, 7). arrogance, 8). lack of customer care, 9). lack of accountability and best practices, 10). Supported by elected-hired-volunteered-appointed, partners and donors. Widespread “discrimination” that is “racial” and “class” based – often with people of color as “gate keepers” – doing as told.

This is also the "culture" seen at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, our highest public school.

Collectively the findings create barriers for implementing 36.01(1)(2), the Selective Mission and the 1956 founding premise. It also contributes to the deficit in education attainment and its outgrowths for quality of life and economic development. It helps to create and perpetuate "Enduring Concentrated Poverty" for Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged. It sends the wrong messages to its Board of Regents appointees-UW System hired President-UW-Milwaukee hired Chancellor-UW-Milwaukee hired staff and impressionable students. Thus, a status quo that allows missteps that go against moral will and best practices of principled-centered leadership.

So what is the "repurposing"?
It is a BOTTOM-Up initiative to identify, train, tool and partner "hidden talent" and "emerging markets" at the neighborhood-level for competitiveness. It is "bundling" the findings for economic development and sustainability that will create a NEW Middle Class in the iconic city of Milwaukee.

-- BOOSTING Graduation
This includes diploma/GED, certification, Associate, 4-year, graduate and post-graduate level achievements. We encourage a goal of obtaining at least two of the options.

Another Example of RACISM gone wild

Click birth certificate to enlarge.

President Barack Obama - 44th President of the United States released his long form birth certificate today.

Opportunists, hucksters and fly-by-night individuals continue to try to trash and derail American Barack Hussein Obama. The narrow minds and racists' tongues continue to not get it. This is one of the side-effects of "undeserving" privileges of Caucasians in America. There is the thought of too many Caucasians that "they are superior" and they only call the shots.

There are other people in this world beside Caucasians that are smart, from-the-jump keenly witted, will out-think, out-speak and out-perform the best of them without much effort - such is the case with American born Barack Hussein Obama.

Perhaps we should do some checking on some of the so-called "good ole boys and girls" - the great pretenders, the "give my country back to me folk". Wouldn't it be interesting to find out that Donald Trump is not an American, is African - is African American - was adopted and birth parents are unknown - is not as wealthy as he says - and on and on. What kind of spin would we get here?

Not only is American Barack Hussein Obama facing all the odds that could be leveraged with all of the 43 presidents before, the American 1st African American President is doing it with patience, patience, patience, perseverance, calm, focused strategy, "let-us-work together", and with a gentleman style.

The awful truth about lunacy is it is rampart without rhyme or reason. The fact that President Obama has presented two (both) forms of birth certificates; the strategy to defeat him - to demean him - to try to keep him from re-winning will continue. You see, it was not about the birth certificate - it is about he is an African American. Period.

MPA Supports "Denim Day 2011"

PSA Video - Center for Family Services - www.denimdaysnj.org

MILWAUKEE, WI - April 27, 2011 - Denim Day 2011 is a campaign to prevent sexual violence in our neighborhoods and city through education and public awareness. We have had a recent rash of rapes in the City of Milwaukee at gun point. We are asking our neighborhood-level organizations (for-profit and non-profit) to draft outreach and posting to support this effort on Wednesdays and Fridays.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Background
The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 with CALCASA and LACAAW, the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, as part of an international protest of an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans.

The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year old rape suspect because his 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack. The Court stated in its decision that "It is common knowledge...that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them....and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might." The judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape. The unpopular verdict became an international symbol of myth-based injustice for sexual assault victims. Taken from the University of California - Irvine, Campus Assault Resources and Education.

GLASS delivers Discrimination and Conflict of Interest Complaint to AG Office against WI Board of Regents and Others

Accountability Matters Complaints, one submitted and four to go

MADISON, WI – On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 11:25 am, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, delivered to the Risser Building, 17 W. Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin, the first of five (5) Milwaukee Professionals Association Accountability Matters Complaints.

MPA Complaint registered claims to a number of issues, including violation of State Statute 36.01(1)(2), failure to honor 1956 founding belief, discrimination against Milwaukeeans, especially African American, other People of Color and Work-Challenged stakeholders; as well as, discrimination in the process against outside candidates vs Interim Chancellor. The Complaint asked that in addition to the Call for Investigation, there are specific recommendations for intervention and prevention in the future.

The Accountability Matters Complaint is against: WI Board of Regents (18 members), Regents Special Chancellor Committee(5 members), UW System President, Records Custodian, Senior System Legal Council, Storbeck Pimentel Search Agency, and UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Search Committee(25 members).

“We are pleased to get the first of five Complaints to the Office of Attorney General JB Van Hollen, Attorney General for Wisconsin. We have four to go. They are: the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), federal and state legislators, Governor Scott Walker and the WI Accountability Board”, said Glass.


# # #

SOLAR and "U" - ALL Hands on Deck, WE

MILWAUKEE, WI - April 25, 2011, in recognition of Earth Day 2011 (April 22, 2011), MPA's All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative is swinging the gates open for "neighborhood-level" residential and commercial AWARENESS and engagement.

Some items of first focus are:
-- ee - energy efficiency (home and business)
-- neighborhood beautification and maintenance for the rest of the seasons
-- recycling "rain" water
-- recycling waste
-- solar use - commerce and employment

He Rose - Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from the MPA Family

GOOD FRIDAY - WE Remember and Give Praise

Milwaukee, WI - Today begins the three-day might miracle of those who believe. It is the day of unbelievable LOVE of Jesus - it was given to you and me - He died with the third day to rise - Easter Sunday.

Today is Good Friday!
ALL HANDS ON DECK, WE PRAISE HIM!!!

GOOD FRIDAY UPDATE - AG Report - WI Board of Regents

MILWAUKEE, WI - It is Good Friday, April 22, 2011, the day of completion and forwarded information for full investigation consideration by Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen.

We know there have been missteps, we submit documentations for identifying the wrongdoings, and we look forward to AG Van Hollen to provide due diligence in his office investigation so that the process and procedure of WI law, Statute 36.01 (1) and (2) on behalf of the public interest in our University of Wisconsin System is met by those we place confidence in, said Mary Glass - Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association.

Both State Statute 36 and the UW-Milwaukee Select Mission are called into question.

Below is Chapter 36, the prerequisite for the Call for Investigation by MPA.

CHAPTER 36
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
36.01 Statement of purpose and mission.
36.01(1)
(1) The legislature finds it in the public interest to provide a system of higher education which enables students of all ages, backgrounds and levels of income to participate in the search for knowledge and individual development; which stresses undergraduate teaching as its main priority; which offers selected professional graduate and research programs with emphasis on state and national needs; which fosters diversity of educational opportunity; which promotes service to the public; which makes effective and efficient use of human and physical resources; which functions cooperatively with other educational institutions and systems; and which promotes internal coordination and the wisest possible use of resources.

36.01(2)
(2) The mission of the system is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural and humane sensitivities, scientific, professional and technological expertise and a sense of purpose. Inherent in this broad mission are methods of instruction, research, extended training and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.

SEAWAY BANK & TRUST Comes to Milwaukee on Fond du Lac

Neighborhood-Level Corporate Business

Walter E. Grady - President and CEO of Seaway Bank & Trust

"I have to say that what gives me the most joy is to help a customer through a financial crisis. Customers may come in concerned and worried, we do our best to make sure they leave with a big smile on their face ," said President Walter Grady.

He has been the leader of Seaway for 30 years. In fact, his leadership has grown the business from $40 million to over $400 million, with 250 employees. Seaway Bank and Trust is the #2 Black-Owned Bank in the Nation.

Grady credits his change from chemistry and mathematics to business (per the suggestion of one of his professors) at Roosevelt University as a major reason for his success. He also credits Morehouse College and his opportunity with the U.S. Air Force as contributors.

Seaway Bank acquired Legacy Bank on March 11, 2011. It is on the corner of Fond du Lac and North Avenue, 2102 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, 414.343.6900 - major intersections of Milwaukee.

We welcome the Seaway Bank and Trust Family to Milwaukee and look forward to Seaway being a strong leader at the neighborhood-level for growing our residential and commercial base in neighborhoods in Milwaukee. We know that the "Trust" opportunities can be a big plus for the stakeholders.

Seaway Bank and Trust is based in Chicago, IL.
President Grady's office is there.

The NEW Branch Manager of Milwaukee is: Tracy Meeks.
Website: http://www.seawaybank.us/

MPA Calls for AG Investigation of Discrimination and Conflicts of Interest by WI Board of Regents

An examination to document violations of the law and possible penalties in 2010-2011 UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Search and Deans

Press Release
April 18, 2011

MILWAUKEE – Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, is asking the office of Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen to determine whether WI Board of Regents violated oath of office and laws in the Chancellor Search for the 8th leader of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee by failing to conduct a “fair” search – discrimination of African American and other People of Color; how Board of Regents, Board of Regent 5-member committee and UW-Milwaukee search committee refused to respond and/or respond timely and reasonable for decision making to “public information” inquiries, allowing conflict of interests, misled public with acts of vote dilution – refused to hold additional listening sessions for neighborhood-level listening/input meetings, failure to keep cogent minutes for “verification process”, failure to include urban “neighborhood-level” stakeholders in finalists campus dinner and reception, composition of the Search and Screen Committee for UW-M failed to include neighborhood-business owners and residential taxpayers, un-inclusive finalists schedule sent the wrong signal, composition of the Search and Screen Committee for UW-M failed to include diversity in race, finalists meetings for community held “only” during work day (1:30pm-2:30pm), failure to provide UW-M website video viewing as an option for those who could not come – even though taping was made of each finalists, disadvantage of outside finalists vs. bias 6-month lobbying of interim chancellor; and, refusal to provide adjustment for voters after abrupt withdrawal of finalists – Dr. David Belcher.

The complaint includes the full board of regents, the 5-member board of regents UW-Milwaukee Chancellor committee and 25-member UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Search Committee.

“The City of Milwaukee, majority People of Color and the Work-Challenged, is trapped in Enduring Concentrated Poverty primarily due to decades of discriminatory practices that include exclusions from leadership planning, decision making and training relative to education and employment attainment”, as well as conflicts of interest and cronyism by those in power that undermines the confidence of Milwaukeeans”, said Glass. The city is plagued by regular studies and reports of 45% or more high unemployment and low scores of education. The urban city of Milwaukee has three public school systems. “We are also recommending that the Attorney General review whether there should be perjury charges relative to Code of Ethics; and, to share suggestions for to prevent this from happening again”.

Additional contact will be sent to: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), federal and state legislators, Governor Scott Walker and the WI Accountability Board.

# # #

The Opening Question - Inside the Case Method

Today's spike for the mind - Harvard Business School, Inside Case Method No. 1. The richness is for YOU and what you do in your day-to-day - assign values.

Treat yourself.

MPA is a Friend of DRYHOOTCH.ORG

April 15, 2011
Milwaukee, WI - DryHootch.org at 1030 E. Brady Street, presented Author, Professor Kirsten Holmsted, "The Girls Come Marching Home", for a discussion about the re-integration of veterans, especially returning women from the Middle East - Iraq war.

The two-hour discussion was filled with cause and effect, however, what is solely missing is America's quality-of-life care for those who go to bat for us - lose their limbs, sexually assaulted, experience emotional trauma that leads to psychological long-term damage, experience post-trauma conditions - increased divorces, homelessness with and without children, increase drug and alcohol concerns and who die for us.

“I can say, without a doubt, that everything I did there was with every part of me,” said Marine Sgt. Shannon Evans, 28, who served seven months in the Middle East and is profiled in the book. She is plagued by memories of a roadside bombing in which she was injured. “Every mission I went on, every woman and child that I searched over there, I can still see their faces.” Published September 29th, 2009 - National Veterans Foundation.

Holmsted is from Williamsburg, VI and she is presently exploring options of a theatre rendering of her book as well as a possible movie. We thank her for bringing to our attention the 18 profiles in the book as well as highlighting the more than 200,000 women deployed to the Middle East and over 765 killed and/or wounded.

Service Outreach - UPCOMING EVENT
There is a huge need for "more by all of us" to help our VETS.

MPA SUPPORTS the SuccessVets(education attainment)and Joining Forces (1st Lady Michele Obama and Dr. Jill Biden).

This summer, our first and major effort for this year will be a Stand-down Seminar for Women and Men Veterans and their families. It will highlight community resources and services which often can make a difference in helping families make ends meet, and will address barriers veterans, especially women, encounter as a result of a lack of information.

Stay tuned. Be prepared to volunteer when we call. Better still, email us NOW if you wish to be part of the "ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Stand-down TEAM - Email: mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com.

To hear of another young lady, her grandmother and mother investment in our armed services - Visit the video below for "Ashli - A Woman Who Serves - Air Force
http://vimeo.com/15676234

The BLACK Agenda - Budget Cuts, Ryan etc.

April 10, 2011

MSNBC - Ed Schultz Show, Guests: Velma Hart - Executive Director, Giving Initiatives and Alternatives; Rev. Al Sharpton; Robert Traynham - DC Bureau Chief, Comcast Network and Dr. Cornel West, Professor and author - Princeton University.

A discussion of the Black Agenda - Health Care is front and center.

FLY GIRL - VERNICE ARMOUR

MEET CAPTAIN BERNICE "Fly Girl" ARMOUR

March,2002 - First African American Female Combat Pilot - Iraq

A NEW Facade for Jake's - 17th & North Avenue

Neighborhood-Level Business
Milwaukee, WI - 1634 W. North Avenue, NEW Jake's Deli.

The famous Jake's Deli has a NEW LOOK that is welcomed - signage in and out, additional employees as well as an updated menu. The business is bustling as usual with new faces and modern touches (credit card, checkout register and an expanded ecletic menu for starters).

The new managing partner, Gary Plassmeyer, is bringing in some of his exposure with Texas Roadhouse, chain with 340 locations in 46 states, with steaks, ribs and beer as its brand.

Judging from Gary's statement, "We are opening another one as we speak", says he has big ideas - some mirror Texas Roadhouse brand.

We welcome Gary Plassmeyer and his updated ideas.
We, at Milwaukee Professionals Association, thinks he exemplify the "neighborhood-level, DIAMOND in the Rough" business that is the bedrock of All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative to "re-define", "re-brand" and "un-trap" Milwaukeeans. It is about state-of-the-art, customer care, best practices, education and technology attainment for a BOTTOM-UP Recovery Plan, said Mary Glass, Chair/CEO MPA.

BOOK REVIEW - The Girls Come Marching Home

Kirsten Holmsted - Author

Milwaukee, WI - DRYHOOTCH.ORG Coffee House, 1030 E. Brady, 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
Friday, April 15, 2011

Join author Kirsten Holmstedt and hear about issues facing female service members and veterans. She is the author of two groundbreaking works on the subject:
-- 2007’s Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq (Stackpole Books,) and
-- 2009’s The Girls Come Marching Home: Stories of Women Warriors Returning from the War in Iraq (Stackpole Books).

For more about Kirsten, go to:
For more information on Kirsten Holmstedt and her works, please visit http://www.girlscomemarchinghome.com

BOOSTING GRADUATION and Support for our Veterans

Milwaukee, WI - MPA - Milwaukee Professionals Association continues to reach out and "benchmark" ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative-Plan-Program, a Bottom-up Recovery plan to replace "concentrated poverty" with "economic affluence" through hidden talent and emerging markets that will create a NEW middle class. It is our OUTREACH for success with our veterans in Milwaukee.

Education and Technology attainment are the driving engines with a diploma, certificate, associate, undergraduate, graduate and/or post graduate degree. This is part of MPA - Milwaukee Professionals Association BOOST GRADUATION campaign, President Obama's 2020 global competitiveness, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative and VetSuccess to Campus.


Our threshold link is providing awareness, access and advocacy support. We will kick-off our efforts for Boost Graduation and JOINING FORCES this summer in ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Stand-down Seminar for Veterans. We will have a special emphasis on females.

Re-Entry
All Hands on Deck cites "re-entry" of those returning from WAR, incarceration, extended un-employment and retirement, as a protective class for support. Each group comes with their own set of concerns for FULL acclimation to campus life. This is not always easy according to Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, April 12, 2011 - Vets go from combat to campus article. There is an adjustment period to be expected and those providing training should be prepared to offer the "transition" that is needed. This is improved with "fellow veterans" in the mix.

“I am thrilled to see the expansion of the VetSuccess program,” said Dr. Jill Biden. “I know the transition from military to student life can be challenging and we owe it to those who have served our country to make their transitions as easy and successful as possible.”

VetSuccess
MPA has embraced VetSuccess. We are exploring ways we can assist with the "linkage" - one of which is holding discussion sessions with the veterans to "talk-through" issues for success.

We are creating a neighborhood-link for the 3-tier TRIFECTA. It is all three-levels of public education creating a "pipeline" for success.

Veterans from DRYHOOTCH Brady and VETS Place Central are the main groups we will work with to connect to the campuses - public and private.

For more information, visit:
www.joiningforces.gov
www.va.gov/

NATIONAL Volunteer Week - April 10-16, 2011

MPA - Milwaukee Professionals Association seeks "neighborhood-level" focus for its All Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Initiative-Plan-Program.
We are focusing on BOOSTING Education and Technology Attainment.
We have a Call to Action of UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools; as well as, Medical College of Wisconsin, Carroll College, Concordia College, Cardinal Stritch, Alverno College, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Marquette University to help lead the charge for global competitiveness of our stakeholders in the City of Milwaukee.

We seek to bring our goodwill neighbors into a collaborative way-of-doing-business that will jumpstart "U-WE" BOOST GRADUATION RATES in the City of Milwaukee.

National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, 2011, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Week is about taking action and encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change—discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation.

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials.

MPA ALL HANDS ON DECK, WE, NOT ME INITIATIVE-PLAN-PROGRAM
This is an Initiative/Plan/Program that was launched: January 23, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to raise awareness and create a synergy that would help to create a BOTTOM-UP Recovery effort that would help infrastructually to "Re-define", "Re-brand" and "Un-trap" OVER a half-million Milwaukeans.

JOIN US!

Go to see: "The Castle"

l-r: Angel Ramos, Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Kenneth Harrington and Casimor Torres.


“The Castle” − a first-hand account of life in prison is at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Zelazo Center, 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. There is no charge.

This is an off-Broadway production with actors: Angel Ramos, Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Kenneth Harrington and Casimiro Torres.

Hear their first-hand account of the system of incarceration and our after-care for rehabilitation.

“The Castle” is the resident program of The Fortune Society, a nonprofit program in Manhattan that helps men and women adjust to life after incarceration.

This event is co-sponsored by UWM’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and UWM’s Peck School of the Arts.

World Health Congress April 4-6, 2011 - Report

David Cordani
President/CEO
CIGNA Insurance

Guest on: Squawk Box


World Health Care Congress
April 4-6, 2011
Washington, DC

LEGISLATORS: Education and Finance Committee Meetings - WI EYE

Visit Wisconsin Eye (http://wiseye.org/) later today for telecast of two meetings TODAY, April 7, 2011.

Education - State Capitol
Joint Finance - Stevens Point


- Assembly Committee on Education


- Joint Finance Committee on Budget




Members of the Joint Finance for Stevens Point Meeting today and their "emails" for your contact are:
8 Senators and 8 Representatives:
Sen.Darling@legis.wi.gov (R-River Hills)
Rep.Grigsby@legis.wi.gov (D-Milwaukee)
Sen.Grothman@legis.wi.gov (R-West Bend)
Rep.Shilling@legis.wi.gov (D-LaCrosse)
Sen.Harsdorf@legis.wi.gov (R-River Falls)
Rep.Kleefisch@legis.wi.gov (R-Oconomowoc)
Sen.Hopper@legis.wi.gov (R-Fond du Lac)
Rep.Meyer@legis.wi.gov (R-Eagle River)
Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov (R-Sheboygan)
Rep.Nygren@legis.wi.gov (R-Marinette)
Sen.Olsen@legis.wi.gov (R-Ripon)
Rep.Strachota@legis.wi.gov (R-West Bend)
Sen.Jauch@legis.wi.gov (D-Poplar)
Rep.Shilling@legis.wi.gov (R-LaCrosse)
Sen.Taylor@legis.wi.gov (D-Milwaukee)
Rep.Voss@legis.wi.gov (R-Racine)

Thank you Pam Frautschi for the reminder and the list of legislators.

ALL HANDS on DECK, WE, Not Me Fast Fact

ALL Hands on DECK, WE, Not Me Initiative - The shorten version for the title is: "U-WE" Initiative.

A plan and project for "re-defining", "re-branding" and "un-trapping” over a half-million urban stakeholders of the City of Milwaukee from the ravishing jaws of ENDURING CONCENTRATED POVERTY.

It is a plan-program that calls for EVERYONE – man, woman, child – to do their part.
Poverty rises to the top like “cream” - A super cause-and-effect that perpetuates itself by default.

It is an automatic guarantee due to “by-design” discriminatory practices of greed, disregard, policies designed to control and exploit; and, double-triple-standard laws.

For decades, many reports have surfaced annually sharing the terrorism - despicable outgrowths of “by-design, enduring concentrated poverty”. Some of the consistent “predators” are:

• Corporate greed
• Crime statistics
• Demonizing the victims
• Discrimination – double and triple standards
• Displaced decision making and planning from the neighborhood-level
• Disrespect and disregard
• Education and technology deficits
• Exploitation
• Health deficits
• High and disproportionate INCARCERATION - same crimes
* High under- and un-employment
• High under- and un-financed business packaging
• High under- and un-skilled
• Housing deficits
• Lack of “accountability” by ALL
• Lack of “accountable” political representation
• Lack of “awareness” of stakeholders
• Lack of “due process” in justice system
• Law enforcement abuse
• Massive segregation that promotes “separate and unequal” tactics
• Spatial mismatch

Milwaukee remains the No. 1 apartheid city with conditions of the City of Milwaukee designed to control and perpetuate the “status quo”. What also follows is arrogance, expected privileges from those receiving disproportionate to appropriateness and fairness.

Documentation
From President Lyndon Johnson's Kerner Commission Report on "provocations of rioting" (1964), Atlanta Constitution report on "redlining" - The Color of Money (1989), Federal Reserve and Brookings Institution (spatial mismatch) - Enduring Challenges of Concentrated Poverty (2008) to Daniel Denvir (slideshow rating of top 10 segregated cities) - The 10 Most Segregated Urban Areas in America (March 29, 2011)*, African American, People of Color, and the Work-Challenged have weathered the storm.

It is important to note, that the decades of storms have taken a toll. It is important to note, that IN SPITE of the rampart wrongness, “hidden talent” and “emerging markets” are part of the BOTTOM-UP Recovery. It is time for us to CHANGE.

* For more about Daniel Denvir’s recent report, go to:
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/29/most_segregated_cities/index.html
March 29, 2011

Give HONOR to the Drum Major of ALL TIMEFRAMES - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Remembering "MARTIN" - The Drum Major
A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

A lie cannot live.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

A man can't ride your back unless it's bent.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

A right delayed is a right denied.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

A riot is the language of the unheard.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. Martin Luther King, Jr.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#ixzz1IZoyDsgV

MPA Endorses Dr. James Muyskens for 8th Chancellor of UW-M

MPA Endorses Dr. JAMES L. MUYSKENS for the 8th Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee



The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is at a cross-road where it can become truly a World-Class Urban Research University.

It requires BOLD leadership by an experienced leader with academic and business model experience and strong people skills. An administrator with cutting-edge and state-of-the-art knowledge of what the market will bear and a code of conduct that understands the importance of ALL in the pipeline creates the advantage and opportunities that our economy and time call for.

Where are we headed? Value vs Stuff – A result that is high quality – Infrastructure - Moral Obligation
The above are points taken from the speech given by Dr. James Muyskens, President, Queens College, when he visited the campus of UW-Milwaukee on March 16, 2011. His topic: “Contemporary Challenges of Research Universities”. He was the first of 5 Finalists.

Dr. Muyskens brings academic experience that covers the classroom, research, discoveries, funding and leadership of a university. His last 8 years has been at one of the City universities of New York – Queens. During that time, he has shown growth in the specialty of the academic staff (evidenced by population and awards); worked in and cultivated benefits of multi-cultural populations of races, nationalities, ethnicities; provided results stemming from partnerships with other universities and forging capital campaigns at a time of economic challenges; but, seeing huge opportunities for sustainability through the engine of the students, faculty, alumni, donors, stakeholders and the voters.

Dr. Muyskens exposure as the Dean and CEO, Gwinnett University Center of Georgia’s 21st Century “bricks and clicks” model adds high volume and value-added leadership to his importance and success in BOOSTING GRADUATION rates in the City of Milwaukee and beyond.

We feel that he is seasoned, state-of-the-art, willing to listen, willing to collaborate, brings value rather than stuff and he recognizes the importance of working-in-partnership with the neighborhood-level. For it is working with the People of Milwaukee, African American, other People of Color and Work-Challenged of all nationalities and ethnicities, that he and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is successful.

We recognize and call upon each stakeholder of the City of Milwaukee, campus student body, faculty, UW-Regents and other stakeholders to step up in a unifying way and embrace Dr. Muyskens.

For the above reasons, MPA – Milwaukee Professionals Association, under the corporate leadership of Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, endorses Dr. James L. Muyskens as the 8th Chancellor for the University of Milwaukee.

Guest Speaker - Carolyn Armenta Davis - Historymaker Historian

Carolyn Armenta Davis - Historian, Curator, Lecturer, Writer

She has served on several non-profit organizations' boards. She is a member of numerous organizations including the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, the Society of Architectural Historians, International Women Associations, Chicago; Old Town Triangle Association, Chicago; the Lincoln Park Renewal Corporation; and the NAACP.

In 2004, Davis qualified for a Series 3 License, National Commodity Futures registration.

Davis is writing a book on 21st century Black Diaspora architecture.

Davis was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on November 21, 2008.

****************

Friday, April 8, 2011
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
School of Architectural and Urban Planning
Room - 190
Time: 4:30pm

"Contemporary Designs of African, Afro-European, and African American Architects" presentation by Carolyn Armenta Davis, historian, lecturer, curator and writer, Chicago. This presentation is co-sponsored with the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects.

1.0 AIA/Continuing Education System Learning Units awarded. For more information about this speaker's visit, contact Associate Dean for External Affairs Gil Snyder or 414-229-4014.

Belcher Withdraws from UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Finalists

Dr. David Belcher, the second finalists from the University of Arkansas, has withdrawn.

We wish him the best. He was a strong candidate.

Clarity Needed
Since Monday, April 4, 2011, is the final date for selection - since some people have made their selection; and, the selection could have been Dr. Belcher, we are asking that the two-part Search Committees give the voters, campus and public, additional time to RE-VOTE.

For announcement, go to:
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/Chancellor/

MPA Calls for INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY

Honor your commitments with integrity.
Les Brown

On Thursday, March 31, 2011, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association, cited "Intellectual Integrity" as a concern for the NEW UW-Milwaukee Chancellor.

Glass brought up "intellectual Integrity" on behalf of the neighborhood-level, so that "ideas" by/from MPA and others from the neighborhood-level are not pirated by the leaders and/or runners of the public schools - MPS, MATC, UW-M; instead they become successful partnerships.

MPA Risk Management
Recent discoveries as well as past behavior of those corporate-elected-appointed-hired-volunteered will take an idea of an individual and/or organization, partner with perceived power players and/or named leaders, writers of grants and proposals for pilots and ongoing projects - marketing, start-up and operation,as if it was their own idea OR they have been given permission.

These are often carnivorous dinosaurs as well as NEW kid on the block organization operating through a local power broker that are part of Milwaukee's social, political, educational, and correctional terrean past and present.

They have been able to make career through retirement, raised their families and moved to the suburbs, made political post and postering, commuted daily and took tax dollars to the suburb, used local packaging from the Department of City Development and other agencies as the window to opportunities, gone state-national-international in scope, become wealthy, moved-in and out of state, prostituted crime, stopped real infrastrcture, created "SPATIAL MISMATCH", misused federal funding and promoted "de facto discrimination".

With Gatekeepers
It is important to note that African American, other People of Color and the Work-Challenged have been part of this hoax. They are the elected-appointed-hired-consulted-partnering and said-to-be-volunteered individuals and businesses that are allowed to play if they are "gate keepers". In other words, they pretty much do as they are told - they do not question - you do not allow those under your management or supervision to question - provide leadership that is to give the appearance of "inclusion".

The micromanagement comes with HEAVY intimidation to control the masses.

The above being said, it is also most important that the following programs-projects are not swiped, watered down, headed by individuals without a moral compass and providing "business-as-usual". They are:

-- MPA 3-Tier public school TRIFECTA - Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

-- MPA DIAMONDS in the Rough, Bottom-up Recovery plan that empower neighborhood-level businesses with resources of financial packaging, networks and infrastructual legislation.

-- MPA DIAMONDS in the Rough - Bottom-up Recovery progam with Apprenticeship + education and technology attainment, government and other e-economy financial packaging.

-- MPA BOOSTING GRADUATING RATES - ACCESS/LITERACY/FLUENCY -Awareness, specialized training and Input Campaign for connectivity and Buy-in.