JULY 5, 2018
CITY-WIDE MILWAUKEE || Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC kicked off its SMART Conversation I & II - World Cafe Style on BIAS with 8 Milwaukeeans at Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum, 2620 W. Center.
They were:
SESSION I - Melody Villaneuva - Activist
- Justine Villaneuva - Virginia Visitor
- Attorney Jeff Perzan - Mike McCabe Campaign
- Claborn Benson - Executive Director,
Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum
- Mary Glass - Facilitator
SESSION I dialogue was on BIAS and background for the year 1 Initiative to Followup Starbucks - Licensed and corporate coffee houses.
SESSION II - Melody Villaneuva - Activist
- Justine Villaneuva - Virginia Visitor
- Clayborn Benson - Executive Director,
Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum
- Regina Harmon - Social Worker
- Michael Brox - Milwaukeean,
Campaign Tony Zielinski
- Mary Glass - Facilitator
The format was indicative of World Cafe style - dialogue-specific whether small or large gathering, FACE-TO-FACE, and thought-provoking. World Cafe style allows individuals to focus on a THEME with questions, with a degree of comfort and seriousness. The answers are not wrong or right. They are examined for clarity and validity.
The focus is on "What Matters".
Each participant is to "listen to understand"
"Listen together".
"Speak your mind and heart".
"Contribute your thinking".
"Collective thought"
BIAS. BAIS. BIAS. Different types.
Truisms
What we Accept contributes to DISCRIMINATION and HATE.
Our Judgment makes up the background for disrespect.
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| MARY GLASS - Facilitator |
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| REGINA HARMON - Social Worker |
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THE CANDIDATE - Session II
Candidate for Mayor Tony Zielinski was the office seeker with us during the SMART Conversation on BIAS June 30, 2018.
His Opening Statement included:
Good morning Mary,
There are a number of studies that list the worst places to live in the United States if you are African American. We know that Detroit and Cleveland are on the list but can people name another city that is ranked even worse for African Americans?
Milwaukee!
Milwaukee cannot be a great city if 43% of its population has it worse here than just about any other place in the country. And I am telling people on the east side, west side, and south side that we must come together as a community to focus on bringing up the central city.
I will give you an example of how the central city has not been the priority. What is the biggest challenge in the central city? Jobs. What is the biggest challenge to get to those jobs? Transportation.
So does the city invest in the largest single infrastructure transportation project in its history in the central city to get people to jobs? No. Instead, they build it in the downtown area. And what is worse the central city is helping to pay for it.
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The robust dialog speaks to BIAS and what can be done with impactful leadership.
We found Candidate Tony Zielinski initial comments on quality of life and economic development NEW and worthwhile from a candidate. As the weeks, months, and next year or so moves on, we will follow "his tweaking" of his message, his outreach to the parents, students, businesses and stakeholders of Milwaukee.
Our next BIAS SMART Conversation and Follow-up of Starbucks will be announced within the next two weeks.
Special THANKS to the Honorable Clayborn Benson of Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum - A jewel located in the Amani Neighborhood, 2620 W. Center Street, Milwaukee, WI 53206.
We also THANK METRO MART - Van Buren for the REFRESHMENTS.
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