MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will host three events on Nov. 17 focused on the city of Milwaukee, highlighted by the annual State of Milwaukee Summit. This year’s Milwaukee Summit is “COVID-19 and Racial Equity: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Go from Here?” It begins at 7 p.m. in the Golda Meir Library fourth floor conference center. Panelists include Cavalier Johnson, mayor of Milwaukee; David Crowley, Milwaukee County executive; Joel Brennan, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee; and Ellen M. Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Opening remarks by UWM Chancellor Mark Mone will lead into a discussion of the impact of the pandemic on our neighborhoods and communities. Questions the panelists will address include:
- How has COVID-19 further revealed and magnified existing inequalities in our city and region?
- How have city and county government services been affected, and what role can the public sector play to restore or transform to meet the present challenges?
- How are businesses and community organizations faring and what does the future look like?
- What have we learned that can be applied in the way forward?
Before the Milwaukee Summit, historian John Gurda will speak at 4 p.m. in Lapham N103 about his book and documentary “Milwaukee: A City Built on Water.” He will discuss the role of the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan in shaping the Milwaukee of today and tomorrow. At 4:30 p.m. in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning first floor commons, City of Milwaukee Development Commissioner Lafayette Crump will present “Building Up Milwaukee: Challenges, Opportunities, and a Path Forward.“ His conversation about the future of the city centers around Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s vision of growing Milwaukee’s population to 1 million people through enhanced economic activity and support for small businesses as well as the creation of new opportunities for residents, families and businesses.
