Celebrate New Artwork at the Southwest Madison Employment Center, Wednesday, Juneteenth

Powerful new work from "The Artist".

This art will be celebrated at an art installation event on Juneteenth at the Southwest Madison Employment Center. On Wednesday, June 19, the Urban League will celebrate a new art installation from Madison's mysterious artist, known as "The Artist", which will feature scenes from the Civil Rights Era. This is a powerful gift and captures culture, resiliency; reminding us of the work still ahead as a people. 

Free food, music, joy this Wednesday, Juneteenth, Black Independence Day!

•  Public invited to celebrate new artwork at Southwest Madison Employment Center: New artwork depicting scenes from the Civil Rights Era, by an artist known as, “The Artist”, was recently installed on the grounds of the Southwest Madison Employment Center at 1233 McKenna Blvd. [posted June 12, 2024, by Planning & Community & Economic Development]
• Madison Ranked #2 in Country in Pedestrian Safety : Madison was ranked the 2nd safest city for pedestrians out of the largest 101 metropolitan areas across America, according to Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition ’s Dangerous by Design 2024 report. [posted June 10, 2024, by the Mayor’s Office]

• Other Events

• Go By Metro! Pinney Library, Tuesday, June 17 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Get the latest scoop on BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and basics for how to use the local bus service. Get one-on-one time with a Metro employee in English or Spanish!
• Parks Alive | Elver Park, Monday, June 17: Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Allied Park: June 24, July 8, July 22

• SAVE THE DATE - WestFest @ Elver Park, August 10 -  Time: 10:00-3:00 p.m. | 1250 McKenna Blvd. 

The 5th Annual WestFest @ Elver Park is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th at Elver Park. You can play a vital role in helping to bring our Westside neighborhoods together. We would love to have you join us in celebrating our 5th year - make this event a memorable one. We need volunteers to join our planning group. Neighborhood Associations, community groups and community resource providers interested in getting involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at Westfest24@gmail.com or 608-228-8683. We would be delighted to hear from you. Our gathering mantra when we began WestFest in 2019 continues:  strong, design, together, pride, engagement, neighborhood, build, neighbors, belonging, diverse, community. GOAL: to build community!

• Lunch and Learn Hosted by Alder Wehelie, Thursday, June 20 (VIRTUAL): Alder Nasra Wehelie of District 7 is hosting a virtual Lunch and Learn on Thursday, June 20. Guest speakers include City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl and Municipal Clerk 1 Camille O’Connell, who will present on elections and voting.
• The Center for Black Excellence and Culture Groundbreaking Celebration, June 19: Dr. Gee, members of the planning committee, and state-wide Black influencers invite you to join The Center on Juneteenth to celebrate the kickoff to construction of our historic building! Answering the decades-long absence of culture space to celebrate and advance Black culture, this ceremony marks a major milestone for Madison and all of Wisconsin – and begins the transition from Imagine If to Envision When. We invite you to join us in commemorating all those who made this moment possible and celebrate Black excellence.
• Business Mix & Mingle - Juneteenth Edition, Wednesday, June 19: Join us on Wednesday, June 19 at 5:00p at Olin-Turville Park Shelter for a night of networking and fun. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, make valuable connections, and expand your business network. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a professional looking to grow your career, this event is for you. Come prepared to mix and mingle with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and enjoy some delicious refreshments. We can't wait to see you there!
• Urban Triage's Nonprofit Spotlight Night with the Mallards, Thursday, June 20: Join Urban Triage for an exciting evening at the ballpark as we partner with the Mallards for a Nonprofit Spotlight Night! Proceeds from tickets purchased using our link will directly benefit the important work we do in the community.
• HEADS UP!
• Dane County Food Pantry Coalition Press Conference - June 25: We invite you all to join us for a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. where we’ll share the letter. We believe the power of this message comes from all of us uniting. Please let us know by Friday, June 21, if you’ll attend and stand with us so we can recognize you by name during the event and confirm additional details ahead of the event. We have reserved the Assembly Parlor in case of rain. Please send RSVP to Becca Carpenter at becca@riverfoodpantry.org.
• Affordable Dental Care Groundbreaking Ceremony, Thursday, June 27: Embrace the future of healthcare with us at the groundbreaking ceremony of our state-of-the-art clinic on Thursday, June 27th from 3-4pm. Meet in the parking lot and come see where our new space will be, as well as learn about the future of ADC. Together, let's shape a brighter tomorrow
• MOVE N GROOVE4BGC 2024 IS JULY 20TH AT MCKEE FARMS PARK: This campaign brings family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors together for a fun-filled event. Pledges raised support the ongoing mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Hundreds of participants will pedal, run, walk, and groove their way across the finish line and into the post-event party of cold drinks, great food, family games and activities, and LIVE MUSIC!
•  Fourth Annual Urban Triage Kickback, Saturday, July 20: Urban Triage is hosting our Fourth Annual Kickback event on Saturday, July 20th, 2024, at Penn Park, at 2101 Fisher St, Madison, WI 53713, from 2 PM to 7 PM! The theme for this year's Annual Kickback is Summer Sizzle! This is a FREE event! There will be free food (food carts), DJs, bouncy houses, a climbing wall, cotton candy, ice cups, ice cream, gift bags, face painting, organic vegetables from our farm, and more! Field activities include an obstacle course, tug-a-war, basketball, and kickball. We'll also have a dance battle and a Double Dutch competition.
•  Well Black Woman® Market, July 27 from 11:00 - 3:00pm: The Well Black Woman® Market (WBW Market) launched in June of 2021 in the midst of COVID-19 in an effort to re-open the Foundation’s Black Women’s Wellness Center, and simultaneously to invest in other Black-owned businesses who were disproportionately impacted by the global pandemic. Our markets are an outgrowth of our longstanding commitment to support and promote Black women and community-owned businesses as an integral part of building community wealth and well-being.
• The White Party, Saturday, July 27: Join us as we celebrate the unveiling of the sculpture of civil rights pioneer, Vel Phillips, on state capitol grounds. After the ceremony we invite you to stay to celebrate Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County’s 25th Anniversary with a live DJ, dancing, food, celebrities, and MORE!
• Dream BIG Gala 2024-Big Brother Big Sisters of Dane County - Friday, July 26th: The Dream BIG Gala, presented by The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, serves as their largest annual fundraiser and is crucial in powering our work to create more mentoring experiences for youth in Dane County. Location: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53703
•  Charity Golf Outing for Black Women's Health, Tuesday, August 6th, 2024: Join us and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association of Madison on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, as we co-host our second LPGA Amateur Charity Golf Outing benefiting the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness! You and your foursome will help raise crucial funds to amplify our efforts in creating a community where all women are healthy, thriving, and free! Join us!
•  6th Annual Briarpatch Youth Arts Festival, Saturday, August 10: Please join us for our 6th Annual Briarpatch Youth Arts Festival, Saturday, August 10. From Noon - 4. Come out and support the young people and their artistry!
•  5th Annual Black Women's Leadership Conference, Tuesday, August 20: We’re excited to return this summer to celebrate the return of the Black Women’s Leadership Conference! Take the day off and join us on August 20, 2024, at Breese Stevens Field to make new friends, shop, hear from inspiring speakers, connect with local employers, and more!
•  Black Business Hub Ribbon Cutting & 10th Annual Unity Picnic, Saturday, August 24: Join us at the Black Business Hub on Saturday, August 24, for a historic gathering as we celebrate a decade of unity and progress within our community! This commemorative day will embody the spirit of togetherness and uplift underserved businesses in the Greater Madison area. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to be part of this momentous occasion that will strengthen the bonds of unity within our city. We have some special and exciting things planned that you won’t want to miss! More details to come soon!
•  Luna’s Groceries Block Party, Saturday, August 24: Join us for a fun afternoon in the neighborhood! Food, games, and prizes! Delicious food and culture. Music and dancing. Children's activities and games. Raffle prizes and giveaways. Enjoy live music by Madison's favorite artists.
•  WHEDA Conference 2024; How Housing Happens, Monday, November 18 - Tuesday, November 19: Mark your calendars and join us for WHEDA Conference 2024 ! Gain industry insights through panels featuring developers, property managers, and industry experts. There will also be opportunities to engage with financial specialists and affordable housing leaders.

•  On Recent Incidents of Gun Violence : “An otherwise beautiful weekend in Madison was marred by three unacceptable acts of gun violence in public spaces. [posted June 10, 2024, by the Mayor’s Office]