The Milwaukee Portal is located in Amani Park in the 53206 zip code, which has the highest black male incarceration rate of any zip code in America. The Portal is run in partnership with COA Youth & Adult Center, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, and numerous other local partners working on issues ranging from police-community relations to job trainings.
The Portal in Milwaukee is located in Amani Park in the 53206 zip code, which has the highest black male incarceration rate of any zip code in America. The Portal is run in partnership with COA Youth & Adult Center, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, and numerous other local partners working on issues ranging from police-community relations to job trainings.
Lindsay Heights has one of the highest incarceration rates in the U.S. Portals connected residents for dialogues on police-community relations and became a de facto meeting place for residents; kids would play there in the summer, and parents would gather and continue discussing topics after the day’s formal programming had ended.
It amazes me just how universal hip-hop has become. Here in America it was originally created as a means to express ourselves despite the forces oppressing us. Blacks had few ways to convey their thoughts publicly so we confused creativity with passion in hopes that the words in our hearts would be felt. Today I spoke with a man on the other side of the world who said that positive hip-hop is blooming where he lives in Afghanistan. It’s inspirational to say the least. I’m honored to be able to share my voice with the world. This portal is a gift, a treasure in time that I feel will one day be incredibly impacting! Javier S