Black Meetings & Tourism - MEET MILWAUKEE’S BRONZEVILLE

Industry Briefs
MEET MILWAUKEE’S BRONZEVILLE
*One of The New York Times' "52 Places for a Changed World"* From the early 1900s through the 1960s, Bronzeville was the city center for Milwaukee's African-American community. Experiencing a major revitalization, Bronzeville has come a long way in the past decade and its trajectory only continues to rise. In fact, that trajectory landed the city's Bronzeville neighborhood on the 2022 iteration of The New York Times' prestigious "52 Places for a Changed World" list. This year's list focused on places around the globe where travelers can visit to be "part of the solution." As organizers seek host cities for their gatherings, Milwaukee's Bronzeville may just be part of their event solution as well. Gathering in Bronzeville Looking for a venue with the perfect mix of space, culture, and community? Look no further than the Bronzeville neighborhood. Located right next door to Milwaukee's downtown, the main thoroughfare, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is lined with African American-owned businesses. Visitors enjoy the diverse dining, shopping, festivals, and attractions. Planners enjoy the varied venues available in Bronzeville. After closing during the Great Recession, America's Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) made its grand re-emergence in February 2022 inside a new modern space. Founded by the only known survivor of a lynching, ABHM builds public awareness of racist legacies and promotes racial reconciliation. As an event space, a large community room offers guests flexible setup options and even an onsite kitchenette. The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center is known for its nationally recognized arts education programs and community arts partnerships such as First Stage and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Planners will be especially interested in the center's over 55,000 square feet of dynamic meeting and event space, including halls that transform from rehearsal areas to venues. Bronzeville restaurants offer incredible event spaces in addition to phenomenal catering. On the Bayou is a taste of New Orleans in Milwaukee, and its Cajun-inspired cuisine can be enjoyed in the restaurant or in its connected event space. Jewels Caribbean offers tropical food and drinks with island flair, and the entire restaurant is available for buyout with a mix of couches for lounging and tables for dining. Skybox is one of Milwaukee's leaders in sports bar entertainment, and planners can rent out all or part of the restaurant for events . Garfield's 502 is a beloved Bronzeville neighborhood bar with delicious soul food as well as a lower level rentable for meetings and parties. Need something beyond venues and after-hour activities? Bronzeville has organizers covered. Pete's Fruit Market has been a Bronzeville staple for some time, and attendees will love shopping for quality produce and fresh foods. Gee's Clippers has been the Milwaukee Bucks' barbershop for several years, and its sports-themed salon offers guests event-ready classic cuts and styles. If specialty goods are guests' wish, they can take a trip to some Bronzeville favorites. Lilo Allen and Tiffany Miller are artists and artisans operating The Bronzeville Collective , a collaborative storefront featuring local-made goods such as apparel, jewelry, accessories, skincare, incense, and candles. Fresh flowers from 414loral and gorgeous greenery from Maranta Plant Shop make amazing centerpieces and speaker gifts. The City Where Unique Unites Bronzeville is more than just a place for a changed world. The neighborhood happens to be one of the reasons why Milwaukee is The City Where Unique Unites . Visitors often ask "What is the one thing that makes Milwaukee unique," but there is no one thing. Many things and many people contribute to Milwaukee's spirit. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you celebrate, Milwaukee has something for you. Find your Milwaukee at VisitMilwaukee.org.

Industry Briefs

MEET MILWAUKEE’S BRONZEVILLE

One of The New York Times' "52 Places for a Changed World"

From the early 1900s through the 1960s, Bronzeville was the city center for Milwaukee's African-American community. Experiencing a major revitalization, Bronzeville has come a long way in the past decade and its trajectory only continues to rise. In fact, that trajectory landed the city's Bronzeville neighborhood on the 2022 iteration of The New York Times' prestigious "52 Places for a Changed World" list.

This year's list focused on places around the globe where travelers can visit to be "part of the solution." As organizers seek host cities for their gatherings, Milwaukee's Bronzeville may just be part of their event solution as well.

Gathering in Bronzeville

Looking for a venue with the perfect mix of space, culture, and community? Look no further than the Bronzeville neighborhood. Located right next door to Milwaukee's downtown, the main thoroughfare, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is lined with African American-owned businesses. Visitors enjoy the diverse dining, shopping, festivals, and attractions. Planners enjoy the varied venues available in Bronzeville.

After closing during the Great Recession, America's Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) made its grand re-emergence in February 2022 inside a new modern space. Founded by the only known survivor of a lynching, ABHM builds public awareness of racist legacies and promotes racial reconciliation. As an event space, a large community room offers guests flexible setup options and even an onsite kitchenette.

The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center is known for its nationally recognized arts education programs and community arts partnerships such as First Stage and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Planners will be especially interested in the center's over 55,000 square feet of dynamic meeting and event space, including halls that transform from rehearsal areas to venues.

Bronzeville restaurants offer incredible event spaces in addition to phenomenal catering. On the Bayou is a taste of New Orleans in Milwaukee, and its Cajun-inspired cuisine can be enjoyed in the restaurant or in its connected event space. Jewels Caribbean offers tropical food and drinks with island flair, and the entire restaurant is available for buyout with a mix of couches for lounging and tables for dining.

Skybox is one of Milwaukee's leaders in sports bar entertainment, and planners can rent out all or part of the restaurant for events . Garfield's 502 is a beloved Bronzeville neighborhood bar with delicious soul food as well as a lower level rentable for meetings and parties.

Need something beyond venues and after-hour activities? Bronzeville has organizers covered. Pete's Fruit Market has been a Bronzeville staple for some time, and attendees will love shopping for quality produce and fresh foods. Gee's Clippers has been the Milwaukee Bucks' barbershop for several years, and its sports-themed salon offers guests event-ready classic cuts and styles.

If specialty goods are guests' wish, they can take a trip to some Bronzeville favorites. Lilo Allen and Tiffany Miller are artists and artisans operating The Bronzeville Collective , a collaborative storefront featuring local-made goods such as apparel, jewelry, accessories, skincare, incense, and candles. Fresh flowers from 414loral and gorgeous greenery from Maranta Plant Shop make amazing centerpieces and speaker gifts.

The City Where Unique Unites

Bronzeville is more than just a place for a changed world. The neighborhood happens to be one of the reasons why Milwaukee is The City Where Unique Unites .

Visitors often ask "What is the one thing that makes Milwaukee unique," but there is no one thing. Many things and many people contribute to Milwaukee's spirit. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you celebrate, Milwaukee has something for you. Find your Milwaukee at VisitMilwaukee.org.