The Pop Up Shop Grand Opening (Mayfair Mall)

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Women of color representing and innovating the community thru fashion, art, and sales !!! 

I intentionally parked on the opposite side of Mayfair Mall (Macy’s) to grasp the customer service experience throughout the entire mall, stopping in a few stores I was not greeted and received many scolding looks. (Man talk about uncomfortable!) 

As I approached the Pop Up Shop, directly across from the Barnes and Nobles; I felt a sense of energy bursting from the doorway. Seeing so many familiar faces and the 1st two people I see are Imani Ray and the owner from Classic Jewel, who both immediately embraced me. (Man talk about the love in the building!) At that moment I almost forgot I was in a mall! It was that pure energy customers love.

I received a shopping experience! They feed us, allowed everyone to take photos and purchase some merchandise that you feel good about buying. 

Bronzeville Collective was also present, and members from the community like David Bowen were also there #SupportingTheLocal buying things like the ‘Love Yourself’ T shirt. As a fashion lover and person who truly knows the pressure of hosting a good event, this was an amazing grand opening. 

I even got a chance to talk to 2 of the co owners of the Pop Up Shop and this is what they had to say: 

Imani Ray - Natural E Beautiful: 

After being released from her job the collective reached out to her for an opportunity to add her to the collective. 

CW: What does Love Yourself mean; it’s posted everywhere?

“The brand and clothing is a reminder to love themselves; the location is centered around affirmations.”

CW: What do you want to bring to this community

“I want people to experience the store; even without a purchase.”

Marie Carter the Classic Shoppe:

“Our people need to be represented in an area that necessarily not made for us.” 

CW: What does Love Yourself mean; it’s posted everywhere?

“Support and building up out communities; smiling and loving yourself and others help build that community and even stronger!”

And there you have it! What a success ladies, and be on the lookout for men being apart of this Pop Up Shop in the near future!

/Vato





Summer Soulstice (RECAP) - Carrie's Perspective

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It’s festival season!

So of course the CopyWrite team is out here to #SupportTheLocal and catch all the festival vibes. Here is a video recap of Summer Soulstice 2019 from Carrie’s perspective.

Enjoy!

/CW

Here is our recap of Summer Soulstice 2019 through our Journalist Carries perspective. #FestivalSeason #MKE

Introducing "Been Bitter" by Diana Mora

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“The third installment of the talented Diana Mora intimate story telling is here. With lustful self reflection, vulnerability, new found confidence and more. Not for the prude but definitely words worth reading.”

- Lexi S. Brunson (Editor-in-Chief /CW)

I felt like I was cursed 

I went to look back on my life

I was faced with the same person 

Myself 

Been Bitter 

I had to break a Generational Curse 

At a time in my life

When I was tried of 

Living 

-Dye

#SupportTheLocal by purchasing her promo drink at Shindig Coffee!

COPYWRITE MAGAZINE ISSUE 14: FASHION & STYLE *OFFICIAL DROP*

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Sometimes you just have to drop a magazine like…

DROP!!!!

Check out our long awaited Fashion & Style Issue (Issue 14).

Interviews w/ Vee Adams, Von Alexander, Basia Rose, Spaidez, Chill Sweats, our Ex Fabula Features & more.

/CW

/CW Video Press Release - Catching up with Ms. Fankh

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Our Editor-in-Chief Lexi sat down with Ms. Lotus Fankh to catches up on all her new projects, including a blog about her weight loss journey ‘LOST’, updates on her debut play ‘Lost in Home’ and her next project 'Alignment(s)' featuring the upcoming single 'Home'. Press Play to get the exclusive!!!!


Click Here to check out the blog!

Song: (https://ampl.ink/dpzRB) Future Time- Ms. Lotus Fankh 

Better Than This, an album by Ms. Lotus Fankh on Spotify

/CW





Community Post: Local students to be awarded the Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship at City Hall

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*Info from Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – On Friday, May 17, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., The Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship Foundation (MFSF), in partnership with several local businesses and community organizations, will award graduating seniors with the Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each. Nearly 100 students applied to be a Milwaukee’s Finest Scholar, but only 15 students were selected, making it one of the most competitive scholarships in Milwaukee County this year.

“As a Milwaukee native who graduated from Milwaukee Public Schools in 2013, I’ve witnessed first hand the lack of financial resources for deserving students who desire an education after their high school career,” explained Jerel Ballard, Founder of Milwaukee’s Finest. “It’s important that we continue to uplift foundations like Milwaukee’s Finest to encourage our youth regardless of their zip code or financial status.”

Students were selected by a Scholarship Review Panel consisting of local parents, educators, college students, and business owners. During the ceremony, honored students will receive a signature glass award with their name engraved on it, a congratulatory certificate from the Mayor of Milwaukee, the scholarship monetary award, and the title of being selected as a 2019 Milwaukee’s Finest Scholar. The Office of the Mayor will present the Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship Foundation with a proclamation during the award ceremony. This event is free and open to the public.

About the scholarship

Founded in 2016 by Jerel Ballard at the age of 21, The Milwaukee’s Finest Scholarship Foundation has grown tremendously throughout the City of Milwaukee. Since its inception, more than $30,000 have been allocated towards scholarships for students who come from low-income backgrounds. The average donor for the foundation is only $25.

As a one-time, merit-based scholarship, these awards are given to individuals who demonstrate strong leadership traits and have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Unlike other scholarships, the funds are issued to the student directly and there are no stipulations on which college or university the scholar attends.

To date, Milwaukee’s Finest Scholars are enrolled at prestigious, historic and local universities across the country including Harvard University, UW-Madison and Milwaukee Area Technical College. Each student had to submit an essay answering the question, ‘How has growing up in Milwaukee shaped who you are as an individual?’ and ‘How do you plan to use what you’ve learned in Milwaukee County and apply that in your higher educational goals?’ More information on the scholarship can be found at www.mfsf.org. 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Jerel Ballard, President

jerel.ballard@mfsf.org

/CW

 

Experience True, Personal Forgiveness Stories at End of Season Slam! *Partnership Post*

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*Info Provided by Ex Fabula

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Milwaukee, WI - May 8, 2019   Ex Fabula tellers return to the stage to compete for the title “Season 10 Audience Favorite”! Ex Fabula is wrapping up Season 10 with the annual ALL STARS event at Turner Hall Ballroom on Saturday, May 18th. This competitive curated StorySlam will return to Turner Hall Ballroom located in Downtown Milwaukee; doors open at 6:30pm, stories begin at 7:30pm.

What is Ex Fabula ALL STARS? ALL STARS is a StorySlam featuring community members who were voted “Audience Favorites” at regular season StorySlams; they’ll be returning to the stage to share new, 10-minute stories on the evening’s theme, “Forgiveness”. Audience members can also participate in the storytelling by submitting UltraShorts, which are brief, true personal stories written on slips of paper and then read onstage by the emcee. Then, at the end of the night, the audience votes and crowns a Season 10 Audience Favorite.

This year, the Audience Favorites are Elizabeth Brown, Julie Cole, Jude Treder-Wolff, Molly Snyder, Rick Karlson, and Matthew Lewis; these community members are currently crafting new prepared ten-minute stories to share at ALL STARS.

“Last year, the theme was ‘Connection’. The stories ran the gamut: love letters, brothers, addiction and recovery, spreading ashes, reconnecting with family roots, and even an unintentional bank robbery! ALL STARS is always a beautiful evening of feel-good entertainment and I’m so excited to hear the stories this year." says Executive Director, Megan McGee.

Ex Fabula is a Milwaukee nonprofit that has been strengthening community bonds through the art of storytelling since 2009. Please note this is an all ages event, highlighting a variety of stories. Because the nature of StorySlams, with true stories shared in an open-mic format, we do not control the content of the stories that might be shared.

ALL STARS advance tickets are available for $12 at the Pabst Theatre Group’s website; advance tickets are highly recommended and seating is general admission.