ThriveOn King Ribbon Cutting Celebration | A local inspiration, a national model, and a dream come true

The ribbon cutting at thriveon king

“A local inspiration, a national model, and a dream come true.” - John R. Raymond, Sr., MD

At CopyWrite we respect a BOLD statement and we value an observed truth. So today when John R. Raymond, Sr., President and CEO of MCW, delivered remarks on his perspective of ThriveOn King collaboration, we could only agree that its fruition and active arrival has indeed been an inspiration, a layered blueprint, and a collective dream that has often been deferred. 

We were invited to attend the June 6th, 2024 ribbon cutting ceremony for the ThriveOn King Collaboration development [2153 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. Milwaukee, WI 53212] as a neighbor [/CW Creative Studios + Shop is literally right across the street if you did not already know], Art Review Committee members [because the creative work must speak to US & for US], and community stakeholders [our investment into this community is apart of the collective fabric that turns these SPACES into PLACES]. With those many facets of stewardship as a guiding force for our communal labor, we have been quite critical of the goals and aspirations for the new soul of the old Schuster’s & Gimbels building.

An equitable approach to development must be anchored in reality. What are the issues? Why do they persist? What are viable solutions and the resources needed to sustain them? These are the questions that are never easy to answer. However, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF), the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), and Royal Capital’s “joint vision for Milwaukee '' have created a physical manifestation of what that vision can become. 

“We all share a vision where neighbors are healthy. . .opportunities are equitable. . . a better Milwaukee”, said Ellen M. Gilligan, current President & CEO of Greater Milwaukee Foundation. The idea of a “Better Milwaukee”, can always be neutralized by the historical divide that most tend to harp on as a sign of stagnation in our cities’ complex infrastructure but in the case of the ThriveOn King development, “better” is collaborative truth. Where community is engaged, philanthropy can serve, and that service becomes mutually beneficial in building a place where we all thrive holistically. 

Ken Robertson, Executive VP, CEO & CFO of GMF, also shared his appreciation to his collaborators [including the community] and commitment to the project beyond the near completion of the commercial building component. “We could do better, we could live better . . . projects like this enable us to get there”. The momentum is an absolute must to propel a high-profile partnership into something that retains a positive legacy and lasting impact in the microcosm that is Milwaukee. 

The stipulation of communal progress treads upon counter acts to gentrification and welcomed entry into a community that already holds historical and cultural value. Alderwoman Milele Coggs, made it known in her speech that the site we all were currently inhabiting was not just a happenstance of real estate availability. She listed an FBI facility, the welfare building [even as her familial namesake], and NO studios as other inquired possibilities. “It could have been but we fought against it”, she said. And those possibilities change the trajectory of so much more. 

artist vedale hill /w pops [art installation]

As always when we approach these historical moments of ribbon cutting and “professional hobnobbery”, we report back to our readers as active advocates of the arts, culture, and to local elevation. We watched as Vedale Hill, one of the artists selected for ThriveOn's permanent collection [and an intimate supporter and partner of our work at /CW], created his art installation slated for the historic display windows on the north side of the building. We discussed the importance of having his work be seen as “a cultural relevance of “Play” for the African American Community in Milwaukee. . . These pieces are meant to depict a physical manifestation of hope for young Black kids while elevating this nuance of culture to high art. This notes that while the practice of play may be the dream there are other professional routes that may encapsulate that passion”, as stated in his concept description. 

artist whose art was selected to be a part of thriveon king: vedale hill, Isaic Pulliam, Brad Anthony Bernard, Reynaldo Hernandez

“This is more of a homecoming than an arrival for me. Having this art here at ThriveOn reaches back to why I became an artist in the first place. It's already there. I’m just encapsulating it and reframing it so that our realities are validated not as just historical asides but as impacting proponents of the here & now. How I view myself as an artist is more akin to a diamond cutter than an inventor.  I’m just making a value and beauty association that is already a part of the natural folds of the community I am a part of”, Vedale reminded us.

And these narratives run deep.

/cw on the job | Editor-in-chief Lexi S. Brunson

I am keeping a few subtleties close to my chest to preserve them for future conversations about the ThriveOn King, collaborative community development, and the art that will show who we are on walls that are professed to be a part of generational progress. As I sit in my studio & look out the window I can see the new era of progressive proliferation and I will be keeping a close [and neighborly] eye on how we THRIVE together.

Lexi S. Brunson | Editor-in-Chief /CW

Juxtaposing perspecetives | An In The Field Reflection from /CW Summer 2023 Youth Interns

As many know, this summer CopyWrite Magazine with our partners Jazale’s Art Studio, hosted four Summer Youth Interns. Aligned with the authentic nature of both organizations' creative practices, we found it fitting to immerse our interns in “In the field” research that showed them the juxtaposing nature of our creative community. With a guided tour of the Bronzeville neighborhood and the Milwaukee Art Museum, each intern noted their perspectives of community, culture, and space. They wrote their perspectives in the format that best served them, also showing that communication varies depending on how you view the world. [Its the agency in methodology for us]. It should be a reminder to us all that archiving perspectives brings light to future questions. What are WE saying to the next generation and what will they say about us?

---

Cameron Barker | Reflection

Bronzeville

Walking through Bronzeville introduced me to a new perspective on art that is used when investigating what art is and who it is for. The installations in the Historic Garfield Apartments allow for people who typically can’t go to museums and displays to interact with and view art, and the style of art used allows for it to add to the space subtly without being overpowering. In addition, the preservation of the artwork done by the kids who went to the school before it was transformed, shines a light on the real history of buildings in the local environment. By preserving the artwork, it gives importance to the artists. Every kid that worked on that piece is at a much later stage in their life now, and for them to be able to look back at what they did and see that it was preserved also gives their past value, and further shows them the importance of having experiences like that in their childhood.

The development being done in the Bronzeville area is another thing that interested me on our walk. The initiative to build a high school for minority students in this community is an important push to further strengthen it and give kids better access to quality education, while also counteracting gentrification in the area. As these development projects become completed their is a high probability to displace people who already live in this area. If property taxes rise, and people simply can’t afford to live in the same place as they used to, then they’ll be forced out and people with more money than them will move in, renovate, and paint over the vital history of this area. Fortunately for the present residents, the people who want to come in and gentrify the area may be put off by the proximity to a high-school for minority students, which in itself is an interesting dynamic. Why do the people with the money to support and engage in development not want to be close to certain demographics? They’ll support from afar, but when they have to go to the communities and interact with the people who live in them, they are hesitant or unwilling.

Going to the Bronzeville Collective shows me the work that people in the community are putting in to maintain and support local entities. The store had a variety of products including candles, apparel, jewelry, and self-care products all of which are made by black, brown, and queer producers. Knowing that the money that I spent is going to someone who looks like me or lives in the same community as me, builds a stronger relationship between me as a consumer, and the designer or producer. Money isn’t everything, but one thing money is for certain is power. Money is the power to support a family, the power to protect a family, and the power, if in the wrong hands, can move families. The importance of knowing where money goes is so significant especially when supporting local businesses, because it’s much more likely that the money they receive goes directly back to the communities they are a part of. Local businesses bring money into communities and the money they bring in flows in a cycle throughout the community, strengthening it and moving it forward.

Milwaukee Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum differs vastly in the way they display and interact with art when compared to people in the Bronzeville area, and the dynamic between the two paints a polarizing picture of how each entity perceives each other. The people who purchase and display art in museums base the worth of art on not only its visual appearance but also the context it was created in. They believe that beyond the surface, art can convey messages through the artists’ perspective, but also by analyzing what was happening during the time the art was being created. If an artist were to paint a beautiful flower during WWII, some appreciators of the art may claim it’s worth more because the content of the painting contrasts with the context of the time. While people who view art at the museum level may think about these intricacies of appreciating art, people in communities such as Bronzeville may not view art in the same light.

The worth of art is completely subjective, and to some, the value of a canvas with paint on it is more than that of a car, a house, or even a private jet. For the people who consume art at such a high level, the price of a piece in their eyes is completely justified, no matter the amount. On the other end of the spectrum, people who don’t go to the museum at all, and don’t care for art simply cannot see the value in the things that others would say are valuable. To them, ‘Summer Sentinel” by Anne Truitt is nothing more than two blue blocks put on top of one another, with their only value being in the material the artist used to make them. To not see the deeper meaning, if any, of the artwork is not the fault of the viewer. If the artist intended to convey a message, in some way shape, or form, then it must be able to be received by the ones who look upon their work.

The disconnect then is created when the people who believe they see the deeper meaning, and believe that they understand what the artist is trying to convey also believe that people who cannot see what they see are “below” them in some way. They blame the inability of others to perceive the value of art on their economic status, their education, or the color of their skin. In opposition, the people who do not care for artwork ridicule those who appreciate it, calling them delusional, only making up meaning for art so they can buy and sell it for a higher price. When money plays such a big role in determining how art is consumed and viewed, it becomes hard for each side to see where one other is coming from. Why should someone spend any amount of money to view art, when they can simply spend that money on anything else? And why should people try to show art to those who don’t go to museums, if they don’t understand it? Of course, generalizing doesn’t do either side any justice. Some people are more fortunate and do not place much value on art, and some people are less fortunate and greatly appreciate art. To break down these negative connotations, art should be more accessible to everyone. Sculptures should be in more places, architecture should be more expressive, and spaces should be designed with an artistic mindset.

Art is everywhere, but not always uncovered.

---

Nahsialis Vang | Reflection

Bronzeville

On Friday July 14th, we toured around the Bronzeville community. Looking around the area, you can tell that it is not well-established physically. Trash on the ground indicates littering and heavy on historical buildings, it becomes aware that it looks a little rusted. But through the exterior aspects of Bronzeville, we also got to experience the internal aspects of Bronzeville, art and community courtesy of Lexi and Vedale.

In the building shown as 18 Public Schools [now the Historic Garfield Apartments] within the Bronzeville community, it is actually filled with residents who live in the building. As we got to go inside the building, we explored the aspects of what makes the building. Externally, it is a historical building that was built in 1887 but the interior, it looks rather modernized even if the scent was similar to older wood and rustic metal.

As we got to explore more of the building, we got to learn more about the history and aspects of what makes it a community. The building was previously used for a school which you can tell by the layout of it. Going on the top of the building, you can see the artwork that was painted from a class in the 1990s that was restored in an area where locals can intermingle with one another in a gym turned community room. It is important to understand the community as “people who help salvage and curate it are just as important” (Lexi).

Art Museum

Establishment and community is just one of the many things that set apart the Milwaukee Art Museum and Bronzeville. This may also include the type of art that is in each place, the cost, which includes both the pieces and the admission fee, along with simply the “feel”. Understanding that there is a difference is simply the first step to realizing, the audience is targeted differently.

When first walking into the Art Museum, there you can tell the establishment is well put together and relatively neat. Before actually entering into the art museum, water was forbidden as it could potentially be a hazard to the artwork that was in there. This specific establishment was designed for us to continuously walk around and just indulge in the many art pieces that are within. It is not relatively loud so you can hear the footsteps everyone takes while roaming.

With each footstep and pivot you take, you can see the different artworks that would not necessarily be in a place like Bronzeville, or connecting a community and showcasing what community is. Just looking at who owns a collection, you can tell the expensive taste that is homed into the Milwaukee Art Museum. With a simple name like the Bradley Collection, you can tell how expensive it is as the many known places like the Bradley Center and the Bradley Foundation are linked to that family. Noting expenses, a simple portrait of a woman “was acquired for about $3.5 million, according to museum sources” (Schumacher). The piece is called Alice Hooper by John Singleton Copely which was created in 1763.

Although there are many differences between these two places, one thing in common is simply, art. Finding art anywhere allows the “little C culture” (Lexi) to be showcased anywhere. It allows the ideas of art to be intersectional, interracial, and international which allows all people to be inspired by what they see. Art is everywhere and can inspire audience.

Works Cited:

MAM makes largest acquisition in its history by Mary Louise Schumacher of the Journal Sentinel - September 12, 2011

https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/129672823.html

---

Frederick Calhoun | Reflection

When touring the Bronzeville neighborhood and the Milwaukee Art Museum, I noticed different things throughout each. Bronzeville was more of a “hood” beauty, while being at MAM was more on what I think a white resident would want to experience. Even with that said, I learned about finding beauty in different spaces.

Now, I’ve always found the “hood” to be perfect in many ways ; but every time I see something being built up from nothing. It makes me happy to be situated and living.

Bronzeville is an area in Milwaukee that is usually looked over when tourists visit. It has hidden beauty throughout it. The corner stores, the beauty supply stores, and the Black owned businesses bring joy to my face as I noted down each one on our walk. The development in the area seems to be focused on Black identity too. This includes America's Black Holocaust Museum’ and The Bronzeville Collective, along with a collection of academic placements being built. Creativity is often overlooked here, because of the location, but I feel as though a lot of people should take their time and find beauty! Now, I’ve always found the “hood” to be perfect in many ways; but as I see so many things being built up from nothing here, it makes me happy to be living in this time off growth and change.

The Milwaukee Art Museum area [by the lake] was great, but it made me feel a bit loose being inside the space. It was more of a white space [physically & racially] than anything. To be completely honest; there were limited art pieces by people of color or Black people in general. Some of the work that stood out for me discussed the hardship of the Black experience and not the joy [which was already a strike for me]. However, the Derrick Adams exhibit, Our Time Together, did show the essence of Black joy rooted in community, people, and neghboor-“hoods”, just like Bronzeville.

So to compare Bronzeville to the Milwaukee Art Museum there's absolutely one that is more enticing to me. Being more open to Black culture, seeing a lot of people “doing their big one” by focusing on enhancing their careers and wealth, seeing how art lives here without pre determined boundaries, Bronzeville is more my speed.

Finalizing my thoughts, this was one of the best experiences ever. It of course was not my first time visiting Bronzeville or my favorite spot on the walk, The Bronzeville Collective, but every time I visit it's even more breathtaking. That community & lifestyle just speaks to me!

---

Jazale Hill | Reflection

Outside Vs. In

You never know what a house looks like until you walk through the door. There are structures I drive or walk past daily and imagine what it might look like inside. Although most don’t think of a home as art or their neighborhood as creative, it is. The way many buildings are placed with grass in front, the side, the color, the shape, it is all art. It took creativity for someone to build your neighborhood, giving many a sight to see instead of just looking at cars driving, garbage on the roads, or civilians walking. A house is not just a HOUSE. IT IS ART.

The house I live in is art, LITERALLY. Vedale Hill, and partners at HomeWorks: Bronzeville plan to expand our neighborhood in Bronzeville. They hope it can be a legacy that changes - the community. 2408 N Vel R Phillips ave, a new legacy. The inside is a beauty but how the house looked 2 years ago when first purchased was not as appealing. Many would not think there's a balcony looking down from a mezzanine to the lower level, or that a huge chandelier is hanging in the middle of the gallery space with edison bulbs all over. This is because this house is not located in a neighborhood many would imagine a luxury house to be in. The Bronzeville area is known for many successful black owned businesses, as well as the poverty surrounding it due to inequitable policies. That is why many, but NOT ENOUGH of localists are planning to redevelop our neighborhood inside and out, while trying to offset the gentrification that is already happening. Meaning, not only will you notice changes physically upon buildings but in people as well, attempting to lower crime rate and stupidity spurring around, helping those in need, and expanding knowledge.

Around the city of Milwaukee there has been construction everywhere! Making it tricky for many to get to point A and B but these new additions and redevelopment in historical buildings such as ThriveOn King which will be located at 2153 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and the Milwaukee Public Museum soon to be located in the Haymarket neighborhood on 6th and McKinley. Those two and many others are the start of sculpting a new future for many.

2408 N Vel R Phillips Ave, also known as the house on 4th and Meineke, is a Legacy building in my eyes. July 15th, 2023 was a day of celebration because one house got demolished of the three buildings on the property. It is the most expensive show I will ever see [costing $50,000 to demolish due to a faulty foundation], the most genuine show I will ever see, and the most impactful show I will ever see. It was a day of freshness and renewell, because Vedale Hill, my father, will start and continue to build his legacy of ART for his community and family.

“Come Out And Show Them”

July 18th, 2023 Jazale’s Art Studio and Summer interns of Copywrite Magazine took a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum to make a comparison of the Bronzeville neighborhood and soak in the art displays.

Glenn Ligon’s (2015) “Come Out and Show Them”, is an art piece that “ visually echoes” Steve Reich’s song (1972) “ Come Out” inspired by a trial of two men, wrongfully accused in Harlem during spring of 1964. Wallace Baker and Daniel Hamm at just the age 18, were tried and brutally beaten by 6 to 12 officers. In custody; they were then taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Because Hamm was severely bruised but not bleeding the cops weren’t going to acknowledge the need for any treatment for Hamm. So, in order to get treatment he had to show proof and he said “ I had to, like, open the bruise up and let some of the bruise blood come out to show them.” [My research says].

This then became symbolism against police brutality, and inspiration for Steve Reich’s song, that then became inspiration for Glenn Ligon “large black-and-white silkscreen paintings” that is covered edge to edge with the phrase “come out to show them”. A part of this collection is displayed in the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is where I was visually drawn to. Then, I read the description and it hit me, “that’s deep.”

“Come out and show them,” was very inspirational to me; the way the colors of black and white flowed, walking along the words becoming visible. It turned out not to be just words, it's meaningful to Black society, and it made me think of not only the story of Wallace Baker and Daniel Hamm but others who were victims of police brutality. The physical appearance of this art piece is an aesthetic of Black culture with a mixture of layers visible to the eye. Then the mental aspect of this piece is a far deeper story of inspiration and Black reality.

The Outside vs. Inside will forever be a barrier to many. Once you meet the physical you just have a moderate understanding, but when you meet the mental you have a new world of appreciate, that can inspire many. Art is one of the many ways that a human mind can be reshaped whether it’s expanding or introducing new information. Glenn Ligon’s “Come Out And Show Them,” introduced new information and broadened my imagination. I was able to see an example of art that was inspired by music which I have never seen before. I was also interested in the story of Wallace Baker and Daniel Hamm which is an important aspect of history I enjoy learning about.

Sources:

Beta, Andy. “Blood and Echoes: The Story of Come out, Steve Reich’s Civil Rights Era Masterpiece.” Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2016, pitchfork.com/features/article/9886-blood-and-echoes-the-story-of-come-out-steve-reichs-civil-rights-era-masterpiece/.

Tani, Ellen Y. “‘come out to Show Them’: Speech and Ambivalence in the Work of Steve Reich and Glenn Ligon.” Art Journal Open, 21 July 2020, artjournal.collegeart.org/?p=13202.

Quad MKE | Paving The Way For The Next Generation

This article has been prepared by a /CW “Teen” Summer Intern.

---

For the sake of the new generation, generations to come, and those who have been working hard to pave the way, Quad MKE is partnering with Running Rebels, SHARP Literacy, The BrandLab, and JobsWork MKE to enhance sustainable careers within the city of Milwaukee. Partnering together right-where the people “that's what it takes to build community” Says Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President and CEO of QuadMKE.

More Info on Quad

Quad (NYSE:QUAD) is a 3 billion dollar experience company, who “has a soul and believes in commitment”, says Joel Quadarrci. This company works to connect Milwaukeeby providing sustainable careers, education, and strengthening the community. The collaboration with community leaders enhances QUADs primary goal, which is to eliminate barriers that make it hard for citizens to be successful. Quad recruits, train, and even help expand their existing employees' understanding of challenges these recruits face. From a printing company to a marketing company, Quad is still on a long term road of shaping and investing into populations that need a more creative approach. This will broaden their company as a corporate stakeholder, as well as help partnerships triumphing in this market.

Quad MKE’s Open House

Located in the Century City Tower[4201 N 27th Street], QUAD MKE’s open house is hosted. It was full of appreciative and humble go getters from our city. Vibrant and spacious artwork by Vedale Hill [Who is my wonderful father], and Reggie Baylor [featured in Issue 20 of CopyWrite Magazine] have given many a sight to see. Even Joel Quadarrci, had to bask in the way the artwork creates the positive aura in the space, noting that the investment in the art applications is just another way to appreciate the people who help shape the creative landscape of MKE. Another wonderful sight to see was the diversity in the building, localist, artists, and leaders coming together as one for the better Milwaukee.

pictures vedale hill intilation at quad | /CW images

You're probably wondering, with so many impactful people at this event, “WHERE THE FOOD AT?”.Yes! There were wonderful food and beverages provided creating a value dynamic of “breaking bread” that we love so much at /CW. There were which a variety of options such as, spinach and artichoke dip, Buffalo Chicken dip, Nashville Hot Chicken slider, Golden Barbeque Chicken slider, Veggie Vinaigrette cream cheese pizza, and some celery [one of my veggie favs] to be on the healthy side of things. Last but not least, DESSERT! Brownies and cookies kept us there feeling up on sweets and a business resource group SUMOS Uno had yummy churros [I had about 3 of those] bringing that “Big C” Culture for the win.

Many wonderful speeches were made by partners of Quad about what's next, barriers that will be challenged, and how they will “change the face and voice of the marketing industry” and “exposing the young to creativity”, Kelli WIlliams, The BrandLab CEO assured. Joel Quadicci was sprinkled with many thanks and a framed art piece by Reggie Baylor, which about 60 kids thanks to SHARP Literacy, participated in making. Those little niceties matter, because who knows maybe one day those kids will be sitting in the boardroom at QUAD headquarters helping continue the legacy. . .

But, WHAT COMES NEXT for QuadMKE?

I hope there will be more interaction with the people. We don’t want the disconnect that comes with corporate dollars from the people who do the labor. We want to see bright futures where people can get training that builds carriers. We want CEO’s, like Joel, to come to see the people where they are and be transparent in how we all help make millions.

It’s a reality we are all ready for and together we know it can happen.

Jazale Hill /CW Summer Intern

SnapShot Press Release: Milwaukee Pull Up, It's a "Partyat4" | A Milwaukee 'Ish interview with Partyat4

I believe the phrase “renaissance man” is overused.

Where it is defined as, “a person with many talents or areas of knowledge” that theory of humanism has long been surpassed by the reality we call the 21st century [You know the era of social media, Artificial Intelligence, BBL’s, Catfishing, & fake “real” N*gg*s]. 

But with that critique also comes the opportunity to coin a new phrase for a man who embodies various talents, has an authentic aura, and carries his grace with just enough posturing to appeal to a mass audience of tastemakers and fan like dreamers. Maybe we should call him a “virtuoso of the era” or maybe we can just make the moniker fit the prototype.

Let’s just call him . . . Partyat4.

Now everybody knows that I firmly believe [& I have the receipts] that Milwaukee breeds creative genius [I said, what I said. So fight me!]. However, that creativity is usually mystified by the infantile infrastructure big money has mishandled. So our talent usually sees a need to leave our “little big-city” to make things pop. The problem with that is some never come back and totally disown their 414 roots. So when we were informed that Partyat4 was repping his native land and showing his face around these parts, we were pleasantly surprised [& also curious what part of town he is from, where his grandma stay, and what he rep when “Who You Wit” by Lil John come on LMAO].

Lexi S. Brunson asking Partyat4 where his “grandma stay” Lol. Just Playing, but she did ask where he is from in Milwaukee.

So when your /CW Fam was invited to his Meet & Greet / Listening Session happening at Scene 1 Restaurant & Lounge MKE [5526 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208] on April 27th, 2023 we accepted [with the caveat that we would like to chat with the man of the hour]. What follows is that very casual, “Let’s just do a Milwaukee a** interview” we had standing on the block in front of a red sprinter van covered in images of Partyat4, with all his people around [What a mutha f’n sight to see LOL].

---

CW: “First of all, why are you HERE?”

Partyat4: “It was my son's birthday. My first born, London. Then after that I had the listening session. So I felt it was more conducive to stay the whole week instead of flying back.”

Back to ATL that is. With a buzzing music & creative market, Atlanta has become the base camp for many Milwaukee linked talents [Including K Camp, Lakeyah, and Josie Thompson]. With one of his good friends from high school [S/O B] moving to Atlanta and him feeling Atlanta to have a strong music culture when he made his decision to move three years ago, it just felt right. 

CW: “There is this idea that people don’t make it out of Milwaukee or that there is no talent in Milwaukee. . .”

Partyat4: “It’s a stigma.” He said with a playfully smug look on his face.

CW: “It is a stigma. It’s definitely a thing. But you are a multifaceted talent. Of course, I have interviewed many recording artists before. But I was really intrigued [that, that's not all you do].”

His creative punch card includes, Fashion [yep, he can design & sew], visual arts [like drawing & painting, somebody get this man in the gallery], culinary arts [his PR team informed us he was once upon a time a Hyatt chef], and his music lexicon includes rapping, singing, song writing, and production [get’er done then!]. With those skills fitting several of CopyWrite’s pillars of focus [Art, Music. Fashion, Community, and Culture], we could do a whole magazine issue on him.  

*wink wink, nudge nudge* 

Partyat4: “Yea, I just hate to put myself in a box. I’m all about expression and creativity in general. So I paint, I sew, I am definitely into fashion. I just hate everybody wearing the same sh*t, so to speak. Excuse my belligerence and what not. . .”

Belligerence, Sma-lligerence! I have heard and seen some crazy sh*t in my time covering the creative scene. One of the craziest is that cookie cutter, straight off the mannequin style that these “sheeple” try to pass off as originality. Speak your truth my guy! No apologies needed here.

Partyat4: “I just try to be unique the best way I can. It’s 2023 everybody is doing their own thing. Whether it’s podcasting or selling something or cosmetics. . . I just try to be me to the best of my capacity.”

And that's not that easy to do in an industry that is known for making individuals “more marketable”. But maybe that’s just it. Maybe there is really a space for someone to fit the mold and break it at the same time. 

CW: “How did you figure out that you had all of those different types of talents?”

Partyat4: “Just being bored really. I had a sewing machine a few years ago. But I just got another one [a gift]. . . I was kind of board at 3AM and I had just smoked my last blunt and the weed man was sleep. . .” [That’s what we call a tragedy lol]. “So I just got the f*ckin with the sewing machine. I probably watched a minute and a half video on how to thread my particular model. After that I just got to freakin’ sh*t.”

But hear me out though, ya man's is cold! I checked out a few of his pieces on IG and he takes that DIY steez to a whole different universe. [Those Beatles and Mushroom Booty carpet pants go crazy!]

Partyat4: “I think people, as individuals, we get stuck at the learning curve. We be scared to initiate things. But once you get past that and jump off the porch, if you will, you can be surprised at what you can do. Like ingenuity wise you can do anything.”

Partyat4 & Lexi S. Brunson, editor-in-chief of /CW | /CW image

Now of course I didn’t stray away from the big question of “Why” leave milwaukee when his talents would allow him to probably make it anywhere and he was honest that something just didn’t make this space feel like the catalyst.

Partyat4: “I just felt like in Atlanta the culture was more music oriented. People there are helping each other. They are more intune with what is going on and on an individual level it feels like people want to see each other win. Not to say anything negative or cognizant of Milwaukee culture. But I just feel like something here, whether it's gate keepers or something, it keeps us in a shell.”

Are y'all listening out there? Hello, is this thing on? *pats imaginary microphone hard*

The narrative is repetitive. We have heard this story and thus, it holds weight. A weight that is quite costly in an era that no longer relies on manual labor but on the contrary Culture [Big C], Community [Bigger C], and Capital [C.R.E.A.M. , Biggest C]. 

Partyat4: “I appreciate [Atlanta] for that. I mean I be low down there. But still.” He laughed humbly. 

There is nothing wrong with being low. It actually allows you to analyze a space, then ebb and flow as you desire. Its strategy and it creates the spark of greatness.

CW: “I think it's okay to be low down there and then somewhere like here [in Milwaukee] you could be a star. I think it's also about cultivating that love at home, and look, you’re here. There are a lot of people from Milwaukee that don’t rep Milwaukee. So the fact that you are even here we fux with that.”

Partyat4: “On the low, not to say no names but there are alot of people from here and they act like they are from where they got poppin at.” [Read between the lines this whole article is a smoke signal].

CW: “Ohhh you noticed that too?”. I said sarcastically. Because, yall funny and we see you!

Partyat4: “Yeaaaaaa!”, he said with the same sarcastic cadence. “That's cute or whatever. But like for me, I moved away but it was more for stimulation of what I had going on. And n*gg*s show love here and I had a great turnout tonight so I’m blessed for that. But it's something about when you can move away and I’m very competitive. . . but it just feels really good to not only come home and get support but be somewhere else, where you're not from, and get that same support where people come out because they believe in what you are doing. It makes you go that much harder.”

Partyat4 performing a live set a Scene 1 Restaurant & Lounge MKE | /CW Video

We believe that Milwaukee definitely has the fandom to pour into its talent but the creative infrastructure is still on the rise. We know big labels have been tip-toeing into our showcases, parlaying with the DJ’s, and sitting in our clubs looking for hungry MKE acts to sit on their rosters before the door burst opens and we are permanently on the map. It’s noted but transparency would probably feed more of us. Just sayin’.

The work Partyat4 is doing is a part of that story. It is a part of a bigger picture that has been shadowed by the decline of the industrial revolution in the midwest, the “I didn’t know Black people lived in Milwaukee” foolery that comes from the ignorance of our rich cultural history, plus the beer and cheese motif that disregards how many of us have more girth to us then that. 

CW: “A part of my job is holding people accountable. So you are HERE. I am HERE. The request was to show up & show out. So I showed up & I’m showing out.”

Partyat4: “And I appreciate that.”

CW: “So I really want our audience base to know who you are and that is our Milwaukee Creatives. That’s who I serve. Since you are this multifaceted talent, you have something to share. That means you have to come home every once and a while for that to happen.”

Partyat4: “My kids are here so I have no choice but to come back. I’m blessed to have other obligations so I am on the road a lot but I’m here fasho. I’m only an hour and half away flight wise.”

CW: “Okay! And we are going to make sure of that!”

Real. Rap. Raw. It’s not a threat but a friendly promise. With a network of community supporting Partyat4 [like our media family at Hyfin and all the CORE DJ’s who showed up that night] and other creatives that blossom from “The Good Land”, we can change the game. Oh and trust, these ways we play to win.

CW: “We want to see you at the radio stations. We want to see you on our stages. So get you a** in there. You have to get acclimated. I think it's really important that when we have talent that is making the waves that you are making, we make a notation and vice versa. So we will be on the lookout. We will be watching for you. We want to see more of you. Bigger venues. Bigger turn outs. Let's make it happen. Let's make it pop.”

Partyat4: “Oh man, I’m trying to turn sh*t up. I’m Party for a reason.”

CW: “Emmm hmmm. Partyat4! Why didn’t this party start at 4? We were ready then!”

We all blurted out in laughter. “Noooo…it ends at 4!”said one of his guys standing nearby, peeping our whole conversation. 

But my “still young enough to take risks, but too old to know better” aged self had to leave around 11:30PM LOL. But not before asking the classic journalistic question of “What can we expect next?”.

Peep the strategic timing of this write up with Partyat4’s remix of “To Da Moon” Ft. Toosii, dropping this Friday, May 12th, 2023, with Its original release honored on Billboard Top 30 hit singles. [Like I said, we are going to make sure that Partyat4 is on our community's radar, so go check that out].

Partyat4: “Y’all can expect my kids to grow. . .”, [Now everybody knows /CW loves a proud parent #CWLovesDaKids]. “Y’all can expect a project coming soon. I’m ready to rap y'all mutha F*ckin heads off. . .”

CW: “You got bars. I ain't even going to lie.”

Partyat4: “I appreciate that. Y’all can also expect some singles and I’m trying to get the song “Touch Down” dropped. I should have played that tonight. But I’ma get back to it. There's a lot of stuff coming down the pipeline for me. My mind is like a stock exchange board. It just ticks all day. . .I’m also going to put out a capsule of clothes that you can buy. . . we got all that coming. I’m just trying to captivate and entice the audience. No offense to anybody but sometimes music gets on dry spells and it has high notes but we are trying to be all falsettos. A whole lot of high notes.”  

Ohhhhh dude said that! LOL 

And we rock with it. Whether it's Rap, R&B, Country, Rock, or whatever he can do to hit y’all eardrums he is game for it. 

Partyat4: “So respectfully, and again excuse my belligerence, we are here to stay!”

Now somebody gotta shake my hand folks because I got the commitment of a lifetime on the strength of me loving my city. . .

CW: “I have to put you on the spot now. Would you consider collaborating with some Milwaukee artist? And not just music, but art, fashion, all that?

Partyat4: “Indubitably. Yes. Absolutely. . . I mean I be talkin’ sh*t too. So we can get a stand up set and crack some jokes”. 

Word? Well let’s do the damn thang! Because if you stay ready, you aint gotta get ready.

& Milwaukee, well . . . we been ready.

Love & All Things Urban,

Lexi S. Brunson | Editor-in-Chief /CW

It's time to pay Homage! CopyWrite Magazine Issue 20: Homage | Official Drop 10-18-22

HOMAGE | ISSUE 20 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 10-18-22 |

HOMAGE | ISSUE 20 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 10-18-22 |

It’s time to pay Homage!

Your official count down starts now!

CLICK HERE TO PRE ORDER YOUR COPY!

CopyWrite Magazine + Jazale's Art Studio | Back To School Block Party 2022 [Recap Video]

Feel the SHIFT! CopyWrite Magazine Issue 19: Shape Shifting | Official Drop 4-15-22

SHAPE SHIFTING | ISSUE 19 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 4-15-22 |

SHAPE SHIFTING | ISSUE 19 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 4-15-22 |

Are you ready to feel the shift?

Your official count down starts now!

CLICK HERE TO PRE ORDER YOUR COPY!

Bronzeville Week - Black Friday Music & Marketplace August 13th 2021

WE STAND FOR ALL THINGS URBAN.

As an unapologetic group of creatives, CopyWrite is in business to change the community. Our promise is to always remember where we started from. We do this by telling the stories that need to be told, showcasing the unrealized artistic potential throughout our community, all while doing what we love: create.

As a true reflection of our mission, our partnership with Bronzeville Week encapsulates many of the ways in which we highlight the creative community. For this year's events the /CW team has curated the August 13th music lineup, including local up-and-coming and established artists. We also are directly linking our communal pool of creative freelancers, who are well versed in creative content making who often don’t get the recognition they deserve. From photography to videography, journalism to creative directing, the essence of Bronzeville is still alive and our team will be capturing that moment. With our pilot office recently opening in the neighborhood, we carry the history of our community with us and know that we stand on the backs of giants who sparked our entrepreneurial freedom. We live here. We work here. We play here. To contribute to the narrative of Bronzeville Week is an honor and of course it will always be for the culture.

/CW

/CW APPROVED MUSIC LINEUP

GENESIS RENJI

DONNA RENEE

NO SEATBEALTS

CLAYTON

SHADI

New Black Cat Alley Call to Artists out NOW!

Info provided by: Larissa Gladding (Special Projects Manager, Eastside BID)

The East Side is seeking three (3) artists/artist teams to create new murals for Milwaukee’s best-known mural destination, Black Cat Alley! Black Cat Alley, founded in 2016, is one of Milwaukee’s top ten tourist

destinations, and is visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year. It has been covered by national press,

and contains murals by both Milwaukee artists as well as national/international talent. Black Cat Alley is an

outdoor mural gallery open to the public, the murals are semi-permanent, remaining in the space for

approximately 1-3 years.

Timeline:

• The submission deadline is Monday, June 21st by 11:59PM

• Artists will be notified of the jury team’s selections by Monday, June 28th

• Painting dates will be scheduled in July, August, and September, one wall painted per month

• (We will do our best to accommodate artists’ scheduling needs each month, however please do not submit for a mural if you cannot be available during its specific mont

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION DETAILS

FOR MORE INFO VISIT:

https://www.blackcatmke.com/call-to-artists

Get “Out of the Box” this Summer with Black Box Fund

Contact: Black Box Fund

Media Relations Represented by CopyWrite Magazine, Media, & Design

Tiffany Bean [Public Relations /CW] - copywrite.tiffany@gmail.com | 414.207.9832

Get “Out of the Box” this Summer with Black Box Fund

Black Box Fund is hosting a six-week

Summer series Out of the Box, featuring Cracking ArtJune 20 to August 1, 2021

Black Box Fund has announced a series of events that is sure to inspire, entitled Out of the Box. Out of the Box is a six-week series of family-friendly performances, workshops and more taking place along Lake Michigan’s shore south of Discovery World at Lakeshore State Park. Over 75 local non-profits, entertainers, artists and businesses will enliven this summer with multifaceted experiences highlighting a range of national and international awareness events—from African American Music Appreciation to World Nature Conservation. These events will run from June 20 to August 1, 2021. [See full Out of the Box schedule at https://blackboxfund.org/].

“Black Box Fund’s team is passionate about artists of all kinds—musicians, dancers, visual artists, poets, whatever art form someone may be doing—and supporting the creative experiences that happen when artists meet their publics. Seeing them do their work in real life and real time is always extraordinary.” - Marilu Knode, Executive Director of Black Box Fund

At the heart of the event is the commissioned sculptural installation REbirth by artistic movement Cracking Art. REbirth features 22 five-foot-tall, brightly colored swallows, made of “regenerable” plastic. Cracking Arts main desire is to create a sense of wonder that can bring pleasure while highlighting the overwhelming presence of plastic in our lives. “We primarily choose urban spaces rather than those dedicated specifically to art in order to trigger unexpected emotions, expel routine from everyday places, and allow for the reflection of a space with new eyes. Our hope is that this relationship can inspire creativity and a different point of view for observing the surrounding reality.” Cracking Art interview Oubliette magazine.

Black Box Fund has committed to bring the community together around art and highlight the broad diversity of creativity that this city has to offer. When asked about the event, Doug McDonald, Board President of Black Box Fund, said “We look at this as moving out of a mental box, not just a physical one, and expanding our connection with the creative community and with the community at large. Our mission is to create welcoming, family-friendly, open gatherings that really draw people from all aspects of the community.”

[Learn more at http://www.crackingart.com].

With live music, guided tours, food trucks and lots of outdoor space for safe communal engagement, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy throughout the summer. Everyone is welcome. Black Box Fund believes that it is important to engage with all its community, sharing in the multifaceted ways in which we exist.

To learn more about Out of the Box, visit our website, blackboxfund.org. You will find more about the events, activities and performances planned for the summer. You can also find us on Facebook at Black Box Fund and follow us on Instagram @blackboxfundmke. We’ll be sharing more information and posting updates on these pages throughout the event.

The State DNR currently allows a maximum 350 people per event; visitors to Lakeshore State Park can enjoy Cracking Art and Out of the Box performances while maintaining a safe distance, wearing a mask, and otherwise following the State’s guidelines for COVID safety which can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community.htm

About: Black Box Fund was founded in 2019 with the belief that art can be a positive unifying force to connect community, our mission is to support public art, music and performance that inspires, educates and enhances the well-being of our Milwaukee communities.

To schedule press interviews or any media event coverage, contact:

Media Relations Represented by CopyWrite Magazine, Media, & Design

Tiffany Bean [Public Relations /CW] - copywrite.tiffany@gmail.com | 414.207.9832

Follow us on Instagram @blackboxfundmke