Features:
UMOJA Publisher/Editor: A Season of Remembrance and Perseverance
When I reach out by email or text, I often start by saying: I hope this message finds you smiling from the inside out. When I can’t offer a hand to shake (or an elbow to bump), I can still extend positive energy.
Kalvin Barrett Makes History As First Black Dane County Sheriff
Advancing diversity on the force. Keeping the inmate population down. And, developing a bond of trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Meet The 2021 Milele Chikasa Anana Scholarship Winner
Natalie McDonald, a 2021 La Follete High School graduate, has big plans—she wants to take an axe to America’s racist criminal justice system.
McNair Scholar Demonstrates Unprecedented Strength Amid Adversity
Life gave Stephanie Woodson plenty of reasons to just quit. She didn’t.
Calling all artists!
Put your artwork on a UMOJA cover! Works selected will fit the monthly editorial topic and reflect the county’s unique stories, history, and people.
UMOJA Inside:
Publishers Note
UMOJA Publisher/Editor: A Season of Remembrance and Perseverance
When I reach out by email or text, I often start by saying: I hope this message finds you smiling from the inside out. When I can’t offer a hand to shake (or an elbow to bump), I can still extend positive energy.
Feature
Kalvin Barrett Makes History As First Black Dane County Sheriff
Advancing diversity on the force. Keeping the inmate population down. And, developing a bond of trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Feature
Meet The 2021 Milele Chikasa Anana Scholarship Winner
Natalie McDonald, a 2021 La Follete High School graduate, has big plans—she wants to take an axe to America’s racist criminal justice system.
Feature
McNair Scholar Demonstrates Unprecedented Strength Amid Adversity
Life gave Stephanie Woodson plenty of reasons to just quit. She didn’t.
Graduation
Today, the average college student leaves a daily social media mark, detailing what they’ve eaten, what they’re listening to, what they’re studying – or what they’re supposed to be studying.
Graduation
Having Walked the Walk, A 2021 Graduate Gears Up for Commencement
The Class of 2021 joined a long line of graduating classes in concluding their time as high school students. While many classes have preceded them, their experience is unique. Their junior year was suddenly cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many never returned to the classroom and have now completed their final two and a half semesters virtually.
Graduation
At the heart of Kingsley-Reigne Pissang’s scholarship, leadership, and activism are her concerns about achievement gaps among African American males, issues of racism and exclusion at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and equity and inclusion in higher education generally, for which she has emerged as a spokesperson on campus and beyond.
Graduation
Women In Focus, Inc. Celebrates the Resilient Scholars of the Class of 2021
A glimpse into the future appears remarkably bright for members of the Class of 2021. Among the 18 recipients of Women In Focus’ 2021 scholarships, are a future pharmacist, immigration attorney, a physics engineer, interior designer and nurses, to name a few. Seventeen outstanding, college-bound students of color will receive $2,500 each. The final scholarship winner received the new Inspiring Founders Scholarship, which is a four-year award of $2,500 each year.
Graduation
Constructing a Profession, Building Wealth
The sky’s the limit. That overwhelming confidence was contagious among graduates of the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Women In Hard Hats’ inaugural class.
Graduation
UW Odyssey Project Class of 2021
Despite battling COVID, deaths of loved ones, homelessness, domestic abuse, parenting stress, lost wages, and physical and mental health challenges, the UW-Madison Odyssey Class of 2021 beat the odds.
Graduation
Alicia Hazen is a 4.0 graduate of Edgewood College’s Class of 2021. She received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change. Q: Describe senior year amid the COVID-19 pandemic? A: I started graduate school in Fall 2019, so made it about a semester and a half before the pandemic hit. I was always [...]
Graduation
Madison East High School Arturo Guadarrama is proud graduating member of East High School’s Class of 2021. He was active in the Engineering Club, Raza United, Information Technology Academy (ITA), Escalera, Gear Up, and Boys Soccer. He will be attending UW-Madison to stud Chemical Engineering. Q: Describe your senior year in three words. A: Online. [...]
Community Profile & Events
Divine Nine Project to Honor History, Achievements of Black Fraternities and Sororities
Nyla Mathis remembers her heart fluttering, like a first crush.
Community Profile & Events
Meet the YWCA Madison Winners of 46th Annual Women of Distinction Leadership Awards
YWCA Madison held its 46th Annual Women of Distinction Leadership Awards live on its Facebook page on May 21.
Community Profile & Events
Black Mothers: Towers of Strength, Pillars of Resiliency
A mother’s love matters. The heart of the family, a mother possesses love that is resilient and unconditional.
Community Profile & Events
MSCR Girls Inc. is Helping Girls be Smart, Strong, Bold and Fit!
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District, has a unique partnership with Girls Inc. of Greater Madison that offers virtual afterschool clubs this year. Girls Inc. inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold.
UMOJA Shorts
Dr. Jasmine Zapata Named Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Community Health Dr. Jasmine Zapata has been selected at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as its new Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Community Health. She began the influential role on May 9. Zapata, whose position provides medical and public health consultation [...]
