African-American Roundtable – Hmong American Women’s Association

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African American Roundtable, Inc.

The African American Roundtable (AART) is currently a fiscal project of the Hmong American Women's Association (HAWA).

AART officially incorporated January 15, 2021 and is currently pursuing their non profit 501(c)3 status.

The African-American Roundtable (AART) is an assembly of partners led by and serving the Black population/community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AART exists to empower and organize our community to transform policies so that Black people can thrive and live at their greatest potential.

AART collaborates to show power, amplify each other’s voices, nurture leadership, promote racial equity and accessibility, and pass policies to radically improve the lives of Black people in Milwaukee. AART envisions a Milwaukee where Black people are walking in their power, organized, leading, and transforming policies to change the trajectory of their community to thrive and live at their greatest potential.

AART launched the LiberateMKE campaign in 2019 demanding investment into the community to include affordable quality housing/cooperative initiatives, public health, and violence prevention/alternatives.

Through this campaign AART politicized, mobilized and organized residents through trainings, advocacy, and educational opportunities by AART staff and other community leaders. This program has been led by AART's Coalition and Membership Manager Devin Anderson, who helps provide the strategic direction of our campaign/coalition.

This campaign has had a many as 70 community partners and individuals and to help engage hundreds of residents through the city of Milwaukee budget process.

LiberateMKE and Community Partners Accomplishments

Developed and educated hundreds of residents with civic engagement tools
In 2020, co-wrote a community sign-on letter with Milwaukee Freedom Fund for a non-police response to mental health with over 80 partners and individuals, and the Common Council unanimously voted on a resolution to create a non-police response to mental health.
In 2020, AART launched their first ever 4 week Defund Police study group with over 120 participants.
In 2020, $2.9 million for a housing program that will increase affordable housing by funding alternative homeownership programs such as down payment assistance and shared equity models including cooperative models.
In 2020, helped reduce the 2021 police operational budget by over $2.1 million from the previous year. and increase funding public health and cooperative housing.
In 2019, surveyed approximately 1,100 residents and produced the LiberateMKE Survey Results Report
In 2019, reduced the 2020 city of Milwaukee police budget by over $900,000 from what the mayor proposed and close to $15 million less than the police requested

Cultural Work

Co-created our first zine (a self-published, non-commercial print-work that is typically produced in small, limited batches) with our community to share our new visions through an artistic lens. Click here to view.

AART provides

Leadership Development;
Political Education & Civic Engagement Education;
Coalition support related issues aligned with our mission;
Advocacy and training workshops;
Black only meeting Spaces

For more information about the African American Roundtable and our campaign, visit LiberateMKE.com and follow them on social media.

Contact:
Markasa Tucker, Executive Director
(414) 253-3366
Markasa@AfricanAmericanRoundtable.org

Hmong American Women’s Association

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
8:00 AM — 4:30 PM

24‑Hour Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline: 1‑877‑740‑4292