MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee leaders are spotlighting new resources aimed at supporting African American residents. On Friday, Mayor Cavalier Johnson welcomed the public to an open house at the city’s Office of African American Affairs.
The event offered tours of the office and highlighted services available in areas like workforce development, financial literacy, arts programming, and driver’s license recovery. Mayor Johnson said the office is focused on helping residents find stability, which benefits the city as a whole.
“When folks have stability, that’s good for them, their families, their neighborhoods, and the entire city,” Johnson told WTMJ.
Alderman DeAndre Jackson stressed the value of a one-stop hub where community members can access multiple services at once. “Homelessness, mental health, food insecurity — these issues are all connected. Having one hub makes everything easier,” Jackson said.
Office Director Melissa Buford said she hopes residents will recognize the office as a place of opportunity and hope. “The biggest goal of this office is to see the community grow,” Buford said. “Seeing people walk out of the building smiling, understanding there is hope — and that there are people still fighting for them.”
The office also announced partnerships with community organizations, including Dry Hooch, which provides support for veterans dealing with addiction, PTSD, and legal challenges; the Financial Empowerment Center, which promotes financial literacy; and BID 54, which helps local businesses expand and thrive.
Buford emphasized that the Office of African American Affairs is open to everyone in Milwaukee, offering resources and partnerships designed to uplift residents and strengthen neighborhoods
Tags: African American AffairsAlderman DeAndre JacksonMayor Cavalier JohnsonMilwaukeenorth sideOffice Director Melissa BufordOpen HouseWisconsin