
02/07/2023
We wanted to share a few more pictures of Rebel staff & youth participating in National Wear Red Day last week to raise awareness for heart disease.
Guiding Milwaukee youth into adulthood through mentoring, programming, and community connection.
Operating as usual
We wanted to share a few more pictures of Rebel staff & youth participating in National Wear Red Day last week to raise awareness for heart disease.
Today our staff participated in National Wear Red Day in honor of heart disease awareness and in memory of our beloved Ms. Cozy. ❤
We are sad to see Whitney go, but excited that she will be fulfilling her dream of becoming a Doula; even training other women of color how to provide guidance and support to pregnant women during labor. Whitney, your energy, smile and spirit will be missed at Running Rebels. Thank you for your many years of service and commitment to the youth and families in our care. It is impossible to count the number of young lives you have positively impacted. We appreciate you and wish you joy and success on your new path!
What is Be the Change?
Be the Change was founded on the principles of leadership, education, cultural awareness, self-respect, and brotherhood.
Darren, one of the main facilitators of this program, says, "We're a brotherhood, a fatherhood. You gotta have that 'hood' at the end, because we're a collective of men, young and old. We're teaching life skills, bouncing ideas off of each other . . . The young people tell us about the present, then we talk about our past experiences."
Our youth wearing their new Rebel volleyball tees … tonight all young people were on the court with some members of the Team Milotso volleyball team, who came to our gym for a few hours to host a volleyball clinic.
Rebel staff member Tyson with his community basketball team, helping one of our youth celebrate a birthday at Dave and Buster’s! 🥳🎈
This is Dawn, our Co-Executive Director, running a mentor training session over last Saturday's lunch hour. Providing ongoing training is important to ensure we're staying in tune with young people and bringing the best of ourselves to the work.
We have so many moments to share with you. Here's one from this week:
Rebel alumni Danya Kingsby was back in Milwaukee to provide special training to a youth community basketball team, coached regularly by Rell Carter and Danya's uncle Tyson Kingsby (Tyson is also a Rebel alumni and now a Rebel staff member).
In his college years Danya played ball for Bradley University and now plays professionally in Europe. Danya, we love that you took the time to support our youth while you were home.
This is the dynamic: the momentum of our work creating a self-sustaining cycle of giving, both to each other and to the larger community.
We'd like to congratulate Naomi, a North Division senior who participates in our VFZ program, for her acceptance into her top choice - Jackson State University!
Running Rebels has a long-standing connection with Jackson State, an HBCU that we've seen many of our youth attend over the years.
CONGRATS Naomi!! We're so proud of you!
Many of our young people are highly creative souls who sing, rap, dance, act, or play an instrument.
Recently our Splash & AV programming has been focused on giving youth a chance to practice for some upcoming events, including our celebration of Black History Month on February 24.
The January award for Photo of the Month goes to City Dreams!
If you're a young person who would like to submit a photo for consideration at any point, please email it to [email protected].
Congratulations to our January Winner
Photographer
Before arts or rec programming, the first stop of the day for all Rebel youth is our Education Lab, where they have access to tutoring, homework help, and computers on a daily basis.
We talk about basketball a lot around here, but we also have many young people who love to play volleyball as part of our rec programming!
Happy Friday from Rebel youth!
You're looking at our second-floor lounge area at our East location. A few years ago, Desmond Mason, former Milwaukee Bucks player, and Vedale Hill, local artist and Rebel alumni, helped paint that mural with Rebel youth.
Rebel staff & youth celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King this week at the Milwaukee Public Library! We saw some amazing performances and heard words of encouragement from Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley, and Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.
Thank you Montreal Cain for sharing your wisdom with our youth at yesterday’s 2023 Kingfest event, a celebration of Martin Luther King’s life & legacy.
Montréal Cain speaks at the via zoom to the youth join in now www.tinyurl.com/kingfest2023
Tasha's body art booth at this week's AV workshop was magnetic. She had our youth gathered around her the entire evening, up until the very last minute.
Tasha is a local artist who has been doing great work with us for a while, leading art workshops with our youth and helping to create many of the art pieces displayed at our Central location. She has brought joy, creativity, and confidence to our youth and we're grateful for her presence here.
Skyy Tatum, a participant in our VFZ program at Obama, sung the national anthem at the Obama vs Marshall basketball game this week! Great job Skyy!!
Every Monday is Ladies Night at Running Rebels! Join us for leadership building, crafts, games, field trips, hair tutorials, and more from 5-7pm at our Central location.
A few days ago, after cancelling the original event back in December because of rough weather, we finally got to host our annual holiday party for Rebel youth.
This event has been a much-loved Running Rebels tradition for over 20 years and isn't something we could skip. We feasted on an amazing homemade meal together and gave our youth the chance to pick out gifts for themselves. It was so fun to show our young people some extra love during the holiday season!
This week Rebel youth took a special trip to Torrence's House of Threads to get fitted for the 500 Black Tuxedos event happening next Saturday, January 14. Congratulations Andre Lee Ellis!!
Rebel youth & mentors connecting during Thursday night youth rec programming!
We would like to thank Mentor Greater Milwaukee, Gee's Clippers Barber and Beauty Salon, and the Milwaukee Bucks for allowing our youth the opportunity to connect personally with Bobby Portis and hear his powerful story.
Rebel alumni Kevon Looney at it again!! 🔥
Happy New Year, Running Rebels community!!
We wanted to share one of our favorite photos from this past year, a snapshot from our block party & anniversary celebration this summer with youth and community members. We’re so grateful for you all!
Winter is the perfect time to settle into a Running Rebels studio for the hour. Our studios are open to all youth ages 12-18, no experience required.
Behind the mic✨ Sierra, a Rebel youth since the age of 11 and now a Rebel staff member, discovered over the course of her time here that she loves public speaking and communicating with an audience about topics that matter to her. She's consistent about putting in the work during our Splash training sessions to keep her skills fresh ⭐️☺️
Congratulations to our December winner for
Congratulations to Winner for
Longtime Rebels alumni Tony Whitley & his wife came to support the Unity MKE holiday giveaway last weekend. Back in the day Tony played ball for both Running Rebels and Marshall High School.
Running Rebels has always had a good relationship with Marshall High School, whose basketball team came to help out with the Unity MKE giveaway last weekend.
Happy Holidays, Running Rebels community!
More holiday fun from this past weekend's Unity MKE toy giveaway.
Taking a moment before the Unity MKE holiday giveaway this past weekend to rally the team & connect with youth.
This past Saturday the Unity MKE community gathered at the Rebels gym to host a holiday toy giveaway!
Many wore their apparel for 300 Strong, a group of local nonprofits and businesses dedicated to creating more unity across the city of Milwaukee.
Our staff engaging in some hands-on AV training. Something fun to know: every person in this picture has been part of the Rebels community since their youth and are now continuing this good work as adults.
Until next time, Kevon Looney!
As adults, many Rebel youth return to (or remain in) this community to give back what they received as a young person. We call this "coming full circle." Our logo was designed with this phrase in mind.
Earlier this month in the Running Rebels gym, youth basketball teams from North Division and the Milwaukee School of Excellence faced off against each other.
ND's head coach is Kalombo Kadima, Rebel alumni. MSoE's head coach is Branden Joseph, Rebel alumni.
The referee for this game was Tyson Kingsby, Rebel alumni and current staff member. In attendance was Dell Williams, Rebel alumni and the current Vice Chair of our board.
This is a powerful representation of what it means to come full circle. These alumni have remained connected to the community that helped shape them as young people. On a consistent basis, they offer their leadership, guidance, knowledge, and positive presence back to us.
Kalombo, Branden, Tyson & Dell: you are so valued by this community. We're so proud to call you Rebels for Life!
We shared so many great moments with Rebel alumni Kevon Looney this week. Here's a few more of Rebel youth enjoying their time at the Warriors vs Bucks game this past Tuesday night.
We're always cheering on Rebel alumni Donte Jackson, Head Coach of the basketball team for Grambling State University. In his youth Donte played for the Running Rebels AAU team and made a name for himself as one of Milwaukee's top athletes. In college he played Division I basketball and went on to become head coach at GSU, whose team has seen a lot of success during his time there.
Go Donte!
📖 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 📖
Grambling State men’s basketball has claimed two victories over Power 5 opponents in the same season for the first time in school history‼️
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In his youth, NBA player Kevon Looney was a regular attendee of Running Rebels programming. Now, he plays for the Golden State Warriors. This week his team returned to Wisconsin soil to face off against the Bucks, and he didn't miss the opportunity to come spend some time with our young people. Kevon, we always appreciate how intentional you are about making time to come see us when you're in town and supporting us no matter what part of the country you're in.
225 West Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI
53212
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This young man was so excited to share how his Running Rebels VFZ Mentor worked with him to help get his grades on track. GREAT JOB Majesty!!
Everything is easier to remember when you rap it. A Rebel staff member does some top tier teaching with the Splash Team, our Rebel youth-led marketing and promotions team.
You’re catching tonight’s freestyle session at our A/V workshop with Rebel youth and staff 🥁🎸🎶
Thank you Mayor Cavalier Johnson for stopping by the Kevon Looney Basketball Camp giving words of encouragement to help build brighter futures. #rrco42ndanniversaryweekend! #KevonLooneyCamp!
Thank you to Milwaukee Medusa for facilitating an Ultimate Frisbee workshop for our youth. Young people had fun doing drills, learning the rules, and playing a game. Check out this score by a Rebel youth!
Rebel youth and mentors enjoyed the Negro League Tribute game at the American Family Field. Thank you to Robert Wilks and other mentors from Northwestern Mutual for treating 25 of our youth to a great event. #unity
Congratulations to the winners of our 6 week long 3v3 intramural league! These young men demonstrated teamwork and dedication.
COVID hibernation caused a lot of anxiety for Milwaukee teens—so this spring they’re ready to get dressed up and step on out (or they’re ready to go to prom)! Donate now to make prom possible for teens and foster youth! Let's help put a smile on the faces and pride in the steps of Milwaukee teens by removing some barriers to attending prom.
Since the pandemic, drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin have climbed by more than 48%. In response, Milwaukee County Behavioral Health has partnered with Running Rebels, to encourage teens to talk about drugs and alcohol with friends and family (“frienderventions”). Together, we've created the campaign called Mission Over Addiction The goal is to destigmatize addiction and encourage teens to talk openly about their relationship to alcohol and other drugs. The campaign will direct teens to the website, www.missionoveraddiction.com that will: Tell signs that a friend or family member has an addiction Provide a quiz to determine alcohol or drug dependency Provide information on the risks of drugs and alcohol The website www.missionoveraddiction.com Educates teens on what addiction is – a brain disease Provides steps to have a successful “friendervention” so teens can talk to their peers about drugs and alcohol Provides resources, including a hotline, for kids and youth care workers to call and get help from professionals.
Help us spread the word that when it comes to alcohol and substance abuse, the choices we make matter. We choose conversation over isolation We choose Intention Over distraction We choose Mission over Addiction. Let’s Talk Learn more at MissionOverAddiction.com #missionoveraddiction Share this video and help us spread the word about addiction prevention resources.
Join us tomorrow Wednesday March 9th and Thursday March 10th at 6pm for our next giant outdoor projection! We will project our Mission Over Addiction campaign videos and artwork on the north side of the Marcus Performing Art Center on State street between Water and Edison.
Missed our Black History Program? You can check out the inspiring event below! Young people shared poems, art work, facts about Historically Black Colleges, and the accomplishement of female black inventors. #uplift #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistoryinthemaking
Rebel mentoring changes lives. This is a story about Anthony Kazee. Anthony thought he was going to be locked up for 20 years when he was charged with armed robbery at 16 years old. Instead he was given a second chance through our Intervention Mentoring Program. Support more transformational mentoring relationships like Kazee Anthony and Clifton Phelps by giving today! https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/07a0a0a9-daa5-477f-a26f-1de2bb27c4a9 Thank you Ignite Change for telling their story! #nationalmentoringmonth #MentoringAmplifies #mentoringmatters Mentor Greater Milwaukee MENTOR
Mentoring can be a powerful tool to prepare youth for the workforce. This summer, 65 mentees participated in Running Rebels Summer Youth Worker program where they worked with a mentor on leadership skills, money management, and soft skills such as time management. Mentee Syntrell says "If my mentor hadn't helped me get this job, I'd be sitting on the couch right now watching TV. Now, I get up every morning and I do feel like I'm a big boy now." You can support this critical mentoring work during #NationalMentoringMonth by donating to runningrebels.org or sharing this story. Thank you to United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and U.S. Bank for making the summer jobs program possible. Also thank you to Travis Whitty and his team for producing the video. #mentoringmatters Mentor Greater Milwaukee #MentoringAmplifies MENTOR
Kelli & Yelli's mentee/mentor story shows the power one caring adult can have on a young person's life. Kelli says the her mentor Danielle (also known as Yelli) "really understands the stuff that i've been going through, and that it's been nice having someone that I can talk to." Check out their full story and see why #MentoringMatters. You can support mentoring during #NationalMentoringMonth by donating to runningrebels.org or sharing this story. Thank you to Ignite Change for telling Kelli & Yelli's story in such a power way. Mentor Greater Milwaukee MENTOR #mentoringmatters #Rebelmentoring
The tail end of our AV group practicing "Lift Every Voice" - one of the performances you'll hear at our virtual gala on October 26th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm hosted by TMJ4 News' Shannon Sims. Register for the gala here: https://majicpro.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DLp0WN6TSNKVwf5UT-yApA?mc_cid=aea03fc46c&mc_eid=dafc4af5ca Thank you to our presenting sponsor BMO Harris Bank and MVP sponsors Quad and Jennifer & Chris Abele
Running Rebels' Be The Change Program has provided brotherhood, mentorship, and positive male youth engagement from 2017-2021. Thank you to the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, all of the Be The Change Mentors, guest speakers, collaborators, and supporters for making this program possible over the last 5 years!
No better way to end our summer programming and youth worker experience than with a water balloon fight! Thank you to all the mentors, staff, supporters, partners, U.S. Bank, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County for making this summer such a success!
We are beyond grateful for the overwhelming support of the NBA, NBA Cares, Milwaukee Bucks Community Foundation, and the Milwaukee Bucks franchise! With their help we are in the process of renovating our Lindsay Heights youth recreation center. Renovations kicked off with an incredible event featuring a basketball clinic by former Buck Marques Johnson and speeches from County Executive David Crowley, Mayor Tom Barrett, Bucks President - Peter Feigin, and Executive Director of the NBA Foundation - Greg Taylor. Thank you to Ignite Change for capturing the event! Go Bucks! #Fearthedeer #communityunity
"The mission of Running Rebels Community Organization is to provide programs that will assist Milwaukee's youth in developing mentally, physically, and spiritually, while also promoting community unity."
157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB)
N Richards StreetWhitefish Bay Recreation and Community Educat
N Lydell Avenue, Whitefish BayUW - Milwaukee Police Department
E Newport AvenueCultures and Communities Program
E Hartford AvenueMilwaukee Wisconsin Works by MAXIMUS
N 27th StreetBig Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee
N Jefferson StreetVolunteer Milwaukee - A Service of the Nonpro
W Highland BoulevardMilwaukee LGBT Community Center
W. Court StreetPulaski High School (Class of 2002)
W Oklahoma AvenueWomen's Fund of Greater Milwaukee
N Milwaukee StreetRufus King Student Government Association
W Olive Street