The Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education will host two online “On The Issues” events with Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy.
The first, “On The Issues with Mike Gousha: Milwaukee’s ThriveOn Collaboration” is Thursday, Sept. 9, at 12:15 p.m.
Register online by Wednesday, Sept. 8.
The discussion will focus on a bold new investment on Milwaukee’s north side, an area that until recently had experienced decades of disinvestment. The ThriveOn Collaboration, as it is known, was established by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF), the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Royal Capital Group (RCG). The project will see the former Gimbels-Schuster’s department store on King Drive redeveloped, with the building becoming the new home of the GMF. It will also house MCW’s community engagement programs. Working with neighborhood groups, the partners have identified key community priorities and will make strategic investments in the health, equity and economic well-being of people, beginning with the neighborhoods adjacent to the new development.
Gousha will be speaking with GMF Executive Vice President Ken Robertson, MCW Senior Vice President Greg Wesley, RCG President Kevin Newell and neighborhood leader Lennie Mosley, who is also a member of the ThriveOn Collaboration’s community advisory council.
A second discussion, “On the Issues with Mike Gousha: Attracting and Retaining Young Professionals in Milwaukee” is Friday, Sept. 10, at 12:15 p.m.
Register online by Thursday, Sept. 9.
Gousha will be looking at efforts to slow the “brain drain” in Milwaukee and what needs to be done to keep and attract young talent in the city. Previous reporting by the Lubar Center’s Milwaukee Area Project has shown the city losing thousands of young workers to other metropolitan areas. To address the problem, the Milwaukee Common Council created a Millennial Task Force. The group’s recommendations were made public in July.
Joining Gousha to discuss those recommendations and efforts that are already underway will be Alderman Cavalier Johnson, president of the Common Council, and two members of the Millennial Task Force. Chairperson Marquayla Ellison is president of Social X MKE. Jeremy Fojut is co-founder and chief idea officer for NEWaukee.