Cecelia Gore (second from left), executive director at Brewers Community Foundation, presents the finalists for the Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award. They are (from left) Larry Adams, director of environmental stewardship at Walnut Way Conservation Corp; Tim McCollow, HOME GR/OWN program manager, City of Milwaukee; Curtis Williams, Jacob Liptack, Blue Skies Crew lead and Jeremy Davis, environmental specialist, all of Walnut Way. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

Fifteen local organizations are celebrating the announcement Wednesday that they are finalists in the MANDI (Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation) competition.

Sponsored by U.S. Bank, in partnership with LISC Milwaukee, the MANDIs recognize individuals, organizations, and corporations who are improving conditions in Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods. About 100 community leaders gathered at Botana’s Restaurant, 816 S. 5^th St. to hear the announcement.

(From left) LaKetta Caldwell, senior program manager at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee; Dionne Grayson, founder and executive director, Lead2Change; and Venice Williams, executive director at Alice’s Garden. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

“The MANDIs celebrate Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods and the many passionate, committed residents and their partners working together to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities,” said Leo Ries, executive director of LISC Milwaukee.

Three finalists were selected for each of five categories by a 40-member, independent, volunteer committee based on nominations from the public. A sixth category, the “Wells Fargo People’s Choice Award” will be awarded to three finalists who receive the most public votes during the month of April.

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Winners will be announced on April 15 at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is a media sponsor of the MANDIs.

Below are the finalists:

BMO Harris Bank Cornerstone Award

• Rotary Club of Milwaukee
• Express Yourself Milwaukee
• Pan African Community Association

Northern Trust Navigator Award

• LaKetta Caldwell, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee
• Venice Williams, Alice’s Garden
• Todd Hutchison, Impact Seven

PNC TrailBlazer Award

• Cream City Gardens and Rain Harvesting, Guest House of Milwaukee
• Sisters Diversion Project, Benedict Center
• Mobile Bike Hub, Layton Boulevard West Neighbors

State Farm Building Blocks Award

• ICAN2 Labs
• VA Community Resource and Referral Center
• Zilber School of Public Health
  

Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award

• Holton Bridge Swing Park
• Home GR/OWN’s Ezekiel Gillespie Park
• The ARTery