On The Block: Mentoring for young boys | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
January 2, 2019
Donna Johnson, a resident of the Lincoln Creek neighborhood near 25th Street and Capitol Drive, attended the recent opening of a photo exhibit at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W. Center St. The photos chronicle the work of “We Got This” founder Andre Lee Ellis.
Johnson, who grew up near the Black Historical Society when it was the Center Street Library is concerned about the changes in the city that affect the wellbeing of youth, including her grandchildren. She came to the exhibit to support Ellis’ work in his community garden at the corner of Ninth and Ring streets in the Borchert Field neighborhood.
Ellis started the mentoring and employment program for black boys and young men after a youth was murdered on his corner and the mother of another boy appealed to him for help keeping her son out of trouble. The program has expanded over the five years since Ellis launched it and he has drawn in adults from his community and across the city to help.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!