Post from Community: Kennita Hickman is first Black woman to win local music award | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Catera
December 19, 2021
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Kennita Hickman, owner and chief culture curator of Catera, a musician management and media company, won the 2021 Radio Milwaukee Music Ambassador award. This award is given to individuals or organizations for their outstanding work towards advancing and elevating the Milwaukee music scene. Kennita is the first Black woman to win the Radio Milwaukee’s Music Ambassador award since the awards began in 2007.
Radio Milwaukee emailed in a statement, “Anyone who knows Kennita knows she’s a BOSS. Through her work with Catera, she uses her creative marketing know-how and entrepreneurial spirit to uplift our music community and show them new and unique opportunities.”
Catera’s recent projects include the curation, promotion, and production of Artist Eats, a series highlighting independent musicians and local restaurants as a bridge to food and music, two avenues that bring diverse groups of people together. Hickman also lined up local musicians for Lakeside at MAM, a summer activation program at the Milwaukee Art Museum to encourage a safe gathering place outdoors. In addition, Hickman facilitated local talent for Music on the Beerline, a one-day event with Riverworks MKE to activate underutilized outdoor space in Harambee. Hickman has also penned several opinion pieces for local news outlets on the importance of pay equity, and work balance for creative entrepreneurs.
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“I’m humbled to have been chosen as the winner for this prestigious local award. Thank you in part to Radio Milwaukee for ensuring that Milwaukee’s music scene continues to thrive. Catera is proud to be a part of it,” Hickman said. “As a Black-woman entrepreneur, this is, even more, special because of those who continuously work to amplify artists of color but are often overlooked. This award is for them,” Hickman added.
Past recipients of the Radio Milwaukee Music Ambassador award include Milwaukee Public Library’s “Library Loud Days,” Vic Thomas, Milwaukee World Festival, Jim Linneman, Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, and Kelsey Kaufman, Cactus Club.
About Catera
Kennita Hickman is the Chief Culture Curator for Catera. She is a brand influencer strategist, project manager, and event producer for creative entrepreneurs. She serves as a board member for #IVoted and Milwaukee Theatre Alliance. Prior to her work at Catera, she wrote for various music publications including Urbanology, Relevant, and The Source, and served as Director of Artist Support and Outreach for Imagine MKE, an arts non-profit. Learn more about Kennita and Catera’s work at https://www.instagram.com/cateramusic or https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennita-hickman