When I think about my favorite Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service article of 2025, the follow-up story “Elizabeth Brown’s long journey to homeownership” stands out the most.
Three years ago, PrincessSafiya Byers wrote a powerful piece about Elizabeth’s struggle to break free from poverty and constant instability. It was honest, personal and reflective of the challenges so many Milwaukee residents face every day.
What made the 2025 article so meaningful was that Princess returned to Elizabeth’s story instead of letting it fade into the background. She stayed connected and showed us what had changed, what remained difficult and how Elizabeth continued to push forward.
This kind of reporting matters. It affirms that people are not headlines that last for a single moment but individuals whose lives continue to evolve long after a story is published. In a city where many challenges are structural and long lasting, stories like Elizabeth’s matter because they center lived experience, highlight real progress and show why staying connected to people and the community over time is essential.
I appreciate this article because it celebrates resilience. It acknowledges the reality of hardship without removing the dignity of the person living through it. It also honors the idea that our community grows stronger when we recognize the efforts of people who keep striving, even when the odds feel overwhelming.
Following up, staying engaged and lifting people up when they make strides is how we build trust and create real change.
This article is a reminder of why that work is worth doing.
Read the story here.
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