Building Black and Brown Futures Across Great Lakes Cities
GLUE is a regional platform for strategy, convening, and collective action—connecting leaders, institutions, and communities across Milwaukee, Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and beyond.
Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Center
Great Lakes Urban Empowerment (GLUE) exists because the cities of the Great Lakes share a common story—and a common opportunity. Across cities like Milwaukee, Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, and Cleveland, Black and Brown communities continue to face many of the same challenges, but they also share extraordinary strengths. GLUE was created to connect those strengths by bringing together leaders, institutions, and communities to build stronger futures across the region.
What GLUE Does
GLUE works by curating ideas, connecting people and institutions, and catalyzing collective action across Great Lakes cities.
Convene and Connect
We bring together leaders across faith, education, health, business, philanthropy, policy, and grassroots organizing to strengthen relationships and create shared strategies.
Build and Support Initiatives
We provide backbone support, strategic planning, communications, and infrastructure for initiatives working to improve outcomes in Black and Brown communities.
Produce Ideas and Public Leadership
We generate research, writing, briefings, public conversations, and regional thought leadership focused on the future of Great Lakes cities.
Organize for Action
We help communities move from conversation to action through civic engagement, coalition building, public advocacy, and systems change.
Upcoming events.
Proven Work in Milwaukee
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My Brother’s Keeper Milwaukee (MBK)
In partnership with the Obama Foundation, GLUE has helped sustain and evolve this city-wide commitment to Black and Brown youth.
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Black Men Organizing (BMO)
A new movement mobilizing over 400 men around three core values: brotherhood, organizing for power, and building for action.
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MIRACLE Mental Health Network
A 13-year community campaign reducing stigma, building trauma-informed care, and educating thousands across Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
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ASALH x GLUE
Preserving Black History, Building Black Futures
ASALH has been the steward of Black history since 1915. GLUE is proud to actively participate in growing ASALH’s presence in Milwaukee and the Midwest/Great Lakes region.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Whether you’re a civic leader, community organization, or concerned resident, you can be part of our efforts to transform Great Lakes cities. Get involved by supporting our initiatives, attending events, or volunteering your time.