The Framework at Work

Mental illness carried deep stigma in Black churches and communities. The congregations people trusted most had no working relationship with the clinicians and county systems meant to serve them.

Milwaukee has organized around Black male outcomes since the 1980s, in efforts that were started, replaced, and never finished.

Milwaukee ranked 50th of 50 large metros for African American well-being. The city was full of capable Black men leading churches, schools, businesses, and nonprofits, but they worked in silos.

Young athletes dreamed of professional sports and saw no other way into an industry full of other careers. Students, families, and the industry all had interest. The connection wasn't there.