Midwest Mujeres: Empowering Dreams and Forging Connections

At “Roscas y Reynas,” our recent event held at StartingBlock Madison, the air was inspiring as over 50 entrepreneurs of color gathered to connect, share their stories, and celebrate successes. The event was a unique blend of cultural tradition and networking and provided a platform for these vibrant entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements and discuss the challenges they’ve overcome on their journey.

Networking Beyond Boundaries

The heartbeat of “Roscas y Reynas” was in the vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences among entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations, fostering connections that extended beyond the event itself. The room was filled with the energy of collaboration as entrepreneurs shared insights, advice, and resources, creating a supportive network that transcended industries and backgrounds.

Stories of Triumph and Resilience: Latina and Black women entrepreneurs

The highlight of the evening was the compelling stories shared by entrepreneurs of color who took the stage to talk about their challenges and triumphs. From navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship to overcoming systemic barriers, each narrative resonated with authenticity and resilience.

Gloria Reyes, the first Latina to run for City Mayor, shared her journey of breaking glass ceilings, while Shibon Evans, a Hip Hop artist and entrepreneur, spoke passionately about the power of creativity in business.

Sarah Branch talked about the evolution of her business and gave us a call to action for more unity between Black and Latinas in the community. Duha Jamal discussed how the war in Gaza provoked people to cancel orders for her catering business. Despite these challenges, she is determined to continue in her business.

A Spotlight on Success

Dean Health Care, and FoodFight, our event sponsors, played a crucial role in sweetening the evening. UNIDOS, a local non-profit organization working against domestic violence in the Latino community in Wisconsin, Melanie Hernandez, a local Latina author, and Alkeme Brand held space as community supporters. Photography was provided by Talia Photography.

The Hot Chocolate Bar with Roscas provided a tasty and cultural networking backdrop, adding warmth to the gathering. As entrepreneurs savored the delicious Kings Cake, connections flourished, and the room echoed with the spirit of celebration. We are thankful to Dulce from Paradise Ice Cream for making the chapurrado.

Dream Board: Aspirations Shared

The Dream Board activity offered a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to visualize their dreams and articulate how they could contribute to others’ success. It became a collaborative space where dreams were shared, supported, and reinforced the sense of community that defines “Roscas y Reynas.”

Capturing the Moment

The event concluded with a group picture, immortalizing the shared moments of inspiration, collaboration, and connection.

We are very grateful for local media support like La Comunidad News and Madison365.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Diversity and Resilience

“Roscas y Reynas” transcended the traditional networking event, becoming a celebration of diversity, resilience, and shared dreams. The event’s success lies in the lasting connections formed and the stories that will continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs of color.

As we reflect on this unforgettable evening, we extend our gratitude to all the Brown, Black, International, Latina, immigrant, and new women entrepreneurs, sponsors, and supporters who made “Roscas y Reynas” a resounding success.

Together, we continue to build bridges, break barriers, and celebrate the richness of entrepreneurship in all its forms.

Wisconsin Union Theater: Contemporary Jazz Greats to Perform in Madison on Jan. 26 in Tribute to Historic Jazz Label Blue Note Records

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 16, 2024

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

DOWNLOAD PHOTOS: https://uwmadison.box.com/s/10kfo36qsip30y4vplmpvrijog9gdtbe

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/blue-note

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ GREATS TO PERFORM IN MADISON ON JAN. 26 IN TRIBUTE TO HISTORIC JAZZ LABEL BLUE NOTE RECORDS

MADISON – A concert celebrating the 85th anniversary of the longest-running jazz label in the world, called Blue Note Records, will come to Madison, Wisconsin, on Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s (WUT’s) Jazz Series.

The 90-minute Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Tour event at Shannon Hall in Memorial Union will feature a collective of jazz stars that includes pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The collective’s tour performances around the country celebrate the label, which has a history that includes many music styles – including hot jazz and blues to cool jazz, bebop and fusion – and that built the bridge into today’s avant-garde jazz.

“Blue Note has been such a wonderful home for the community for incredible musicians, for creativity for all these years,” Clayton said.

The label that The New York Times called the most storied label in jazz tunes has been a label home for such jazz greats as Art Blakely, Wayne Shorter, Annie Lennox, Willie Nelson, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. In addition to the anniversary tour quintet artists, Blue Note Records artists currently include Anita Baker, Elvis Costello and the Roots, DOMi and JD Beck, Al Green, and Norah Jones.

“I urge everyone who loves music to come on out and catch the 85th Blue Note Quintet,” Blue Note Records President Don Was said. “What I love about all these guys is that, despite their incredible technical knowledge and proficiency, they all play from the heart first. They’re telling stories through their instruments.”

German Jewish immigrant Alfred Lion founded Blue Note Records in 1939 in New York with the mission to serve the uncompromising expressions of hot jazz or swing. His childhood friend Francis Wolff soon joined the endeavor. The duo built a reputation for supporting jazz visionaries and embracing new jazz styles. The founders declared a dedication to creating uncompromising music rooted in authenticity.

WUT and the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee (PAC) are co-presenting this performance and all of the WUT 2023-24 season.

Theater-goers can save 20% on WUT season events through the build-your-own subscription, with options of three to five events for 15% off or six or more events for a 20% discount.

Additional WUT season events include international music, jazz and chamber music.

Patrons can purchase tickets to the Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Tour performance in Madison and other WUT season events online, at the Memorial Union Box Office or by phone at (608) 265-2787.

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 80 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an extensive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is committed to social justice and works to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive place for all who engage with the Theater’s programming, events, and activities. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee is part of the Wisconsin Union’s leadership development program for UW–Madison students and supports the Wisconsin Union Theater’s mission of serving students through the performing arts. By helping to program the Theater’s annual season of performing arts presentations, the students learn about program curation, relationship-building, marketing, communications, budgeting, and production. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

ImpactLife eyeing losses due to winter storms

Hazardous travel conditions across portions of the ImpactLife service region are taking a toll on our region’s blood supply. Winter weather has forced the cancellation of numerous blood drives, with many donors unable to keep scheduled appointments at ImpactLife Donor Centers as well.

Nearly 600 donations are estimated to have been lost due to the storm as of the afternoon of Wednesday, January 10. ImpactLife is seeking additional donors to help ensure the blood center’s ability to provide for local hospitals. Donors may find a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive by calling (800) 747-5401, or schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org, or with the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).

“Patient care never stops, and that means the use of blood remains constant even as we see canceled blood drives and missed appointments due to the snowstorm,” said Amanda Hess, Vice President, Donor Relations and Marketing. “We are urging all potential donors who can travel safely to please schedule an appointment and help ensure our ability to meet patient needs for local hospitals and beyond.”

To thank donors who give blood during January’s National Blood Donor Month, ImpactLife is providing all presenting donors a voucher to redeem for the donor’s choice of an electronic gift card, 500 bonus points to use in the Donor Rewards Store, or an equivalent donation to the National Forest Foundation. (Learn more at www.bloodcenter.org/now.)

About ImpactLife

ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood services to more than 120 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as resource sharing partners across the country. Services extend from southcentral Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri and from Danville, Illinois to Chariton, Iowa. (See a map of the ImpactLife service region.) ImpactLife operates 23 Donor Centers and holds approximately 5000 mobile blood drives annually to provide blood components needed for patient transfusions at hospitals throughout our region.

For more information on blood inventories and donor promotions, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.

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M3 Insurance Adds Five New Shareholders

M3 Insurance recently announced five new shareholders: Corey Palmer, Senior Client Executive; Dana Hellenbrand, Director of Manufacturing & Distribution Practice; Jesse Maas, Senior Business Development Executive; Julie Redders, Vice President of Marketing; and Nate Troyer, Senior Client Executive and Director of International Practice.

Palmer supports business owners and governmental entities in structuring sustainable employee benefit programs to foster a competitive employee acquisition and retention strategy. He joined M3 in 2015. 

Hellenbrand serves as a subject matter expert, strategist, and thought leader in the manufacturing and distribution industry. She is responsible for sharing information on trends and issues that specifically impact this industry along with advising clients throughout their policy period to ensure that their coverage and risk management strategies continue to meet their needs. She joined M3 in 2016. 

Maas educates the business community about M3 services, including insurance and risk management, employee benefits, and retirement planning. He joined M3 in 2017. 

Redders develops, directs, and oversees M3’s marketing, brand, communications, and public relations strategies. She partners with agency leadership and sales teams to showcase M3’s brand, people, and specializations, and ensures the agency is well-positioned across the regions and markets we serve. She joined M3 in 2011. 

Troyer specializes in property and casualty insurance with a focus on manufacturing & distribution and international exposures where he designs customized solutions for each of his clients. He joined M3 in 2014. 

The Electrician, Inc.: Transition of New Ownership

The Electrician, Inc. welcomes you to join us in congratulating Cole McCloskey in his promotion to CEO of our company! Cole started his tenure with The Electrician, Inc. in 2011 and quickly worked his way into being selected for the ABC of Wisconsin apprenticeship program starting in the fall of 2012. Cole then worked his way quickly into a leadership role and was ultimately selected as a Shareholder and COO of the company in April 2019. Since then, Cole has worked hand-in-hand with Brent Yauchler to manage the company, and has played a major role in our continued growth and success.

Brent Yauchler founded The Electrician, Inc. in 2004 and has been CEO and President of the company since.  Under Brent’s leadership, the company has experienced significant growth and success over the past two decades. Brent will continue to be a Shareholder, and as of January 1^st, 2024, he will assume both the title of Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of our advisory committee. He will be advising Cole and other key company leaders regularly and working with them to strategize, plan, and improve the Company’s operations and continued mission to better serve our customers. Cole, along with our management and field team, will be solely responsible for overseeing the Company’s day-to-day operations. 

Feel comfortable to reach out to Brent or Cole at any time if you have any questions or concerns about our transition of leadership. We appreciate our employees, vendors, and customers very much, and we wish everyone continued success and prosperity in the new year!