Applications for the Winter 2025 Madworks by StartingBlock accelerator are OPEN!

Applications for the Madworks Accelerator 2025 cohort are open now through Friday, February 7. Please share with any founders you know who might be interested. 

Program Dates: March 12 – June 4 (12 weeks). New this year: 4 additional weeks of follow-up programming & mentor sessions in fall 2025.

Calendar: Tentative schedule here.

About: Madworks Accelerator by StartingBlock is an operations – and governance-focused accelerator located in Madison, Wisconsin. We help founders create a strong, sustainable foundation for their growing companies. Get your strategic financials in order, learn to run an effective board meeting, tackle legal issues, learn about raising capital, practice your pitch, and more – all while working with experienced mentors and Madworks & StartingBlock staff. Companies must be based in WI and see a pathway to scalability.

Benefits: Each participating company receives a $5,000 grant and a 1-year membership to StartingBlock, with dedicated space for Madworks companies. Teams have weekly group educational programming and regular mentoring sessions.

Location: In-person at StartingBlock Madison, 821 E. Washington Ave, Madison.

More Information: Expectations and additional details here.

Questions: Reach out to Program Director Susie Younkle, support@madworksaccelerator.org.

Wisconsin Union Theater: Solemn Brigham of Hip-Hop Duo Marlowe Will Perform in Madison on Jan. 30 as Part of Black Box Sessions Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 24, 2025

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Wisconsin Union
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/marlowe

SOLEMN BRIGHAM OF HIP-HOP DUO MARLOWE WILL PERFORM IN MADISON ON JAN. 30 AS PART OF BLACK BOX SESSIONS SERIES

MADISON – Solemn Brigham, rap prodigy and half of the acclaimed hip-hop duo Marlowe, will perform selections from Marlowe’s albums in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Play Circle Theater as part of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s (WUT’s) Black Box Sessions.

Formed in 2017, Marlowe arose from a more than 15-year friendship between Brigham and producer L’Orange. They first worked together during childhood as part of a group known as Lost Artists. Years later, Brigham was featured on L’Orange’s album “The Ordinary Man,” which ultimately inspired the creation of Marlowe.

Marlowe’s first two albums, “Marlowe” and “Marlowe 2” received multiple Album of the Year awards from BBC Radio 6, Yahoo! Entertainment and Amoeba Music and earned the title of #1 hip-hop album in the U.K. on iTunes. In addition, Marlowe was featured in Gatorade’s Olympic campaign in 2021 and video games like NBA 2K22, Saints Row and Fortnite.

Building off of the first album, “Marlowe,” Brigham became more involved in production and style with the duo’s second album, “Marlowe 2.” In an interview with PopMatters, Brigham discussed the themes of identity status and redemption when asked about the creation of “Marlowe 2.”

The album focuses on the inner reflection of the two artists and combines a broad range of emotions with jazz and gospel. Brigham said he wanted to dive further into who he is and speak on how people may be seen versus who they are.

“Marlowe’s music exemplifies what this year’s Black Box Sessions is about: celebrating the history of hip-hop and embracing the boundary pushing innovation happening now in the genre,” said Kate Schwartz, Black Box Sessions curator, Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee programming advisor, and WUT artist services manager.

Through the Black Box Sessions, the WUT team hopes that audiences and artists alike will experience a strong sense of simultaneous nostalgia and novelty. The team designed the series as club-style concerts that occur in WUT’s black box theater, the Play Circle.

Tickets to all WUT performances are available online, in person at the Memorial Union Box Office or by phone at (608) 265-2787. Additional Black Box Sessions events include Smif-N-Wessun on Feb. 13 and Blackway on March 6.

WUT has a more than 80-year history of bringing what’s next now in performing arts to stages in Madison through student-led collaborative artistic direction.

Patrons can visit union.wisc.edu/theater for information about the full season lineup and to purchase tickets to WUT events, such as the performance by Marlowe’s Solemn Brigham on Jan. 30.

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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.

Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Mailed 353,400 New Books to Dane County Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE INFORMATION:
Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-7970
Sarah Burke, sarah@madisonreadingproject.com

Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Mailed 353,400 New Books to Dane County Kids

DANE COUNTY –  Celebrating three years as the facilitator of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Madison Reading Project announces today that since 2021, it has mailed more than 353,400 brand new books free of charge to children under age 5 residing in Dane County. 

And that number continues to grow, as 143,995 books were mailed in 2024!

Madison Reading Project enrolls any child, from birth to their 5th birthday, who lives in Dane County to receive a free book mailed to their home every month. The books are new, age-appropriate board and picture books that are designed to be shared with families.

“In the past year, we’ve sent nearly 144,000 books to more than 14,720 children throughout the county, and we’d love to add more to our mailing list,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project co-executive director. “Shared reading experiences in the home are a proven way to increase literacy rates in early childhood and beyond.”

“We are so excited to make an impact and put more books into the hands of young children in Dane County,” adds Sarah Burke, Madison Reading Project Early Literacy Coordinator.

To enroll a child residing in Dane County visit https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/imaginationlibrary and click on the Register button. There is no charge to participate.  Your first book will arrive in approximately 60 days.  The collaboration between Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Madison Reading Project is made possible through funding from Roots & Wings Foundation. Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading.

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AT&T Contributes $25,000 to Expand Digital Literacy Programs

Wisconsin Literacy received a $25,000 AT&T contribution to expand its digital literacy programs for adult learners, helping to bridge the digital divide for those in need in the community.

The AT&T contribution will help Wisconsin Literacy enhance its digital literary programming by improving the quality and accessibility of online resources and expanding the reach of in-person workshops.

“Our mission is to change lives by strengthening literacy statewide. In today’s connected world, that also means providing digital skills training to our member agencies’ staff and volunteers. These trainings enhance the literacy programs they provide to adult students and families across the state,” said Jake Gorges, Executive Director, Wisconsin Literacy. “Thanks to AT&T’s support, we are very excited to expand our digital literacy programs in 2025 to include more in-person workshops, as well as new equipment, technology, and digital literacy resources for Wisconsin families limited by the digital divide.”

With this support from AT&T, Wisconsin Literacy will offer additional computer skills workshops in the Madison area; upgrade training production equipment for its online digital literacy classes; and build an instructional video library of best practices in digital skills training. Wisconsin Literacy will also invest in translation and captioning services to accommodate tutors and learners from various backgrounds.

“We are so honored to help connect families served by Wisconsin Literacy with greater possibilities through these digital literacy programs,” said Robyn Gruner, Director of External Affairs, AT&T Wisconsin. “Today, internet connectivity is essential for opportunities in school, work, and life. Connecting changes everything, and we’re grateful to work with Wisconsin Literacy to help expand the digital literacy resources individuals need to advance in our online world.”

In Wisconsin, it’s estimated that 10% of households don’t have access to the internet or connected devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.

This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.

Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.

*About Wisconsin Literacy  

Wisconsin Literacy is a nonprofit, statewide coalition of literacy agencies. We strengthen literacy statewide through expert trainings, personalized consultations, health literacy, workforce connections, and advocacy. Our mission is to change lives by strengthening literacy statewide. Our vision is to ensure all people in Wisconsin have the literacy skills to reach their full potential. We support member literacy agencies statewide and advocate for more resources throughout the field of literacy.

*About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T  

We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C. and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.  

M3 Insurance Adds Five New Shareholders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Media Inquiries:
Angela Joyce, Director of Communications
M3 Insurance
Phone: 608.229.6409
Email: angela.joyce@m3ins.com

M3 Insurance Adds Five New Shareholders

MADISON, WI – M3 Insurance recently announced five new shareholders: Paul Connor, John DeSalvo, Gretchen Flueckiger, Kelsey Haag, and Ross Heginbottom.

Paul Connor, Vice President of Property & Casualty, is responsible for direction, performance, and strategies of the property & casualty product line, practice groups, and sales teams. He joined M3 in 2021.

John DeSalvo, Brokerage Client Executive, specializes in the TruStage program within property & casualty, placing insurance and counseling about risk management strategies and planning. He joined M3 in 2009.

Gretchen Flueckiger, Director of Employee Benefits – Madison, oversees and manages benefit compliance, strategy, design, and implementation for employers of all sizes nationwide. She joined M3 in 2016.

Kelsey Haag, Client Executive, specializes in the senior living and social services industry within property & casualty, evaluating insurance programs and customizing risk management strategies. She joined M3 in 2014.

Ross Heginbottom, Client Executive, specializes in the construction and real estate industry within property & casualty, building comprehensive insurance and risk management solutions. He joined M3 in 2015.

M3’s 61 shareholder partners are current employees who are actively involved in the business and must sell his or her shares prior to retirement. This ownership structure ensures engagement while aligning with M3’s commitment to remain privately held. 

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About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.