The Center Reaches $31M Historic Capital Campaign Goal Fueled by Your Support

On this eve of Juneteenth, as the nation reflects on the freedom and collective strength and brilliance of the Black community, we are elated to share that with your support, we have done what many thought was impossible. Together, we’ve achieved our goal of raising $31 million to make a debt-free Center a reality!

We’ll be releasing this exciting news tomorrow, on Juneteenth, but we wanted to share our big announcement with you first, our major supporters who have played an invaluable role in the vitality and success of The Center’s capital raise. We would not be here without you, and we express our heartfelt gratitude for believing in us!

This enormous achievement was fueled by early donations of 300-plus Black community members and their honorees that inspired a region-wide coalition of over 1,200 individuals, families, companies and foundations to support The Center.

We are so grateful for our lead contributors who gave $1 million or more to ensure that The Center’s capital raise would be a success. These lead donors include:

• American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation
• Ascendium
• Dane County
• New Market Tax Credits led by Forward Community Investments and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance
• State of Wisconsin
• Summit Credit Union
• TruStage
• federal grants championed by Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan

Summit Credit Union’s $2 million gift, presented by President & CEO Kim Sponem at the capital campaign launch in late 2021, was instrumental in generating early momentum.

Ascendium was another of The Center’s early lead donors. Earlier this month, during the final stretch of the campaign, Ascendium provided a monumental second gift, contributing $626,000 to complete The Center’s capital campaign and ensure a debt-free opening. Thank you, Ascendium, for your incredible support that helped us cross the finish line!

The Center has begun raising funds for innovative programming and long-term building care—both essential to its future. Continued community support is vital to sustain and grow The Center’s impact for years to come. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2025.

While our capital campaign has come to a close, our journey is just beginning. We are excited to welcome you to The Center soon, and to continue to partner with you as we strive to elevate Black brilliance, innovation, and advancement throughout Wisconsin’s Black community.

Edgewood College Launches New Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia Program

Madison, Wis. (June 18, 2025) – Edgewood College is pleased to announce the launch of the Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia (DNPNA) program. Designed to prepare highly skilled, compassionate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), this advanced practice degree equips graduates to provide safe, comprehensive anesthesia care across a broad spectrum of healthcare settings. The three-year hybrid curriculum begins with a blend of online and in-person coursework in the first year, followed by intensive clinical practicum experiences in years two and three.

“The professionals who will join us this fall can look forward to enhancing and expanding their caregiving career,” Quinn Mullikin, Ph.D., DNP, RN, Dean-Select of the Henry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences, said. “We look forward to delivering a multidisciplinary program that will play a meaningful role in shaping leaders ready for today’s complex healthcare environments, across Wisconsin, and across the Midwest.”

The inaugural cohort will begin in August 2025. Fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), the DNPNA offering is led by Dr. Ann R. Madden, DNP, CRNA, as Program Director, and Dr. Kelly Sinutko, DNP, CRNA, as Assistant Director. Established to address the increasing need for anesthesia services, particularly in rural settings where CRNAs are often the sole anesthesia providers, this program aims to strengthen access to high-quality care in underserved areas.

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) and qualify for licensure as a CRNA and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

Note: The name of the institution will officially change to Edgewood University effective July 1, 2025.

About Edgewood College
Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a comprehensive, Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership, nursing practice, and business administration. Edgewood College is a member of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the National Collegiate Athletics Association and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor at 608-663-2333. 

Dane County Food Collective to host “Experience the Elements — A Celebratory Feast”

Something special is happening at Cadre on June 29. Join The Dane County Food Collective for an intimate, one-night “Elements Dinner,” a culinary and artistic journey inspired by the latest edition of The Shallot: Journal of Mental Health, Art, and Literature.

This isn’t just a meal; it’s an immersive experience where food, storytelling, and soul unite. Our visionary chefs have crafted an exclusive vegan menu that brings “The Elements” — Earth, Air, Fire, and Water — to life on your plate, alongside a celebration of the incredible art from our new journal.

The Shallot Dinner always sells out, and tickets are extremely limited for this unique event. Don’t miss your chance to connect with great people, enjoy insanely delicious food, and immerse yourself in creativity.

Buy your tickets here

Check out the menu below:

Menu

Pre-Dinner Cash Bar
With Live Music and complimentary snacks provided by Chef Evan Dannells

Frijolitos
Black-Eyed Peas, Bollitos, Sofrito
Served with Mushroom Chai

Beet Poke Bowl
Beets, Cucumbers, Carrots, Radish, Edamame, Rice
Served with Pomegranate Rosemary Fizz

Mushroom Parm Pasta
Breaded Oyster Mushroom, Marinara, Penne
Served with Cucumber Lemon Basil Sparkler

Dessert
Foraged Acorn Pudding

FORWARD MADISON RELEASE SPECIALTY PRE-MATCH TOP IN HONOR OF JUNETEENTH

Forward Madison FC is excited to launch its first pre-match top in celebration of Juneteenth. Local artist, Brooklyn Doby, designed the pre-match top with input from members of the Featherstone Flamingos – an inclusive group of Forward fans that celebrates Black culture. During the month of June, 25% of all proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Progress Center for Black Women. 

This is the second top that Forward Madison has commissioned local artistic representation in collaboration with Featherstone Flamingos. During the 2020 season, FMFC wore a Black Lives Matter warm-up top all season long, designed by Mike LeRoy with proceeds benefiting YWCA. Featherstone Flamingos and Forward Madison FC have a long standing collaboration on charitable merchandise pieces around Black History Month as well. 

“Featherstone is proud to partner with FMFC and Brooklyn on the design,” said Founding Member of the Featherstone Flamingos, Kyle Carr. “We feel it’s important to highlight black voices, issues, and celebrations both in Madison and beyond. The Progress Center for Black Women does amazing work for Black Women in the Madison community and we hope these contributions will get them closer to achieving their goal of creating more empowered leaders.”

Brooklyn Doby was born and raised in Madison, WI. She is a painter, muralist, and an Edgewood College art therapy graduate. She’s passionate about creating art that represents women of color and highlights African American beauty. Her work reflects her love for acrylic paint and abstract portraiture. She is also a newly self-taught digital artist. Her art strives to create imagery that is diverse, unique, and inclusive. When others witness her art, she hopes that it provokes positive change. She believes that the most impactful component about art making is that it can be shared amongst others, both through the product and the process. 

“I am very thankful to Forward Madison for providing a platform for underrepresented artists in the community to be able to share their stories and to create space for so many diverse cultures and diasporas to be spotlighted,” said Doby. “This has been yet another amazing opportunity in my artist career to show my children, future generations, and others who look like me; that their dreams aren’t as unreachable as they may seem.”

In honor of Juneteenth, Brooklyn chose to create a design that captures the essence of family, culture, strength, and ancestral roots. Her intentional use of the colors red, green, black and yellow symbolize the blood shed of those who fought for the liberation of Black people and the prosperity of Africa. Her imagery showcases music, food, and gathering to represent unity and freedom, and to highlight the celebration of past, present, and future. 

The 2025 Juneteenth Pre-Match Top will be worn by the players before the match on June 18th as Forward Madison FC celebrates Juneteenth. Team-issued tops will be sold starting at halftime during the match and will be signed by the respective players with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Progress Center for Black Women. 

The Juneteenth Top is available for purchase now online or in the Flamboyance Team Store starting Wednesday, June 18th, at the FMFC Juneteenth Celebration Match at 7pm CT. Starting at $28, fans can purchase a ticket to the match and scarf, designed in collaboration with Featherstone Flamingos, with the Juneteenth Celebration Pack. $5 from each pack sold will be donated to Progress Center for Black Women. 

About the Progress Center for Black Women: The Progress Center for Black Women is the legacy Founder Sabrina Madison wants to build for the greater Dane County area. It brings all her work under one roof, quite literally, and represents a long-term commitment toward the progress of Black women and families.The Center opened its first home in Fitchburg in fall 2018 after meeting an ambitious fundraising goal. From annual photos with Santa to coaching Black women to accomplish their career and entrepreneurial goals, we were able to create unique programming for Black women and their families.

About Forward Madison FC: Forward Madison FC is a charter member of USL League One, launched in the Spring of 2019. The Flamingos were a USL League One playoff team in 2019, 2023, 2024, and have made an international name for themselves with a fun-loving, flamboyant brand. More information and registration for the team’s weekly newsletter is available at www.forwardmadisonfc.com. Follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Cousins Subs Offering 15% Off First Order at the New Park & Regent Location!

In celebration of the new Cousins Subs location at 1 N Park Street in Madison, customers can enjoy 15% off their online order through July 31, 2025. Use code PARK for 15% off any online order at cousinssubs.com or the Cousins Subs app. Must be a registered user to take advantage of this deal.

The new Cousins Subs location at 1 N Park Street opened on June 9th, 2025. Located at the Park & Regent intersection near the UW-Madison campus, this store features seating for 36 guests and showcases Cousins Subs’ signature ‘Milwaukee Sub Shop’ decor. Natural wood, stone, and metal finishes reflect the brand’s philosophy, rich history, and Wisconsin roots. Large windows create a bright and welcoming atmosphere, and digital menu boards enhance the guest experience.

Guests can enjoy the brand’s full menu of deli fresh and grilled-to-order subs and sides for dine-in, pick-up and delivery. Catering is available for any occasion, with orders accepted online or by phone. Members of Cousins Club®, the brand’s loyalty program, earn one point for every $1 spent both online and in-store.

To accommodate student schedules and event traffic, the store will operate with rotating seasonal hours. From June through August, it will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until midnight. From September through May, hours shift to Sunday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday until midnight. The restaurant will also open earlier and/or stay open later for major events and game days.