Category: Member News
Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Apply for Midwest Mujeres Spanish Story Time Training Program
Are you a creative, playful person who loves to work with children? Are you passionate about sharing the richness of the Spanish language and la cultura latina with the next generation? Buscamos hispanohablantes to present Spanish story time programs for young children in the Dane County public libraries. Bicultural heritage speakers preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for those with flexible schedules and reliable transportation looking for fun and rewarding part-time work.

Join our FREE 6-week training program and apprenticeship to learn:
- The building blocks of pre-literacy and early literacy
- Elements of library story time programs
- Sharing Spanish language, stories, songs, and culture with diverse audiences
- How to develop your personal presentation style
- Entrepreneurial skills, including marketing your program and writing contracts
After the initial training period, partner with Spanish story time presenter Ricardo Marroquin of Dane County Library Service to visit Dane County public libraries. The apprenticeship period will include three phases: observation, co-presenting, and solo presenting with support and feedback.
At the end of the training and apprenticeship, you will receive a certificate of completion. Beyond the Page will provide support to connect you with presenting opportunities in the Dane County public libraries, but you will be qualified to take your program anywhere (museums, community centers, YouTube, etc.).
Apply here by July 25.
¡Gracias por su interés!
Thank you for your interest!
This application process has two parts:
1. Answer the required questions in this Google Form.
2. Submit a video file of yourself reading a children’s story or singing a children’s song in Spanish
(Here is a sample children’s story you can use. Here is a sample children’s song you can use.)
When submitting your application, below are the requirements to keep in mind:
Required:
- Confident speaking and reading in Spanish and English
- Minimum 1 year of experience working with kids (doesn’t need to be formal)
- Comfortable with public speaking
- Interested in early childhood education and literacy
- Independent self-starter comfortable with leading a project and a group
- Creative
- Reliable access to transportation
Strongly Preferred:
- Interested in passing on cultural traditions (songs, stories, dances, games…)
- Native or heritage Spanish speaker
If you have any questions at all about the program or the application process, we are only too happy to help! Contact Alicia Treviño-Murphy at trevino-murphy@dcls.info or call/text (608) 217-0451.
Kickoff Event for Incoming Trainees: Tuesday, August 19th, 6-7:30p
Training dates: Tuesdays, September 9th – October 14th, 6-8pm
Training location: Dane County Library Service (1874 S. Stoughton Rd. Madison, Wisconsin 53716)
Photo by Richard Hurd
WisDOT Seeking Input on US 51 (Stoughton Rd) South Study
WisDOT is conducting a study along US 51 (Stoughton Road) South from Voges Road/Terminal Drive (just south of the Beltline) to north of Milwaukee Street (just south of WIS 30).
WisDOT held a public involvement meeting for the US 51 (Stoughton Rd) South Corridor Study on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Meeting materials, including details about the proposed intersection conceptual alternatives and an online survey, can be found on the study website: tinyurl.com/US51SouthPI.
Those who could not attend are encouraged to provide feedback by filling out the survey which will remain open until August 15, 2025.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Madison Black Restaurant Week Celebrates 10 Years of Flavor & Community
MADISON, WI – The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 10th annual Madison Black Restaurant Week, taking place August 10–17, 2025. This milestone celebration spotlights Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, caterers, dessert specialists, and culinary entrepreneurs throughout Madison and Dane County.
Coinciding with Black Business Month in August, this week-long culinary event is designed to elevate Black food entrepreneurs, to showcase cultural heritage, and to foster economic empowerment in our vibrant community.
What to Expect:
- Special Offers & Featured Menus: From August 10 – 17, 2025, participating restaurants, food carts, and caterers will offer unique menu items, special prix-fixe deals, and limited-time BRW Specials – from soulful comfort food to Afro‑Caribbean fusion cuisine.
- People’s Choice Voting: Throughout the week, the public can cast votes throughout the week at https://bit.ly/25VOTEMBRW for favorites in categories like restaurant, food truck, dessert, and more.
- $5 Food Taste Jamboree Kickoff: Ribbon Cutting: In honor of the Madison Black Restaurant Week’s ten-year anniversary, the event will open a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and community leaders at Warner Park on Sunday, August 10, 2025 from 1:30 – 2 PM. After the ribbon-cutting, from 2 – 6 PM, attendees can sample small $5 plates from top Black-owned caterers, food carts, restaurants, and producers. A curated marketplace of non-food vendors and community resource partners will also be featured.
- Community Events: In addition to the $5 Food Taste Jamboree, look forward to other pop-up markets and food-related events throughout the week, including:
- Heirloom Collard Greens Tasting Network Mixer, on the 4th Floor of the Black Business Hub from 5 – 7 PM on Thursday, August 14, 2025;
- Farm‑to‑Table Soul Food Brunch Fundraiser at the Madison Labor Temple from 1 – 3 PM on Sunday, August 17, 2025 to close the week;
- Amateur Dessert Competition Network Mixer announcing the Madison Black Restaurant Week Winners at the 4th Floor Rooftop Terrace of US Bank Plaza, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
Quotes from Leadership:
“Black Restaurant Week has proven to be a vital campaign that boosts visibility, drives economic impact, and connects Black-owned culinary businesses with new customers, partners, and media opportunities,” said Camille Carter, President & CEO of the Madison Black Chamber.
About the Chamber:
With over 700 member businesses, the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit member organization that empowers businesses through education, advocacy, promotion, and community building throughout South Central Wisconsin.
For the full event schedule, the list of participating venues, or to purchase $25 Madison Black Restaurant Week gift certificates and $5 Food Taste Jamboree tickets, visit https://mbrw.madisonblackchamber.com
Social media updates available at https://www.facebook.com/MBCofC and https://instagram.com/madisonbcc, #MBRW2025
Photo by Richard Hurd
MADabolic is Looking For a Partner
Wellness Professional or Gym-Compatible Business? We’ve Got Space for You.
We’re looking for a wellness professional—or any business that complements a gym environment—to lease a private room inside MADabolic (Madison), the fastest-growing gym in Madison.
Whether you’re a massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or any other wellness or recovery focused business, this is a great opportunity to plug into a high-energy, health-conscious community.
Why this could be a great fit:
Built-in Clientele – 100+ members who train hard and value recovery
Prime Location – Inside a busy, upscale gym right off University Ave
Turnkey Space – ~250 sq ft private room ready to go
All-Inclusive Amenities – Shared bathrooms, shower, WiFi, HVAC—all included
Flexible Terms – We’re open to negotiating lease terms and pricing to make it a win-win
Supportive Culture – Work alongside people serious about health, performance, and longevity
We’re not looking to just fill space—we’re looking for the right person or business to bring even more value to our community.
If you’re interested (or know someone who might be), let’s connect and talk details.
madison@madabolic.com
Photo by Richard Hurd
Chamberlain University and SSM Health launch landmark partnership to address nursing shortage
New “Aspiring Nurse” Program projected to deliver 400+ practice-ready nurses annually across four states
CHICAGO – Chamberlain University, the nation’s largest School of Nursing and part of Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE), and SSM Health, a leading Catholic health system, announced today the launch of the Aspiring Nurse Program—a large-scale partnership designed to fund nursing education, enhance clinical readiness and create a pathway to employment across SSM Health’s care sites in Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois and Wisconsin.

The ambitious partnership is the first of its kind in the nation—offering a direct, employment-focused pathway for aspiring nurses by combining tuition support with immersive clinical experience, and the opportunity for job placement within SSM Health facilities after graduation. In return, students commit to joining SSM Health’s workforce, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that is projected to produce more than 400 new nurses annually.
“The nursing shortage demands bold, scalable solutions,” said Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, President & CEO of SSM Health. “The Aspiring Nurse Program is a strategic long-term investment in our people and our Mission. It’s designed to meet today’s workforce challenges while building a stronger, more resilient future for nursing.”
This partnership also represents a leap forward in Adtalem’s strategy to become the clinical workforce partner of choice for providers nationwide.
“This partnership with SSM Health demonstrates the transformative power of large-scale collaboration between education and healthcare,” said Steve Beard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Adtalem Global Education. “When forward-thinking health systems invest in comprehensive workforce partnerships—combining funding, hands-on facility training and a direct line to employment—we create sustainable pipelines that scale with provider needs. We’re building the foundation for long-term workforce stability while ensuring graduates are day-one ready. This is the future of strategic healthcare workforce development.”
The Aspiring Nurse Program launches in Oklahoma this fall through Chamberlain’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with additional cohorts to follow in St. Louis and Jefferson City, Missouri, as well as in Illinois and Wisconsin. Students will train directly within SSM Health facilities—where they may eventually work—gaining firsthand experience with the health system’s work culture, care practices and technology systems before starting their professional careers.
“This program is more than a solution to the nursing shortage—it’s a bold reimagining of how we grow and support the next generation of nurses,” said Amy Wilson, DNP, Chief Nurse Executive for SSM Health. “By investing in education and clinical experience from day one, we’re not only preparing students for success—we’re strengthening the future of patient care across our communities.”
Founded as Deaconess College of Nursing, Chamberlain’s legacy is rooted in a mission to serve communities through care and education. This alignment fosters a values-driven learning environment that not only prepares students clinically, but also instills a deep commitment to service, empathy and holistic care—qualities essential to delivering exceptional patient outcomes within SSM Health.
“We are excited to partner with SSM Health to place future nurses where they’re needed most across multiple states,” said Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, President of Chamberlain University. “Nurses are essential to community health, and expanding the workforce supports both patients and current caregivers. As the nation’s largest School of Nursing, we’re eager to create innovative and immediate opportunities for our graduates in communities where they’ll make a real impact.”
For more information on the Aspiring Nurse Program or to apply for the inaugural cohort starting September 2025, please visit https://www.chamberlain.edu/aspiring-nurse-program-oklahoma.
About Adtalem Global Education
Adtalem Global Education is the leading provider of healthcare education in the U.S., shaping the future of healthcare by preparing a practice-ready workforce with high-quality academic programs. We innovate education pathways, align with industry needs and empower individuals to reach their full potential. Our commitment to excellence and access is reflected in our expansive network of institutions, serving over 90,000 students and supported by a strong community of approximately 365,000 alumni and nearly 10,000 dedicated employees. Visit Adtalem.com for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
About Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University, an Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE) institution, educates, empowers, and emboldens a diverse community of healthcare professionals who seek to advance the health of people, families, communities, and nations. Chamberlain has the largest school of nursing in the U.S., with both on-campus and online degree programs. Chamberlain is comprised of the College of Nursing and the College of Health Professions, offering a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Visit Chamberlain.edu for more information, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About SSM Health
Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.