StartingBlock Madison: Madworks Winter 2024 Applications Close FRIDAY!

January 17, 2024

There only 2 days left to apply for the Madworks Winter 2024 Cohort.

• Applications are open through January 19th
• 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, build strategic financial acumen – all while working with experienced mentors and Madworks + StartingBlock staff
• Companies must be based in WI

SCHEDULE FOR WINTER 2024

• February 14 – April 25 (10 weeks of programming)
• Weekly group meeting on Wednesday afternoons
• Individual team meetings on Thursday afternoons

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• $6,500 in grant funding per participating team
• 1 year membership to StartingBlock (24×7 access), with an exclusive space at StartingBlock dedicated to Madworks companies
• Access to StartingBlock member benefits, including 90% discount on Hubspot CRM and over $1m in pre-negotiated discounts
• Regular access to Madworks & StartingBlock staff and connections to their network of mentors and experts

LOCATION

StartingBlock, 821 East Washington, Madison

MORE INFORMATION 

Expectations and further details are available on our website at startingblockmadison.org. Contact the StartingBlock Program staff with questions or to learn more: programs@startingblockmadison.org

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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Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint Sponsor Christmas Light Parade in Baraboo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Evan Roeser
Franchise Communications Specialist
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
Phone: (973) 401-5578
Email: ERoeser@weichertrealtors.net

Tuesday, January 02, 2024

Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint Sponsor Christmas Light Parade in Baraboo

Baraboo, Wisc. – Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint, two of South-Central Wisconsin’s premier real estate brokerages, teamed together to help brighten up downtown Baraboo over the holiday season by sponsoring the city’s Christmas Light Parade.

The downtown streets of Baraboo came alive as a spectacle of glittering lighted floats, equestrian units, marching bands, and novelty units made their way past the large crowds. This year’s parade theme of “Downtown Dreamland” gave everyone in attendance memories of dreamy Christmas morning feelings of waking up and running to see a glistening Christmas tree with presents underneath.

Agents from both Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint handed out candy and free hot cider to parade attendees outside the Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group office, located on 4th Street in downtown Baraboo.

Judy Weiland made a flashy appearance in the parade riding in a Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group convertible covered in Christmas lights, while Rob Grether of Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint walked alongside the Weichert® mascot, Kurt the Bear.

“Our team is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this amazing parade,” said Rob Grether, broker of Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint. “We are proud to support events like this that bring our community together and spread joy.”

Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group and Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint are independently owned and operated Weichert® affiliates.

For more information about Weichert, Realtors® – Great Day Group, located at 203 4th Street in Baraboo, call 608-356-0120 or visit www.greatdaybrokers.com.        

For more information about Weichert, Realtors® – Lakepoint, located at 2045 Atwood Avenue, Suite 105 in Madison, call 608-721-8002 or visit www.weichert-lakepoint.com.

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About Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.: Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. is a top real estate franchisor established in 2001 by Jim Weichert, president, chairman and CEO of Weichert Companies, which has been in operation since 1969. The company provides a clearly defined business model for operating, managing, and marketing a real estate brokerage, along with industry-leading technology, marketing tools, and coaching. Its first affiliate opened in 2002, and the franchise network has since grown to over 370 offices, serving markets in over 40 states. The company has been named one of the top traditional residential real estate franchises by Entrepreneur magazine for 19 straight years and identified by Franchise Business Review as a top franchise for owner satisfaction eight years in a row. For more information about Weichert, visit Weichert.com. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit WeichertFranchise.com.

Each Weichert® franchised office is independently owned and operated.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 444386