MILWAUKEE – May 13, 2025 – The following statement was issued today by Deborah Kern:

“I was surprised to read the misguided article in Urban Milwaukee last evening. It accurately quotes me, but somehow got the story wrong. The Bronzeville Center for the Arts is an amazing and strong organization dedicated to developing a new, vibrant cultural institution for the City of Milwaukee, and I am very proud to be part of it as a former board member and an ongoing and committed supporter.

BCA’s small but dedicated staff and board have produced great things in Bronzeville in just five years, and I am confident that the people involved will continue to work very hard to realize the dream of a new African American art museum in the coming years. While it is true that I have stepped off the board, it is because I’ve recently retired and am ready to slow down a bit.

All good ideas need champions—plural. This important project will be realized because others are drawn to it as board members, employees, donors, and patrons. I remain a dedicated supporter of this project. I hope others will join us.”

ABOUT BRONZEVILLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Established in 2020, the Bronzeville Center for the Arts (BCA) seeks to establish a major new art museum in Bronzeville – a historically African American neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – to highlight the work of African American artists. The BCA seeks to advance institutional equity, connect intergenerational and diverse audiences, and provide a place for everyone to experience and develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for African American art.

The BCA promotes current and future artists and art professionals by opening a lens to the history and heritage of Black artists. Central to the BCA’s mission is removing barriers from the enjoyment of art and forging a future that is more creative, connected, and informed. Bronzeville’s bustling entrepreneurial and artistic history serve as the foundation for the BCA, inspiring us to continue to honor and embody this multifaceted heritage. Learn more at www.BCAMKE.org.