Nearby Nature Milwaukee hosts ‘7th Annual African American Environmental Pioneers Awards’

On Monday, February 16, 2026, Nearby Nature Milwaukee hosted the “7th Annual American Environmental Pioneers Awards” (AAEPA) ceremony at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to celebrate those in Milwaukee’s African American community who are working for a better environment. This year’s Pioneer Awardees were Danell Cross of Metcalf Park Community Bridges, Cheri Fuqua of The Middle Ground MKE, Mabel Lamb with Sherman Park Community Association, Dee McCollum of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Lloyd Seawright with Beach Ambassadors, and Yvonne McCaskill with Century City Triangle Neighborhood. This year’s recipients of the Rising Star Award were Jerica Fehr with MKE FreshAir Collective, Alana Fisher of Earth Echo, Christina Hill with Hawthorne Elementary School, Bryan Rogers of Walnut Way Conservation Corp., Ifeoluwapo Tolorunju of Sherman Park Community Association, and Tylon Moon of Teens Grow Greens.A special viewing of the documentary “A Fuller Education,” chronicling the life and educational advocacy of Dr. Howard Fuller, was held at Gee’s Clippers (2200 N. MLK Dr.) on Friday, February 20, 2026. The event featured Dr. Fuller in attendance, with hosting by Kwabena Nixon and an opening poem by Muhib Dyer. The film highlights his work in educational equity, school choice, and his journey from Black Power to education reform.

The AAEPA awards were first held in 2020, in effort to recognize African American community members who have dedicated themselves to work in service of the Milwaukee community, and the planet, through their work in environmental conservation, sustainability or advocacy. They hold the awards ceremony during Black History Month to honor the rich cultural history of the African Diaspora, while celebrating our living generations of all ages for their efforts to make the world a better place through environmental stewardship.