On Friday, November 30, 2018, the Sherman Park neighborhood celebrated the grand opening of the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., a unique marketplace built by the community after the riots of 2016.
The project, developed by Juli Kaufmann and Jo Anne Johnson-Sabir, aims to foster change by transforming the eastern gateway to the Sherman Park neighborhood in Milwaukee into a safe, welcoming space that supports small businesses-of-color offering diverse foods, wellness services and cultural activities.
The project will also act to provide mentorship and coaching to help entrepreneurs of color grow their businesses. Small business owners like Honey Bee Sage Wellness and Apothecary’s, Meshika Stewart and Angela Mallett who want to grow their business to generate jobs and support the local economy.
The Sherman Phoenix is a model for healing our city by generating positive economic and social returns in communities of color.
To symbolize this, the project chose the former BMO Harris Bank building that was heavily damaged by fire during the riots of 2016 to be the focal point of the new Sherman Park neighborhood that will feature high quality spaces for small businesses- of-color, as well as spaces for art exhibits, film showings, and cultural events.
