On Saturday, April 14, 2018, Milwaukee Exposure & Explorer Project (MEEP) founder Lilly Simmons celebrated her 80th birthday at the Gathering Hall Community Center, 4355 W. Bradley Road. Lilly celebrated her birthday, which featured a Mardi Gras theme, with family and friends. Lilly, who grew up in Houma, LA, is a retired educator who has worked at both Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). In 2009 Lilly began MEEP, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping elementary students obtain real-world exposure to careers which they can pursue. She said her volunteer work week typically averages out to about 15-20 hours. The program is housed primarily at Dr. Benjamin Carson Academy of Math and Science and William Cullen Bryant Elementary School.
