Our Past
Our Present
Our Future
10th Anniversary Gala
929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee
A Message From Our Co-Chairs
Danielle & Ramel Bly
Steve & Sarah Zimmerman
Greg & Lisa Wesley
Eric Conley
Grady Crosby
Jackie Herd-Barber
Cory Nettles
Dr. Joan Prince
Gala Sponsorship Levels
Thank you for being a sponsor at our inaugural 10th Anniversary Gala! We are so excited to celebrate 10 years of increasing the availability and quality of African American arts and culture.
Join us on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Once you fill out this form, a team member will follow up with you. Please email gala@blackartsmke.org if you have any questions. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on October 24, 2025!
Payment
Please make your check payable to:
Black Arts MKE, Inc.
929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53216
Attn: Barbara J. Wanzo / Gala
Gala Sponsorship Levels
| Legacy | Premiere | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST | $50,000 | $25,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $3,500 | $2,500 |
| TABLE | "20 guests (two tables)" | "10 guests (one table)" | "10 guests (one table)" | "8 guests (same table)" | "6 guests (same table)" | "4 guests (same table)" |
| BLACK NATIVITY PERFORMANCE | "20 guests (20 tickets)" | "10 guests (10 tickets)" | "10 guests (10 tickets)" | "8 guests (8 tickets)" | "6 guests (6 tickets)" | "4 guests (4 tickets)" |
| 2025 PERFORMANCE PASS | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| LOGO ON STAGE | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| VIP POST-PERFORMANCE RECEPTION | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| ARTIST TICKETS | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| ADVERTISEMENT DIGITAL PROGRAM | Full page | Half page | Half page | Logo listed in program | Logo listed in program | |
| PROMINENT SIGNAGE | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| GALA VERBAL RECOGNITION | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| SOCIAL MEDIA & EVENT WEBSITE RECOGNITION | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| RECOGNITION IN DIGITAL PROGRAM & EVENT | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| COMPLIMENTARY PARKING | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Gala Sponsorship Information
2025 Performance Pass
Exclusive 2025 VIP performance season pass for Legacy and Premiere Sponsors. The season pass will be good for any Black Arts MKE full production performance for World Premiere Wisconsin, MKE Black Theatre Festival, Black Arts MKE Presents and BLACK NATIVITY by Langston Hughes. This unique opportunity entitles the Sponsor to five full season passes for two guests.
VIP Post-Performance Reception
An exclusive networking event awaits Legacy and Premiere Sponsors. Hosted by Black Arts MKE Board of Directors alongside our BLACK NATIVITY by Langston Hughes Artistic Director, Director, and leading Cast Members, this reception offers a unique opportunity for meaningful connections.
Performing Artist Tickets
An exclusive opportunity for our Legacy and Premiere Sponsors to invite their favorite performing artist(s) to attend the Gala and BLACK NATIVITY performance or sponsor performing artist(s) to be invited by Black Arts MKE.
Advertisement
Sponsors at this level will have the opportunity to feature their brand through targeted advertisements strategically placed throughout the event space. This could range from digital displays to printed banners, offering a dynamic way to connect with our attendees.
Prominent Signage
For esteemed Legacy and Premiere sponsors, your name will be prominently displayed on stage throughout the event. This ensures visibility to all visitors of Black Arts MKE, extending a warm welcome to our community.
Social Media & Event Website Recognition
Acknowledgement on our dedicated event website and social media platforms awaits our sponsors in this category. Your support will be highlighted in our posts, stories, and event updates, reaching a broad audience of engaged followers and potential supporters.
Recognition In Digital Program & Event
Your sponsorship will be acknowledged in our innovated digital program booklet, shared with all attendees and Black Arts MKE stakeholders, and in the captivating event slideshow presented throughout the evening. Additionally, your support will be noted on the table numbers, ensuring recognition at every touchpoint of the gala experience.
Complimentary Parking
Includes one-time use parking vouchers. Marcus Center parking garage is located at 1001 N. Water Street (Enter on the south side of East State Street).
All contributions to Black Arts MKE, a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. EIN: 47-1889202
Payment
Please make your check payable to:
Black Arts MKE, Inc.
929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53216
Attn: Barbara J. Wanzo / Gala
Testimonial
"Through my first time performing with Black Arts MKE, a different part of myself came out. I never really let my ‘Black self’ out completely before. They helped me feel comfortable in myself – I can be unapologetically Black! It’s a very empowering experience."
Terynn Erby-Walker
Terynn Erby-Walker first performed with Black Arts MKE in their 2021 production of BLACK NATIVITY, and she participated in multiple other projects until 2023, when she left for college. She is currently a sophomore at Morgan State University studying Musical Theatre. She is excited to celebrate Black Arts MKE's 10th anniversary and even more proud to have performed with a company that opened her heart so much and ultimately led her to where she is today. She is HBCU proud!
Why Black Arts MKE
Artists are both at the forefront of change and critical to the preservation of culture. Often their work involves envisioning new ways of being in the world. As our community continues to address the converging and lingering effects of the pandemic and ongoing racial injustices, artists will be crucial in articulating a path forward. Black Theater institutions shape our national narrative and public discourse. Yet, in equities persist:
Foundations give $4 Billion Dollars to arts organizations, but only 4% of that funding goes to arts organizations that serve communities of color.
The median budget size of the 20 largest arts organization of color surveyed by the DeVos Institute is 90% smaller than their mainstream counterparts, and more than half of these organizations were operating in 2013 with budget deficits.
Black theater is at a critical moment. Of Black Theatres founded out of the Civil Rights/Black arts Movements, 87 didn’t exist by the mid-90s.
Black Arts MKE By The Numbers
15,000+
At-risk youth and their families served
3,000+
Students attend free matinee performances of BLACK NATIVITY and other plays Black Arts MKE presents throughout the school year.
5,000+
Hours of arts education and outreach programming impacting 11 MKE Aldermanic districts and representing 14 zip codes
125+
Local artists of color hired by BAMKE for public performances, arts education and outreach ($273K in 1099 wages in 2023)
$709.8K
Average Operating Budget (three-year operating budget average.)
18% - Government
42% - Foundations
31% - Corporations*
9% - Individuals
Donor Impact (2023) *Includes UPAF funds
OUR 10 YEAR JOURNEY
Black Arts MKE’s mission is to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture.
2012
Post recession small non-profit research released, "The Importance of Being Small", prepared for the Nonprofit Management Fund, April 2012.
2014
Black Arts MKE was founded as a 501(C)(3) to support African American artists and organizations for whom the recession made it especially hard to keep doors open and the lights on. The goal was to prevent this trend from continuing and to provide a more sustainable, vibrant African American arts and culture scene in the community.
2015
Black Arts MKE (formerly Black Arts Think Tank) moved into its current home at the Marcus Center as a resident company. United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) Board of Directors approved Black Arts MKE as a Member of the Affiliate Program.
Established first youth summer internship with the Director of Career Development with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. This paid program was in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Development as a business-based partnership to prepare youth for career skill development.
2016
Signature production, BLACK NATIVITY by Langston Hughes established a tradition of cultural relevance. More than 900 students attended the first BLACK NATIVITY youth student matinees at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall
2017
Established in-school residency relationship with Milwaukee Public Schools. Black Arts MKE selected as a partner for the newly established Presidential Committee on Turnaround Arts & Humanities. Served 6,400 students in under-served and under-resourced neighborhood schools.
2018
Expanded outreach in a national collaboration with Black Violin in collaboration with the Marcus Center. Established artist organization in residence program with Black theatre troupe founders of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble (BAE). Debuted BAE’s first collaboration with Black Arts MKE – FLYIN’ WEST By Pearl Cleage.
2019
Established successful Humanities collaboration with More than 50 UW Oshkosh Cultural Anthropology Faculty & TAP Students via a Performing Arts Residency on Power & Race.
Debuted new programming, “Black Arts MKE Presents” an ongoing collaboration with emerging young performing arts producers (HIP HOP DNA, FREE THERAPY).
2020–21
Black Arts MKE became a Member Group with the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).
Established collaborative relationship with New York City-based producing team for LOVE & SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT. Production ceased post-auditions due to COVID-19.
Transitioned to virtual public performance programming and continued our I AM. Youth Summer Camp according to CDC guidelines for Youth Summer Camps.
2022
Collaborated with local private donors and Alpha Kappa Alpha local chapter to bring a principal Alvin Ailey Dancer to Milwaukee. Hosted virtual and in-person dance programming for several schools and a special session with top choreographers from the community.
Collaborated with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Medical College of Wisconsin for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of commissioned programming.
Black Arts MKE became an inaugural member of World Premiere Wisconsin – a first-of-its-kind statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals.
Black Arts MKE first year of presenting MKE Black Theatre Festival. More than 40 artists participated in and were supported by our inaugural Theatre Festival.
2023
More than 10,000 youth and families served via expanded student youth and public programming. Served more than 150 artists ($273K in 1099 wages) through expanded public programming.
Debuted a repertory theatrical programming during Black History Month for student youth – featuring the HARLEM RENAISSANCE (2023) AND HIP-HOP HOORAY! (2024) as part of the national celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop.
Established first individual BIPOC Artist in Residence program to launch Shakespeare in American Communities Youth Programming awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts.
2024
Black Arts MKE continues to advance its mission to increase the availability of African American arts and culture. We’re proud to be a Black-led performing arts organization who serves predominantly Black communities. Focused on youth education and Black audience development, all multi-disciplinary programming is rooted in the full diversity, complexity, and intersectionality of the Black Experience. We annually produce signature events Milwaukee Black Theatre Festival, BLACK NATIVITY by Langston Hughes, and I AM. Summer Camp – featuring all-Black, MKE-based performing and teaching artists. We inspire creativity in thousands of school-aged youths each year via educational performing arts residencies and year-round youth internships. Black Arts MKE supports more than 125 MKE-based artists representing nearly $273K in 1099 wages last year. We’re a recipient of the APAP ArtsForward, NEA Grant for Arts Projects, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, The Black Seed, The Lewis Prize for Music, The Shubert Foundation, and Theatre Communications Group national awards. Black Arts MKE is a producing theatre with World Premiere Wisconsin. We are a member of TYA/USA, proud Member Group of the United Performing Arts Fund and Resident Group at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
