“What was once personal for me turned into a mass thing. I thought, ‘Let’s get other people on bikes. Let’s get more people of color on bikes.'”

That’s Milwaukee rapper WebsterX, talking to us last August about the then-impending second installment of the “Black Is Beautiful” bike ride. WebsterX and other Milwaukee artists had organized the first 16-mile “Black Is Beautiful” ride that previous June; combined, the two 2020 rides drew more than 4,000 participants and raised more than $50,000 for local organizations.

Now, “Black Is Beautiful” is set to return for a third installment. “Black Is Beautiful Vol. III” will take place Sunday, June 27. Riders and other participants (“All Wheels Allowed, Bikes Encouraged”) will meet at Reservoir Park in Riverwest at 1 p.m. The ride begins at 2. You can RSVP HERE.

“Aside from promoting the message that black people and black culture should be celebrated, the rides are intended to be a mental health break day for people to get together and get out on their bikes,” WebsterX says in a press release. “It’s also an initiative to get more black people to start riding bikes for their physical health, and for white people to join us in solidarity, while introducing them to parts of the city and people that they may be unfamiliar with.”

Here’s the full press release, preceded by WebsterX’s own summer bike jam.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL VOLUME III ANNOUNCED!
Black Is Beautiful plans for June 27th ride

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – Black Is Beautiful, an initiative that sprung up last June amidst racial tensions and nationwide protests against injustice, is returning this summer to once again bring Milwaukeeans together through a critical mass style bike ride for unity & healing.

Last summer’s rides, orchestrated by Milwaukee artist WebsterX, Oliver Prime of Among The Prime, and other Milwaukee creatives; had attendance of well over 4,000 participants and raised more than $50,000 for various community organizations, including the Bike Fed, Walnut Way and Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) Milwaukee.

“Aside from promoting the message that black people and black culture should be celebrated, the rides are intended to be a mental health break day for people to get together and get out on their bikes,” said WebsterX. “It’s also an initiative to get more black people to start riding bikes for their physical health, and for white people to join us in solidarity, while introducing them to parts of the city and people that they may be unfamiliar with.”

Black is Beautiful Vol III will take place on Sunday, June 27th. The ride will be led by artists WebsterX and Zed Kenzo, Darius Smith of The Locals Gallery and Michelle Alfaro of Maranta Plant Shop.

Black Is Beautiful will once again partner with previous sponsors, Wheel & Sprocket, USA Cycling, Nō Studios, gener8tor, and BSU Marquette, along with new allies.

To RSVP visit bibmke.com

For more information, check out their Instagram- @blackisbeautifulmke or if you’re interested in participating as a vendor, volunteer, or sponsor: contact [email protected]

Black Is Beautiful Mission Statement:
Fighting the power is a full-time job, especially if you’re Black. Take this event as a moment to collectively exhale as a community and join us on a ride to celebrate Black beauty. Black Is Beautiful, forever.

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Co-Founder and Editor

Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.