Alderman Burgelis Applauds Appointments to Milwaukee City Flag Task Force
Alderman Peter Burgelis is celebrating the official appointments to the Milwaukee City Flag Task Force, a group of nine individuals selected to lead the city’s process of designing a new municipal flag that reflects Milwaukee’s history, values, and aspirations.
“I’m thrilled to see such a passionate, creative, and Milwaukee-rooted team stepping up to lead this important civic process,” said Alderman Burgelis. “The City Flag Task Force will be evaluating submissions and ultimately helping us select a design that speaks to who we are as a city, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. I encourage residents to stay engaged and take part in this exciting opportunity to help shape Milwaukee’s identity.”
The Milwaukee City Flag Task Force is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and evaluating public submissions for a new city flag. From the designs submitted, the task force will recommend up to ten finalists to be forwarded to the full Common Council for final consideration. The appointees represent a wide range of backgrounds and expertise in art, history, community organizing, branding, and civic leadership.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s Appointees:
• Venice Williams (Task Force Chairperson) is the executive director of Alice’s Garden and the Fondy Food Center. She has long been a pillar in Milwaukee’s urban agriculture movement and is widely respected for her community leadership.
• Marisol Acevedo leads the creative team at VISIT Milwaukee. She is known for her work showcasing the city’s cultural vibrancy, art scene, and events, and for shaping strong visuals and messages that represent Milwaukee’s unique character.
• Nik Kovac, a former council member and current City Budget Director, brings a deep background in public service, environmental sustainability, transit planning, and neighborhood development.
Milwaukee Arts Board Chair Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs’ Appointees:
• Antoine Carter is the Director of Philanthropy at the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and a graduate of both the African American Leadership Program and Forward 48. He has worked extensively on transforming vacant lots into community gardens and parks while helping ensure the library system remains a vibrant civic institution.
• Ebony Ssali is the founder of Glyph Global Creative and a longtime brand strategist specializing in multicultural marketing. Her work has been instrumental in uplifting key city initiatives and neighborhoods, including Bronzeville Week and Historic King Drive.
Common Council President José Pérez’s Appointees:
• Kevin Kuschel is the Executive Director of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative. With a background in urban planning and community advocacy, he works to enhance housing, economic development, and public space in the neighborhood.
• John Gurda is one of Milwaukee’s most renowned historians and authors. His acclaimed book, The Making of Milwaukee, was adapted into an Emmy Awardwinning PBS documentary series. He continues to serve as a lecturer, columnist, and tour guide throughout the city.
• Marcela “Xela” Garcia is a Milwaukee-based Xicana artist, educator, and cultural leader. She is the Executive Director of Walker’s Point Center for the Arts. Her work focuses on youth empowerment, bilingual education, and preserving cultural identity in Latinx neighborhoods.
The task force is expected to begin meeting later this month, with a public call for flag design submissions to follow. The process will be open and community-driven, with updates shared through the City’s website and social media channels.
Chairperson Venice Williams said: “I’m always grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Milwaukee and its residents. I appreciate the Mayor’s trust in appointing me to lead this talented and passionate team. The City Flag Task Force creates a unique space to engage with our community and truly listen to its heartbeat. It’s a platform for visionaries, creatives, and those deeply invested in Milwaukee’s future to help shape a symbol that reflects who we are.”
“This is a moment of civic imagination and unity,” said Alderman Burgelis. “With leadership from these thoughtful, community minded individuals, I’m confident we’ll arrive at a flag that reflects the Milwaukee we all know and love, and the one we’re working to build.”
The full file regarding the Milwaukee City Flag Task Force appointees can be found here.
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