MILWAUKEE — Bronzeville Week is in full swing on Milwaukee’s north side. The 13-year-old festival celebrates African American culture, food, commerce and art. It also hosts a number of community collaborations.
The festival started on Aug. 3 and continues through Aug. 10 on North Avenue between Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and 7th Street.
Pastor James Boyd opened Sunday’s celebration with an outdoor mass. He’s the pastor of The Lord’s Way International Church in Milwaukee.
Boyd said he’s excited to see the community come together.
“It’s a celebration of our culture, it’s a celebration of who we are as a people and the way that we express ourselves,” Boyd said.
He said Bronzeville week honors the Black community, but wants everyone, despite race, culture or creed, to feel at home.
“We want to make sure people know about it and we want to bring different ethnicities and other people into the place, and you are welcome to Bronzeville,” Boyd said.
Lakesha Bailey-Gonzalez said this is her first year at the festival. She’s excited to be a new member of the longtime tradition. She and her husband, Travis, own The Corn Man.
They’ve been Milwaukee food caterers for 13 years.
Bailey-Gonzalez said she loves the camaraderie during Bronzeville Week.
“You have different vendors that you can talk to, you give them information, they give you information,” Bailey-Gonzalez said.
For Boyd, he said it’s all about the people, their talent and their commitment to each other.
“We really do love our culture, we love our people, and Bronzeville is really an expression of our love for our community and our love for our people and the different things that we bring to the table,” Boyd said.