Culture x Design

05/30/2026

Soulful grooves. Hip-hop rhythm. Jazz-infused energy.

Zo! & Tall Black Guy feat. Debórah Bond bring a live experience built for music lovers, dancers, and everyone who knows the feeling when the band locks in.

Catch them at Summer of Soul: HBCU Homecoming MKE presented by Northwestern Mutual on Wednesday, July 8 at Peck Pavilion.

CultureXDesign MilwaukeeEvents

05/28/2026

You’re invited to join us for the third segment of Brand Milwaukee! ❇️

This panel brings together creative and civic-minded voices who are originally from other cities and have each developed a unique relationship with Milwaukee 🌇

Through personal stories and professional insight, the conversation will explore what brings people here, what convinces them to stay, and what challenges or perceptions cause people to leave.

At the center of the discussion is a major question for Milwaukee’s future:

❓How can the city move from brain drain to brain gain❓🤔

Moderated by:
🎙️ Kim Shine

Featured panelists:
🎤 Elmer Moore
🎤 Aaron Rice
🎤 Erick “Ck” Ledesma Borrero
🎤 Gevonchai Hudnall-Vogel

📌: Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5th St

⏰: Doors open at 6:30p, Discussion at 7p

Free to attend w/RSVP!

05/23/2026

SUMMER OF SOUL: HBCU HOMECOMING MKE
Rep your school. Show up. Show out.

Culture x Design’s Summer of Soul returns to Peck Pavilion for a special HBCU Homecoming MKE celebration presented by Northwestern Mutual.

Join us Wednesday, July 8 for a free night of music, community, HBCU pride, and cultural celebration featuring ZO! & TALL BLACK GUY (feat. DEBÓRAH BOND), with addtional vibes by DJ Bizzon, an official HBCU Roll Call curated by Courtney Kelly of Rochelle Events, drumline energy from Milwaukee Hittaz Drum Corp., and line dancing led by Kim Easley and Primetime Line Dance & Friends.

This special celebration honors Northwestern Mutual’s Hometown HBCU Connection scholarship program, supporting students who plan to attend a Historically Black College or University for the upcoming academic year.

Whether you’re an alum, student, family member, supporter, or just love the culture — pull up and rep your HBCU.

📍 Peck Pavilion | Marcus Performing Arts Center Grounds
📅 Wednesday, July 8
⏰ 5–10 pm
🎤 Roll Call starts at 6 pm | Performance at 8pm

Sign up to be part of the official HBCU Roll Call at culturexdesign.com/events.

05/22/2026

Book’d and Busy highlights culturally relevant books and authors. Discover new meanings and revelations in selected titles during each session. Element Everest-Blanks is an award-winning global speaker as well as a music & culture strategist. She is the Program Director at HYFIN, Board Member at NABJ–Milwaukee, Recording Academy (Music Advocacy), and GRAMMY U Mentor. This program is made possible through a partnership with the Milwaukee Public Library.

Saturday, May 30 | 3–4 PM
Martin Luther King Branch – 2901 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
A conversation with Jamarquan Houston about unheard voices and untold Milwaukee stories from his book “MILL-WALK-KEY.”

Saturday, June 13 | 12–1 PM
Villard Square Branch – 5190 N. 35th St.
A powerful discussion with Kwabena Antoine Nixon about his book “Dear Black Boy and Futures Not Funerals.”

Saturday, June 27 | 1–2 PM
Atkinson Branch – 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.
Enjoy a lively discussion with Derrick about co-authoring the book, "The Voice in My Head Is God" with recording artist 2 Chainz.

https://bit.ly/4tKdQHC

05/14/2026

Join Culture x Design at the Bradley Symphony Center this Saturday, May 16, for Ledisi with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Use code CULTURE at checkout to unlock a $60 full concert experience, including:

• Floor seat ticket
• Complimentary drink ticket
• Access to the DJ afterparty hosted by Element Everest Blanks + Anthony “A Biz” Foster

That’s a value of more than $100, available only to the first 50 people.

Get your tickets at mso.org/promos/culture using code CULTURE or call the MSO Box Office at 414-291-7605.

05/12/2026

Join Culture x Design at the Bradley Symphony Center this Saturday, May 16, for Ledisi with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Use code CULTURE at checkout to unlock a $60 full concert experience, including:

• Floor seat ticket
• Complimentary drink ticket
• Access to the DJ afterparty hosted by Element + Anthony (A Biz) Foster

That’s a value of more than $100, available only to the first 50 people.

Get your tickets at mso.org/promos/culture using code CULTURE or call the MSO Box Office at 414-291-7605.

05/08/2026