The narrative in Milwaukee is one that is often negative and doesn’t shine light on the people doing amazing things to move the city forward. These change makers are doing that and more. Listen to our panel as they discuss how they’re changing the narrative!
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Ray (Nitti) Boynes
Born in the the U.S Virgin Islands, and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Rayhainio Boynes, also known ‘Ray Nitti’, is an artist, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Sharp Creatives with Sasha Fernandez. Sharp Creatives is a consulting agency that connects the creative professional community to opportunities, platforms, and resources. Ray’s experience as a consultant for various industries over the past 10 years has led him to a role in commercial and residential real estate as a governmental, community, and creative liaison. Accomplishments include co-founding ‘COM’, a Creative Incubator In L.A., and a significant contribution to the ARCH Project.
In 2021, Ray, along with partners Que El Amin and Mikal Wesley broke ground on their $67 million dollar residential and commercial development on 32nd and Center, which will be home to The Creative Corridor. The Creative Corridor will cater to Milwaukee's growing artistic and creative community with over 50,000 SF of commercial space and additional resources for creatives and entrepreneurs to utilize. Ray intends to build sustainable creative ecosystems that can support and retain our homegrown talent.
Shalina Ali
Shalina S. Ali, born and raised in Milwaukee, is a mother, artist and entrepreneur. Her commitment to helping others and promoting self-care drives her career and serves as a constant motivation in her work. Shalina is the Co-Executive Director of TRUE Skool, Inc. Milwaukee's Center for Transformative Creative Arts and Hip-Hop Culture! She is also a co-creater of the Circulate Creative Entrepreneur Market, and was awarded Creative Alliance’s “Creative Problem Solving Excellence” award for creating “Art of Coping” as a proactive approach to suicide prevention and addressing symptoms of depression.
Most recently Shalina was the recipient of the “Non-Traditional” Jacken’s award for her work outside of the society approved or bureaucratic norms.
Marcos Ramos-Garcia
Marcos Ramos-Garcia is Milwaukee born and raised and is a serial entrepreneur. He currently created and operates several businesses including Points View Boîte, Heavy Hitters Athletic Facility, Makk'n'Cheese, Blind Tiger Speakeasy, Chicago Salsa & Bachata Festival, Fiesta Dominicana and Werk Latin Dance Company. Marcos is a graduate of Rufus King high school and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he obtained a degree in Communications.
Marcos worked in corporate America for 10-years with UPS Corporate before becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Marcos is also involved within his community and currently is the head varsity baseball coach for his neighborhood local high school, Bradley Tech.
Kristen Hardy
Michigan native Kristen D. Hardy is an attorney and community-volunteer who has lived in Wisconsin since 2011. She currently works as an Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Secretary at a Fortune 100 life insurance and financial services company in Milwaukee.
In 2021, she stepped into her role as president of the Bronzeville Center for the Arts (BCA), shortly after moving to the Halyard Park neighborhood. With a strong interest in Black culture, art, and Bronzeville’s history, Kristen’s work as BCA’s board president focuses on building an educational hub, community center, and space for growth opportunities.
Kristen volunteers on several boards and organizations, and is the visionary and co-founder of Brunch of Professionals, a networking organization that forges meaningful connections between women in pursuit of professional and personal development.
Kristen’s professional experiences and personal pursuits have earned her several recognitions from the Milwaukee Business Journal, including 40 Under 40, Top Corporate Counsel: Rising Star, and Young Power Broker. She has also been recognized as a Wisconsin Law Journal’s Up & Coming Lawyer and a Milwaukee Times Black Excellence honoree.
Corey Fells
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Corey found that the alignment of passion and purpose is seldomly seen, but understands it’s a reality. Corey’s passion for normalizing therapy for Black and Brown people has led him to co-found Black Space, an effort to create free therapy in communities that need it the most. Corey has over a decade of experience in supporting Black and Brown communities through advocacy and cultural ideation and intends to use that same energy for mental health. Corey also has a wealth of experience in brand development, team leadership, cultural organizing and is an eight-year military veteran.
Aside from championing solutions to issues that affect these communities, Corey has been featured in a number of media outlets including The Today Show, PBS, NPR, NBC News, Blavity News, BBC News, and more as a creative with expertise in filmmaking and photography.