The Potawatomi Indians had a special name for the land: Millioki, which means “gathering place by the waters.” They also named the large waters of Lake Mie-sit-gan (Michigan).

Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival according to the Guinness Book of World Records. This eleven-day event boasts 12 stages featuring a variety of music, from local to national headline acts.

Milwaukee is the American headquarters of Miller Beer, Harley Davidson, Allen-Bradley, and Northwestern Mutual Insurance.

Milwaukee is a regional center for insurance, industrial products and grain shipping.

Within the 1.6 million person metro area, African Americans number 250,000.

Allen Bradley Clock Tower is one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable landmarks. Guinness Book of World Records lists the Allen Bradley Clock as the largest four-faced clock in the world.

There are an estimated 2,800 Black businesses in greater Milwaukee.

Hotel Room Tax is 9%

Persons born here or made their mark here include:

Joe Oliver
One of Milwaukee’s first citizens and voted in the city’s first election

John Miles
US Colored Troop soldier and Civil War hero

Sherman Booth
Wisconsin newspaperman who assisted Joshua Glover on his journey to freedom in 1854, thereby challenging the Fugitive Slave Law

James Cameron
Only recorded person to survive a lynching and founder of America’s Black Holocaust Museum; received an apology from the U.S. Senate for their lack of action preventing lynchings

Zakiya & Anthony Courtney
Wife and husband team that serve as Director and Griot, respectively, at America’s Black Holocaust Museum

Clayborn Benson
Founder & Executive Director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum

Al Jarreau
Jazz vocalist

Eric Benet
R&B vocalist

Oscar Robertson
Hall of Fame NBA basketball player credited with bringing a championship to the city

Bobby Dandridge
Another famous NBA basketball player on the championship team

Michael Redd
Continuing the tradition of outstanding NBA basketball players