NEWS
IPAMA Statement of Welcome - JWD
Statement of Welcome from IPAMA Board Chair John W. Daniels, Jr.
​
On behalf of the IPAMA Board of Directors, Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ, and the Daniels family, welcome to the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts - IPAMA!
​
We are extremely proud to be here, and I am incredibly thrilled to represent the IPAMA Board as its chair. This extraordinary exhibit, honoring the legacy of Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, is the brainchild and creation of an exceptionally talented young visionary, Ryan Gray, who was raised right here on the Holy Redeemer campus. Ryan has brilliantly captured the essence of Bishop’s belief in the limitless possibilities of our city and community when we unleash ability and tear down obstacles to access and freedom.
​
The transformation of this building into a national repository for artifacts celebrating African American art and culture is a testament to what we envisioned. Stories told here about America’s multi-talented Black artists, musicians, and performers are rich and plentiful, underscoring the critical importance of preserving and safeguarding our history.
​
Internationally recognized fine artist Charly “Carlos” Palmer, whose riveting image greets you as you enter through IPAMA’s doors, has lent his talents to encapsulate the spirit of our mission. Charly’s accomplishments, including being commissioned for the 1996 and 1998 Olympic posters, illustrating John Legend’s Grammy Award-winning Bigger Love album, and designing the cover of the acclaimed Time Magazine “America Must Change” issue, resonate with our goals of inspiration and change.
​
Today, as you explore IPAMA’s vast array of artifacts, artworks, and music, you embark on a journey through history and culture. This is just the opening chapter in the story that Bishop Daniels has inspired, a narrative of touching lives in a special, personal, Godly way.
​
In Charly Palmer’s words, “Art should change the temperature in a room... I'm an extremist when it comes to the love of Black people.” As we open IPAMA’s doors, let’s carry forward this love and dedication to preserving the legacy of African American culture and achievements.
​
Welcome to IPAMA, and may your visit inspire you as much as the lives and works of those we celebrate have inspired us.
02/14/2024
WJY
Howard University Students Leave Lasting Impact on Milwaukee Community
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (February 14, 2024) - Howard University's Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) program, marking its 30th anniversary of unwavering service, has been a beacon of commitment towards serving communities in need and molding students into the next generation of servant leaders. Celebrated for involving students in meaningful service projects, HUASB aims to develop servant leaders ready to make a difference. For more information, visit the HUASB website at chapel.howard.edu/huasb.
​
As part of its yearly dedication to public service, Howard University students embark on a mission to spread community service across 25 cities worldwide. Over the past seven years, more than 45 students have selected the Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as their service site. This year, an impressive group of 60 students will journey to Milwaukee with a mission to inspire and nurture a collective appreciation for the historical and cultural importance of preserving the artistic treasures found on the Holy Redeemer campus.
In previous years, Howard University students have contributed by tutoring local Milwaukee children. This year, they are expanding their efforts by chronicling the history of the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts (IPAMA). They plan to create a video and photographic collection that documents the artifacts, paintings, collectibles, musical items, and more at both IPAMA locations and the Mother Kathryn Daniels Conference Center (MKDCC). The aim is to compile a complete, factual record that verifies the authenticity of each piece, offering a valuable academic and cultural resource.
The MKDCC, spanning 147,000 square feet, serves multiple purposes, including education, recreation, administration, and hosting community conferences. It accommodates two schools, Holy Redeemer’s executive offices, and Wisconsin's largest Boys and Girls Club. The complex has become a treasure trove of rare items over the past two decades, showcasing memorabilia from African American sports legends and original Negro League Baseball paraphernalia, alongside a vast collection of authentic African art.
IPAMA is home to hundreds of historical artifacts collected from around the world, featuring works by nationally acclaimed artists like Charly “Carlos” Palmer, a Milwaukee-raised Grammy-winning illustrator, and David Anderson, whose work honors Bishop Daniels’ legacy. The campus has also been adorned by the sculptures of award-winning artist Aaron Paskins.
In conclusion, Howard University's commitment to Milwaukee goes beyond conventional community service. By focusing on the preservation of Black Art and culture, the university not only enriches the local community but also leaves a lasting legacy of social and cultural enrichment nationwide. The project underscores the importance of preserving culture with historical significance, advancing opportunities for talented individuals and enriching the lives of those who receive it. Howard University truly leaves Milwaukee with a lasting legacy.
Howard University Students Leave Lasting Impact on Milwaukee Community
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (February 27, 2024) - For the seventh consecutive year, Howard University has selected the campus of Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as one its Howard University Day of Service (HUDOS) locations. As part of its commitment to public service,HU students travel the world providing community services to 25 cities internationally. Since 2017, more than 45 students have chosen Holy Redeemer each year. In 2024, 60 students will travel to Milwaukee to implant inspiration and foster a collective mindset of the historical and cultural significance of the preservation the entirety of the artistic treasures housed on the campus of Holy Redeemer. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin will host the students at a special luncheon during their stay.
Previously, HU students have provided tutoring for local Milwaukee children. This year, the HU students have also agreed to chronicle the history of the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts (IPAMA) through the creation of a video and photographic collection documenting the entirety of artifacts, paintings, collectables, musical items, et al, stored, housed, and/or displayed at both IPAMA locations and the Mother Kathryn Daniels Conference Center (MKDCC). The clear goal is to establish a complete, comprehensive, factual record which authenticates each and every piece of art, artwork, music, and collectible. The resulting photographic documentation will be available as an academic, reference, substantiation, and cultural foundation for historical and educational purposes. Howard University’s commitment to this project demonstrates a level of community service beyond the norm, ultimately entrusting and passing on permanent, tangible, social and cultural enrichment for Black Art and artists, the city of Milwaukee, and communities across the nation.
“Preservation of culture imbued with historical significance should equate to advancement and opportunity for all - those blessed with the talent to provide and those enriched with the blessing to receive,” said IPAMA Executive Director Natasha Batton. “Our mission is to provide a resolute platform of exhibition and expression for a millennium of work by America’s most talented Black artists.”
The MKDCC is a 147,000 square foot multiuse educational, recreational, administrative, and community conference complex housing two schools, Holy Redeemer’s executive offices, and the largest Boys and Girls Club in the state of Wisconsin. Over the past 20 years, a multitude of rare and esteemed items have been assembled and showcased there including signed memorabilia from legendary African American Hall of Fame and Olympic athletes like Hank Aaron, Oscar Robertson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Michael Jordan. Original autographed Negro League Baseball programs, cards, equipment, and jerseys are on display. Several pieces of authentic African art, sculptures, woodworkings, draperies, and paintings and can be seen throughout the facility.
​
IPAMA houses hundreds of historical artifacts from around the globe collected, donated, and acquired through curation and from art aficionados and philanthropic culturalists. These include nationally renowned pieces from artists like Charly “Carlos” Palmer, the Grammy winning illustrator who was raised in Milwaukee and recently commissioned by the U.S. Postal Service to create the Constance Baker Motley heritage stamp. Milwaukee native David Anderson’s compelling image has become a signature piece recognizing Bishop Daniels’ legacy of faithful and dedicated service to God and community. Award-winning sculpturist Aaron Paskins has exhibited and graced our campus many times.