Black poet and performance artist Jasmine Mans returns to UW–Madison as Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence with the Division of the Arts and Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2022

Media Contact: aryn kresol, Arts Residency Programs Coordinator at UW–Madison Division of the Arts, akresol@wisc.edu

URL: go.wisc.edu/Mans

Link to media kit: https://uwmadison.box.com/s/wevmw4kmr8ueol0udc30qnugjm3hz9es

Link to article: https://artsdivision.wisc.edu/2022/10/20/mans-nov-22-iarp/

Black poet and performance artist Jasmine Mans returns to UW–Madison as Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence with the Division of the Arts and Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives

Madison, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of the Arts and the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI) welcome Black poet, performance artist and UW–Madison alumna Jasmine Mans to campus October 31–November 5, 2022, through the Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program.

The 2022–2023 Division of the Arts’ Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program presents a series of short-term residencies with artists in collaboration with OMAI. Each artist-in-residence in the series will represent the three pillars of OMAI: academics, arts and activism.

The second in this series, Mans’ residency will include presentations and workshops in partnership with various departments on campus and a panel discussion with the 2022–23 Go Big Read author Clint Smith. Mans, who holds a B.A. in African American Studies from UW–Madison, will also cast and direct a small group of UW–Madison scholars to debut a choreopoem performance at OMAI’s Just Bust! Open Mic at the Wisconsin Historical Society on Friday, November 4.

Public Events

Monday, October 31 | 7–9 p.m.

Residency Welcome Reception

Cafe Coda (1224 Williamson St)

A Halloween meet and greet with Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence Jasmine Mans with faculty, students (21+), staff and community members. Please register in advance. First 20 guests in costume get a free drink ticket!

Free, 21+ and open to the public

Friday, November 4 | 8–10 p.m.

Just Bust! Open Mic

Wisconsin Historical Society (816 State Street)

Madison’s long-running, all-ages open mic, Just Bust! Open Mic, includes community performances, First Wave and alumni spotlight performance, and a debut performance of a choreopoem by Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence Jasmine Mans, with a cast of UW–Madison scholars. Interested in performing during the open mic portion of the event? Sign up (in-person) begins at 8 p.m. and goes on throughout the night until all slots are filled. Make sure to arrive early to guarantee a spot in the lineup!
Free, all ages and open to the public

Saturday, November 5 | 1–3 p.m.

Just Bust! Workshop at the Level Up! Music Conference

MYArts – Madison’s Youth Arts Center (1055 E Mifflin Street)

A poetry workshop led by Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence Jasmine Mans, followed by residency closing reception from 3–3:30 p.m. The Level Up! Music Conference, presented by the Urban Community Arts Network, continues 3:30–5 p.m. Register here with promo code: OMAI.

About the Artist

Jasmine Mans is a Black poet and performance artist from Newark, New Jersey. Jasmine’s poetry book, “BLACK GIRL, CALL HOME” (Penguin Random House) has been named one of Oprah’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Books and a TIME Magazine Must Read, to name a few; and Jasmine herself named as Essence’s #1 Contemporary Black Poet to Know. Jasmine most recently collaborated with the Brooklyn Ballet on an original performance piece titled “Unnatural Surrounding” at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music. Prior to this, she opened for Nikole Hannah-Jones at the launch of “The 1619 Project” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and co-hosted The Kennedy Center’s Arts Across America digital series alongside renowned poet, Jason Reynolds. Jasmine’s poetry has gone viral many times over on YouTube. Jasmine is a MUSE100 icon and can currently be heard as the voice of Ulta Beauty’s national “Muse” campaign, honoring Black women in the hair and beauty industry. She has opened packed shows for Mos Def, Janelle Monae and Goapele, and performed at such esteemed venues as the Kennedy Center, Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater, the Wisconsin Governor’s Mansion and the Sundance Film Festival. Mans also participated in “Brave New Voices”, an 8-episode poetry documentary on HBO.

About the Presenters

The Division of the Arts’ Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program (IARP), originated through the Cluster Hiring Initiative of the Office of the Provost, brings innovative, world-class artists to the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Since 1999, the program has hosted over 40 residencies involving more than 100 guest artists from 20 different countries, engaging over 60 university units and community organizations.

All residencies center interdisciplinary arts, recognizing that interdisciplinarity can break down barriers and silos, advance intellectual artistic diversity and give opportunities to people who do not fit into the traditional modes of inquiry and practice (see the Division of the Arts’ guiding principle of The Arts for Everyone, Everywhere). The program often brings together artists, faculty, staff and students from various disciplines across the arts, sciences and humanities. Integrated with curricular activities, all arts residencies in this program are proposed by academic departments or officially recognized interdepartmental programs, centers or institutes at UW–Madison.

While in residence, artists teach interdisciplinary workshops and participate in public programming with campus and Madison communities. The program provides students with extended learning experiences with a working artist, including options to earn course credit; increases diversity of teaching staff on campus; and strengthens programmatic ties among individual departments, programs and other campus and community arts entities.

The Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI) within the Division of Diversity, Equity, & Educational Achievement provides culturally relevant and transformative arts programming to promote positive social dialogue and to give cultural art forms a legitimate academic forum. By harnessing the broad cultural influence of spoken word, hip hop and emerging as well as traditional art forms, OMAI’s events and programming create learning environments that directly affect UW–Madison’s campus climate, improving retention and graduation success, preparing future leaders to reinvest in their communities. By continually refreshing this paradigm that integrates traditional academics and cutting edge arts activism, OMAI empowers transnational leaders with new tools for inclusive community building.

One of OMAI’s most prominent initiatives is the First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community, a cutting-edge multicultural artistic program for incoming students which offers a four-year full tuition scholarship to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Bringing together young artists and leaders from across the United States and beyond, the First Wave Learning Community offers students the opportunity to live, study and create together in a close-knit, dynamic campus community. First Wave is the first university program in the country centered on urban arts, spoken word and hip-hop culture.

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David Seno Joins M3 Insurance as Senior Director of M&A Insurance and Transactional Risk

M3 Insurance is excited to announce that David Seno, JD/MBA has been named the senior director of M&A insurance and transactional risk, a division of M3 Insurance. His primary role is to establish strong business relationships, acting as the lead interface between clients, underwriters, attorneys, and M3 account executives for the placement of bespoke transactional insurance.

Seno joins M3 after 16 years at Foley & Lardner LLP, where he was a partner and M&A lawyer focused on representing public and private companies and sponsors with a variety of M&A transactions in a wide array of industries. During his legal career, he represented buyers, sellers, investors and target companies in over 80 domestic and international transactions with an aggregate transaction value exceeding $9 billion.

He specializes in assisting public and private companies with obtaining bespoke insurance solutions in connection with domestic and international business transactions. He is also a member of the American Bar Association and Wisconsin State Bar Association.

Seno is an active member of the community, and has served as a pro bono attorney for the Wisconsin Wills for Heroes Program and a Junior Achievement volunteer for third grade classes.

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About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work.

WPS Health Solutions: Army Col. Izzy Thompson saluted for Operation Fan Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Army Col. Izzy Thompson saluted for Operation Fan Mail
Program is sponsored by WPS Health Solutions and the Green Bay Packers

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 18, 2022—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to U.S. Army Col. Israel “Izzy” Thompson and his family in conjunction with the Oct. 16 game against the New York Jets. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 16th season in 2022.

A native of south Milwaukee and a lifelong Packers fan, Thompson was an Eagle Scout and played for Marquette University High School’s 1995 state championship football team. He earned an ROTC scholarship and was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Marquette University.

Following his college graduation in 1999, Thompson continued his military career, going on to serve three tours in Afghanistan, two tours in Korea and one to Iraq during which he commanded a company in combat. Most recently, he was deployed to Germany to support current operations in Ukraine. Thompson also served two no-notice deployments to the Pentagon immediately following 9/11. He has served in the Army for 23 years.

His family says he has always exemplified selfless service, one of the seven Army values, and he has always prioritized the safety and comfort of his team over his own, whether that team be his unit or family. Thompson has also earned many awards throughout his career, including two Bronze Star Medals and a Legion of Merit; however, what he values the most is when the soldiers he has led in the past reach out to him as a mentor.

Thompson attended Sunday’s game with his mom, Susan, his wife, Janet, who nominated him for Operation Fan Mail, as well as their son, Sam.

As the honorees for Operation Fan Mail this week, the Thompson family also received four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS.

The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty or a member who is a veteran. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2022 season home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 152 individuals, families, or groups have been recognized through the program since it began.

The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted this year. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling.

Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 3,100 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Restaino & Associates: Gail Johnson nominated for HR Lifetime Leadership Award

Gail Johnson of Restaino & Associates ERA Powered has recently been nominated for the HR Lifetime Leadership Award given by the Wisconsin State Council SHRM. She was nominated by her peers at the local Madison GMA SHRM Greater Madison Human Resource Association.

The nomination noted, “Gail has been an outstanding, active and engaged member of the GMA SHRM Chapter since 2008. She has been an active board member for the last four years.

“Gail has played a critical role in expanding her role and support of the communications committee, she has done so by growing the team of volunteers, providing great ideas and implementing the necessary protocols & collaboration to expand communication to members through the increased use of social media, chapter newsletter content and more. Throughout the years, she has worked diligently to generate and support collaboration across the chapter’s various committees. Such collaboration has assisted with additional recognition and interest in our corporate partnership & sponsorship program, events, member/volunteer recognition and more!

“Gail is active on the One Day Conference committee and facilitates roundtable discussions. Gail has been an incredible asset to our chapter and members alike. We feel very grateful to have had her as a part of the board and leadership team over the years and look forward to her continued contributions as a lifetime member moving forward.”

One City and Fetch Rewards Announce Signature Partnership

Will Work Together to Prepare the Next Generation of STEM Leaders

Yesterday, One City was honored to host Wes Schroll, the founder and CEO of Fetch Rewards, and his team when they visited our new Pleasant T. Rowland Leadership Campus to announce a new signature partnership between Fetch and One City Schools that will engage and benefit our young scholars and community for years to come. 

Fetch Rewards will work with us to prepare the next generation of leaders, innovators and contributors in STEM fields enrolled at One City Preparatory Academy, a new early college and career middle/high school located in Dane County, Wisconsin. Together, we will help fill the need for more technology developers, engineers, scientists and systems thinkers who are dedicated to making the world better, for everyone.

Fetch Rewards staff will work with our Scholars on their STEM projects, provide job shadowing and internship opportunities, and will help keep our staff and Scholars current on the latest needs and innovations in STEM industries and occupations. Fetch Rewards is also naming our school’s co-working space and making a $50,000 contribution to our STEM program. We are excited to begin this journey together. 

For more information or to discuss your interest in partnering with us, and supporting the education of our young scholars, please contact Gail Wiseman, One City’s VP of External Relations, at gwiseman@onecityschools.org or (608) 531-2128.

About Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a mobile shopping platform that rewards shoppers for buying the brands they love. The Fetch Rewards app gives users the easiest way to save on everyday purchases by simply scanning their receipt. For our brand partners, the platform allows them to understand a 360 degree view of shopping habits, and to meaningfully reward a customer’s individual loyalty.

About One City Schools

One City Schools is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization that provides high quality educational opportunities for young children. Our mission is to seed a new model of public education that ensures young children are on track to succeed in a college or career preparatory program from birth through high school graduation. We currently operate three schools: a tuition-based independent preschool that serves 2 and 3-year-olds, and two tuition-free public charter schools, authorized by the University of Wisconsin System, that presently enroll children in 4K through 10th grade. We will eventually enroll 926 children from age 2 through through 12th grade and serve as a national model for the transformation of PK-12 education in the United States.