The Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative summer cohort started their project work this month. This summer, we’re working with four new organziations and graduate students to digitize some very unique Wisconsin local history collections.
We’re excited to work with America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) in Milwaukee! Their project includes digitizing materials that document Milwaukee’s Beckum-Stapleton Little League, the oldest Black-led Little League outside of the South. James Beckum & Charles Stapleton founded the league in 1964, and the ABHM houses materials that document its history. You can read more about the league and its history in Milwaukee here.
Kayla Hernandez will be working with ABHM to digitize the collection. Kayla is a graduate student in the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at UW–Milwaukee. After earning her degree, she plans to pursue certification as a school library media specialist.
Her academic interests include information architecture and user experience (UX) design. Based in Milwaukee, Kayla has spent several years teaching high school French. Outside of her studies, she enjoys gardening, baking, and exploring local festivals and events.
Mia Phifer serves as the host site supervisor for this project. She is the Senior Education, Collections, and Outreach Coordinator at America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM). A trained public historian, she holds a master’s degree in History from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, along with certificates in Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management.
Mia brings deep expertise in historical research and writing, collections management, curriculum development, advocacy, and public education. At ABHM, she leads the development of educational programs, oversees the museum’s collections and archives, and builds lasting partnerships with organizations both locally and across the country.
Welcome summer cohort participants. We’re excited to work with you to digitize, share, and preserve Wisconsin local history resources! Much gratitude to our partners at the UW-Milwaukee SOIS and UW-Madison iSchool and the state of Wisconsin for enabling this opportunity in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025.
For further details, visit Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative or contact Vicki Tobias at vicki@wils.org.
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