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< Back X'Zayvion McCoy Treasurer of the Baord Treasure Xzayvion McCoy has served on the board for the past four years as a dedicated youth participant in Walnut Way programs. As a committed volunteer and supporter of community development, we have leveraged his corporate expertise in accounting, and finance.

< Back Resilient Resident Affordable WIFI Walnut Way Conservation Corp is launching a community-driven initiative to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas of Milwaukee. We invite partner organizations and multi-unit apartment complexes to collaborate with us by hosting our antennas on their properties. This partnership will enable us to provide free public Wi-Fi access to residents, enhancing digital equity and promoting community development. Benefits of Partnership Free Public Wi-Fi : Residents will have access to a free tier of internet service with speeds of 100/20 Mbps, ensuring basic connectivity for all. Enhanced Connectivity : We will install Wi-Fi hotspots across participating projects, providing reliable internet access throughout the community. Digital Literacy Support : Our Digital Navigator program offers device setup assistance, troubleshooting, and digital skills training to ensure residents can fully utilize the new digital resources. Community Engagement : Partners will be integral in promoting the program through awareness campaigns and community events. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back WPSC Wifi Network Expansion Walnut Way Conservation Corp is spearheading an ambitious initiative to establish a community-driven Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) in Milwaukee's Lindsay Heights neighborhood. The project aims to bridge the digital divide by providing free public Wi-Fi access throughout targeted areas, with affordable options for residents to boost in-home signal strength. Public Wi-Fi Infrastructure The project will deploy a high-speed wireless network using 60GHz technology, establishing Wi-Fi access points in strategic locations throughout the community. This infrastructure will provide a base level of free internet access to all residents within range, targeting a speed of 100/20 Mbps for the free tier. In-Home Signal Boosting Residents will have the option to purchase Wi-Fi (WISP Routers) with VPN functionality and extenders, with baseline pricing starting from $20-$30. These devices will allow residents to amplify the free public Wi-Fi signal within their homes, improving connectivity and creating a more robust network experience. Initial User Base and Scalability The project targets an initial 3,500 subscribers, including: 1,750 individual homes with in-home booster devices 1,750 users in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) The network is designed to scale up to 17,000 users and beyond when complete, with plans to expand from Milwaukee's Near Northside to the Northwest side. Digital Navigator Program A crucial component of the project is the hiring and training of community members as Digital Navigators. These individuals will provide: Support for device setup Troubleshooting (routers / VPN) Digital literacy training This ensures that residents can fully utilize the new digital resources and maximizes the impact of the network deployment. Community Engagement The project emphasizes strong community involvement through: Awareness campaigns Demonstration events Direct assistance for device setup and optimization Implementation Strategy Phase 1: Infrastructure Deployment Install core network components and public Wi-Fi access points Establish partnerships with local businesses and institutions to host access points Conduct thorough testing to ensure targeted area coverage for initial launch Phase 2: Device Distribution and Education Procure a variety of Wi-Fi extenders and signal boosting devices Develop educational materials explaining device options and benefits Train Digital Navigators on device features and installation procedures Phase 3: Community Outreach and Adoption Launch awareness campaigns about the free Wi-Fi service Host community events to demonstrate signal boosting devices Provide direct assistance for device setup and optimization Benefits Ensures basic internet access is available to all residents at no cost Allows low-income families to improve their connectivity affordably Promotes digital literacy and technology adoption within the community Supports local economic development by enabling home-based businesses and remote work Sustainability The free Wi-Fi service is maintained through public funding and partnerships Revenue from device and any subscription sales contributes to ongoing maintenance and upgrades Community involvement ensures long-term adoption and support Power in Numbers 200 Programs 1700 Locations 8 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Bryan Rogers Enviornmental Justice Director Bryan Rogers is a community organizer, writer, and strategist serving as Walnut Way’s Environmental Director. He leads the Environmental Justice & Infrastructure Initiative, advancing community engagement and policy development for ecological balance and self-determination. With nearly two decades of organizing experience across the Americas—including student movements in Chile, Black liberation in Brasil, and indigenous land defense in Honduras—Bryan integrates grassroots organizing, political education, and cultural strategy to build movements for justice. He holds a master’s in Sustainable Peacebuilding and a bachelor’s in Spanish/Portuguese and Latin American Studies from UW-Milwaukee. Bryan lives in Milwaukee with his family. bryanrogers21@gmail.com (414) 240-6931

< Back Focus on Energy Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Harvest Day Power in Numbers Programs Locations Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Lead This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

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< Back Chandra Ellis Grants Manager Chandra Ellis is Walnut Way’s Grant Manager with five years of leadership experience at the organization. She specializes in strategic planning, operational management, and team alignment, driving growth and equity in Milwaukee communities. Chandra’s responsibilities include grant management, reporting, and building strong funder relationships to ensure compliance and maximize impact. She has overseen impactful programs, managed budgets, and developed business plans for social enterprises such as Taste of Lindsay Heights. Chandra holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and an Associate in Commercial Real Estate from Marquette University, blending insights into human behavior with practical real estate expertise. Her strengths in partnership building, collaboration, and financial stewardship support both community engagement and sustainable development. Chandra is dedicated to empowering teams, cultivating a positive culture, and advancing opportunities for long-term community well-being. cellis@walnutway.org (414) 375-4224

< Back Terrance Rayford Blue Skies Landscaping Crew Terrence is a good communicator and highly motivated individual with two years of landscaping experience. As a member of the Blue Skies Landscaping crew at Walnut Way, Terrence supports landscape maintenance, urban agriculture, and campus upkeep, working outdoors in all conditions. He is skilled with commercial equipment, friendly, dependable, and committed to advancing Walnut Way’s mission of building a greener, healthier community.