Milwaukee Magazine Honors 2026 Unity Award Winners

Annual awards celebrate leaders who foster connection and strengthen the community

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Milwaukee Magazine has announced the recipients of its 2026 Unity Awards, recognizing six individuals who are making transformative contributions to the city through their work in neighborhoods, food security, cultural elevation, addiction recovery, disability inclusion, and mental health advocacy.

Why it matters

The Unity Awards shine a light on the often unsung heroes working to build unity and connection in Milwaukee. By highlighting these community leaders, the awards aim to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and make a positive impact on the city.

The details

The 2026 Unity Award winners include Kurt Owens, who founded Bridge Builders MKE and Uflourish Church to revitalize his Old North Milwaukee neighborhood; Jack Bolog, who has led innovative approaches to food security at People's Table; Element Everest-Blanks, who uses her platforms to elevate diverse music and culture in Milwaukee; Ken Ginlack, who overcame his own challenges to create a comprehensive continuum of care for men battling substance abuse and mental health issues at Serenity Inns; Katie Cummings, who founded Pink Umbrella Theater Company to amplify the voices of performers with disabilities; and Levi Stein, the executive director of Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, who has expanded the organization's work into suicide prevention.

  • Milwaukee Magazine has hosted the Unity Awards for six years.
  • The 2026 Unity Awards ceremony will take place on February 24, 2026.

The players

Kurt Owens

Founder of Bridge Builders MKE and Uflourish Church, working to remake his Old North Milwaukee neighborhood.

Jack Bolog

26-year-old leader who has implemented innovative approaches to food security at People's Table, a nonprofit serving over 6,000 families on Milwaukee's South Side.

Element Everest-Blanks

Founder, DJ, and program director at Radio Milwaukee's HYFIN station; Amplifier in Residence at Marcus Performing Arts Center; advocate for independent music venues, using her platforms to elevate Milwaukee's diverse communities in music and culture spaces.

Ken Ginlack

Overcame his own troubled past of crime and substance abuse to create Serenity Inns, a comprehensive continuum of care for men battling substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Katie Cummings

Founded Pink Umbrella Theater Company in 2018 to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, one of only six theater companies in the country to focus on hiring paid performers with disabilities.

Levi Stein

Executive director of Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, creating opportunities for adults with disabilities through the Friendship Circle Cafe and Bakery, and leading dozens of SafeTALK suicide-prevention trainings.

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What they’re saying

“A bridge builder – that is what I strive to be. And being acknowledged as a Unity Award recipient is an incredible affirmation of that aspiration.”

— Deanna Singh, 2023 Unity Award Honoree and Host of 2026 Unity Event (Milwaukee Magazine)

“In a world where division gets the most attention, it's powerful to celebrate this truth.”

— Deanna Singh, 2023 Unity Award Honoree and Host of 2026 Unity Event (Milwaukee Magazine)

What’s next

The 2026 Unity Awards ceremony will take place on February 24, 2026 at the Jan Serr Studio in Milwaukee.

The takeaway

The Unity Awards highlight the unsung heroes working to build unity and connection in Milwaukee, inspiring others to follow their lead and make a positive impact on the community.