AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER HOLBROOK, OUTGOING CCF PRESIDENT AND CEO By Paul Masterson Milwaukee Gay Sports Network as well as cor - porate donors. We raised over $70000 and It’s just been two gave out $45000. By doing so we signaled to years since Peter LGBT individuals and allies that they matter. Holbrook, PhD, be - When people feel there is confidence in them came Cream City and they are worthy of investment , they Foundation’s Pres - respond positively and will give back. ident and CEO. QUEST: What would you say is your greatest After the departure accomplishment during your brief tenure? of CCF’s previous leader in May of PH: There are several. To begin, in a short period 2015, it took until of time CCF reengaged our constituencies and the end of that year created awareness. That lead to an increase of to find an individual donors and increase of giving among older with the qualifications to lead Milwaukee’s LGBT donors. We established the LGBT scholarship philanthropic organization. Holbrook had served program and the momentum that occurred as the Dean of Business Administration and Man - around that brought in a range of corporate and agement at Cardinal Stritch University. individual support . People could see a tangible QUEST spoke with Holbrook about his two year impact. I was excited to see how quickly it term at CCF and his outlook for the organization evolved. The 3 rd thing was to understand the post after his departure. marriage equality needs of the community. We wanted to know what’s next and identified a lot of QUEST: When you were hired in December issues around equality, health, and economic jus - 2015, CCF had the reputation of being elitist. tice to be addressed . We also diversified our Its fundraising efforts were focused on board. The chair is an African-American lesbian soliciting corporate dollars rather than ap - and our treasurer is an African American gay pealing to the LGBT community. You made man. So the board is now more reflective of who the rounds to various organizations and we are as a people. explained your intent to change the attitude of the CCF board and integrate the organi - QUEST: You mention those three areas zation into the community it served. Did disparities in health, education, & economics. you accomplish that? How have CCF’s strategies been tailored to address these beyond the scholarship Peter Holbrook: I think yes. We raised the program? visibility within the LGBT communities as well as beyond. We got people reengaged and we PH: Our research in that pursuit came out of the raised more money. That allowed more dollars MU Center for Gender Studies. We began to un - going out. Over these two years we gave derstand we are multiple communities. We are grants to 50 organizations. We wanted to in - impacted by race, ethnicity, gender, religion and crease relevancy of funding to enhance the class. It’s a rich dynamic but we need to continue community well being. We galvanized the to work with others and join forces. Anyone who investment in young people through the is different is marginalized. Empowerment devel - scholarship programs. For that we had the ops by changing hearts and minds through visi - community’s direct support through the bility and solidarity with others. One example is the arts. Through Will Radler’s to create more culturally competent leaders, av- Fund we were able to invest in the Milwaukee enues and opportunities? recognized our vulner- Repertory Theater around the play Disgraced. We able demographics: the seniors, African were interested in the conversation around it and Americans, youth, among others. They want to funding such interconversational projects around be among everyone and continue to do granting, identity, race and religion. I was able to join a raising awareness and figuring out needs. That is panel as a LGBT person. It was important to raise where the board is at right now. How do we take awareness in this context with the other commu- that research we’ve done and make grants nities seeking inclusion. around those three areas in the effort towards so- In the area of health, we need care givers cial justice. serv ice providers who are culturally competent. That will be the critical thing in these times when QUEST: Given the current political situation, anything different, like LGBT people or has the mission changed? immigrants, are deemed a threat. PH: It’s really a great question. There’s a role for QUEST: With the search on for a new activism. We became very aware that we are in President and CEO, how will that impact the a precarious time and we can’t guarantee things. strategies you set in place? Will the CCF’s We felt complacent having achieved so much in direction shift again with a new personality in a short time and none of us wanted to believe this your place? could happen. The first response is to join forces. That larger voice has impact. All of our rights are PH: The board is behind our current strategy. in question. It starts by talking and sharing who Board is engaged in a search for new leadership. you are and bringing our full identity to the fore. They want to build on the investment and accom- Being out and proud allows people to get to know plishments made in the past two years. They are you. We can then join forces and continue to live committed to that. I don’t believe they will create visible out lives. With my new job interviews the another direction. The priorities have been set. first thing I did was come out. It’s a trade off to be There is plenty of work to do. How do we invest out. But, we cannot not be visible. The future means standing in that uncomfortable space, PH: I look for work that is meaningful and impact - having uncomfortable conversations. ful. It’s all about purpose . It’s hard work. The peo - That makes us stronger and better at doing ple who are giving front line work need to be what we’re doing as a reflection of our sustained. Things were not rosy before. We were community. At the end of the day you see value just not that aware of how bad it was. We were in having diversity at the table. The whole set quickly awakened. Are we willing to stand in the of possibilities is the hope for our community. thick of it? Each of us has that identity and influ - Corporations see it. To have diversity in the ence. It doesn’t have be specific to the LGBT work force cannot be ignored or you will be left community or about rights; it’s about people behind in another ten years. knowing who you are and what you bring to the table as an LGBT person and giving it value. It’s QUEST: How does the community move for - the only way to move forward. ward? On Our Cover: Mr Missippi Valley WI-USofA titleholder Aries Aires - Mr. Mississippi Valley long way from where I used to be, a troubled past has really opened my eyes. I have learned to I got my start in entertainment in 2006 when I value the little opportunities I have been given. relocated to the city of Milwaukee. I met my Always remember, never to sell yourself short, it mother Betty Boop whom with an open heart wel - is okay to decline certain things, but remain being comed me under her wing and taught me every - yourself. I wish to thank my Glitter Stage family thing I know through present day. I have so much for the memories, friendships and lessons every to thank her for as well as my late Titi Rudi DeAn - single member has given me. Making top three gelo, my good sidekick Joe Aderhold and the leg - at Mr Gay Wisconsin USofA my first time showed endary Jackie Roberts. As the new generation, me my capabilities and opened so many doors we must not forget our roots and how privileged and I’m ready to walk through them again. My we are to have venues that allow us to grace their time as Mr. Mississippi Valley is soon ending and stages and all thanks to those whom came before I hope I have been the best representative I could us. We must always remain humble, keep an be. You can catch me performing all over the open mind and willingness to always give our all state, or come join me as I crown and welcome in all aspects of life, in everything we do. Only the next brother into the Mississippi Valley family then can our goals be achieved. I have come a on March 18 at Players in LaCrosse. HYBRID BAR SAYS FAREWELL Article and photos by Paul Masterson before the final last call. Speaking of which, I For those enslaved to social media, the real once attended a birthday party for the then SSBL breaking news that scrolled by incredulous eyes treasurer Mona Garcia who borrowed a big hat on February 13 was a terse announcement that from another patron that made her look like a Hybrid Lounge would be closing barely two grand Greta Garbo of the Kentucky Derby that weeks later, on the 25 th . According to the owner’s just happened to be running that day. statement, a buyer for the business had been Of course, Hybrid had a softball team, the Har - found and all had been arranged for a transfer to lots (no surprise there), that played in the new ownership but the landlord decided against league’s recreational division.