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Press Biography for Dr. Michele Bria and Journey House

Picture
Dr. Michele Bria
mbria@journeyhouse.org
DR. MICHELE BRIA for 24 years has served as CEO of Journey House, a community-based
organization in Milwaukee that empowers families to move out of poverty by offering adult
education, workforce readiness, youth development, and family engagement programs. Journey
House annually serves more than 9,000 low-income, urban youth and families. She convenes over
280 partnerships with local universities, community organizations, and corporations to implement
lifelong learning, workforce development, and youth development programs that increase the quality
of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Dr. Bria has helped over 2,000 Milwaukee children and adults
learn the scientifically-based SKY Breathing techniques to reduce stress and increase mental focus
and performance through practice.

Dr. Bria successfully negotiated over $22 million in innovative, ground-breaking public-private
development agreements with Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County, which provide
land homes and partnership opportunities for new construction of a 34,000 square foot Journey
House Center for Family Learning and Youth Athletics (2012), Journey House Packers Football
Stadium in Mitchell Park (2013), and Journey House Felix Mantilla Little League Fields in Baran
Park (2020). In collaboration with Cardinal Capital Development, Dr. Bria spearheaded an initiative
for construction of an $8.5 million Clarke Square Apartments (2020) for affordable housing for lowincome
families and homeless youth aging out of foster care, which is the largest housing
development in over two decades in the Clarke Square Neighborhood. These projects have provided
substantial catalytic economic development to Milwaukee’s Near Southside and stimulated an
additional $40 million in neighborhood investments.

Dr. Bria has held several teaching positions, given numerous lectures, received numerous local and
state civic proclamations and awards, including the 2017 State of Wisconsin’s Martin Luther King
Legacy Award for Service, 2016 Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Award, and 2014 Business
Journal Women of Influence Award. She is a member of many professional organizations and serves
as an executive board officer for Milwaukee Public Library (Board President), Bublr Bikes (Board
President), Menomonee Valley Partners (Board Secretary), Froedtert Hospital (Board Trustee, Chair
of Community Engagement), United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (Founding Board
Member), Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council (Chairman), and Milwaukee Public Library
Foundation Board (Trustee).
​
As the first person in her family to attend college, Dr. Bria received her Bachelors of Arts and
Masters of Arts from Marquette University and earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Dr. Bria is a long-time resident of Milwaukee, where she
raised her daughter, Malulani Bria.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee celebrated the Class of 2020 with a virtual commencement on Dec. 20, 2020. The ceremony included student speakers, a keynote address by Dr. Michele Bria, CEO of Journey House, remarks by UWM Chancellor Mark A. Mone and the conferral of more than 1,800 degrees. Each graduate was invited to submit a photo to commemorate this milestone. Congratulations, Panthers!
 
0:10:50 - INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER Chancellor Mark A. Mone
 
0:13:33 - KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Michele Bria, CEO of Journey House
Dr. Bria CV


​In The News with Dr. Bria

This is Milwaukee Interview with CEO Dr. Michele Bria
Marquette University - Alumna Profile: Dr. Michele Bria
UWM Alumni Article - Michele Bria: Leading a Journey to Change
Mentee goes extra mile to Be The Difference for mentor's organization
Marquette University -January 2017
State of WI 37th MLK Celebration
Wisconsin Public Television - January 16, 2017
Milwaukee Bucks hold town hall for city workers on arena project: Slideshow
Milwaukee Business Journal - December 21, 2016
15 Minutes with Dr. Michele Bria
M – Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine - November 1, 2016
Driven to Achieve TV Special (teaser link)
WISN-12 - April 9, 2016
‘Blackish’ Star Anthony Anderson and J.J. Watt Lead Star Power at Driven to Achieve Awards
Business Journal – March 21, 2016
‘Blackish’ Star Anthony Anderson and J.J. Watt Lead Star Power at Driven to Achieve Awards
Business Journal – March 21, 2016
Donald Driver Surprises 2016 Driven to Achieve Award Winners
YouTube - March 18, 2016
Milwaukee Commercial Featuring Dr. Bria
Milwaukee Radio Group - March 18, 2016
Donald Driver Announces 2016 Driven to Achieve Award Recipients, $200,000 in Donations to Wisconsin Organizations
Donald Driver Foundation – January 27, 2016
Community Involvement, More Dialogue with Police Key to Public Safety
​milwaukeenns.org, November 17, 2015 By Wyatt Massey
Journey House CEO receives women of influence award 
milwaukeenns.org - May 2014
Business Journal Women of Influence Award Winners
Milwaukee Business Journal – May 2014
Packers’ Old Turf Helps Revitalize South Side Milwaukee Neighborhood
WUWM – April 9, 2014
Social Innovation Initiative at Marquette University
All University Alumni Award: Spirit of Marquette
Marquette: The Magazine of Marquette University - Summer 2006

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Journey House has transitioned our services and programs
to alternate remote and online platforms until further notice. Please contact us by email: info@journeyhouse.org 
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