Press Biography for Dr. Michele Bria and Journey House

Dr. Michele Bria
414-647-0548 x101
mbria@journeyhouse.org
Since 1996, Dr. Michele Bria, Ph.D. has served as the chief executive officer of the Journey House, a community-based organization on Milwaukee’s near-south side 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 6,000 children and families at six locations.  She received her doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and received her Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts from Marquette University.
 
Based on research identifying education as the most effective strategy to end generational poverty, Journey House provides a rigorous educational program coupled with workforce development and academic/arts/athletic programs that assist economically challenged youth to stay safe, finish high school and continue their education. Journey House also provides GED in English and Spanish and English Language classes for adult learners so that parents can earn livable wages for their families. In addition, the organization runs youth leadership and college-bound programs, as well as the largest, most organized inner-city urban youth football league, the Journey House Packers Football Program, and the longest running little league in the USA with a living MLB player: the Felix Mantilla Little League and Criollos Travel Baseball Teams. 
 
Dr. Bria successfully negotiated formal agreements with Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County, which provide land homes and partnership opportunities for the Journey House Center for Family Learning and Youth Athletics and Journey House Packers Football Stadium.  Over the last five years, she has successfully secured over $11MM in resources to develop these catalytic infrastructure projects.  Dr. Bria is currently leading a Journey House Campus Housing Initiative in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and a host of other community partners to renovate foreclosed properties into affordable, quality housing for motivated youth who are homeless and aging out of foster care.
 
Dr. Bria has held several teaching positions, given numerous lectures, and is a member of many Milwaukee professional organizations:
  • Vice-President, Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees
  • Board Treasurer, United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee
  • Board Secretary, Menomonee Valley Partners
  • Board Secretary, Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative
  • Board Treasurer, Felix Mantilla Little League
  • Board of Director, Bublr Bikes
  • Board of Director and Chair of Board Community Engagement Committee, Froedtert Hospital
In August 2016, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and County Board Chairman Theo Lipscomb appointed Dr. Bria to the Task Force on the Mitchell Park Conservatory Domes.  She also serves on advisory committees for Community Building Milwaukee and Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) for Schools.  In addition to her CEO duties, Dr. Bria provides GED instruction to participants at Journey House three afternoons a week.  Dr. Bria has also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. 
 
Dr. Bria has received numerous awards for her work in the community.  In March 2016, Donald Driver awarded Dr. Bria with the Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Award for her outstanding community efforts.  In June 2014, Dr. Bria was awarded the Business Journal's Women of Influence Award for Nonprofit Leadership.  In May 2014, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin awarded her the "Amiga Award" for her dedicated leadership to the Hispanic community.   In April 2006, Dr. Bria received the Marquette University All-University Spirit Award for professional achievement of an alumni before the age of 40.   Dr. Bria was featured in the Milwaukee Magazine’s November 2016 Giving Issue, “15 Minutes with Dr. Michele Bria.” 

In The News with Dr. 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 Alumni Association Mentor Newsletter 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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