Press Biography for Dr. Michele Bria and Journey House

Dr. Michele Bria
mbria@journeyhouse.org
DR. MICHELE BRIA for 26 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 291 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 2,400 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 $30 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 low-income 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, 2014 Business Journal Women of Influence Award, and 2006 Marquette University All-University Spirit Award. She is a member of many professional organizations and serves as an executive board officer for Milwaukee Public Library (Board Past President), Menomonee Valley Partners (Board Secretary), Froedtert Hospital (Board Trustee, Chair of Community Engagement), United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (Founding Board Member), Milwaukee Public Library Foundation Board (Trustee), SWIM (Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, Vice-Chair, Founding Board Member), and Urban Libraries Council (National Executive Board Director).

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!
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​0:10:50 - INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER Chancellor Mark A. Mone
 
0:13:33 - KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Michele Bria, CEO of Journey House


​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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