MEDIA CONTACT Cyrena Martin, Founder & Executive Director | Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. Foundation Inc.
cyrenamartin@mahoganycares.org | 262-993-5444
2026 Survivor Like Me- 100 Survivor Take Over of Milwaukee City Hall in Celebration of Life After Abuse
Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. Foundation will honor survivors through a Walk of Worth, a Circle of Support and the launch of a new community safety campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
MILWAUKEE, WI - October 2026 - On Thursday, October 22, Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. Foundation Inc. will bring survivors and community supporters together at Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda for Survivor Like Me: 100 Survivor Takeover, a Domestic Violence Awareness Month gathering centered on dignity, choice, empowerment and life beyond abuse.
The event is presented with sponsorship and support from the Office of Alderwoman Larresa Taylor. The goal is to bring together 100 survivors representing diverse identities, experiences and healing journeys. Survivors will not be asked to publicly recount abuse, give testimony or disclose any personal details in order to participate or be honored.
“We are not taking over City Hall to tell people what happened to us. We are taking over City Hall to show who we have become - and to let anyone who may still be in danger know that they have done more than just survive we are now THRIVING as Advocates, Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Mothers, Student sand so much more.” - Cyrena Martin, Founder & Executive Director
The Walk of Worth Ceremony will honor survivors for who they have become after abuse - their courage, growth, purpose, healing and continued becoming. A Circle of Support of loved ones, advocates, healthcare professionals, community organizations, first responders, faith and community leaders, and allies will stand alongside them.
TEAM TAKEOVER: SURVIVORS STANDING WITH SURVIVORS
Behind the event is Team Takeover - the Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. team and fellow survivors united around a shared mission to help end domestic violence in Milwaukee. Martin's motto - “We advocate for those still in danger. We love and honor our fellow survivors. And we will never forget those we have lost.” - will be reflected through recognition, remembrance and community support.
Community partners include McBeath Consulting & Counseling, which provides culturally specific, survivor- and trauma-informed response and counseling services, and Grateful Girls, a multidisciplinary team partner emphasizing community collaboration. Together, the partners reinforce a central message: ending domestic violence requires survivors, advocates, systems, families and community working together.
NEW COMMUNITY SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO LAUNCH OCTOBER 22
Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. will also unveil a new community safety campaign focused on supporting victims and survivors who may still be in danger. The initiative will encourage community awareness, meaningful connection and intervention while addressing the isolation that can surround domestic violence. The campaign name and full details will be revealed during the event.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT Survivor Like Me: 100 Survivor Takeover - Walk of Worth Ceremony
WHEN Thursday, October 22, 2026 | Doors 5:30 PM | Program 6:00-8:00 PM
WHERE Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda, 200 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
HOST Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. Foundation Inc.
EVENT SPONSOR Office of Alderwoman Larresa Taylor
ATTIRE Purple requested, not required
REGISTRATION Required for all attendees | https://forms.gle/XBWJaC2WVx7iAPZF8
MEDIA NOTE: Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. will coordinate media access in a survivor-centered manner. Attendance does not constitute consent to be interviewed, photographed or identified. Survivor interviews will be arranged only with individuals who explicitly volunteer.
ABOUT MAHOGANY C.A.R.E.S. FOUNDATION INC.
Mahogany C.A.R.E.S. Foundation Inc. is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end the silence and generational cycles of sexual and domestic violence by advocating, educating and empowering the community. Its culturally specific, survivor-centered work emphasizes Community, Awareness, Resources, Education and Support.
We LIVE! We LOVE! WE ARE HEALING!