Joy Blooms 10 Years After Sherman Park Unrest

A decade after the 2016 Sherman Park unrest, a community reunion filled the Sherman Phoenix with joy and a sense of healing. This event on August 16, 2026, brought together residents who previously protested and rebuilt their neighborhood.

The unrest, sparked by the police killing of Sylville Smith on August 16, 2016, highlighted long-standing issues of segregation, racism, and poverty. Now, 10 years later, the community gathers in a rebuilt building that was torched during the disturbances.

In the aftermath of the 2016 events, a 10-year violence safety plan called the Blueprint for Peace was established. This public health approach aimed to address systemic issues contributing to violence. This plan is associated with a decline in homicides and non-fatal shootings in Milwaukee between 2017 and 2019.

Community organizations like Program the Parks and the Boys and Girls Club have increased their efforts to support young people in Sherman Park. Safe and Sound, a key organizer of the reunion, actively engages with residents to understand and provide needed resources and programming.

Sylville Smith's family, including his mother Mildred Haynes and brother Sedan Smith, continue to keep his memory alive. They organize annual events and share personal tributes, ensuring that Smith, who would be 33 in 2026, is remembered as a loved one and father.