Glenda Mitchell, Senior Manager, Youth Programs
Glenda Mitchell is a Milwaukee-based program leader, creative professional, and community storyteller dedicated to expanding access, representation, and meaningful engagement across the arts and education sectors. She brings a rare dual lens to her work—operational leadership at scale and a practicing artistic perspective rooted in identity, culture, and community narrative.
As a photographer and visual storyteller, Glenda produces portrait and event work that centers community, identity, and cultural storytelling. She has collaborated with organizations such as Summerfest, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Safe & Sound Inc., and UW Credit Union, with features in Milwaukee Magazine and multiple covers of Our Lives Magazine. Her creative practice is deeply informed by her lived experience—growing up as a transracial adoptee; she is committed to representation for all, authenticity, and capturing the stories that too often go unseen.
Barbara J. Wanzo, Executive Director
Barbara Wanzo has invested over 25 years in the corporate sector employing her leadership expertise in new business start-ups, technology, sales and marketing. Barbara seized the opportunity to launch a new nonprofit arts organization when hired as Executive Director for Black Arts MKE. The organization's mission is to increase the availability and quality African American arts and culture. Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Barbara is an exceptional business leader, public speaker and change agent. She holds an Executive MBA from Marquette University.
Rebecca L. Owen - Chief Development Officer
Rebecca is currently the Chief Development Officer for BlackArts MKE in Milwaukee, WI. In previous roles, Rebecca has served as the Development Director for Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Deputy Director, Development at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and Vice President of Development for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. She has experience and is responsible for major gifts, planned giving, grant writing, event planning, annual campaigns and donor stewardship.
Earlier in her career, Rebecca worked at the Milwaukee Art Museum in Visitor Operations and Membership relations. Rebecca has a Masters of Art in Museum Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in History. In addition to having experience in team management, major gift fundraising, capital campaign work, and fund development administration, Rebecca has volunteer experience as a board member of the Board of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and Bookwork Gardens. She belongs to the Association of Fundraising Professionals, FUEL Milwaukee and REV Collective.
In her spare time, Rebecca loves to spend time with family and friends (especially her two dogs!), traveling, reading, writing, playing music, photography and volunteering.
Carlos Vergara - Digital Marketing Assistant
Carlos M Vergara Jr., a Milwaukee Native, started his journey as a fashion influencer in 2012. Not knowing much, but being a self-starter and risk-taker, he utilized the little resources he had to build a professional and innovative brand in fashion and content curation.
Carlos being a multi-faceted creative and with many other talents is best known for personal styling, the production of events/fashion shows, content curation, creative directing, project development, and costume design/stylist.
His overall talent for Visual Development has paved the way for bigger roles as Creative Cultivator, Lead Stylist, Creative Director, Project Manager, Brand Developer, and Board Member for several businesses and companies in Milwaukee and Las Vegas.
Carlos teaches the importance of appearance, individuality, and innovation; planning to enhance the lives of the world around us through the art of being a creative.
Tabitha Andrews - Office Assistant
Tabitha Andrews is a Milwaukee-based creative and Pius XI graduate who wears many hats. Whether she’s working as a stage manager, an actor, or an intern with the ‘I AM.’ Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp, she approaches every opportunity with curiosity, intention, and enthusiasm. She is especially interested in storytelling and creative writing, and her years as a student in the camp helped her discover and shape her love for the performing arts. She believes that all young people should have access to creative spaces where they can discover their passions. She is excited to grow with the support of Black Arts MKE as she continues her creative and career journeys!