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This month, Cream City Foundation awarded $50,000 in scholarship money to 20 students from Southeastern Wisconsin pursuing post-secondary education in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. The LGBTQ+ scholarship program is now in its tenth year, and has awarded over $320,000 to LGBTQ+ identifying students in that time. The program is funded by private donations and supported by the William J Radner Fund.
“It has been an honor to serve both Cream City Foundation on its Board of Directors and as Chair of the Scholarship Committee. We had an exceptional class of applicants this year, and we are so excited to play a part in their journey” said Committee Chair/Cream City Foundation Board Secretary Emmett Roehr.
The scholarships include two “Courage Scholarships,” which are awarded to graduating high school seniors and are sponsored by Courage+, the Milwaukee-based nonprofit that works to build community for LGBTQ+ youth, and provide safe and inclusive housing, trauma-informed care catered to the LGBTQ+ community, education, and reliable data-supported thought leadership.
Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients!
Scholarship Awardees
Nanis Rodriguez (She/Her/Ella) | University of WI – Milwaukee | PhD, Urban Education
Nanis is a social justice educator, working to create a liberated world for everyone to grow and thrive in. She is a Doctoral Candidate in the Urban Education Doctoral Program at UWM, where her dissertation focuses on the experiences of BIPOC youth organizers. She is the Executive Director of Public Allies Wisconsin, an organization she so deeply believes in. She has worked in different educational settings for over 20 years ranging from K5 through college age/young adulthood, working to connect marginalized folks to resources, community, and learning. Her long-term goal is to continue building spaces of learning and resistance for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities in educational and community settings.
Undisclosed Recipient | Medical College of Wisconsin | PhD, Medicine (MD)
Miwa Ayodele (She/Her) | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Associate’s, Registered Nursing
Miwa Ayodele is a Nigerian-born student pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Registered Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical College. A queer Black immigrant woman with a deep sense of purpose, Miwa is committed to transforming healthcare through compassion, advocacy, and equity. Her goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and she currently works in an ICU as a CNA, building the clinical skills and insight necessary to get there. Miwa’s journey has been shaped by resilience, introspection, and a drive to serve communities often neglected in medical spaces. Outside of healthcare, her creativity shines through art, writing, and storytelling—mediums she uses to explore identity and affirm liberation.
Cylest Brooks (They/Them) | Arizona State University| Master’s, Social Justice and Human Rights
Cylest Brooks is a long time resident of Milwaukee and a queer activist; they live in the Jackson Park neighborhood with their two children and co-parent. As a non-traditional, returning adult student, Cylest graduated Magna Cum Laude with their BA in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University in October of 2024. They are currently enrolled at Arizona State University online, pursuing an MA in Social Justice and Human Rights. After completion of this program, they hope to pursue either a PhD in Justice Studies or a JD in International Human Rights Law.
Darick Fait (He/Him) | University of Wisconsin – Madison | Bachelor’s, Biochemistry & Environmental Sciences
Darick Fait is attending the University of Wisconsin, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Environmental Sciences. Darick is an advocate for the representation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ first responders. He currently works as an EMT and hopes to continue to foster an environment of respect towards EMTs, fire fighters, and law enforcement officers of all identities. Darick’s goal is to become a physician’s assistant working closely with LGBTQ+ patients, particularly focusing on reducing stigma and increasing access to care for this vulnerable population. Darick is also an avid bird watcher, passionate about fostering an inclusive community which provides support and resources for bird watchers with varying identities and needs.
Emory Wiemer (He/Him) | Western Governor’s University | Bachelor’s, Health Information Management
Pursuing adegree in Health Information Management, Emory Wiemer has kept improving the lives of others, especially those most vulnerable, central to the pursuit of his education. Being the first official patient at the Gender Health Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Emory was inspired to pursue a career in healthcare while providing staff education for the School District of Waukesha regarding transgender students. In achieving this degree, his goal is to be a line of defense for all people, but most notably immigrants, transgender people, and those who have sought reproductive healthcare. Protecting the private health information of the most vulnerable is crucial at a time when it is so eagerly used against us.
Ginger Kwak (She/Her, They/Them) | Medical College of Wisconsin | PhD, Medical Doctorate
Ginger Kwak is attending the Medical College of Wisconsin and pursuing a Medical Doctorate with the hopes of practicing neurology and palliative care. As a proud queer person of color they are passionate about caring for and uplifting the voices of all undeserved communities in medicine. Ginger hopes to continue advocating for these communities with the goal of increasing access to quality healthcare, along with providing a safe and affirming environment for anyone seeking end of life care.
Jaci Robar (She/Her) | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Bachelor’s, Psychology
Jacinta Robar will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to get her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as a minor in Music. She has known that she was transgender when she was three-years old, and expressed that to her moms despite the fact that she could not talk due to her significant speech delay. She has always been supportive of others in the Queer community, and she loves to help her friends and family by talking and being there for them. She makes sure that she is aware of the events going on around her. Jacinta’s dream is to become a child psychologist, and help them organize their own thoughts and feelings. She wants to provide a safe space for all children in her office, and guide them though life.
Jake Wolter (He/Him) | Marquette University | Master’s, Executive MBA
Jake Wolter is a graduate student in Marquette University’s Executive MBA program. As a brand communication and marketing lead at Corteva Agriscience and as the lead for the organization’s global LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Jake champions LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in the agriculture industry. He hopes to inspire others in rural America to be their authentic selves in traditional professions like agriculture and other STEM-related fields. He plans to use his MBA degree in advanced marketing roles in the food and agriculture industries to continue advocating for visible representation and acceptance.
Jeanna Kedrowski (She/Her/Hers) | Medical College of Wisconsin | PhD, Medicine
Jeanna Kedrowski is entering her third year at the Medical College of Wisconsin, earning her doctorate of medicine, driven by her passion for relationship-building and serving the community. Jeanna’s efforts in research related to HIV and gender minority stress in the transgender community will expand existing knowledge around LGBTQ+ healthcare and have inspired a personal investment in community engagement through organizations such as MKE LGBT Community Center and Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot. She hopes to improve access to high-quality healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community, especially within high-need areas like gender affirming care, mental health, and substance use, by increasing recognition of LGBTQ+ health disparities.
Arturo Gonzalez-Villarreal (He/Him/His) | Marquette University | PhD, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Arturo Gonzalez-Villarreal is a dedicated PICU nurse and a DNP student with dual certification in pediatric primary and acute care. With over six years of frontline critical care experience, Arturo has cared for children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. He is deeply passionate about creating inclusive, affirming healthcare environments for LGBTQ+ communities. He volunteers at BESTD Clinic, where he provides sexual health education and support as an HIV counselor. His doctoral project centers on improving the care of LGBTQ+ youth by developing and implementing a screening tool to document pronouns and preferred names upon hospital admission: an initiative aimed at fostering dignity and trust for all patients.
Undisclosed Recipient | Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design| Bachelor’s, Illustration
Kevin Wright (He/Him) | Medical College of Wisconsin | PhD, Medicine/Medical Student
Kevin Wright is a medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin focusing on health equity, LGBTQ+ medicine, and public health. Inspired by early work in a clinical trial for young African-American gay men, he is committed to uplifting underserved communities through advocacy, outreach, and research. Kevin is also exploring a career in psychiatry, recognizing it as an underutilized tool for prevention and healing, especially in marginalized populations where mental health needs are often overlooked. He aims to build a career combining clinical care with community-based solutions to reduce disparities and empower patients.
Lydia Paw (She/Her/They/Them) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities | Bachelor’s, Biomedical Engineering
Lydia Paw is attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. As a youth organizer who mobilizes action to advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities, she hopes to instigate change through daily meaningful action, education, awareness, service, and by creating a safe and empowering space for youth. Lydia has made becoming an engineer their long-term goal; however, they plan to work in creating community change in every space she is in. She also plans to work and join in clubs advocating for marginalized communities and join chapters to mobilize voters and people to fight for change.
Lin Haggerty (They/She) | University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee | Master’s, Public History and Museum Studies
Lin Haggerty is attending the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for a MA in Public History and Museum Studies in order to pursue work in the field of museum education. As someone who has experienced the way that education can help young marginalized people find strength in their identity, they are dedicated to supporting educational experiences that allow for people of all backgrounds but especially marginalized ones (whether due to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc) to learn about the world in a more equitable way compared to standard contemporary educational systems. Lin would like to work at the intersection of food and folklore, engaging learners with these histories outside of white cishet Christian culture.
Madeline Johnson (She/Her/Hers) | University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee | PhD, Clinical Psychology
Madeline Johnson is pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with a research focus in pediatric health psychology. She is deeply passionate about walking alongside LGBTQ+ youth and their families to understand their needs and highlighting those needs to improve clinical intervention and public policy as a future scientist-practitioner. Recently, Madeline has launched a qualitative study evaluating factors that influence parental decisions to pursue hormone therapy for their children. It is her hope that projects such as this one will help bridge the gap between scientist and patient communities to elevate marginalized voices and advance culturally responsive care.
Mary Jane Juern (She/Her/Hers) | Bellin College | Bachelor’s, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Mary Jane Juern is a student at Bellin College pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with plans to graduate next year. Deeply passionate and driven, Mary Jane intends to return to the Milwaukee area after completing her undergraduate studies to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. With a focus on women’s health, gender-affirming care, and reproductive health for LGBTQ+ individuals, she is committed to creating meaningful change in healthcare. Mary Jane not only strives to improve the quality of care for LGBTQ+ individuals but also aims to reshape the way these communities view and experience healthcare, ensuring it is inclusive, respectful, and affirming.
Max Kiekhofer (He/Him) | Yale University | Bachelor’s, Biological Anthropology
Maxwell Kiekhofer is attending Yale University and pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biological Anthropology. Maxwell is a research assistant for Yale’s Reproductive Ecology Laboratory, where he studies human hormone levels and health outcomes. On campus, Maxwell has been a leader and advocate for Yale’s LGBTQ+ Center. This fall, he will serve as a Head Counselor and administrative committee member, where he will continue advocacy for LGBTQ+ students. Maxwell will be applying to PhD programs in hopes of filling research gaps in the health of queer and gender-expansive populations. His long-term goal is to become a professor who uses scientific research to ensure marginalized communities receive equitable care and support.
Rylie Cha (She/Her) | University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee | Batchelor’s, Information Science
Rylie Cha is an Information Science student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a passion for UX design and digital accessibility. She aims to create inclusive, human-centered experiences that bridge technology and social impact. Rylie has led student organizations such as the Multi-Ethnic Student Association and the Emerging Women’s Salon, andwas also a member of the Straight and Gay Alliance—advocating for equity across race, gender, and sexuality. She volunteers at a local retirement home, leading music classes and conducting a choir. Through her work, Rylie is committed to designing a more empathetic and equitable world.
Tanner Yops (He/Him/His) | Medical College of Wisconsin | PhD, Medical Doctorate (MD)
Tanner Yops is a University of Wisconsin–Madison graduate currently pursuing a medical doctorate at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He serves as the Community Outreach Chair for LGBTQ+ People in Medicine and is pioneering Beyond the Binary, a program that pairs medical students with gender-diverse patients to offer additional support during medical visits. Passionate about advocacy and mental health, Tanner hopes to become an LGBTQ+ focused psychiatrist to help address the significant mental health disparities faced by the community and to provide compassionate, affirming care.
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