NJ UnakaNJ Unaka is a truly renaissance man. He is a teacher and practitioner of architecture, an artist and a person who touches and transforms many lives. NJ always has some instruction, life advice, or blessing for anyone who is interested in listening.
Unaka moved to Milwaukee in 2007. He lives in Washington Park and is one of the few homeowners on his block. He was a doctoral student at UWM’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning for 5 years. He graduated in 2014. During his tenure there, he became invested in the City of Milwaukee and the university. He advised and supported a myriad students from diverse financial and locational backgrounds. His help and support transformed many lives, and many students remember Unaka with respect and love. Together with his spouse, also a part of the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, Unaka has transformed an empty adjacent lot into a community garden in his neighborhood. NJ has lived in this neighborhood for the past 8 years and, during this period, he has seen immense change in this area. He remembers how once abandoned homes have turned into prospering properties and how the social and economic landscape of Washington Park have improved due to the dedicated perseverance of its residents. Crime and drug trading have reduced because of proactive neighbors, but so have many previously thriving businesses, so much so that Unaka wistfully points out that the most thriving business in his neighborhood is a casket maker! Yet, Unaka remains optimistic about Washington Park and its residents’ ability to implement change and new ideas. NJ Unaka, interviewed by Damir McCurty and Hyrom Stokes, June 2015 |
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