Creative Space owned by Black Creatives: The Space

As of 2019, Milwaukee has been named one of the worst cities for African Americans to live in. After witnessing the impact racial adversity has had on the city, childhood friends Alyssa Neff and Joshua Morris came together and created The Space as a way for black creatives to come together and work in a comfortable environment. 

“There is a huge niche that is not being filled for young millennial creatives that are no longer in school or chose not to go to college,” Neff said. “Especially since our education system focus on math and science.” 

Neff, who is also a fashion designer, owns The Space and works alongside her power team which consists of Morris and Tejean Neal who both work as photographers. While Monica Marreo works as a model and model coach. They all work together to help facilitate the creative co-op. 

From yoga classes, photo shoots, Jam sessions, to figure drawing classes are just a variety of ways creatives utilize The Space. 

“We are essentially the space where anyone in their startup phase can get their ball rolling,”Neff said. 

Starting a business is not easy and requires a lot of learning, personal funds, and hard work. One of the major challenges Neff  has faced owning a business is funding. Currently The Space is self-funded which halts progress in terms of equipment, staffing and marketing to move the business forward. 

“It is a lot easier to get student loans than it is to get a small business loan, even if it’s literally five percent of what you were allowed to get for student loans,” Neff said. “It is very clear what type of traps this country willing to let certain people get into.” 

The Space is open to all creatives looking for a place work on their craft. For Neal, the youngest of the team, and a freshman film major at UWM, The Space provides an outlet for creative freedom in a judgment free zone with no restrictions. 

The Space is located in a renovated warehouse around the downtown area on 2018 S 1^st St in Milwaukee. It officially opened back in August of 2019. 

“The space is important because black people are the only people in America who don’t have their own community benefiting from itself,” Neal said.”Jewish people have their own stores as well as Asians, Hispanics, whites, etc.”  

Neal grew up in Milwaukee and found his passion for art at Rufus King High School, but it was a mentor of his who encouraged him to try photography.  

“The Space allows me to produce art that otherwise wouldn’t be seen in geographical area such as Milwaukee,” Neal said. “As a kid I didn’t see anyone like me on a screen; I aim to change that.” 

Providing support for creatives is something that is important to Neff, who created an artist support group which takes place the first Thursday of every month at The Space. Everyone is able to share their struggles and accomplishment in a supportive environment, with people who are experiencing similar things in their creative journey. 

“To be a good creative you have to be okay with bearing yourself to the world and facing rejection every single time,” Neff said. 

After attending Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia and then coming back to Milwaukee, Neff realized just how much there was a need for a space for black creatives to come together in a city torn with racial disparities. 

After graduation, Neff took a position at Kohl’s corporate and did not enjoy the lack of diversity in the corporate world. 

“Going to school in Atlanta and being a part of the majority for the first time really liberated me in my mindset,” Neff said.” I felt it kind of imprisoning to come back here and have to code switch.” 

Neff was able to make her dreams of working for herself a reality by saving up and investing in her vision. 

“I don’t think it’s necessary that so many of us have to conform and be something we’re not; simply for a paycheck, “Neff said. 

Neff and Morris both wanted to bring change back to the city they grew up in, especially in the black community. 

Morris, a Milwaukee native, joined the Army while Attending Arizona State University where he majored in Creative Writing, Film and Media studies. Currently he works as a photojournalist in the Army. 

“In the military we’re documenting soldiers that are in wars and soldiers who are assisting those in combat,” Morris said.“We are pretty much tasked to tell the Army’s stories.”  

After coming back from deployment in the Middle East, Morris is working as a free-lance photographer in Milwaukee.

“I was motivated to come back to the city, a virtually untapped city that we feel  is very underrated as far as everything,” Morris said. “Especially the creative realm; the idea was to come here and make a mark on my terms, not the terms that people have dictated for me.” 

According to the team, The Space is a safe haven for black creatives, where they can come and be themselves. 

“You don’t have to worry about how you are speaking to this person, “Morris said. “I just feel completely relaxed when I am able to have conversations with people who have experienced my culture, background, and upbringing.”