50 Miles More believes in growing together while learning and unlearning, and dismantling systemic oppression within our communities, each other, and our individual selves. As Executive Director, I have always tried my best to lead by listening to others. With that being said, 50 Miles More will be taking a break indefinitely. The truth is: we simply need a break. This is a radical, revolutionary act of self-care and self-love. It is capitalism and white supremacy that tells us we shouldn’t take breaks, we challenge this notion. This movement deserves our best selves and our healthiest selves, and right now, we are not. We have a lot of trauma and grief we need to process from doing movement work.

Instead of our funds sitting indefinitely, we will be donating funds to Generation Green , a Black youth led organization fighting for social justice through an environmental liberation lens. They will use the funds to do the impactful, immediate work required for our collective liberation.

This past summer, we literally organized a 65 mile march for Black LGBTQ+ youth, marching in rural Wisconsin. We were told we were naive, silly youth. We did something that many adults would never do, and I am forever proud of every single marcher that joined us. I did not expect that after our march ended I would have a new family I could cry, laugh, and be in community with. You all have changed my life so much. Also to our our co-conspirators, I love you. From driving us to events, to providing food, to putting your life physically on the line for us, you all are the reason I believe in a rainbow coalition. Radical unity only.

I want to personally thank Freedom Inc., WI Council of Churches, Zao MKE Church and so many others. Thank you to our elders that mentored us. I also want to thank our fiscal sponsor, March On. Lastly, thank you to every single person that has donated to us, prayed for us, or shared our work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

With love and solidarity

I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept.
– Angela Davis

We believe that/in...

  • Black lives matter
  • Gun violence must end
  • Everyone deserves clean drinking water
  • We must ensure a healthy planet
  • Liberation for Womxn, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Minority Religious, and Disabled communities and individuals
  • Accountability for ‘leaders’

mission statement

50 Miles More utilizes direct action to organize and mobilize around a plethora of issues affecting our future and to demand transformation of the current systems in society today. We work to uplift, support, and assist those seeking liberation for people and the planet through progressive platforms. 50 Miles More is led by young people and works to center those who come from the most marginalized experiences. We commit ourselves to being an intersectional and inclusive organization and we honor the diversity of experiences and perspectives that will strengthen our cause. We are devoted to growing together while learning and unlearning, and dismantling systemic oppression within our communities, each other, and our individual selves.

history of #50MilesMore

People say that the youth are our future. We are here to show that we are the present. We will not wait until society decides we are old enough to take on the issues that affect our lives. Now is our time, and we are prepared to take on the nation’s top leaders to make our voices heard. We looked to history and an earlier generation of young leaders who fueled real change. In 1965, civil rights leaders organized the multi-day, 54 mile Selma to Montgomery marches. Those 54 long miles took us a long way toward progress, and are the inspiration for our march.

Wisconsin
Massachusetts

Our People

Alemitu Caldart

Alemitu Caldart was born in a small town in Southern Ethiopia. She arrived in the United States when she was five and is now attending her senior year at Shorewood High School. She co-organized the 50 Miles More March for Gun Reform in 2018 and is ready to walk another 50+ miles for the Black community, especially Black Womxn and Black Queer folx. She writes poetry whenever she can and hopes to attend University either in D.C. or California!

Alemitu Caldart

Bria Smith

Bria Smith is a 19 year old Milwaukee native, and youth advocate for black x brown communities. She is an upcoming sophomore at Emerson College, studying journalism and documentary film work. Smith sits on the board for March For Our Lives, an anti-gun violence organization.

Bria Smith

Christopher Washington

Christopher Washington is a 20 year old black, queer organizer raised in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee. He studies Computer Engineering at the University of Milwaukee as well as Music Education. He promotes interracial works surrounding climate change as an organizer with The Alliance for Climate Education (ACE).

Christopher Washington

Hiwot Schutz

I am a first generation Ethiopian immigrant. I first joined 50 MM freshman year as a co- organizer and participant. I work with different groups in my school to advocate for a more equitable school and community in my neighborhood. My work through activism is often illustrated through art, whether it’s spoken word, photography, videography or painting.

Hiwot Schutz

Tatiana Washington

Tatiana Washington is 19 years old and is the Executive Director of 50 Miles More. She is also a State Policy Associate for March For Our Lives and an Executive Council member of Team ENOUGH. Tatiana lost her Aunt Sherida to gun violence in 2017, and understands firsthand the need to dismantle the systems that allow violence to occur.

Tatiana Washington

Violet Kilmurray

Violet Kilmurray is from Eau Claire and is now in Greater Milwaukee. She embraces her youth, blackness, and faith, among other aspects of her identity. She centers intersectionality and liberation. She is a Psychology student with a concentration in Mental Health. In addition to 50 Miles More, she has helped to lead many other grassroots groups. Violet is currently the Chair of Women’s March Wisconsin, and a core team member for People’s Climate Coalition and Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARP)

Violet Kilmurray

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