Bridget Robinson is the New Interim Executive Director for Safe & Sound

As the co-founder of Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week and Executive Director of BlankSpace MKE, Bridget Robinson is a connector for the community. Now she gets to connect on an even higher level as the interim executive director of Safe & Sound. Robinson will hold this position for the next three to four months while the board finds someone permanent to take on the role.

Robinson started as a program director for Safe & Sound back in June and has transitioned to her new position on Nov. 27. She said this wasn’t the plan but when the opportunity was presented she thought, ‘I can do this.’ According to a press release, Robinson was responsible for the coordination and supervision of programming, managing program reporting, building relationships with key partners and stakeholders, and taking on leadership roles when it comes to planning, program design and evaluation. With the new role, Robinson has more responsibility, but it’s okay because she “wants what’s best for Safe & Sound.”

Safe & Sound is a nonprofit that partners with other local organizations to promote safety. They work to unite residents, youth, law enforcement and community resources to build stronger neighborhoods. Going into 2020, Robinson’s goal is to empower the residents to understand that they have the power to make a difference.

“[I want to] empower neighbors to have a different mindset,” said Robinson. “It does matter if we’re engaged with each other.”

Along with partnerships, Safe & Sound goes out into the community to engage with the residents through door knocking, providing programming like Barbershop Mondays and informing residents on how and where to go to solve neighborhood issues.

Robinson said it’s more than just giving out information, but it’s about the face-to-face interactions and creating those relationships with the community.

According to Robinson, residents will tell you what they want you just have to take the initiative to ask.

“I think Safe & Sound gives people the power to see they can change their community,” she said.

While everyone keeps asking Robinson what her plans are for the future, she’s focused on right now and that’s making Milwaukee a better place for all.

“Residents do have control of the destiny of their neighborhoods,” Robinson said.