Oscar Mireles

1) I became a partner in 2023.

2) The vision of the Hues is to showcase the many positive stories in our diverse community, highlight inspirational people making a difference and documented through photographs and stories cultural events around Dane County.

3) The Hues captures the diversity of the different artistic events in the community whether a Madison Symphony Orchestra concert at the Overture Center, a Latino cultural exhibition at the Common Wealth Gallery or the Three Kings Celebration at Centro Hispano of Dane County.

4) I think a sports feature acknowledging BIPOC high school and college athletes who are focused on excellence in the classroom or on the playing field.

5) The Hues continuous news coverage during the pandemic and figuring out a “safe” way to maintain the print edition was heroic. It became a valued news source for Dane County residents. The Hues was a key element of the local city council and school board election efforts of groups like Adelante and Black Political Network to increase the representation of diverse communities in the area.

Oscar Mireles was CEO of Omega School for 30 years and now leads LOUD. He has served on many boards including Madison Symphony Orchestra and One City Schools. Oscar has received many awards including the King Recognition Award and the Swarzensky Humanitarian Service Award.

Dawn Crim

1) 2013 after LaMarr Billups passing.

2) There is so much happening across our community that doesn’t get covered by mainstream media. I saw becoming a partner as a way to support Jon Gramling's work of making visible things that are happening every day across our community that often doesn't get covered.

3) The Hues shows the full richness of the greater Madison community. So many contribute to this communities vibrancy in ways seen and unseen. It is a powerful reflection of community. It acknowledges the efforts and contributions of Madisonian's that weaves communities of color into the fabric of this community.

4) I would like to see more coverage of our young leaders at the high school and college level. They are doing great things that will contribute greatly to the future of the community.

5) There are so many that come to mind. One that many likely were not aware of is the impact of Dr. Carmen Porco and the Housing Ministries of Wisconsin. His comprehensive, impactful approach focused on supplying family needs in a holistic way focused on housing, education, and workforce opportunities. The way he empowers residents to lead, learn, and work is life changing for families. Additionally, the centerfolds...a picture is worth 1,000 words! Lastly. The wall of honor that highlights high school graduates.

Dawn B. Crim has been a leader in higher education, community engagement and state government for 29-years in Wisconsin. Crim serves as the Vice Chancellor at UW-Green Bay and President of the UW-Green Bay Foundation. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous recognitions including Penn State Alumni, Church Women United Leadership and Service, and the United Way Mike McKinney Award to name a few.

Greg Jones

1)  At the inception of the idea and the beginning of its operation.   The idea of a community newspaper was not only timely but also needed. Advancing culturally specific and newsworthy relevant information was and is a passion or mine. Being a part of the creation of the Hues is historically significant.

2) The idea of a community newspaper was not only timely but also needed. Advancing culturally specific and newsworthy relevant information was and is a passion or mine. Being a part of the creation of the Hues is historically significant.

3) Its impact is most commonly viewed by recognizing known and unknown individuals of color who are contributing to the diversity, inclusion and sustainability of the Madison community. Similarly its impact is viewed through the identification, recognition, and introduction of organizations advancing cultural related information and knowledge.

4) More youth voices, i.e., 1. interviews, monthly recognition, and articles. 2. a regular feature by a black pastor. 3. spotlight on elected officials - an article, etc.

5)  When a prominent, significant community person is highlighted. The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday edition has been a significant brand of the Hues.

Greg Jones, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, received an undergraduate degree in political science and a graduate degree in education from UW Eau Claire.  Throughout his professional career, he has held positions in both higher education and Wisconsin state government. The majority of his career was spent working for the State of Wisconsin, where for over 35 years were spent in a variety of management and administrative positions across multiple state agencies, including the Office of the Governor. Greg and Gwen Jones have been married forty-seven years and have two adult children, Matthew and Rebekah.

Gwen Jones

1) 2006

2) The reason I chose to become a Partner was because I felt very strongly that the Madison communities of color deserved a news source that was produced and distributed at least biweekly so that the news would be relatively current. I wanted it to be a news source that featured and celebrated the people, events, and activities in our communities; and above all a new source that presented our communities from a place of respect. I wanted it to be a news source that reflected not only the "good news," but news that impacted everyday people — news people need to know.

3) It is a source of news that reflects not only the “good news,” but also news that impacts everyday people — news that people need to know.

4) The Hues does an excellent job covering events and activities. As the paper matures, I would like to see it focus on some of the bigger issues impacting our communities and treat them more an investigative report. Example:  Why are Black children failing in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Why are math and reading scores so dismal among Black and brown students? How long has this been going on? What has been the trend over the past 5, 10 years? What is being done to reverse this? What is the School Board saying about this? Does MMSD Administration have a plan? Are there community groups working to help students be successful? Another issue could be Affordable Housing in communities of color, evictions, etc.

5)  I love the graduation issues as they celebrate the achievements of our youth. For most of the graduates, those issues are the first time they've been recognized publicly. I hope that it gives them the incentive to keep moving forward in a positive way.

I also like the "Urban Treasures" feature as it more often than not, recognizes those who are working tirelessly to make our communities better without the praise or recognition they deserve.

Finally, I like Jon's "Reflections," as our editor, it's good to know what he's thinking about.

Gwen Jones is a retired marketing and advertising professional. Her over 30 years of being active in the Madison community has earned Gwen the YWCA Women of Distinction Award. She has served on boards ranging from the African American Ethnic Academy to the St. Mary’s Hospital Board to the ACLU of Wisconsin Board. Currently, Gwen is very involved with the NAACP Dane County, serving on its executive committee.

Ty and Enid Glenn

1) We (Ty and Enid) became partners with Capital City Hues (CCH) from the very beginning in 2006

2) Ty thought the paper could be the voice of the community that had no voice – a positive voice for all to share.  It represented a service that was well needed in our local, multicultural community.  We wanted to be a part of that, and to help shore up its existence, to tell the stories of the voiceless.

3) CCH has been and is clearly well received within the community of color it serves.  The paper has become the voice of the community that had no voice.  It has been able to showcase the multitude of stories, viewpoints and issues that are represented within the community.  This includes the people of  African American, Latino, Caribbean, Asian, Hmong descent, and the community programs  that are not usually well represented in the local journalistic landscape.

4) Perhaps there could be more features on the business community.

5) Outstanding annual coverage of high school graduates, achievements of scholars.

Stories and photos featuring local multicultural festivals.

COVID related info and ads really stood out.

“Urban Treasures” is great!  It’s always fun to see the story of a person being showcased.

Love “Hues City Happenings” — it never disappoints!

Love the cover stories and photos!  Always up to the minute news and information, such as the story on Michelle Behnke preparing for ABA presidency.

Love the centerspread features and pictorials — pictures tell the stories — truly reflects the spirit of our community, young and old, different ethnicities, and people we know.

Loved the coverage on achievements such as new buildings and program developments for communities of color.  Helps to lift and showcase positive information on community growth and development.

Ty and Enid Glenn are retired State employees. Enid worked for DVR as the deputy administrator and was a past recipient of United Way of Dane County Woman of the Year award, and the YWCA Woman of Distinction award. Ty worked in law enforcement and the DOC, and is a Vietnam Veteran.

Ramona Natera

1) I had the honor of joining the Hues in 2014.

2) I was motivated to join the Hues because I wanted to be a part of a dynamic, professional and motivated group that supports highlighting the great accomplishments of our communities of color.

3) The Hues brings the Madison community together to recognize every day heroes, to ponder complex social issues and to celebrate accomplishments in our communities of color.

During the pandemic,  the Hues served as a life line to those otherwise isolated by providing inspirational stories during a bleak period.

4) I am constantly amazed at the wonderful features. Keep up the great work!

5) I know it's a heavy lift but I love the annual graduation edition — it's so important to celebrate our youth of color in their accomplishments. The Urban Treasures feature serves to inspire us all and Jon's Reflections are thought provoking.

Ramona Natera moved to Madison when she was seven-years-old. A graduate of UW-Madison law school, Ramona has dedicated her professional career representing immigrants and is now an administrative law judge. She has dedicated her personal life to her grandchildren.

Frances Huntley-Cooper

1) I am an original member since day 1… we were incorporated on January 3, 2006!

2)  I was motivated to join the creation of the Capital City Hues after the Madison Times newspaper,  owner and founder Betty Franklin Hammonds passed away.  We were both social workers and I loved how the stories focus on African-Americans in our community. What Betty took pride in the most was telling stories positive stories of success and challenges that we faced on a day-to-day basis. With the paper also included were stories of interest, not only to the African-American community, but to the wider community as a whole, you could count on the Madison Times showing up to cover our news whether it was celebrations of graduations celebrations of our youth doing amazing things in the community celebration of community base organizations such as the NAACP, Urban League of Greater Madison, The Divine Nine organizations, Black Churches and a host of educational activities and and outside the schools. Politically, she would share our side of the story at school board meetings or City County Politics as it impacted African-American community she would always share African-Americans excelling in various industries and government and I could go on and on.

3)  Like the Madison Times, The Capital City Hues keeps our stories real and honest. I also like that The Capital City Hues tell stories of all cultures in our community so if you want to learn more about a specific ethnic groups or cultures, just pick up the Capital City Hues newspapers!  The stories are all about individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, politics and the list goes on.

4)  I think we are in unchartered times, so I would like to keep hearing, reading and sharing our good news and stories about folks making a difference and never giving up on dreams, goals, and aspirations.  I really enjoy a diversity of thought which encourages us to think outside the box.  I am most excited about youth being profile and hearing from them on their lived life experiences and what’s driving them to contribute their community.

5)  My most memorable stories are the political coverage of Barack Obama during the campaign seasons and doing his eight year tenure in the White House.  And of course, Michelle Obama supporting her husband with class and style while raising an amazing family.  What a great President for the American people..we are so proud of #44 President of the United States of America Barack Obama!

My second list would include the grass roots organizations that Jon ensures receive equal coverage, like the annual Madison Links Youth program held at Madison College or the amazing NAACP ACT-SO youth or the NAACP organizations.  What I have also observed as how the paper is history that many family members didn’t know and Jon reaches out to get that story with professionalism and kindness as he keeps it real.  I enjoy Jon’s column in the paper and all the diverse writers that he has reached out to through the year.

Frances Huntley-Cooper has been a long time Dane County community volunteer and activist for over 50 years. She has the distinction of being the first African American being elected mayor in Wisconsin.  Retired from her professional paid job as a Dane County social worker and later as a State of Wisconsin administrator in workers compensation, Huntley-Cooper remains an active volunteer giving back to the community.  Just note the many boards and organizations appearing on her weekly calendar.  During her free time, Frances loves to travel and spend as much quality time with the grandchildren.

Heidi Pascual

1) Since the beginning; I was with Jon from the conceptual stage of The Hues.

2) My motivation? I truly believed that there was a need for it. After the passing of Betty Franklin-Hammonds, I knew that Jon Gramling was the only one who can really continue Betty's work truthfully, and perhaps more. I believed then and now that Jon has the heart, the brains, the personality, and the work ethic required to do it.

3) It brings to the fore the successes, the beauty and excellence, the struggles and efforts, and the societal problems facing communities of color in the Madison community and beyond our county.

4) I'd like to see more often the genuine efforts of various communities of color to unite especially on issues affecting them. I'd like to see more often the efforts of authorities or those in power to really implement diversity, equality, and inclusion in all their programs.

5) I am always amazed at — and I deeply admire — Jon Gramling's editorials, all of them. He truly analyzes issues to the core and explains implications so that all of us can easily understand them. Also very memorable are the annual Row of Excellence, featuring outstanding graduating students of color — something not seen or read in other publications in Wisconsin!! And, of course, the Community Voices, tackling ideas of community leaders of color in reaction to civil rights issues at present.

An immigrant from the Philippines and a journalist/writer and mass communication professional for many years, Heidi Pascual found her real calling when she helped start, and worked for, The Capital City Hues in 2006. She believed then and now that she would be able to contribute positively in providing a platform where communities of color can have their voices heard and their efforts to develop a more inclusive society can be shown. The Capital City Hues is also her baby, and she is proud to have been a part of it since the beginning.

Al Cooper

1) I became a partner in 2006.

2) I joined so that we could get news out into the community that was positive about different ethnic communities that weren’t covered by the major papers. There were a lot of criminal stories and crime stories and positive stories of cultural sensitivity were not the focus of the major papers.

3) The Hues helps to bring the community together and helps people feel a part of the community because there are stories that they can read about themselves and other people like them in the community.

4) Basically I would like to see us keep doing what we’ve been doing over the last1-20 years, focusing on uplifting the community through positive stories and keeping the community informed on what is happening and coming up in the community.

5) A lot of the memorable stories are when different people are coming in to speak either at the university or other facilities here and keeping the community apprised of the significance they have had, what they have contributed to their culture and their history.

Al Cooper has been a longstanding leader in the community, both in the workforce and the community at large. Al was a union leader for 25 years as president of three different branches of the union., Dane County Courthouse Employees, as well as the Dane County Joint Council of Unions and Dane County Professional Employees. Al has led Dane Dances for the past 15 years, bringing the community together and doing some of the work that The Capital City Hues also does.

Nancy Saiz

1)  I became a partner in 2023.

2) I have always appreciated Jon’s intention in documenting the many communities that exist in Dane County’s.

3) The Hues is a platform that helps individuals, communities, and workspaces, be seen and heard.

4) What would you like to see featured in the paper more often?  V

5) There have been many. What has made an impact is the huge posters he has of the Hues throughout the decades. He has documented so much history.

Nancy Saiz is a dedicated civil servant and community advocate. She  completed a Master’s in Social Work in 2002 from UW Madison. After working in the community in human services for more than a decade, she began a career in civil service at the City of Madison, Community Development Division. Nancy played a pivotal role in the 2013 City of Madison Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative, helping to develop tools and training for government employees to integrate racial equity and social justice into their decision-making processes.