From fruit art to sheltering trafficking survivors: Here are the 'difference makers' in one Milwaukee neighborhood
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- When Imani Raiyne envisions the future, she sees a new a museum in Milwaukee; it's dedicated to nothing but fruits and vegetables.
Raiyne was one of six people honored Wednesday night by Ald. Milele Coggs as one of the year's difference makers in the city's sixth aldermanic district.
Raiyne founded 'Kreative Fruitz,' which builds a wide array of displays using fruit. Raiyne said the venture began as a way of honoring her mother; she both suffered from lupus ate fruit to help manage their symptoms.
Imani Raiyne uses watermelons as the foundation of her art creations.
"When she passed away in 2017, that's when that legacy was revived, or refreshed, shall I say," Raiyne said. "We started off with just doing watermelon boats, just like a simple design that everybody loved."
The award presentations were part of a town hall Coggs held. Her district covers a portion of the city's near north side, and representatives from different city departments were on hand to answer questions.
The questions neighbors asked ranged from parking issues to ongoing frustration with the 'Kia Boyz' wreaking havoc in stolen cars. Coggs said the purpose of the awards was to put a spotlight on people in the community who were working to provide solutions.
"I think it's important, as we complain about negativity in this city," Coggs said. "That we uplift those who are fighting to better this city."
Much like the city itself, though, not every story was sweet at Wednesday's ceremony. Dana World-Patterson also received an award. She's the CEO of 'Foundations for Freedom,' which seeks to provide shelter for sex trafficking victims.
World-Patterson said she hoped to use the attention to raise awareness of how trafficking victims come from all walks of life because they can be manipulated in a variety of different ways.
"The force, the fraud, the coercion that occurs with an adult," World-Patterson said. "It's hidden in plain sight."
Foundations for Freedom operates an eight-unit apartment complex in the sixth district that houses trafficking victims. World-Patterson said its location is undisclosed for safety reasons.
She said the most challenging part of her work is also the most gratifying: cultivating the trust of people who've been abused.
"[Victims] believing that we can help," she said. "Returning, accepting the help that we have for them; that's the greatest reward."
Raiyne said the most rewarding part of her work is seeing children see healthy foods in a different light. She's quick to note there are more than 2,000 known varieties of fruit, and it's her mission to introduce more kids to some of them.
While she started the business with a focus on the art, Raiyne said doing demonstrations for Milwaukee Public Schools and the Girl Scouts changed her sense of purpose.
"To bring different fruits that they had never seen before, or even tasted," Raiyne said. "It ignited something inside of me."
Hence, the long-term goal of helping to open an interactive museum dedicated to produce.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Foundations for Freedom housing for trafficking victims can call (414) 698-4187.