Mass Incarceration Second Chances

MILWAUKEE 53206 chronicles the harsh reality of those living in the zip code that incarcerates the highest proportion of African American men, up to 62%. Through the intimate stories of three 53206 residents, we witness the high toll that excessive sentencing and mass incarceration takes on individuals and families. Beverly Walker, a mother of five, tirelessly works to raise her children and free her husband Baron from an excessive prison sentence. Chad Wilson, a newly released citizen, confronts the uphill battle of finding viable employment with the help of Dennis Walton who works with fathers re-entering society from prison.

MILWAUKEE 53206 personalizes the crisis of mass incarceration and intimately depicts the destructive hold this system has on the families and the communities it affects. The stories in this film are not unique to 53206 and can be used to inspire change in ZIP codes across the country. MILWAUKEE 53206 can be used as a tool to educate and activate your community, house of worship, university, and/or workplace.

To date the film has been awarded the Special Recognition Award at the (In)Justice for All Film Festival 2017, Best Documentary at the Urbanworld Film Festival 2017, National Council on Crime and Delinquency Media for a Just Society Award and more. Additionally, on Thursday, September 13 the film screened at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 48th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The screening was followed by a panel moderated by Odyssey Impact®’s Head of Social Impact and Communications, Melissa C. Potter, with Van Lathan, Senior Producer at TMZ and host of the Red Pill Podcast, Twyla Carter, Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, Rev. Derrick Harkins, Senior Vice President for Innovation in Public Programs at Union Theological Seminary, Indira Henard, Executive Director at the D.C. Rape Crisis Center and very special guests Baron and Beverly Walker, featured in the documentary. Baron was released from prison after 22+ years on August 17, 2018.

Directed by Keith McQuirter  |   Run Time 54 minutes   |   A Transform Films Production

A journey of change through film

Screening Toolkit

Odyssey Impact®’s custom-built resources serve as tools to build awareness, shift attitudes, and inspire action directly in your community. We have discussion guides, facilitator guides, and more!

Through the intimate stories of three 53206 residents, we witness the high toll that excessive sentencing and mass incarceration takes on individuals and families. Beverly Walker, a mother of five, tirelessly works to raise her children and free her husband Baron from an excessive prison sentence. Chad Wilson, a newly released citizen, confronts the uphill battle of finding viable employment with the help of Dennis Walton who works with fathers re-entering society from prison.

Impact Goal

From 2016 to 2018, through a multi-year strategic impact campaign comprising grassroots community screenings with faithbased communities and secular groups, and a particular focus on Wisconsin. We reached our goals for this campaign, but we continue to provide screenings.

Award Winning

MILWAUKEE 53206 was the Silver Award winner at the 2020 Telly Awards for General Television, having screened on American Documentary & WORLD Channel.

Expand Reach

Public engagement and impact highlights for the film include:

audience members have seen the film
Impact Screenings
states the film has been screened

GET INVOLVED

A journey of change through film

Read a recap of the full social impact campaign facilitated by Odyssey Impact®.

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SCREENING STORIES

One conversation at a time

Here are just a few stories of transformative screenings that communities have hosted of MILWAUKEE 53206.

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