NIF’s MISSION

To support and empower families through holistic and transformative programs rooted in Afrocentric principles that foster unity, healing, and community building. We aim to create environments where families can thrive, children can grow, and communities can be strengthened at Nia Imani Family, Inc.

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FAST FACTS

Over 29 years of empowering women and children with a capacity of up to 17 mothers and their children at a time

A non-profit, 501(c)(3) community-based agency.
Milwaukee’s only long-term (up to 24 months) transitional housing facility for women and their children.
Building features: 13 resident apartments, computer room, culinary/break-out area, children’s play space, group meeting space, a community room, and 3 ground floor tenants’ storefronts.
Our Name: “Nia” means purpose and “Imani” means faith—two of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Our Staff: 8 Full-time staff, 1 part-time, 1 contract and 30 regular volunteers.

What Makes Nia Imani Family, inc. Special

More Time: Women can live at Nia Imani Family for up to 12 months. Breaking cycles of poverty, trauma, homelessness and violence take time. Without safe, affordable stable housing, you can’t get a job, keep a job or raise a family.
More Stable Families: Children can live with their mothers at Nia Imani Family, something unavailable at most transitional housing programs. Our comprehensive programming and holistic approach teaches women about themselves, the importance of childhood stability, nutrition in early child development, and the criticality of early mother-child bonding.
More Tools: Nia Imani Family is not just a roof over a woman’s head. We support women in areas key to their success, such as budgeting, housekeeping, job skills, education, parenting, mental and emotional wellness, nutrition and meal preparation, community resources, problem solving and self-examination and development.
More Support: We are stronger when we help each other. Women are part of an extended “family” structure that provides guidance and support during the program, and beyond. Women develop healthy relationships that provide strength as they transition into independent living. Women are encouraged to fully participate in the broader community, to take advantage of cultural opportunities, resources, employment, etc.

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OUR HISTORY

1994: Founded by Belinda Pittman, who recognized a need in Milwaukee for transitional housing for homeless and at-risk mothers. Located at 63rd and Silver Spring.
1996: Moved to 50th and North.
1998: Purchased current building at 25th and Vliet from the City of Milwaukee. The building had been in foreclosure and needed significant work. Received an Affordable Housing Program grant, forgivable loan from the City of Milwaukee, a bank loan, and generous donations.

2001: Rehabilitation complete. Basement community room, computer room, culinary/kitchen area, laundry room and children’s play space available to residents.
2005: Dress for Less Boutique opens at North 27th and State. A small clothing store operated by part-time staff and program participants who have completed the Life Skills curriculum, it served as a valuable training opportunity and stepping stone to jobs outside of Nia Imani Family. It became a popular asset to the community for its affordable new and slightly used clothing, all of which was generously donated.
2007: Muhindi Program started to encourage reading and positive parenting among mothers and their children.
2009: Dress for Less resale shop and training program relocated to retail space in Nia Imani Family building at 25th and Vliet. Nia Imani Family, Inc. celebrates 15 years of helping women and their children break the cycles of substance abuse, violence, and homelessness.
2013: 11 Residential apartments renovated including storm windows and screens by the Department of Neighborhood service.
2014: Changed focus because of the demand from young mothers with child/children and first-time mothers 18 to 25 years old with children not over 5 years old.
2016: Trained by St. A’s in Trauma Informed Care— realizing that we had been doing exactly this since our inception, there just was not a name for it then.
2017: Certified training in PIWI: Parents Interacting With Infants
2021: Nia Imani's Young Mother's Restorative Program branding and strategic planning

The Nia Imani Family Name

Nia Imani Family’s name has its origins in two of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and emphasizes our focus on creating an extended family-like structure to “re-mother” our women, and have them learn how to be supportive and sister-like to other residents, while experiencing a stable , functioning family that most of them never had— so that they can go out and establish their own self-sufficient family upon graduation.

Nia (NEE-yah) means purpose in Swahili. It encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal values and goals that are beneficial to our children and the community, as a ground for resilience in adversity.

Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means faith in Swahili.

It calls us to focus on our best self, and to strive for a higher quality of life for all, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle and a Good Life.

Board of Directors

Shannon Lopez: Board President & Development Chair

Shannon Lopez is a Wisconsin native and an entrepreneur. She is currently owner of Roots Salons, Be Better Salon Consulting, and Be Better ERC Consulting. Her expertise is in financial planning and business development, budgeting, and goal setting. She strives to provide historical data as well as day to day trending that drive operational decisions and create financial plans to achieve overall company goals. She has a passion for developing systems and processes for evolving business to enhance work experience, client experience, and increase retention. Shannon has had the honor of serving on the Nia Imani Board since 2019. She is passionate about helping to bridge the social, racial, and economic gaps in Milwaukee. She is also passionate about helping young women learn to become empowered through financial understanding and independence.
William Lauer: Board Vice President & Building Committee Chair

William is a local Realtor and the principal owner of a real estate team. Before real estate he had a distinguished career in the skilled trades. Most notably he worked in Nuclear Power Plants, Military Vessels and Rocket Launch Pads. In addition to serving on the Nia Imani Family Board, he also is an active member in his Kiwanis club.
Sonja P. Chojnacki She/Her/Ella: Marketing Committee Chair

Sonja Chojnacki, is a Milwaukee native and graduate of Rufus King High School and earned a BS from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She is a highly experienced social worker and strategic manager and brings a decade of expertise in candidate and public relations campaigns. Sonja is dedicated to creating equity in the city of Milwaukee and has returned home to help lift up the city and is excited to be helping the women and children of Nia Imani Family.
Carolyn Owens’ Norton: Volunteer Committee Chair

Carolyn Owens Norton, a Milwaukee native, graduated from Vincent High School. I’m an educator of 24 years. My expertise is leadership, education and coaching. As a Learning and Behavior Specialist. I’ve held several leadership positions as Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach and PD content and facilitator. My passion is to remove the barriers that prevent students from being successful. My most important role is being a servant for Christ, where I've mentored women and children to be successful by changing their mindset and breaking negative cycles. I align and believe in Nia Imani’s mission that women can break these cycles through support. I am also a proud wife of 42 years, mother of 3 adult children and grandmother and believe ‘When students don't learn the way we teach....Please teach the way they learn.’.
Anne Deisinger: Secretary/Executive Administrator

Anne has a passion for human concerns and social justice issues and is a member of many local service organizations. Anne has worked as a volunteer with Dr. Pittman and Nia Imani Family for close to 30 years, a place that remains close to her heart. She belongs to Ignaitan Volunteer Corp, St. Mary's Human Concerns Committee, Racial Justice Committee, and Women of Faith. Her family and faith life are most important to her and are her top priority. Her work experience includes Project Manager at MSOE, Development Manager at PoSH, Marketing Manager at Rockwell Automation and Application Engineering Manager at Square D Company. She holds a bachelor degree in Industiral Engineering, an associate in Project Management and a Masters degree in Theology. As a member of Ignation Volunteer Corp, she volunteers at St Bakhita Catholic Worker house. She enjoys her time in the community and at her home with family, friends, and their dog Rush.
Pelumi Oguntade: Board Member

Oluwapelumi Oguntade is a passionate real estate developer at OLUOMO Group and a dedicated advocate for sustainable, community-centered developments. With a focus on creating spaces that empower and uplift underserved populations, Pelumi is deeply committed to housing solutions that foster stability, growth, and opportunity for families. Her approach reflects a belief in holistic, people-first development that builds pathways to independence and long-term success.

Beyond her work in real estate, Pelumi is a multi-faceted entrepreneur with a rich background in fashion, retail, and writing. She is the founder of OLUOMO WORLDWIDE, a brand specializing in custom and ready-to-wear African clothing and accessories. Her work is driven by the philosophy that "when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you look good," empowering individuals to express confidence through style.

Pelumi’s diverse experience allows her to bring a creative, strategic, and forward-thinking perspective to Nia Imani Family’s board. As a proud Milwaukeean and Marquette University graduate, she is inspired by Nia Imani Family’s unwavering dedication to transforming lives and is honored to contribute to its vision of creating stable, supportive environments where families can thrive.