Our Story

Cream City South Community Development Corporation, is a non-profit organization with a mission of working in collaboration with the residents and businesses of the South Side of Milwaukee to build a strong, healthy, and safe community. Specifically, Cream City South Community Development Corporation (CCSCDC) serves the neighborhood bordered by Greenfield and Oklahoma Avenues, between South 5th and South 27th Streets.

CCSCDC stems from a six year history of several South Side grassroots community organizations meeting regularly to tackle issues related to the area around Lincoln Village. The focus has been to build a stronger community by improving public safety, improving access to local parks, and encouraging small business development. These formal collaborations began in 2018, when a concerted effort led by Alderman Jose Perez, Department of City Planning, local businessman John Rozga, and Colleen Cheney-Trawinski of the St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation resulted in an extensive community-led analysis of the needs of the Lincoln Village area. With additional assistance from Department Of City Planning. The outcome was the Lincoln Village Opportunity Strategy which continues to be the framework for economic development in the neighborhood.

The name Cream City South is drawn from the cream colored brick which was a locally sourced building material used in Milwaukee from the mid to late 19th century. Cream City South is focused on revitalizing this South Side target area and building a strong community for people of all ages with particular emphasis on three priorities: Housing, Business, and Community Building.

Currently CSCCDC is serving three clients: Brim Café, Isla Bella Coffee, and Doulala. They have been provided with marketing advice as well as financial assistance.

  • With 10+ years of experience serving the local Milwaukee community, the Brim family strives to provide fresh, affordable, and tasty food options.

  • Isla Bella Coffee Roasters brings the finest (and freshest) whole bean coffee from Puerto Rico to Milwaukee, where they are roasted to perfection and packaged "con puro amor". All beans are handpicked from the finest haciendas in the Lares and Utuado regions and each roast is a tribute to our family on the "Isla Bella" and on the mainland.

  • Doulala is a small community based business whose mission is to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth.

Partnering with: