COMMUNITY
LOVE & ART
Stewarding good as an extension of self is a moral responsibility, reflecting
a commitment to uphold positive values and contribute to the greater good.
The legacy of Melissa Nicole Allen and Maures is defined by impact—strengthening people and places through purpose-driven work. It is woven into the fabric of neighborhoods, uplifted through healing, and expressed through buildings, art, music, and meaningful engagement. Melissa and Maures have supported organizations focused on youth empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship, providing resources, mentorship, and vibrant public art in their developments. They also sponsor community events to further empower local initiatives. As a leader, Melissa pays forward the mentorship she received, guiding both youth and professionals to develop the next generation of leaders. Through Evelyn’s Circle, named after her daughter, Melissa provides compassionate advocacy and tangible support for families affected by sickle cell disease. It serves as both a healing space and a hub of hope—blending education, sisterhood, and grassroots action. As the creator of Jazz in the Hood, a formerly beloved community music series, Melissa helped transform ordinary blocks into cultural sanctuaries. These live events brought generations together, sparked joy, and made the arts accessible right where people live. Melissa operates with and leads Maures with heart—placing people over press and healing over hype.
IMPACT OF ART
CREATING BEAUTIFUL SPACES THROUGH ART AND COMMUNITY
Maures' approach is characterized by a distinct intention to create beautiful spaces. Attention to interior design features, exterior elements, and tangible partnerships are core operating principles. In many of its developments, Maures collaborates with local artists to create original artwork for both the exterior and interior, reflecting the community’s history and culture. Art plays a significant role in Maures’ redevelopments, based on the fundamental belief that beauty invokes something special in people. It captures stories, dreams, possibilities, and more. It warms a space, which in turn warms the heart. The joy and inspiration derived from artists are transformed into meaningful investments in the lives of others. Art possesses a universal language of purpose and opportunity, and it has a way of making everything feel alright.
"THE FUNCTION OF ART IS TO DO MORE THAN TELL IT LIKE IT IS—IT’S TO IMAGINE WHAT IS POSSIBLE. ART HAS THE ABILITY TO CREATE ALTERNATIVE REALITIES, TO CHALLENGE AND TO UPLIFT."
bell hooks, Art on My Mind: Visual Politics (1995)
EVELYN'S CIRCLE
MELISSA’S JOURNEY TO ADVOCACY:
BUILDING HOPE THROUGH EVELYN’S CIRCLE
Melissa’s passion for supporting young people turned in a new direction when her own daughter, Evelyn, was born with a serious blood disorder in 2015. Melissa began to educate herself on her daughter’s health concerns and learned that families of color dealing with blood disorders face far greater barriers to treatments and cures. In fact, African American patients have the lowest odds of finding a life-saving bone marrow donor match compared to all other groups. Determined to turn the tides, she transformed her own difficult journey into a path for change. Shortly before her daughter’s first birthday, Melissa organized a group of friends into Evelyn’s Circle to provide support and advocacy for families journeying to health. Through Melissa’s advocacy, Evelyn’s Circle now supports Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, National Donor Marrow Program (formerly Be the Match), and organizes blood drives. Together, Evelyn’s Circle works to register bone marrow and blood donors from diverse cultural backgrounds. In its first year alone, Evelyn’s Circle registered almost 80 new donors and helped educate hundreds more. For Evelyn, the bone marrow registry represents hope. Melissa knows that without a successful bone marrow transplant, Evelyn may face a lifetime of health challenges and profound risks. At the same time, Melissa believes they can’t be paralyzed by these prospects—they must be committed to living full, abundant lives. In recent years a new option for individuals with sickle cell anemia is making strides, gene therapy. Through Evelyn’s boundless energy and resiliency, she reminds her family and Circle of Friends of the importance of moving forward with strength and intention. As Melissa says: “Life presents an opportunity to step into it boldly — our choice is to live out loud. Consider supporting. The life you are saving could be your own.”
More info at: NYT Gene Therapy, versiti.org/wisconsin, www.nmdp.org and maccfund.org