Cream City Business Association (CCBA)

The Cream City Business Association was formed early in 1981 "to serve the needs of professionals and businesspersons in our community."  Over 50 people attended an opening reception at the home of Bob Moore, where they discussed the future of the organization.

Several specialty committees were quickly formed, including an Investment club, Housing and Restoration, Research and Referrals, and CCBA Foundation (later the Cream City Association Foundation, now the Cream City Foundation). CCBA launched the Cream City Brick Awards program to recognize people making notable contributions to the gay/lesbian community.  The awards were an actual cream city brick with a brass plate stating the recipient's contribution. 

In 1984, CCBA attempted to form a performance group (Cream City Singers) with the help of an unnamed "renowned Milwaukee singer and choral director." The goal was to create a gay and lesbian choir and host a Christmas concert program. However, there is no record of Cream City Singers ever performing anywhere.

CCBA was an active member of the National Association of Business Councils.

Presidents of the organization included:

1981-1983 Ralph Navarro
1983-1986 Marc Haupert
1986-1987 Jerry Johnson
1987-1988 Karen Gotzler
1988-1989 Gary Gussick

CCBA disbanded in 1989 for reasons unknown.

The UWM Archives LGBT Collection has ownership of the Cream City Business Association collection.

Their website describes the organization:

The idea of an organization devoted to the needs of Milwaukee gay and lesbian business owners and service providers developed in August 1980. A group of fifteen people gathered at a meeting of the Gay Peoples Union to hear the vice president of B.A.M., an association of gay and lesbian bar owners, speak on the topic of "Gay Businesses in Milwaukee." When the speaker failed to show, some of the attendees met separately and discussed forming a group of Milwaukee gay and lesbian business and professional people.

After several planning meetings, the Cream City Business Association held its first public meeting in May 1981 with thirty-seven people in attendance. The first issue of CCBA's monthly newsletter appeared in the same month. The group incorporated in August of the same year. Initial committees focused on investments, research and referral, special programs, the CCBA foundation, membership, and housing and restoration.

From the start, CCBA was a member of the National Association of Business Councils. Throughout its existence, the CCBA held monthly meetings and programs, published a newsletter, and held an annual meeting with an awards ceremony. Presidents included Ralph Navarro (1980-1984), Marc Haupert (1984-1986), Jerry Johnson (1986-1987), Karen Gotzler (1987-1988), and Gary Gussick (1988.) In 1984, CCBA boasted that it was the largest, active lesbian and gay organization in Wisconsin, and that it had more than 200 members.

CCBA played a major role in establishing the Governor's Council on Gay/Lesbian Concerns, developing the Cream City Association Foundation (now the Cream City Foundation), and expanding coverage of Milwaukee's LGBT community by the local media.