'She focused on the people:' Milwaukee leaders remember Summerfest icon Elizabeth 'Bo' Black

MILWAUKEE -- Tributes have been coming in from across Milwaukee for Elizabeth "Bo" Black -- the local icon who died Friday, July 24 at 74 years old.

Black, who served as executive director of Milwaukee World Festival Inc. for nearly 20 years, was known for putting Milwaukee on the map through her work promoting festivals. She was described as powerful, a firecracker -- on a mission for the world to see what she saw in the city.
 

"A lot of people who may not even know Bo touched their lives are beneficiaries of the work she did when she was here," said State Rep. LaKeshia Myers.

In her time as executive director, Black pushed Summerfest to the distinction as "The World's Largest Music Festival" according to the organization's president and CEO. Her work led the city to even more opportunities.

"We wouldn't be a place to be if it wasn't for all the hard work of the team that I've been associated with over the years, so I'm really proud of what we've all done together," Black said in 2003.
 

"In the earlier years, when there were very few women executives, she had to fight and kick the door open for a lot of people to run executive-level festivals, and she paved the way for a lot of them," said Myers. "She was the consummate professional. I think it helped a lot of women achieve success in the board room. She really helped transform Milwaukee into the City of Festivals, so we owe a great debt to Bo."

Myers said she was first inspired by Black as a child.

"She would make visits and give out Summerfest tickets to the students who were high achieving students in Milwaukee Public schools, so that happened when I was a young child," Myers said.

Years later, they shared a friendship.

"She was a liaison to all the ethnic world festivals that we have here in Milwaukee. I was reacquainted with her when African World Festival made its return," said Myers. "Bo had a very good sense of humor. Bo made sure she could do it all. She focused on the people that lived here, that were in the neighborhoods."
 

Before Black resigned from her role as executive director, she was candid about health issues and undergoing heart surgery.

"I've always been careful because I have heart disease on one side of my family," Black said in the early 2000s. "Would I like to stay here for the rest of my life? Absolutely."

Black later moved to Arizona where she passed away on Friday.

Friends of Black said that no matter how busy she was, she prioritized time with family and was able to spend even more time with them in her later years.

Statement from Summerfest

Statement from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

Statement from Beth Weirick, CEO of the Milwaukee Downtown BID

Statement from Sen. Alberta Darling