What can hosting the 2020 Democratic Convention do for Milwaukee? Summits hope to provide some answers.

In a little more than seven months, Milwaukee will be at the center of the political world as the host of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

It's a chance for the city to put its best foot forward, to turn aspiration into action.

But how can a convention be made tangible and real for its residents? Is it just a four-day political show, here one moment, July 13-16, and gone the next? Or can there be a legacy?

The local host committee is trying to answer those questions and more during three summits. Bringing together policymakers and citizens, the events are designed to address some of Milwaukee's most pressing concerns and greatest opportunities.

The first program takes place Friday at Northwestern Mutual and is titled "Ensuring Economic Equity," as convention organizers push a program of diversity and inclusion among suppliers and contractors.

A February summit will focus on a variety of issues affecting communities outside of America's major metropolitan areas, from tech startups and venture capital to mass incarceration and segregation.

And a final event in April will discuss volunteerism as the host committee recruits 15,000 volunteers for the convention.

Liz Gilbert, president of the host committee, said having what she calls "tough conversations" is "one of the most important things we can do."

"While I wish one summit could end mass incarceration, or do lots of other things, we feel you can't make a difference until you start that first step," she said.

To understand the stakes, of what can and cannot happen as a result of one event, just ask a simple question: What are your hopes for the convention?

"There are great cities across the U.S.," said Gwen Miner, a school teacher who lives on the city's near west side. "How come Milwaukee can't be one?”

While she's glad the DNC is coming to Milwaukee, she said she's skeptical whether they will be able to change how people — and especially young, black residents — feel about the city.

“The sooner we can get our young people to realize the effect of civic engagement and how powerful even small changes can be, the better,” she said.

Overall, she's looking for the DNC to bring tangible improvements to the area.

Myron Edwards, 24, a youth organizer who lives on the city's north side, is eager to see some of the convention's benefits in his own neighborhood but is concerned that the focus will remain downtown.

"I try to tell kids this is a huge opportunity, try to get involved, (but) they have a complete disinvestment because they think 'that’s not for me,' " he said.

Edwards said he's looking for politicians who come here to do a lot of listening. But he doesn't think the convention will be able to solve all of the city's problems.

"I don’t think there’s one person who can fix everything. I hope they don’t give empty promises and say we’re going to fix" everything, he said.

Vickie Gaines, who is looking to open a design and wellness business next year, is hoping the convention benefits the city economically.

But she's also looking for the event to show off the city.

"We've had enough negative in the news," she said. Her hope is that the "little jewels of the city" and small businesses are able to shine.

Sherry Seston, who runs Wine Science LLC, hopes the convention can "help recruit more talent to Milwaukee permanently" and open more "conversations about inclusiveness and diversity of Milwaukee."

She added that "hopefully it opens the city up and people know that we’re not just this podunk town that you’ve never heard of on the lake."