Celebrating 35 Years of The Milwaukee Times Newspaper and milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Vol. 35 • No.7 • Thurs., Feb. 18, 2016 - Wed., Feb. 20, 2016 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Black Data Processing Associates
Melodi Warren Andersen
Allen Baylor
Katherine Ellis-Crowder
Kai Simone
Enterprising Youth
Adrienne Williams
James Davis
Leonard Davis
Corporate Trailblazers
Art
Gloria Miller
Carmen Giles
Pamela Clark
Michael Evans
Carolyn Bolton
Music
George Bryant
Brenda Buchanan
Christopher P. Pipkins
Lt. Kenneth Harris
Dara Atandare
Devon Norwood
Linda Jackson-Cocroft
Pastor Herbert Robinson
Rev. Jonathan Saffold
Jeffery Gaddis
Sgt. Terina Hammick
Jim Addison
Linda McFerrin
Raven Avery-Moore
Devin Burton
Darnell Granberry
Hosts
Sheldon Dutes
Isaac Izard
Domonique Kent
Brian McDowell, Jr.
Kalan R. Haywood, Sr.
Gregory Webb
Volunteerism
Ellis L. "Shimmie" Turrentine, Sr.
Dr. Pamela Malone
William Tipton, II
Martinez Milton, Jr.
Abigail Thompson
Our 2016 Partners in Excellence
Troy Vincent NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations
WISN 12 News Anchors
M i
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at The Italian Conference Center 631 East Chicago Street. • Milwaukee, WI 6:00 p.m. - Social Hour 7:00 p.m. - Dinner & Program www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Atty. Celia Jackson
Keynote Speaker
Melinda Davenport
Friday, February 19, 2016
Timothy L. Webb
Minority Business
Sports
2016 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients
Job Alexander
Dr. Joseph Green
Prentice Jones
Social Services
Minister Aaron Suggs
Dan Thomas, III
Education
Military
Mikel Holt
Religion
Assistant Chief Gerard Washington
Harold Moore
Anthony McHenry
Media
Larry Spicer
Public Service
Jimmie Lindsey
Community Leadership
Health
Extraordinary Achievement
Isaiah Jones, Jr.
Theresa Jones
Jonathan Jackson
w c e lle n c e A
Saluting the Best in Our Community! An NCON Communications Publication
2016 Black Excellence Awards
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Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
The Milwaukee Times Founders
The Late Louvenia Johnson
Nathan Conyers
I n 1985, a group of Milwaukee citizens initiated the Black
Excellence Awards ceremony. With unwavering tenacity and vision, our group saw the good deeds of people and wanted to praise living unsung heroes and heroines. Today, 31 years later, their vision continues, staunch and steadfast. “Saluting the Best” is what these individuals are all about. Over the past 31 years, the Black Excellence Awards have honored nearly 900 individuals who would have gone unnoticed for their outstanding contributions and their great leadership. Still today we often hear that they have flourished to an even higher level of excellence in their personal endeavors and professional careers.
The Late Luther Golden
The success of the Awards ceremony is due to a dedicated committee that has worked diligently and persistently to spotlight our honorees. We most graciously thank our 31st annual awards sponsors: WISN-Channel 12, Reid’s New Golden Gate Funeral Home, Inc., The Milwaukee Urban League, David Gruber Law Offices, LLC., The Milwaukee Business Journal, Robert W. Baird & Co., Northwestern Mutual, WE Energies, Columbia Savings and Loan Assocation, and Hupy and Abraham S.C. We also thank our volunteers, supporters, and The Milwaukee Times graphics and printing staff for keeping the Awards ceremony at the forefront of Black History throughout the years. As we continue to infuse our efforts and commitment in cultivating a new leadership, let us look forward to a future filled with the excellence of those who have striven to persevere.
Statement from the Publisher MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Louvenia Johnson Luther Golden Nathan Conyers (1981-2008) (1981-2005) (1981- ) Lynda J. Jackson Conyers, Publisher Jacquelyn D. Heath, Editorial Page Editor
The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Lynda J. Jackson Conyers
T
he Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Awards Program has aged and grown in stature through the years. Many individuals, organizations and businesses have contributed to the success of this Black c;ultural event, which is observed this year on the third Friday of February. The Black Excellence Awards program is one of the city’s largest premiere events, which celebrates, honors and pays tribute to scores of African Americans to whom this community owes a heartfelt thanks. These honorees have worked to create an environment which makes this city the wonderful place it is to live, work, raise families and be productive citizens. The Black Excellence Awards, for 31 years, has been fascinated with the desire to comprehend what compels African Americans, who have been faced with An NCON Communications Publication
extreme social injustice, unfairness and abuse, to rise above these conditions and succeed beyond anyone’s expectations. The lives of past honorees and this year’s recipients have been chronicled on the pages of The Milwaukee Times. One commonality these honorees share is that not a single one is a stranger to abuse, injustice, mis-treatment and stereotyping of their race. More importantly, it is abundantly clear from the myriad of individuals being honored, they did not allow events of their past or present circumstance in life to curtail their achievements. They did not allow the earlier cancers in their lives to kill their motivation, thus robbing them of ambition, determination and the perseverance to make a difference, not only in their lives, but in the lives of countless others.
NCON Publications welcomes letters to the editor, as a response to subjects reported or analyzed in the newspaper or on other issues of interest to the community. All letters must be legible, and contain a signature and a phone number. Submissions must be received by Friday to be considered for the following Thursday’s publication.
STAFF Publisher/President Lynda J. Jackson Conyers Graphic Artists William Gooden Michelle Anibas
Founders Louvenia Johnson Nathan Conyers Luther Golden Website Manager Antonio Alexander
Print Shop Manager Angel Reyes The Milwaukee Times Weekly newspaper is published each Thursday at 1936 N. MLK Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212 Telephone: 414-263-5088 • Fax: 414-263-4445 Email: miltimes@gmail.com • http://milwaukeetimesnews.com www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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2016 Black Excellence Awards
Thank You To Our Partners in Excellence
The Milwaukee Urban League
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Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
31st Annual Black Excellence Awards
In Memoriam...
Mrs. Louvenia Johnson, Milwaukee Times Founder L ouvenia Johnson, one of the founders
of The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper and the benefactor of the journalism college scholarship fund that bears her name, passed away on February 27, 2008, due to complications following a stroke. She was 96 years old.
Mrs. Johnson was known for being a woman of faith, strength, integrity, and her always being willing and available to offer a kind word of hope and sound advice. She was an astute businesswoman, communicator and grassroots activist who lived her belief of helping others less fortunate than herself. Trained as a licensed practical nurse, she moved to Milwaukee in 1939 with her husband, the late Paul Johnson, from her hometown of Dermott, Arkansas. In addition to working in healthcare, she also worked in the social service arena, serving as executive director of Project Focal Point, an agency serving both youth and elderly adults on Milwaukee’s north side.
tablished a bi-weekly newspaper devoted to church news within the city’s African American faith community known as, “The Christian Times.” Within its first year of publication, the paper grew in appeal to cover more general community news and was renamed The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper, with The ChrisIn 1981 as a retiree, she and three other Mil- tian Times remaining as a standing feature secwaukeeans – Nathan Conyers, Lynda Jackson tion to this day. Conyers, and the late Luther Golden – es-
Sheldon Dutes
Our Hosts
Sheldon Dutes comes to WISN 12 News as a weekend evening co-anchor on Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m., and Sundays at 5:30 and 10 p.m. “I'm thrilled to join WISN 12. The news team's commitment to quality journalism and reputation for good storytelling has earned the trust of the community for many years, and I'm proud to be News Anchor part of that legacy. I'm also excited to be back in the WISN 12 News Midwest! I graduated from Notre Dame and loved living in this part of the country,” says Dutes. Sheldon is an experienced reporter having worked in the country’s #1 television market for NBC 4 New York. Dutes also reported for WBAL-TV, Hearst’s station in Baltimore, MD, and WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC. Dutes joined 12 News in mid-December, and serves as co-anchor with Toni Valliere on the weekends.
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In 1985, Mrs. Johnson and her publishing team launched the Black Excellence Awards program, as a way to pay tribute to the good works of ordinary people from Milwaukee’s black community who were accomplishing extraordinary things, yet going unnoticed. The awards program observes its 31st year on February 19, 2016 and has honored more than 900 local citizens engaged in various endeavors that have benefited all of Milwaukee. At the third Black Excellence Awards program on February 27, 1988, Mrs. Johnson established The Louvenia Johnson Journalism Scholarship Fund, initially started with her retirement funds from Social Security, to assist college-bound high school graduates who wished to pursue careers in print and broadcast journalism. To date, more than $500,000 has been awarded to area students by the scholarship, which is now a 501-c-3, nonprofit, charitable organization under the IRS. Scholarship recipients include Jamal Abdul-Alim, former urban affairs reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; and Silvia Acevedo, former news reporter for WTMJ-TV/Channel 4 in Milwaukee. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her sister, Mrs. Algenora Davenport, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other loved ones.
Melinda Davenport
News Anchor WISN 12 News Melinda Davenport is the co-anchor on “WISN 12 News This Morning.” She joined the station in March 2014. No stranger to cold weather, Melinda comes to WISN-TV from its sister station WMUR in Manchester, NH. Davenport was an anchor/reporter at the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate for more than two years. Most recently, she anchored the station’s weekday noon newscast and weekend evening newscasts.
Davenport brings multi-market and multi-platform reporting experience to WISN-TV. Prior to joining WMUR, Davenport reported for WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT. She also freelanced for The New York Times Company, writing and publishing online articles, and worked in the public relations industry. A Texas native, Davenport received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. She followed that with a master’s degree in communication from Northeastern University in Boston. Davenport is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the International Association of Business Communicators. Melinda loves to shop and is a self-professed bargain hunter. She absolutely loves bass fishing, a hobby she picked up while living in New England. Melinda also enjoys international travel, listing Hong Kong and Tokyo among her favorite destinations.
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2016 Black Excellence Awards
31st Annual Black Excellence Awards
Keynote Speaker
Troy Vincent
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations
Full Circle: Celebrating Our Shared Vision for Excellence By Troy Vincent
cent was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. A few years before he retired, Mr. Vincent approached the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with an idea to create a program to help professional athletes prepare financially for the end of their career. His dream was realized with the formation of the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, which offers information about starting a business, investing and managing wealth prudently.
National Football League (NFL) Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy VinIn previous interviews with ESPN-TV, Vincent is our keynote speaker for the 31st Black Excellence Awards banquet set for Friday February cent has described his job as “to protect the in19, 2016 at the Italian Conference Center, 631 E. tegrity of the game.” This includes player safety, competitive fairness and all other aspects of the Chicago St. game. He reports directly to NFL Commissioner Before working for the NFL front office un- Roger Goodell. He has been in his current posider Commissioner Roger Goodell, Mr. Vincent tion since February 2010. played cornerback for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and many Badger fans hoped he would be drafted by the Green Bay Packers; but the Miami Dolphins chose him before the Packers even had a pick. During a 16-year NFL career, Mr. Vincent was selected to the Pro Bowl five consecutive years from 1999-2003. He played for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins.
He shares the record for the longest interception in Eagles history against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996; after teammate James Willis intercepted Troy Aikman four yards into the endzone, he ran 14 yards before lateraling to Vincent, who returned the interception 90 yards for a 104yard touchdown. During his career he amassed 47 interceptions and 5.5 sacks. In 2002 Vin-
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Vincent and his brother were raised by a single mother who worked as a corrections officer at Mercer County Corrections Center near Trenton, NJ, where Vincent was born. Vincent gets animated talking about upgrading technology. According to an article on the nfl.com, he describes how his eighth-grade son watches cut-ups of plays on an iPad, while until this year, NFL coaches and coordinators on the field and in the coaches’ boxes upstairs still used printouts. He chuckles when recalling how the still photos sent down to the field could get wet and sticky and be virtually useless in bad weather. Vincent has served on numerous boards over his career and serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and the State of New Jersey After 3 Program. He became the first active NFL player to serve on the National Board of Directors for Pop Warner Little Scholars Football. On March, 6, 2012, he was honored with a 2012 Jefferson Award for outstanding public service by an athlete. Vincent and his wife, Tommie, have five children. The family is known for its philanthropy. They founded the Love Thy Neighbor Community Development and Opportunity Corporation, a not-for-profit organization. Vincent also generously donates his time visiting schools and making appearances at various youth programs, according to an article published in 2011 by the Bucks Local News of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
During my lifetime, the pursuit of excellence has been at the core of my soul. In football, it was using each play to be better on the next one. Attending school at the University of Wisconsin, receiving the love and attention of families here who cared for me, embracing Wisconsin as my home, and the influence of my coaches all introduced me to a powerful notion: that Wisconsin presented an exceptional opportunity that would reach far beyond the turf at Camp Randall Stadium. Coach Barry Alvarez challenged me both physically and mentally and worked to perfect my character, leadership, tenacity and perseverance—all qualities that gave me an edge on the field and have contributed to my personal success off the field. These inspired a great vision to lead a life of excellence and to make a difference in the lives of others by standing for social justice and equality. This does not come easy. It requires tenacity, commitment, respect, resilience, and integrity. But achieving excellence cannot happen in a vacuum. Excellence is a team sport. You must line up with others who also comprehend the enormity of the goal, who want it as much as you do and are steadfast in their willingness to press on to achieve it. Words cannot explain the impact of Wisconsin on my life. It became my home, my family. Without the special community of people who made up my Wisconsin hometown upholding and nurturing my own drive to excellence, my life goals may never have been reached. In that encouragement, others can also rise above the toil of life to pursue excellence. Never give up. Never lose hope. Always have faith. I was blessed to be a Badger and will remain a Badger for life. My family and I are forever grateful to those who encircled me and believed in me. My journey has come full circle. It is a privilege to return to Wisconsin this week to deliver the keynote at the 31st Black Excellence Awards. I am even more honored to celebrate those being acknowledged as achieving excellence in their own lives.
(Troy Vincent is NFL Executive Vice President, Football Operations.)
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards
Our History
What is the BDPA? By Steve Waring, Special to The Milwaukee Times
The contest is a timed sociates in 1975 by Earl Pace event with participants typi- and David Wimberly, BDPA cally given eight hours to cre- was created to bring under-
Every year hundreds of high-school-age students throughout the U.S. voluntarily meet up to four hours weekly, learning advanced computer programming through local youth chapters of the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). Its motto is “Advancing Careers: From The Classroom To The Boardroom.” The Milwaukee Chapter typically meets for four hours each Saturday mornings in a classroom at Washington High School of Information Technology on Milwaukee's north side. Each student has a desktop computer and access Internet. Classes are taught by volunteer professional leaders drawn from prominent local businesses such as MillerCoors, Rockwell International, GE Healthcare, Jason Industries, Milwaukee County, DigiTech and the field of education. These are people Earl Pace who are passionate about sharing their enthusiasm for BDPA Co-founder information technology (IT) with the next generation of proficient in computers in young men and women in a world where virtually evMilwaukee. erything is either monitored through or becoming netAdult volunteers also do- worked to the internet. nate their Saturday mornings. Most teach once a month. In Students of this program addition to teaching the class, receive the equivalent of an the volunteers must also advanced college-level comperform some homework puter programming class by familiarizing themselves while still in high school, a with the curriculum ahead permanent career advanof time. During the orien- tage they are likely to maintation session held the first tain over their peers and an week, adult guardians are en- outstanding qualification couraged to attend with their to list on a college scholarchildren and learn about the ship application. The only program and the education- cost is $25. Scholarship opal advantages of becoming portunities are occasionally
Milwaukee chapter students at the BDPA 2015 National Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
Mike Williams, President National BDPA available for those who cannot pay. In the past few years the Milwaukee chapter has seen an increase in membership and dedication. After the 39-week advanced course is completed, about a dozen participants are selected to attend the national High School Computer Competition as part of an annual Technology Conference and Career Fair. The conference is held in various chapter cities. Last year it was held in Washington, DC. This year’s conference will be in Atlanta.
ate a program that can successfully meet the criteria set by the BDPA event organizers. Last year the Milwaukee chapter had one of the most improved scores of all participating chapters and several Milwaukee youth who participated last year are returning this year determined to do even better. The conference offers participants exposure to leaders and industry visionaries, such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell and billionaire entrepreneur David L. Steward, among others. The conference enables talented youth and business leaders from around the country to meet and network. Originally founded as the Black Data Processing As-
represented minorities together who were working in the information technology and computer science field for the purpose of professional development and academic enrichment. Since 1975, BDPA has been a champion for the next generation of IT leadership. As an organization of highly respected information and technology professionals, BDPA offers a unique opportunity to connect with others and to share knowledge among a community of peers through a variety of programs and continuing educational opportunities. The organization also places a strong emphasis on working with youth through its 40 local chapters in the U.S.
The 2015 Annual Technology Conference featured speaker General Colin L. Powell. An NCON Communications Publication
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Black Data Processing Associates”
Melodi Warren Andersen MillerCoors Brewing, Co. Melodi Warren Andersen began her career with Miller Brewing Company (now known as MillerCoors) in 1992 as a System Analyst in Payroll Systems. Celebrating her 25th anniversary, she is currently an Informations Senior Manager where she designs and builds financial systems. Melodi and her team also develop products and shipping strategies to help MillerCoors become the best beer company. Melodi was born and raised on the north side of Milwaukee, with her parents, Rose Marie and Frank Warren
and her four siblings: Judith, Steve, Charles, David and Maria. While growing up, her mother worked as cook manager for MPS and her father was a welder for A. O Smith. However Melodi’s career choice was inspired by her brother Charles, who was studying to be an engineer. She attended North Division and Custer High schools. After graduating, from Custer, she entered the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to study engineering. While at UWM, she took a computer class in which she stated, “This is logical, I can do this” and thereafter changed her career focus to computer science. She went on to earn a bachelors in business information systems degree from UWM in 1980. During college she was a Girl Scout leader; founded Minorities in Computers Organization, a summer program partnered with Golda Meir School; and volunteered with Minorities in Computer Related Occupations (MICRO), with the goal to help children and young adults become familiar with computers and increase the awareness of careers and opportunities available in information technology. In 2002, Melodi earned her Master of Arts in Project Management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Melodi is an active member of the Milwaukee chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). She serves on the Corporate Advisory Council where she helps raise funds for the National Conference. The motto for BDPA is “Advancing careers from the classroom to the boardroom.” Melodi also teaches the history of computer science and information technologies in business concepts to local middle school, high school and college level students. The students learn 21st century skills, which include programming, interpersonal skills and public speaking. Melodi also assists in training sessions to help college students participating in the IT Showcase with their research paper, show board and speech preparations, and compete on a national level for scholarships. In addition to Melodi is also a member of the Information Technology Senior Manager Forum (ITSMF). With ITSMF, she is cultivating African American Information Technology professionals in management to move into executive level positions.
Melodi began her career in information technologies at Marine Bank in 1980. She was one of two African Americans in the IT field. She also worked for Time Melodi enjoys giving back to the community. Insurance where she designed life insurance systems. Through BDPA she is able to share her knowledge of information technology with children and young adults; Melodi met her husband, Stanford Andersen, at Ma- and with ITSMF by providing expertise to African rine Bank. Stanford is an Analyst and Consultant for Americans professionals in advancing their careers to Omni. They have four children: Shenita, who earned the executive level. her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; twins Stanford (chemical engineer) and Frank (electrical She said, her motivation is fueled by helping African engineer); and Monica, who is currently enrolled as a Americans see the opportunities available in life and rebusiness student at the University of Wisconsin-Mad- alize their dreams. ison.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Allen Baylor was able to successfully negotiate the many obstacles that Milwaukee’s tempting streets can offer. He attended Washington Irving Elementary School, Burroughs Middle School, and Oak Creek High School. Allen attended Oak Creek High School during a time when the school was not as diverse as it is today. He played basketball while in high school. His experiences would expose him to friends and teammates of vastly diverse backgrounds. He graduated with approximately 20 other African American students from a class of nearly 600. Immediately following high school Allen enlisted in the United States Army Reserve; he served eight years and received an honorable discharge. He attended the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh for undergraduate degree. He earned his bachelor of science in urban & regional planning. He was an active student at UW-Oshkosh. Allen served as the liaison for student affairs with UWO administration; he was a member of the Black Student Union and Oshkosh Student Association Government. He also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
gree he worked for Manpower as a Systems Applications & Network Analyst where his responsibilities ranged from assisting in the massive rollout of the agency's in-house PowerBase system to staff troubleshooting. He then worked for GE Healthcare from 1999-2012. While at GE, Allen served in a variety of roles, the first being on the Global IT Security Team as an IT Security Administrator, where he would work on the transition to high speed Internet. Also, he led the effort to implement an IT Security Awareness Training Program for all staff as a security initiative for all of GE's businesses. He also served as the Technology Monitoring Analyst. In this role he would be responsible for many of the global interest for GE, particularly in Asia and Europe. He would perform analysis on routers, monitor and troubleshoot applications, and submit reports to ensure that the systems were operating at capacity. He served as the Americas Team Leader for the Global High Availability Team. He led this team by addressing and resolving all operation and team issues. He led two Six Sigma projects, and served on the Off Hour Support for the Global High Availability Team.
Allen Baylor MillerCoors Brewing, Co. Allen is also very responsive and attentive to the needs of his community. He currently serves as vice president of the Milwaukee Chapter Black Data Processing Associates which is a non-profit organization of professionals working in or having an interest in the computer science and information technology fields.
In his free time, Allen enjoys the outdoors, primarily fishing. He has been known to be an avid golfer as well, and he Allen’s growth and advance within GE plays in the company golf league. Healthcare would ultimately propel him to the position of IT Validation Manager, ComAllen attributes his motivation to sucseed to his parents Allen received his Masters of Busi- pliance Legacy Remediation Manager for the and grandparents. It was his teachers that talked to him, but ness Administration degree from Loyola Clinical Systems IT Team. it was his parents and grandparents that kept steady voices University of Chicago in 2006, where and examples before him. he focused on globalization and internaAllen currently works for MillerCoors as tional business, values-based leadership their Governance Specialist, Methods, StanAllen is married to his wife Dr. Aza Baylor, Ph.D., an edand ethics, as well as finance and theory. dards, and Quality (MSQ) Team, where he ucator and has two children: a son Amari, 7; and a daughter Allen has been fortunate to have worked provides IT governance support to various Niara, 5. in his field of study since graduating col- project managers. lege. Upon receiving his undergraduate de-
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Black Data Processing Associates” ness administration with a minor in computer science and in 1984 graduated from Concordia University with business administration/marketing degree.
Katherine Ellis-Crowder MillerCoors Brewing, Co.
With more than 30 years with MillerKatherine believes strongly that educaCoors, Katherine is currently a customer tion is the key to success. “Education equals service analyst. She manages inventory for exposure and it is the key that unlocks and distributors and serves as a direct link to the expands the possibilities for the future.” brewery by providing support and troubleshooting any issues with production. She attends Atonement Lutheran Church and volunteers with Project Cure, a comKatherine has been a member of the Mil- munity organization, where she assists with waukee Tutorial program through MillerCo- fundraising events and the Junior Achieveors for over 20 years. This program provides ment program. tutoring and mentoring for MPS students. She also participates in the African Ameri“Sharing knowledge and planting seeds can Employee Network (AAEN), which pro- and watching them grow and elevate through motes growth and development of African life,” Katherine says, are motivations for American employees within MillerCoors. continued excellence in her career and in the community. As vice president of professional development the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), she mentors 21st century skills such as public speaking, resume building and career planning to middle and high school students. Katherine also coordinates programs to bring in presenters, in various careers, to provide additional skills in team building, critical thinking and financial planning.
Married more than 30 years, Katherine and husband Michael Crowder, MillerCoors retiree, are the parent of three adult children: Katherine Ellis-Crowder, born and raised on the Michael, Kristyn, Camyra; and three grandnorth side of Milwaukee, graduated from Custer High children: Tyler Jackson, Jadon Crowder, and School in 1975. She attended Alverno College for busi- Camdon Jackson.
Carmen Giles is the Center of Excellence Manager and Applications Developer for MillerCoors. As a COE manager, Carmen and her team of internal and external resources are responsible for application software installation and development. In her 26-year career with MillerCoors, she has held various management positions, including Project Manager System Analysis, SAP Release Manager, Manager-Information Management, SAP-Integration Manager and Milwaukee Tutorial Manager. Carmen has been involved with the Milwaukee Tutorial program for the last 25 years. She manages coordination of tutoring for MPS school students at Mary McLeod Bethune Academy and delegates mentoring material for the more than 90 tutors who are MillerCoors employees. Carmen also serves as the vice president of administration for the African American Employee Network for MillerCoors. The purpose of AAEN is to champion the hiring, retention, development and promotion of African American at MillerCoors. Carmen organizes black history programs and works with the NAACP and other community organizations to provide educational, social and support opportunities. As chapter president of the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), Carmen oversees the organization and corporate sponsorship for the Milwaukee chapter, which now 75 members, In addition Carmen has received numerous honors and awards, such as Philip Morris Project Management certificate, Kraft Foods Leadership program and Dale Carnegie training.
Carmen Giles MillerCoors Brewing, Co.
Born and raised on the north side of Milwaukee, Carmen graduated from North Division High School. In 1981 she completed her bachCarmen is passionate about working with children. “We have to take elor of administration in mathematics degree at the University of Wis- them under our wings and prepare them for the future. They are our fuconsin-Milwaukee. She earned a masters certification in project man- ture.” agement in 2002 from George Washington University, and in 2003 Carmen is a member of Garden Homes Lutheran Church and sings in earned and MBA in global management from the University of Phoenix. the choir. She loves being involved and working with people. Carmen and husband George W. Giles, a MillerCoors retiree, have four children: Latrisa Giles, Sparkle Simon, Crystal Canada and Andrea Giles; eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Black Data Processing Associates”
Adrienne Williams has been working for the past 10 years working as MillerCoors procurement analyst. She is part of a 4-member team in her department. Her duties include purchase order management and performing spending analysis. Prior to this position Adrienne and worked as sales planning coordinator; supplier diversity assistant; financial distributor services coordinator; and business information solutions project coordinator.
Adrienne states that her mother is her biggest inspiration.
Her mother has been her biggest cheerleader and supporter over the years, and attributes the simple love and encouragement that her mother has provided over the years to her success today. Adrienne is a Milwaukee native and mother of four children: DeAnte, Dominick, Bria, and Braylon. She attended 27th Street Elementary School, 8th Street Middle School Adrienne has proven to be a very giv- and in 1988 she graduated from Shorewood ing person as well. She is currently the vice High School. president of finance for the Black Data Processing Associates, where she manages Adrienne has been diligent in furthering the finances of the organization, supports her own personal growth and development the professional and personal develop- by earning several degrees. She received her ment of the student and adult members. first degree from Bryant & Stratton College, Adrienne is also the treasure for Toastmas- earning an associate of arts degree in inforters, working with professionals in honing mation processing in 1993. She would later their public speaking and facilitation skills. earn her bachelors of science in information systems from Cardinal Stritch University in Adrienne serves as a tutor through 2002. This would lead her to get a masters MillerCoors, where she works with elemen- of business administration from the Univertary -age students at a local MPS school. sity of Phoenix in 2005, and a second masters of project management from the Keller She is a faithful member of Christ Graduate School of Management in 2009. the King Church in Milwaukee, where She has received professional certifications she serves on the audiovisual team. in project management as well.
Leonard Davis Rockwell Automation As an Information Technology Architect, Leonard Davis is responsible for analytics and reporting design systems in the analytical and reporting space. In short, he taking large sums of raw data and converting it into a more graphical, understandable form of information. Some areas of his expertise includes: Integration, Automation, Project Management, Program Improvement and Business Intelligence.
Adrienne Williams MillerCoors Brewing, Co.
He was a programmer before he became an architect; the difference being that a programmer writes software while the architect designs how programs work to make up a system. He has been with Rockwell Automation for 18 years, where he has As a member of the Black Data Processing Associheld positions as both an IT architect and an IT man- ates, he is one of the volunteer instructors who preager. pare Milwaukee students for the Annual High School Computer Competition sponsored by the BDPA. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Marquette University, where he mi“It is important for us as people of color to become nored in Information Technology. Always interested engaged. Technology is where the future jobs are, and in science and math, Leonard wrote his first program if we’re not prepared, we won’t get those jobs,” he when he was fifteen years old. He writes in seven dif- said. ferent computer languages, and builds computers as a hobby. Leonard believes it is never too late to pursue dreams, and encourage everyone to pursue their interAlthough there have been many positive influenc- est whether they are old or young. One of his future es in his life, his real inspiration was his high school goals is to teach App development to adults. math teacher, Henry Kranendonk who challenged and encouraged him. Kranendonk introduced Leonard to A single parent, Leonard is the father of three chilBASIC (Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction dren, 22, 17 and 5 years of age. His eldest child, a Code) programming, made him his lead in the class- daughter, is a screenwriter in Los Angeles. room, and was the driving force in helping him get into Marquette University. His parents also saw his talent at a very young age and encouraged him to continue his studies.
Reaching out and reaching back to help others is what drives Leonard. He volunteers by teaching computer programming at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts; teaches web development and mobile app development to high school students on a weekly basis; and has been working with Washington High School for almost 20 years by participating in InforLeonard has been in the field of mation Fairs to help recruit middle school children technology for almost 40 years, and into their technology programs. says it is all he’s ever done in his career. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Black Data Processing Associates” One of his proudest achievements is being responsible for the daily, effective integration of technology across all strands of curriculum from arts and music to math. Technology is an integral part of what goes on in the classroom. Another achievement is ensuring that each child is provided with their own computing device such as a Chromebook, or a laptop.
James Davis Milwaukee Public Schools
“All of them have access to computing defeels fortunate that there were too many mentors to vices that are wireless. All school buildings are 100 name them all. Both his parents are deceased, but he percent wireless. Kids can walk with notebooks and is also grateful for a mother that pushed him. still hook into the system, which gives them connectivity,” he said. His passion is children and improving their quality James has been with MPS for 15 years and retired in of life. He has attempted to use technology in such a December 2015. he has a bachelor of science degree way as to make a difference in the lives of all people, in business management. He received an Associate he says. Degree from Wayne City Community College, continued his studies at the University of Detroit, and His advice: “Get our young people to understand completed a few remaining credits at the University that regardless of their background, if they put their of Phoenix for his degree. “Back in the ‘60’s colleges minds to it they can achieve. We must keep our kids didn’t teach computer programming, so manufac- on track, especially in urban America. If we don’t turers were proprietary – you had to take classes at educate them, we’re feeding the prison system.” He their institutions to learn to write language specific to would like to see every child in the position to make a them,” he said. contribution to society. His relationship with technology began during four years in the United States Navy. When he completed his service in 1969, he attended college on the GI Bill. He began his career as a computer operator, advanced to systems analyst and went on to become an IT director. In addition to MPS, James’ background as an IT Director includes positions with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and the state of Michigan’s Unemployment and Security Benefits Division.
As the retired Director of Technology for Milwaukee Public Schools, James Davis provided strategy, direction, and coordination of all technology-related functions for the district. Those functions must assure that all teachers and staff have access to appropriate technology, and that administrative functions are technologically efficient and effective. James makes it clear, however that his bot- There have been tons of mentors that affected his tom line is that what he did had to affect the life, according to James. While in the service and afkids positively. terward, there were supervisors who always pushed him to the next level, and gave him kind advice. He
Jonathan Jackson Jason Industries, Inc.
As Vice Present of Information Technology for Jason Industries, Inc., a leading automotive and industrial manufacturing company with specialties in automotive, acoustics, seating, components, and finishing, Jonathan Jackson's focus is to set the strategic direction for technologies. For example, he reorganized four business units into one entity, which resulted in streamlining the business process through technical application. Some of his professional specialties include, information technology strategies growth planning, project/program management, disaster recovery plans, and system architecture.
James works with children outside the school system as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. He is a member of New Testament Church of Milwaukee and is an ordained Elder and a Deacon of the church. He says that as he retires from professional life, everything going forward is about his involvement in various aspects of ministry. He is the father of three children from a previous marriage, and he and his wife of fifteen years are the permanent guardians for a nine-year-old great niece and 10-year-old great nephew.
Although always science and math oriented, his father still pushed him toward technology. Jonathan said his father would sometimes seem to forget his age, and at one point told him he was too old for toys. Still a youngster who did indeed want toys, Jonathan’s re- with young people. He is affiliated with sponse was, “Well fine. Get me a com- the YMCA Black Achievers mentor ship puter.” program and with a speaker program purposed with working with inner city schools. To his surprise, that’s exactly what his father did. Computers were very expenHis advice to anyone seeking to achieve sive at that time, but somehow he found their goals, particularly young people, is a way, he said. Of course, his relation- to find their passion. He believes in helpship with computers began with playing ing youngsters to see real life possibilities; games, but it wasn’t long before he was actually allowing kids to sit in the boardinto programming and beyond. room and providing awareness that there is something beyond high school. Jonathan and his father had a close relationship until he passed in 2002. He “Whatever it is you have a passion for, was a mentor and role model who taught go there. Discover that love and that will him respect for others, the goodness of determine where you go. What you do courage, and morality. His mother was won’t be work,” he said. also a strong and impacting figure in his Jonathan is married, and the father of life. eight-year-old triplets (two boys and a girl) whom he says are all amazingly inJonathan believes in giving back to dependent with their own distinct perthe community, particularly by working sonalities.
“I’m a problem solver at heart. People bring me their problems, and I solve them. That’s how I’m wired,” he said. Jonathan is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA with a bachelor of science degree in computer science. An NCON Communications Publication
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Jimmie Lindsey Superior Support Resources, Inc. Jimmie Lindsey was born the youngest of five children (three girls and two boys) in Milwaukee. His mother, Jewel, was a teacher; and his father, Jimmie, Sr., was a brick mason and army veteran. They overcame social barriers and urban poverty by starting two successful grocery stores and liquor businesses on the north side of Milwaukee.
vice, Jimmie retired from the United States Navy as a 3rd Class Petty Officer. In 1997, he graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. he later completed a master of business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. in 2004, he earned a graduate certificate in project management. Jimmie worked at Rockwell Automation for six years, transitioning the company from hardware to software as a senior program analyst and program manager. He developed 45 patents while working for Rockwell Automation and independently holds seven patents. He demonstrated superior technological skills as technology portfolio manager, senior programmer/analyst, systems development manager, and applications development manager for Metavante, The Garvey Group, and Milwaukee County. He is an expert in software development for manufacturing, banking, e-commerce industries, and for use in the public sector. He is currently the applications development manager for Superior Support Resources, the fastest growing minority-owned and operated consulting firm, located in Brookfield, WI.
Jimmie has led applications development and developed software throughout his career. His mentor, Albert Thomas, introduced him to ‘First Robotics,’ at Custer High School several decades ago. Jimmie has continued to act on his desire to give back to the students of Milwaukee Public Schools through Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) High School Computer Competitions. For 2016, Jimmie will lead applications development programs at Milwaukee Public Schools offered by Superior Support Resources. Jimmie is inspired by students. He has personally reached out and guided them to challenge themselves. “Someone saying I couldn’t do it got me going,” Jimmie reflected. “I am always motivated by a challenge; I would suggest trade school or the military for some students because I needed it.” Jimmie always thinks about young people and ways to challenge them to do better for themselves. Jimmie and his wife, Kathy Marie, motivate their 16-year-old daughter, Jeneva Marie, to challenge herself. She is a 4.0 student with a bright future. Jimmie is a lifetime member of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church and has attended Christ the King Baptist Church located on Milwaukee's northwest side for several years.
In 1984, Jimmie graduated from Rufus King High School and attended Howard University. Not completely prepared for college life, his parents withdrew him from Howard. Jimmie, dissatisfied with his situation of being at home, enlisted in the United States Navy and his life began to take shape. “The military straightened me out,” explained Jimmie. Jimmie served as a Navy aviation electrician's mate and controls engineer. He participated in Air Crewman candidate school. After thirteen years of ser-
Black Achievers.
Harold Moore was born in South Korea and raised in Milwaukee. His father is from Selma, AL and mother from South Korea. Harold grew up in the inner city of Milwaukee and have seen and experienced some of the benefits and challenges within the community. Harold was inspired by local musicians to play the piano and the organ, and pursue formal music education at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He attended Wauwatosa East and graduated with a bachelor of science from University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin. Harold began his career in information systems during his last years in college. He was employed as a customer service representative with JCPenney and took a fifty percent pay cut to fix computers at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee campus. He realized he needed to gain information systems experience to participate in a corporate internship. “It paid off,” said Harold. Six months after working on campus, he secured an internship at Johnson Controls. “This was my springboard into the world of corporate information technology,” Harold said. Harold is currently the Director of IT Security at Froedtert and The Medical College of Wisconsin. He ensures sensitive information is guarded and prevents breaches of information security.
Harold has been fortunate to have had role models in his life that demonstrated, inspired, and nurtured an environment of excellence. His role model is his father, Harold Moore Sr., Pastor of Mercy Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. His mentors include Martin Davis, former Chief Technology Officer of Wells Fargo Bank; and Pastor Julius R. Malone of New Testament Church of Milwaukee. Harold believes that God has plans for each of us and that God desires for us to be inspired and to excel in the opportunities planned for us. Harold is inspired by his wife of ten years, Tiffany Moore. He is inspired by watching their two sons, Bryson and Chase develop and seeing their potential, strives to be the best father and husband that he can be.
“Reading God’s word inspires me in ways none other can,” exHarold finds time to give back to the community in Mil- claimed Harold. He is a licensed waukee. He shares his time and talents to encourage and en- minister and a musician at New courage others to become the best they can be. He currently Testament Church of Milwaukee, participates in the Black Data Processing Associates Chapter where he and his family are long (BDPA) of Milwaukee, empowering youth to get a head start time members. on technology and career development. Previously, he volunteered with Junior Achievement of Milwaukee and YMCA www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Harold Moore Froedtert/Medical College of WI
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Black Data Processing Associates” nities and emerging international markets.” Dan also volunteers as a teacher with the Milwaukee chapter of the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). Dan grew up near North 38th and West Villard Streets and was known for enjoying and taking on a range of interests, including studying bugs and taking mechanical things apart and trying to reassemble them. Much later Dan earned a master’s degree in computing from Marquette University.
Dan Thomas, III DigiTech Technology, LLC In 2014 Dan Thomas, III, founded his own firm, DigiTech Technology, LLC, an information technology (IT) company that specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses maintain and grow their IT infrastructure. Dan is working to bring new products and projects he worked on in graduate school to market. He is hopeful that the company will be able to show its first profit in 2016, an excellent performance for an IT start up. Lately Dan has focused a significant amount of his company resources and his personal time on helping other African Americans become more proficient in computer science. One of his ambitions is to bring Internet access and free “21st century educational content to low income commu-
sometimes went back after school in order to make sure everything was completed. He said he learned to do his homework while commuting on the bus.
“My own station had a little bit of talk and a lot of music,” he said. “While at Pulaski High School, I created my own Internet streaming radio station.” He said he has an “unquenchable sense of curiosity" and wants to make an impact, es“Even though they were a little pecially within Milwaukee’s African dated by the time we got our hands American community. on them, we made pretty good use of them,” he said. Dan said he first became passionDan began participating on the ate about volunteer work while servhigh school debate team in order to ing at Roosevelt Middle School of improve his communication skills, the Arts for a student group, “Enviwinning first place in the annual Dr. ronmentally Concerned Students”, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a and much later as UWM’s volunteer Dream” speech contest. He also par- coordinator at the University Christicipated in a co-op study program tian Ministries program. One of which required him to commute al- his volunteer highlights was a trip most an hour by city bus and then to help rebuild New Orleans after walk a half-mile on a dirt road to his Hurricane Katrina and serving as internship at a radio station (WMIL/ an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in WKKV). The arrangement required Visalia, CA. Dan to attend his high school classes in the afternoon, but his work“Volunteering in New Orleans load at the radio station meant he made a huge emotional impression Dan’s computer experience began in elementary school where he and a number of other classmates were fortunate enough to work with Apple II computers.
on me,” he said. “I was surprised how much destruction was still there six months after Hurricane Katrina. I was also very moved by the determination and hospitality of the local people. We were working alongside the ‘die-hards’, residents determined to see their city rebuilt. At the time, there was still a lot of destruction and uncertainty and we were working to try and help homeowners who were enduring the aftermath of the storm.” Dan said he sees his work teaching for BDPA as sharing the keys to his own success with others. He hopes to ignite in them the same level of passion that drove him to create a growing business. “The world is complex and I like to stay ahead and bring others along with me,” he said. “Many believe that Milwaukee is on the verge of becoming a hub of creativity and innovation. When you are confident, you are willing to bring others along and encourage them to compete against you. Competition breeds creativity. That’s what I’d like to think I’m doing here."
He has worked as a cyber security project manager, Salesforce.com design lead, mobile supply chain application project manager, and eCommerce cloud initiatives leader. Timothy is continuing his career with General Electric as a compliance assurance lead in Detroit, MI. Timothy L. Webb, Jr., was born in Hopewell, VA to military parents, and was raised in Columbia, SC. In December 2013, Timothy earned a bachelor of science degree in Integrated Information Technology (IIT) from the University of South Carolina. While in the IIT program, Timothy earned the Dean’s List Honors all four years at the University of South Carolina. He has been honored by Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization; Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society; Alpha Tau chapter of Order of Omega; South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar; Kappa Alpha Psi Leadership Enhancement; Development Institute Scholar; and earned a United States Department of Energy Security Clearance. He interned at BMW, Duke Energy, SCE&G, IBM, and VC3 during his collegiate career and served as president of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the Association of Information Technology Professionals.
Timothy continues to push himself. He has led one of GE Healthcare’s service initiatives, Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) High School Computer Competition, acting as a representative, mentor, and ambassador. His hard work and academic talent expands to organizing community events and being a mentor to youth. Timothy served as Committee Chair of the ITLP Community Inclusion Committee. In 2015, he developed the relation with BDPA, bringing fellow colleagues aboard to mentor and teach technical and professional development sessions to Milwaukee youth.
Timothy gives back to those in need each holiday season. He organizes an annual Christmas toy drive in Columbia, SC. “SucIn January 2014, Timothy relocated to Milwaukee and be- cess to me isn’t money or material assets; gan his full time career with GE Healthcare in the Infor- it’s uplifting the next individual to succeed,” mation Technology Leadership Program (ITLP). ITLP is a said Timothy. He has a passion to help deprestigious 2-year experience which has allowed Timothy to gain a broad knowledge base in global services, global supply chain, commercial marketing, and IT risk & compliance. An NCON Communications Publication
Timothy L. Webb, Jr. GE Healthcare velop our future young leaders. “My greatest success is knowing I am able to help someone else," said Timothy. Who is committed to making a positive difference in the community. He is a member of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.
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Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients 1988 - 2016
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2016 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients Job Alexander Job Alexander is a senior at Marquette University High School with a 3.08 GPA. He is regarded by his teachers as a creative and talented student, especially with computers. For the past two years, he has played on the varsity basketball team and served as a Pride Homeroom Leader. In his spare time he plays intramural sports and participates in Marquette University service projects. He is a member of the youth group at Lamb of God Missionary Baptist Church and served as a bookkeeper for the Milwaukee Special Olympics in 2014. He plans to attend either Cleveland State University or the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he hopes to major in business and finance.
Raven Avery-Moore
Raven Avery-Moore has been dreaming of attending college since she first began attending school. She is a senior at Brookfield Central High School with a 3.11 GPA. She serves as a tech assistant for the art teacher and her algebra teacher describes Raven as “a mature, hard-working and responsible woman… determined to learn and eager to improve on whatever task is given her.” In her spare time she is involved in a number of community activities and programs. She attends the Academy of Dance Arts and in 2014 she performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. She plans to attend either the University of Illinois-Chicago or the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she intends to major in education and art.
Devin Burton Devin Burton, a senior at Riverside University High School, exemplifies the characteristics of an outstanding student, according to his guidance counselor. Devin has maintained a 3.36 GPA while working two part-time jobs. Since 2012, he has worked at Dream Bikes Milwaukee. And for the past year he has also worked at Pick'n Save. Devin also dedicates a significant amount of time to do volunteer work. He serves with the National Honor Society – Buck’s Readers, the MPS Special Olympics and many others. His career ambition is to become either a doctor or a physician’s assistant. He plans to attend either the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Darnell Granberry Darnell Granberry is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.9 GPA. He is a senior at Wauwatosa East High School where he has participated in band and jazz for four years. He is also a leader on the school wrestling team. In junior high school Darnell became interested in engineering and is particularly passionate about discovering new uses for recycled materials. According to his teachers, Darnell consistently exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities. He hopes to attend either Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he hopes to major in biomechanical engineering or materials science engineering.
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2016 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients Isaac Izard Isaac Izard is a senior at Rufus King High School where he has maintained a 3.5 GPA. His teachers maintain that Isaac is a very focused young man who spends most of his time studying or researching colleges, career possibilities and future goals. He serves as a mentor to incoming freshmen and has volunteered at Washington Public Library, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, his local church as well as many other community-based programs. He has already been accepted on a partial scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has not yet decided on a field of study.
Domonique Kent Domonique Kent is regarded as a young woman with strong leadership skills. She is a senior at Rufus King High School with a 3.29 GPA. In her essay, she said her ambition is to use her education to create a better environment for herself and her peers. She worked more than 80 community service hours during her senior year. Her advisor wrote that Domonique has been a “model participant” in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Talent Search Program since 2011. Throughout her enrollment in the program her advisor said that she has taken advantage of the many opportunities to learn and prepare for college. She plans to attend either the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities or Purdue University where she hopes to study family social science and psychotherapy.
Brian McDowell, Jr. Brian McDowell, Jr., is a senior at the Milwaukee School of Languages where he garnered honors in Advanced French and earned a 3.0 GPA. For the past two years, he has held part-time jobs as a Brand Sales Representative for Abercrombie and Fitch and as a cook at Mama’s Italian Restaurant. He has also served as captain of the boys’ basketball team and played baseball since 2013. He has earned many other honors and awards and shows great potential as a leader and a problem solver, according to Dr. F.L. Crouther, Pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church. Brian hopes to attend either Hampton University or Wichita State University where he intends to study architecture or sports medicine.
Martinez Milton, Jr.
Martinez Milton, Jr., is a senior at North Division High School with a 3.48 GPA, enough to earn him the number one rank out of his graduating class of 70. He served as president of the school newspaper and yearbook. In his essay he said his dream is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting. Throughout all four high school years, he has served on a number of volunteer committees. He has received numerous awards and achievements, including a Letter of Great Achievement from the U.S. House of Representatives. He hopes to attend either Marquette University or the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Abigail Thompson
Abigail Thompson is a senior with a 4.0 GPA at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts. She serves as president of the local chapter of the National Honor Society. Her teachers praise her for her drive, determination and focus. During high school she worked part-time as a receptionist at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She also served as a children’s ministry intern at Imago Dei Church. Abigail has already been accepted to six colleges. She has not yet decided which one she will attend, although she lists Yale University as her first choice. She would like to major in theater/communication.
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Art
Gloria M. Miller met a needle and thread at six years old. Born in Forrest City AR, a small town of nearly 8,000 people, Gloria was taught sewing by her late mother, Shirley Barnes Triplett. Her mother had seven children and the patience to teach her inquisitive daughter Gloria how to sew on the sewing machine. She learned very fast. Her mother taught her how to examine garments closely, check for errors, and ensure perfection. “I can still hear my mother saying to me, ‘Baby, that’s not right, take it apart and start all over',” recalled Gloria. She has created and seamed costumes and other “funky” styles of attire. Because Gloria never thought her sewing abilities would develop into a part-time career, she worked as a civil servant for the city of Milwaukee. Gloria possesses nearly four decades of service and is also a gifted seamstress entrepreneur who has been very successful. Gloria attended Riverside High School. In 1969, she was voted Homecoming Queen and graduated with many awards. She received the Citizen’s Scholarship Fund from General Motors. In 1988, Gloria received an associate of arts degree in marketing management from Milwaukee Area Technical College. She served as the Student Senate Delegate to the National Association of Student Activities, Regional Convention, and MATC New Student Ambassador, Career Day Speaker, and Organizer of A New Vision of Self, a women’s support group at MATC North Campus. In 2009, Gloria participated in the Non-Profit Management Certificate program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which has been applied to her full-time professional career working for more than twenty-five community-based organizations and groups.
Gloria has contributed to Milwaukee on many platforms. She is motivated by lessons taught by her parents regarding giving back to others and applying healthy family values. She continues to apply healthy family values for the benefit of her sons, Damon Miller and Dexter Weaver, and grandchildren, Alex, Jordan, and Jackson. She is happy to have her partner and best friend, John McCottrell, to share her life’s journey. She belongs to Saint Matthew C.M.E. Church, and has been a member for more than thirty-four years. She was honored by her church in 1994 with the Outstanding Women’s Day Recognition Award. She uses her gifts and talents where she believes God Gloria Miller would want her to use them, includFashion Designer ing working with students and adults enrolled through the Milwaukee Recreation Program. Gloria continues to work part-time and inspire protégés, Jenine Gloria has served as chairperson for the Status Cotrice Addison (niece) and Zoe Strogier-Bey. of Women Top Ladies of Distinction Incorporated; grant writer; board member for the Intercession Incorporated; board member for the Northcott Neighborhood House; board member for the American Heart Association; planning committee for the Women of the World Conference; board member for the Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin; executive director of African World Festival; board director for the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation; and others. Also, Gloria served on the Milwaukee Community Brainstorming Executive Committee. Gloria was honored by the United States Postal Service, Women Putting Their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee, in 2004, for her services.
Kai Simone is the executive director and co-founder of SKai Performance Arts Academy, located in West Milwaukee. SKai Performing Arts Academy has reached more than 3,000 students through workshops and performances in Milwaukee. SKai Performing Arts Academy has performed on a variety of stages and events, including Summerfest, Marcus Center, Turner Hall, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the closing of DreamGirls. Nearly a decade ago, Kai relocated to Milwaukee from Chicago with her family and her career continued to soar. Prior to her relocation, Kai studied Kinesiology for Sports and Recreation at Cochise College in southeastern Arizona. She spent two years in Arizona as a popular radio personality. Kai graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2006 concentrating in Theater, Directing, and Design. Kai has acted in ETA Creative Theater Arts Productions. She was the theater instructor for the Gallery 37 Advance Arts Program. She has produced plays and performed as a child. She has an extensive music background and has been successful at her craft of performing arts. She worked at Kohl’s Children’s Museum and turned stories into musicals. Kai moved to Los Angeles to co-write several plays and musicals. She developed long-lasting relationships with executives from A&R Recording Inc. Kai’s protégé, Sharon Erving, appeared on America’s Got Talent, was also the first “Imani” performer. “Imani and The Magical Drum” was a highly successful musical written and produced by Kai for the first time. An NCON Communications Publication
nerships, and develops marketing. Kai provides lessons and is passionate about curriculum, theory, and showmanship. Kai continues to pursue theatrein various capacities. She has produced for many schools, including Milwaukee Public Schools. Kai explains, “I am grateful to bring a bridge between children and schools but I don’t stop there – I want children to understand what it means to be excellent.” She is an inspiration to her 14-yearold daughter, who sings and is part of a local band. Kai believes that her daughter and each of us are on a journey and we must try to be better and see everything. If we choose not to be better, then we are cheating ourselves and the world.
Kai Simone Theatre/Music Kai has been involved in the performance arts throughout the United States in Be Mo Jazz, Taste of Chicago, Family Fun Fest, First Children’s Act, The Fabulous Sisters, Los Angeles Children’s Museum, Chicago Park District, Arts at Large, and Jazz @ 5pm. Kai maintains close partnerships with Arts Support Holistic Education; Heather Ireland Robinson, a co-producer of several plays, and Orbert Davis, an award-winning trumpeter and professional mentor. Kai participated in Teaching Kids on Broadway. As the Executive Director of SKai Performance Arts Academy, she is an instructor, organizer of residencies and performances, establishes partwww.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Corporate Trailblazers
and hiring process at MHSI. She prepares, assist and coordinates providers recruitments and orientations for clinical support staff and board members for local news and radio interviews. She keeps MHSI relevant via social media and through other web-based mediums. Pam is responsible for the branding of the organization through creating promotional items and campaigns. Pam’s most important role is as a patient advocate, through assisting with the patients' daily care and resolving any concerns of the clients. Prior to her current role with MHSI, Pam for many years worked for Dr. Benjamin Victoria, a wellknown obstetrician and gynecologist, where she would eventually manage his clinic. She later went to work for Planned Parenthood and the National Women’s Health Organization, all the while becoming Pamela Clark increasingly interested in women’s Milwaukee Health Services health issues. During this time, she was focused on serving her community and working as a patient Pamela K. Clark is the Corporate advocate. In 2005, the National Communications Specialist for Mil- Women’s Health Organization would waukee Health Services (MHSI). permanently closed their doors, and Pam’s role consists of being the li- that is when Pam would find her way aison between MHSI and state and to MHSI. federal non-profit organizations and developing and managing provider In 2006, Pam was hired by MHSI as recruitment campaigns that include the Medical Staff Coordinator, sevall arrangements during the interview eral years later she would be promoted to her current position as Corporate Communications Specialist. Pam continues to uphold the
established mission statement, which is to provide accessible, quality primary and related health care services to Milwaukee residents, with a continuing emphasis on medically-underserved families and individuals. With remarkable foresight, Pam understands the importance of creating an open dialogue through media communication and providing an environment where patients can access health care services, receive quality primary health care services and improve customer service at MHSI by interacting without oversight from patients and community agencies. Pam is a proven leader. She encourages her colleagues to be open to communicating and experimenting with ideas to improve the quality of care and service of each patient and partner. Pam’s insistence on diversity has been a valuable asset to those who are non-African American or gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender because she ensures that all clients have a voice and are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. Pam’s passion is to coordinate events for the community. She enjoys watching the growth of her events and how the community is
Michael Evans currently works for Amato Auto Group, where he is the Service and Parts Manager. He manages of team of approximately 25 staff. Since 2012, he oversees the staffing, training, and customer service areas. He also works on manufacturer reports, ensuring that his team has the most current product information. Michael motivates and mentors his staff. He provides them opportunities to grow personally and professionally by exposing them to a variety of training and promotional opportunities.
She is also committed to educating the community on their access to quality healthcare, by not using emergency rooms as a primary care clinic. She works hard to inform the community that MHSI is a comprehensive healthcare facility that can treat diabetic patients, behavioral health patients, and they also have a dental clinic. Their clients have access to a wide variety of services and she will keep communicating this message until we resolve the health issues that plague our community so disproportionately like asthma, diabetes and early infant mortality. Pam is a Milwaukee native. She currently resides in Glendale, and is married to her husband Norman Cason.
Engines and working with his hands are not only Michael’s profession. They are also among his passions. His Facebook page includes a photo of him on his immaculately maintained Harley Davidson motorcycle. Working in shops as a small child are some of Michael’s earliest memories. These days he’s managing the shop, but he is very interested in his own professional growth as well. His ambition is to become the Service Director or to work for a manufacturer as a liaison to dealerships, where he would translate the technical descriptions of products into a more consumer friendly language. Michael has his finger on the pulse in this industry. He understands the marketplace and the customer. He is a motivator and inspiration to those that he meets. He is a problem solver and a unifier, who enjoys a reputation for being willing to give people a chance.
The respect he enjoys among his employees is reflected in his willingness to ensure that employees and customers are satisfied with work performed by Amato Auto Group. Michael has served as a liaison between the factory and customer to settle warranty disputes. He has also intervened appropriately during difficult customer situations. Perhaps the most significant indicator of the respect and esteem in which he is held is made evident by the low turnover rate among staff. Michael attended Milwaukee Public Schools, receiving his high school diploma from John Marshall High School. He has worked since he was in the seventh grade. His work ethic and discipline are a common trait for Michael. Throughout school, Michael led by example. By refusing to submit to peer pressure, he was able to keep himself and many of his friends from becoming involved with gangs.
able to learn and benefit from their services, thus creating a memorable experience at MHSI, which otherwise wouldn’t be expected.
Michael was born and raised on the north side of Milwaukee. He has been married to his wife Sarah for 17 years. Together the couple has three children: Michael, Jr., 16; Madeline, 13; and Sydney, 8.
Michael Evans Amato Auto Group
Michael was able to side-step the various pitfalls that ensnare so many of Milwaukee’s youthful, inner-city, black males. Colleagues describe Michael as a very dedicated and hardworking individual who loves his job. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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about the parent – taking the initiative and following through. You can’t depend on the schools for that,” she said. Theresa and John are also the grandparents of one child, with a second on the way.
Theresa Jones Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare As Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Strategies for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Theresa Jones provides oversight and direction for health equity initiatives and programs, cultural competence, language access services, and workforce diversity and development. She forms collaborative relationships with local, regional, national and community based organizations; supports the creation of organizational policies and practices; and provides oversight for diversity related analytics. Her goal is to ensure health equity, diversity and inclusion to culturally, racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse pa-
While advocating for inclusion and workforce diversity on a local and national level, Theresa recently conducted workshops and speaking engagements on the intentional hiring of men of color for The Nonprofit tient populations and associates. Center; advancing language services for both CyraTheresa has more than 25 years of experience in Com International, Inc., and the American Hospital human resources and diversity and inclusion manage- Association; and was a diversity panelist for a session ment. She has a bachelor of arts degree in management at the American College of Healthcare Executives and communication, and a master of science degree in Conference. organizational leadership from Norwich University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of African Americans in Human ReAs committed as Theresa is today to diversity and sources; for St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care; inclusion, her initial interest was in business. It wasn’t and for INROADS/Wisconsin. until she switched to a four-year university that she was exposed to additional fields of study and realized there As a member of Parklawn Assembly of God Church, were many more possibilities available. When she disTheresa is actively engaged in the Healing Group Mincovered human resources, she acknowledged that was istry and in leading the Growing Together Campaign. her field, and never looked back. Mentoring and parenting are keys to success, according to Theresa. She knows this because the most important mentor in her life was also her parent. Her mother insisted on providing a strong academic foundation for her, and instilled the moral values that Theresa has carried through her life. “My mother was a domestic who wanted her children to do better. She knew a college education was the ticket. Her sacrifice was to make sure we had that opportunity.” Theresa and husband, John followed her mother’s prescription with their own children, Dawn and Dwayne, who both earned master’s degrees. “It’s all
As Vice President of the asset management group of Robert W. Baird & Co., a primary focus for Devon Norwood is to expand relationships with Baird’s investment intermediary partners. She generates reports on products and performance for and to clients, and has a key role in increasing productivity, efficiency and effectiveness as a part of the client services team. Devon identifies and assists in the implementation of process improvement and solutions; collaborates with marketing and communications to create marketing strategies for Baird Funds; and represent Baird Funds at investment conferences.
The goal of the group was to promote diversity, inclusion and engagement across the firm aimed at associates of color. As co-chair, she influenced and implemented long-term strategies focused on recruitment, development and retention. Devon finds it particularly rewarding that she is able to influence change and have an impact within the company. In 2014, she completed the Cardinal Stritch University Leadership Center African American Leadership Program (AALP). She is a volunteer for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and teaches Milwaukee area students skills in financial literacy.
Devon has been with Baird for eight years, and has over 10 years of client service experience in the financial services industry. Her financial services background includes work at Wells Fargo Bank as a collateral asset base examiner and as an internal auditor. She has a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and is Series 7 and 66 licensed. The team Devon works with at Baird has been together for more than 30 years, so every day is a learning experience and a challenge, she said.
In June 2015, Devon and husband Rae welcomed daughter Lana into the family, and says she is still striving to achieve that work/life balance.
Devon Norwood
Although Devon’s parents are both financial adRobert W. Baird & Co. visors, she was initially interested in dentistry. In her sophomore year of college, she realized she enjoyed certain aspects of the financial market and took some business classes. Those classes would day life. eventually lead to her current career. Devon’s message to others who are reaching for In terms of mentors, she acknowledges that al- success is that every role, regardless how large or though many people have had an impact on her small, prepares you for the next. “Whatever you’re life, her parents were her primary mentors. She doing – do it really, really well. People notice and was always able to use them as sounding boards, opportunity comes after that.” and obtain their insights on various situations. She also acknowledges their impact on her in terms of From 2011 to 2014, Devon co-chaired PRISM, positive core values and how to navigate in every- Baird’s multicultural associate resource group.
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Dara Atandare Top Teens, of America Inc. Milwaukee Chapter Dara Atandare is a Milwaukee native and graduate of Messmer High School. She is a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee alumna earning an undergraduate degree in history in 1992. In 2001, Dara earned a graduate degree from Marian University. Dara is currently a doctoral candidate for Curriculum and Leadership Studies at Marian University.
Dara possesses nearly twenty-five years of experience in the education field. In 1990, Dara began her career with Milwaukee Public Schools as a paraprofessional for the Even Start Program. She worked with students from birth through seven years of age and teens as a teen parent advocate. Dara remained committed to educating children. In 1997, Dara earned a Cross Categorical Special Education Initial Educator license and began working at Jackie Robinson Middle School for five years. Dara was selected for special assignment as the Teacher in Residence for the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She served as a liaison and provided knowledge and resources required for those interested in working within Milwaukee Public Schools. Dara assisted instructors for the University of Milwaukee Wisconsin Department of Curriculum and Instruction and later became an Associate Lecturer for UWM. She continued her commitment to serve the students of Milwaukee Public Schools by choosing to earn additional State of Wisconsin certifications: Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional Behavioral Disabilities, Administrator K-12, and Director of Special Education and Pupil Services. Dara became a Diagnostic Teacher for
Anthony McHenry is a role model, particularly for families residing in the Westlawn community of Milwaukee. He has invested more than 17 years into the lives of children and families at Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. In 1999, Anthony joined Silver Spring Neighborhood Center as a social studies teacher. He later became the assistant principal. Anthony has worked closely with at-risk youth, making a significant impact in their lives, becoming the youth program director in 2001. He has served Silver Spring Neighborhood Center as director of operations, assistant director, and assistant executive director from August 2003 through June 2013. Anthony is currently the executive director of Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, managing a staff of eighty. He is responsible for all youth and family programming. He oversees eight programs, including prenatal care for expecting mothers; daily activities for senior citizens; healthy child program; youth and teen programs servicing more than 1600 children ages 6 through 19; and quality early childhood education for ages 6 weeks through 12 years old.
the Department of Specialized Services at Milwaukee Public Schools and became a Special Education Supervisor for ten years. Dara served as Adjunct Instructor for Cardinal Stritch University in 2015 and is currently Assistant Director of Special Education for the Green Bay Area Public School District.
“Although education was not a career that I selected initially, I realized the education field was where I Dara enjoys volunteering and needed to be. I feel honored that I spending time with her chil- am fulfilling God’s calling and purdren, grandchild Madyson Atan- pose for me regarding my career dare-Stewart, and spouse Virgil path.” Scott. Dara is a member of Alpha
community leader. Since 2007, Anthony has been chairperson for the Milwaukee Teen Pregnancy Prevention Network and has served on the board of Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Project. Anthony received the Social Development Commission’s Incredible Person Award twice. Anthony was born in Columbus, GA. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in African American Studies from University of Wisconsin Madison in 1993. He earned a full athletic scholarship playing football for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1997, he relocated to Milwaukee.
Anthony is a volunteer director of Milwaukee Spartans Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) and is seen as a role model for youth. Anthony inspires youth to not have a “dream,” but have a “goal” to overcome poverty through education and athletic aspirations. Anthony has helped thirty-two players at Silver Spring Neighborhood Center and Amateur Athletic Union receive athletic scholarships within the last 5 years. Anthony believes that chilAnthony has progressed Silver Spring Neighbor- dren with goals and challenges expressed through hood Center forward with a vision titled, "West- athletics builds high character and motivates them lawn WINS, Working to Improve Neighborhood to perform academically. Success." WINS utilizes current programs offered through Silver Spring Neighborhood Center to Anthony asserts that God has given him an abilicreatively provide a career pathway and profes- ty to use his gifts in a manner that brings glory and sional options for Westlawn families and children. honor to God; and anything else is not an option. He develops training and employment programs He explains that we should always help the least that will help participants become self-sufficient. among us because every individual has something positive they can bring to this world. Anthony is His responsibilities and roles have expanded to a the parent of two young adults and both are recipients of athletic scholarships. His son is pursuing a professional basketball career and his daughter is completing her degree at the University of Illinois-Springfield. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter where she currently serves as Vice President. She is a member of Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies of Grace, Top Ladies of Distinction Milwaukee Chapter, and the Advisor for Top Teens of America. Dara mentioned that her mother was her biggest inspiration and Dara is certainly an inspiration to Milwaukee and her children, Aqueelah Atandare-Jones and Aqeel Scott.
Anthony McHenry Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
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In 2009, Jeffery developed a partnership between Milwaukee Academy of Aviation Science & Technology and Milwaukee Area Technical College's aviation program. Jeffery helped develop “Topcats,” a mentor group at Hamilton High School. He collaborates with the Running Rebels, Boys & Girls Clubs, Journey House, and Violence Free Zone Organization to provide support to students and their families. As the athletic director at Bay View High School, Jeffery reminds his students, “In order to go anywhere after high school, you must have ‘AAAs,’ or Academics, Achievement, and Attitude.”
Jeffery Gaddis was born in Milwaukee and graduated from Milwaukee Public Schools in 1986. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1992. Jeffery taught algebra, geometry, algebra 2 and trigonometry at Milwaukee Public Schools for almost ten years until mentors and former principals Clark Lovell and Frank Moffett encouraged him to go into administration. In 2004, Jeffery completed a masters degree in educational leadership and curriculum & instruction from National Louis University. He has worked as Assistant Principal-In-Charge, Assistant Principal, and Principal for Milwaukee Public Schools since 2005. Jeffery has been an administrator for Milwaukee Academy of Aviation Science & Technology, Milwaukee African American Immersion High School, Pulaski High School, and currently is the administrator for Bay View High School. Jeffery has served students at Milwaukee Public Schools as building manager, manager of recreation and community learning, administrator of design academy, services administrator, and lead administrator over safety. “I have a passion for the
Jeffery Gaddis, Administrator, Bay View High School
Jeffery has proven that this formula can work. He works with young people each day and has been a positive role model for them. He is a proud graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools and wants the best for his students. Jeffery continues to serve young people of Milwaukee Public Schools while balancing family life with his wife of sixteen years, Vicki Gaddis; daughters Brianna Gaddis and Lakayla Hall; and two grandchildren, Aubrey and Lalia. “I am always assessing myself to make sure each day is a better day,” said Jeffery. He serves as a church musician and has been a dedicated member of Providence Baptist Church for seventeen years.
children of Milwaukee Public Schools and I want the best for our students,” explained Jeffery. He has implemented “IRRE,” Institute for Research and Reform in Education, a school reform program for small learning communities.
State University in 1995; and a Ph.D. degree in political science, College of Arts & Sciences from Howard University, Washington, DC in 2003. Dr. Green was a member of the teaching faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in its School of Education’s Culture Curriculum and Change Program. He is the author of “Your Past and the Press,” a book which focuses on the media’s impact on the presidential appointment process. Much of Dr. Green’s career has focused on preparing first-generation, low-income and under-represented students for post-secondary education and graduate studies. He also was elected to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education and served as a member of the State of North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction's, Advanced Placement Advisory Council. Dr. Green has received numerous awards and honors, among which are: National Honor Society for Professionals in Counseling Psychology; National Honor Society in Psychology; Awarded Regional Scholar; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Advisor, Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society; and Who’s Who Among American Teachers 2004.
Dr. Joseph Green Marquette University Joseph Michael Green, Ph.D., is director of the nationally recognized Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As EOP’s lead administrator, Dr. Green supervises a staff of 153, including 28 full-time and 125 part-time professional staff members comprised of University faculty, administrators and graduate students. He oversees an annual budget of $8.5 million.
He is married to wife Kimberly, and they are blessed with daughter Serena and sons Gavin, Michael, Mitchell and Wilkins. Dr. Green declares that whatever success he has experienced comes from his parents, who were not necessarily “degreed,” but “devoted” and involved in their home and their community.
Dr. Green came to Milwaukee from Washington, DC, in 2010 to work for the Educational Opportunity Program. His educational experiences include a B.S. degree in sociology from Bowie State University-Maryland, in 1990; M.A. degree in counseling psychology, College of Education, Bowie An NCON Communications Publication
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Celia Jackson has years of education and decades of service. Her mother, Harriett McCraney, made a professional decision to relocate the family in 1968 by taking a position as the Director of Head Start with the Social Development Commission. Celia arrived in Milwaukee during a period of social unrest and was influenced by the spirit of meaningful activism. In 1977, Celia received a bachelor of arts in political science from Hampton Institute, in Hampton, VA. In 1980, she received her Juris Doctorate from the UW-Madison Law School. Upon graduation, her first legal position was as an Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County. In 1984, she served as an Assistant Dean at Marquette Law School and was responsible for the recruitment and retention of students of color. In 1987, she went into private practice. She operated as a solo practitioner and worked with several well-known black lawyers in Wisconsin. After 10 years in the private sector, she was appointed as the Archbishop’s Delegate for Community Services in the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In that capacity, she represented him on several community-based boards. In 2005, she was appointed by Governor James Doyle to serve
as the Secretary of the Department of Regulation and Licensing, overseeing many of Wisconsin’s professionals. She has held several teaching positions at Marquette, Edgewood College, and her current position as the Director of the International and Inter-cultural Center at Alverno College. In 2014, she was selected as a Fulbright recipient for international administrators traveling to Germany. Celia has nearly forty years of professional and civic experiences, having served on many boards including the Board of Bar Examiners, Saint Charles Youth and Family Services, Rosalie Manor, and many others. She currently serves on the Oscar Romero Renewal Center Board. Her extensive background has consistently been particularly objective-driven, results-oriented, community-based, and has been guided by her faith. She has been a member of All Saints Catholic Church for many years. Celia is motivated by giving back to the community. She said, “I am thankful to my mom who made sacrifices for me and my sisters. My mother believed in the concept of excellence. She encouraged and supported us to be our best and reminded us to never forget where we came from.” She has also been inspired by the legacy of Lloyd Barbee, who blazed a trail for many black lawyers in Milwaukee.
Atty. Celia Jackson Alverno College
Attorney’s office. Her son, Brandon, is studying computer science at DePaul University in Chicago. Her daughter, Kathryn, is the founder/CEO of “Protect Your Pumps,” a shoe protector which has been sold kin more than 80 countries. Celia Family is important to and Kathryn Jackson enjoy time working togethCelia. She is married to er as mother and daughter creating and marketing Donald Jackson, now re- homemade natural body products for their comtired from the District pany, “Essentially Mint.”
Enterprising Youth parents and older sister, Precious, are supportive of his gifts and ambition, but they are determined to the previous year. Isaiah said he is looking forward to taking the to allow him to decide when and what path he will BDPA class and competing for the Milwaukee eventually follow. chapter again this year. He is confident that the Isaiah is hedging his bet by playing basketball in chapter will continue to improve. a competitive church league, but he is devoting the Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell majority of his free time to music and computers. He said he practices music an average of seven was the keynote speaker during the conference hours a week when he will be playing at church and Isaiah returned to Milwaukee with the idea of on a Sunday morning. That practice time is on top combining his love of music and computers. of a demanding homework load, but Isaiah seems Using savings from his job and with some help very happy and enthusiastic by the workload. from his parents, Isaiah has purchased an adIsaiah Jones, Jr. During his final year in junior high school Isa- vanced software application capable of making iah joined a four-piece jazz band which the group professional-grade musical recordings. It has taken decided to name “Stacked,” because each member him a few months to figure out how to master the Isaiah Jones, Jr., first performed in front of a plays at least three different instruments during application, but now he has begun recording his congregation of 400 at New Testament Church performances. Last spring Isaiah also joined the own songs, playing each instrument himself and of Milwaukee when he was 10 years old. He was Milwaukee chapter of the Black Data Processing recording it alongside the others using a technique known as ‘dubbing’. offered a regular paid job as one of the Sunday Associates (BDPA). service musicians at the age of 12. On the one The home studio contains drums, a piano, an “They taught us different programming lanSunday set aside each month for a youth service, Isaiah is the lead musician. Now 14, Isaiah said guages,” Isaiah said. “I think it will give me an edge electronic keyboard, and guitars. Isaiah has been recording himself playing jazz compositions and is he has recently had to reduce his playing time at going forward.” in the process of creating his own songs. church to twice a month. The class met for four hours every Saturdays for “If I could have any dream I would love to tour Isaiah is tall for his age and during junior high 39 weeks. When it ended in August 2015, Isaiah school his parents, Isaiah, Sr., and Katrina, won- was one of 10 chosen to attend a national compe- and have lots of people love our music,” Isaiah dered whether he would channel his ambition into tition in Washington, DC. During the contest each said, “but I’ll always be working with computers group had just eight hours to design a software ap- no matter what I wind up doing.” music or basketball during high school. plication which would enable a fictitious employer Isaiah is a freshman at Riverside High School, to monitor the computer activity of its employees. who was receiving playing time on the freshman Although the Milwaukee chapter ran into a proteam, but he decided to resign because he real- gramming roadblock they could not overcome ized that all of the after-school basketball practice within the eight-hour limit, Milwaukee achieved would leave him almost no time to play music. His one of the most improved scores in comparison www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Carolyn Smith Bolton was born in Chattanooga, TN, the youngest child in a family that included seven girls and one boy. Carolyn’s father, Charles Dudley Smith, passed away when Carolyn was still a toddler; and her mother, Carrie Robinson Smith, took a job as a cook to support her family. She raised Carolyn and her siblings with a respect for others, a strong faith, perseverance, practical values, and an expectation that they would study hard and accomplish something with their lives. Carolyn graduated from Howard High School in Chattanooga, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, GA. While at Clark, she met fellow student Clarence Bolton. They married shortly after Carolyn graduated, and during their 57 years of marriage raised four children. Clarence passed away in 2004. Carolyn and Clarence moved to Beloit, WI in 1953, after Clarence was discharged from the Army after serving in Korea and completing his bachelor’s degree at Clark. Carolyn soon found a job as a teacher and became the first African American teacher ever hired by the Beloit Public School system. She taught fifth grade and recalled, “In my first class there were 38 students and only 8 of the students were ‘negro’,” using the 1950’s-era term for African Americans. For Carolyn, race did not matter, as she poured her energies into applying innovative methods and excellence to reach and teach each child, encouraging them to do their best. Carolyn completed a master’s degree in counseling and guidance at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, as well as completing post-graduate extension courses through UW-Madison. After many years in the classroom, she became Beloit Public Schools’ first African American guidance counselor and was assigned to work with students at Beloit Memorial High School. The Boltons moved to Milwaukee in 1973 and Carolyn became a guidance counselor for Milwaukee Public Schools. She worked at Washington and
Marshall high schools, and was instrumental in encouraging more African American students to consider going to college as a possibility after high school. She retired as an educator in 1981, but has continued to mentor young people through her various community involvements. A bout with knee surgery in 2003 gave Carolyn the idea of starting a business. “I needed something to do while my knee was healing and I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing,” she said. “My church quilting circle at one time had tried making note cards using fabric, but the idea didn’t really take off. I decided to resurrect the idea.” Carolyn not only found “something to do” while she convalesced, but soon became the brains behind ”Cards By Carolyn,” a small business through which she makes all-occasion note cards using fabric designs. She gets her fabrics from all over the world, and has even taken designs from clients’ favorite old pieces of clothing and turned them into cards. She cuts each fabric design by hand and is careful to preserve the detail in the patterns she chooses. She donates the proceeds of her business to support a variety of charitable organizations. Carolyn is a golden soror of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has been a member for more than 70 years and in 2014, the sorority recognized her for long-time service and dedication. She is a member of United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, where she sings in the choir, serves on the foundation board, and works in the quilting circle. The circle donates quilts to various agencies, such as Sojourner Family Peace House. She is also involved with the Milwaukee Symphony League, Sigma Pi Phi Auxiliary, Frontiers International Auxiliary and is a member of the Wisconsin Club. In addition, she serves as a floor captain in her retirement community and works to find ways to enhance the quality of life of her fellow residents, including visiting those who are ill and may not have friends or relatives who visit. Through the years, Carolyn has earned numerous awards. She was recognized by the Wiscon-
Carolyn Bolton Retired MPS Educator/ 90-Year-Old Entrepreneur sin Educators Association as one of Wisconsin’s top teachers, and received an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to the national convention. She was selected by the Beloit Daily News to goto the University of Iowa to study the use of newspapers in the classroom. She was honored by the Tuskegee Airmen for her support of their training efforts. In 2014, Carolyn was recognized by the Three Harvest Council Boy Scouts of America with the Lifetime in Education Award. In addition to her four adult children, Carolyn is the grandmother of 8 and the great-grandmother of 9.
George graduated from Adams High School in Cleveland, OH in 1963, and did indeed study accounting at Cleveland State University. At the age of 19, he began to maintain his family’s photography business which was founded in 1917 by his grandfather, also named George Washington Bryant. His grandfather was one of 14 children and one of the few siblings who went to college, graduating from Morris Brown College in 1896. He created Bryant Photography, and young George was happy and proud to keep the family tradition intact.
George Bryant Chemist/ Family with 100 years experience in the photography business George Washington Bryant received a chemistry set for Christmas each year when he was a young boy, in honor of his namesake, George Washington Carver. A few of his relatives predicted that he would become a minister, noting his connection to God. He thought he might be an accountant instead, but it turned out that his friend God had other plans.
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He was hired by a search firm to work at a local company in their accounting department as an apprentice upon earning his accounting degree. When he arrived to work, and his supervisor discovered that the new employee was a Black man, George found himself placed in the chemistry department, making and mixing chemicals for his entire shift. This position continued for months; then someone mentioned that he would perhaps never be placed as an accounting apprentice because of his race. The company then agreed to make him a chemist. He gladly took on the challenge, and went on to the Case Institute of Technology, which is now known as Case Western Reserve University, majoring in chemistry. He worked in organic chemistry at the time, formulating pharmaceuticals like cough syrups and buffered aspirin. “I’d always liked chemistry, maybe from getting all those sets for Christmas,” Bryant said. “I never thought that I’d be working in that kind of thing.” He credits his high school teacher, Dr. Williamson, who taught entire semesters without once cracking open a textbook, for instilling a love of science. “He gave us the books on the first day, and we gave them back on the last day. It was all lecture and lab assignments, and the kids in his
classes all seemed to excel. Dr. Williamson came back to Cleveland from being a professor at Howard University. We never understood why he came back, but we were glad he did.” In 1968, the Civil Rights Law was passed, and his company offered him a position in accounting, but by that time he had completed his masters degree in chemistry at night school, and was unable to go back to his past hopes of being an accountant. He left the company for an offer at a major chemical company doing research in inorganic chemistry, where he went to work formulating paints and coatings for use at major manufacturers. He went to formulation school, when he wasn’t maintaining his family photography business, and worked on projects that he remains proud of to this day. George was on the team of people which created protective coatings that were used for the Apollo space mission to shield the space ship from extreme heat while it passed through the atmosphere. He is also proud to have created the concept of electro-depositing paint and coatings on manufactured pieces, a process which replaced spraying. Most metal materials sold and used are manufactured this way today. (Continued on pg. 23) www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Health Groups, which offers a nurturing environment and personal support. This is meant to attend to their physical issues, and also attend to their emotional and spiritual health.
Brenda Buchanan is a nurse, through and through. “Even when I was little, I was always taking care of something. It started out with animals, and later that nurturing tendency sort of transferred to people.” She moved to Racine,WI with her family at the age of 15 and found nursing to be a natural career choice. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a nurse, I’ve been able to do a lot of things." Brenda graduated from Marquette University with a degree in nursing in 1986, and began working at Sacred Heart Rehab in the Spinal Cord injury unit. She was later promoted to risk management and infection control, which protects the hospital from medical malpractice and performs internal management. In 1995, Sacred Hear t merged with Columbia St. Mary’s, and Buchanan became the safety officer for the health system. She was responsible for looking at the regulatory environment of the system, and served on a joint commission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). She worked for St. Mary’s from 2004-2008 as manager of community and career development creating community free clinics for uninsured patients. She brought high school students into the hospital to learn about careers in healthcare. The young people would serve 15 hours weekly in the hospital and gain real-life experience. She also brought a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program to schools so that young people could be certified while earning their high school diploma. There were four to six students per school, for CNA certification who were allowed to be placed on a hospital unit. Many of the youth have gone on to be nurses, and one has completed dental
George Bryant (Continued from pg. 22) When George first arrived in Milwaukee, he was working with Cutler-Hammer, which later became the Eaton Corporation. He was responsible for upgrading all their products so that they were safe for employees and the environment, with the passage of the Clean Air Act. He later worked for GE Medical and Briggs and Stratton corporations, gaining mastery for working in inorganic chemistry. He is a past president of the Wisconsin Chemical Coaters Association International (WI-CCAI), a professional association. He has served on the board of directors for more than 20 years and is proud that many local manufacturers are charter members. He also was the past president of the Federation of Manufacturing Engineers, and has served on their board for more than five years. George has volunteered with the YMCA Black Achievers, teaching
Brenda also works with a collaboration between St. Mary’s and Ebenezer Church of God in Christ, which hosts women’s health groups, a clinic, a food pantry, cooking classes and groups to assist clients in managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes. “I love it. I get to meet people in their own community, and they feel safe. I like to help them navigate the healthcare system,” said Brenda. She helps people with clothes, food and meals are served. As parish nurse, she helps make doctor appointments, and talks with their physicians. She may even go to the appointments with clients or meet in their homes or the grocery store. “I love it. It keeps my heart open,” she said. Brenda said that she is motivated by her love of people and the task of helping them see their worth, despite the fact that others may see them as outcasts. She has found that her work keeps Brenda Buchanan her grounded, and being good at what she does is what keeps her in the field. Many of her cliColumbia St. Mary’s Hospital ents from the past have come back after they have completed their experience with parish nursing to let her know that they’re doing well. Every client school. Buchanan served as parish nurse after earning has her personal phone number and she often gets a certification in parish nursing from Marquette to know their families and friends. “This is the best University. The parish clinics involve Meta House, nursing you can get, when you get to see someone a program for women’s addiction; St. Catherine’s grow out of the system.” Women’s House Wellness programming, and Three Holy Women, a group of three Catholic She has one son of her own, Brandon, of Sherchurches with programming for people who are man Oaks, California. homeless. At St. Catherine’s Women’s House, parish nursing offers educational programs, health fairs, and craft/cookie night to help people connect. Meta House requires all clients to attend Women’s
photography to young people from the Milwaukee area. “When my family’s company started, They had me, and a couple of part-time photographers. In a couple of years, our business will have been family owned and operated for 100 years. That’s saying something.” Another passion of George’s, has been taking classes of young people to complete a European tour. He did for more than ten years with Walker Middle School. The group toured historic sites in England, France, Spain, Germany, and The Netherlands. “I like to explore new things and reach out for new adventures,” said George, “I want to pass everything I’ve learned on to young people… a couple of the kids I’ve taught have gone on to do some great things in photo art. Mr. Quaddracci out at Quad Graphics once gave a group of mine a tour, and assured them that he’d open doors for them if they contacted him later. We set up a studio to give some other kids at my church the experience of portrait photography. We’re not here forever; we need to pass on what we know to the younger generation.”
Br yant’s Photography
MPS Congratulates Black Excellence Award Recipient Jim Davis Milwaukee Public Schools congratulates our long-time colleague for being named by The Milwaukee Times as a 2016 Black Excellence Award winner. Congratulations Mr. Davis!
“It pleases us to please you.”
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About 10 years ago, Aurora Health Care Regional Loss Prevention Manager Larry Spicer had come to a fork in the road. He was working retail loss prevention and had just received a promotion. Instead of accepting it, he honored his convictions by rejecting job security and more money to pursue a field where he wasn’t even sure he’d be happy.
Larry, his wife, Carla Smith Spicer and their young children attend Eastbrook Church. During his free time, Larry said he “loves golf ” and is a member of a local chess club. After being named Aurora Health Care Regional Loss Prevention Manager, Larry joined several organizations for security professionals, including ASIS International, where he serves as vice chair for the health care council. He is also a member of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety. These professional organizations provide training, certification and guidelines in best management practices. Larry has also been a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for 19 years.
Larry applied for and was offered a position as a security supervisor with Advanced Health Care. The job was the same as the one that he had left at St. Joseph’s Hospital several years earlier, but he soon learned that his new position at Advanced Health Care had a great deal more responsibility than his previous one. In 2008, Advanced Health Care became a subsidiary of Aurora Health Care; and in 2011, the Advanced Health Care Loss Prevention department was merged with the larger Aurora Health Care Loss Prevention department. Larry was offered the position as manager of the combined operation. He has never regretted his decision to leave the certainty of retail loss prevention to return to his initial job, working security in the health care field. His job became his profession and his passion.
Larry Spicer Aurora Health Care
Larry grew up in the neighborhood around “That social experience opened my eyes to a North 16th and West Meineke Streets. He was one whole other world," Larry said, “one I could attain of Wisconsin’s earliest MPS Chapter 220 pupils, if I wanted to and worked for it.” attending the Shorewood Public School System from kindergarten through graduation. He said he still returns to Shorewood High School each February to mentor other African “I believe that if it wasn’t for Shorewood I probAmerican Shorewood High School students as ably would not be the person I am today,” Larry part of a volunteer program. said. “I grew up in the city, but I went to school and became friends with people who lived on Lake After graduation, Larry attended Lakeland ColDrive. I am still friends with some of those I have lege. Recently, he resumed his college studies and known since kindergarten. will graduate in March with a degree in systems management and homeland security.
In 2004, Larry ran unsuccessfully for election as alderman. He dismissed the possibility of running again, noting that he enjoyed the door-to-door campaigning, and the prospect of making a difference, but found the private meetings with lobbyists, other politicians and influential donors not to his liking. “It was a great opportunity to get to know the people who lived in my neighborhood,” he said. “At the same time it made me relish my private life and what I am doing now even more.”
Media opportunities available to bridge the health gap of disparities in treatments and services; giving voice to their intimate life concerns; and celebrating the unsung "sheroes" whose work facilitates these changes. Topics range from health, relationships, and finances to spirituality. Women, including paid subscribers around the country, have demonstrated a voracious appetite for the practical instruction contained in each issue.
tantly to her, however, are the opportunities she had enjoyed volunteering her expertise to organizations that have included founding member and past president, Black Women’s Network; NEA, Read Across America for Children, hosted by the Scott Institute for Learning; Board of Directors of Milwaukee County, Interfaith Older Adult Programs; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Golda Meier Library; community advisory Linda Jackson-Cocroft boards of American Founder and Publisher Heart Association-WI Black Women 50+ Magazine Affiliate; Health Equity Board, Blood Center of Linda's journey to Wisconsin; University now has encompassed of Wisconsin-Madison; a variety of training Alzheimer’s Institute; Motivated by the need to honor Mentor, Alverno College, her mother’s legacy of service to and positions. As an homage School of Psychology, women, while relying on expertise to her childhood and SaturMentoring and Support gleaned over a 30-year career in non- days mornings spent with her to Excellence; Dr. Juliette profit consumer communications, mother attending auctions, LinMartin-Thomas facilitaLinda Jackson-Cocroft launched the da graduated from the World tor. She is also a lifetime inaugural issue of BW50+ Magazine Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA in 2000. She member of Church Womin 2003. earned a bachelor’s degree in eduen United and St. Matthew CME Church. Educating and empowering in- cation from the University of Wis- host of the radio She is the wife of Wilformed decisions of this trillion-dol- consin-Milwaukee in 1979. For more talk show "Notes" on WGLB - 1560 liam H. Cocroft. Their marriage was lar market is the primary goal of than 15 years, her voice was heard in AM. Linda has received many awards for blessed with their ‘angel’ Ikita A. McBW50+ Magazine. This is accom- radio and television commercials and plished by exposing resources and her image featured in ads for popular her accomplishments. Most impor- Clain. An NCON Communications Publication
brands in markets around the country. Linda freelanced as an events coordinator for years and was responsible for intimate gatherings and major events. She was also the
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Longtime Milwaukee Community Journal Associate Publisher Mikel Holt considered himself a Christian, but the Milwaukee native said his faith was tested after his son Malik was killed in a 2003 car accident. Malik, a popular fifthgrade teacher at Young Leaders Academy (YLA) was just 27-years-old.“There were times when I believed that just because I bowed my head when someone said a prayer, went to church on Sunday, or tried to do right, that I was a Christian; but being a good Christian requires more,” he said. After his son’s death, Mikel volunteered to serve as a teacher’s aide for his son’s fifth-grade class. He said his goal was twofold: he said he wanted to ease the emotional void the students felt for their teacher and to ease his own pain. “We learned from each other,” Mikel said. “Ronn Johnson, president and principal at the YLA allowed me a lot of latitude, and I would bring in guests every week to expose the kids to various careers and insightful black history." As a result of his experience in the classroom Mikel surprised the students by announcing that he would start a scholarship for any student who chose to attend college. During the next six years, Mikel continued working for the Community Journal and he began raising funds for the scholarships. Meanwhile the students applied themselves to their ,
Election Watch 2016
CANDIDATE Q&A Final installment of series asking questions of candidates on important community issues!
COMMUNITY VOL. XXXX Number 28 February 3, 2016
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Community was “in the house” at the 2016 Milwaukee Brewers Fanfest!
Willie Coleman with his grandsons at Brewers On Deck fanfest. All photos by Yvonne Kemp
Two Brewers fans with the original Brewers mascot, “Barrell Man.”
Jeremy Jeffress siging baseballs for two fans
Brewer legend Larry Hisle was on hand to talk baseball
Bernie Brewer with two fans
Brewer fan showing off autograph collection
PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY Question and Photos by Yvonne Kemp QUESTIONOF THE WEEK:
“WHAT IS YOUR PREDICION FOR THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS FOR THE 2016 BASEBALL SEASON?” ALBERTA DZIADULEWICZ: “This will be a rebuilding year. I exepct around 70 wins. A lot of young players will emerge and although it will be a tough year, I anticipate them being very competative. There is much to look forward to.”
DOMINIC ORTEN: “They will be an above .500 team. We’ll win more games than last year.”
JAYLEN HARRIS: The Brewers will use this season for rebuilding and preparing for future seasons.”
Community raises funds for noted activist Redonna Rodgers
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LADONNA S. GILL: “First, the Brewers will have to rebuild their team with all of the new young players. If we’re lucky, we may have a chance at the playoffs. I have high hopes for the Brewers.”
Redonna Rodger, executive director of the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship, was given a fundraiser recently by friends and wellwishers at Garfield’s 502, 502 W. Garfield Ave. There was also a live auction facilitated by Andre Lee Ellis, a silent auction and special performances by a number of local entertainers. The funds collected will help defray Rodgers’ medical costs. Individuals who still want to help can donate to the fund online. Go to gofundme.com/ReDonnaRodgers. --Photo by Yvonne Kemp
MCJ Associate Publisher/Columnist Mikel Holt to be honored by Wisconsin Black Media Assoc.
The Wisconsin Black Media Association (WBMA) will host its 2016 reception, “Honoring Our Own” and will recognize journalism pioneer Mikel Holt. This event will be held from 4pm-7pm Feb. 21, at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W. Center St. “As WBMA president, it is time for us to recognize our own people for their work and efforts put forth on behalf of the African American community,” James E. Causey WBMA President Holt has been a journalist for al- Mikel Holt most four decades, and has tirelessly served the community as an advocate “As WBMA presifor the issues that are important to dent, it is time for and reflective of the African American experience. On Feb. 21, we will us to recognize our be paying homage to one of our own. own people for their Black Nouveau host Joanne Williams work and efforts put will serve as emcee. The reception will include several forth on behalf of guest speakers including, publisher of the Milwaukee Community Jour- the African Amerinal Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo, Dr. can community...” Howard Fuller, WTMJ radio and TV --James E. Causey, personality Charlie Sykes and Mayor WBMA President Tom Barrett. This will be a dinner with a silent auction. Part of the proceeds from this event will go toward Holt’s mounting medical bills. Tickets are $20 (advance) and $25 (at door). For more information, contact WBMA at 414-313-2077 or email at WBMAMilw@gmail.com.--WBMA release
Noted Univerity of Wis-Milwaukee professor Dr. Harold M. Rose passes
University of Wisonsin Geography Professor Emeritus, Dr. Harold M. Rose, a pioneer in conducting research on the conditions faced by African Americans, died Monday, Feb. 2, reportedly of a heart attack. Rose devoted his career to expanding the discipline of geography into anti-racist scholarship, an area that had been virtually ignored. Rose’s scholarship established that examining segregation was not just about mapping the distribution of racial groups across the urban landscape, but also about understanding the social processes and attitudes about race that produced those patDr. Harold M. Rose terns. Rose conducted research on impoverished Black communities, Blacks and Cubans in Miami, and the quality of life in Black communities, especially the exposure of many Black communities to high rates of homicide. He also conducted research on Black residential mobility and interregional migration. Rose became the first Black president of the American Association of Geographers (AAG) in 1976. In 1977, he voiced the need to expand research into the experiences of Blacks in his presidential address titled “The Geography of Despair.” Rose received his PhD at Ohio State University in 1960, whereupon he began a joint appointment in the departments of Geography and Urban Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. In recognition of his work, the AAG created the Harold M. Rose Award for Anti-Racism Research and Practice, which honors geographers who have a demonstrated record of the type of research and active contributions to society that have marked Harold Rose’s career. The award is given to those who have served to advance the discipline through their research, and who have also had an impact on anti-racist practice. The award is presented at the Awards Luncheon during the AAG's Annual Meeting. “Harold Rose’s work reminds us that it is possible for scholars to go beyond theoretical understanding of racism and other social practices to engage actual communities and to make a difference in human life,” stated the AAG website describing the Rose Award. In 2014, UWM established the Harold M. Rose Lecture series that emphasizes topics of race and urban social justice. The lecture series is a tribute to Rose’s legacy to UWM Geography, to UWM and the discipline of geography. Information on funeral services is not yet available as of our editorial deadline. --Compiled by MCJ Staff via two sources: UWM website and the website of the American Association of Geographers.
schoolwork. Eventually more than 90 percent qualified. The program was so successful that Mikel has decided to extend it. The Milwaukee Community Journal was co-founded by Mikel in 1976. Under Mikel’s leadership, the newspaper has become a leading national voice in civil rights and educational reform. The Community Journal has received more than 30 awards for excellence and Mikel has personally received more than 15. Mikel graduated from Rufus King High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in education with minors in mass communications and African American studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1986. A partial list of his volunteer activities fills almost a third of a page of his resume.
Mikel Holt Milwaukee Community Journal
developed painful bed sores. Then he began to hear rumors that he had already died. To make matters worse, he did not have health insurance at the time he was hospitalized because when his wife lost her job, the couple lost their health insurance. Mikel has since enrolled in an insurance plan through the Affordable Health Care Act, but not before he incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Remarkably his own sufHis son’s death in 2003 caused a crisis of fering and tribulation helped restore his faith, confidence in his faith, but his own near- especially in the power of prayer. death experience in October 2014 helped “When my mother suffered a mild stroke restore it. In an interview that appeared in the April 17, 2015 issue of the Milwaukee and was hospitalized late last year, I don’t Journal Sentinel, Mikel, 62, said he “ignored think I’ve ever prayed so hard,” he said. the many warning signs” such as feeling diz- “When things were bleak and the priest zy, slurred speech and loss of balance in the wanted to talk to me and my family about weeks before he was rushed to Community my mother’s last wishes, I did [not] accept that this was the end. I prayed even harder, Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls. and I asked people I didn’t know to pray for His kidneys failed almost as soon as he ar- my mother, too. It must have worked. She’s rived at the hospital. Then he fell into a coma home now and feeling more like her old self.” In 2011 the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) presented Mikel with the President’s Diversity Award for his efforts “to help MCW connect with important community-based organizations, which has led to strong academic/community partnerships and the advancement of critical partnerships between MCW and underrepresented populations.”
for almost a month and later would have colon surgery. Eventually he was transferred to Froedtert Medical Center. After he regained consciousness, Mikel initially was depressed because of his immobility. He was bedridden for so long that his muscles atrophied and he
Mikel is gradually recovering his own strength. He returned to work at the Community Journal on a part-time basis in April and he is gradually working his way back up to full time.
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mother with three young children. I thought I’d been dealt a bad hand. “I dealt with my pain by focusing on my children, staying busy as a mom and working,” she said. “Through the grace of God people stepped up and helped me with the properties and the children. I learned to focus on what I had, not what I’d lost. I’ve always been a positive person.” The couple had been high school sweethearts and then married for 20 years, so Terina said there were many happy memories. Terina and her daughters were also fortunate that she was capable of supporting herself and her children on her income. Since 2003 she has worked for Prime Financial Credit Union. She was promoted to a branch manager in 2008. Prime Financial is a state-chartered, federally insured credit union chartered in 1923. It is a full-service, $112 million credit union with more than 18,000 members. Her career has helped Terina become a corporate trailblazer with expertise in banking, finance, insurance and management. Along with her faith, Terina also possesses a strong work ethic. The Milwaukee native has been continuously employed since she was a 15-year-old co-op student at Harold Vincent High School, attending classes during the morning and working in the afternoon, first as a receptionist at a construcSgt. Terina Hammick tion company. Then in her senior year she worked U.S. Army (ret.) part-time for Milwaukee Insurance. Shortly after graduation she enlisted in the National Guard. After basic training, Terina returned In the military, Sgt. Terina Shenise Hammick to Milwaukee and Milwaukee Insurance offered (ret.) had been a chaplain’s assistant. Her faith was her a full-time position in data processing. She restrong and she is an active, long-time member of mained with that company until 2003 when her Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ, but the division was transferred to Dallas. She said she was sudden loss of her husband and “best friend,” Co- offered a similar position with the company, but rey, was staggering. decided she wanted to remain in Milwaukee where “It was really tough,” said Terina. “I was a young her family lived and where she and her husband
managed several commercial properties they owned. While working for Milwaukee Insurance, Terina received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ottawa University in Brookfield. She had just begun taking classes toward an MBA when her husband passed. Four years later after her oldest daughter, Tierra, graduated from high school, Terina encouraged her daughter to attend college by promising to complete her own MBA degree. She expects to receive her degree from Cardinal Stritch University in June 2016. Now her second daughter, Casey, has begun attending college. The youngest daughter, Tamaya, is still in junior high school. Her faith has also been the source of her generous work as a volunteer. Terina has been licensed with the State of Wisconsin as a foster parent working with special needs children for more than 20 years. For the past 10 years she has been active with St. Ben’s clinic for the homeless. She has worked with several local women’s shelter agencies, the Hunger Task Force, Relay for Li, Children’s Miracle Network, Toys for Tots, NABVETS, Goodwill and the Red Cross, among others. “Sometimes we don’t realize how important family is,” Terina said. “Losing my husband was devastating, but we learned to value one another, depend and lean on each other even more. We were already a close family, but that made us much closer.”
Parental echoes still resonate from Prentice Jones' childhood as he recalls the advice of his parents and grandparents about life and living: "Do to others as you want others to do to you. Don't look down on anybody, but help them if you can. If you cannot help them, get out of the way!" Prentice has followed this advice for many years, and this has resulted in his volunteering and giving thousands of hours helping those who could not help themselves. Prentice's parents moved to Milwaukee, where he was born and where he completed high school requirements for the GED. Later on, he enrolled in Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI and received a B.S. degree in criminal justice and a B.A. degree in business administration. At one time, he expressed an interest in a branch of the military but his mother was of a different opinion. He later joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard, where he explored many career opportunities. In all of his searching, he always gravitated toward situations where he volunteered to "help someone." As a young man, Prentice recalls becoming aware of the Lupus Foundation's need for contributions. He diligently collected aluminum cans, sold them and contributed all the proceeds to the Lupus Foundation. The satisfaction he received from this "giving and helping" prompted many other similar efforts on his part to give without compensation. His employment experiences are varied, but at the same time, they still lean toward giving back to his community. Since June, 2008, Prentice has been employed as Security Assistant GS-6, where he is responsible for the acceptance, review, validation and approval or rejection of all Army, Army Reserve and National Guard applicants requesting secret and top secret clearance. He is also employed by Wrightway Investigations of Brown Deer, WI, where he is a private investigator. He investigates auto and workers comp claims, missing
He volunteers for the Scott Institute of Learning. Also, he continues to volunteer as a coordinator for the Veterans Day Parade, Inc., of which he once served as vice-president. He has given time to coordinating the Fourth of July Parade for McGovern Park in Milwaukee, contacting schools, bands, and students for participation. Prentice also has gained the confidence of some under-achieving black male students in Milwaukee grade schools, and he has volunteered for tutoring and exposing these young men to more positive experiences and a better way of life. Prentice gives of his time and leadership to other community organizations. He is a member of The Prince Hall Masons of the state of Wisconsin through the True Square Lodge #1; member of the Order of Eastern Star, Sarah's Joy Chapter #8; and a member of National Sojourners, Milwaukee Chapter #27. He has, by no means, left out volunteerism for his church of choice, the Grandville Presbyterian Church, where he volunteers for many community projects. Prentice discloses that one of his greatest wishes in life is to see our African American men become highly visible and involved in our schools, working with African American boys. These boys will be better able to identify with these men, and will want to look up to them as positive role models, men who will help lead them to a better way of life. Prentice is married to Maureen Ann Jones. They are the parents of five children and experience the art of "giving and helping" day in and day out.
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Prentice Jones Military Processing Center persons, and interviews witnesses. Other employment experiences have included that of a Veterans Service Representative for the Veterans Administration in Milwaukee, where he was the primary contact for veterans, the decision maker for compensation and pension claims, and he also conducted personal and telephonic interviews gathering relevant evidence on veterans. Prentice served as regional sales manager for the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Madison, WI and as career counselor for the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Milwaukee. Prentice is extensively involved in the recently developed "Be Present" Program for the schools in Milwaukee as an eighth grade student mentor.
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Minority Business Kalan R. Haywood, Sr., is the founder and president of Vangard Group, LLC, a national real estate investment and development firm. He is responsible for the procurement of debt and equity financing for new and existing real estate development projects, internal operations, business development, and the overall performance of Vangard’s growing portfolio. Since 2006, Vangard Group, through Kalan’s leadership, has developed a number of complex multimillion-dollar projects both locally and nationally including the Flatiron Condominiums, Cermak Grocery Store, Fortis College, and the Ingram Place Apartments at 2120 N. Holton Ave. At press time, the $9 million, four-story, residential apartment was scheduled to be completed in February 2016. The building will provide a total of 53 two and three bedroom apartments, and is named in honor of his grandmother, Willie Mae Ingram, Kalan said. Kalan has spent all 40 years of his life in the Brewers Hill neighborhood of Milwaukee. “When I was growing up they didn’t call it Brewers Hill. That may have been the official name but for all intents and purposes it is certainly not the same place,” he said. “Ninety five percent of the people that lived here at one time don’t live here now, mostly because of gentrification.” Unlike many people, Kalan has the means and the will to reclaim part of his old neighborhood. In March 2015, his company in partnership with Horizon Construction LLC began construction on Ingram Place. His road to success was not an easy one. Poverty and violence are just a few of the obstacles Kalan had to beat growing up in Milwaukee. He’s worked diligently and with great fortitude to reach his dreams of becoming a successful businessman, professional speaker, and community leader.
Kalan R. Haywood, Sr. Vangard Group, LLC.
Growing up Kalan said his teachers told him he was academically gifted, but by the time he was in high school he still had no plans for an adult career. He credits a talk by a man named An active member of the community, Kalan currently Tyrone Dumas from Upward serves on the City of Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund AdBound and a great deal of hard work for the life he now visory Board, Southeast Wisconsin Regional Housing Plan Committee (SEWRPC) Housing Advisory Board, YMCA enjoys. Urban Campus Center Board, and the Center for Self-Suffi“He made a speech that re- ciency, as its board treasurer. ally hit me,” Kalan said. “At one point in his speech he touched upon some things that I definitely related to. That got my attention. He was an architect/engineer. He stuck around. He probably saved my life a million times.” Kalan found that he enjoyed architecture. Dumas helped him get a job working directly for the president of Eppstein Uhen, one of Milwaukee’s largest architectural firms. “I was a runner before the Internet,” Kalan said. “I sat through all these meetings at City Hall and the Department of City Development and I got to know my way around.” He attended the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at UW-Milwaukee and founded Vangard in 1999, choosing the name because he thought most successful companies had a two syllable name and he liked the meaning of the word which is “the forefront of a movement or action.” In addition to leading Vangard, Kalan said he is most fulfilled when positively impacting the lives of urban youth, imparting knowledge about business and life to aspiring entrepreneurs and sharing his personal journey of overcoming adversity. As a dedicated leader and supporter of community, his areas of concentration span from real estate development, youth and economic development, to issues related to strengthening and building communities. A sought-after speaker, Kalan has shared his “Blueprint for Success” with young professionals, real estate enthusiasts and young people around the nation. This comprehensive session teaches that success must be calculated in achieving one’s dreams. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
The Flatiron Condominiums (left), Prince Hall Village Apartments and Townhomes (above), and a 16,000 square foot Walgreens® which replaced a 24-year-old store located in a strip mall approximately ½ mile away, are three of the many high profile construction projects that Haywood and Vangard Group, LLC have been involved in.
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ance, and motivation. Sometimes you want to quit, then you get to the point where you refuse to be left behind.” He has volunteered and motivated students at Newark Public Schools, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Urban League, Be Present, Inroads, Pearls for Teen Girls, A Better Chance, Miller Coors Diversity Groups, 100 Black Men, NAACP, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Greg continues to be a member and contributor to numerous civic and business-related organizations including serving on the Ozaukee County NAACP branch Finance Committee. He also serves on the Lookout Team for Ashton212, a As a business owner, Greg established the larg- California-based consulting agency providing talest minority-owned beer distributorship on the ent for Fortune 500 and middle-market firms. East Coast in Newark, NJ, achieving an excellent Alongside his professional commitments, Greg track record of effectively and efficiently delivering results. After retiring from MillerCoors in enjoys time with his wife, Juliet, and two children, 2013, Greg created Quantitative Business Solu- Alexander and Danielle. Alexander is a 2012 Acations, which excels at significantly increasing a demic Big Ten Scholar athlete and Indiana Univercompany’s footprint, expanding market share and sity Kelley School of Business alumni with majors generating sustainable revenue growth. The pur- in finance and entrepreneurship. He is currentpose of Quantitative Business Solutions is to pro- ly employed at Associated Bank in Chicago, IL. vide proven financial and operating solutions for Greg’s daughter Danielle has earned scholarships companies. His business brings decades of experi- for the academically gifted. She is a 2015 Georgeence creating and building companies, negotiating town University Honors Graduate with a degree in and closing complex deals, and leading sales orga- economics. Danielle is pursuing her professional career objectives in Chicago, IL. nizations and cross-functional teams. He has held seats on both sides of the negotating table as corporate business development manager; business development manager; vice president; manager of corporate finance; manager of wholesale business development, and senior corporate planner for 7up, Citicorp, Miller Brewing and Anheuser-Busch. Recently, Greg was director of distributor transactions for MillerCoors. He was responsible for managing the strategic development of the MillerCoors distributor network for the Western United States, where he oversaw the development and planning of numerous business ownership transfers.
Gregory Webb Quantitative Business Solutions Gregory Webb is a successful entrepreneur with more than three decades of worthy contributions to Fortune 500 companies. In 1978, he graduated with bachelor of science degree from Washington University Olin School of Business in Saint Louis, MO, one of the top 15 business schools in the country. Greg began his career in the Executive Development Program at the Chrysler Corporation located in Detroit, MI. He participated in Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Merger Week Executive Program in Evanston, IL. Since earning two master’s degrees from Saint Louis University and Webster University, his success has been a constant climb to the top.
Greg has made several contributions to our community. He said, “Many people helped me and took the time to provide advice, guid-
Music Christopher P. Pipkins, of Christopher’s Project, inspires people of all backgrounds through his music. Shattering social barriers using a compilation of savory notes on his saxophone, Christopher plays at corporate and community events. He has brought “musical healing” to corporate and special events at the Hilton, Hyatt, Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, Quarles and Brady, Aurora Health Care, NAACP, and Harley- Davidson. He has performed at Majestic Star Casino on New Year’s Eve in Gary, IN, Venetian Feast in Lake Geneva, WI, Jazz in The Park in Milwaukee, WI, Dane Dances in Madison, WI, Black White Ball in Milwaukee, WI, and more. Christopher creates original tunes using his professional expertise. In 1980, Christopher graduated from Berklee Music School located in Boston, MA working with New Orleans saxophonist Donald Harrison and saxophonist and world renowned trumpeter, Terrance Blanchard. Christopher’s original tunes have aired on local radio stations, “The Hog” and “Lake 961.”
years old from his father, James Pipkins, an accomplished musician. He graduated from Washington Park High in 1980. He relocated to Milwaukee, WI in 1985 and married Donna Semons. Each year he donates his time and services to promote breast cancer awareness and performs at a variety of church functions. Christopher has been performing locally and regionally for 45 years. He has opened for double platinum recording artists, The Temptations; Grammy Award winning artist, George Benson, and several others. Christopher was voted Best R&B Soul Act, received the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WANI) Award, and triple winner on Showtime at the Apollo, and has embraced these accomplishments with gratitude. He is Milwaukee’s soulful saxophonist, creating original pieces and original wedding tunes for all of us.
Christopher's Project will be performing at Blu Milwaukee, known as, “The Pfister’s His original tunes are comprised of jazz, 23rd-floor Gem in the Sky,” and Lucille’s in rock, soul, country, and funk genres. Origi- downtown Milwaukee, WI in February 2016. nal music written, produced, and performed by Christopher’s Project are intricate, joyful, and complex. Christopher’s wedding music are especially fantastical and dreamy. “Music motivates me and I enjoy the creative process,” said Christopher. He writes notes and lyrics effortlessly. Most would say his talents are spiritual gifts for all of us to experience. Born in Racine, WI, Christopher learned the skill of playing the saxophone at six An NCON Communications Publication
Christopher Pipkins Christopher’s Project
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31st Annual Black Excellence Awards Public Service
Just as Kenneth Harris was motivated, inspired, and given encouragement to succeed by his elders or predecessors, so is he determined and motivated to give the same encouragement to those who come after him. “I just want to share and give back to my community what was given to me,” said Lt. Harris. This statement reflects Lt. Kenneth Harris’ feelings on life and living; he is all about making a “positive difference.”
sive and Arrest Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Ethics, Policing in a Free Society, and Professional Communication Skills; NIMS/Incident Command Certifications: 200, 300, and 700. Kenneth’s professional profile includes more than 22 years of law enforcement experience, 12 years in management and supervision, and more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurial and non-profit leadership.
Kenneth declares that there is still time to give freely to his community. Some of his community participation includes president – 100 Black Men of Greater Milwaukee; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., life membership; Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Life Membership; Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honor Society, Member; National Eagle Scout Association, Life Member; and Lt. Kenneth Harris, Jr., came to Milwaukee member, Wisconsin Law Enforcement Offifrom his home town of Chicago, IL in 1993. cers’ Association. He was following leads to a job opportunity that he desired (and acquired) in Milwaukee. From 2004 to the present, Kenneth serves at His education includes the following accom- Concordia University in Mequon, WI as Proplishments: Ph.D. degree in leadership studies gram Director, Organizational Leadership & from Marian University; MBA degree, finance Administration; Visiting Professor, Program and risk management, and bachelor of arts de- Chair, Justice and Public Policy; Adjunct Facgree, criminal justice management both from ulty; and Advisory Council Chair. Concordia University; and bachelor of science degree – mass communication from Illinois He is married to Carla Harris, and they are State University. the parents of two adult daughters. He is an His Wisconsin State Instructor Certifica- active member of Christian Faith Fellowship tions include: Cultural Competency, Defen- Church and serves as an Ordained Elder.
Lt. Kenneth Harris Milwaukee Police Department
pulled my desk next to hers. It was horrible, and I cried all day long. When my mom came to pick me up, I asked her why she’d do something like that, send me to school where everyone hated me. I asked her if she was mad at me, if I’d done something wrong.” And he never forgot her answer, “She told me that I didn’t understand it then, but when I grew up, I’d see her point, why she made that choice for me,” he laughed. “My dad may have passed away when I was young, but I always tell people that as tough as my mom was, I didn’t need a dad.” Leaning on the strength his mother showed for him and his siblings, he learned to get along at the school, and to excel.
Assistant Chief Gerard Washington Milwaukee Fire Department Gerard Washington has been a person who wants to help others since childhood. When he was a small boy, he’d visit firehouses and although none of the firefighters there looked like him, they always told him to get good grades in school and stay out of trouble if he planned to join the fire department. He took their advice to heart, and is proud to serve as Assistant Fire Chief for the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD). He has memories of his mom bringing him to a suburban school when he was small, riding the city bus from the central city, and crying his eyes out when she left. “The kids teased me all day. About being black, about wearing my hair cut too short… I was so upset that the teacher eventually www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
He joined the Fire Academy upon graduation from Wauwatosa East High School in 1992. He earned college degrees while a member of the Fire Department, including a bachelor of science in public administration from Upper Iowa University and a master of science in management from Cardinal Stritch University. He is considering a Ph.D. “I might be a glutton for punishment, but I also see how important formal education is becoming. I used to think that experience was everything. But as I grow, I think about how this profession is truly a science. At my level, there is a huge push for Fire Science education. You start out working a rig, to being in charge of a fire house, to being in charge of several fire houses – a battalion. It makes me want to do things right.” Gerard has consistently applied the edict that he “do the right thing, even when no one is watching.” He attributes some of his success to the vision of the fire chief, saying that it speaks to the leadership of the department when a new chief hires a young person of color as assistant chief, and lets everyone know that the next time a chief is hired, there should be no need for the city to look to other cities to fill the opening. Primarily, Gerard is committed to helping people in both emergency and non-emergency situations. “Despite the fact that my beginnings were humble, I want kids to see someone who was born and raised here and believes in the city. I want to stay here, and I want to keep other people here.”
He keeps stickers, toy fire helmets and safety based coloring books in his car, and when he encounters kids on the street, he shares the trinkets, and talks to them about fire safety. He also visits schools to deliver winter coats for the Coat For Kids project and speaks on behalf of the department. He also visits schools to talk about career paths with the Fire Department, where he always encourages young people to become members of the MFD. He makes a point to hand out his card to young people, and to be available to them. “A safe and healthy Milwaukee is the vision of the department, so a big part of my job is about being involved in the community. Mentoring and coaching is an important part of that.” Gerard serves on the board of the American Red Cross whose purpose is to offer aid and resources to others to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies through immediate assistance, education, outreach and training. He is also on the Board of Director of Diverse and Resilient, a Milwaukee area nonprofit which does both capacity-building and direct-service work to address the health disparities experienced by LGBT people in Wisconsin. (Continued on pg. 31) An NCON Communications Publication
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After working nearly 34 years under the often conflicting political agendas of seven different governors while with the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Pastor Herbert L Robinson never lost his belief in God’s forgiveness or Christ’s teaching to love God and your neighbor with all your heart.
Columbia, SC, offered him a music education and economics scholarship.
After graduation from college, he left South Carolina and briefly took a job working at a nursing home in Troy, NY. He said he did not feel secure in Troy and after about a year when a friend in Michigan suggested that he consider moving to Pastor Robinson began working for the Wiscon- Milwaukee, Pastor Robinson packed all his worldly sin Department of Corrections in 1973. He found- belongings and arrived in Milwaukee with enough ed Good Samaritan Church of God in Christ in money to stay one week at the Wisconsin Hotel. the living room of his home in August 1988. Later that same year the growing congregation moved Fortunately, he was able to find work with the to a storefront in the upper Center Street business Pinkerton Security Company before his finances district. Although he retired in 2007 as Director of were completely depleted. Within a year of his Community Correction Employment Programs, arrival, he was hired by the Department of CorPastor Robinson continues to serve as full-time rections, originally as an employment counselor. Founder and Senior Pastor at the Good Samaritan During his tenure with that agency, he held the Church of God in Christ first job fair inside a correctional facility. That event made national news after 49 offenders were He is an ordained pastor in his denomination, offered employment. He also created a program and attended the Charles Harrison Mason Semi- to help train chefs while they were still incarceratnary. Approximately six years ago, the congrega- ed so they would have marketable skills when retion, which currently averages about 250 for week- leased. During his career he accumulated numerly worship, relocated to a larger edifice formerly ous awards and certificates for developing innovaoccupied by the Evangelical Lutheran Church. tive programs. Pastor Robinson proclaims that “He will be faithful to the call as pastor until death.” As an ordained “We were a model for other states,” Pastor Robminister he serves as the 2nd Administrative Assis- inson said. “People came from other states to obtant to Bishop J.C. Williams, and holds many other serve how we operated.” important supervisory roles with the Church of God in Christ. Success in career and ministry did not shield him from tragedy, however. He and his first wife, Janet Born and raised in a tiny South Carolina hamlet Ray Robinson, had two sons, but son Mark was named Greeleyville with a population of 500, Pas- hit by a car and killed while walking to school in tor Robinson graduated from C.E. Murray High 1988. The couple established a scholarship in his School in Greeleyville and spent his first year after name. Janet passed away in March 2005. His other high school playing the trumpet and touring with son, Benjamin, is now 29 and serves in the minisa jazz band in the late 1960s. It was an experience try with Pastor Robinson who is now married to he said he did not enjoy, and when offered an op- De’lonnia Roberson Robinson. He has two step portunity to attend an institution of higher learn- daughters and four step grandchildren from his ing, he quickly accepted when Benedict College, marriage to his first wife Janet. one of the historically black colleges, located in
Pastor Herbert Robinson Good Samaritan C.O.G.I.C. “Jesus told us to make sure and reach out to the marginalized members of society,” he said. “Originally our church did street ministry. Many of our members had troubled lives before they joined Good Samaritan. Many did not have a driver's license or even a high school diploma. Some did not even have a roof over their head. Now many of those same people own their own homes, are entrepreneurs, and are achieving success they never thought they would be able to attain. (Continued on pg. 31)
mind the days when he learned from Dr. Mallory that “God has called us to be successful. Look at Joshua. God wants each of us to make our own way prosperous."
Reverend Jonathan Saffold Ebenezer C.O.G.I.C. Rev. Jonathan Saffold spent his first 20 years in Lexington, MS, where he was born the ninth of 14 children of Joseph and Willie Mae Saffold. He is a lifetime member of the Church of God in Christ and graduated from Saints Junior College, which was founded in Lexington in 1912 as a oneroom school house. It was at Saints Junior College that he met an ambitious professor, Dr. Aremia Mallory, who’d expanded it from the one room, to an entire campus which housed students from across the country and internationally. Dr. Mallory mentored Jonathan and his siblings in principles of success, and he says he still likes to accomplish things although he “can’t do as much as fast” as he did when he was a scholar. He still keeps in An NCON Communications Publication
Career choices in Lexington were limited. Aside from farming, one could be a teacher or a preacher, and seeing as how those positions were filled as the siblings came of age, a few moved to Milwaukee, WI seeking work, and others followed in the coming years. Jonathan came looking for work opportunities, and given the recession in 1957, considered moving back to Mississippi to see if he “could be a good farmer.” Just as he was about to give up, he found a job in a restaurant making one dollar an hour. He was soon promoted to making $1.25 and couldn’t have been happier. He married his wife Lula Mae in 1960 and applied to the postal service, and bought a house to settle in with his growing family: Gerald, Bernard, Jonathan, Jonna, and Jonetta. Watching Martin Luther King march on Birmingham, his father told him, “That’ll never happen in Lexington.” But it did happen, and while his father, a man who was able to recite the name of all the U.S. presidents in the order they were elected, was not able to see it, young Jonathan did see it. And when he saw Dr. King in Lexington MS, he remembered another thing that he father always told him, “Things can always get better.” “I always wanted a house by the side of the road,” said Jonathan when asked about his dreams from childhood. “I read this poem once in school, and it said, 'let me build a house by the side of the road, and be a friend to men’. I never stopped wanting that, to build a house at the side of the road, and to be a friend to men. I think I’ve done
it.” He was called to the ministry in 1969 and was ordained in March of that year. It was then that he met Reverend Charles Upchurch, who served as a mentor and friend until a plane he was flying crashed and killed Reverend Upchurch, whose congregation asked Jonathan to serve as their pastor. He became the head pastor of Ebenezer Church of God In Christ (COGIC), and left his postal service position after 20 years, to serve full time. The congregation grew from a rented room and purchased the King Solomon building at 3132 North Martin Luther King. The building was under construction from 1977 to 1987. The congregation moved in from 1987-1988 and have remained in that location since then. In 1995, the church was able to liquidate their mortgage, and they currently offers standing-room-only services weekly. Aside from traditional services, Reverend Saffold has developed a school for male and female ministers, which has been growing for the past eight years. One room of Ebenezer has been donated to St. Mary’s Parish Nurse program and four members have been trained to serve and facilitate programs for the parish nurse project. They offer Strong Baby Programming, free clinics which serve 100 people each Wednesday, free medications for several chronic diseases and health demonstration from nurses and chefs. This group also travels to other church in the Milwaukee area. (Continued on pg. 31) www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that disciples youth through the aspect of sports. In addition to this, he is connected to national college outreach organizations and serves with the Impact Movement and Cru. He also serves locally with campus ministries at UW-Whitewater, UW-Madison, Marquette University, and UWMilwaukee.
A strong, insatiable passion for the growth and development of youth has long claimed the attention and interest of Aaron Suggs. To be more specific, it is the spiritual growth and development that he desires for all the youth and young adults with whom he comes in contact. Aaron was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI and received most of his education in Milwaukee. He graduated from Vincent High School in 2004 and went on to pursue additional education. He attended UW-Milwaukee, pursuing studies in broadcast journalism; at Cardinal Stritch University, he studied in the African American Leadership Program.
With this extensive involvement, Aaron is co-founder of The Empowerment Project, which is a community initiative in the Greater Milwaukee Area to empower youth through arts, athletics, and music.
For ten years, Minister Suggs has been married to his wife, Jasmine, and they are the parents of two daughters, Aariyahna and Jaelynn. Since becoming a member of New Testament Church of Milwaukee, the youth of his church have become "family"to Minister Suggs and Jasmine, as well. On September 11, 2011, Aaron was licensed as a minister to preach and teach the Gospel Truth by Pastor Julius R. Malone, Senior Pastor of New Testament Church of Milwaukee. He is currently serving in full-time ministry as Youth Director, which is the lead position of youth ministry operations of New Testament Church. He is also activeMinister Aaron Suggs ly involved with community engagement, which New Testament Church includes serving as a church coordinator for the Oneness School Initiative, which provides mentoring through Milwaukee Public Schools. At Vincent High School, Aaron serves as a vol- also serves as League Director of the Milwaukee unteer coach to the Athletics Department. He Christian Fellowship Basketball League, which is
Assistant Chief Gerard Washington (Continued from pg. 29) Gerard is a member of the Brotherhood of Firefighters, an organization in Milwaukee that was established in 1979 as a chapter of the North Central Region of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters. The purpose of the organization is expanding the national network of African American firefighters and the communities they serve. He is a husband and father. Gerard is grateful for protection from God, support from his wife, and good foundation from his mother. “When you are passionate about what you do, you can make it look easy. What people don’t know is that I pray for protection for our members, and the families we serve. I’ve lost people in my life to fire and accidents and it was a big influence. I wanted to prevent that kind of pain from happening to anyone else.” Gerard learned his lesson, and plans to continue working in Fire Science. “You know how they say that when you do what you love, it’s not work? I’ve never had to work a day in my life.”
Aaron's desire is that every youth with whom he comes in contact will: • become ready to relay God's Message of hope in Christ • be the remedy in the community and relate to others • ultimately respect God through a lifestyle of worship
Pastor Herbert Robinson
are the ones that we lose,” Pastor Robinson said. “There is so much work to be done and we don’t always have the (Continued from pg. 30) expertise to reach everyone. We believe that everybody “What makes me feel bad is somebody, and because of
this conviction it is my personal and spiritual duty to be that 'Good Samaritan', that will provide a beacon of hope to a dark and hopeless world.”
Rev. Jonathan Saffold
convention decisions and business decisions for the church body.
(Continued from pg. 30) Another element of the partnership with St. Mary’s is the Blanket of Love program, which assists teen parents through pregnancy and the care of newborns. Parents are able to receive education and hot meals to build community among the population.
opening its doors twice weekly. This volunteer staffed operation offers non-perishable, refrigerated, and frozen foods, with unpaid shopping helpers circulating to assist customers with their selections. The volunteer staff completes bulk purchases, loads and stores supplies.
He is the Chairman of the COGIC Nominating Committee, and monitors qualifications of all elected officials of the National Church. He is responsible for the hiring The food pantry at processes of the General Ebenezer serves one thou- Assembly of the National sand people each month, Church which makes both www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
When asked about his motivation, Reverend Saffold said, “Being born in Mississippi had a positive side and a negative side. It made me aware of how to survive using conservation and hard work. Everyone had to work hard. But people plant trees not just so they can eat. If they can eat all the fruit that only tells them they didn’t plant enough trees. There should always be extra so others can eat, too.”
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Jim Addison Black Health Coalition
family’s finances. At the same time I wanted to take He said that job evolved naturally advantage of travel opportunities.” when fathers would During his tour with the Corps, he was stationed accompany expectin San Diego, Virginia, North Carolina, Japan, South ant mothers to the Korea, the Philippines and many other locations. agency for prenatal He rose to the rank of Corporal serving in logistics, care and counseling. which meant helping to make sure that the correct Jim said he began amount of resources which included food, equip- informally offering ment and appropriate personnel were available for fatherhood insights the unit to which he was assigned. In 1988 he was to those men who awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, a peacetime came to the agency recognition for “outstanding achievement or meri- with the mother of their child. The new torious service.” position became ofSince 2000 Jim has served as the Coordinator of ficial in 2012. the African American HIV/AIDS program for the Jim is a father of Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin. Jim said that the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin emphasiz- three children: Jues prevention, counseling, testing and, in the event lien, 21; Jalen, 18; and Jacquelyn, 9. He has been of a positive result, referral to a qualified health- married for 22 years to Emily (Johnson) Addison. He is also an Associate Elder at Greater Philadelcare provider. phia Church of God in Christ where he teaches BiWhen Jim began serving as the HIV/AIDS Pro- ble class, serves as president of the Men’s Departgram Coordinator, a positive HIV test result was ment, serves as Sunday school superintendent and still practically a death sentence; but in recent years conducts various clergy services such as hospital a number of groundbreaking treatment options visits, weddings, marriage counseling and funerals. have become available. Despite so much more now known about the disease, Jim said there continues to be a degree of stigma toward those living with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis; so the Black Health Coalition tries to reach its target population base by partnering with churches or community-based organizations.
Cpl. Jim Addison (ret.) was born and raised in Milwaukee, but immediately after graduating from high school he entered Lakewood College in White Bear Lake, MN. After two years he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1986-1990. Recently, Jim also took on the job of serving as Jim said he chose to enlist in the Marines be- Coordinator of the Family Fatherhood Program. cause he “wanted to be less of a burden on my
Linda V. McFerrin was born in St. Louis, but raised by her grandparents in Cleveland, MS. She graduated from East Side High School and Delta State University in Cleveland. She majored in criminal justice with a minor in sociology. After graduation, Linda moved to Milwaukee with the support of her three aunts and grandparents. She began taking a series of temporary jobs while looking for a permanent position. In the autumn of 1976 she received a two-week assignment at the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and after the two weeks, was hired as a full time secretary. Over the next 40 years, she would hold 11 different positions with United Way. Currently, she is the Vice President of Resource Development and Management. In 2015, Linda oversaw the merger of the campaign teams from United Way in Waukesha County and United Way of Greater Milwaukee, “combining best practices and increasing efficiencies with an aim of raising even more dollars to invest in the community,” according to her profile on the United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County website. Linda is a key member of United Way’s executive team and is responsible for all
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The United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County impacts individuals and families by investing in more than 220 program partners focused on education, income, and health at over 110 agency program partners. United Way brings together partners from business, education, government, faith-based and non-profit organizations to work toward common goals, resulting in a better quality of life for all. Linda is very modest and credits her personal success with the great staff and strong leadership at United Way, the support of her family, volunteers, loaned executives, company ambassadors, and strong corporate support from large, medium and small businesses, labor unions and individual donors that contribute to United Way. “Honestly, there are so many wonderful people in Milwaukee doing amazing things,” she said when asked what the secret was to her long career with a single employer. “It is being able to work with a diverse group of people from all walks of life. I have the privilege to work with community leaders that are making an impact in the greater Milwaukee area, the region, the country and the Linda McFerrin world. Some of them may not realize it,” she said, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & “but they served as mentors to me. I’ve been lucky to be around fantastic role models my entire life.” Waukesha County Linda shares her time with her family which includes her aunts, her mother, her son and daughter-in-law, and her three grandchildren. Linda said fundraising, including the annual campaign. She she has channeled most of her life into raising her manages a staff of 22 professionals. When Lin- son, spending time with her grandchildren and da started at United Way, the fundraising goal was helping United Way to succeed. “The United Way changes people’s lives for the $12,750,000. This year the campaign exceeded its better,” she said. goal of $60 million.
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Known fondly throughout his hometown of Milwaukee, WI as “Shimmie,” Ellis L. Turrentine, Sr., is the son of Louis Turrentine of Sparkman, AR and Shirley (McHenry) Turrentine of Milwaukee, WI and a brother of five siblings. Shimmie grew up right down the street from Roosevelt Jr. High and across from Lapham Park on the corner of 6th and Vine, and lived there until he was 14. “Ours was a Black neighborhood that was a nice, tight knit community around Weazie’s Meat Market where everybody knew everybody.” Shimmie would later move to Palmer and Meinecke, and has been on the East side ever since. It was at Lapham Park and Carver Park on 8th and Brown Streets where Shimmie spent his days and nights, playing everything from basketball, football, softball, and even swimming with his cousin, who were taught by the lifeguards who looked out for them. In fact, sports first entered Ellis’ life when he was just a young boy at the age of 5 or 6 years old and he recalled it this way:
them while they played. When I finally got old enough at 12 years old and already 6 feet tall by the 7th grade, they were short one guy and invited me to play.” As Shimmie describes it, basketball is his heart. He went to Lincoln High School, where he began playing as a forward, then as a guard. It was while he and all his friends were playing on the freshman team that Coach Smallins saw his love of the game and his God-given talent, and brought Shimmie to play on the varsity basketball team. Coach Smallins took Lincoln High School to the state championships, as well as taught Shimmie and the others how to be men, how to respect one another on the court, and that we must work hard for their team, and that classes come first.
He graduated with the class of 1969, and went on to Drake University in Des Moines, IA, on an athletic scholarship where he majored in physical education with a minor in communications. When he returned to Milwaukee, Shimmie was married and had his “There was a disabled guy on the play- first son. He is now the father of three boys: ground across from my house who was the Ellis, Jr., Corey, Jamal and four daughters: playground director, a guy named Mike Riley. Courtney, Tanecka, Yolanda and Shaimia, I owe it all to him. I used to always go to the and has ten grandchildren. park and he’d always let me have a basketball and play and then when I got around 9 or 10 To Shimmie, sports was a release. He reEllis L. "Shimmie" Turrentine, Sr. years old, I’d go to the Lapham Park Social tired after 30 years with Milwaukee Public Center and play. Mike Riley would let me in Schools where he coached boys and girls WI Basketball Coaches Assn. the gym to watch the older guys who grew basketball, and worked with autistic children Hall of Fame Inductee up around my neighborhood, and I used to and students with learning disabilities. Shimrun to Eli’s Drugstore and get soda pops for mie also was the physical education director at the King Center, and in his spare time, he could be found tending bar and socializing at “I love living in Milwaukee but Milwaukee is so much difToran’s, Tapp Bar, Mr. J’s, The Ret Lounge, ferent now,” Shimmie said. “I was taking the bus to go play and The Mad Mule. at 10 years old, and you know today a child of 10 cannot take the bus by themselves. Kids of today, don’t put the It was his rich and fulfilling career in bas- work into practicing sports the way we did in the 70s, and we ketball for which the Wisconsin Basketball played on the playground every day outside in the summer Hall of Fame (WBCA) inducted Ellis L. from morning ‘til night. Now playgrounds are empty. What “Shimmie” Turrentine, Sr., to the Class of I value about Milwaukee is my family is here and a bulk of 2015, thanks to Dr. Harry Odom and his for- my friends are here, and it feels good to be recognized by my mer coach Jim Smallins who nominated him. community for something that’s just a part of my life.”
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nity conversations. In addition to serving as chair, Dr. Malone sometimes moderates Brainstorming sessions. Depending on the topic, voices may become raised, but Dr. Malone has learned how to defuse tension and keep large gatherings on topic.
In 2012, Dr. Pamela Malone became the chair of the Community Brainstorming Conference. She has been an active member of the organization for more than 20 years. Their breakfast forums have been held on the fourth Saturday of each month at St. Matthew’s C.M.E. Church at 2944 North 9th Street since February 1986.
Despite a relatively diminutive stature, she can command the attention of the entire gathering with just a few carefully chosen words.
Through her long career in Milwaukee politics and education, Dr. Malone has built up an extensive network of influential connections which have resulted in forums with influential panelists and strong interest as measured by attendance.
Dr. Malone’s political savvy and ability to hold the attention of a crowd were not traits that necessarily revealed themselves while the “bookish” Milwaukee native was growing up near North 9th and West Burleigh streets.
Even more encouragingly, it is increasingly a place where people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds feel comfortable attending and talking with each other about long-neglected issues such as civil rights, poverty alleviation, and educational opportunity. While the meetings have enjoyed increased popularity, Dr. Malone is concerned whether there is enough interest among younger generations to keep the dialogue going. The concern is particularly acute because she said the Community Brainstorming Model appears to be unique to Milwaukee and she believes it could serve as a worthwhile agent of change in a number of communities across the U.S.
She came from an extended family of high-achieving academics. Many family members over generations have earned master’s degrees or doctorates and growing up Dr. Malone said schoolwork came easily to her. It was somewhat of an unspoken understanding that after graduation from Riverside High School, she would attend college. “I don’t know if I had a choice really,” she said. “My mother pushed me. I’m glad she did.”
Dr. Pamela Malone MATC/Community Brainstorming
Dr. Malone earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Lakeland College in Sheboygan. She received a full scholarship to law school at Marquette University, but left after one year. Instead, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she earned a master’s degree Dr. Pam, as she is often called, is especially inter- in Urban Affairs and her Ph.D. in Urban Social ested in freeing up some of her schedule in order Institutions. to help other communities launch similar commu-
William E. Tipton, II, was born and raised in Milwaukee. Although he attended high school in Florida for two years, he returned to Milwaukee and earned his GED from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Not long after graduation, he attended Commercial Diesel Truck Driving School finishing 45 out of a graduating class of 300. For the next 23 years, William was on the road for several different small commercial trucking firms, helping ensure that the U.S. economy had the correct amount of products to meet demand throughout the land. He left that job after concluding that the company he was working for at the time was no longer maintaining its equipment fleet in a safe condition. He was soon hired as a county transit bus driver for Milwaukee, but in 2004 he fell and shattered his knee. During his own convalescence his grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and he decided to become her caretaker after he recovered. She passed in 2009. In 2008, William was walking his two daughters, Katera and Nevaeha, to school when he noticed that the teacher seemed to “have her hands full giving the kids breakfast.” On the spur of the moWilliam Tipton, II ment he decided to offer to stay and help and before long it became a regular habit. Some weeks Milwaukee Public Schools/Saint John’s On The Lake he stayed and helped distribute breakfast the entire week, but never less than three times. He was not able to volunteer any more because after their diesel bus. The different set of hours also his grandmother died he accepted a position as a prompted him to register with the Milwaukee Pubschool bus driver. lic School System. Becoming registered meant he was permitted to have contact with children. Unfortunately the school bus company went out of business in 2012, but it turned out to be For the past three years William said he would a double blessing. First he found a position driv- help the librarian shelve books. “They’ve gotten ing residents of Saint John's On The Lake retire- a whole lot of books from other schools that ment community, on shopping and field trips, in have closed and they all have to be catalogue and An NCON Communications Publication
shelved,” he said. “I helped set up chairs for assemblies. I did pretty much whatever they asked me to do.” William said, he is particularly proud of the time that he donated as part of a Toyota Family Learning Program where he helped construct the little wooden neighborhood lending libraries that are usually no bigger than a mailbox and contain at most a dozen or two book titles for young readers. He said he is currently searching for a new church home. While attending a previous church, he used to assist with the Meals on Wheels program. Recently the residents of Saint John’s, an independent senior citizen apartment tower complex that overlooks Lake Michigan, began participating once a week in a church-sponsored tutoring program called “Our Next Generation.” William drives volunteers from Saint John’s to a community center at 35th and Lisbon. The residents assist the students with homework assignments. Recently William took a second job driving charter bus trips for Lamers Bus Lines, Inc., but he continues to help out when he can and believes very strongly in the power of education. He is proud of the time he has donated to help students and promote literacy, but he never expected to be honored for such work. He said he was humbled and deeply moved because he could not recall ever being publicly recognized before.
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Congratulations to the 2016 Black Excellence Honorees and this year’s Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients ! www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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LoveKindness Perhaps you are thinking we are living at a time in human history when so many bad things are happening that we are living in desperate times. The problem with thinking like this is that we may be living in the very best of times. How can this be true when we read and hear so many tragic stories every day? The popular media regards incidents where people are hurt as being more newsworthy than when people actually help each other. Do you wonder exactly what it is in human nature that prefers to read the Bad News as opposed to what God calls the Good News? Harvard Professor Steven Pinker says, “Today, we are probably living in the most peaceful time in our species’ existence.” How can that statement be truthful when we are daily bombarded by so many reports of tragic experiences from mass shootings, natural disasters and wars? Jeff Jacoby reports in the Boston Globe that, “2015 was the best year yet.” He documents this claim with the following statistics. Global female literacy has passed 93 percent, up from 40 percent in the 1970s. Free elections took place in Nigeria, Argentina, Myanmar and Burkina Faso. The latest FBI report shows that “violent crime was down, not up” over 2014. Economist Charles Kenny argues that, “On the whole, 2015 was the best year in history for the average human to be alive.” We are “hardwired for pessimism,” and want to romanticize the past, but “these really are the good old days.” Marian Tupy reports that the World Bank recently announced that less than 10 percent of the world’s population was living in extreme poverty at the end of 2015. Yet, as recently as1980 they estimated that 50 percent of the global population lived
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LoveKindness vs. Bad News
in absolute poverty. What extraordinary progress has taken place in just a few years and yet we are not aware of what is actually taking place. Professor Hans Rosling of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden asked Americans whether absolute poverty rose or fell over that last 20 years. Some 66 percent
Zion Hill MBC 1825 W. Hampton Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53209 Rev. Dr. Russell B. Williamson, Pastor Upcoming Events: African American Heritage Day Sunday, February 21, 2016 10:00 a.m. (Worship) 10:45 a.m. (Program) National Black Marriage Day Sunday, March 13, 2016 10:00 a.m. (Worship) 10:45 a.m. (Program) An NCON Communications Publication
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thought that it had almost doubled and 29 percent thought that it remained more or less the same. Just think, only 5 percent realized what great progress was taking place as millions escaped poverty. What does all this have to do with our Milwaukee Love Kindness campaign? We want to bal-
ance the discouraging news by sharing the many positive experiences taking place throughout our neighborhoods every day. In my last column I suggested 8 specific acts of kindness each of us can do every day that will make our lives more memorable. When Jesus tells us that we are not to worry I believe that is something we need to work hard at doing. Let’s stop letting the Bad News overshadow the Good News and actually rejoice in every day that we are blessed to receive. Your kindness stories and nominations will be printed in future columns and everyone who sends in a nomination will receive a Love Kindness package. Kindness is much more
important than violence so let us begin to truly Love Kindness! Email your Kindness stories and nominations to, miltimes@gmail.com or mail them to the Milwaukee Times, 1936 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or NCON Communication, its staff or management. "LoveKindness" is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
Our mission is what brings us together.
WHEATON FRANCISCAN HEALTHCARE CONGRATULATES THERESA JONES 2016 Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Trailblazer Award Honoree More than 125 years ago, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters created an organization dedicated to the belief that every life is sacred and that all people should be treated with humanity. Today, with 12,000 doctors, nurses, and associates working together, we believe it is still what sets us apart. Making Our Community Stronger. Healthier. Better.
mywheaton.org
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s t n e i p i c e r e h t l l a o t s C ongratulation . s d r a w A e c n e l l e c x E of the B lack UWM RECOGNIZES THOSE WHO HAVE MADE POSITIVE IMPACTS IN OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITY.
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The Counseling Corner
By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min. M.Th
African American Women Who Changed History (Week 2)
Spotlight: Mary Eliza Church Terrell (1863-1954) The Women’s Suffrage Movement The woman suffrage movement actually began in 1848, when the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. For the next 50 years, woman suffrage supporters worked to educate the public about the validity of woman suffrage. At the turn of the century, women reformers wanted to pass reform legislation. However, many politicians were unwilling to listen to a disenfranchised group. Thus, over time women began to realize that in order to achieve reform, they needed to win the right to vote. For these reasons, at the turn of the century, the woman suffrage movement became a mass movement. Black women participated in the American Equal Rights Association, and later in both the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). Historian Rosalyn Terborg-Penn argues that black women were drawn more to the AWSA than the NWSA as the AWSA supported the enfranchisement of black men. In the 1880s and 1890s, black women, like their white counterparts, began to form woman’s clubs. Many of these clubs included suffrage as one plank in their broader platform. In 1896, many of
these clubs affiliated to form the National Association of Colored Women, with Mary Eliza Church Terrell as president. As president, Mary Eliza Church Terrell organized a strategy for African American women to become full citizens of the U. S. Terrell lectured throughout the country on the importance of the vote for black women. She deemed the vote essential for the elevation of black women and consequently the entire black race. Terrell saw education as essential in obtaining racial uplift and respectability.
As president of the National Association of Colored Women, Terrell campaigned tirelessly among black organizations and mainstream white organizations for black women’s suffrage. She even picketed the Wilson White House with members of the National Woman’s Party in her zeal for woman suffrage. As a result of the efforts of women suffragists, the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 which legally enfranchised women, white and black. However, within a decade, state laws and vigilante practices effectively disenfranchised most black wom-
en in the South. It would take another major movement for voting rights – the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, before black women in the South would be effectively enfranchised. Terrell fought for woman suffrage and civil rights because she realized she belonged “to the only group in this country that has two such huge obstacles to surmount…both sex and race.” Terrell lectured, organized, and battled to better the lives of African American women throughout her life.
Source: National Women’s History Museum Next Week’s Spotlight: Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Activist The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in this article, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes only. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
You see possibility. We see you.
Right now, your little girl sees herself as a fairy princess. While you imagine a more traditional career in her future, you want to support her in whatever she chooses to pursue. When you’re ready to plan her happily ever after, spend time with our online financial tools and resources that are designed to help you work toward your goals. financialgenius.usbank.com.
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Counseling Baptisms Weddings Funerals Phone: (414) 256-1309 Member FDIC. ©2016 U.S. Bank.
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Photo Credit: Public domain. Courtesy of Alabama Tourism Department
Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.
Celebrating Black History. Honoring Hallowed Grounds.
As we celebrate Black History, we remember the long marches, the stirring speeches and silent sit-ins. We may forget that the places where history was made are still here. And that history is still alive in the solid iron of bridges, the creaking wood of courtrooms and the sun-dappled dirt of back roads where a dream took root and grew to change a nation. Write the next chapter by embracing your Real Possibilities. Visit us at aarp.org/blackcommunity.
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The 2016 Black Excellence Awards would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of a great group of positive and motivated staff and volunteers. They are: 2016 Black Excellence Committee: Lynda Jackson Conyers Shirley Sharp Fred Reed Sandra Scott Ara V. Jackson Dawn D. Jackson Sherry Hill Dr. Willie Hart Brenda Sheppard Nelson Nobie Reed
170 YEARS IN THE MAKING! Tuesday, February 23, 2016 • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. BMO Harris Bradley Center 1001 N. 4th St., Milwaukee
2016 Black Excellence Project Manager: Jacquelyn Heath
(Please use the Kohl’s entrance off of Highland)
Reconnect with classmates and friends as we celebrate MPS’ past, present and future and show our school pride.
2016 Black Excellence Staff Writers: Carmen A. Murguia Steve Waring Alexia Knox Melanie Lambert Richard Badger Christine Mitchell Claudette Jones
] FREE event with cash bar ] Wear your school gear ] Encourage former classmates to join you ] Brief program at 6:00 p.m. with remarks by Dr. Darienne B. Driver, Superintendent of Schools ] Discounted parking at BMO Harris Bradley Center Parking Structure RSVP and connect with fellow alums at mpsmke.com/alumni
The Milwaukee Times Staff: George Neal Terry Taylor William S. Gooden Michelle Anibas Angel Reyes Antonio Alexander Yvonne Kemp
Sponsored by: T MCTS R2.pdf
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LEAP DAY - FEBRUARY 29 Riding the bus is going paperless
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Regular Contributers: Rev. Judith Lester Frank James Michael S. Robertson Dr. Andrew Calhoun A Special Thank-you to: Our Media partners WISN Channel 12 & The Milwaukee Business Journal and our Volunteers from the Milwaukee Urban League C
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The entire 2016 Black Excellence Team would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the members of our community including the businesses, churches, media, and local leaders who have supported our event over the years. CMY
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Paper passes, tickets and transfers will end on February 29. You can still pay with cash to ride the bus, but you will need an M•Card to get a transfer. Get your M•Card today! It saves you money on each ride. You can buy them at Pick N Save, Community Financial and several gas station and convenience stores. For a full list of retail locations visit: ridemcts.com
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Happy Birthday Salutes! Wishing You All The Best! Notice of Final Environmental Impact Statement I-94 East-West Corridor, 70th Street to 16th Street Milwaukee County The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the I-94 East-West Corridor located in Milwaukee County. The Final EIS describes the preferred alternative and reasons for its identification. It also reports the results of the December 4 and 5, 2014 public hearing and public and agency comments on the Draft EIS. The Final EIS will be available February 12, 2016 online at www.sefreeways.org and at the WisDOT Southeast Region Office in Waukesha, the WisDOT Environmental Services Section in Madison, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in Pewaukee, the Milwaukee Department of Transportation in Wauwatosa, the City of Milwaukee Public Works Department in Milwaukee, the Wauwatosa and West Allis libraries, and the following City of Milwaukee libraries: Central, Forest Home, Washington Park and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.. Comments on the Final EIS must be received or postmarked by March 14, 2016. Comments may be mailed to Jason Lynch, WisDOT 141 N.W. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53187 or emailed to Jason.Lynch@dot.wi.gov. For more information call Jason Lynch at (414) 750-1803 or visit us at www.sefreeways.org.
February 1st Karen M. Ingram Jayvion Fumbanks February 2nd Donald Driver Hannah Ivy February 3rd Frances Brown Evelyn Glover Evelyn Blake February 4th Yashika Grades JaRon Williams Cleveland Hathaway Christine Pearson February 5th Kylah Lyons February 6th Lawrence Smith Mark Phillips February 7th Beniee A. Randle Trynail Banks February 8th Emily Davis February 10th Bertha Thompson February 12th Stacy D. Ingram Kieva Smith February 13th Terry Taylor February 14th Angel T. Fumbanks Vicki Chamberlain
February 15th Annie B. Banks February 16th Tony Chamberlain Steffanie Boyd February 17th Kim Lyons Tony J. Thompson February 18th Tina Spears February 19th Andrew Green, Sr. Gloria Hunt Ellen Fumbanks Jamera Ellis February 20th Mable Taylor Channing M. Williams February 21st Nia Fizpatrick February 23rd Chole Ann Taylor Bryanna Barnes February 24th Janice Williams February 25th Betty Speed Jeffery Matlock February 26th Geraldine Walker Sandrene Watts Louis Davis, Sr. February 27th Louis Davis, Jr. February 28th Louis Taylor, Jr.
Do you have a friend, family member, or colleague who has just celebrated or is about to celebrate a birthday? Stop by our office with their name on Monday to get them in that week’s edition of Happy Birthday Salutes! Visit us at 1936 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, call us at (414) 263-5088 or e-mail them to miltimes@gmail.com.
700,000 Job Openings Become a CNA 1st step to being a nurse St. Martin's College & Seminary (414) 371-1600 www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Administrative Assistant Seaway Bank and Trust Company is seeking an experienced Administrative Assistant to report to the Senior Vice President/North Division Manager. Responsibilities include: monitoring incoming telephone calls, reviewing memos & correspondence, preparing itineraries, filing & record keeping and providing overall administrative support. Candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills; be able to multi-task and handle confidential matters. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel required. Submit resumes to: hr@seawaybank.us. OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 11, 2016. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Travis R. Luzney, P.E., Director of the Division of Facilities and Maintenance Services, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:30PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following work: All contractor(s) and subcontractor(s) are subject to the prevailing wage rates and hours of labor as prescribed by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors of the City of Milwaukee consistent with provisions of Section 66.0903 of the Wisconsin Statutes. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10°/o of Contractor's Base Bid. BOILER ROOM ABATEMENT & DISPOSAL Obama School of Career and Technical Education 5075 N. Sherman Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53209 MPS Property No. 016 MPS Project No. 2637
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OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 11, 2016. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Travis R. Luzney, P.E., Director of the Division of Facilities and Maintenance Services, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:30PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following work: All contractor(s) and subcontractor(s) are subject to the prevailing wage rates and hours of labor as prescribed by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors of the City of Milwaukee consistent with provisions of Section 66.0903 of the Wisconsin Statutes. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. MASONRY REHABILITATION·PHASE II Bay View High School 2751 S. Lenox Street Milwaukee, WI 53207 MPS Property No. 012 MPS Project No. 3478 The HUB requirements for this project are 20% The COIN requirements for this project are 20% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this project are: Paid Employment: 200 Hours Educational Activities: 10 Hours Deposit for Drawings and Specifications: $25.00 MAILING CHARGE: $35.00 The bidding documents may be obtained 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; Monday through Friday from A/E Graphics, Inc.; 4075 North 124th Street, Brookfield, WI 53005; phone (262) 781·7744; fax (262) 781·4250. Call A/E Graphics, Inc. for availability of bid documents for pick up. Plans and specifications will be loaned to a prospective bidder upon receipt of the deposit listed, which deposit will be returned upon surrender of the plans and specifications in good condition. Bid documents must be returned only to A/E Graphics, Inc. Plans and specifications may not be examined at the Facilities and Maintenance Services' office or at A/E Graphics. Plans and specifications may also be viewed online at A/E Graphics, Inc. @ www.aegraphics.com. Each proposal shall be for a fixed lump sum. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids or to waive informalities. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals at the bid opening through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids. The following TDD number is available for the hearing impaired for questions prior to bid opening, (414) 283-4611. Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools 10982981/02·11·18-25/03·3
The HUB requirements for this project are 0% The COIN requirements for this project are 0% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this project are: Paid Employment: 0 Hours Educational Activities: 0 Hours Deposit for Drawings and Specifications: $25.00 MAILING CHARGE: $35.00 The bidding documents may be obtained 7:30A.M. to 5:00P.M.; Monday through Friday from A/E Graphics, Inc.; 4075 North 124th Street. Brookfield, WI 53005; phone (262) 781-7744; fax (262) 781-4250. Call A/E Graphics, Inc. for availability of bid documents for pick up. Plans and specifications will be loaned to a prospective bidder upon receipt of the deposit listed, which deposit will be returned upon surrender of the plans and specifications in good condition. Bid documents must be returned only to A/E Graphics, Inc. Plans and specifications may not be examined at the Facilities and Maintenance Services' office or at A/E Graphics. Plans and specifications may also be viewed online at A/E Graphics, Inc. @ www.aegraphics.com. Each proposal shall be for a fixed lump sum. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids or to waive informalities. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals at the bid opening through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids. The following TDD number is available for the hearing impaired for questions prior to bid opening, (414) 283 4611. Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools 10982989/02-11-18-25/03-3
GET PAID TO CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES BECOME A PERSONAL CARE WORKER Saint Martin Family Services 4550 W. Bradley Road • Brown Deer 414 - 371 - 1600
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OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT Office of lhe Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 11, 2016. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Travis R. Luzney, P.E., Director of the Division of Facilities and Maintenance Services, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:30PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following work: All contractor(s) and subcontractor(s) are subject to the prevailing wage rates and hours of labor as prescribed by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors of the City of Milwaukee consistent with provisions of Section 66.0903 of the Wisconsin Statutes. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. ATHLETIC TRACK RESURFACING DIVISION 1: Rufus King HS 1801 W. Olive St. Milwaukee, WI 53209 MPS Property No. 020 MPS Project No. 3038
DIVISION 2: Madison HS 8135 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 MPS Property No. 022 MPS Project No. 3036
DIVISION 3: Custer Stadium 4300 W Fairmount Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53209 MPS Property No. 441 MPS Project No. 3035
The HUB requirements for this project are 0% The COIN requirements for this project are 0% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this project are: Paid Employment: 0 Hours Educational Activities: 0 Hours Deposit for Drawings and Specifications: $25.00 MAILING CHARGE: $35.00 The bidding documents may be obtained 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; Monday through Friday from A/E Graphics, Inc.; 4075 North 124th Street, Brookfield, WI 53005; phone (262) 781-7744; fax (262) 781-4250. Call A/E Graphics, Inc. for availability of bid documents for pick up. Plans and specifications will be loaned to a prospective bidder upon receipt of the deposit listed, which deposit will be returned upon surrender of the plans and specifications in good condition. Bid documents must be returned only to A/E Graphics, Inc. Plans and specifications may not be examined at the Facilities and Maintenance Services' office or at A/E Graphics. Plans and specifications may also be viewed online at A/E Graphics, Inc. @ www.aegraphics.com. Each proposal shall be for a fixed lump sum. The right is reserved to reject any or all bids or to waive informalities. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals at the bid opening through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids. The following TDD number is available for the hearing impaired for questions prior to bid opening, (414) 283-4611. Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D. 10982969/02-11-18-25/03-3
Walgreens 2826 N. MLKing Dr. 2222 W. Capitol Dr. 2727 W. North Ave. 4808 N. Hopkins St. 7171 N. Teutonia 76th & Mill Rd. LENA’S 4061 North 54th St. (Midtown) 4623 W. Burleigh Ave. 2322 W. Oak St. 4030 N. Teutonia Dr. Libraries Washington Park Library Central Library (Downtown) Banks Columbia Savings 2000 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Seaway Bank 2102 W. Fond du Lac Ave. BMO Harris Bank 2745 N. MLKing Dr. North Milwaukee State Bank 5630 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Pick’N Save 2355 N. 35th Street 5700 W. Capitol Dr. 7401 W. Good Hope Rd. Other Locations Dismuke Insurance Agency 8201 W. Capitol Dr. City Hall 200 E. Wells St. The Milwaukee Times Offices 1936 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Or visit our website at: http://milwaukeetimesnews.com/ to download a free PDF version of this week's paper.
Also be sure to visit your local churches to get your copy of The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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FEBRUARY
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2016 Black Excellence Awards
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Odds of winning for plays WITHOUT Lightning Ball: JACKPOT, 1:6,991,908; $500, 1:27,101; $30, 1:517; $2, 1:29. Odds based on 2 plays for $1. Odds of winning for plays WITH Lightning Ball: JACKPOT, 1:6,991,908; $10,000, 1:1,165,318; $500, 1:7,928; $30, 1:233, $2, 1:18. Plays matching 5 of 6 + Lightning Ball will win $10,000. Lightning Ball does NOT apply to the JACKPOT. Odds of a set of two plays each getting a Lightning Ball, 1:3. The prize money allocated to the Jackpot shall be equally divided by the number of plays correctly matching all 6 numbers (and not the Lightning Ball). Jackpots not won will be carried forward to the next drawing. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLE-5 (1-800-426-2535). wilottery.com © 2016 Wisconsin Lottery
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