Thursday, February 22, 2018 Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper The Milwaukee Times Newspaper and milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
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Milwaukee's Only “Blue Chip” Community Newspaper
Weekly Newspaper
“Journalistic Excellence, Service, Integrity and Objectivity Always”
Vol. 37 • No.8 • Thurs., Feb. 22, 2018 - Wed., Feb. 28, 2018 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
33 rd Annual Black Excellence Awards Arts
Women in Media
Melinda Davenport
Liddie Collins
Carole Meekins
Amanda Porterfield
Dr. Harry Oden, Ph.D.
Nicole Brookshire
Ramona Dicks-Williams
Monique Graham
Ramone Jackson
Dr. Melanie Gray, Ph.D, RN.
Dr. Merle Orr, M.D.
Dr. Rosalyn McFarland, DNP,
Dr. Shawnte Robinson, R.Ph.
Atty. Denise Greathouse
Sadie Bea Frazier
Cheyney McCree
Pastor Walter Lanier
Toya Washington
Beverly Taylor
Teon Austin
Dr. Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D.
Capt. Shunta Boston-Smith
Shirley A. Ellis
Bashir Easter
Clem Richardson
Delila Dawson
Dr. David J. Pate, Jr., Ph.D.
Leonard Cratic, Jr.
Sports
Sr. Patricia Rogers
Roberta Barron Kendricks-Smith
Muhammad Faizal Fakaruddin
Jordan Dinsmore
David Faye
Jaelyn Green
Dr. Lester L. Carter, Jr. Scholarship Award Recipient
LaDae’meona McDowell
Trinity Tucker
www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Rosetta Carr
Rev. Maddie Turner, Sr.
Hanc Spivey
Lennie Mosley
Ezzard C. White
Keynote Speaker
Shanilah Frierson
Destiny Scott-Dyson
Isaiah Gordon
Rosalind (Roz) L. Hudnell President, Intel Foundation and Vice President, Human Resources, Intel Corporation
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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
Music
Our 2018 Partners in Excellence
Simone Wright
Friday, February 23, 2018
Cassandra McShepard
Volunteerism
2018 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients
Jaymes Warrior
Minister William Muhammad
Oscar Johnson, Sr.
Minority Business
Gervis Myles
Social Services
Rev. Judith T. Lester
Carla Cross
Extraordinary Achievement
Military/Public Service
Atty. Katryna Childs Rhodes
Della Wells
Education
Demetrius Nash
Rn, APNP, FNP-BC
Religion
Music
Mary Stoker Smith
Law
Health
Extraordinary Achievement
Shannon Sims
Corporate Trailblazers
Community Service
Community Leadership
Jim Milner
Kim Murphy
Community Leadership
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Saluting the Best in Our Community! An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
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Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
The Milwaukee Times Founders
The Late Louvenia Johnson
Nathan Conyers
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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, 33 years later, their vision continues, staunch and steadfast. “Saluting the Best” is what these individuals are all about. Over the past 33 years, the Black Excellence Awards have honored nearly 1,100 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 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 33rd Annual Awards sponsors:
The Late Luther Golden
WISN-Channel 12, Reid’s New Golden Gate Funeral Home, Inc., The Milwaukee Urban League, David Gruber Law Offices, LLC, The Milwaukee Business Journal, The Milwaukee Brewers Foundation, We Energies, Hupy and Abraham S.C., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Hayat-Carter Herbal Shoppe, Green Bay Packers, Meijer, Columbia Savings and Loan Association, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Pick'n Save, Molina Health Care, and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. We also thank our volunteers, supporters, and The Milwaukee Times graphics and printing staff for keeping the Black Excellence Awards ceremony at the forefront of Black History Month 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 endeavored 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
Lynda J. Jackson Conyers
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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 cultural event, which is observed this year on the fourth 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 33 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, mistreatment 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 challenges 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.
The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper 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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Thank You To Our Partners in Excellence
The Milwaukee Urban League
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In Memoriam...
Mrs. Louvenia Johnson, Milwaukee Times Founder
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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 33rd year on February 23, 2018 and has honored nearly 1,100 local citizens engaged in various endeavors that have benefited all of Milwaukee.
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 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 MilIn 1981 as a retiree, she and three other Mil- waukee Times Weekly Newspaper, with The Chriswaukeeans – Nathan Conyers, Lynda Jackson tian Times remaining as a standing feature secConyers, and the late Luther Golden – es- tion to this day.
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 half a million dollars have been awarded to area students by the scholarship, which is now a 501c3, 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.
Our Hosts Sheldon Dutes co-anchors the 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. weekday editions of WISN 12 News This Morning. In addition to his anchoring duties, Sheldon also reports for various newscasts. Since joining WISN-TV in 2015, Sheldon has earned a regional Emmy Award. Before moving to Milwaukee, he spent three years covering breaking news and severe weather in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a reporter for WNBC-TV. From 2010-2012 he reported for WBAL-TV, the Hearst owned NBC affiliate in
Sheldon Dutes Baltimore. Prior to that assignment, he spent three years as a general assignment reporter for WCSC-TV in Charleston, South Carolina. He started his career in 2007 as a production assistant at the NBC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana. Sheldon graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in American Studies. He was senior class president, and continues to serve his classmates in that capacity through the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Sheldon is also a member on
Andy Choi anchors the weekday editions of WISN 12 News This Morning. He joined the station in November 2016. No stranger to the Badger State, Andy started his broadcast career right here in Wisconsin.
WISN 12 News Anchor An NCON Communications Publication
the Notre Dame Alumni Advisory Council. Traveling, reading and running are some of the ways Sheldon spends his free time. He's completed two marathons and several half marathons; and enjoys exploring Milwaukee on his runs.
WISN 12 News Anchor
Andy Choi
ing the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Orlando, Florida shooting tragedy, and Super Bowl 50.
for broadcast news started at KOMU-TV, the university-owned NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri.
Andy also served as an anchor/ reporter for WXYZ-TV, the ABC affiliate in Detroit. During his time in Michigan, Andy covered Detroit’s historic bankruptcy proceedings in addition to highlighting numerous human-interest stories that showcased the resurgence of the Motor City.
Andy’s work has garnered numerous awards over the years, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Writing, in addition to three Emmy Awards, and multiple honors from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
Andy spent nearly a decade as an anchor/reporter for WISCTV, the CBS affiliate in Madison. Prior to joining WISN 12, Andy served as a national news correspondent for The E.W. Scripps Company. Filing reports for dozens of local news stations around A proud graduate of the Unithe country, Andy covered a wide versity of Missouri School of range of national stories, includ- Journalism, Andy’s passion
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Keynote Speaker Rosalind (Roz) L. Hudnell Rosalind (Roz) L. Hudnell is a vice president in Human Resources, director of Corporate Affairs at Intel Corporation, and president of the Intel Foundation. In this role, she oversees professionals in nearly two dozen countries working to inspire and engage the world’s next generation of technology innovators, continuing Intel’s long-standing commitment to corporate responsibility and social impact.
The
relations, government relations, media outreach, employee volunteerism and human resources at the company. Most recently, Hudnell was chief diversity officer and helped to launch Intel’s Diversity in Technology initiative, a multiyear effort backed by a $1 billion investment to accelerate diversity and inclusion A 20-year Intel veteran, across the techHudnell joined Intel as a nology industry at public affairs manager and large. has held various leadership positions in community Hudnell led the development of the 10k Engineer’s Initiative for President Barack Obama’s U.S. Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and served as a consultant to the development of the documentary
ing-edge technology to underserved youth around the world. She also co-founded Intel’s Black Executive Council.
film Girl Rising. Hudnell is also widely known for directing the implementation of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, a global, award-winning program bringing lead-
Hudnell routinely speaks on employer branding, communications and diversity and has been interviewed by numerous media outlets including Forbes, CNN, Fast Company and MSNBC, to name a few. She serves on the Center for Talent Innovation Board of Directors, the Global Business Coalition for Education Advisory Board and serves on the World Economic Forum “Internet for All” Steering Committee and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council. She is a co-author of the research report “The Battle for Fe-
male Talent” published in the Harvard Business Review, and selected as a “Woman Helping the World” by Forbes Magazine and 10×10. In 2015, Ebony Magazine selected her to the Power100 List, Fast Company Magazine selected her as one of the most creative leaders in business; the National Action Network presented her with the Triumph Award. In 2016, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich presented Roz with a lifetime achievement award for her impact on diversity and inclusion. Hudnell completed her undergraduate studies in management at St. Mary’s College, pursued advanced study at UCLA Anderson School of Management and is a Senior Fellow through the American Leadership Forum.
Weekly Newspaper & Printing & Publishing, Co.
Congratulates our Special Honorees: "Women in Media"
Liddie Collins
Melinda Davenport
Shannon Sims
Carole Meekins
Mary Stoker Smith
Kim Murphy
Beverly Taylor
Amanda Porterfield
Toya Washington
Thank you for all you do in our community, and for being such positive role models for our young women and girls of color. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Annual Black Excellence Awards Special Honorees: “Women in Media”
Liddie Collins is a journalist, mother and wife. Liddie has dedicated her professional career to telling stories that inform, uplift, and at times, lead the way. She’s a graduate of UW-Whitewater. She started her career in communications at the Milwaukee Courier and WNOV Radio. For almost forty years she has worked at Milwaukee PBS. She’s one of the producers of Black Nouveau, Southeast Wisconsin's longest running program by, for and about the African American community. When no one was talking about HIV/AIDS or human trafficking in the Milwaukee area, she told those stories. She has told stories to bring more focus to topics such as Alzheimer’s with “The Amazing Grace Chorus,” a chorus for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers; the plight of Vietnam veterans; and the changing role of the Black women in American society. Liddie Collins She’s had the opportunity to introduce auMPTV 10/36 diences to places they may not have thought about like The National Underground Rail- Arts & Culture in Charlotte, North Caroliroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; The na; and Eatonville, Florida, one of the first Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American all-black towns incorporated in the U.S., and
the birth place of novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. When not working at MilwaukeePBS, you will find Liddie working with young people as a crisis stabilizer with Running Rebels Community Agency. She puts in many hours volunteering with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter, Wisconsin Black Media Association, and the League of Women Voters. She’s a member of NABJ-National Association of Black Journalists.
Melinda Davenport is the award-winning morning anchor of WISN 12 News This Morning. She joined WISN 12 in March 2014. No stranger to cold weather, Melinda came to WISN-TV from its sister station WMUR in New Hampshire. Davenport was an anchor and reporter at the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate. Melinda also recently was awarded ‘Best Personality’ by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. She also serves as an adjunct professor for Marquette University and the Community College System of New Hampshire. Melinda has also anchored for WCAX-TV, the CBS station in Burlington, Vermont. She also freelanced for The New York Times Company, and worked in the public relations industry. A Texas native, Melinda received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. She also earned a master’s degree in organizational communication from Northeastern University
in Boston. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the International Association of Business Communicators. She also serves on the board of the Salvation Army Milwaukee County. Melinda loves international travel, listing Hong Kong and Tokyo among her favorite destinations, and is also a self-professed bargain hunter. She absolutely loves bass fishing, a hobby she picked up while living in New England.
Melinda Davenport WISN CH12 Carole Meekins is the longest-tenured 10:00 p.m. anchor in the Milwaukee market. November 2017 marked her 26th year at TODAY'S TMJ4. She co-anchors "Live at 5:00" and "Live at 10:00" each weeknight. Carole’s weekly "Positively Milwaukee" reports celebrate good news and inspirational stories of people, places, and events throughout southeast Wisconsin. In October 2017, Carole hosted and co-produced the first ever “Positively Milwaukee Awards,” an event and television special that honored everyday community heroes. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer, Carole traveled the globe growing up. She said, "I'm thankful for my traveling experiences. It helped me realize that life is about humanity, and we are all connected." Shortly after graduating with a degree in Music from the University of Illinois-Champaign, Carole started out far from the bright lights of television. She began as a music teacher. Her first television job was as co-host of "God's Musical World" on KTVI in St. LouAn NCON Communications Publication
She’s won numerous awards: an Emmy, numerous National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Awards, and a New York Festival Award. “My love of African American people, our history and quest for freedom is what has motivated my life,” Liddie said.
is. Carole's first television news job was at KPLRTV in St. Louis. She also worked at WAKA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama, WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia, and WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout her career, Carole has interviewed newsmakers such President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. In 2014, Carole was inducted into the Silver Circle by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She is a member of the Wisconsin Black Media Association, and received an Award of Excellence from that organization in 2017. That same year, she was honored with a Living Legend Award by the founders of the Milwaukee Black Inventors Gallery. She is also on the advisory committee for the PianoArts which hosted the 2016 North American Piano Competition.
Carole Meekins Today's TMJ4
When not at work, Carole enjoys music, reading, and working out. She also loves to cook, and is always looking for healthy gluten free recipes. While Carole and her husband
love to travel, they also enjoy “staycations,” taking long walks along Lake Michigan and quick weekend trips around the state to take in the scenic beauty of Wisconsin. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Kim Murphy considers herself very fortunate to work in her hometown and for the station she grew up watching. Kim is a Nicolet High School graduate. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s from Medill School of Journalism--Northwestern University. Before coming home, she reported in Dayton, Ohio and Amarillo, Texas. "Amarillo! What a first job! Tornadoes, rodeos and the beef cattle business, I covered it all," she said. "Maybe it was getting me ready for Wakeup? We’re kind of unpredictable in the morning. We’re entertaining. But we never lose sight of
what matters to our viewers. We get down to business when what’s happening is affecting you," she said. Kim joined FOX6 in 2000 as a reporter on Wakeup. That’s also the December the Hoan Bridge was shut down for emergency repairs and Milwaukee set a new record snowfall of 49.5 inches. "I was right there. I was actually staked out underneath the Hoan Bridge for about two weeks. Those were some cold mornings," she said She has anchored Wakeup weekends, Fox6 News Saturday evenings and now Fox6 Wakeup. When she is not working, she is napping; getting coffee or binge watching two of her favorite shows--The Walking Dead or Stranger Things. Kim is the oldest of three, the only girl and the proudest of aunts. Kim can be found on Twitter @kmpossiblemke or Facebook/Fox6Kim Murphy. She always enjoys hearing feedback from her fans.
Kim Murphy Fox6 Now
in both Milwaukee and Chicago, and is CBS 58's noon and 4 p.m. anchor. Amanda's journalism career started in 2005 – beginning in Indiana as an intern while completing her bachelor’s degree at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Then it was at the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga,Tennessee between 2008-2012 where Amanda did it all. Amanda excelled as an anchor and reporter at Champaign, Illinois' flagship station WCIA from 2012 until 2016. While there she not only raised nearly $100,000 dollars to help military veterans, but was also recognized by several organizations for her dedication to community coverage. The Illinois Broadcaster’s Association awarded Amanda with “Best Hard News Story” for her coverage of a woman addicted to heroin and her attempt to get help. The Amanda Porterfield NAACP honored her with the “Social Justice” award for her unbiased reporting about CBS58 News social justice issues and honoring a culture of Amanda Porterfield is an award winning diversity in the community. journalist who has covered four states through- During the last two years as an anchor at out her 10 year career. She was born and raised CBS 58, Amanda has continued to put the
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community first. In 2016, she produced and anchored an hour long prime time special on CBS 58 called "Milwaukee at a Crossroads" which shed light on families who've lost children to violence. That program was lauded by the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Association, and nominated by the National American Television Arts and Sciences Midwest Chapter "Be the change that you wish to see in the world" by Mahatma Gandhi is one of Amanda's favorite quotes, and words she tries to live by. She has dedicated 12 years to media, a field that she loves and will continue using as an important tool to create positive change in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin.
Annual Black Excellence Awards Br yant’s Photography “It pleases us to please you.”
George W. Br yant Photographer Milwaukee, Wisconsin Racine, Wisconsin 414-870-6169 Fax: 888-280-3593 gwb.1917@yahoo.com www.imagequix.com
Our Photographers for this event. If you had your picture taken at the Black Excellence Awards, please contact them for a copy. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Shannon Sims co-anchors “Live at 4:00” and “Live at 6:00,” along with Charles Benson, weeknights on TODAY’S TMJ4 (NBC) in Milwaukee. In addition, she and Benson moderate the community issues program “414Ward” Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Shannon is currently the president of the Wisconsin Black Media Association – local chapter of NABJ. She is the 2016 Milwaukee Press Club recipient of the “Best Individual Reporting” award for her coverage of the Sherman Park unrest. Her breaking news coverage of the Milwaukee riots earned her a 2017 Chicago/ Midwest Emmy nomination for outstanding craft achievement as news anchor. Shannon’s journey to Milwaukee has not been the road typically taken by most journalists. Before starting her career in broadcast journalism, she was a classically trained singer, Shannon Sims aspiring to be an opera performer. She earned Today's TMJ4 a bachelor of arts from the Manhattan School of Music. After studying abroad in Italy, she landed in Bloomington, Indiana. It was there she began her broadcast career as a radio announcer for 92.3 WTTS. The California native returned to the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue a new career in radio and TV. In San Francisco, at KGO 7, Shannon interned and was quickly hired as a production assistant. She got her first job in Washington as a general assignment reporter. front of the camera at KREM 2 Spokane, During her time in the Inland Northwest she Mary Stoker Smith anchors Fox 6 news at 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. She also contributes a daily health report and frequently writes and reports on cutting-edge health stories for evening newscasts. Born and raised in La Crosse, Mary started her career in broadcast journalism after spending four years as a college recruiter for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She made the transition after earning a master’s degree in journalism from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Her first job was as a general assignment reporter at WNDS in Derry, New Hampshire. She was quickly promoted to anchor the station's two evening newscasts serving the New Hampshire and Boston markets. From there, it was on to Rockford, Illinois where Mary started as the morning anchor at the ABC affiliate WTVO. She moved on to anchor the 5,6, and 10 p.m. newscasts for nearly four years. In recognition of her service to the community, Mary received a proclamation from the Mayor of Rockford, Illinois declaring it “Mary Stoker Smith Day” after it was announced she was heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to be the main anchor at Tribune’s WB17. While in Philadelphia, she moved from WB17 to KYW CBS 3, where she served as the weekend evening anchor for nearly four years. During the week, Mary was a general assignment reporter, covering three states — New Jersey, Delaware and
Shannon continued to hone her skills at WVEC in Norfolk, Virgina, WKEF in Dayton, Ohio and, most recently, waking up early with the FOX19 morning team in Cincinnati, Ohio. During every stop Shannon has been involved in the community. One of her biggest achievements was raising money to outfit the entire 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes at the Dayton Boys Academy with brand new ties for their required uniform. Not only did she fund the uniform project, but she was able to recruit a group of professional men to spend time with each child to demonstrate how to tie a tie, a rite of passage few students at DBA had ever experienced. The bond that was created left an amazing impression on not only the young men but the volunteers as well. While in Dayton, Shannon was also very active as a member of the Dayton chapter of NABJNational Association of Black Journalists.
Pennsylvania. Mary covered a wide range of stories while at KYW, including crime, education, politics, fires and features. She was also involved with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, participating to fundraising events and an annual Mother’s Day Weekend Walk at the famous Philadelphia Art Museum. During this time, Mary also became a member of the National Association for Black Journalists. She has been an active member ever since. Mary has continued her service to the community during her years at FOX6, including emceeing and hosting the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. In fact, Mary decided to take the camera into the hospital room as she got a mammogram to promote early detection and awareness of breast cancer. She also emcees many worthy events throughout the year, including the American Heart Association to promote the Red Dress Campaign, the Debutante Cotillion honoring students for their academic and volunteer work, the Oconomowoc Woman’s Club Style Show, and the STOP Program Awards Ceremony with Milwaukee Police Department and students from Milwaukee Public Schools. Mary has also worked with the Ronald McDonald House, emceeing its annual gala, and is serving as an honorary committee member for the Nordstrom’s Grand Opening Gala which will benefit charities like the Ronald McDonald House. Adoption is a topic near and dear to Mary’s heart, because she was adopted when she was 6 months old after being in 3 foster homes. An avid runner, Mary loves to take advantage of Milwaukee’s
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covered snow, snow and more snow. But it was her exclusive and breaking developments in the disappearance of Shasta and Dylan Groene, and later the capture of sex offender and kidnapper Joseph Duncan, that helped her grow as a journalist.
Mary Stoker Smith Fox6 Now trails and lakefront. She also enjoys reading, playing the piano and has been known to spend some quality time shopping! Her favorite part of Milwaukee? The people! “This is a warm friendly city that I visited as a teenager and fell in love with." My parents and I would drive over from La Crosse to visit my brother who lived here in ‘the big city!’ I’d go right to Grand Avenue Mall and spend hours riding the escalator! I thought that was the coolest thing – a mall with an escalator!” In addition to a master’s degree, Mary has a bachelor of science in mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and is a proud graduate of West Salem High School. In 1996, she was crowned Miss Wisconsin USA and spent the following year traveling the state speaking on a wide range of topics to diverse groups. Mary currently lives in Milwaukee. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Beverly Taylor is a prober, listener and talker. She utilizes all of those skills as an anchor and reporter at WITI-TV (Fox 6 News). After 20 years there, Beverly has become a very recognized face in southeast Wisconsin. The most rewarding aspect of the job for her is telling stories that make a positive difference in people’s lives and awareness.
an anchor-reporter-producer. Next up, Huntsville, Alabama, where she was a consumer investigative reporter, as well as an anchor. Her community involvement there included serving on the boards of the American Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy, and Helpline Crisis Hotline. This Tennessee native then came to Milwaukee in mid-November. Her first purchase was a heavier winter coat. She is still trying to get used to the cold. But she met her husband here which certainly warmed her heart.
But she gets a lot in return. She meets people in different stages of life: during their most joyous times, their most vulnerable times, and their most painful times. These people offered Beverly tremendous examples of courage, generosiBeverly has received many honors for ty and determination. her reporting, including four Emmy nominations. The University of TennesJackson, Tennessee was Beverly’s first see graduate also has a master’s degree in venture into television news. She was dispute resolution from Marquette University. Resolving conflict is another way she hopes to make a positive difference in the lives of others. When she is not at work, the theater or a book club gathering, you can find her at New Testament Church of Milwaukee or hanging out with her husband Julian and son, Nate.
Toya Washington joined the WISN 12 News team in December 2002, and is currently serving as co-anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast. Toya is an Emmy winner and four-time nominee for breaking news coverage. She joined WISN in 2002 and co-anchors the 5:00 p.m. newscast for the ABC affiliate. She previously co-anchored the top-rated 6:00 p.m. newscast, and was a co-anchor and reporter for 12 News This Morning, which airs weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. She grew up in Minneapolis, where she fell in love with the news business in high school during the first day of her internship at WCCO-TV, the CBS affiliate in the Twin Cities. Toya graduated from UW–Madison with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and women’s studies and spent six years at WISC-TV, the CBS affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin working as a weekend news anchor and reporter. She has been an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Toya Washington WISN CH12
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Beverly Taylor Fox6 Now
interviews with noted national figures, including former Secretary of Health & Human Resources and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, News Anchor Walter Cronkite, Sen. Herb Kohl and the ladies on ABC’s The View. In November 2003, Toya was chosen to emcee the Freedom Fund Reception for the NAACP Waukesha Branch, in which Oprah Winfrey was the keynote speaker. At the dinner, Winfrey commented about Toya, noting she was “a person who was going places.” She has been an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), serves on the Board of Visitors for UW-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and is a Board Member for Hope Street here in Milwaukee. And she was just honored by Madison 365.com's Black Power List 2017 as a, “most influential black leaders in Wisconsin”… and featured in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Toya lives in Pewaukee with her husHer reports have included coverage band, Brian and daughters, Alivia and of the 2004 presidential campaign, and Maya.
“You have the power to change perception, to inspire and empower, and to show people how to embrace their complications, and see the flaws, and the true beauty and strength that’s inside all of us.” — Beyoncé An NCON Communications Publication
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Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients 1988 - 2017 Jamaal Abdul-Alim Nyairah Abdullah Silvia I. Acevedo Job Alexander Sequoya Allen Priscilla Avant Raven Avery-Moore Jonathan O. Babalola Shaneika Baldwin Jennifer Ball-Sharpe Lauren Barber Darren Barton Chez Bass Aris Battiste Marita Benvenue Risharda Bond Jevita D. Brister Sharvon Montgomery Brown Jaslyn Brown Reniqua Brown Montae Brown-Crawford Qiana Burns Louis Burrell Devin Burton Raetricia Byrd-Townsell N’namdi Carter Michah Childs Brianna Christian Qiana Christian Mindee Cohen Tamyra Cooper Jacqueline Gail Crymes Destiny Dallas Trenton Daniels Jamal Davis Carla Dew Sa’Sha Nicole Edwards Adrian Ellis Kurtez Ellis Quina Elzie Henry Eruchalu Kaiyla Farrington Shaun Flanagan Chelsey French Jessica Gathing Deanna Gauthier Nathan Gollop Donald Grace Darnell Granberry Michael Green Pamanisha Gross Denean P. Hall Timothy Hall Megan Harmon Gary Harvey Ebony Haynes Michaiah Hinds Cynthia M. Hodnett Malik Holt Sade Hood Jamea Hoover
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Kayla Howze Kiera Hudson Autherine Ikanih Monique Ingram Wendy Isom Isaac Izard Kiara Jackson Marcell Lanell Jackson Torey Jobe Camille Johnson Siarah Jones Fred Jones-Rosa Asiane Jordan Demond Jude Kendall Keith Domonique Kent Kathryn Lanier Camille Lester Justin Lester Robyn Lockett Kara Macon Kayla Madlock Raven Major Nandi Mallett Tre’Quan Martin Billie Jo Mason-Saffold Collins McClain Trevonte McClain Alice McCoy Brian McDowell, Jr. Kharma McGee Kara McKinney James Miller Martinez Milton, Jr. Treba Mitchell
Maasio Mohamed Na Mia Moore Crystal Morgan Wendmy Nida Moyenga Mohamed Mursal Nathan Nelson Ikenna Obiora Darian Perkins Melissa Pettis Clifton Phelps Levar Pickens Robert Pickens Carter Piggee Denise Pitchford Amber Polk Eva Porter Dominique Portis Lawrence Rabon Knjya Reed Stephon Roby Briana Roberts Corbin Robinson DeArquise Robinson Tammy Robinson Angellic Ross Ismel Sahid Shakura Salahaladyn Savanna Samuels Chiara Sanders Josephine Scott Avrianne Seals Tanzania Sewell Trentyn Shaw Justine Shorter Donald Singleton Nicole Singleton Brittany Smith Lonnie R. Smith Alexandria Smith-Richard Rhonda Stingley Sonia Summers Alyssa Sylvester Courtney Teague Lori Lynn Tharps Verla Thibou Devon Thomas Olivia Thomas Quinton Thomas Abigail Thompson Nikki Denise Thompson Dalyn Ward Nicole White Aaron Wilder Richard Williams Tabithas Williams Yaaji Williamson Jonathan Woods Deondre Wright Khamaria Wright
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.“ - Nelson Mandela An NCON Communications Publication
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2018 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients Jaymes Warrior
Jaymes Warrior enjoys football, robotics class and basketball at Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education. During his high school career he earned a 3.2 grade point average. His counselor describes him as an “all-around great person … who is always grateful for everything and appreciates what people do for him.” In his essay, Jaymes wrote that if he had the power to change the city in a positive way, the native Milwaukee resident would seek to address the violence present in the city and also establish a “Twilight Center” in every Milwaukee Public School building to help keep youth off the street and provide them with a good environment in which to complete homework assignments. Jaymes would like to study either physical education or physical therapy at Concordia University-Wisconsin or the University of Mississippi.
Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies.–Desmond Tutu
Muhammad Faizal Fakaruddin Muhammad Faizal Fakaruddin has excelled as a student, despite having lived in the United States only three years, and is extremely dedicated and motivated, according to one of his teachers. The teacher noted Faizal knows the value of an education and mentioned that English is one of five languages in which he is conversant. The others are Maylay, Burmese, Rohingya and Chinese. Faizal earned a 3.3 grade point average. Faizal said that after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville or University of Wisconsin-Parkside, he hopes to help people with disabilities walk again.
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." - Anthony J. D'Angelo
Jordan Dinsmore Jordan Dinsmore is a member of the National Honor Society and enjoys basketball and cross country ski-
ing. His work with the National Honor Society consists of feeding homeless students and adults once a week. He has maintained a 3.5 grade point average at Washington High School. According to the Washington High School Club Manager, Jordan has “the ability to encourage, inspire and instill great characteristics in the young people we work with on a daily basis.” He hopes to attend either Kent State University or the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to earn a degree in athletic training.
"The only dreams impossible to reach are the ones you never pursue." - Michael Deckman
David Faye
David Faye is a member of the National Honor Society and Marquette University High School’s Jesuit Honor Society. He is a role model and mentor to incoming freshmen, according to his counselor. During his high school career David earned a 3.6 grade point average. In his recommendation, one of David’s teachers wrote that he “tackles everything in the classroom with gusto, from homework assignments to formal assignments,” works hard to understand a concept and is extremely self-sufficient. “David’s intensity, drive to improve and not settle for less than what he is capable of are the reasons he will make a great candidate for this scholarship,” the teacher added. David hopes to major in engineering at either the University of Dayton or the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. " - Malcolm X
Jaelyn Green Jaelyn Green is a natural leader with a tremendous amount of integrity and a 3.7 grade point average from Rufus King International High School. Her advisor described her as “genuinely awesome and a rare student who is selfless, altruistic and totally focused on the success of our school.” During her high school years, she played basketball, tennis, was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the YMCA Teen Achievers in Business and Industry, a national college readiness initiative designed to help teens of color set and pursue high educational and career goals. Her theater teacher said, “She is a hard-working and dedicated, natural leader… who will succeed in everything she does.” Jaelyn hopes to attend either Howard University or Prairie View A&M University where she intends to major in either psychology or education.
“Education
is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” - Oprah Winfrey
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2018 Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients LaDae'meona McDowell
LaDae’meona McDowell graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School with a 3.7 grade point aver-
age. She plans to attend either the University of Wisconsin-Parkside or Lakeland University where she will major in either English (creative writing) or marketing. Her program coordinator wrote that LaDae’meona is “excited and eager to better her future” and motivated to take on any challenge. Her college and career readiness planning assistant said, “McDowell goes above and beyond to complete her academic requirements” and has been preparing for college by visiting the college and career center almost daily for more than a month.
Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom. - George Washington Carver
Trinity Tucker Trinity Tucker earned a 3.7 grade point average at Golda Meir High School. She aspires to attend either Vanderbilt University or Spelman College to earn a degree to become a nurse midwife. Her school counselor described Trinity as a “very outgoing and polite young lady … who has great aspirations of fulfilling her college dreams and despite the financial challenges in her family, she is focused on her goal.”
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. - B.B. King
Shanilah Frierson
Shanilah Frierson is a member of the National Honor Society and a cheerleader at Riverside University
High School where she learned the value of team support and working with others. She earned a 3.8 grade point average and hopes to pursue pre-med studies at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. In her essay Shanilah said she hopes to become a pediatrician. She said she "believes in giving back to the community by helping children grow to become strong and healthy, so that one day they can follow in my line of work in becoming a doctor.” Her Wellness Services Program Director said Shanilah was “honest, dependable and reliable. She has been dedicated not only to her own academic achievement, but has also helped many others along the way.”
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
Destiny Scott-Dyson
Destiny Scott-Dyson attended Ronald Reagan High School where she earned a 3.8 grade point average.
She hopes to attend either Tennessee State University or Howard University to major in biology. Her ambition is to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Her school counselor submitted an entire recommendation page, noting that Destiny had maintained her outstanding grade point average despite taking the most challenging course load the school has to offer. “This commitment is an example of how Destiny sets clear goals and makes plans to achieve those goals,” the counselor wrote.
"Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Isaiah Gordon When Isaiah Gordon finished his freshman year third out of 103 in his class, his mother insisted he consider the military to help pay for his college education. Instead, he immersed himself in activities at Golda Meir High School where he earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average, served on the student council board and president of the National Honor Society. His ambition is to become a nurse, something his assistant principal believes he can achieve. “Isaiah is a strong leader and good role model for his peers,” the assistant principal wrote. “He challenges himself academically and is invited in many leadership roles at the school.”
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin An NCON Communications Publication
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Annual Black Excellence Awards The Dr. Lester L. Carter, Jr. Scholarship Award Simone Wright one earned a 3.8 grade point average. During high school, Simone served as a teen advisory board member and volunteer with the Milwaukee Public Library. She volunteered with the FIRST Robotics and Lego League, a STEM-learning program which immerses youth in real-world science and technology challenges. She worked as a certified lifeguard for the Northside YMCA and served an internship with the law firm of Gonzalez Saggio and Harlan, LLC. She hopes to attend either the University of Wisconsin-Madison or Georgia Tech to study either computer science or industrial engineering.
Simone Wright is a “hard worker, natural
leader, empathetic friend and a gifted problem solver with a yen for critical thinking,” according to her science teacher at Rufus King International High School where Sim-
Dr. Lester L. Carter, Jr., R.Ph., is happy to award Simone Wright with the first scholarship in his name.
Eric Von Broadcast Fellowship Teran Powell
Teran Powell joined WUWM in the fall of 2017 as the station’s first Eric Von Fellow. Teran began her journalism career during her years as a student at Marquette University. She worked as a reporter for Marquette student media and the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service covering local events and community activists. She has freelanced for the Shepherd Express and worked as a show editor for Fox 6 News. A Chicago native, Teran’s passion for journalism lies within being up close and personal with people in the community and the happenings that affect them directly. With a genuine passion for storytelling, Teran’s goal is to tell the stories that need to be told. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Eric Von Broadcast Fellowship
Honoring Eric Von’s Memory by Fostering the Next Generation of Journalists Well-respected Milwaukee journalist and commentator, Eric Von died in 2016 after a more than 25 year career in the radio industry. His reporting and talk shows engaged newsmakers in discussions of important community issues. In addition to his work with WNOV-AM and other commercial radio stations, Mr. Von spent his last years working with WUWM 89.7 FM, 371 Productions and AIR's Finding America on the Precious Lives project, a 2-year, 100-part weekly radio series about gun violence and young people in the Milwaukee area. WUWM seeks to honor Von’s memory by giving the next generation of journalists a chance to develop their craft so that they may carry on his legacy through the Eric Von Broadcast Fellowship. “This is an incredible project to honor my late husband’s life, impact and
The Late Eric Von commitment to making our community better," Eric Von's wife, Faithe Colas shared. "He was a professional journalist and
a dynamic commentator and I’m grateful to have the support of WUWM to keep his vision alive."
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Annual Black Excellence Awards Arts
Della Wells, a self-taught bered her from The Gallery try, the Coastal Museum, the
artist, was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a child who grew up in the 1950’s, her mother would take her and her two oldest brothers to the Milwaukee Art Center (now known as the Milwaukee Art Museum) and her father had a lot of books on many subjects, including Eurocentric art. She went to Milwaukee Public Schools and graduated from Lincoln Junior/High School in 1968. During the late 1960s and early 1970s she attended Alverno College and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She returned to school in the late 1990s, when she attended Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, pursuing a degree in sociology. Her goal was to become a psychologist.
Della sold her first piece of art work at age thirteen while in middle school. At age eighteen, she would wait for the bus on Third and Garfield (Third Street is now known as King Drive) and would peer into The Gallery Towards the Black Aesthetic that exhibited the works of African American artists. This was new knowledge for Della and it fascinated her. Prior to that, the only artists she was aware of were white and male. One evening while waiting on the bus, the director of the gallery, George Edwards, noticed her, came out and invited her in The Gallery Toward The Black Aesthetic and opened a new world for her. She discovered that black women also made art and one of the women was local artist Evelyn Terry. Della volunteered at the gallery for two years, performing many jobs such as writing reviews, hanging exhibitions, fund raising, giving tours of the gallery, and acting as receptionist. Despite volunteering at the gallery, Della had very little interest in being an artist, though she drew Picasso-like women having babies. It was not until age 42 that Della became an artist. Two years before while at MATC, she took an art survey course at the urging of her advisor, who told her she needed some humanities courses. She had to write a paper about an artist; and she interviewed and wrote about Evelyn Terry. When Della contacted Evelyn to ask if she could interview her for her paper, Evelyn remem-
Toward the Black Aesthetic and told Della that she remembered the Picasso-like drawings of women she had done twenty years ago and told Della she was an artist. In her head, Della dismissed that idea and was more focused on getting her degrees so she could become a psychologist.
For two years, Evelyn encouraged Della to become an artist, but Della ignored her encouragements. It was not until Terry invited Della to an exhibition of Terry's and Muneer Bahauddeen's work at the Peltz Gallery. At the time Della was taking a course on African Religions at UW-Milwaukee and she credits both that exhibition and course for the reason she started making art. A inner voice told her to "go make art now!" and Della thinks it was one of her spiritual ancestors speaking to her. In the course she took on African-based religions, she learned how one's ancestors are important in those reli-
gions. She went into Terry's studio two weeks later and created three art pieces, two pastels and one mono print. She never worked in either medium before but they all turned out well. Six months later, Della had her first two solo exhibitions. She was later represented by Peltz Gallery until owner Cissie Peltz's death in 2013. Since then, her career has blossomed.
Hurn Museum of Contemporary Folk Art, Huntsville Museum of Art, the Wright Museum of Art, Charles Allis Museum, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, University of WisconsinMilwaukee, Alverno College, Appleton Art Center Museum, the Hickory Museum of Art, and more. Her work is in more than one hundred private, corporate and museum collections. First Stage Children's Theatre commissioned playwright Y York to create a play inspired by her childhood, Don't Tell Me I Can't Fly. The play was later selected to be read at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and was produced in Milwaukee, Nashville and Charlotte, North Carolina, and published by Dramatic Publishing Company. From 2004-2010 Della operated an organization called African Americans Artists Della Wells Beginning to Educate AmerAfrocentric Multimedia Artist icans about African American Art (ABEA). Her goal Today, you can find Della's was to educate people about Rubin Whitmore, III, Mutope J. Johnson, and Chris- artwork in the Smithsonian topher McIntyre Perceptions National Museum of African about the development of American History & Culture Milwaukee's African Amer- in Washington, DC, Intuican art scene from 1967 to it Center for Intuitive and 1979. During this time pe- Outsider Art in Chicago. She riod various arts organiza- is represented by the Portions and publications such trait Gallery in Milwaukee, as Milwaukee Inner City Arts Red Piano Two in St. HelCouncil, The Gallery Toward ena, South Carolina, Marthe Black Aesthetic, Paint cia Webber Art Objects in Box, the Free Wheelers, Montgomery, Alabama and Echo Magazine, and others Main Street Gallery in Clayton, Georgia. In 2016, she rewere established. ceived the Artist of the Year After the 1967 riots in Mil- award from the City of Milwaukee's African American waukee Arts Board. In Febcommunity, the state of Wis- ruary 2018, Della will have a consin allocated $1 million solo exhibition at the Loyola to Milwaukee's Inner City Museum of Art in Chicago. and some of this money was Della has one son, Lamal used to help develop art programs. So far, thirty people Blackwell, and is a loving have been interviewed for grandmother and greatgrandmother. African American art, par- the film. ticularly Wisconsin-based African American artists, to provide opportunities for African American artists, document them and to provide mentorship to new and emerging artists by established African American artists in Milwaukee. Della's work has also been featured and written about in several books and publications.
Della has exhibited throughout the United States, in British Columbia and Italy. Her work has been in exhibitions at the Milwaukee Art Museum, John Michael Currently, Della is Kohler Art Center, Muse- working on a docuum of Science and Indus- mentary along with
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Annual Black Excellence Awards Community Leadership years. As an adolescent, she moved with her family to their farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi. They grew cotton and corn; raised dairy cattle; and her grandmother owned a grocery store. Entrepreneurship, healthy competition among family, confidence; and the desire to be your best was instilled in her. She instilled those same values in her two sons, Tyler Benroy Cross Sims and Jomo Kenyatta Cross Taylor.
Carla Y. Cross Cross Management Services, Inc. Carla Y. Cross is known for being observant and educating herself to become the President and CEO of her own consulting firm, Cross Management Services, Inc., in 1996. She created the vision and strategic direction for the company to coordinate suppliers and workforce diversity programs; and business and program management services to her clients. Carla also aligned her company’s goals to her client’s goals to ensure the service excellence will have an impactful outcome. Her leadership was critical in the coordination of resources
for multiple Wisconsin construction projects totaling $2-billion and that awarded $250-million in contracts to minority and women-owned businesses. Carla is firm on “believing in yourself." Just three years later, she created another venture, Carla Development Group, Inc. As the CEO and President, she manages the day-to-day operations of this real estate management corporation. Technology has allowed her to manage both businesses easier and more efficiently. Carla was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she spent her early childhood
construction contracts and bank financing; and raised $1.5-million in capital for projects. The network that Carla established from this position was valuable in her quest to achieve excellence in Carla returned to Milwau- the real estate industry. kee, “the big city with a small town feel," in 1971 after Carla then became an graduating from Kosciusko Economic Development High School in Mississip- Specialist for the Departpi. She pursued a degree in ment of City Development accounting at the Universi- in the City of Milwaukee. As ty of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a member of this team, she and earned a B.B.A degree approved projects that rein 1981. Up until 1990, her ceive city financial assistance; professional career was in the helped real estate developers field of accounting, working maximize suppliers and a difor companies in Milwaukee verse workforce; worked on such as Arthur Andersen and the City Homes project, a 42 Company, and UW-Milwau- unit single-family subdivikee School of Business. Her sion; and prepared the urban next career move became a renewal plan for the Library career change. Hill Apartment project. While working at the DeAs the Chief Financial Of- partment of City Developficer of the Next Door Foun- ment, she became a Certified dation, Inc., Carla developed Economic Development Fia passion for real estate. She nance Professional through managed a $3-million annu- the National Development al budget, coordinated ren- Council in 1994. ovation projects, negotiated
“Investing in children and education is the equalizer,” Carla said. In 2005, she earned a Commercial Real Estate Certificate from Marquette University. She has given her service to several boards over the years, including: Employ Milwaukee, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation, Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc., and Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development. The Milwaukee Business Journal awarded her with the 2016 Women of Influence Award; Greater Milwaukee Committee honored her with 2009 Inner City Business Award; Black Women’s Network, Inc., presented her with 2003 Leadership Award; and in 1999, the Small Business Association named her the Minority Business Advocate of the Year.
Student Minister William full-time. Throughout his time United States and all of humaniMuhammad was born and in Milwaukee, Minister William ty. In 1989, after several years of raised in Chicago., Illinois. He relocated to Milwaukee in 1994 when he agreed to become Student Minister of Muhammad Mosque #3, located at 4202 N. Teutonia Avenue. In addition to holding a full-time position as a professional mainframe computer software developer consultant and as Student Minister at Muhammad Mosque #3, Minister William also operated a prison ministry for about 10 years and developed a crisis hotline to defuse potentially violent arguments and gang violence. He has also worked with other Milwaukee organizations to prevent human trafficking, especially women forced into prostitution. Minister William was initially invited to speak at the mosque in Milwaukee for just one event, but he proved so popular that the mosque leadership convinced him to accept a position
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worked tirelessly within the community to encourage African American men to be moral, responsible and proud members of the community. Born to parents William Howard Wallace, a photographer, and Johnnie Mae Wallace, a social worker, Minister William and his younger brother, Steven, who works for the City of Chicago, grew up playing numerous sports, primarily baseball. At Lindblom Technical High School in Chicago, Illinois, William excelled in baseball, basketball and football, graduating in 1977. A left-handed pitcher with a good fastball and curveball, Minister William continued playing baseball at Greenville College in Illinois. He still holds the school record for the most strikeouts in a game (17). He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1981. Minister William stated that, shortly thereafter, he began listening to sermons and teachings of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, whose stated goals are to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African Americans in the
careful study, Student Minister William decided to join the Nation of Islam. “Most of the work in which we are involved is really teaching and inspiring,” William said. “We encourage men to atone and take responsibility for improving the community.” The Nation of Islam was responsible for organizing the Million Man March on Washington, DC in October 1995. Minister William and his wife, Deniel, have three children: sons Hassan, 18, and Rashad, 16; and a daughter, Najah, 14. After his children were born, Minister William said he gradually scaled down his prison ministry work. During that period, he made regular trips to prisons throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. He has volunteered to work with a number of organizations, especially those dedicated to eliminating the sex trafficking of women and girls, which he and many human rights organizations consider to be to human enslavement. He has served on the board of the Foundation for Freedom, Priceless Insight, Grateful Girls, Team Teal, and (for the past three years) as a
Student Minister William Muhammad Nation of Islam board member of the Milwaukee Healthy Women and Infant Project. Minister William said he is committed to breaking down religious barriers and that the Nation of Islam is eager to cooperate with other faith communities attempting to address conflict resolution in Milwaukee. He said his chief inspiration is the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. “Everything I have tried to do in Milwaukee is based on his teachings and guidance,” he said. “We have to make our community a more peaceful place to live.” An NCON Communications Publication
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Annual Black Excellence Awards Community Leadership
Dr. Harry Oden, Ph.D. Milwaukee Public Schools (Retired) Dr. Harry Oden, Rayfield and Rosemary (BaiPh.D., was born in Talla- ley) Oden. Dr. Oden and his dega, Alabama, about two blocks away from Talladega College, which was founded in 1867 and is the oldest, private historically Black college in the state. Dr. Oden was the fifth of six children born to
sister, Rose, moved to Milwaukee at a young age to live with his uncle and maternal aunt. Later his uncle would obtain a job for his father at a Milwaukee steel foundry. The remainder of the fami-
ly would move to Milwaukee during the summer of 1941. In 1953, his father was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver who had veered into the oncoming traffic lane. Shortly before his father left on that deadly trip Dr. Oden had promised his father two things: he would behave himself in school and pursue his education as far as he could. He kept this promise and never told anyone about it until 1995 when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interviewed him about The Dr. Harry Oden Minority and Disability Scholarship that the University of Minnesota-Duluth endowed and named after him. Dr. Oden and another North Division High School classmate were the first Black basketball players recruited by the University of Minnesota system and the only Black students at the Duluth campus. During the tough times at school, dealing with the racism and other bad situations, Dr. Oden thought about quitting, but remembered the promise he had made to his father. Growing up in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Milwaukee, Dr. Oden played baseball and a few other sports, but never had a bas-
ketball in his hands until after his sophomore year of high school. He spent his junior year as basketball team manager. Over the summer he grew five inches and gained 15 pounds. As a senior, Dr. Oden started on the legendary North Division High School team which reached the state finals in 1959. Dr. Oden and his teammate, Eugene Hamilton, were both recruited by the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Eugene would leave after one year. Dr. Oden stayed on and graduated. In college, Dr. Oden was a three-year starter on the school basketball team, a two-time, first-team, all-conference selection, conference and team most valuable player, captain of the team and the leading conference rebounder one season. Dr. Oden only learned later that all of his athletic and academic accomplishments were unprecedented for African Americans within the University of Minnesota sys-
tem. Dr. Oden was also the first to integrate dormitory housing within the University of Minnesota. After graduating Dr. Oden had tryouts with several Major League baseball teams and was invited to several NBA tryouts, but he said he already had decided that he wanted to become an educator. Part of what motivated that decision was a promise he made to himself: that he would do everything he could to ensure that no Black student or person of color was forced to endure the level of racism and isolation that he endured as the first African American to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth. From 1965-2000, he worked for the Milwaukee Public Schools system as a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant director of school safety and (Continued on pg. 17)
Community Service Nicole Brookshire was selected to head the Milwaukee County Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) in September 2017, by a unanimous vote of the County Board. Nicole has long had a knack for helping others in the community, starting with giving financial advice to family and friends. After completing her education at Messmer High School, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Mount Mary University before completing a bachelor of science degree, followed by a master of business administration degree in accelerated programs at the University of Phoenix. She worked in mortgage lending as a loan officer and moved on to become an underwriter until she was promoted to manager. When the housing bubble burst in 2008, Nicole left mortgage lending and moved to the Department of Administration for the City of Milwaukee, inspired and funded by a six-year stimulus grant. Shortly after starting her new role, she started a small business of her own, Brookshire Customized
youth reengagement, affordable housing, social justice, and transportation. There are major disparities in each of these categories for African Americans in Milwaukee County, especially considering that African Americans now makeup one-quarter of the population. Nicole’s plan, moving forward, is to identify what’s working as far as policies and looking to create ways to close the gaps. “Having these conversations where people don’t feel we’re trying to take over allows the office to stay in touch. We want to know who does what well and get that information back to residents,” she said.
Solutions (BCS) in 2009, to continue her path of giving back to the African American community, after becoming aware of the gaps in credit knowledge and ratings that existed in Milwaukee. In 2015, Nicole became vice president of operations for Junior Achievement, managing a $5.4-million budget, and eighty employees. Still, she remained aware of desperate needs in the community, and began to miss working at the grassroots level, and having a OAAA is currently operatsense that she was making “a ing in a small office. She is real difference.” confident that she can use the brand of Milwaukee County The OAAA, has the mis- to make the most of having sion of ‘recognizing and re- conversations and building solving Milwaukee County’s partnerships with every secracial inequities for the ben- tor, and create a compreefit of all of its citizenry and hensive strategy. As the offor the region to achieve its fice was being established, full potential’. As director, the County held listening Nicole is responsible for cre- sessions, that will continue ating and leading strategy in through Nicole’s tenure. She eight areas: health metrics, has worked to create working food and wellness, educa- relationships with Milwaukee tion, economic growth, (in- Public Schools, the Mencluding unemployment and tal Health Task Force, local small business creation), higher education institutions,
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Nicole Brookshire Milwaukee County Office of African American Affairs philanthropists and corporate partners. “We’re seeking the best, most relevant agendas to share with the public, despite the fact that agendas often shift,” she said. The Office of African
American Affairs is looking to bring Community Restoration Centers to the city in 2018, which would be hosted at county park facilities. (Continued on pg. 17) www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
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Ramona L. Dicks-Williams Milwaukee County Departmet on Aging (Retired) As a young girl, Ramona L. Dicks-Williams recalled being a bookish, quiet person who dreamed of becoming a nurse. However, halfway through college Ramona switched her major to social work because she said she discovered that she preferred counseling to physically caring for patients. Ramona was the only child of Robert Dicks, a vocational rehabilitation counselor and Elvira (Turner) Dicks, a vocational education teacher at North
Division and (later) Madison High Schools. When Ramona was 10 years old, the family moved from 28th and Melvina Streets to Brown Deer. She graduated from Brown Deer High School in 1975 and was accepted at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in social work in 1979. She worked briefly for the State of Wisconsin before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Dr. Harry Oden
Minnesota-Duluth and the main campus in Minneapolis; Washington State University, the University of Iowa, Indiana University, Marquette University, the University of Kentucky, San Jacinto Community College in Pasadena, Texas, Oregon State University in Corvallis as well as several others. Dr. Oden’s athletic accomplishments have been recognized by his induction into the University of Minnesota-Duluth Hall of Fame for basketball and track. The North Division High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Coaches Association (WBCA) Hall of Fame. Since his retirement, Dr. Oden has remained busy, but is pleased that he now has the option of declining when his schedule becomes too full. He is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church. He still enjoys recruiting and watching high school, college and professional sports, including hockey. Dr. Oden and his wife, Willa M. (Watkins) have four children: James, Joy, Terry and Jayson; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
(Continued from pg. 16)
security, and as the administrative specialist for high schools under special assignment to the superintendent. Dr. Oden estimates that he helped several hundred students receive a college education. Most of the students were African Americans. Some were athletes, some were not. Dr. Oden said he paid the tuition for several students out of his own pocket and never told the students the source of the assistance. More than 400 students have been beneficiaries of the Dr. Harry Oden Minority and Disability Scholarship at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He remains in contact with a number of his former students and estimates that more than 85 percent of the students he helped went on to receive their college degree. Several went on to enjoy careers in the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball. Along the way, Dr. Oden became a recruiter for several colleges and universities including the University of www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
to earn a master’s degree in social work in 1984. After graduation, she went back to work for the state as a public health educator, primarily working with patients suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. After two and a half years, she accepted a position with Marian Catholic Nursing Home, overseeing the psychological and social needs of its residents. After two and a half years at Marian Catholic Nursing Home, Ramona accepted a position at Family Service of Milwaukee, where she was a social worker in the homemaker program and a volunteer coordinator for three different programs designed to benefit the elderly. In 1991 she accepted a position with the Milwaukee County Department on Aging. After 26 years, she retired on November 17, 2017. She was promoted twice during her tenure there. During her last 14 years, she was the program coordinator for the elder abuse and adult protective services for adults age 60 and older. In this role she oversaw the investigation of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable seniors. Ramona said she found providing quality living conditions for senior citizens to be very rewarding. “Older adults are the back-
bone of our society,” she said. “They are the shoulders we are standing on.” The work was not always easy. Ramona said that elder abuse is a largely unreported crime in the U.S. In 2017, her department investigated more than 950 cases, and Ramona said the number of cases would have been at least double that number if all abuse was reported. “Elders are often unwilling or unable to report the abuse themselves,” she said, “so it depends on someone noticing and taking action. The success stories we have had and the knowledge that we may be the only place to which elders can turn was very motivating for me.” Early on in her work with the elderly, Ramona became involved in the care of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. She said that, as far back as the 1980s, Marian Catholic had one of the first wings dedicated specifically to those suffering from loss
of memory function. Ramona has served on numerous committees, including being appointed by Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele as commissioner on the City of Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault from 2014 until her 2017 retirement. Ramona has also represented Milwaukee County on state/regional and local committees and is currently serving on a committee to implement changes and training for the managed care organizations of Milwaukee County that serve the long-term needs of adults. She has also helped to implement policy changes at the statewide level. Ramona is married to John W. Williams, III, an assistant manager with a local Walgreen’s branch. Ramona and John have two adult children: John, IV, 33; and Robert, 30. The couple is blessed with three grandsons: Kamir, 10; John V, 4; and Kayden, 1. The couple are members of Parklawn Assembly of God. She and her husband are hoping to visit the Holy Land soon. “I feel very blessed that I found my calling,” she said. “I tried to give back to everyone whether they were elders, family members, staff, or the general public.”
Nicole Brookshire
(Continued from pg. 16) “We want to host jobs fairs for example, right in the community,” said Nicole. “We’re one of few offices that has a development person on staff, so we’re able to go after state and federal dollars. We’re not a grant making agency, but we want to bring dollars and influence into the county. Leaders in social justice circles in Southeastern Wisconsin are stepping up and letting us know when, where and how we can maximize our influence. That’s how we’ll eliminate barriers, and thus, disparities.” Nicole began honing her leadership skills in high school. She was a student at Wauwatosa East, when she learned that she was able to attend Messmer, in exchange for volunteerism. She transferred schools, and participated in community service projects every Saturday with the late Brother Booker Ashe at the House Of Peace in Milwaukee’s central city. She also was required to mentor younger students during summer break and attend
Nicole Brookshire tours and field trips. She credits her work ethic and sharing spirit with being required to work at her grandparent’s grocery store/deli, David’s Groceries, where she learned about small business management and watched her grandmother extend good faith credit to families who were short on money. “Recognition isn’t what drives my passion. It’s the sustaining of relationships to really make change.” She is currently on the planning committee of African American Ladies Empowered to Grow Opportu-
nities (AALETGO), a group which works to close racial gaps in education, financial literacy, teen pregnancy, economic development, health care, family relationships and decrease the incarceration rate among Black men. Another forum where she serves is the Dr. Martin Luther King planning committee for the county-wide celebration of the civil rights icon. “I don’t know what the future brings, but I know I’d like to continue this work. It’s very exciting. I’d also like to travel abroad.”
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Monique N. Graham Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Monique N. Graham, like many successful leaders is an accomplished team player in a wide range of disciplines including (but not limited to) community outreach, project management, customer service, human resources, diversity and inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity regulatory compliance. Her parents, LaMarr and Lynda Franklin, were exemplary role models for young Monique through their hard work and active involvement
in a variety of community efforts to improve lives and build stronger, safer neighborhoods. “Having parents who were actively involved in our community, you might say it was in my DNA,” she chuckled. At just 12 years old, young Monique volunteered for a non-profit group called Reach for the Stars, which focused on preventing teen pregnancy. She also worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs as a group leader for younger children, or-
ganizing activities and even coached the Pee Wee Dribblers basketball team. That experience sparked her love for the game and helped carry her through four successful seasons playing for Nicolet High School. The Nicolet Knights finished the season 17-0 her senior year, and Monique was named to the All-Conference Team. Always a disciplined student, Monique earned an academic scholarship to Jackson State University in Mississippi and received additional scholarship funding when she made the basketball team as a walk-on candidate. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from school after her freshman year to assist in her mom’s recovery from major surgery. After her mom’s recovery, Monica decided to stay closer to home and pursued her education at Cardinal Stritch University where she earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration, as well as a certificate in human resource management. She also earned a certificate in diversity management from the University of Houston. As she began her professional career, Monique combined her formal education with the life lessons she’d learned from basketball. “Basketball taught me how to face adversity, to persevere, to trust others, to be humble and collaborate, to show respect and have high integrity,” she explained. “I feel those lessons shaped me
for my professional life and current role.” Monique’s early career started in the hospitality industry, when she worked for British-owned W.H. Smith and rose to district manager with more than 29 sites and several hundred staff under her direction. But she missed her hometown and returned to Milwaukee in 2001, where she worked for seven years at Kohl’s Department Stores’ corporate headquarters as a project coordinator and manager. She also supported the development of human resources and diversity initiatives that impacted the entire corporation. Many of Monique’s most impactful accomplishments in Milwaukee were achieved during her tenure as director of community engagement in Milwaukee County for Froedtert Health, where she is accountable for “developing and driving initiatives to proactively address social, cultural and economic determinants that underpin health disparities across the county.” She drives strategic health services for vulnerable populations and acts as a conduit to inform the health system leadership and service lines on more effective programmatic changes related to expanding community benefits and engagement. Through
her vast volunteer efforts with local and national organizations, Monique’s leadership has substantially broadened innovation and focused on community initiatives driven by community input. She serves on the board of organizations, including the United Methodist Children’s Services, Northcott Neighborhood House, and Walnut Way in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood; she is also a founding member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. This organization is dedicated to expanding the development and success of African Americans in the field of human resources across the nation. Monique is married to James Charles Graham, II. They are the proud parents of 14-year-old James C. Graham, III, and 12-year old twins, Miles and Lauren. And if anyone is curious, Monique is delighted to report, “We have a half-court in our backyard, and my husband and I still do play with our kids! Our kids play basketball in middle school and high school. It’s a sport we love as a family.” Clearly, the Grahams are proof positive that the family that plays together stays together.
Corporate Trailblazers
Identifying one word to describe Raymone T. Jackson is simple: invested. He is invested in his family and friends, as well as his personal growth, company and community. His investment in each of these areas ultimately serves one purpose: to positively impact the lives of others. Raymone is the director of diversity and inclusion at Northwestern Mutual. In this role, he leads strategic development and implementation of a wide range of diversity and inclusion initiatives. A lifelong Milwaukee resident and proud graduate of Rufus King International High School, his career with Northwestern Mutual began with an internship in 2001. From that point forward, Raymone has dedicated himself to profes-
sional and personal growth by fulfilling the company’s mission of providing financial security to its clients and doing what is right for each of them. He is deeply passionate about effecting positive change that impacts the community, its businesses and the hardworking families who live there. His long list of honors and accomplishments at Northwestern Mutual includes launching the African American Employee Resource Group; serving as co-chair of the diversity and inclusion committee; selection by The Milwaukee Business Journal as a 2016 “40 Under 40” nominee and Black Enterprise Magazine as a 2016 “Top Executive in Corporate Diversity.” He also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wiscon-
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sin-Milwaukee. Additionally, Raymone is a graduate of the Associates in Commercial Real Estate Program at Marquette University and has earned a master’s degree in business administration. As director of diversity and inclusion for Northwestern Mutual since 2014, Raymone develops, directs and leads the strategy to implement progressive initiatives to attract and retain diverse talent by expanding brand awareness to more effectively meet the needs of an evolving marketplace. He has also used his influence as cochair of the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee to bring initiatives forward for discussion and to develop creative plans of action that demonstrate and emphasize inclusive leadership behaviors that support company and community growth. Outside the workplace, Raymone is equally focused on the betterment of our (Continued on pg.19)
Raymone T. Jackson Northwestern Mutual www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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Dr. Rosalyn McFarland, DNP, RN, APNP, FNP-BC MyNP Professional, LLC. Dr. Rosalyn McFarland is a Milwaukee native who is committed to being an example in the African American community. She has been making substantial improvements in the lives of Milwaukee residents by working as a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a family nurse practitioner. She graduated from Franklin High School in 2001 and earned an associate degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2003. She
modeled herself after her mother, a working nurse, and decided to earn a bachelor of nursing dagree from Alverno College in 2006. She then earned a master’s degree in nursing from Concordia University, and became a family nurse in 2008. She feels that whole and healthy people is her passion and certainly a personal mission. Dr. McFarland became concerned with people who have serious persistent mental illness as she was working
Raymone Jackson
When asked what motivates a pursuit of excellence in his life and career, Raymone offered this straightforward explanation: “I come from very humble beginnings and understand what struggle feels like. I told myself early on that I was going to work harder and not set limits on myself so that I could achieve
‘someone else will take care of it’ that allows people to slip through the proverbial cracks of the community. People with mental health issues are not crazy. That term should never be used. That’s exactly what makes people afraid to talk about such issues – a fear of being considered crazy, and that’s not it.” While fulfilling her goals, Dr. McFarland has served as the director for health services for the Milwaukee Center for Independence, and later as director of services in primary health care and behavioral health care for the organization’s Whole Health Clinical Group. They work to help children, adults, and families follow their own unique paths to independence, as the population with special needs grows. Their award-winning work has been acknowledged by others nationwide, and has served as a model for programs that wish to help people eliminate barriers to reaching their highest levels of independence. “I want to be a change agent, and help people live better lives.
I’m not going to earn a degree and do nothing with it.” Her current work includes a book, Clinical Pearls, that will assist those just entering the nurse practitioner field, and research that will assist in the early detection of pancreatic cancer. She also belongs to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Metro Milwaukee Nurse Practitioners, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and the Coalition of Wisconsin Nurses Associations. She was a winner of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s “40 Under 40 Awards” in 2016 and belongs to African American Nurse Practitioner Advocates for the state of Wisconsin. Dr. McFarland hopes to open a private practice in the future that will allow her to continue her professional pursuits, and care for people despite the complex nature of her work. Her mother has been and remains her strongest supporter. “The intergration of mental and physical health is my goal. She has always encouraged me to keep striving.”
Congratulations to all of the
(Continued from pg. 18) communities. In his free time, he volunteers as a mentor for young people via organizations like Pathfinders, the African American Male Initiative and UWM Scholars. He is committed to entrepreneurship, and, with several partners, launched a real estate development firm, One Acre Group, which focuses on providing affordable housing to help build self-sufficiency and strengthen family units. Jackson enjoys spending time with his family and friends to maintain balance.
in the community, noticing the stigma that kept people from either acknowledging their illness or seeking help. Additionally, many underserved people in Milwaukee suffer from much more than mere mental illness; there are disproportionate numbers in the cases of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiac failure and stroke propensity. When mental health is not considered in patient self-management, it becomes harder for patients to care for themselves responsibly. When asked about working with underserved populations, Dr. McFarland responded, “It is important that we help people live longer and healthier lives. It’s not just about their mental health. It’s also about other chronic conditions like diabetes that impact people’s quality of life.” She graduated with honors from Alverno College with a doctorate in nursing practice in 2011, and continues to study at Alverno to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This will most assuredly give her the means to serve people from every angle. “The challenge is to have mental health practitioners understand what happened in primary care. When the two sides of health (physical and behavioral) don’t know what the other is responsible for, it is harder to serve patients. It is this assumption that
Raymone T. Jackson the vision I saw for my future. I enjoy learning new things and having an impact. I believe that if I can be a spark in someone else’s life or journey and help them move toward excellence, my time on earth will have been wonderful. I recently visited the African American Museum of History and Culture (in Washington, DC), and I was reminded of where we started in this country. That experience was incredibly emotional and moving, and it provided a much-appreciated push to work harder, challenge more, coach others and walk in excellence.”
2018 Black Excellence Award Honorees And a Special Congratulations to
Shirley Ellis Senior Advisor/District Director Office of the Honorable Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Friday, February 23, 2018 www.gwenmooreforcongress.com Paid for by Moore for Congress, Ellen Bravo, Treasurer
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Demetrius Nash BMO Harris Bank Demetrius Nash knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up. By the time he was eight years old, he had made up his mind to play professional football… maybe even win a Super Bowl! But apparently, life had other plans for young Demetrius. When he was just five years old, his mother Arlene relocated her small family from Demetrius’ birthplace of Gary, Indiana to Milwaukee to be closer to her sister and to pursue better job oppor-
tunities. For the next several years, Demetrius continued to grow bigger, stronger and faster. By the time he graduated from Bay View High School, he’d been selected to the All-Conference football team as a wide receiver. With strong encouragement from his high school coach, Demetrius enrolled at a small, outof-state college to pursue his football career. But he didn’t get the playing time he’d hoped for, and he felt alone in a strange community far from home. After that first
year, Demetrius returned to Milwaukee to consider his options. He took a job as a cashier at a neighborhood gas station and convenience store where he was still well remembered for his football exploits. He used much of his pay to help his mother maintain the household and raise his four younger sisters. After four years on that job, Demetrius had a conversation with a long-time store customer that would change his life. The friendly gentleman commented that someone with Demetrius’ friendly attitude and excellent customer service skills would be a genuine asset at the place where he banked in New Berlin and encouraged him to apply for an entry-level position as a customer service representative. A bit hesitant at first but curious about the opportunity, Demetrius contacted the bank and was asked to come in for an interview. He was elated a few days later when he was offered the job. Over the past ten years, Demetrius has grown professionally, moving to three other banks and succeeding in the industry of finance by demonstrating dedication to the services he provides as well as his genuine care and concern for the customers he serves. As the branch
manager for the BMO Harris Bank on N. Martin Luther King Drive since 2015, Demetrius has focused on the entire community by doing whatever possible to help individuals, families, businesses and entire neighborhoods prosper socially and economically. “What motivates me,” he explained, “is the ability to help people change their lives. In banking, that can be done in numerous ways, but planting a seed that can open people’s eyes to goals they never thought they could achieve is what drives me. The first stage to building wealth is homeownership, and that’s what I want all of my customers to achieve.” Demetrius recalled the recent story of a young mother working as a manager for a local fast food restaurant. Speaking with her one day, he asked if she’d ever considered owning a home for her family rather than paying rent. The woman replied that she didn’t think it was possible on her salary even though she worked full time. Demetrius did some investigating and learned that she
had a fairly good credit score and enough in savings to make a modest down payment. Her eyes welled with tears, but she was smiling with pure joy. With a prompt approval from Demetrius for an $80,000 home loan, that young mother is now searching for a safe, secure home for her family. Outside of work, Demetrius is equally involved in the community. He is a member of the NAACP and frequently volunteers on homebuilding projects with Habitat for Humanity or assists at his son’s school—when he’s not busy teaching his 10-year-old son Deshawn and 9-yearold nephew Carter the finer points of football. It turns out that the customer who advised Demetrius to consider a career in banking really did change his life. He may never catch a touchdown in the Super Bowl, but he’s found fulfillment by providing service and excellence in his profession and by helping others live happier, more successful lives.
Education Being a role model is the bedrock upon which Teon L. Austin’s life, accomplishments and goals are built. This belief is based on his own experience. At Milwaukee’s Custer High School, one of his counselors became his mentor. That relationship refined his focus and sharpened his aim. Other mentors and leaders assumed that role during his academic career and occupational life. The results are notable. He completed a bachelor’s degree in advertising, with a minor in marketing, at Marquette University in 2004. He also worked as a career counselor. and was so good at it that his clients began to bring their parents to him for employment assistance. Teon has historically proven himself an avid networker and effective problem-solver. Teon is currently the Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion at Cardinal Stritch University. In Fall 2016, he along with Dr. Darnell Bradley and Dr. Corey Thompson instituted a national program, “My Brother’s Keeper” (MBK), which helps men of color identify and overcome hurdles to collegiate success. It also encourages students to
maximize their college experience by taking advantage of social, cultural and academic opportunities while simultaneously building a capacity for leadership. “I don’t want to be the only one who looks like me who is successful,” said Teon, hence his involvement in MBK. To Teon, having a mentor is only part of the solution; the other part is being a mentor as well. You must help others as you are being helped. Being a role model forms the framework of his life and extends to every corner of it. Teon has been married for 13 years to his wife, Cheray. People were surprised that he took such a serious step at a relatively young age, but marriage reflects his Christian faith and another pattern he wishes others to follow. “People underestimate their own leadership potential,” he said. This fact is illustrated by his grandmother who was a custodian at Marquette University. She told him about the study patterns
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of the students she observed, and would purchase MU clothing and sports items for him. His mother explained to him why she worked as many jobs as necessary to provide for the household and stressed education. She also gave generously to others, highlighting that core value to Teon. These two role models shaped his relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence while serving others. Teon never knew his father, but said that role was filled by various TRIO programs he participated in like the Upward Bound program for college-bound high school students, and the Educational Opportunity Program for those enrolled in college. These impactful programs in conjunction with his upbringing have inspired him to “be the best version of myself for others.” These programs made such a formative impression on Teon that he returned to Marquette as an employee and worked for the same organizations that help minority students prepare for or complete higher education. He was passing on lessons he learned from his counselors as well as his own collegiate
Teon L. Austin Cardinal Stritch University and life experiences. As he passes the torch, he makes sure that his own fire is lit as he serves others at every available opportunity. Teon is an adjunct professor for the Cardinal Stritch University’s College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Management. He is also currently a basketball coach for the girls’ basketball team at Carmen High School, where his daughter is a pupil. He is also a freelance photographer who “tries to capture the
beauty that others overlook.” This compassionate statement captures what he has been doing academically and occupationally as he seeks to emulate those who preceded him. Teon earned a master’s degree at Marquette in nonprofit management in 2011. He completed coursework for a Ph.D. in educational leadership in 2016. It is no surprise that his thesis is a study of retention factors (Continued on pg. 21) www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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which she contends was, “the best high school in Milwaukee at the time.” She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Concordia University and earned a master of
business administration degree in just 18 months. Eager for more knowledge, she then went to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed the Master’s and Licensure in Educational Leadership Program. She also earned a license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in school business administration. “I believe in continuous education for continuous progression in life,” she said. Not satisfied with her current level of knowledge, Dr. Mann completed a Ph.D. degree in educational management from Hampton University in Virginia and graduated in 2016. Dr. Mann started her career at Milwaukee Public Schools as a Secretary II in the Milwaukee Board of School Directors Business Office, the Office of Board Governance. From secretary, she transitioned to the role of board staff assistant. Following that, she progressed to the level of board information officer, and after being appointed by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, she now holds the leadership position in the Office of Board Governance as the school board clerk/director
That work motivated Dr. Pate to go into teaching. He wanted to give students the benefit of his experience along with the academic knowledge. The work also provided the impetus for him to attain a doctoral degree. “I wanted to address policies that don’t take into consideration people’s life circumstances,” he stated. Wanting to have an impact on national policy, Dr. Pate completed a Ph.D. in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003. His resume and biography provide a vivid picture of him achieving that goal. His research topics specifically are child support enforcement policy, poverty, trauma, and toxic stress and how these factors, individually and collectively, affect the
life course of African American males. Holistic in approach and detailed in solution, he uncovers the policies and systemic weaknesses that undermine and unfairly delegitimize the efforts of black men as they attempt to care for their non-custodial children. To uncover these inequities, Dr. Pate employs qualitative research, surveys, and interviews to shed light on the struggles African American males encounter and the policy changes that must be made for the benefit of all involved. According to Dr. Pate, child support enforcement policy must be equitable (affordable). It is important that males who are returning from incarceration are provided enough time to find employment. It is critically important that enforcement policy does not trigger a cycle of intermittent jail time. Other factors may re-
remain in Milwaukee to enrich our struggling communities. True to form, Teon has been doing his part as a board member of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Diversity Committee since 2010. This committee ensures that the Center’s program offerings reflect the diversity of Milwaukee. It also finds ways to engage
with the city via community service. He has been involved in the Martin Luther King holiday celebration since 2004. Teon’s service to the community is multifaceted and deep, but it is a trail that he clears day by day, and task by task. Teon and his wife, Cheray Austin have four children: Dravion, Kaliyah, Ebony, and Brielle.
Dr. Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. Milwaukee Public Schools Dr. Jacqueline M. Mann is the epitome of homegrown talent and ambition. She attended Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School (now Bradley Tech),
Dr. David J. Pate, Jr., remembered his mom telling him as a child that he was going to be a doctor. He didn’t know what kind of doctor, but he figured it out. Her bold prediction came true admirably. He is endeavoring to aid black males as they strive to provide for their children amid a system that typically misunderstands and maligns them. Dr. Pate was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the second in his immediate family to complete high school and the first in his entire family to graduate from college. He has five siblings. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1980 from the University of Detroit. He continued work on a master’s degree in social work in 1982 at the University of Chicago. He then worked as a social worker in Chicago for 16 years.
Teon Austin (Continued from pg. 19) for African American male college students. Moreover, Teon also endeavors to stop Milwaukee’s “brain drain,” referring to college graduates earning their degrees here, but taking their talents and skills elsewhere. He wants these contributions to
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of board governance. She was appointed to serve as the board’s clerk and school business officer for the district in 2014. She serves as the statutorily required board clerk, parliamentarian, records custodian, and information officer for the board. She is responsible for planning, oversight, and organizing all board governance affairs including constituent concerns, internal audit, legislative policy and business functions. Essentially, she is responsible for all functions to which the board is required to adhere, based upon statutory requirements, board policy and district operations. “My position for the school board mirrors the city clerk’s responsibilities to the city," she said. She also certifies the district’s $1.2-billion budget and notifies the election commission who is up for election to the school board. Dr. Mann enjoyed teaching
at 53rd Street School where she intermittently taught fourth and fifth grade math and science. One hot summer, her mom brought her class popsicles, because she was so proud that her daughter went into the teaching profession. Referring to teaching as “her joy,” she has also taught at the college level as an adjunct professor at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the University of Phoenix in Brookfield, WI. At UWM, she taught marketing for community-based organizations and proposal writing, and at University of Phoenix she taught marketing and business writing. As laudable as her successes are, Dr. Mann finds it hard to talk about herself, preferring instead to talk about those who helped her along the way. She has been working for the Milwaukee Public Schools district for (Continued on pg. 22)
Dr. David J. Pate, Jr., Ph.D. University of Wisconsin - Miwlaukee quire consideration, such as childhood trauma, violence, poverty and poor education. Toxic stress, a chronic, unmitigated pressure, combined with emotional abuse, neglect and possible drug abuse are also determinants of potential outcomes. Dr. Pate came to Milwaukee in 1997 to study pre-adjustment welfare reform, child support related to W2, men’s perception of child
support and its challenges, and men on welfare on the north side of Milwaukee. “I want to help a woman find a good man” said Dr. Pate, referring to one who was self-sufficient, and meeting his responsibilities (including – when applicable – child support). Dr. Pate’s passion for this work intensified after graduate school when he (Continued on pg. 22)
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Delila Dawson Aurora Health Care Delila Dawson was born in Chicago, Illinois, the first daughter and third child of her family. They lived in Michigan until moving to Milwaukee after her father passed. Her mother, Ertha Washington Luckett, provided Delila and her siblings with a good home and a Christian upbringing. As Delila remembered, they attended church multiple times throughout the week. Delila remembered being on the honor roll, with many friends, participating in cheerleading, volleyball and the color guard at Harold S. Vincent High School, from which she graduated in 2001.
Not long after, Delila became pregnant with twin boys who were born more than three months premature. The two boys were so fragile that infant Derrick was not released from the hospital for five months. Erick, the smaller of the twins, did not come home for 15 months. Even after the boys came home, they required 24-hour monitoring. Before either son came home, Delila had to be trained in changing feeding tubes, providing tracheotomy care and operating a ventilator correctly. Derrick developed sleep apnea and Delila had to be trained in CPR and a variety of oth-
Dr. Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D.
Milwaukee County Human Trafficking Task Force. Professionally, she is a member of the National Association of Charter Schools, Association of School Business Officials, and Milwaukee Schools Historical Society. One of Dr. Mann’s greatest passions is restorative practices where high school students get to be involved in the school discipline process. Through restorative peer juries, school leaders have the opportunity to address the disproportionality and feeling of unfairness associated with negative school sanctions, such as suspension. This process offers an alternative to suspension, saves the school district money, and gives school discipline administrators another tool besides suspension to address negative student behavior. Dr. Mann wrote a book on the subject, and implemented this program as part of the Safe Schools, Healthy Students project. Dr. Mann credits her faith for motivating her to “be the best me that I can be. To do that,” she added, “there has to be continuous learning and growth.” She said her educational credentials empower her to participate at
(Continued from pg. 21)
21 years and in that time “switched jobs almost every three years.” She has a threepoint realm of experience: teaching, district administration, and school district business operations. She left the office for three years while she led a federal Safe Schools, Healthy Students initiative, which was an $8.5-million federal grant used to provide oversight for 32 public, private and parochial schools including Seventh Day Adventist Schools. Dr. Mann has been involved in charter school policy and procedural development since the inception of charter schools in the MPS system. Dr. Mann genuinely considers Milwaukee a first-class city and feels that there is ample opportunity to be engaged in its continued growth. Toward that aim, she serves on the Board of the Milwaukee Survive Alive Foundation, which educates young students about fire safety. She is also a part of the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission, and the
An NCON Communications Publication
er first aid procedures. She was provided with a nurse who cared for the children for eight hours a day so that Delila could sleep. Delila said that maintaining the ventilator was very labor-intensive. Her younger son needed to remain on a ventilator for the first two years of his life, and required a tracheotomy breathing tube for four and a half years. Both young men are now healthy and continue to defy the odds of being born so prematurely. “When they were in the hospital at St. Mary’s Hospital, they received exceptional care,” Delila said. “It made me want to give back and help similar mothers.” For the past two years, Delila has supervised the dayto-day operations and budget of the cardiac telemetry unit at Aurora Sinai Medical Center on North 12th Street. As patient care manager, she has supervisory authority over 80 caregivers covering three shifts. After learning so much hands-on nursing to save her own sons, Delila felt confident she could accomplish her goal of becoming a nurse and helping other families with children born prematurely. However, during her training at Milwaukee Area Technical College, she shifted focus from infant to adult cardiac care because
the highest level and inspire her to give back. “So...I’m at the table now,” she chuckled. Her children also motivate her, in addition to all the “greatness” that she sees in the city, her excitement is evident in her buoyant smile.
Dr. David J. Pate, Jr., Ph.D. (Continued from pg. 21)
dedicated himself to uplifting poor African American males, most of whom earn less than $12,000 a year. Dr. Pate has received many honorable opportunities for service, including being an invited member to the National Advisory Board of the Responsible Father Research Network. He was invited to join the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS), Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) to serve on an expert panel addressing the needs of young fathers. He participated on the social science research and writing team which submitted two amicus briefs for the Center for Family Practice (CfFP) in support of the petitioner in the landmark Turner v. Rog-
she was concerned that she might become too emotionally attached. She earned an associate degree and registered nurse designation from MATC and began her ascent up the career ladder. She also married her husband, Otis, a commercial and residential carpenter with whom she has two children: a daughter, Dezarie, age 9, and a son, Xavier, age 8. In December 2014, Delila earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Addison, Illinois. As a supervisor Delila said she would never ask one of her staff to do anything that she has not already done. She has also taken to the practice of working flexible shifts, so that she has an opportunity to work with and observe all staff under her supervision. Delila has also volunteered her time within her community, something she feels almost obliged to do, given all the blessings which she feels she has received in her own life. “Knowing that I have children that are looking up to me, I want to work toward a more equitable and just world,” she said. “I want to
be a servant leader.” Delila is a member of the Milwaukee Black Nurses Association. Through Aurora Sinai Hospital, she has volunteered her nursing expertise for free at various clinics and health fairs. She is a member of the professional development committee at Aurora Sinai Hospital. Delila received the Daisy Nursing Award in 2014, as she was recognized and nominated by one of her patients. She has also participated in community drives. In 2016, her cardiac telemetry unit collected and donated more than 340 books to the Cathedral Women’s Shelter. She also volunteers along with her staff about once a month helping to prepare a free meal for the homeless and needy at St. Benedict the Moor Church on West State Street. “To me there are no bad people,” Delila said. “We all need help sometimes. I feel that with the support that I’ve had, I have a lot to give back.” Delila aspires to complete a master’s program and become a nurse practitioner. Delila said she and her family are currently seeking a new church home.
ers case to the United States Supreme Court. This case considered how child support is sanctioned. Dr. Pate wanted defendants to have a lawyer for the proceedings and for the debt owed to be based on what the non-custodial parent could reasonably afford. The court agreed, but left the burden of enforcement to the states, who, with scant resources, may never assume accountability. “Milwaukee is better than most of the surrounding cities, and doesn’t like to put people in jail for child support violations,” he says. He is a member of the Ford Foundation Scholars Network on Masculinity and the Wellbeing of African American Males; he is also a member of the Father Research and Practice Network Advisory Board (Temple University), and an invited member of the Poverty and the Transition to Adulthood Network (National Poverty Research Center, the Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP), in collaboration with the U.S. Collaborative of Poverty Centers (CPC) partner institutions. Dr. Pate’s push for excellence stems from his wife and kids. Additionally, he
stated he “feels a responsibility to say things that no one else wants to say.” Dr. Pate’s research projects have received extensive media coverage from WUWM-FM radio, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Public Radio, and the PBS Newshour, among others. Dr. Pate has completed many extensive research projects over a 20-year span and has received more than $500,000 in research grants. He is an associate professor at both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. He is also an affiliated associate professor at the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a faculty affiliate of the Institute for Child and Well-Being at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Pate currently teaches three courses at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: one on social welfare on the undergraduate level, one master’s level course on social policy and analysis, and a doctoral level course on research ethics. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Extraordinary Achievement
Oscar Johnson, Sr., is a professional auto salesperson who is respected by his peers and his community. Oscar was born in Marvell, Arkansas. He graduated from M.M. Tate High School and studied business at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He came to Milwaukee in 1958 with his family seeking a better life. After moving to Milwaukee, Oscar attended Milwaukee Area Technical College for one year. He also worked at the Milwaukee Star newspaper for two years, which motivated him to get into sales. Oscar is currently a salesperson at Andrew Chevrolet in Glendale, Wisconsin. He started at this dealership in 1979. As the first African American car salesman in Wisconsin, Oscar has been in the automobile business for 51 years. He faced a lot of challenges early in his career, but he kept pressing forward. For his first job interview at a dealership, he was asked to enter through the back door, so no one else would know that an African American
the Champs, a citywide men’s ministry that encourages men to be better fathers, husbands, and citizens in their prayer life. Oscar said that he wants “to treat others the same was being interviewed. Nev- way I want to be treated; to ertheless, Oscar was hired direct and lead others in a for his first sales job. He has positive direction.” He addbeen offered management ed he believes that service positions in the past, but de- and excellence means “to be clined because of his love for the best in what I choose, to sales. His co-workers enjoy be the best to the glory of working with him due to his God.” willingness to help others and his warm personality. During his downtime, OsOscar has a kinetic relation- car likes to play golf. He also ship with his repeat custom- enjoys traveling with his wife ers, which is why they trust all over the country. Enterhim with their business. He taining many national and has been awarded the Legion international guests at their of Leaders Award in sales home is one of the great joys each year for the last 30 years. of the Johnsons. They love sharing their hospitality with Serving the community everyone that they meet. Osis one of Oscar’s great life car has been married to his missions. He is the found- wife, retired Milwaukee Pubing elder of New Testament lic School teacher Jimmie Christian Church and leads Ruth Johnson, for 55 years. its men’s ministry. His work The couple met when they at the church inspired him both attended the Universito positively influence men ty of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. across the city. He is the They use the longevity of founder of Breakfast with their marriage as an exam-
Cassandra McShepard Fox6 Real Milwaukee It is a love for serving people that motivates Cassandra McShepard to strive for excellence in what she does. "My heart has been broken, and my life hasn't always made sense, but because I got through it, what is the point but to help someone else through it?" she explained. Only the quest for direction in her own life could lead her
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to that conclusion. She credits God with providing that direction. "Rise up in me, God!" she exclaimed. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Cassandra graduated from Custer High School. She attended the Patricia Stevens Career College, a modeling and finishing school. With an associate degree in fashion merchandising,
www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
it was difficult to find lucrative business prospects in Milwaukee. Cassandra set her sights on California with the dream of designing for the stars. Over a period of fifteen years, she developed a national and international client base reaching from New York to Los Angeles to Paris. Prominent among those clients was famous jazz singer and actress Phyllis Hyman, whose wardrobe Cassandra did in its entirety. Phyllis' tragic suicide in 1995 at the age of 45 left Cassandra asking some of the big questions: "Why am I here? What am I doing with my life?" To Cassandra, amid the glitz and glamour of California's elite, no one seemed to be happy. Cassandra decided to return to Milwaukee where she could regroup to consider those big questions. She had planned to stay only a short time, but her move ended up being permanent. Her brother Carl's death from cancer at the age of 38 impacted her deeply. Pondering the accomplishments he’d tragically left unfulfilled inspired Cassandra to pursue her own ambitions more intensely. One such ambition was music. Singing with a band at a friend's wedding and performing for someone's 60th birthday party ignited her desire to "wrap the audience in the palm of [her] hand." She continued singing, and her smooth, engaging jazz style led the Shepherd Express to nominate her for both the Female Vocalist of the Year and Jazz Artist of the Year in 2011. Another major turning point in Cassandra's life was caring for her mother, who suffered from
Oscar Johnson, Sr. Andrew Automotive Group ple to help other couples at their church. Their family is of the utmost importance to them. Oscar and Jimmie Ruth have two sons, Derrick and Oscar. Derrick is a
Alzheimer's disease for eleven years, a disease that claimed her life in 2009 at the age of 66. Walking with her mother through those final years was an act of love that led The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute to choose Cassandra as their spokesperson. She also served on the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Community Advisory Board, and in 2010 she was presented with the "Caregiver of the Year Award" by the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association. With the wisdom and perspective she gleaned, she also serves on the board of directors of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. Her mother's illness and death kept bringing Cassandra back to the question, "What am I going to do?" At a wedding for which she had designed the bridal gown, Cassandra ran into local model Pat Evans. When Pat told her she should be in media, Cassandra retorted, "Tell somebody!" Pat did. After a failed interview with the general manager at radio station WMCS, a guest-hosting gig turned into a full-time position. Cassandra and Pat walked into a talk radio show cold, without much of a plan except to be themselves.
car sales manager at Hansen Brothers, and Oscar is a senior vice president at BMO Harris Bank. The Johnsons also have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The listening audience liked the freshness and genuineness Pat and Cassandra brought to the airwaves. For several months they continued together until Pat had to back out, leaving Cassandra to do the radio show alone. She developed That's What I'm Talking About, a show with a talk radio format, but with topics that were more empowering and motivational than controversial. The show continued for five years. God seemed to have answered Cassandra's question, "What am I going to do?" But there was more. Her own introspective journaling told Cassandra she should be doing television. Not long afterward, almost in miraculous reply, an email from Fox 6 came with an offer to host a new television talk show, Real Milwaukee. "You and your voice are real Milwaukee," they noted. The program first aired on September 7, 2010. Its format features four different people from four very different backgrounds who are very "real" friends on and off the set. In an entertaining way they talk about anything and everything, showing a diverse community how people who are different can laugh at and lament the same things. Cassandra's mother once said to her rather prophetically, "God's going to bless you." Cassandra would be the first to admit that He has. But that blessing has come through a life of lovingly--and excellently--serving others. As Cassandra concludes, "I serve because I have survived."
An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Extraordinary Achievement
Jim Milner Sector Management Consulting Group Jim Milner is a well-respected leadership coach and mentor with more than 25 years of experience. Jim was born in Fulton, Kentucky. His parents came to Milwaukee in the mid-1950s due to the higher paying-job opportunities. Jim graduated from North Division High School in 1973. He
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was accepted into the radio broadcasting program at the Institute of Broadcast Arts in 1975. Jim earned a degree in leadership and organizational development and special studies in human behavior and human resources from Marquette University in 2003. He also earned a master’s degree in busi-
ness administration, human resources and finance from The University of Phoenix. Jim also has more than 22 industry certifications. After earning a radio broadcasting license, Jim worked at All-Pro Broadcasting Company for 10 years. He was a music director and an on-air personality with limited engineering duties. Jim was known throughout the country as “Jimmy Goodtyme.” Although he enjoyed his broadcasting career, Jim felt that he could fulfill his life’s purpose in a different industry. Jim started working with local nonprofit organizations that focused on working with youth caught in the juvenile justice system and released back into the community with no job skills. He coached young people on career development and facilitated soft-skills workshops. This concept was later adopted by Governor Tommy Thompson’s administration and became a hallmark of the Welfare to Work program. Jim partnered with different community business leaders to develop business start-ups in rehabilitation, manufacturing and construction. He was awarded county and city contracts and employed young people from the community. Jim completed a 12-month training program to coach nonprofit leaders to serve as board directors to build organization infrastructures. He currently
serves as president and managing director for Sector Management Consulting Group, LLC, a firm functioning as partners in leadership coaching and supports leaders in transition. His clients include the Kohler Company, Schneider, Manpower (Right Management), Froedtert Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools, Associated Bank and WE Energies-Power Generation. Jim is also a leadership coach, thought partner to middle managers and C-suite leaders in the healthcare, utility and finance industries. He has served as program manager for Workforce Relief Program for the State of Wisconsin; president of Complete Construction and Supply, director for communication and workforce development for the Social Development Commission; and founder/executive director for Urban Strategies Milwaukee. Jim has a strong commitment to the community by serving on many boards of different organizations. He served as a member of the board of directors of Downtown Milwaukee Rotary International; past board chair of the African American Chamber of Commerce Wisconsin; past board chair of
Feeding America of Southeastern Wisconsin; past board chair of the statewide chapter of the International Coach Federation (ICF); vice president of Ethics Internal Review Board for ICF, and president-elect Midwest Regional Council, serving 13 chapters across 11 states. Jim has also served as a guest lecturer at Marquette University, Rockford College, Alverno College, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Cardinal Stritch University. His lecture topics include team building, mentoring, diversity, business life cycle and generational shifts, organizational change, system thinking, and his signature program, “Leading with The Power of Intent.” He is a member of, and certified by, the International Coach Academy, the International Coach Federation, the American Society for Training and Development, and the Society for Human Resource Management. Jim is currently a member of the International Franchising Association, the International Business Brokers Association, Inc., and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce. Jim is currently single; he has one son, one grandson and one granddaughter.
Health Faith in God, love of family and a profound concern for the health and wellbeing of all those who live in greater Milwaukee – these are the forces that drive Dr. Melanie Gray, Ph.D., RN. She is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of experience in the clinical arena and higher education. For the past 12 years, Dr. Gray has played an integral role as a member of the nursing faculty at Milwaukee Area Technical College. During her long career with Aurora Health Care, she held many essential positions and chaired the team that established Aurora’s first internship program in the 1990s while mentoring and training hundreds of nurses. In 2013, Aurora Sinai Medical Center named her Nurse Educator of the Year. A lifelong Milwaukeean, Dr. Gray is quick to declare that she was “born and raised as a proud resident and product of (zip code) 53206!” She was a successful student of the Milwaukee Public Schools system and graduated from Keefe Avenue Elementary School, Wilbur Wright Junior High and James Madison High School. She adored both her parents and took great pride in polishing her mother Jeannine’s white shoes and scrubbing her nurse’s caps for her job as a professional nurse. Her mother’s career was a major in-
spiration to young Dr. Gray. Her father, Andrew Lewis, wanted to attend college, but enlisted in the military at the outset of World War II, viewing military service as a vehicle of freedom from the racist oppression he’d witnessed while growing up. Afterward, he used the GI Bill to fund his training as a professional welder, then helped support his parents and younger siblings as he started a family of his own. As a teenager, Dr. Gray began a life of service to others in the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School programs at Mount Zion Baptist Church. But over the years, Dr. Gray watched her childhood neighborhood and surrounding areas of the city deteriorate due to the loss of livable wage industrial jobs, major cuts in educational funding, and a lack of affordable quality healthcare for needy families and rapidly aging adults. After high school, she made up her mind to become a nurse committed to helping people in the neighborhoods and city she grew up in and
An NCON Communications Publication
loved. Dr. Gray earned an undergraduate nursing degree from Cardinal Stritch University, a master’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University (a university in Salt Lake City, Utrah that offers online coursework) and a Ph.D., specializing in online learning from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is nationally known as a nursing educator and serves as a content reviewer for some of America’s largest publishers of nursing text books. In October 2018, Dr. Gray will celebrate her 30th year of marriage to Victor Gray, whom she describes as “my better half, my best friend and love of my life!” They attend church regularly at Parklawn Assembly of God and participate in many church activities. On top of everything else she has accomplished, Dr. Gray is a sought-after workshop presenter on e-learning health-related topics. She has served on numerous boards, including her recent appointment with the Wisconsin Center for Nursing. She is also president of the Milwaukee Chapter of Black Nurses Association and an active member of Junior League Milwaukee, Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and many
Dr. Melanie Gray, Ph.D., RN Milwaukee Area Technical College other groups dedicated to nursing education and career development. When asked what drives her continuing efforts in nursing education, Dr. Gray said, “I am motivated by the opportunity to help other people. No man is an island, and no man stands alone. Many hands have supported me in my life journey. It is important that I give back, reach back and remain present to serve others.” (Continued on pg. 25) www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
25
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Health
Dr. Merle Orr, M.D. Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Dr. Merle Orr, M.D., has dedicated his professional career to serving the disability community in his native Milwaukee. Dr. Orr credited his mother as being the driving force behind his pursuit of higher education and desire to serve. His mother, Vonnie Scott Orr, is a transplant from Indianola, Mississippi, and a retired Milwaukee Dr. Shawnte L. Robinson, Pharm., Ph.D., grew up during the 1980s near 25th and Burleigh Streets, just a block away from Carter Drug Store. She attended Auer Avenue Elementary School across the street from the store, and sometimes after school she and her friends would buy snacks at the pharmacy. During these visits Dr. Robinson would occasionally stay behind asking the owner, Dr. Lester L. Carter, Jr., many questions about being a store owner and the secret to his many herbal remedies. Dr. Robinson said as a child she was fascinated by anything that had to do with science. By the time she entered ninth grade at Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School (now Bradley Tech), Dr. Robinson said that she had already decided to emulate Dr. Carter by enrolling in the school’s rigorous chemistry program. “Dr. Carter was a pillar of our community,” Dr. Robinson said. “When somebody became ill in the neighborhood, often he was the first person consulted because he was so knowledgeable and accessible.” Hayat Pharmacy (a local chain which purchased Carter Pharmacy in 2013 and opened an herbal shop business in partnership with Dr. Carter) hired Dr. Robinson in August 2016. A few months ago, Dr. Robinson accepted a pharmacy manager position at their store on www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Public Schools educator. During his youth he fondly recalled her diligent pursuit of advanced degrees and the impact it had on shaping his own scholastic vigor. In addition, he witnessed firsthand how her love and service for others help mold the lives of foster children, nieces, nephews and church members. Dr. Orr attended Marquette University High School, where he earned four varsity letters in track for sprinting, and two varsity letters for basketball. Upon graduation in 1990, he pursued his undergraduate education at Morehouse College, one of the historically black colleges and universities located in Atlanta. After graduating from Morehouse in 1994, he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin Medical School. After graduating in 2000, he completed an internship in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago. He moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, and later a fellowship in spinal cord injury at the Hunter Holmes Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.
West Capitol Drive. Ten years earlier, Hayat Pharmacy owner Dr. Hashim Zaibak was Dr. Robinson’s supervisor at another pharmacy. Dr. Robinson credited Dr. Zaibak and another pharmacist, Holly Ferrell, for helping advance her career in the pharmacy industry. Dr. Robinson is the oldest of four daughters and one son born to Robert and Karen Chambers. She credited her grandmother, Beverly, with playing a critical role in raising her. Dr. Robinson was a dedicated student and a talented sprinter such that, after earning her high school diploma in 1995, she received a track scholarship to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry in May 1999. After undergraduate school, Dr. Robinson pursued a doctorate degree in pharmacology, which she earned from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio in 2004. Dr. Robinson could have chosen virtually anywhere in the country to relocate after graduation, but she said she returned to Milwaukee because that is where her family resided. She also wished to be a positive role model
Dr. Orr decided to follow his calling and return to Milwaukee more than a decade ago. He believed it was his personal mission to treat as many victims as possible of intentional crimes. It was during his residency that Dr. Orr first became aware of the alarming rate of violent crimes affecting those within his own community. As a result, he and his staff try to deliver compassionate care by first gaining the trust of their patients and then leveraging that trust to teach them to be advocates for themselves. “If a person believes in you and you believe in them, they are more likely to trust you and be more compliant with any treatment plan,” he said. Recently, Dr. Orr was appointed Medical Director of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital/Medical College of Wisconsin. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the
for others in the community in which she grew up. She felt many in her community would be more likely to believe they could succeed if they saw someone who looked like them and came from the same community. Dr. Robinson has been married to her husband, Darrell, for 12 years. The couple have twin six-year-old boys, Xavier and Zion, who are fascinated with cars and love basketball. The couple also own their own medical transportation company. Dr. Robinson has now been working as a pharmacist for 13 years. She is a member of the American Pharmacists Association. When asked what advice she would give to other Milwaukee residents with an interest in pursuing a career in pharmacy, she stressed the importance of persistence. “Surround yourself with positive people and don’t get discouraged when things don’t go exactly as planned,” she said. “My whole life has been about following a path that was not easy and led to a somewhat uncertain destination. With support from good people, I was able to accomplish many goals. I am proof that you can realize your dreams.”
inpatient and outpatient care of individuals with spinal injuries. In addition, he has also maintained his position at the Zablocki Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in polytrauma and musculoskeletal medicine. When not at work, Dr. Orr enjoys spending time with his wife, Christina, and their two young sons. The family attend Christ the King Baptist Church. He enjoys exercising and is an avid moviegoer. Dr. Orr credits his upbringing in Milwaukee with instilling in him a strong sense of community that extends outside his own home. His passion for volunteer work is demonstrated in his outreach through community organizations such as Independence First, Victims of Intense Crimes Embracing (VOICE), Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the board of directors of Marquette University High School.
Dr. Shawnte L. Robinson, Pharm., Ph.D. Milwaukee Area Technical College
Dr. Melanie Gray, Ph.D., RN (Continued from pg. 24) Dr. Gray has come a long, long way since her childhood in zip code 53206, but she’s never forgotten her roots and the lessons she learned from her parents. She summed it up this way: “One must see the world as bigger than themselves. It is important to see the greater good in others and to value the gifts that you personally give to the world. I strive for excellence because I hope
that people do not see me, but Christ in me through ongoing consistent acts of kindness.” That would be pretty good advice in any zip code, anywhere.
An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
26
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Law
Atty. Denise Greathouse Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP Denise O. L. Greathouse was born in Lake Forest, Illinois and raised in North Chicago, Illinois, but has called Milwaukee home for 15 years; she has a love for the community. After attending the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where she earned a bachelor of science degree, she relocated to Milwaukee in 2002 to attend Marquette University Law School. The Milwaukee area quickly became home, as Denise found it similar to the Chicago area in many ways, just a bit smaller. She additionally looked forward to a bright law career in Milwaukee, as Wisconsin-based
Stirred by the concept of fairness, Atty. Katryna Childs Rhodes wanted to be a lawyer since she was six years old. Nevertheless, excited by the prospect of prosperity, she pursued a career as a stockbroker. In a similar vein, after two years, she entered the legal field because she was attracted by the potential rewards a corporate law career could offer. An internship with the Rock County district attorney changed all of that. There she saw opportunities to bring justice to a community while positively affecting the lives of young people. A job offer from former Milwaukee County district attorney E. Michael McCann allowed Katryna to bring these benefits back to the community she loved. Katryna reflected, "I love Milwaukee. I'm really committed to Milwaukee. I know it has its challenges, and, as a prosecuting attorney, I really know it has its challenges... but I have received so much that I simply have to give back." Born and raised in Milwaukee, Katryna was part of a Baptist family who were members of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
firms tended to look favorably on and heavily recruit graduates from Marquette University Law School. Shortly after graduating with a law degree in 2005, Denise served as a prosecuting attorney in the Waukesha County district attorney’s office. In this role she prosecuted crimes and provided recommendations as to whether those convicted of a crime should go to jail. After a few years as a prosecutor, she went to work in private practice as an employment lawyer, a field quite different from criminal law. As an employment litigator for Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, she represents management in workplace safety issues, investigations, discrimination claims, severance agreements, and other work place issues that affect the employee-employer relationship. Denise said she enjoys the challenges that employment law provides. On a daily, if not hourly basis, she is faced with new scenarios that give her the opportunity to learn about the law, her clients, and their businesses. Denise strives to provide her clients with holistic service that balances their legal needs with their business objectives. Denise has been a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Waukesha Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Illinois. As committed to her community as she is to her profession, Denise values her involvement with community organizations.
She serves as a board member for Pearls for Teen Girls Inc., a Milwaukee-based group that strives to empower young women with self-development tools, guidance and support so that they can strive for a better, brighter future. Pearls for Teens Girls has excelled in reducing teen pregnancy and increasing graduation rates in the Milwaukee area. Denise cherishes the opportunity to be a mentor and role model for girls, especially those who are in vulnerable positions due to a lack of resources or opportunity. She remarked, "I believe as a professional African American woman, I am in a unique position to serve as a role model. When these girls see someone they can relate to succeeding in the workplace, they realize that they also can succeed.� Denise is a proud aunt. She enjoys being an example for her nieces and nephews who look to her for personal and professional guidance. "They are like my kids," she explained. Denise is a former board member of the Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic. The clinic strives to serve underprivileged children and adults who are unable to afford the high cost of dental care. Additionally, she is a founder and member of the 3-D Fellowship, a religious and
spiritual group she has been part of since college. The three "D's" the group emphasizes are dedication, determination and devotion. The members uplift each other through quotes and words of wisdom, and, in turn, give back to the community through a variety of charitable activities, such as feeding the homeless. Denise has also volunteered with food pantries, served as a motivational speaker at various Milwaukee private and public schools, and has mentored a Hurricane Katrina survivor who relocated to the Milwaukee area. She is also an active member of the Central Church of Christ in Milwaukee. "Sometimes professionals’ numerous obligations allow them to lose sight of community and charity work," Denise pointed out. "For me, a large part of work-life balance is always making time to give back to others and to actively engage in the community." This is something she always strives to keep in mind. As the youngest of five children, she watched her parents make sacrifices and work hard to ensure that their children had a strong, stable upbringing, and that they got the best possible education. She feels it is her obligation to do her best in all that she does and to honor her parents' sacrifices. For Denise, it is hard to parse out professional excellence and service; one cannot exist without the other. Her goal is to strive for and to obtain both.
Her parents sent her to ing team have attended Christ Memorial Lutheran a youth's basketball or School where she could football game, and have receive a Christian eduvisited a youth off-site cation for the elementaat a residential treatment ry grades. As a result of facility. In this way the this upbringing, Katryna's youth come to see those faith in God remains an helping them as peoimportant foundation for ple who genuinely care her and her family's life. about them. After graduating from Besides involvement Nicolet High School, she in this project, Katryna attended the University is a mentor to a young of Wisconsin-Milwaucollege woman who kee, where she earned a reached out to the disbachelor's degree in Entrict attorney's office glish. She then attended for guidance. She is a law school at University volunteer judge for the of Wisconsin-Madison in Wisconsin State Bar's 2001, graduating with a mock trial competition. Juris Doctorate in 2004. For two years she trained In addition to being a students, staff, and othBlack Excellence Award ers in restorative prachonoree, Katryna recently tices in Milwaukee Pubreceived the North Central lic Schools. She assists Service Club Professional Atty. Katryna Childs Rhodes in various ways at her Achiever award. This orformer home church, ganization mentors and Vel Phillips Juvenile Justice Center Shiloh Missionary Bapgrants scholarships to coltist Church, where her lege-bound low-income the University of Chicago grandmother remains a girls from Milwaukee. Law School. Her idea was to member. She also volunteers One outstanding example engage youth in their own in various ways at Highland of being able to help the probation and cases, deter- Community School, a Monyouth in our community has mining from them what sup- tessori school her eight-yearbeen Katryna's involvement ports and services they need. old daughter Safiyah Grace in a pilot project that entails The judge and attorneys try attends. In the past Katryna guiding young people who to get the youth to open up also has served as a foster are in trouble with the law. about their personal feelings, parent, most recently to a The project was conceived likes and dislikes. At times young man whose mother by Professor Emily Buss of members of the mentor- she fostered many years ago.
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Obviously, for Katryna, involvement in community, home and family overlap. She loves spending time with her husband Jerry and their daughter. Jerry is a water technician for the City of Milwaukee, but neither he nor Katryna are too busy to catch a movie or travel. Whether journeying to another state like Arkansas, or touring Wisconsin's beautiful destinations such as Door County, vacation time together is something Katryna and her family cherish. That brings the conversation back to those things Katryna is so grateful for, and why she wants to show that gratitude by giving back. "I owe something to this community," Katryna reiterated, "to make this community proud; to make a difference; to have people in this community see me as one who treats them fairly and with respect and that I'm doing this for all of us...Milwaukee deserves it because Milwaukee has given a lot to me. I'm so thankful, I want to use excellence to serve Milwaukee and the state as long as possible and to make it as great as possible." www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
27
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Military/Public Service
Captain Shunta Boston-Smith of the Milwaukee Police Department has always set high expectations for herself. As a young girl, the Milwaukee native recalled being determined to be the best in everything in which she participated. The 1990 Rufus King International High School graduate excelled in band, track and cheerleading. When asked for an example of her dedication, Capt. Boston-Smith said she often practiced the flute for hours beyond what was required during band rehearsal. After high school, Capt. Boston-Smith considered going to college and become a family physician, but her plans changed in 1991 when she became the mother of a son, Kailan. She left college and began working a series of jobs from 1991 to 1995 to support herself and her son. Despite finding herself a single mother at age 20 with just a high school education, she brought the same sense of perfectionism toward each job and was promoted at all of them. However, Capt. Boston-Smith said she was searching for a career, not just a job. In 1995, she heard that the Milwaukee Police Department was hiring, and, with the encouragement of her father, Clyde Battle, she applied and was hired in December. What followed was six months of academy training. Then as a rookie, she was assigned to the third shift, a significant hurdle for a single mother. Capt. Boston-Smith
said her mother, Pearline Boston, was essential in providing child care for Kailan when her shift schedule required her to be away from Kailan. She also credits her mother with inspiring her own passion for education and helping others. Pearline was a teacher with Head Start for more than 30 years and continues to work in education as a teacher’s aide. Capt. Boston-Smith chose the Milwaukee Police Department because she believed that it would provide her with a vehicle that would permit her to pursue several different career opportunities. It also offered employment stability, an opportunity for promotion as well as health and retirement benefits. She served as a patrol officer with districts four, five, and seven. In 2001, she was promoted to sergeant, working in districts two and three and internal affairs. In 2005, she married William Smith, a loan officer with Prime Financial Credit Union. The couple have twins, Aaron and Ashley, who are both freshmen in college. Kailan graduated from college and is currently the athletic director at Heritage
Shirley A. Ellis Office of Congresswoman Gwen S. Moore (4th-WI) Shirley A. Ellis was raised in Milwaukee and has spent nearly her entire life here. She jokes that she was almost born in Milwaukee, too. It was actually on an "oleo run" to Waukegan, Illinois, that she came into this world (until 1968, margarine was legally banned from sale in Wisconsin). Her mother was an evangelist who brought up her children to believe that people shouldn't judge oth-
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ers. Rather, they should take people as they find them and try to leave them better. Shirley has committed her life to that very principle. Commitment is something that begins with her own family, which includes her husband of 35 years, Gabriel Shaw, a Miller Brewing Company retiree, her 5 stepchildren, and 12 grandchildren--and counting (one is on the way). And, of course,
Christian School, from which he also graduated. Capt. Boston-Smith earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Milwaukee Area Technical College in May 2007. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in 2015 from Concordia University in criminal justice management, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.9 grade point average. In July of that year she was promoted to lieutenant serving district two, internal affairs, as well as districts one and four. One month later, Capt. Boston-Smith was promoted to captain of police district three, with 145 officers and 30 supervisors and civilian personnel reporting to her. Capt. Boston-Smith reports directly to the Milwaukee Chief of Police. One of the most haunting moments of her law enforcement career began innocently enough in April 2016, when she met a nine-year-old girl walking down one of the streets in her district. The two briefly played jump rope together and the little girl asked Capt. Boston-Smith why she was in the neighborhood. Capt. Boston-Smith said she and the other officers in the neighborhood were there trying to help keep the neighborhood safe. Less than two weeks later the little girl was shot during a gun battle by a stray bullet that passed through her house and struck her while she was home watching television. She died several days later. Capt. Boston-Smith said it was the first time in her career in which she felt as though she
there's her sister and best friend Betty. Shirley is a product of Milwaukee Public Schools, and a graduate of Rufus King International High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota. An early career in the health field was enough to convince her that while the nitty-gritty of health care was not for her, addressing the plight and needs of those in the health care system was her passion. She earned a master's degree in library and information science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and continued to work with the elderly. She gravitated toward political science when she recognized that getting money to pay for things that the elderly and others needing care necessitated political involvement. Those passions led to a position as long-term care ombudsman for the State of Wisconsin under former governor Lee Dreyfus. She also served as director of the governor's southeastern office, and director of the Senior Companion Program, as well in other state positions and agencies. She has
Captain Shunta Boston-Smith Milwaukee Police Department had failed – not professionally – but personally. “It’s heart-wrenching to tell young children that’s what you’re there for – to keep them safe – and she wasn’t [safe] in her own home,” Capt. Boston-Smith told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at the time. The incident still haunts her. Capt. Boston-Smith said she is the same person whether she is on the job or not. She also wants to be an inspiration to others, especially young women who find themselves in difficult circumstances. She had originally wanted to be a doctor to help others. Although her life did not turn out exactly as she had planned, she has applied that same desire to help others through her career as a police officer. The family worships at Word of Grace Fellowship. Capt. Boston-Smith also has a younger sister, Regina Boston-Dixon, who works for Aurora Health Care.
filled positions on numerous boards and commissions, including Milwaukee Area Technical College, Emerge Wisconsin and The Guest House. Shirley has worked for Congresswoman Gwen Moore for more than 24 years. For 12 years she served as chief of staff to Gwen Moore when Rep. Moore served as a Wisconsin state senator and followed her when she was elected to Congress in 2004. She is presently the senior advisor and district director to Congresswoman Moore in her district office in Milwaukee. She oversees the overall operation of the congresswoman's home office, representing her at events and meetings throughout Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District. She organizes many special events which Congresswoman Moore hosts,
and seeks to be her eyes and ears throughout the district, communicating the needs and voice of the people to the congresswoman and a political system that exists to serve them. It's no wonder that Shirley's voice welled up with emotion as she expressed the satisfaction she gets in helping people and making sure our political system is fair--listening to people in order to find out what they need and sometimes just letting them talk. She explained, "We're working to be sure people keep their health insurance, that the safety net is upheld through Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps. We can't give up all services on the altar of tax reform. We can't abandon the poor and needy, or the middle class. We need fairness. That's what we're fighting for." For this public servant, the common denominator of excellence and service is equality. That goes back to her mother's advice and Shirley's enhanced Golden Rule. "Treat others better than they treat you. You'll get something out of it, and it will make the community better." Her life and public service have proven it.
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2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
28
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Military/Public Service
As a young man, Gervis Myles had a nurturing love for animals. He dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but a family tragedy intervened when he was 13 years old. Gervis’ father was murdered. It would be many years before Gervis even realized how deeply his father’s death affected him. A native of Milwaukee, Gervis was born in 1963 and attended public schools not long after the Milwaukee Public School System underwent desegregation. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for two years. After leaving UWM, he applied for and was hired as a zookeeper at the Milwaukee County Zoo. He worked there for eight years. However with a growing family, he decided to make a career change. Gervis applied to the Milwaukee County Sheriff ’s Department and was selected as a Milwaukee County Sheriff ’s deputy in the K-9 unit. During his three-year career with the Milwaukee County Sheriff ’s Department the number of Black men being incarcerated and murdered, inspired an epiphany for Gervis that enabled him to begin to come to terms with previously unrecognized feelings of grief and anger about his father’s murder. Gervis felt he could impart an invaluable message to his community
about being good stewards of the environment. The idea came after Gervis unexpectedly got into a conversation with a game warden at the county jail. Gervis was intrigued with a branch of law enforcement that was very different from the urban one which was becoming increasingly disheartening to him. He went on a Department of Natural Resources ride-along, learning about various roles and responsibilities of the agency. He was immediately interested and enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College in order to satisfy the prerequisite for a college education. He earned an associate degree in police science. Shortly after earning his degree, Gervis entered the DNR training academy. After graduating, he became the first African American DNR Conservation Warden hired to enforce laws to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources. In January 2018, he celebrated his 20th anniversary and is planning to retire soon. Conservation officers have full police authority on all land owned or managed by the DNR, and expanded jurisdictional au-
thority if a potential crime is involved. Gervis’ primary responsibility is to ensure compliance related to licensing, permitting and ticketing individuals in areas of wildlife and fish. Throughout his tenure as conservation warden, Gervis shared his knowledge about animals and Black history with the community, churches and other organizations. He described the important contributions made by people of color, referencing the African American ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ demonstrated skills in hunting, fishing and boating throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. “As a warden, I feel a responsibility to remind people that hunting and fishing is not foreign to Black people. Our ancestors used to hunt and fish all the time; that’s how we survived.” He added, “I feel that I have an opportunity to represent the minority population and it gives me a chance to put a face on a large area that affects all of us.” Gervis has received many awards, including: Outstanding Environmental Protection Program, Outstanding Public Relations Program, two pins for valor, the Wisconsin Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and other accolades. He volunteers at the Restorative Justice Initiative working with Marquette University Law School Professor Janine Geske,
Gervis Myles WI Department of Natural Resources visiting inmates and mentoring underprivileged children in Milwaukee. Through that program he was eventually able to meet with his father’s killer which helped provide Gervis with a greater sense of acceptance and peace over the tragedy. Gervis continues to be inspired by his mother, his wife Kathy and their growing family of three children: Tiyya, Maria and Gervis. The couple also has a grandchild, Ethan.
Minority Business
Leonard Cratic, Jr. State Farm Insurance Leonard Cratic, Jr., is an insurance agent affiliated with State Farm Mutual Insurance Company. He has been repeatedly recognized for his performance and has built up a practice with an office open five days a week and a staff of three employees. Soon after he entered elementary school, Leonard was presciently told by his mom, Katherine Cratic, that he and his two siblings
would go to college. While growing up in a single-parent household, his mother often purchased encyclopedias and annual almanacs for the children’s educational enrichment. Low grades brought a strong negative reaction. “I was much more afraid of my mom than any gang,” Leonard said. A native of Chicago, Leonard attended W.R. Harper High School which he de-
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scribed as one of Chicago’s worst high schools, academically. Nevertheless, as his mom predicted, he completed college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor of arts degree in economics. His original plan was to get an engineering degree, but poor high school counseling left him inadequately prepared. Ironically, one of his sons is an electrical engineer who travels the world for his employer. After college, Leonard settled in Milwaukee, his wife’s hometown. While on spring break from college, a black man came to his aunt’s house dressed in a suit and tie. The man was selling insurance. Leonard, intrigued by his professional attire, asked his aunt about the field’s viability, which she affirmed. The clothing style resonated with how he envisioned himself as a child. Leonard differed from most children who dreamed of becoming an athlete, astronaut or firefighter. “When I was little I always dreamed of having my own business office and wearing a suit and tie every day. I grew up wanting to be a business owner,” he said.
While some discouraged him from entering the insurance field, others, including mentors from his college's Academic Advancement Program, supported the decision. After graduation, Leonard joined State Farm’s training program. While his training manager predicted Leonard would fail, he was determined to succeed. While starting his career, Leonard was amazed because “elders in the community bought insurance from a young black guy.” They supported him wholeheartedly. The elders may not have known anything about State Farm or insurance, but they learned what they needed. Their support helped establish his nascent business and made him an award-winning agent. He won trips to Cancun, Mexico and Disney World. He was so successful that he became a candidate for State Farm management. Crohn’s disease, a potentially life-threatening, chronic form of inflammatory bow-
el illness, derailed that career trajectory, but he is content with what he has achieved and contributed. “We are the only ones to bring money in the event of a disaster. Usually, it’s the other way around,” he said. Leonard has learned to persevere with his illness and now has three employees in his Wauwatosa office. Not just a business owner, Leonard is a dedicated community and church leader, who volunteers his time and talent for the spiritual and social betterment of the community. For several years, he has taught Bible study at Saint Charles Youth and Family Services, the Salvation Army, and the New Beginnings are Possible Program. Three years ago, Leonard was named the layman’s president of the Wisconsin General Baptist Convention. In this position, he assumed leadership of the denomination’s men’s ministry. (Continued on pg. 29)
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2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
29
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Minority Business
Reverend Maddie Turner, Sr. Ebony Barber Shops Reverend Maddie Turner, Sr., was one of 10 children born to William and Annie Rosie Turner. The family lived in the small town of Stephens, Arkansas, where Maddie performed some the most physically challenging labor of his life – farming for his parents in his youth. Rev. Turner challenged by the work, knew that he could do better than his parents, who always struggled financially. They taught him to have faith in God and to get an education in order to make a decent living. His uncle, Smead
Turner, Sr., encouraged him to open his own barber shop. He envisioned Rev. Turner working in a salon, having employees and helping others, a path Rev. Turner chose to follow. After working at a rehabilitation center and volunteering for his church, Rev. Turner demonstrated superior academic abilities when he graduated from Carver High School in Stephens, Arkansas. He earned a full scholarship to Tyler Bible College in Texas, but declined that opportunity and relocated to
Milwaukee in 1962 instead. He enrolled at Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1966 and earned an associate’s degree in cosmetology in 1971. He later graduated with a masters in management of barber cosmetology in 1973 becoming a practitioner, master and manager of cosmetology. Rev. Turner opened one of the first black-owned hair salons in the city of Milwaukee. Ebony I Man’s World Barber Shop opened in 1973, and, later, Ebony II. Both salons are managed by his sons and provide traditional and nostalgic experiences as well as trendy styles for men and women. Rev. Turner continues to manage Ebony III, located at 7526 West Appleton Avenue in Milwaukee. It is a 16-chair hair salon by appointment only. Over the course of fiveplus decades of cutting hair and lending a sympathetic ear to his customers, Rev. Turner has also provided employment to numerous members of the community. He actively serves as a mentor to a number of current barbers and cosmetologists in the Milwaukee area. He said he does not mind the competition. On the contrary, he is pleased that others have found value and the ability to
career grounded in Christian faith to minister to adults and help provide jobs to the community. He currently operates a licensed assisted living facility called, “T’s Residential Development Home.” The facility has been open for 10 years, providing round-the-clock professional care to senior citizens with various disabilities.
earn a living at his vocation and with his assistance. Rev. Turner has always felt the need to engage people, despite various mistakes they may have made in their past. He has made a significant difference in the lives of many others, not only in his profession, but also through his service as a church pastor. His good-hearted nature and faith-based background has been the foundation of his business ventures. Rev. Turner earned a basic ministry license from the Milwaukee Theological Institute in 1993 and an associate degree in ministry from the Moody Bible College of Clergy in Chicago, Illinois in 2007. For the past 17 years, he has been the pastor of Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church on West Cherry Street. Rev. Turner embarked on a
Rev. Turner volunteers at Granville Heights senior living facility, nursing homes, hospitals and senior centers, teaching and sharing the Bible with those he visits. He utilizes his gift of ministry and business acumen to be an example to others that faith in God can be a source of inspiration and an avenue to a more contented life. He inspired his son, Rev. Maddie Turner, Jr., to become a pastor as well. After five decades in his field, Rev. Turner continues to share his good-hearted nature and faith-based values not only with the community, senior citizens and his congregation, but also with men needing uplifting. Rev. Turner and his wife, Dorothy Turner have five other children in addition to Maddie, Jr. The family is also blessed with 10 grandchildren.
Leonard Cratic, Jr.
role model to give back to the community. He also encourages those who have made mistakes in life to reHe recently oversaw the re- main engaged. gional convention, where more than 500 attended. He Leonard successfully raised helped found the Milwaukee four children to adulthood, Christian Fellowship Basket- while establishing a successball League where he served ful small business and he as treasurer for 20 years. He continues to serve his comattends Lamb of God Bap- munity and church with dedtist Church, where he also ication. He credits his mothserves as chairman of the er who died in a car crash in trustee board and of the fi- 1997 for his relentless push nance committee. He was for achievement and comalso chairman of the pasto- munity improvement. ral search committee which selected the church’s current Professionally, Leonard pastor. recently earned professional certification with the NationLeonard also became al Life Underwriter Training the head of a single-par- Council Fellow program ent household himself as a from The American College. young father. This role fos- He is a proud member of the tered more community in- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, volvement. “I’ve always been Inc. involved in parent-teacher groups. I make myself Three of his four children known as my children’s fa- – Kevin, Tierny and Leonard ther.” He has been involved – have completed college, with, and president of, nu- and the one who does not merous parent teacher or- currently have a degree, Triganizations at his children’s na, travels the country openvarious schools. ing new stores for Dave and Buster’s. His father, LeonWhile his diverse servan- ard Cratic, Sr., remarried his thood runs deep, Leonard mom and reconnected with feels that he is only begin- the family after the children ning. He feels responsible as reached adulthood. an African American male (Continued from pg. 28)
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St. Francis of Assisi Parish 1927 N. 4th Street in Milwaukee
proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2018 Black Excellence Awards but especially
Sr. Patricia Rogers and Ms. Lennie Mosley, members of St. Francis Parish!
Visit St. Francis of Assisi Church for its
8th Annual Gospel Music Workshop on Saturday, March 10th 8:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
featuring
Ms. Lynné Gray of Washington, DC
as guest artist and workshop director $10 registration fee covers breakfast, lunch, and music. Contact the parish to register: 414-374-5750, ext. 10 stfrancismil@gmail.com
An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Music
Rosetta Carr Musician/Choir Director Rosetta Carr was gifted at playing the piano from a very young age. Referencing neither sheet music nor recording, her ability to hear a note – then play it by ear – began at age eight. Rosetta was born
30
and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was the sixth child of Willie Mae Rudison and Thomas Bullen, but was raised by Rev. Hayward and Dorothy Andrews. After her father, Rev. Andrews, pastor of
Cheyney McCree’s personal musical journey had a singular start. After learning about composers like Leonard Bernstein, Cheyney told his teacher that he wanted to be one. In the seventh grade, his music teacher noticed how quickly he caught on and offered him free viola lessons. In the summer, he learned how to play the trumpet. He played the viola for one year, and after playing the trumpet for a year and a half, he was good enough for the school’s advanced band. From these instruments, Cheyney switched to baritone horn, then to the euphonium, which he played in the high school band. After hearing about Cheyney’s dream of being a composer, his teacher recommended that he learn to play the piano, which he also began learning in junior high school from the church organist. He played piano for his high school’s gospel choir and the high school band, where he learned how to read and write music, and how to “play as a unit.” He was also influenced by those who played by ear. During this time, Cheyney was also a singer in his church’s gospel choir. Cheyney grew up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi the elder of two siblings. He has one sister. Cheyney’s parents supported his musical leanings,
Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as well as several smaller churches in rural Mississippi, and mother Dorothy heard their daughter play spiritual songs, they appointed the young musician to play the piano for the choir. At eight years old, Rosetta sang “Be the Best of Whatever You Are" at her sixth-grade graduation. That same year, she was appointed musician for the Mount Vernon Baptist Church youth choir. At 12 years old, she was appointed musician for Jordan Missionary Baptist Church and several other churches. Rosetta won three first-place competitions in high school as a soloist. She graduated from Capitol High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in June 1966. After graduation, she continued to play for her father’s churches in the South for two more years until she got married and moved to Milwaukee in 1968. Rosetta is the mother of four children; Shantelle, James, Stacy and adopted son, Timothy. She also has 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Rosetta held roles as a member, musician and director of church choirs in Milwaukee, including Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, Monumental Missionary Baptist Church, New Cove-
encouraging him to always “do his best.” After learning to play the piano and organ at his home church, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Cheyney played there for many years. While in Hattiesburg, he earned a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. While there, he learned about music with an emphasis on voice, and he played for a gospel choir on campus. After teaching for a few years, he earned a master of music education degree from Vandercook Music College in Chicago, Illinois. His journey to Milwaukee began when a friend asked him to come to Milwaukee to play for her church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. He served as minister of music there for 17 years. He was musical director for 18 years for the Harmonique Gospel Choir, a group of singers from various community churches. His influences were Edwin and Walter Hawkins, James Cleveland, and Andrae Crouch. Since Cheyney’s musical interests began in junior high school, it is no surprise that he chose a career where he could enlighten that same demographic on the mysteries and delights of music. He was a music teacher at Edison Middle School and the former Northwest Secondary School for 32 years where
An NCON Communications Publication
nant Missionary Baptist Church, Community Missionary Baptist Church, Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, and Christian Fellowship Baptist Church. Her love for family led to her earning an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Rosetta has been inspiring youth as a foster parent and early childhood teacher for an initiative program of the Milwaukee Public School, named Early Childhood Education. Later Rosetta opened her own early childhood education center on N. 24th St. and W. Capitol Dr., named The Serenity National Center for Family Preservation. It operated for 14 years before Rosetta decided to retire. Rosetta’s musical capabilities provided opportunities to perform in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Texas. Rosetta recorded with major artists such as Reverend James Cleveland, Reverend E.L. Thomas and the Voices of Victory, National Baptist Convention Millennium Choir and others, including recording a Christmas album titled, With a Tender Touch, with Shirley Bartee. Rosetta has been recognized for her musical genius nationwide, earning the following awards: Spirit of Music Award
he orchestrated dozens of spring and winter concerts. His passion for teaching flowed from his love of music and for the youth. “If I don’t teach them, who else is going to?” he often said. His motivation for doing his best was also connected to his faith. “Since God sent his best, Jesus, I must do my best,” he said. “Music is my life. Through the ministry of music, I have encouraged people, not only locally, but nationally.” Cheyney’s demeanor is one of pervading peace and great patience. Peace flowing from someone who has found his place in the world, and patience, an invaluable asset for any musician and those whose profession is the teaching of our youth. While playing the piano or organ, that same peace is present with an assured confidence. Doing his best has served Cheyney well throughout his long, award-winning musical career. During his tenure as an educator, he received several musical awards from various local organizations. He also performed in the opera, Porgy and Bess during its recent Milwaukee run. Cheyney has written several songs and has produced and co-produced several recordings. Cheyney is currently a member of Victory Missionary Baptist Church, where he
by Shirley Bartee, Gospel Music Fellowship Award Recipient (2005) and other awards. Rosetta was recently inducted in the Jesse Fowlkes Gospel Hall of Fame, located in Tennesee. Rosetta reflected on Alonzo Clemens and Frank Johnson, two mentor and best friends. Alonzo once told her, “Your gift will make room for you; keep singing, keep giving God the glory,” words of encouragement she has never forgotten. She continues to sing and encourage others through her musical gifts, ministering through songs that have a meaning and an element of spiritual healing which connect with people of various churches and backgrounds. Although Rosetta is retired, she continues to volunteer at senior centers, singing to seniors, playing old hymns and encouraging them to be their best. She said, “I love being available to help where I can,” and added, “When you find yourself delivering a message that puts peace in a person’s soul and in their life, you know it’s God.” Rosetta said her signature song is “May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me.” She said it tells a story of life itself and it’s often requested by families and friends.
Cheyney McCree Victory Missionary Baptist Church serves as minister of music and is a Sunday school teacher. He has been the minister of music for more than 22 years. He is a musician and member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America - Milwaukee Chapter. He is also the music coordinator for the Wisconsin General Baptist State Convention. He also gives private piano and organ lessons. Cheyney’s distinctive name has honorable roots; it is the name of the first public coed Historically Black University founded in Cheyney,
Pennsylvania in 1837. It was originally named the African Institute, then renamed the Institute for Colored Youth. Its first degrees awarded were, ironically, for teaching, and its current name is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Apparently, Cheyney’s parents were clairvoyant. Cheyney and his wife, Sylvia, have three children: sons Jody and C.J. and daughter Ebony. He enjoys gardening, watching science fiction and western television shows and movies.
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2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
31
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Religion/Community Service
Sadie Bea Frazier Grand Lady Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary Court 281, All Saints Roman Catholic Church Grand Lady Sadie Bea Frazier has some unusual skills, particularly as a woman, and particularly for a woman of her era: she can fix machines and work on cars. Sadie was born in Belzoni, Mississippi where, as the youngest of five children, she spent most of her childhood. Her dad named her from a song, but her Mom and grandmother disliked it so they called her “Bea,” short for Beatrice, her mother’s middle name. Her family moved to Milwaukee when she was 12. Although she hated the snow, and has not yet gotten used to it, she thrived and raised a family as a single mom. Daughter of Hattie and Arron Shields, Sadie
Pastor Walter J. Lanier, M. Div. JD, was born in Detroit, one of four children of Robert “Bob” Jerry Lanier, Jr. (a professional basketball player with the Detroit Pistons) and his wife, Shirley. In 1980, Walter’s father was traded from the Pistons to the Milwaukee Bucks. Pastor Lanier said he was saddened to leave his friends behind, but happy to come to Milwaukee where the Bucks were a much better team than the Pistons at the time. Pastor Lanier graduated in 1985 from Homestead High School in Mequon, where he excelled in basketball and football. Immediately after graduating from high school, Pastor Lanier enrolled in college for a semester, but he dropped out and spent the next three years searching for his place
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was raised as a bona fide ‘Daddy’s girl.’ Her Dad advised her to keep any commitment she made. He showed her how to do plumbing, home repair and work on cars. While most girls were learning how to apply makeup, was in the garage learning how to put an engine back inside of a car. Her Mom tried to stop it. It was too late, however – the imprint had already been made. When Sadie decided to improve her life, and learn new employable skills, she enrolled in Milwaukee Area Technical College’s trade courses for machine and car repair. When Sadie called MicroTechnology Incorporated (MTI) for an apprenticeship, her manager was taken aback by her gender. She quickly won him over because of her possession of two qualities employers value: expertise and a willingness to learn. As a result, she earned his respect, and he taught her everything he could. “If you were willing to learn, he was willing to teach,” she said. Eventually, she was called on to fix the machines at work when no one else could fix them. Sadie assumed her manager’s job upon his retirement. and became supervisor of a 10-member department. During her 30-year tenure at MTI, she has earned numerous awards, including three outstanding achievement awards; three attendance awards; and one for advancement. Sadie is skilled at silk screening,
and working on circuit boards, and electronics for companies such as Snap-On Incorporated and NASA. She can perform extensive home repairs, and has installed molding, wallpaper and other amenities throughout her home. After her years of fruitful employment, Sadie and her husband, Bernard, enjoyed a season of international travel. They visited France, Switzerland, Italy and the Vatican, among other places. Although she was raised Baptist, and has two uncles who are Baptist ministers, during her teenage years Sadie felt drawn toward Catholicism. Her parents were happy she was pursuing God and spirituality and did not object. She is an active member of All Saints Roman Catholic Church.
“It would be easier to tell you what I don’t do than what I do,” Sadie stated – a testament of the depth of her devotion to her church and commitment to her faith. She is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary; head of the entertainment committee for the All Saints Church Mardi Gras Ball; conducts workshops with other churches at her pastor’s request; chairperson for the liturgy commission; helps with fundraisers for the church; offers bereavement assistance for those in and outside the church; helps fund scholarships for children and, importantly, serves as a sacristan. Sacristans are responsible for ordering church supplies, keeping the church clean, and preforming many liturgy-related functions, such as assuring that priestly vestments and liturgical instruments, are in good condition. Sacristans work closely with the pastor and their duties are broad and multi-faceted. Sadie spends most her Sunday at church. She said she just “doesn’t know how to say no” and “part of our responsibility is to lift one another up.” These positions and responsibilities comprise only a partial list of her volunteer efforts and dedication to her creed. She is a Grand Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver, an African American
in life. He he transitioned described out of private that peripractice when od as a low he accepted a point in his position in the life, but he legal departbounced ment at Milback. In waukee Area 1992, he enTechnical Colrolled at the lege (MATC). University He currently of Wisconserves as the sin-Milwaudirector of kee, earning counseling, ada business vising and caadministrareer planning; Pastor Walter Lanier M.Div. JD tion degree he supervises with an emseven staff Progressive Baptist Church phasis on members. finance in At the same 1992. Now a confident stu- a year and then accepted a time Pastor Lanier was dent, he applied for and was position for three years with climbing the secular career accepted at the University one of the largest law firms ladder, he was also becomof Michigan School of Law, in Milwaukee. Pastor Lani- ing more and more drawn to from which he earned a juris er left the firm to form his Christian ministry. Both he doctor in 1995. own law practice, where he and his wife, first lady MinisHe worked for a judge for worked for 10 years. In 2008, ter Nichole (Bushkin) Lanier, served as associate ministers at Calvary Baptist Church. The couple have been married for more than 20 years and are the parents of three children: daughter Zaire, 25; son Askari, 23; and daughter Asante, 19. In 2012 Pastor Lanier accepted a call to serve as the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church. He is the second pastor in the 25-year history of the congregation. Average Sunday attendance
(Continued on pg. 33)
is typically around 125 worshippers. Pastor Lanier began the Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Center which focuses on building a network and proposing solutions for cities in the Great Lakes area. He has also served as a lecturer in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Africology in the areas of race and constitutional law. Pastor Lanier is also the founder of the MIRACLE Network (Mental Illness Raise Awareness with Church Leaders Everywhere). The organization is a collaboration of local churches and community organizations with four components: 1) working inside one’s own church; 2) sharing and collaborating with other churches and faith groups; 3) collaborating with individuals and institutions committed to similar goals of promoting mental wellness among Milwaukee’s African American faith community; and 4) advocacy. Pastor Lanier feels called to be a voice for those who aren’t always capable of speaking for themselves. In an interview in the Spring 2016 issue of Black Women 50+, Pastor Lanier was quoted: “Churches help shape culture and narratives. (Continued on pg. 33)
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2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Religion
Reverend Judith T. Lester New Covenant Baptist Church Milwaukee native Rev. Judith T. Lester said she was an introverted child who loved to read and write short stories, journal entries – just about anything. However, she never dreamed of becoming a published author, much less an honoree in the field of religion. Her family did not attend church often
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and therefore only as an adult did she conclude that she had an “undeveloped faith.” Rev. Lester was one of six daughters born to J.B. and Bernice Taylor. While Rev. Lester was in junior high school, the family moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, where she earned a diploma from East St. Louis Se-
nior High School. During that era, there were few schools that offered extracurricular activities for girls, but Rev. Lester said she enjoyed playing in a community basketball program and was a member of the National Honor Society. The family moved back to Milwaukee within four years when Rev. Lester’s mother died. After relocating to Milwaukee, Rev. Lester began attending Community Baptist Church in 1982 and she was shocked by how uninformed she was about the Bible. “I felt drawn to it like a bestselling novel,” she said. During this time, she also accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized by Rev. Roy B. Nabors, Community Baptist’s founding pastor. She later married and had two children: Justin R. Lester, who is now pastor of Congdon Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island, and Camille B. Lester, who recently received a master’s of science in clinical mental health counseling from Marquette University. For years, Rev. Lester prayed about God’s purpose for her life. One night she believes God woke her up and chose her as a vessel for His Word. For quite a while, she told no one of her revelation. When she finally told her pastor, he said that, in order for people to take her seriously, she would need to go to seminary and earn a degree. She enrolled in school and, by the following year, she earned
SSPB in Nashville, Tennessee. She writes a wide range of educational learning materials for readers of all ages, namely the Quarterly Sunday School Lessons, Vacation Bible School, the Townsend Press Adult Sunday School Commentary and Living the Baptist Faith Facilitator’s Guide. Rev. Lester is also a contributor to the National Baptist Voice magazine and the her ministerial license, which Christian Education Informenabled her to preach and per- er. She is also a published auform other ministerial duties at thor of the soon-to-be released a specific congregation under book, A GOSPEL People: Bible the supervision of a pastor. Studies for Youth Around the Globe. During this busy time, she was also raising her children. Rev. Lester has given gener“It was a lot,” she said. “I was a ously to the community as well. stay-at-home mom. I began by She collects donations for Sovolunteering three days a week journer Truth House. Each year at the children’s school, because the ministry group adopted five I wanted to make sure that I re- families. The families providmained active in the life of my ed a Christmas wish list and own children.” members of the ministry group Rev. Lester earned a bachelor’s supplied wrapped presents. For degree in ministry from Mas- many years, Rev. Lester also ter of Divinity School in 2000 participated in a prison minisand earned a master’s degree try for women incarcerated at from Master’s International Taycheedah Women’s CorrecUniversity of Divinity in 2002. tional Facility in Fond du Lac, She did not realize her talent Wisconsin. for writing until she was asked by The Milwaukee Times Weekly Rev. Lester does not receive Newspaper to write a Christian a salary for her work in miniscolumn in 2001. It was her try. She has a full-time job with weekly column in the Times that a legal firm. Currently she is was attracted notice from the a member of New Covenant National Baptist Sunday School Baptist Church. Publishing Board (SSPB). The organization offered her the She concluded, “My life has opportunity to write Bible les- been guided by three principles sons. For the last 15 years, she – determination, commitment has served as a writer for the and education.”
The Counseling Corner
By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min. M.Th
Challenges African Americans face in the 21st Century: Conclusion: Speaking truth to power! This writer will conclude this series of articles on the challenges faced by African Americans in the 21st century by turning her attention to the African American church and encouraging its leaders to maintain and continue its prophetic voice by speaking truth to power. The African American church has a long tradition of prophetic fire; namely Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, W. E. B. Du Bois who in the 19th century, brought attention to the pain felt by African Americans in his work The Souls of Black Folk1 and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. There was also the Rev. C. L. Franklin. Nick Salvatore, in his biography of C. L. Franklin, Singing in a Strange Land, The Black Church, and The Transformation of America2, articulated, “[Franklin] offered new ways of consid-
ering the interplay of religious belief, racial identity, and social activism in daily life...His sermons…provided pointed social and political analyses that consciously urged others to discover their voices and to engage the world about them.” Salvatore went on to say that Franklin in his sermon, Give Me This Mountain, “took a great step forward, using for the first known time the ritual of the sermon to challenge his people to free themselves.” There were many prophetic voices since Douglass, Wells, Du Bois, King and Franklin who were filled with prophetic fire that was expressed in their own distinctive style and they all imagined a world not as it is but what it ought to be. James H. Evans, Jr., Faculty Emeritus and President Emeritus of Colgate Roch-
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will give voice to more effective methods for the ministries of the church. It will be able to speak truth to power. From this powerful base, it will be able to, once again, “Shout the Victory!”3 Beloved, we are living at a time where many challenges and issues face African Americans. It is this writer’s prayer that the African American church will not soften her prophetic voice, but rather continue to speak truth to power regarding the many issues and challenges faced by African Americans in this 21st century. The prophetic voice is important and maintaining it, particularly now, is vital.
ester Crozer Divinity School, noted that even though the African American church has a rich history of standing for righteousness of freedom amid the unrighteousness of slavery, “this history does not absolve the African American church from its own critique...the African American church must first preach liberation to itself. It must practice empowerment in its own life. And when it attends to this task, it will position itself to give voice to more relevant 1 leadership paradigms for the Du Bois, W. (1903). The church. It will give voice to Souls of Black Folk (Unabridged more relevant organizational Edition, May 1994). Dover Pubstructures for the church. It lications.
Salvatore, N. (2007). Singing in a Strange Land: C. L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America. Little, Brown. 2
Evans, J. (2006). The Prophetic Role of the African American Churches in the 21st Century. The Future of the Prophetic Voice. Yale University. 3
Next Month: Women in History 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. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Social Services
Bashir Easter Milwaukee County Department on Aging Bashir Easter is the Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) for Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA). As DCS for MCDA, he develops referral relationships with physicians, clinics and other health and long-term care providers. Bashir also provides dementia-related consultations (from technical support to cognitive screening) and recruits participants to the Memory Care Connections (MCC) intervention program. Additionally, he manages the Language Enriched Exercise Plus Socialization program. Bashir’s collaborative partnerships
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include: Aging & Disability Resource Centers staff members; local, regional and statewide dementia organizations, the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute; and the statewide research centers. At DCS, he works with community partners to make a significant impact in creating a dementia-capable treatment system and dementia-friendly community. Bashir has developed a strategic plan, Milwaukee County’s approach to building dementia capable/friendly communities, as mandated by the State of Wisconsin redesign plan, with concentrated efforts in a pilot commu-
nity in Milwaukee County, to show other municipalities how to become dementia-friendly by the year 2020. The goals of the plan include: creating a dementia-capable Aging Resource Center, promoting the development of dementia-friendly communities and providing opportunities for people with dementia to remain in the least restrictive environments and thrive as contributing members of society for as long as possible. “I stumbled upon this journey as a caregiver for my mother,” Bashir said. At the age of 55, his mother was diagnosed with early onset dementia. “Our family struggled for five years looking for some help and direction.” He has begun the work to establish Milwaukee as a county that supports individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Bashir enjoys giving back by working with staff and community partners. “Education and knowledge is the key to helping others impacted by the disease,” he said. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Bashir is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy degree in multidisciplinary human service and public administration from Capella University, which he plans to complete in 2019. He also has an associate degree in business management from Milwaukee Area Technical College, a bachelor of science degree in human service management from Cardinal Stritch University, and a masters of
business administration degree in public administration from Concordia University. Bashir has more than 22 years of solid public and private work experience and training in supervision, leadership, public and nonprofit management, business management, diversity, organizational behavior and public speaking. This work experience began in the private sector as an assistant manager with Aldi Foods; as sales associate/assistant manager at Sportmart; and at Newtek Merchant Solutions as a deployment lead/senior terminal technician. His public sector experience includes ANS Home Health Services as a personal care worker; as a visitation worker with Professional Services Group; as an ongoing case manager with Children Service Society of Wisconsin; and as human service worker and abuse investigator with Milwaukee County Department on Aging.
Business Management at Cardinal Stritch University and an adjunct professor for adult learner and graduate programs at Marian University. As an adjunct professor, he provides undergraduate students with instruction in leadership and organizational management, principals of management leadership in ethical organizations and organizational training and development. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Partnership Award from Interfaith Older Adult Programs. He serves on the community advisory board for Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI) and Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network (WDRN). Bashir and his wife, Alexa Law, have a blended family of seven children: Ezekiel Easter, 21; Charisma Easter, 19; Hydeia Easter, 17; Jaden Easter, 15; Arianna Boatner, 19; Jordan Boatner, 17; and James Boatner, 13. Bashir and his family attend Elmbrook Christian Church, located in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield.
Bashir concludes, “God gives us the ability to use our gifts, even when we’re not sure of what they are. I believe excellence is always providing your best service to others in the same way you would want to be served and I pride myself helping others in order to help He is currently an adjunct them have a better quality of professor in the College of life.”
sometimes operate out of fear. As we create spaces for people to talk about feelings and what’s going on inside, including mental health, it helps people to heal.” On October 25, 2017, Pastor Lanier took the lead in facilitating Mental Awareness Day in Milwaukee; more than 500 people attended the event at MATC. Pastor Lanier modestly attributed the success of the event to the collaborative approach the organization has adopted. He said the event had 15 different sponsors and 30 partners.
Pastor Walter Lanier ((Continued from pg.31) It’s therefore imperative that church leadership be involved in increasing awareness and sensitivity to people with mental illness. Right now most of our narratives around mental health are incomplete, ill-informed and
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Studies indicate that as many as one in four persons will suffer some form of mental illness during their life. Pastor Lanier founded MIRACLE Network Outreach Ministry to raise awareness to eliminate the stigma inside the church regarding mental illness. Because churches are the only institution specifically called on to care for others, Pastor Lanier felt that it was the perfect vehicle to help begin tearing down the walls that keep those suffering from a mental illness in silence and hiding.
Sadie Bea Frazier (Continued from pg.31)
organization founded in 1909 after the Knights of Columbus refused admittance based on race. As Grand Lady and Chairperson her responsibilities include fundraising for the organization or as a conduit for others such as House of Peace and Sojourner Truth House.
Following Sadie’s life, an interesting pattern emerges. She repaired the complicated inner workings of industrial machinery for her employer MTI, and post-retirement, she assists her pastor and church in restoring the delicate broken hearts and minds of her fellow man. She is continuing to use the skills her Dad taught her, and those for which she was edu-
cated, just in another, higher realm. Her three children, Yvette, Bobby, and Gladies, have all followed her vocational lead, working happily in industrial fields. Sadie also has two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
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rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
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Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Social Services
April 1999 at Genesis Behavioral Services as a registered drug and alcohol counselor.
Clem Richardson Manna Behavioral Services How does a young man surrounded by gangs, crime and drugs become a mentor and counselor leading young people, especially young men, out of gangs, crime, drugs and other destructive lifestyle choices? "By the grace of God," Clem Richardson explained. "I like to see change in others." Bringing positive change to others is what Clem has been doing for his entire adult life. Clem has always called Milwaukee home. He attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Daniel Webster Middle School, and barely graduating from Harold S. Vincent High School. His feet then followed the path so many other young men pursued: one beset by negative peer pressure and addiction. By the grace of God, Clem realized he was on a dead-end street, and in 1996 he entered rehabilitation. A mentor and counselor suggested he work at a halfway house to help young men with backgrounds similar to his. That experience led to his being hired as a staff assistant at the Matt Talbot Recovery Center. He went to the Minority Training Institute in order to gain some formal training in counseling. After three interviews, he was hired in Sister Patricia Rogers, OP, was the fifth of nine children born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Corrine (Parker), a domestic and William Rogers, a laborer. Growing up in rural Arkansas, Sister Patricia said that she was very passionate about marching band, civil rights and becoming a teacher. She received her diploma from North Side High School in 1966 and enrolled at Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical & Normal College (which merged with the University of Arkansas system in 1972 and was renamed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.) Sister Patricia said she had a strong interest in drafting and engineering in college, but it was not until the second semester of her senior year that women were permitted to enroll in such coursework. Instead, she earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1970. She wanted to be a teacher, but when she began her practice teaching rotation, she said she decided to delay her vocation and instead was hired in 1971 in the data processing department of the Chicago office of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. “I knew from practice teaching that some of the
Desiring a professional foundation for his work, Clem enrolled at Upper Iowa University in 2000. This student who barely scraped by in high school turned out to be an excellent scholar who made the dean's list more than once. He graduated in 2004, earning a bachelor's degree in human services, with a minor in social work. He earned a master’s degree as a professional counselor from Concordia University in 2009.
by providing entrepreneur and skilled trade opportunities. He finds it fascinating to see people enter one way – distraught, depressed, nearly hopeless – and exit believing, "I can do this; I can break the destructive cycle Currently, Clem serves at the in my life." Joshua Glover Center, where he works as a group facilitaSeeing this change in peotor, assisting former prison- ple has also motivated Clem to ers as they re-enter society. He volunteer at several community is also on the teaching staff at organizations. He has served at the downtown campus of Mil- the Milwaukee Fatherhood Iniwaukee Area Technical College. tiative, as well as at Repairers As part of the Human Services of the Breach and the Salvation Department, he teaches group Army. He has served on the counseling skills. In 2013, Clem board of My Father's House, started his own agency, Manna an organization that provides Behavioral Services, providing parenting skills to fathers. Clem nurturing choices and educa- is also president of Families tion for underserved youth and Moving Forward, an organizaadults in Milwaukee. He offers tion that provides services for workshops, group facilitation families and children in Miland prevention education for waukee County. He helps out MPS and alternative schools, with youth ages 12-19 at New church groups, and men's issues Beginnings Are Possible, where groups. He also facilitates gang he provides workshops and prevention and manhood train- manhood training. In a similar ing for youth. His vision is to see vein, he has mentored teens and a reduction in violence and un- boys through the Milwaukee Isemployment in our community lamic Da'wah Center. Clem has
students were in need of a great deal of individual attention, and I knew I wasn’t ready to give that much of myself,” she said. After five years with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Sister Patricia thought she would give teaching another try, and she was hired at Visitation High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Chicago. As a backup, she decided to retain her night-shift position with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for a year. She taught algebra and geometry to grades 9 to 11 for seven years. The students were primarily African American and Latina, but the teachers were mostly white. Sister Patricia sensed that the school needed a broader perspective that was missing in the leadership. “Sometimes I don’t know how I got by on so little sleep,” she said, “but being young and excited to be teaching, I can’t say I ever felt physically drained. Much of that first year is a blur, however.” Sister Patricia prayed for two years that the sisters
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also taken part in several prison ministries, sharing with incarcerated men a message of grace and hope.
Sr. Patricia Rogers Dominican Center who ran the school would be blessed with a sister of African American descent so that perspective would be represented in the administration. After the two years passed, Sister Rogers felt that God was calling her to that position. She subsequently traveled to the Dominican Mother House in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin for a year of living in community, prayer, discernment and working with the nuns there. She took her first vows in 1981 and went back to teach in Chicago at another high school. After a while, she was offered the position of principal at St. Jude’s High School in Montgomery, Alabama. She re-
In fact, Christian ministry has always been a passion for Clem. It's what led him to pursue an associate degree in theology from Grace Theological Seminary in 2006. He uses that degree by serving at his home church, Epikos Church in Milwaukee, and by starting his own ministry, Kingdom Empowered Ministries. Through worship, teaching and counseling, he hopes to continue ministering to others. Clem described it this way: "Service is being there for others even when you're not being acknowledged. You serve Jesus first, then others, then yourself. You serve others because you see the excellence in them. Someone saw the excellence in me and taught me to love myself." Now he teaches others to do the same. Clem is assisted in life and ministry by his wife of three years, Barbara, whom he describes as “a great help-mate; a woman of strength, gentleness, prayer and leadership.” Sharing many of Clem's interests in helping others, she is a social worker serving women and families in W-2 supervision. Clem and Barbara have a blended family of four daughters and one son. Their lives are also brightened by five grandchildren.
mained there eight years. In 1986, she took her final vows, which completed her formation to be a nun in the Roman Catholic Church. She got her first experience of Milwaukee during her second year of formation at Sinsinawa. She only stayed nine months and usually returned to the Mother House on weekends, but remembers her time in Milwaukee fondly. After her time in Alabama, Sister Patricia spent time in St. Louis and New Orleans. She went to Sinsinawa briefly in 2000 and then returned to New Orleans for five years, leaving the day before Hurricane Katrina struck. She did not return to Milwaukee until 2011. Sister Patricia wanted to see how the voucher program model could be adapted to an urban setting like Milwaukee. Her conclusion was that, as is commonplace in most public schools, the quality of the education depended on the quality of the administration. For the past seven years, Sister Rogers has directed the Dominican Center in Milwaukee’s north side Amani neighborhood. In that
role, she has shepherded education and employment programs; attracted federal building Neighborhood Capacity Program and foundation funds to support local leaders; and organized residents to plan and advocate for revitalizing Amani. Her behind-the-scenes guidance and coaching have helped residents learn how to represent their own interests and implement new projects, such as the restoration of Moody Park, neighborhood beautification and other visible improvements. “What I am doing now is a direct result of the civil rights movement in which I participated in the 1960s,” she said adding that she has no regrets about the choices she made with her life. “They were all growth experiences,” she said. She estimates that she helped impact at least 60 young lives. Some of her former students still keep in touch via social media. She is also the proud aunt of 12 nieces and nephews. www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
33 rd
Thursday, February 22, 2018
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Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual Black Excellence Awards Sports
Roberta Barron Kendricks-Smith Milwaukee Public Schools (Retired) While attending North Division High School during the 1960s, Milwaukee native Roberta Barron Kendricks-Smith was denied the opportunity to compete as a “Blue Devil” athlete, because, during that era, few high schools in the United States offered sports for women. Roberta is the oldest of three children born to Robert and Dorothy Mae (Horton Barron. The family lived in the Hillside Projects and, as children, Roberta and her brother, Jeffery, frequently played at the community center. “The girls used to jump rope and play jacks,” Roberta said. “I had no interest in that, because my grandfather, Thomas Austin Horton, began teaching me how to play baseball when I was six years old.” Roberta said her grandfather treated her like the son he did not know would have later in life. At last, when she was able to compete in college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, she excelled at volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. She was elected
In 1976, Milwaukee native Henry “Hanc” Spivey was introduced to the game of golf, when his supervisor, Don Roehm, insisted he complete a foursome at Currie Golf Course. Although short in stature, Hanc had been a competitive athlete at West Division High School (now Milwaukee High School of the Arts), but just not in golf. One day at Currie, he rented golf equipment and bought three golf balls. His competitive nature was aroused after his supervisor suggested that they play for nickels; Hanc lost $1.50. Despite losing and shooting a score of 58 (over nine holes), he fell in love with the game and became obsessed with improving. He was so unfamiliar with the sport that the first time he went to practice at Spring Green Golf Range, where he met his eventual golf swing coach and mentor Steve Freibert, he hit the ball and then prepared to walk onto the golf range to hit his next shot. He had been told by his supervisor to practice the things he did on the golf course. After the laughter subsided the owner of the golf range offered him a job as the golf range ball picker. That allowed him unlimited practice time to get better. The next year he returned, defeated his supervisor and everyone else. In 1977, 10 years after Hanc alwww.milwaukeetimesnews.com
to the UW-Platteville Hall of Fame in 1989. One evening when she was still a youngster, Roberta and her brother were “sneaking out” to join their friends at the playground as the upstairs neighbor was entering the building with a stack of books. The young man said he was attending college, something Roberta said she did not even think was possible for African Americans. Roberta recalled asking the neighbor if college was difficult and that he said it was a lot like high school “only they give you more work.” Still not in high school, Roberta asked if high school was difficult. The neighbor momentarily sized Roberta and her brother up and told them that if they spent half as much time reading books as they did sneaking out of the house after dark, they could succeed. A dream was planted in Roberta’s heart. If her maternal grandfather was responsible for helping Roberta learn to make use of her athletic ability, it was her maternal grandmother, Roberta, who helped her become as gifted a student as she was an athlete. Roberta became such an excellent student that a group of her teachers at North Division High School came up with tuition money for her to attend college for one semester. In order for her to continue her education at UW-Platteville, Roberta had to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in physical education in 1972. That year, Title IX, a federal law which
ready had a secure, lucrative job as a project leader in the computer department of a major health insurance company, the owners building a new golf range in Mequon called Missing Links convinced him to come and join their staff, to do club repair and learn how to teach the golf swing from the tee. By 1980, Hanc had won his first amateur tournament with a twoday score of 138. Most golf professionals begin training to join the prestigious ranks of the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) in their early teens. Despite having never hit a golf ball until he was in his late 20s, Hanc was the first African American member from Wisconsin to be elected. Before he could realize that dream he had to start playing small tours in the Midwest. Hanc and local African American golf legend Hervey Thompson shared expenses, hoping to place
prohibits discrimination based on sex in any federally funded educational program or activity, was approved. With the new law in place, Dr. Patricia Collins, the chair of the athletics department and a guidance counselor encouraged all the graduating physical education students at UW-Platteville to return for another year, so they could earn a bachelor of science degree in physical education since they were now allowed to take the classes formerly closed to female students. Roberta returned to Milwaukee and was soon hired to teach physical education at Parkman Middle School. With competitive girls’ sports gaining in popularity, Roberta said it was a time of great change. She took a leave of absence from teaching to earn a master’s degree in English in 1974 from Kent State University in Ohio. When she returned to the Milwaukee Public Schools system, she was assigned to Solomon Juneau High School. “I walked in the door, and the school administrators were delighted because they said they finally had a girls’ basketball coach,” Roberta said. She continued to teach and coach (mostly basketball and softball) until her retirement in
well enough to break even. After five lean years with no sponsorship funds, Hanc decided to become a golf professional instead of a professional golfer. In 1988, Hanc left Missing Links and accepted the position of assistant golf professional, under head pro Jim Morrison, at Dretzka Golf Course, on Milwaukee’s northwest side, where he learned all aspects of the golf business. That year he married Karen Maurer, of Milwaukee. In 1992, Hanc became the first African American from Wisconsin to be elected to full membership in the PGA of America – the same year he was made the head golf professional at Dretzka Golf Course. He retired in 2015. In 2012 Hanc suffered a stroke, briefly losing his ability to speak and write. It also affected his fine motor skills. He finished out that season and retired from tournament play. He continues to play recreationally, teach and see physical improvement. Of all the awards and trophies he received during his career, Hanc said he is proudest of receiving the Junior Golf Leader Award for the Wisconsin Section of the PGA in 2000 for “outstanding contributions in promotion and development of junior golf and for reflecting the ideals of those who work with
2004. During her teaching career, Roberta raised four children: Kelly Brandon Kendricks, Michael David Barron Smith, Brandi Mikelle Raisha Smith and Charlisa Shanay Monica Smith. By 2004 her oldest daughter, Kelly, was playing basketball and softball at Rufus King International High School, and Roberta said she did not want to coach against her. Roberta was the first black female high school softball coach in the state of Wisconsin and the third black female high school basketball coach in Milwaukee Public Schools. “One of the things I am most proud of is raising such a fuss that I was allowed to attend a basketball clinic for men only,” Roberta said. “Afterward I believe they changed the policy to allow anyone to attend who paid the fee.” Shortly after she retired, Roberta and her husband, Michael Earl Smith, a youth minister, moved to Roanoke, Virginia to accept a job offer. Michael died in 2011, and two years later, Roberta moved back to Milwaukee, where she enjoys doting on her grandchildren: Elijah, 8; Lilliana, 5; and A’Nyla, 1.
Hanc Spivey Professional Golf Association youth.” Hanc remains the sole black member of the PGA in Wisconsin. He wishes more African Americans could experience the life he has lived. He has had the privilege of meeting and talking with Hall of Famers Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, among (Continued on pg. 36)
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Lennie Mosley St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church Lennie M. Mosley was born and raised in a rural part of Mississippi near Yazoo City. She was the fourth child and first daughter born to Shumpert and Allean Andrews. The family would eventually grow to include 11 children. Both her father and grandfather farmed the same 152 acres of land that they had owned for generations. Lennie said that
One day when Ezzard C. White was nine years old, he was summoned to the sickbed of his father, T.L. Lee, a World War II veteran, aviation engineer and mechanic who, with his wife I.D. Lee, were living in Leland, MS with their 14 children. At the time, Ezzard said he did not fully understand that his father was dying and wanted to impart an important message to his eighth child. With great effort, his ailing father told Ezzard that he was going to be somebody. After regaining his breath, T.L. went on to say that Ezzard already was somebody. He was his son. “Dad and I were very close,” Ezzard said. “Soon after he died I got a job as a paper boy and since then I have always had a job.” During summer vacations, Ezzard shined shoes and did other jobs. His mother went to work for Sears to provide for her family. At Leland High School, Ezzard lettered in football and baseball. He also competed in the long and high jumps during track season. He graduated in 1976 and was accepted to Mississippi Valley State University, a historically black university. Ezzard paid his tuition with the money he had saved since the age of 9, and by working
entrepreneurship seems to be in the family genes. Lennie and many of her siblings have gone on to start successful businesses. After graduating from St. Francis Catholic High School in Yazoo City on May 30, 1963, Lennie left Mississippi on June 3, 1963 to visit family in Chicago. In September 1963, she decided to visit some relatives in Milwaukee and within days she returned to Chicago to collect her belongings and relocate to Milwaukee permanently. In the fall of 1964, Lennie enrolled in the South Milwaukee Vocational School, a business training institute where she earned an associate degree in business education. After graduation, she accepted a position as a legal secretary with the firm started by Lloyd A. Barbee, an influential voice for the NAACP who led the modern civil rights movement in Wisconsin for many years. After two years, she left to work for the Legal Aid Society. While working there, Lennie said she took a brief leave of absence in 1966 in order to participate in a “March Against Fear” from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi with James Meredith; Meredith had just integrated the University of Mississippi. Meredith wanted to use what was orig-
on campus during school. While attending college, Ezzard became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He earned a bachelor of science degree in vocational industrial technology with a specialty in electricity and electronics in May 1980, and was successfully recruited by the Milwaukee Public Schools system, becoming the first African American vocational teacher in electricity at Milwaukee Technical & Trade High School (now Bradley Tech). Within a short time after his arrival in Milwaukee, Ezzard founded EWS Electric & Industrial Trucking & Traffic Control. After 15 years with the Milwaukee Public Schools system, he left to work for himself full time. With more free time, Ezzard began to notice the number of school-age youth walking around during the weekday. Sometimes when he was working on a house, Ezzard said people would stop him and ask if he had any work with which they could help. “Some even asked questions about how to get into the business,” he said. “Slowly the realization dawned on me that I could teach them skills that would last for a lifetime. My commitment and enthusiasm grew as I saw the difference it made for people.”
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inally intended to be a solo march to highlight continuing racism in the South and to encourage voter registration after passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Unfortunately, on the second day he was shot by a white gunman and suffered numerous wounds. Leaders of major organizations vowed to complete the march in his name after he was taken to the hospital. Meredith eventually rejoined the march arriving in Jackson on June 26, 1966, leading Lennie and an estimated 15,000 other marchers. The march helped more than 4,000 African Americans register to vote, and was a catalyst to continued community organizing and additional voter registration. Lennie was even more active in the civil rights movement in Milwaukee. She participated in the fair housing marches across the 16th Street viaduct, served with the NAACP, the Wisconsin African American Women, Ltd., the Milwaukee Urban League, the Cream City (Wisconsin) Chapter of The Links, and the City of Milwaukee Ethics Board to name just a handful of many organizations and activities for which she volunteered. The year after the March on Mississippi, Lennie met Robert W. Mosley. The couple were married
Ezzard created a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization named “One Hope Made Strong (OHMS).” Tuition cost is minimal for the 12week program which meets three times a week and includes training in nine skilled building and trade categories: electrical fundamentals; conduit bending and basic wiring; electrical circuitry; general drafting and blueprint reading; building structures and foundations; carpentry; plumbing; heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration; and welding. The OHMS program is funded almost entirely by Ezzard. It meets at St. Francis of Assisi Church on North 4th Street. “There are thousands of Milwaukee residents that want to work and are willing to learn,” Ezzard said. “All they need is a little encouragement.” Ezzard credited Nathan Conyers, founder of The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper, with providing him with advice and encouragement. “He is a mentor to me and the business wisdom he has shared with me has helped my own business and teaching program to thrive.” Graduates from the OHMS program have worked on the new Northwestern Mutual Tower and the Milwaukee Bucks Arena. Other graduates are working for Roman Electric and Staff Electric. He said he corresponds with former students regularly. Completing the program and earning certifica-
on August 5, 1967 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2017. Lennie and Robert have two children (Denise and Kurt), two grandchildren (Robert and Allean) and one great-grandson (Maxwell, 3). When the children were born, Lennie left the Legal Aid Society to become a full-time mother, but she continued her work as a community activist and organizer. The couple are members of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, and a significant amount of Lennie’s recent community service has come through the church. With the children sufficiently grown by 1990, Lennie opened her own business: Perfect Nails and Boutique in Whitefish Bay. After two years, she relocated the nail salon to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. She sold that company in 2005, but soon started another business, a floral shop called Perfect Petals, which is still in operation. Lennie has received recognition for her community service, particularly the volunteer work she does with senior citizens, mostly through St. Francis of Assisi Church. She has logged more than 500 hours of service through the years there.
Ezzard C. White One Hope Made Strong Program tion can open the door to a stable, middle-class life for an entire family. Ezzard’s wife, Barbara Johnson, died 12 years ago. Ezzard is a member of
Ebenezer Church of God in Christ. His family includes two adult daughters (Shameka and Shantell) and grandson Demetrius.
Hanc Spivey
also blessed with two grandsons: Braxton, 23, and Xavier, 22. Hanc is the oldest of five children and the only son born to John Henry and Laura (Crockett) Spivey. His oldest sister, Laurene, passed recently, but his other three sisters, Cheryl, Karen and Mary, all live in Milwaukee. He and his wife Karen are members of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
(Continued from pg. 35) others, while serving as the golf starter at the Greater Milwaukee Open, Milwaukee’s 1992 PGA tour event. That year his oldest son, Mario, 48, graduated from Marquette University. He now works in the telecommunications industry. His younger son. Jevon Brock, 35, is a gospel recording artist. He is
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Congratulations to the 2018 Black Excellence Honorees and this year’s Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Recipients ! www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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THE PUBLISHER'S BOOKSHELF
True Black History: Black journalism and Black female journalists In our community's struggle to find its own unique voice over the years, our most important assets have been Black journalism and the Black journalist. In media, representation matters, for it has been Black journalists that have been able to tell the stories of the African American community from a black perspective, thus providing an accurate account of our historical events and issues pertaining to our community. In honor of our 2018 Black Excellence Special Honorees: Women in Media, our books this week look at black journalism, and in particular, black female journalists. - Lynda Jackson Conyers
Within the Veil: Black Journalists, White Media By: Pamela Newkirk NYU Press, 2002 Language Arts & Disciplines 253 pages Awards: Winner of the National Press Club Prize for Media Criticism. Fifty years ago, the Kerner Commission Report made national headlines by exposing the consistently biased coverage afforded African Americans in the mainstream media. While the report acted as a much ballyhooed wake-up call, the problems it identified have stubbornly persisted, despite the infusion of black and other racial minority journalists into the newsroom. In Within the Veil, Pamela Newkirk unmasks the ways in which race continues to influence reportage, both overtly and covertly. Newkirk charts a series of race-related conflicts at news organizations across the country, illustrating how African American journalists have influenced and been denied influence to the content, presentation, and very nature of news. Through anecdotes culled from interviews with more
than 100 broadcast and print journalists, Newkirk exposes the trials and triumphs of African American journalists as they struggle in pursuit of more equitable coverage of racial minorities. She illuminates the agonizing dilemmas they face when writing stories critical of blacks, stories which force them to choose between journalistic integrity, their own advancement, and the almost certain enmity of the black community. Within the Veil is a gripping front-line report on the continuing battle to integrate America's newsrooms and news coverage.
Raising Her Voice: African-American Women Journalists Who Changed History By: Rodger Streitmatter University Press of Kentucky, Jan 13, 2015 Biography & Autobiography 216 pages Each chapter is a biographical sketch of an influential black woman who has written for American newspapers or television news, including Maria W. Stewart, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Gertrude Bustill Mossell, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Josephine St.Pierre Ruffin, Delilah L. Beasley, Marvel Cooke, Charlotta A. Bass, Alice Allison Dunnigan, Ethel L. Payne, and Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
ist April Ryan’s compelling behind-the-scenes look at race relations from the epicenter of American power and policy making—the White House. As a White House correspondent since 1997, Ryan provides unique insights on the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. In the updated paperback edition, Ryan contributes a new afterword, chronicling the country’s growing racial divide, the end of the Obama era, the increasingly contentious Trump White House, and prospects for race relations in the Trump presidency.
Eye On the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press By: James McGrath Morris Harper Collins, Feb 17, 2015 Biography & Autobiography The Presidency in Black 480 pages and White: My Up-Close In this groundbreaking biView of Four Presidents ography, celebrated author and Race in America James McGrath Morris skillBy: April Ryan fully illuminates the life and Rowman & Littlefield, accomplishments of pioJul 18, 2017 neering journalist Ethel Lois Political Science Payne, while also bringing to 184 pages the fore the critical role of Awards: 2016 NAACP Image the black press in the civil Award Nominee, Essence Top 10 rights era. books of 2015, African AmerPayne used her journalistic ican Literary Show Inc. 2015 skills as the Washington corBest Non Fiction Award respondent for the Chicago When the award-winning Defender to elevate civil rights The Presidency in Black and issues to the national agenWhite first appeared, readers da. In the 1950s and 1960s, were captivated by journal- she raised challenging ques-
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By; Lynda Jackson Conyers Publisher, Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
tions at presidential press conferences about matters of importance to African Americans and the emerging civil rights movement. A self-proclaimed "instrument of change," she publicly prodded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to support desegregation, and her reporting on legislative and judicial civil rights battles enlightened and motivated black readers. At some considerable personal risk, Payne covered such events as the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation of the University of Alabama, and the Little Rock school crisis. She also traveled overseas to write about the service of black troops in Vietnam and accompanied American leaders on diplomatic missions to Africa. President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized Payne's seminal role by presenting her with pens used in the signing of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. As a trailblazing black woman in an industry dominated by white men, she capped her career by becoming the first female African American radio and television commentator on a national network, working for CBS. Ethel Payne's unassuming style of journalism was a key to her success. From Alabama to Ghana, from Indonesia to Vietnam, Payne's reporting eschewed the emotionless objective style coveted by mainstream publications of her time. She became for many black Americans their eyes on the frontlines of the struggle for equality in Washington, in the South, and in Africa. The white and black presses, operating in parallel worlds, saw events differently. The white press was quick to portray civil rights legislation as munificent gifts bestowed on American blacks, while Payne's reporting focused on the failures of legislation to grant African Americans the equality that rightfully belonged to them. Ethel Payne's life and work offers readers an opportunity to see the historic events of the civil rights era through her eyes. Inspiring and instructive, moving and enlightening, Eye on the Struggle celebrates this extraordinary woman and her achievements—and reminds us of the power one person has to transform our lives and our world.
Alone Atop the Hill: The Autobiography of Alice Dunnigan, Pioneer of the National Black Press By: Alice Dunnigan University of Georgia Press, 2015 Biography & Autobiography 223 pages
In 1942 Alice Allison Dunnigan, a sharecropper's daughter from Kentucky, made her way to the nation's capitol and a career in journalism that eventually led her to the White House. With Alone Atop the Hill, Carol McCabe Booker has condensed Dunnigan's 1974 self-published autobiography to appeal to a general audience and has added scholarly annotations that provide historical context. Dunnigan's dynamic story reveals her importance to the fields of journalism, women's history, and the civil rights movement and creates a compelling portrait of a groundbreaking American. Dunnigan recounts her formative years in rural Kentucky as she struggled for a living, telling bluntly and simply what life was like in a Border State in the first half of the twentieth century. Later she takes readers to Washington, DC, where we see her rise from a typist during World War II to a reporter. Ultimately she would become the first black female reporter accredited to the White House; to travel with a U.S. president; credentialed by the House and Senate Press Galleries; accredited to the Department of State and the Supreme Court; voted into the White House Newswomen's Association and the Women's National Press Club; and recognized as a Washington sports reporter. A contemporary of Helen Thomas and a forerunner of Ethel Payne, Dunnigan traveled with President Truman on his coast-to-coast, whistle-stop tour; was the first reporter to query (Continued on pg. 44)
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COMMUNITY COLUMN UWM basketball coach Pat Baldwin builds trust and teamwork By Anthony Mandella When Pat Baldwin accepted the role of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s head men’s basketball coach in June, he also accepted big changes and big challenges. He was a first-time head coach. He was also in a new community, with new players and a new staff. He knew it was imperative to establish one thing with everyone – trust. And he knew people would watch to gauge his approach. “They want to see how much you grind, how much you put into the day-to-day things that you need to get done,” Baldwin said. “We’re about putting in the effort to get it done, and I think we built up that trust. We haven’t swayed from one thing that we talked about initially, and that’s very important.” Baldwin’s ability to forge tight bonds is paying off for the Panthers. UWM is poised to finish in the top half of the Horizon League’s regular-season standings with a winning conference record. It’s a big step forward, be-
UWM head men’s basketball coach Pat Baldwin knows the power of trust in building strong teams and communities. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey) cause a year ago, UWM won just four regular-season conference games and was last in the league standings. Building a culture of trust and teamwork has been a staple of Baldwin’s career, and good results have followed. He came to UWM after four years as assistant coach at his alma mater, Northwestern University. One season before Baldwin joined the
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Northwestern coaching staff, the team had a 4-14 conference record. But in 2017, the strong relationships he’d built with players and coaches helped Northwestern make its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. The key, Baldwin said, is keeping his message consistent, whether it be with assistant coaches or players,
or even people outside the program. In doing so, he’s created a system of faith and belief in each other that has allowed everyone to grow. It’s a lesson that resonates far beyond the basketball court. When people know they can believe in you and what you’re saying, it’s a recipe for success no matter the endeavor. Whether it’s maintaining a loving family life, getting involved with the community or trying to win ballgames, if your message remains the same, you and your actions become trustworthy to those around you. “For us to survive, we need the support of other people,” Baldwin said. “If we’re saying one thing and doing another, I think that disintegrates that relationship that you have with your community, your team, your family, all of those things.” But even the most consistent messages won’t matter if you and those around you don’t believe in the collective goal. “If you’re doing some-
thing, it has to mean something to you,” Baldwin said. “Whatever you do, do your role and try to star in your role. If you have that mindset, a lot of good things can happen to you.” When everyone takes that approach, Baldwin pointed out, the results add up. You get a group of trustworthy people, with each person contributing in a way that benefits the team, community or individual. “We have this phrase within our basketball team that it’s not your shot, it’s our shot,” Baldwin stated. “From that standpoint, I think that you can be bolstered or uplifted by a group of people behind you, supporting you, giving you that nudge and that push telling you that you can be great at anything that you do. I think that’s really important.” Wherever he has coached, Baldwin has seen how such teamwork can make all the difference. “Find those like-minded individuals that you can surround yourself with,” Baldwin said, “and get to where you want to be.”
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True Black History (Continued from pg. 38) President Eisenhower about civil rights; and provided front-page coverage for more than one hundred black newspapers of virtually every race issue before the Congress, the federal courts, and the presidential administration. Here she provides an uninhibited, unembellished, and unvarnished look at the terrain, the players, and the politics in a rough-and-tumble national capital struggling to make its way through a nascent, postwar racial revolution.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
NewsLady is the memoir of a trailblazing African American woman journalist whose life is about firsts. Carole Simpson was the first woman to broadcast radio news in Chicago, the first African
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
American woman to anchor a local newscast in the same city, the first African American woman national network television correspondent, the first African American woman to anchor a national network newscast and the first woman or minority to moderate a presidential debate. Hers is a story of survival in a male-dominated profession that placed the highest premium on white males. In this book she recounts how she endured and conquered sex discrimination and racial prejudice to reach the top ranks of her profession. Along the way she covered some of the most important news events over the four decades of her illustrious broadcasting career. Her inspirational story is for all trying to succeed in a corporate environment. Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism By: Belva Davis, Vicki Haddock Berrett-Koehler Publishers Feb 1, 2011 Social Science 272 pages
NewsLady By: Carole Simpson Author House, Nov 9, 2010 Social Science 316 pages
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As the first black female television journalist in the western United States, Belva Davis overcame the obstacles of racism and sexism, and helped change the face and focus of television news. Now she is sharing the story of her extraordinary life in her poignantly honest memoir, Never in My Wildest Dreams. A reporter for almost five decades, Davis is no stranger to adversity. Born
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Ronald Reagan, Huey Newton, Muhammad Ali, Alex Haley, Fidel Castro, Dianne Feinstein, Condoleezza Rice, and others. Throughout her career Davis soldiered in the trenches in the battle for racial equality and brought stories of black Americans out of the shadows and into the light of day.
to a fifteen-year-old Louisiana laundress during the Great Depression, and raised in the overcrowded projects of Oakland, California, Davis suffered abuse, battled rejection, and persevered to achieve a career beyond her imagination. Davis has seen the world change in ways she never could have envisioned, from being verbally and physically attacked while reporting on the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco to witnessing the historic election of Barack Obama in 2008. Davis worked her way up to reporting on many of the most explosive stories of recent times, including the Vietnam War protests, the rise and fall of the Black Panthers, the Peoples Temple cult mass suicides at Jonestown, the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the onset of the AIDS epidemic, and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks that first put Osama bin Laden on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. She encountered a cavalcade of cultural icons: Malcolm X, Frank Sinatra, James Brown,
Still active in her seventies, Davis, the “Walter Cronkite of the Bay Area,” now hosts a weekly news roundtable and special reports at KQED, one of the nation’s leading PBS stations. In this way she has remained relevant and engaged in the stories of today, while offering her anecdote-rich perspective on the decades that have shaped us. “No people can say they understand the times in which they have lived unless they have read this book.” — Dr. Maya Angelou Everybody's Got Something By: Robin Roberts, Veronica Chambers Grand Central Publishing, Apr 22, 2014 Biography & Autobiography 272 pages "Regardless of how much money you have, your race, where you live, what religion you follow, you are going through something. Or you already have or you will. As momma always said, "Everybody's got something." So begins beloved Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts's memoir in which she recounts the incredible journey that's been her life so far, and the lessons she's
learned along the way. With grace, heart, and humor, she writes about overcoming breast cancer only to learn five years later that she would need a bone marrow transplant to combat a rare blood disorder; the grief and heartbreak she suffered when her mother passed away; her triumphant return to GMA after her medical leave; and the tremendous support and love of her family and friends that saw her through her difficult times. Following her mother's advice to "make your mess your message," Robin taught a nation of viewers that while it is true that we've all got something -- a medical crisis to face, aging parents to care for, heartbreak in all its many forms --- we've also all got something to give: hope, encouragement, a life-saving transplant or a spirit-saving embrace. As Robin has learned, and what readers of her remarkable story will come to believe as well, it's all about faith, family and friends. And finding out that you are stronger, much stronger, than you think.
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JOIN US AT OUR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER FOR ADULTS, 50 & UP Daytime classes held at
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Pickleball Creative Crafts Fitness Classes Tai Chi & Qigong Visit www.MilwaukeeRecreation.net or call (414) 647-6065 for more information.
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t: Allied in the Figh
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The core exhibition was originally presented by the New York-based Center for Jewish History, featuring materials from the collections of the American Jewish Historical Society, The Leo Baeck Institute and Yeshiva University Museum. Accompanied by a Milwaukee-focused exhibit.
SPONSORS: Brico Fund, Bader Philanthropies, Brewers Community Foundation, Sue & Bud Selig, Community Sponsor, Wisconsin Humanities Council
o JANUARY 19 t 18 MARCH 25, 20
rg
e.o JewishMuseumMilwauke
Funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (and) the State of Wisconsin
PROGRAM EVENT:
Redlining, Racism and Reection: Milwaukee Redlining with Reggie Jackson First of a 3 part series
Tuesday, February 13th - 7:00 pm Tickets available at JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org
Free Parking - 1360 N. Prospect Avenue - (414) 390-5730
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Thursday, February 22, 2018
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Being Frank
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
By: Frank James Special to the Milwaukee Times
The excellence of Black
Congratulations Amanda on being honored with The 2018 Milwaukee Black Excellence Award.
Amanda Porterfield CBS 58 Noon & 4pm Anchor
From your proud colleagues at
The
Annual
Bla
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Is the corporate CEO African American the epitome of Black excellence? In many minds the CEO is the perfect example. This is an African American who has risen to the top of their field. This CEO has shown the world that African American can and do play the “game” successfully. This African American CEO becomes a symbol to all African Americans who attend college or want to start their own business. Yet other factions of the African American community may view this corporate giant
es Presen m i ts eT
nc
pends upon the perspective of the person asking.
e Milwauk e
is always an African American doing something great. In the entertainment field the African American is held up as the level of excellence. With these examples in mind what then is the truest form of Black excellence? Black people have gone through many transformations in the USA over the years. They have gone from slavery to positions of partial power. Black people have become In the USA there are various lev- African Americans a term more els of successful African Ameri- pleasing to the status quo. Has the cans. There is the corporate CEO bar for the definition of Black exwho has risen above the field to a cellence changed and if so what is position of power. In sports there it? The answer to the question de-
Th
The 2018 Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Awards are here. The term Black excellence has always been an intriguing one. Many people shut down when they hear the word black. Others think its’ a paradox to have black and excellence in the same sentence. The main question over the years has been: “What is black excellence?” In the immortal words of Hamlet, “That is the question.”
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differently. The same difference in viewpoint can be said for the African American sports hero. Many people of all races wear African American sports figures jerseys and buy products endorsed by these figures. The African American superstar athlete is a model for all aspiring student athletes in the world. The impact some of these athletes have on communities is immense. Still there are many African Americans who would not view the sports hero as a symbol of Black excellence. The African American entertainer has been a symbol of excellence for years. African Americans often took pride in the achievement of entertainers from the race. In many cases African American entertainers blazed a path that opened doors for other African Americans to walk through. Many African American entertainers cast a spotlight on racism through roles in film or songs and comedy. Even with this resume some African Americans do not see the entertainer as the definition of Black excellence. Where can one find the definition of Black excellence? Other races may have what they think is the ideal African American. These concepts from other races can be adopted by African Americans to succeed in dealing with these other cultures. What is the form of Black excellence that every person who is Black or African American can relate to and abide with? I will put forth a suggestion. Look in the mirror Black people. The model for Black excellence should be staring you in the face every time you look into a mirror. If an African American does not see Black excellence when he or she looks into a mirror they will not see it elsewhere. The definition of Black excellence should start with the individual. Once African Americans see themselves as models of Black excellence they will truly appreciate others who define excellence in their own fashion. With this in mind I salute everyone who is receiving a 2018 Black Excellence Award. I also have a round of applause for those African Americans who see excellence every time they look in the mirror. Frank James IV © 2018 beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com 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. "Being Frank" is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
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Congratulations, Honorees on your honorees, on your excellent Excellent Achievements.
Congratulations, 19805 West Capitol Drive achievements. Brookfield, WI 53045
For a great tomorrow, save today
Columbia Savings & Loan Association 2020 W. Fond Du Lac Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205 Milwaukee’s oldest black owned and operated financial institution. For 93 years, Columbia Savings and Loan Association has been assisting Milwaukee citizens in acquiring HOMES with affordable mortgage loans, and providing saving accounts and certificates of deposit for the people of Milwaukee to SAVE and create financial security. We want to help you, too. Contact us at (414) 374-0486
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4th Annual Dinner Gala and Awards Banquet Theme: The Year of the Young – “Painting a New Image” Saturday, April 29, 2017 Abundant Faith Church of Integrity 7830 West Good Hope Road • Milwaukee, WI 53223 Reception 5:00 P.M. • Awards Banquet 6:00 P.M. Donation 21 and up: $50.00 • Youth: $25
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FUNERAL PROGRAMS/PROGRAMS
North Division Alumni Association of Milwaukee Presents 5th Annual Membership Drive
Spring Fling SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 WISCONSIN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN’S CENTER 3020 West Vliet Street Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. ADMISSION: $10 Advance/$15 Door
ING PP T STE NTES CO EE FR LE FF RA PR
IZE
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TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED at the WAAW Center or from members of the North Division Alumni Association.
FOO &F D UN
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Josephine Hill, WAAW at 414-933-1652 or the Alumni Office at 414-267-5101.
GU EST DJ
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE WINNERS AT THE BLACK EXCELLENCE AWARDS!
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CONGRATULATES
Denise Greathouse 33 Annual Milwaukee Black Excellence Awards rd
At Michael Best, diversity is one of our core values, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive culture; hiring and retaining diverse attorneys and staff; and helping advance their careers. We recognize that different perspectives and voices are critical to the success of any business, and the practice of law is no different.
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Happy Birthday Salutes! Wishing You All The Best! February 1st Karen M. Ingram Jayvion Fumbanks February 2nd Donald Driver Hannah Ivy Blanche Hogans February 3rd Frances Brown Evelyn Glover Evelyn Blake Kiana Hunter February 4th Yashika Graves JaRon Williams Cleveland Hathaway Christine Pearson February 5th Kylah Lyons February 6th Lawrence Smith Mark Phillips February 7th Beniee A. Randle Trynail Banks Pastor Joseph H. Jackson, Jr. February 8th Emily Davis Deborah (Burnside) Turner February 9th Joyce Nash February 10th Bertha Thompson February 11th Lyrics Serenity Bell February 12th Stacy D. Ingram Kieva Smith February 13 Terry Taylor
th
February 14th Angela T. Fumbanks Vicki Chamberlain Dora Hogan
February 16th Steffanie Boyd Quiana Staten Charella Butler Tony Chamberlin February 17th Kim Lyons Tony J. Thompson February 18th Tina Spears Courtney Kelly Louise Barnett Jamerh Banks Charles B. Stokes February 19th Andrew Green, Sr. Gloria Hunt Ellen Fumbanks Jamera Ellis February 20th Mable Taylor Channing M. Williams Margo Gibson February 21st Nia Fizpatrick February 23rd Chole Ann Taylor Bryanna Barnes Jasmine Rammesses February 24th Janice Williams February 25th Betty Speed Jeffery Matlock February 26th Geraldine Walker Sandrene Watts Jo Dean Walker February 27th Louis Davis, Jr. February 28th Louis Taylor, Jr. Lyric Burnside
February 15th Annie B. Banks
BREWERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS DOING BIG THINGS FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE. LIKE GIVING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO HARD-WORKING KIDS, CONSTRUCTING HOMES FOR DESERVING FAMILIES, PROVIDING DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN, AND BUILDING & REFURBISHING NEIGHBORHOOD BASEBALL FIELDS. WITH THE HELP OF OUR DEDICATED FANS, PLAYERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, WE’RE ABLE TO MAKE AN IMPACT NOT ONLY IN MILWAUKEE, BUT ACROSS THE STATE.
JOIN THE TEAM THAT GOES TO BAT FOR KIDS & FAMILIES IN WISCONSIN. FIND OUT MORE AT
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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.
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Thursday, February 22, 2018
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Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
Annual
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The 2018 Black Excellence Awards would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of a great group of positive and motivated staff and volunteers.
Mul cultural artwork with an emphasis on the black experience One-of-a kind jewelry and cards. Books, calendars and organic hair products 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203 In The Shops of Grand Avenue, 2nd floor, across from elevator. Web site: ayzhafineartsgallery.com E-mail: thegallery@ayzhafineartsgallery.com Phone: 414-220-4355 Gallery Director: Cynthia Henry
They are: 2018 Black Excellence Committee: Lynda Jackson Conyers (Chair), Carmen Murguía, Shirley Sharp (Chair), Mary Leach Sumlin, Dr. Shirley Moutry, Jacquelyn Heath, Brenda Sheppard-Nelson, Dawn D. Jackson, Sherry Hill, Dr. Willie Hart, Nobie Reed, Yvonne Kemp, Vi Hawkins (Co-Chair) and Fred Reed 2018 Black Excellence Project Consultant: Jacquelyn Heath
fresh. family.
2018 Black Excellence Staff Writers: Jacquelyn Heath, Michelle Dobbs, Dwayne Lee, Steve Waring, Melanie Lambert, Holly Lambert, Radiah Hubbert, John Miller, Glenn Hale and Alexia Knox The Milwaukee Times Staff: Lynda Jackson Conyers (Publisher), Michelle Anibas, William Gooden, Terry Taylor, Antonio Alexander, Carmen Murguía, Angel Reyes, Frank James IV, Rev. Judith Lester, Jackie Carter, Sheila Carter and Reverend Mike Robinson Volunteers: Dawn D. Jackson, Gregory Fanning, Karissa Jackson, George Neal, Nellie Weddle, Tamara Toles, Charlene Golden, Greg Toles, Felicia Sharp, Jaye Syc, Nobie Reed (Chair), Sabrina Grant, Stella Miller, Mia Golden, Linda Henderson, Sandra Malone, Krissy Jackson, Melvin Reese Vi Hawkins (Co-Chair) and Monica Payne A Special Thank-you to: Our Media partners WISN Channel 12 & The Milwaukee Business Journal and our Volunteers from the Milwaukee Urban League The entire 2018 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.
Thank You! www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
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2018 Black Excellence Awards
Thursday, February 22, 2018
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT
Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND
MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 16, 2018. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Mark Bethel, Project Specialist of Design and Construction, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 1:30PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following
work:
All contractor(s) and subcontractors(s) are subject to the current livable wage rate, in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Ordinance 310-13. Per 2015 WI Act 55, prevailing wage rate laws have been repealed for all MPS Construction Projects beginning January 1, 2017. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. PHASE II REMODELING
Pulaski High School
2500 West Oklahoma Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53215 MPS Property No. 026 MPS Project No. 4336 The HUB requirements for this project are 25% The COIN requirements for this project are 15% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this project are: Paid Employment: 300 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. A pre- bid walkthrough for the site will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 9:00 AM, meet at the school's main entrance. 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. 11499179/2-16-22/3/1-8 Superintendent of Schools
An NCON Communications Publication
54
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 16, 2018. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Mark Bethel, Project Specialist of Design and Construction, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 1:30 PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following work: All contractor(s) and subcontractors(s) are subject to the current livable wage rate, in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Ordinance 310-13. Per 2015 WI Act 55, prevailing wage rate laws have been repealed for all MPS Construction Projects beginning January 1, 2017. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. UPGRADES FOR MONTESSORI PROGRAM
Riley School
2424 South 4th Street Milwaukee, WI 53207 MPS Property No. 313 MPS Project No. 4750 The HUB requirements for this project are 25% The COIN requirements for this project are 15% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this project are:
Paid Employment: 100 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. A pre-bid walkthrough for the site will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM, meet at the school's main entrance. 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. 11499183/2-16-22/3-1-8 Superintendent of Schools
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
2018 Black Excellence Awards
Thursday, February 22, 2018
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT
Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND
MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 15, 2018. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Mark Bethel, Project Specialist of Design and Construction, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 1:30 PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following work: All contractor(s) and subcontractors(s) are subject to the current livable wage rate, in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Ordinance 310- 13. Per
2015 WI Act 55, prevailing wage rate laws have been repealed for all MPS
Construction Projects beginning January 1, 2017. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. CONVERT STORAGE ROOMS TO OFFICES
Academy of Accelerated Learning Elementary School
3727 S. 78th Street Milwaukee, WI 53220 MPS Property No. 316 MPS Project No. 4898 The HUB requirements for this project are 25% The COIN requirements for this project are 10% 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. A pre-bid walkthrough for the site will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 9:00 AM, meet at the school's main entrance. 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. 11499147/2-15-22/3-1-8 Superintendent of Schools
55
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
NOTICE Milwaukee Public Schools is requesting proposals for Fire Alarm System Testing and Electric/Magnetic Release Fire Door Testing and Inspection Services. Project scope, proposal requirements and guidelines 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 proposal documents. The HUB requirements for this contract is 0% The minimum Student Participation requirements for this contract are: Paid Employment: 0 Hours Educational Activities: 10 Hours A pre-proposal conference will be held at the office of Division of Facilities and Maintenance Services at 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, WI at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 23, 2018. Attendance at the pre-proposal conference is strongly encouraged. A written response of the questions asked at this conference will be issued by way of an addendum to all firms registered as receiving a copy of this RFP. All other questions should be submitted in writing to Mark Bethel of Milwaukee Public Schools’ Facilities and Maintenance Services to DFMSProcurement@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or fax number (414) 283-4682. No questions will be answered verbally. No verbal information from any source is to be relied upon by any respondent in the development of their response to the RFP. Only questions submitted in writing prior to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 will be answered. No questions will be answered after that date and time. These responses will be documented by way of addenda, which will be forwarded to all bidders. Submit all proposals to Mr. Mark Bethel, Project Specialist of Design and Construction, Facilities and Maintenance Services, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233 no later than 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 07, 2018. Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D. 11497111/2-13-20-27 Superintendent of Schools
Save the Date
ATTENTION: SBE & RPP Subcontractors and Suppliers Catalyst Construction is requesting bids/quotes for the following project:
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT
Office of the Milwaukee Public Schools, DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND
MAINTENANCE SERVICES, 1124 North 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 15, 2018. Sealed proposals will be received at 1124 North 11th Street, directed to the attention of Mr. Mark Bethel, Project Specialist of Design and Construction, pursuant to Section 119.52(3) Wisconsin Statutes, until Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 1:30 PM, in accordance with plans and specifications for the following
work: All contractor(s) and subcontractors(s) are subject to the current livable wage rate, in accordance with the City of Milwaukee Ordinance 310 13. Per
Sherman Phoenix Redevelopment 3536 W. Fond du Lac Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53216 Walk-Through Date: (Not Mandatory) Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
2015 WI Act 55, prevailing wage rate laws have been repealed for all MPS Construction Projects beginning January 1, 2017. BID GUARANTY TO ACCOMPANY BID: MPS Bid Bond, Certified or Cashier's Check: 10% of Contractor's Base Bid. ASBESTOS ABATEMENT WORK FOR: DIVISION 1: DIVISION 2:
Milwaukee Parkside
Vincent High School
2969 S. Howell Avenue 7501 N. Granville Road Milwaukee, WI 53207 Milwaukee, WI 53224 MPS Property No. 049 MPS Property No. 033 MPS Work Order No. 311458-1 MPS Work Order No. 336022-1 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: 10 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. A pre-bid walkthrough will be held at Milwaukee Parkside first on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 8:00 AM, meet at the school's main entrance; Vincent High School's walkthrough will be held immediately after.. 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. 11499084/2-15-20-27-3-5 Superintendent of Schools
www.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Bid Date: Friday, March 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Catalyst Construction ATTN: Kathryn Sullivan 833 E Michigan St #1000 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Email: ksullivan@catalystbuilds.com Ph: 414-727-6840 Fax: 414-727-6830 “An equal opportunity employer.”
The North Division Alumni Association, Inc., is sponsoring the 7th annual Spring Fling Membership and Scholarship Dance on Saturday April 21, 2018 at the African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and event will conclude by 10 p.m. The cost of tickets is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For additional information, please call Ned Moton at 414-368-7439 or Marshall Odom 414-460-1315.
An NCON Communications Publication
2018 Black Excellence Awards
An NCON Communications Publication
Thursday, February 22, 2018
56
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper
www.milwaukeetimesnews.com