The Milwaukee Times Newspaper and milwaukeetimesnews.com Milwaukee's Only “Blue Chip” Community Newspaper
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Vol. 37 • No.18 • Thurs., May 10, 2018 - Wed., May 16, 2018 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
Visitation services held for Times founder Nathan Conyers More than 500 people said goodbye to Nathan Conyers, one of three founders of The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Printing & Publishing Co., during a four-hour visitation at St. Mark A.M.E. Church on Sunday May 6, 2018. Mr. Conyers died on April 27, 2018 after a long illness. Conyers was a familiar face and voice in the Milwaukee community for more than 30 years, through media promoting the city’s African American community. He not only carved out a niche for himself as a media professional, but through The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper and its parent company, NCON Communication, Inc., he became a prolific creator of jobs within Milwaukee’s central city. Conyers also was well known in local political circles. He served as a legislative aide for Monroe Swan, who was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate 6th district in 1972
and served him until his term ended in 1981. Conyers also served as an advisor and board member to several community organizations: the interdenominational faith group, Pastors United; the Milwaukee chapter of Operation PUSH; and Independence First, an advocacy organization for people with disabilities. He also served on the board of directors for a number of private and community organizations. Prior to founding the Times he had also worked for the Milwaukee Community Journal and Project Focal Point. A native of rural South Carolina, Conyers attended public school in Paxville, SC in Clarendon County. The Conyers family later moved to Sumter, SC. Interment and Benediction will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Hillside Memorial Park Cain’s Mill Road, Sumter, SC.
Funeral services held for civil right activist and judge Vel R. Phillips
Hundreds gathered at Milwaukee's oldest African American church, St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, on Saturday, May 5, 2018, to celebrate the life of Vel Phillips, the pioneering civil rights leader who smashed racial and gender barriers as a lawyer, city council woman and Wisconsin secretary of state. "These pinnacles were not what made Vel's story Vel's story," said U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), who eulogized Phillips at a memorial service at St. Mark — itself a central player in Milwaukee's civil rights history. Outside the church walls, flags were flown at half-staff in Phillips' honor across Wisconsin on Saturday, by order of Gov. Scott Walker. Phillips died April 17, 2018 at the age of 95. Her life was one of many firsts: The first African American woman to graduate from the University
of Wisconsin Law School; and the first woman and African American to sit on Milwaukee's Common Council, serve as a Milwaukee County judge and be elected Wisconsin secretary of state. She also served on the Democratic National Committee, the first African American named to the national committee of a major political party. As a civil rights activist, she helped lead Milwaukee's open housing marches alongside Father James Groppi and the NAACP Youth Council. On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, the Milwaukee Common Council voted to rename a stretch of North 4th Street as Vel R. Phillips Avenue. The street will be renamed from West St. Paul Avenue to West Capitol Avenue, a nearly 3.5-mile span that runs past the new Milwaukee Bucks’ arena.
North Central Service Club hosts 43rd Annual Scholarship Luncheon On Sunday, May 6, 2018, the North Central Service Club, Inc., hosted its 43rd Annual Scholarship Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee West, 2303 North Mayfair Road. The theme for this event was "Now is the Time to Become a Force for Societal Change." Milwaukee Area Technical College Sociologist Pamela Malone served as M.C. The keynote address was delivered by District 9 Alderwoman Chantia Lewis; and special awards were given to Community Care, Inc. Chief Administrative Officer Sherrice Gilcreast; and educator, author and entrepreneur Donnie J. Edwards; as well as to honorary guest Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darienne Driver. The recipients of the 2018 scholarship are Reniqua Brown, Keziah Carter, Aleeya Conway, Jamie Crawford, Zariah Franklin, Siarah Hones, Adrianne Jordan, Zzarieanna McCoy, Jakizisha McKinney-Bell, Fatima Mohamed, and Amoire Ntbala.
Photo by Yvonne Kemp
Pastors United hosts 5th Annual Dinner Gala and Awards Banquet On Saturday, April 28, 2018, Pastor United hosted their 5th Annual Dinner Gala and Awards Banquet at Abundant Faith Church of Integrity, 7830 West Good Hope Road. This year's theme was "Year of the Woman: Our History is Our Strength." The guest speaker was WNOV 860's “The Mid-Week Flow” host Michelle Bryant. This year's awards honorees were all extraordinary women who have made their mark on the community. Pictured are honorees (from left) UniteMKE Executive Director Bria Grant; Ayzha Fine Arts Gallery & Boutique Owner Cynthia Henry; retired educator Janette Herrera; Wilbert Taylor, who accepted daughter Senator Lena Taylor's award on her behalf; Mistresses of Ceremonies Shawn M. Green; Pastors United Founder and President Minister Gregory Lewis; Luv2Hear Founder and CEO Pamela Martin; Milwaukee Area Technical College Psychology Professor Dr. Marica Tipton; and guest speaker Miwww.milwaukeetimesnews.com
Photo by Yvonne Kemp
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