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Vol. 34 • No. 24 • Thurs.,May 28, 2015 - Wed., June 3, 2015 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
MICAH celebrates 27 years of community outreach and leadership By Steve Waring Specail to the Milwaukee Times Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) honored two members for leadership during their "27th Anniversary Gala Dinner" held for more than 500 members and guests on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Italian Community Center. The Rev. Richard Shaw, pastor of St. Matthew CME Church, received the Distinguished Leadership Award for his initiative and organization of Safe Surrender, a campaign which has resolved thousands of outstanding warrants for non-violent offenses within the 53206 Milwaukee zip code. Eleanor Harris received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her passion and dedication to helping MICAH grow. She is passionately committed to ending mass incarceration and successfully organized and oversaw the first successful ‘Sustainer Drive’ for MICAH in 2014. Dennis Grzezinski and Karyn Rotker from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) shared the “To Do What is Just Award.” U.S. Cong resswoman Gwen Moore and the Rev. Willie E. Brisco, president of MICAH and pastor of New
Covenant Baptist Church, received special presentations in honor of the 50th anniversary of their participation in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Selma, AL. During welcoming remarks, Pastor Brisco focused on some of the recent accomplishments achieved by MICAH, especially its work to combat policies and procedures which lead to mass incarceration. He also singled out work that MICAH had contributed toward the installation of three new bus routes designed to enable inner city residents to commute to jobs which tend to be more plentiful in the western Milwaukee suburbs. The keynote speaker was Rev. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation, a faith-based grant-making organization dedicated to child wellbeing in the St. Louis area. Pastor Wilson praised MICAH “on the eve of Pentecost” for its ability to make itself heard above the background noise of politics. MICAH began in 1988, evolving out of the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee and Central City Catholic Churches as an organization “that might challenge the root causes of hunger and poverty in Milwaukee.”
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
Pictured at MICAH's anniversary event are (top photo, from left) Friendship Missionary Baptist Church pastor Rev. Joseph H. Jackson, Jr.; Rev. Richard Shaw; and MICAH president Rev. Willie E. Brisco; (lower photo, from left) MICAH executive director Catoya Robert; senior advisor for Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Shirley Ellis; Cross Lutheran Church pastor emeritus Rev. Joseph Ellwanger; and Rev. Willie E. Brisco.
The 14th Rev. James Spann II Scholarship helps youth achieve college dreams and honors a great legacy
Photo By Lynda Jackson Conyers
The 14th Annual Reverend James W. Spann II Scholarship Luncheon was held Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the Ramada Inn Downtown, 633 West Michigan St. Five high school seniors were awarded scholarships to assist with their college education and career plans. Mr. Bezelee Martin, CEO of Lena’s Food Market was the keynote speaker. Martin owns the largest Black family grocery chain in the state of Wisconsin. Martin’s message to students was to have confidence in yourself, follow your dreams and save your money. Martin is pictured with his wife, Lena, whose name is publicly viewed on the four grocery stores through the city of Milwaukee. The Spann Scholarship Foundation was established by Dr. Wilma Spann, a retired MPS administrator, in her late husband’s name. The foundation was formed in January, 2001 to continue his ministry and legacy. This year's scholarship recipients are Je’Vaughn Harris, Imani Peterson, Brielle Richmond, Nichelle Robinson and Andre’ Turner.
Congratulations to Rev. James Spann II Scholarship Recipients