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Vol. 32 No. 37 • Thurs., Sept. 12, 2013 - Wed., Sept. 18, 2013 • An NCON Publication Serving The Milwaukee Area • 65¢
MEEP honors mentors and supporters
Milwaukee Exposure and Explorer Project held its 4th Annual Luncheon on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Brown Deer. Mentors and supporters were honored for tutoring and mentoring students at Bryant Elementary School and Carson School of Math and Science. The MEEP was started by three retired educators who wanted to expose children to various careers and professional people. MEEP founder Lilly Simmons shared her dream with her pastor, Rev. Martin Childs of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and was encouraged to start the program. Rev. Childs along with her wife, Theresa were recognized for their contributions. Mrs. Carla Allison, owner of the Reader’s Choice bookstore was acknowledged for introducing African American books and authors to children.
Photos By Lynda Jackson Conyers
Pastors United training program for Milwaukee By: Raina J. Johnson Special to The Milwaukee Times Earlier this month, the grassroots organization Pastors United held sign-ups and interest forums for a job training program they wish to sponsor in order to bring jobs to Milwaukee’s residents and in areas of high unemployment. The group began with surveying the public in regards to what they feel are the most pertinent issues facing the African American community in Milwaukee, and the high unemployment numbers were at the top of the list. At the sign-ups, over 500 people responded with their interest in a job training program. Appointed chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, Ezzard White is a master electrician by trade and owner for over 30 years of EWS Electric Industrial Trucking and Traffic Control. In 2009, White began working on The Ohms Project, an opportunity to give men and women better-
than-average skilled trades training. White has also been a teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools. “There is a dire need to connect with the community; we are trying to reach men and women in order to get them gainful employment to support their families,” White said. He desires to partner with Milwaukee Public Schools and the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP)/Big Step. “In this city we need to work collectively to employ these young people, many who are products of the Milwaukee Public School system, “ he added. The next steps in the process for Pastors United economic development committee is to secure the site where the training will take place and to secure the finances for the programs. White said he is confident this will happen soon. “With all the development happening in the city, I’d hate to see men and women left out of opportunity due to lack of skills,” he concluded.
Staff Photo
Pastors United, is a faith-based community organization founded in March 2013 and comprised of pastors, ministers, business men and women who meet every Thursday to discuss and offer solutions to the myriad of problems plaguing the city’s African American community. Issues such as crime and incarceration, education, business and economic development, and the Affordable Care Act are a few of the issues discussed in recent weeks. At last week’s Pastors United meeting, Mr. Ezzard White, chairman of Pastors United Economic Development Committee, made an excellent presentation regarding the OHMS Job Training program, which 800 individuals have completed applications to participate in. The OHMS Jobs Training is expected to begin in the very near future.