This is the first of a five-part series highlighting Wisconsin’s most influential Black leaders in government, business and the community. Part two will be published tomorrow.
This marks the third year that we’ve published our Black Power list, naming the most influential Black leaders in Wisconsin. Every year, I’ve intended this list to highlight the beauty of the diversity in our community. I want kids here in Wisconsin to see role models of people who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for African Americans to achieve great things here.
That’s exactly what our first two lists accomplished, and what we hope to continue with this year’s list.
This list is not, and was not intended to be, exhaustive. It will, however, introduce you to some people you’ve never heard of who are doing great things in other parts of the state or simply working behind the scenes, doing the work without the accolades.
It was important for us to expand the way we think about influence, and to highlight more of the people doing what it takes to improve their community. That’s one reason this list is entirely new — we considered anyone named on previous lists to be ineligible for this one, even though most of them continue to wield considerable influence.
Over the next five days I hope you learn something you didn’t know about some of the real leaders in communities throughout Wisconsin, and that we might be able to make some connections and start conversations that really move communities forward.
Henry Sanders
Toya Washington is one of Milwaukee’s true local celebs, as she co-anchors the 5 pm newscast on WISN. She is an Emmy Award winner and a four-time nominee. In 2015 she fought against sexist stereotypes that female news anchors sometimes face, responding in epic fashion to a viewer who wrote a letter lecturing her on her fashion choices. Washington is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and has consulted with the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Kimila Daniels is the Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Quartz Health Solutions, Inc. Kimila joined the company in 2013 with more than two decades of human resources and organizational development experience. Daniels’ background includes leadership positions in both the public and private sectors as well as a range of industries including property and casualty insurance, entertainment and higher education. In her role at Quartz, Daniels is responsible for all of the company’s information technology, human resources and facilities management activities. In addition, she leads strategic human resources, internal communication and organizational management initiatives that drive the organization’s growth as an employer of choice in central Wisconsin.
Mike Ford, aka The Hip Hop Architect, has been taking the country by storm since February, when the Madison Public Library hosted his first Hip Hop Architecture camp. The camp challenged young people of color to think critically and dream big about their neighborhoods and communities — and also challenged the City of Madison’s urban planners to listen to what those young people had to say. The camp has since been replicated all across the country, showing up on The Today Show and earning a national award from the Urban Libraries Council. Ford, a native of Detroit, also taught architecture at Madison College.
Jacquelyn Hunt has been one of Madison’s truly impactful community members, currently serving as the community support specialist for the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, where she identifies and implements necessary programming conducive to the needs of various communities in Madison. Her work in the organization includes helping emerging leaders develop leadership skills to help their respective communities. Hunt is also a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor for Anesis Marriage and Family Therapy Center. Hunt uses her skills as a culturally competent professional counselor to assist disadvantaged adults, helping them realize their potential.
Sean Lowe is the Central Region Vice President of the National Urban League Young Professionals, a position he just got promoted to this year after serving as president of the Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals, where he has been a member for over 12 years. Since 2014 Lowe’s leadership has led the organization to an increase in membership–jumping from 22 members to a peak of 203. The chapter has also received many accolades, including the 2016 National Urban League Young Professionals Select Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award. Since graduating from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration, Lowe has spent over 13 years at Northwestern Mutual, where he is now an investment client services specialist at Northwestern Mutual. Recently named one of Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2017 40 under 40, Lowe continues to use his skills to help others in his community through professional development.
Ameerah McBride is the lead administrator on affirmative action, equal opportunity and disability issues, as well as diversity and inclusion efforts at UW-Oshkosh. The native of Trenton, New Jersey holds a law degree and several certifications in the area of dating and sexual violence prevention, victim interviewing and program evaluation. Before coming to the Fox Valley, McBride worked in the Kansas State affirmative action office and served as an investigator in the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services in Atlanta. She also investigated discrimination complaints with the YWCA and worked in mental health social work with prison health services and advocacy with the Barton Child Law and Policy Center of Emory University.
Rodney Prunty is the President and CEO of United Way in Racine County. Prunty has worked in education, social services and has fought to bring awareness to childhood mental health issues along with the Johnson Foundation. He joined the United Way of Racine County in 2015 with 25 years of nonprofit experience, including a stint as a resource development manager and later vice president at United Way of Rock River Valley.
Part Two is coming tomorrow!
