This is the first of a five-part series.
Every year since our founding in 2015, we have recognized Wisconsin’s most influential Black and Latino leaders, and we are very proud now to also begin to recognize Indigenous and Asian American leaders. These lists have become the most anticipated thing we do.
Every year, I’ve intended these lists to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want young people here in Wisconsin to see role models who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here.
This week, for the 10th time, we shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Black community. The people we highlight this week are elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work. We are also aware that this list, like every other, is not comprehensive. There are, without a doubt, more than 40 influential Black leaders doing good work in Wisconsin. We hope you will let us know about people in your community whom we can include on future lists. For now, though, we just want to introduce you to a few of the people doing the work, often behind the scenes and without the accolades, across Wisconsin.
You might know a few of these names, but there’s a good chance that most of them will be new to you. I urge you to get to know them. Reach out to those living and working in your communities. Learn from them, network, create partnerships. And spread the word — let others in your network know that we have people of all ethnicities living and working across Wisconsin to make this state a good and prosperous place for all.
Henry Sanders, Publisher, Madison365
Andrew Amouzou
Andrew Amouzou is a neighborhood reporter covering Green Bay for NBC26. A Chicago native, he studied broadcast journalism at Marquette. He worked as a news and sports reporter for the Marquette Wire, ultimately serving as executive director of the student news station MUTV as a senior. Andrew earned a number of accolades from the Milwaukee Press Club, Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, which included the 2023 Student Leadership Award. He also co-founded the Advancement & Guidance for Journalists of Color, a focus group for students of color to build networking in the journalism world.
Charles Tubbs
Charles Tubbs is director of Dane County Emergency Management, where he leads a department responsible for Dane County’s effective disaster response and recovery efforts in support of local governments and the Dane County Emergency Management programs. Tubbs took on the County role in 2012 upon retiring after 40 years in law enforcement. He previously served as deputy chief and interim chief for the Beloit Police Department, administrator of the State of Wisconsin Division of Juvenile Corrections and chief of the Wisconsin State Capitol Police.He was appointed to the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. He serves as an honorary commander of the 115th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He serves nationally as an adjunct instructor, observer and controller for the United States Department of Homeland Security and FEMA Integrated Emergency Management Courses. Tubbs is vice president of 100 Black Men of Madison and a board member for Restoring Roots, and founded Beloit’s Midnight Basketball program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Mount Senario College.
DeVona Wright Cottrell
DeVona Wright Cottrell is chief legal officer and general counsel for global experiential agency GMR Marketing and the Omnicom Experiential Group (OEG) more broadly. She serves as the agency’s key corporate legal advisor, oversees the agency’s legal and risk management teams, and acts as a partner to agency leadership. Previously, DeVona was director and associate general counsel of Robert W. Baird & Co, where she provided legal support to several of the firm’s corporate resource groups including Risk Management, Compliance and Facilities with regard to information security, privacy, regulatory and commercial real estate-related matters. DeVona is a mentor to many and serves in a number of professional organizations and civic activities, including board chair for TEMPO Milwaukee; WI steering committee member, board member of First Federal Bank of Wisconsin and Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy; Greater Milwaukee Committee Member; United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County (UWGMWC) board member and co-chair of Diversity Leadership Society for UWGMWC; and special counsel for Greater New Birth Church. She was named 2021 Women of Influence Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State, law degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the UW-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business.
Kyle Ashley
Kyle Ashley is Milwaukee County’s Director of Community Outreach, a role he took on in June after nearly three years as DEI consultant and professional development trainer at Share Collaborative. Over the course of a career in community engagement he has also served as director of Governor Tony Evers’ Milwaukee office, community engagement manager for Unite Us, community liaison and project development manager for RISE Youth and Family Services, and more than 10 years as a case manager and program coordinator for the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership. He also serves on the boards of Safe and Sound and the Milwaukee Food Council, and previously served on the culture and engagement committee with Milwaukee Film, the advisory council of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, the Sherman Park BUILD Committee, and as board president of the Wauwatosa Virtual Academy.
Rayhainio Boynes
Rayhainio Boynes, better known as Ray Nitti, is a musician, activist and entrepreneur in Milwaukee. He is co-founder of Sharp Creatives, a consulting agency that connects the creative professional community to opportunities, platforms, and resources. In 2021, he became one of three investors, along with Que El-Amin and Mikal Wesley, in a $68 million real estate development in Milwaukee’s central city that is currently in the process of bringing 200 affordable apartments as well as commercial space to the heart of the city. Boynes attended Concordia University where he ran the student radio station.
Walter J. Lanier
Walter J. Lanier is founder of Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Solutions (GLUE), an organization focused on addressing urban challenges in the Great Lakes region. He also serves as the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Milwaukee, where he has fostered an inclusive and service-oriented community. His leadership has extended to addressing mental health challenges through the MIRACLE Initiative, which connects faith-based and community leaders to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma. In nearly 14 years at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Lanier spearheaded programs such as the Men of Color Initiative, aimed at supporting Black male students, and established the institution’s Counseling and Psychological Services department to ensure mental health resources are accessible to students. His community engagement has also extended to board leadership roles, including a stint as chair of the Milwaukee County Pension Board and service on the boards of Managed Health Services, Legacy Bank and Citizen Action of Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business at UW-Milwaukee, master of divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Donna Brown-Martin
Donna Brown-Martin is director of the Milwaukee County Transportation Department, where she oversees two airports (Mitchell International and Timmerman), the 40 routes and 3,000 stops of the Milwaukee County Transit System, and maintenance and improvement of all transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, the vehicle fleet and more. She was appointed to the post by former County Executive Chris Abele in 2018 after 25 years with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where she served as director of the Bureau of Planning and Economic Development. Prior to that, she assisted communities across the state in making sound transportation decisions and investments while leading the Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors. While serving in the Division of Motor Vehicles, she led field services and driver services. She has also held planning positions at WisDOT, including managing urban transportation planning for Southeast Wisconsin. Brown-Martin was recognized as Woman of the Year in 2004 by the Wisconsin Women’s Transportation Seminar. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michelle Behnke
Michelle Behnke is an attorney at the Boardman Clark law firm in Madison, and president-elect of the American Bar Association. Prior to joining the firm, she was the principal of the firm Michelle Behnke & Associates, where her practice focused on business, real estate and estate planning. Michelle served as Treasurer of the ABA 2017-2020. Following her time as Treasurer, she chaired the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. Michelle previously served on the ABA Board of Governors 2010-2013, including serving as Chair of Operations and Communications Committee of the Board. Michelle’s other ABA service includes Chair of the Investments Subcommittee, Chair of the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services, and member of the Standing Committee on Membership. Michelle served as the first Black president of State Bar of Wisconsin in 2004-05. Currently, Michelle serves on the University of Wisconsin Law School Board of Visitors and the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Capitol Bank and has previously served on the Boards of Dean Health Plan, Inc., and SSM Healthcare of Wisconsin. Michelle received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Economics and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Part 2 coming tomorrow!
