This is the second of a five-part series. Part 1 is here and Part 2 is here.
Earl Arms
Earl Arms is a media and public relations strategist at Northwestern Mutual and host of Black Nouveau, an award-winning program offering messages that promote positive images, interviews and profiles of Black movers and shakers on Milwaukee PBS. He previously worked as director of communications for Milwaukee Public Schools and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. He began his career as a sports and news anchor and reporter at television stations in Saginaw, Michigan; Milwaukee; and Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW-Whitewater.
Michael Etheridge
Michael Etheridge is executive director of The Road Home Dane County, a nonprofit organization that addresses homelessness in the Madison area. He came to Madison in August after serving 10 years as the executive director of The Haven of Manitowoc County, Inc., a men’s homeless shelter, according to a press release from The Road Home, and under his leadership, The Haven made significant strides, serving 490 men and securing permanent housing for 70% of them. He also spearheaded a shared housing expansion, providing a crucial bridge for guests transitioning to permanent housing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music at UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in leadership and organizational development from Lakeland University.
Anjoli Rashid
Anjoli Rashid is plant manager of Procter and Gamble’s Green Bay plant, where hundreds of employees produce Bounty Paper Towels, Charmin Toilet Tissue, and Puffs Facial Tissue. She’s worked her way up over more than 20 years. She started as an engineer in the family care division in Pennsylvania and held progressively responsible roles at sites across the country before coming to Wisconsin in 2022. She is also chair of the board of Brown County United Way. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at Conell and an MBA from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Christopher Canty
Christopher Canty is a large enterprise account executive at consulting firm Gartner, where he partners with billion-dollar companies in southern Wisconsin. He has previously held sales roles at LinkedIn, Grainger, Office Depot and Kraft Foods. He also serves on the Madison College District Board and the board of directors for 100 Black Men of Madison. He received their Mentorship Award of Excellence in 2018. Canty earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Isaiah Ness
Isaiah Ness is founder of Sun Bear Industries, a consulting firm specializing in connecting Wisconsin’s Indigenous nations with renewable energy in order to lower costs and work toward energy sovereignty. His entrepreneurial journey began while he was still a student at UW-Milwaukee, where he co-founded Project Green Energy and the clothing brand Sun Bear Trading Company. He went on to launch solar energy sales firm Array Energy in 2022 before starting Sun Bear Industries in 2023. He earned a degree in economics from UW-Milwaukee in 2022.
Laura Jones
Laura Jones is director of the Diversity & Intercultural Center at Lawrence University. Laura began her professional career at the Boys and Girls Club as a Scholars on Target to Achieve Results (STAR) Coordinator, focusing on closing the opportunity gap for Black and African American students. This role ignited her commitment to supporting underrepresented communities, a passion that led her to join African Heritage, Inc. as the Social and Community Outreach Service Director after years of volunteering with the organization. She continues to serve with African Heritage, Inc. as a member and volunteer, and as a mentor with the organization Lovin’ the Skin I’m In, which focuses on connecting and uplifting Black and Brown girls in Northeast Wisconsin. Laura also plays a key role in Umoja, a conference for transracial adoptees and their families, where she develops children’s curricula and recruits local college students to participate as mentors. Laura is co-author of Teaching Beautiful, Brilliant Black Girls and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Laura graduated with a degree in sociology from St. Norbert College and in May 2021, earned her Master’s Degree in Student Affairs Administration. Sheshe is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Educational Management at Hampton University, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and leadership in higher education.
Tenisha Grimmer
Tenisha Grimmer is chief financial officer at Access Community Health Centers, where she started more than eight years ago as a senior accountant. Tenisha is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Health Care Financial Professional (CHFP), an Inclusion Institute Certified Diversity Practitioner (IICDP) through the People Company.. She has served on the Boards of NAMI Wisconsin and the YWCA and is currently on the Asset Committee of the YWCA and the Finance Committee for Wisconsin Health+.Tenisha earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Quincy University and recently graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Lyle Banks
Lyle Banks is retiring at the end of this year as vice president and general manager of Morgan Murphy Media, overseeing WISC-TV, TVW, Phase 3 Digital and Madison Magazine. He joined Morgan Murphy in 2020 to cap off a 40-year career in leadership of television stations in Norfolk, Virginia; Chicago, and Atlanta. He’s previously served on National Association of Broadcasters TV Board of Directors. He’s a graduate of both General Electric’s exclusive Executive Development Course and the NAB’s Broadcast Leadership Training program. He earned a degree in economics from Carleton College.
Part 4 coming tomorrow!
