The 40th Annual
Black Excellence Awards
The Black Excellence Awards is an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of African Americans in various fields, including Education, Arts, Culture, Religion, and Business. This year, in a special tribute to Four Decades of Excellence, the awards will honor 40 phenomenal women who have made impactful strides and demonstrated outstanding dedication in their respective areas.
By highlighting these exceptional women, the awards not only recognize their individual accomplishments but also serve as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging others in the community to pursue their goals with passion and determination. Each honoree exemplifies excellence through leadership, innovation, and service, setting a powerful example for future generations.
In addition to celebrating these inspiring women, the event plays a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of leaders through the Louvenia Johnson Scholarship. By raising crucial funds for 12 gifted, talented, and service-minded African American high school seniors, the awards help these young individuals embark on educational journeys at colleges or trade schools. This initiative empowers students to further their education and inspires them to give back to their communities, creating a lasting and positive impact.
Event Details
Celebrating Four Decades of Excellence:
Honoring Phenomenal Women
Friday, February 28, 2025
Reception: 6:00 pm
Dinner and Program: 7:00 pm
The Baird Center
400 W. Wisconsin Ave. • Milwaukee, WI 53203
(Entrance on 4th and Wisconsin Ave.)
Tickets
Table (10 seats)- $950.00
Individual Ticket – $95.00 each
Contact:
For tickets, please call Treneshia Gibert (262) 283-8383
or e-mail: missttg@gmail.com
Our Partners
The success of the Awards ceremony is due to a dedicated committee that has worked diligently and persistently to spotlight our honorees.
We most graciously thank our 40th Annual Awards co-sponsors: WISN-Channel 12, The Greater Milwaukee Urban League, Palermos, Gruber Law Offices, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Goodwill Foundation, Green Bay Packer Give Back Foundation.
Keynote Speaker
Gabrielle Finley-Hazle
President of Aurora Health Care
2025 Honorees: Saluting The Best In Our Community!
ASPIRING GAME CHANGERS
Ashley Price
Vice President, Manager
Associate Financial Advice Team
Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.
Lirhonda Price
Community Relations Director
Goodwill Greater Milwaukee and Chicago
WOMEN IN THE ARTS
Rosy Petri
Multimedia Artist
Sande Robinson
Art Collector/Arts Advocate
WOMEN IN EDUCATION
Dr. Mary Bowie
Retired Administrator
Milwaukee Public Schools
Cheryl Lewis
3rd Grade Teacher
Brown Deer Elementary School
Joyce Mallory
Former MPS Board of Directors
(1983-1993)
WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS
Kristin Pierce
Anchor
WISN CH.12
Gerri Sykes
First Black Female
Television Host in Milwaukee
Jacqueline Zeledon
Strategic Communications Manager
Milwaukee County Office of Equity
WOMEN IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Terese Caro
President/CEO
Legacy Redevelopment Corporation
Nicole Robbins
Executive Director
Martin Luther King Economic Development
Marjorie Rucker
Executive Director
The Business Council Inc.
WOMEN IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
Maricha M. Harris, M.A.
Executive Director
Dominican Center For Women
Shakita LaGrant McClain
Director
Milwaukee County Office of
Health and Human Services
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Tiffany Henry
Milwaukee Office Director
Office of US Senator
Tammy Baldwin
Joan Johnson
Director and City Librarian
Milwaukee Public Library
WOMEN IN LAW
Lt. Jasmine Arce
Director, Gun Violence Division
Milwaukee Police Department
Darlene Austin
Director of Diversity,
Employee Relations and Corporate SocialResponsibility
Quarles
WOMEN IN THE MEDICAL FIELD
Dr. Dora Clayton Jones,
PhD, RN, Associate Professor
Marquette University
Julia Harris-Robinson
President & CEO
Outreach Community Health Centers
WOMEN IN THE MILITARY
Anna Mae Robinson
Member of the Six Triple Eight Army Corp
Sgt. Major Tanya Sloan
United States Army
Dr. Josie Veal, 2nd Lt.
United States Army
WOMEN IN MORTUARY SCIENCE
Michelle Pitts Luckett
President/Owner
The New Pitts Mortuary
Sheila Reid
President/CEO
Reid’s Golden Gate Funeral
Home & Cremation and House of Branch
WOMEN IN MUSIC
Peaches Reynolds
Community Leader & Acclaimed Vocalist
Sheri Williams Pannell
Music & Theatre Director
WOMEN IN NONCONVENTIONAL BUSINESS
Natasha Broxton, CEO
Select Auto Parts & Service
Rose A. McMillian
Personal Manager
Watkins Products
Paula Nelson, CEO
Roy’s Plumbing
WOMEN IN SOCIAL SERVICES
Kelli Adams, MSM
Provider Contract Manager,
LTSS-Complex
My Choice Wisconsin by Molina Healthcare
Michelle R. Allison
Information & Outreach Coordinator
Milwaukee County Health & Human Services Division On Aging
Dr. Lia A. Knox
Founder & CEO
Knox Behavioral Solutions
& Co-Founder, Black Space, Inc.
WOMEN IN SPORTS
Kareeda Chones Aguam
Senior VP of Partner Strategy & Management
Milwaukee Bucks
Katari Key
Athletic Director
Alverno College & We Black, We Golf
WOMEN IN VOLUNTEERISM
Nobie Reed
T.L.O.D.
Cathy D. Wanzo
AKA and PTO Chapters
South African Service Projects
Special Honorees: African American Sororities!
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Milwaukee Chapter
Sharon D, Williams, President
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Kappa Beta Zeta Chapter
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jennifer Beckwith Wright, President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Upsilon Mu Omega Chapter
Jaquilla Ross, President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter
Dr. Tanzanique Carrington, President
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Gamma Pi Sigma Chapter
Cynthia Leonard Basileus
Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Alpha Pi Chapter
Kim Ingram, President
OUR STATISTICS
Because of your donations,
we can honor Black Excellence!
Scholarships Awards
Honorees
