KENOSHA, Wis. – Three-time Olympic gold medalist and international humanitarian Jackie Joyner-Kersee will visit Carthage College during Homecoming and Family Weekend October 14-17. Joyner-Kersee will discuss the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games and deliver the keynote address at the 150 Years of Carthage Women closing celebration.
“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to share my story to many audiences around the world, but there is always something special about speaking to young people, which is why I’m excited to come to Carthage,” says Joyner-Kersee. “These people are our future. They have their whole lives in front of them; endless possibilities and many unforeseen challenges. There is so much potential. I hope that something I’ve been through may help guide them in any small way toward seeing their own dreams come true.” One of the most decorated female athletes of all time, Joyner-Kersee, dominated the track and field circuit in the 1980s and ’90s. She won six medals spanning four Olympic Games and holds the world record time in the heptathlon. In 2004, she was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame. Following her illustrious career, Joyner-Kersee set her sights on aiding others. She created The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation which strives to change the lives of at-risk and low-income children in East St. Louis and across the U.S. She also helped establish Athletes for Hope and is an advocate for healthy lifestyles. On Thursday, Oct. 14, Daniel Orlando Diaz, director of World Cup, Olympic, and Cross-Platform Partnerships at NBCUniversal Media will join Joyner-Kersee for Carthage College’s Spotlight on Sports Speaker Series. Diaz is a Carthage alumnus who graduated in 2011 with cum laude honors while majoring in communication, public relations, and Spanish. Diaz is responsible for TV and digital video ad sponsorship of the World Cup, Olympics, and more across NBCUniversal™ owned television stations. To register for the Spotlight on Sports Series,The World is Watching: Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020, and Beijing 2022 with Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Daniel Orlando Diaz visit https://www.carthage.edu/news/ To register for the150 Years of Carthage Women Closing Celebration with Jackie Joyner-Kersee and learn more about Homecoming and Family Weekend events visit https://www.carthage.edu/ These events are free and open to the public. Ms. Joyner-Kersee will have media availability at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14. Please call or email in advance so we can accommodate you. Media are also invited to attend the Spotlight on Sports event Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. Please let us know in advance if you plan to attend that event. NOTE TO EDITORS: Two high-resolution photos are attached for your use: one of Jackie Joyner-Kersee and one of Daniel Orlando Diaz. |
|
About Carthage Carthage College is raising expectations for a private college experience. It blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Grow with Carthage: www.carthage.edu |
Charles Warren: Judge, Chief and Sensei
If asked to choose a local African American for a real-life docudrama based on their historical relevancy and individual accomplishments, Charles Warren would be on my shortlist.
If you didn’t know him, you’d probably walk past the physically fit but unassuming community elder without realizing you just shared space with a true Black history maker whose name will also be etched in the monument of Black pioneers.
Hundreds of benefactors of his groundbreaking martial arts system will be on hand this Saturday to pay tribute to ‘Sensei’ (instructor) Warren as his karate system marks its 50th anniversary.
The event, set for the Four Seasons on Brown Deer Road, has been sold out for weeks, a testament to Warren’s popularity and influence.
There’s no question he is a martial arts innovator whose vision brought into focus a system that has positively impacted thousands of Black Milwaukee youth.
Yet, that is but part of the story.
Warren’s life journey is worthy of a screenplay that could fit into several categories, from an authentic military action hero to a pioneer law enforcement officer.
He served for over 23 years with the Wisconsin Highway Patrol, was named chief of the Palmyra, Wisconsin police department, and is currently a municipal court judge in that community.
That’s right, he currently holds the title of ‘Judge Charles Warren.’
Both positions are historic firsts for an African American.
But his law enforcement career has another watermelon seed on top:
Before those history-making accomplishments, Warren served two tours as a military/police advisor in Kosovo during the height of that country’s civil war.
His history-making accomplishments aside, Warren will probably be best remembered for opening the first African American school in the state.
From a small room in the back of the old Northside YMCA with four students in 1970 to six schools throughout the state and an academy in Strpce, Kosovo, Warren has taught and mentored an untold number of youth and adults during his five decades of teaching here and abroad.
His Kosovo school has produced some of the best martial artists in Europe.
They continue a tradition of inimitably trained and hard-edged fighters who have elevated Kempo Goju as one of the most respected fighting schools in the Midwest.
His local students (he also has dojos in Palmyra and Hudson, Wisconsin) are known for their aggressive style of fighting that strikes fear in the hearts of opponents in both professional and amateur tournaments.
And I’m not exaggerating!
I recall going to a tournament in northern Wisconsin many years ago, during which the head instructor of another dojo refused to allow his student to compete against ours.
He said we were ‘too rough.’
‘Tough or fearless’ would be better descriptions, for that is what Kempo Goju has symbolized for decades.
Warren’s students have excelled in competition over the decades, a fact that can be traced to his introduction of traditional training methods intermingled with unique fighting techniques.
In fact, Warren revealed in a recent interview that he originally named his program ‘Milwaukee Kick Fighters.’
After his students drew notice during a national karate tournament in the 1970s, it was suggested he change the name to a traditional karate moniker to gain greater acceptance in the karate world.
Thus was born Kempo Goju Karate, reflecting a merger of Japanese and Chinese styles.
It’s almost impossible to separate his karate style from Warren’s persona.
He was first introduced to Goju Karate as a teenaged Air Force non-commissioned officer while stationed in Japan, following a tour in Vietnam.
He quickly embraced and excelled under internationally recognized ‘master’ instructor Gogen Yamaguchi.
After his military service, Warren ventured to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he studied Kempo under Bob Cumming.
Upon returning to Milwaukee, he merged the two styles to form his own system: Kempo Goju, a structure accommodating different body types. It includes both a hard and soft style of traditional karate, with Chinese boxing.
Kempo Goju is thus more realistic for real-life combat scenarios, particularly those in central cities where ‘Ghetto Ryu’ is an unstructured but deadly reality.
Sensei Warren first introduced his system at the Northside YMCA with four students, including the late Muhammad Sabir, who became one of his first black belts and became a catalyst for the system’s growth.
Sabir made the transition last year. His impact, however, will live on indefinitely. He, too, will be recognized on Saturday.
Warren’s students include a who’s who of notable African Americans, including African American physicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, and law enforcement.
I, too, am a proud member of that fraternity, having been initially invited to study with Sensei Warren and later joining Sabir for nearly four decades. All of my male children have earned Black belts, and I have grandchildren currently learning the art.
I recognized long ago the benefits of membership in the fraternity and how it instills in Black youth—discipline, comradery, and self-maturation. In many respects, Kempo Goju serves as our Rites of Passage.
It is not a coincidence that most of the system’s students come from single-parent homes. Or that Kempo Goju instructors fill a void left by the absence of a male role model in most of their lives.
“We are mentors,” Warren confirmed. “And we take our mission seriously.
“Many parents are looking for guidance, someone to mentor their children; not just boys, but girls as well. It’s a role we embrace.
“It’s been my thinking since the beginning that we—instructors— must lead by example. Those who stand at the front of the class must be an example to follow; instructors must be mentors who don’t just teach karate. They must care for the welfare of the child and respect the adults we teach as well.”
Thus, it should not be surprising that Warren’s instructors have followed his lead and created an environment at the dojos that transcend self-defense training.
Young students are required to bring in report cards for review. Instructors meet with their parent(s) regularly.
Mothers frequently call on instructors to respond to problems a student might encounter in school or the neighborhood.
And it is not unusual for instructors to visit schools unannounced to check up on students.
Sabir took that role to another level. As a former teacher with a Ph.D. in education, he set up classrooms in the basement of his dojo and tutored his students. He served the role of surrogate father to hundreds of children, including as a disciplinarian.
In the early days of his system, Warren said his primary intent was simply to “make great fighters,” which he did with several earning national acclaim.
But as his system grew, his focus changed. Somewhat.
“Back in the day, we were known for being strong fighters, including the women. In the 70s and 80s, karate tournaments didn’t have male and female divisions. Men and women fought each other. And our women usually came out on top.”
Chief/Judge/Sensei Warren pauses when I ask him about his life’s journey.
He is an unassuming brother whose accomplishments resulted from a guiding hand–fate–he acknowledged.
He never envisioned creating a karate style when he ventured into the dojo in Japan. And he was encouraged but didn’t seriously approach his application for chief of police of the small community of Palmyra, which is halfway between Milwaukee and Madison.
Most surprisingly, he didn’t know he was a candidate for municipal judge until he was told of a ‘write-in’ campaign initiated by residents without his knowledge. He won that election by less than 200 votes.
While he takes his history-making accomplishments in stride, he is seemingly taken aback when I note that he has transitioned from a ‘fighter to a first.’
Nonetheless, he is always mindful of his public persona and his most significant innovation, Kempo Goju Karate.
For it has impacted more lives than he has influenced in law enforcement or military service.
Indeed, one of his greatest joys is in witnessing what his students have become as adults.
I don’t dare try to list them for fear of leaving out too many. Still, I can truthfully say they are represented in nearly all fields of endeavor. Chances are you have come in contact with one without realizing it.
I’ll put it this way:
Many years ago, when it was rumored that then-State Rep. Spencer Coggs was being pushed into a physical altercation with State Senator Gary George, I put my money on Spencer because he once wore a karate uniform with a Kempo Goju logo on it.
Coggs is now the city’s first African American treasurer.
But it isn’t the politicians, physicians, or pastors he impacted that he’s particularly proud of. It’s the nameless children who have become good citizens, neighbors, and husbands and wives.
He taught them humility, self-respect, and discipline.
Few have strayed from the path he charted, a fact that he cherishes more than any accolade or award.
Kempo Goju is the largest martial arts system in Milwaukee. However, Sensei Warren will be the first to reveal he has never sought to become self-sufficient, much less live a life of luxury.
“It’s never been about the money,” he revealed.
“We have never turned away a student because they couldn’t afford the fees.
“The Koreans abandoned the city because they didn’t feel it was profitable,” he explained, noting how most Tae Kwon Do schools relocated to the suburbs in the early 1980s.
“Ours was more a mission (than a for-profit business). Amazingly, we survived 50 years. Wow!” he exclaimed, his voice taking on a happy tone.
“Fifty years. Who would have thought it?”
Asked how he would like to be remembered 50 years from now, he surprisingly didn’t note his historic contributions or how he impacted the thousands who bowed as they entered the dojo floor.
Instead, from a cultural standpoint, he hopes people remember him as a role model, a mentor to the multitudes.
On a personal note, he says he takes particular pride in being physically fit even though he passed the seven-decade threshold.
“I remember my 87-year-old grandfather removing his cigars from his shirt pocket as he preceded to walk on his hands around the house.
“Can you imagine that? An 87-year-old man walking on his hands from room to room.
“He told me to always remember that physical fitness is free. And like education, it’s something no one can ever take away from you.”
Chief/Judge/Sensei Warren says he is proud to say he is physically fit and a role model for his students despite being three times the age of most.
And I have no doubt he can still walk on his hands, even while holding up dozens of awards and a ton of positive memories.
Hotep.
National Fire Prevention Week and the 150 year anniversary of The Great Chicago Fire and The Great Peshtigo Fire
Mural of The Great Peshtigo Fire / Mass Grave
The fall season and holidays are truly here! As we continue to reclaim our lives and combat Covid 19, we are in the heart of camping and hunting season. It is a most excellent time for us to reflect on the need for fire safety and prevention in Wisconsin. This information and the threat of fire are always there for campers, city dwellers and those Wisconsinites living in rural areas alike.
What you may not know is that the end of this week Friday October 8th, 2021 is the 150th anniversary of “The Great Chicago Fire” which killed an approximated 300 people and burned much of the wooden buildings (common at that time) and left over 100,000 people homeless. We here in Wisconsin are also known for another “Great fire” that occurred that same night Oct 8th 1871 just about 250 miles from Chicago The Great Peshtigo WI fire was at that time the deadliest wildfire in US History killing 1,200 residents. This area of Marinette WI is also known as The City Rebuilt From Ashes, and is marked by the Peshtigo Fire Museum
“150 years after the Great Chicago Fire, we’re more vulnerable” says NPR’s Scott Simon, 33 residential home fires and 52 local fatalities have struck WI this year alone (Jan 1st – 0ct 3rd 2021) Fire’s, and natural disasters provide a grim reminder that we must not ignore prevention methods or our own risk regardless of the environment we find ourselves. The proper usage and availability of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and developing fire safety plans for school, home and work are our best tools in fire prevention. It is also recommended that you plan to pack fire extinguisher(s) and gallons of water in your camping/ survival gear or even in your cars. Always examine fire plans in public spaces and remainomg aware of your exits are always good rules of thumb as well.
“What we understand better today was that the Midwest was historically dry in the summer of 1871. When a low-pressure front with cooler temperatures rolled in, it stirred up winds, which can fan sparks into wildfires. The fires themselves churn up more winds. Several parts of nearby Michigan also burned during the same few days; at least 500 people were killed there.
150 years later, all of those fires on an autumn night in 1871 might help us see even more clearly how rising global temperatures and severe droughts, from Australia to Algeria to California, have made forests more tinder-dry, fragile, and flammable, and people more vulnerable to the climate changes we’ve helped create.” – Writes Simon
Whether that risk is made up of outdoor fire hazards, poor campsite fire methods, or indoor electronics, candles, or incense the risk to one’s safety livelihood and by extension whole communities can be impacted by the spark of small fires. Attached are some local fire safety resources, have fun this fall and stay safe!!!!!
City of Brookfield National Fire Prevention Week Educational Programming
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Burning restrictions, wildfire and prescribed fire activity
U.S. Fire Administration Wisconsin Fire Loss and Fire Department Profile
National Fire Prevention Week Toolkit
The Classic Shoppe: Black Owned. Black Excellence.
“Trends Fade. We Are Classic.”
When you think of Black Culture amongst clothing, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
If the question is a bit hard to truly uncover, there is one franchise that can help with that.
Last time, I covered a wonderful Black Owned clothing location inside of the illustrious Sherman Phoenix shopping mall. This week, I continue that trend in covering another excellent Black Owned clothing staple inside of the aforementioned location. Created by a young, talented individual wanting to bring back an edgy, urban feel to their clothing, the Classic Shoppe clothing store has become a fashion juggernaut amongst the City of Milwaukee.
The Founder, Marie Carter, thought of the idea for this business venture as stated on the Classic Shoppe website, “Due to the frustration of not being able to find clothing else where that was truly representative of the Urban Community.”
It was then that the idea to develop a clothing brand that not only represented our people but created a style for all man, woman and child to enjoy wearing. A brand that represented staying power in the community. A brand that allowed for our culture to be more than a quick fad for a quick buck. A brand that spoke to us as not just a race but as a people. With amazing prices, clothes of all kinds, colors and wonderful service, there’s no wonder that the Classic Shoppe has become such a hit in the city of Milwaukee. It has truly done it’s job in providing a brand that truly represents Black Culture and bringing forth…a new movement.
While the Classic Shoppe can be found inside of Sherman Phoenix, clothing can also be shipped around the world from their website (www.theclassicshoppe.com)
Please, check out this incredible establishment and look down below for examples of their truly phenomenal clothing selections.
~Quardeay
“My HAIRstory!” Series Celebrates Black Hair from Cartoon Network’s Craig of the Creek with Celebrity Hairstylist Kim Kimble
Beginning on National Hair Day, Friday, Oct. 1, Tutorials Hosted By Celebrity Hairstylist Kim Kimble on her Instagram Account, Feature Hairstyles Inspired by Characters from the Hit Series
Check Out the “My HAIRstory!” Teaser by Clicking Here
Celebrate Black hair and all its unique twists, locs, braids and fros with the kick-off of “My HAIRstory!” hosted by celebrity hairstylist, Kim Kimble, on her Instagram account Friday, Oct. 1. The three-part hair tutorial series will feature styles from Cartoon Network’s Emmy-, GLAAD- and NAACP Image Award-nominated series, Craig of the Creek and launch with the debut episode, “Wash Day” on National Hair Day, Friday, Oct. 1. The second tutorial, “Protective Styling,” will follow on Friday, Oct. 15 and the finale, “Loc Love” on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Each episode is inspired by character hairstyles featured in Craig of the Creek and will be released on Kimble’s Instagram account starting at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET. Fans are invited to interact with Kimble during the first 30 minutes of the release of each episode by asking a question in the comments section of her IGTV post. The series will be recorded and available on Cartoon Network’s YouTube channel.
Craig of the Creek follows a precocious, animated character named Craig as he leads his best friends J.P. and Kelsey on comical journeys at their neighborhood creek, transforming everyday afternoons into thrilling expeditions through imaginative play. The series connects with viewers through its relatable characters and universal storylines, and also features authentic depictions of Black hairstyles.
Viewers can tune into Craig of the Creek every weekday at 4:00 p.m. ET/PT and weekends at 1:00 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network. Plus, catch an all-new Halloween special on Monday, Oct. 25 at 7:00p.m. ET/PT. Full episodes of Craig of the Creek are also available online and via the Cartoon Network App. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on HBO Max.
In “Wash Day,” the first episode of “My HAIRstory!” Kimble, a hairstylist with an impressive celebrity clientele roster including Beyoncé, Zendaya, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Oprah, and more – shares her expertise and guides viewers through a “wash ‘n style” hair tutorial. Premiering on National Hair Day (Oct. 1), social media influencer Dayna Bolden, and her daughter, Aria, learn the best tips and tricks for wash day, including techniques for shampooing, massaging, rinsing and conditioning.
“My HAIRstory!” will also amplify the beauty of all Black hair types by highlighting the importance of protective hairstyles. Francis Hall and her Afro-Latina daughter, Haydee Belle, join Kimble to tackle the step-by-step process of cornrows, a versatile and popular style. Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month and the diversity within Black and Brown communities, the Oct. 15 “Protective Hairstyling” episode will help viewers feel confident and equipped to cornrow their little one’s hair as Kimble shares which comb to use, how to section/part the hair, how to cornrow lightly with limited scalp pressure, and how to secure cornrows with beads, rubber bands and more.
The “My HAIRstory!” finale premiering on International Animation Day (Oct. 28) celebrates one of the most popular and fuss-free hairstyles featured in Craig of the Creek – locs. Loctician Joseph Barreto, a.k.a. thelocbarber, partners with Kimble to style and moisturize his son Josiah’s hair into a super cool look, a mohawk using the barrel roll method.
Throughout the month of October, fans are invited to join the conversation and share their favorite Craig of the Creek hairstyle by tagging Cartoon Network on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook, and using the hashtags #MyHairStory, #CraigoftheCreek and #CartoonNetwork.
Keeping Customers Engaged, Instead Of Enraged, During Supply Chain Issues
Supply chain issues, an ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to impact holiday shoppers this year. And at a time when companies annually hope for a significant uptick in revenue, marketers need to be on top of their game to keep customers engaged, informed, and interested.
While modern technological tools such as websites, chatbots, and social media platforms can educate and assist customers quickly, email marketing is still a vital strategy but is often underutilized by companies large and small, says Jeff Pedowitz (www.pedowitzgroup.com), President/CEO of The Pedowitz Group and ForbesBooks author of F The Funnel: A New Way To Engage Customers & Grow Revenue.
“Beefing up your email marketing for the holidays is essential, and it’s an effective way for brands to communicate, especially when customers are being advised to start shopping earlier due to supply-chain problems,” Pedowitz says. “Brands need to get ahead of the curve by reaching out to customers through email and creating added value in their messages.”
Research shows nearly half of marketers rate email marketing as the most effective marketing channel. In another study, 90% of content marketers say email engagement is the top metric they track to measure content performance. Pedowitz gives some tips on email marketing and offers ideas to engage customers.
-
Don’t blast one email to your entire database. “This is often called ‘batch and blast,’ “ Pedowitz says. “A series of three emails performs better than a single email. One study showed there were 90% more orders for a welcome series of emails.”
-
Know your audience. “Your audience is smart and expects you to send emails that only pertain to them,” Pedowitz says. “If you don’t, studies show the vast majority of consumers will delete the emails, unsubscribe, and become less willing to buy your product or service.” Therefore, Pedowitz says companies must take time to segment their target audience. “Not only will you minimize the negative customer reactions to mistargeted information or promotions,” he says, “but you will be ahead of your competitors.”
-
Know how to engage them. Email engagement centers on three fundamentals, Pedowitz says: a strong subject line, simple, to-the-point copy, and graphics if applicable. “Short, concise subject lines will engage the reader,” Pedowitz says. “Create a sense of urgency with your email, without sounding like spam. Measure engagement with email subject line tools from CoSchedule or Email Subject Line Grader.” Pedowitz suggests a summary of the product’s/service’s benefits with bullet points. The majority of the copy should put the reader first. “Leverage pain points or needs of the audience and even their personal motivators right up front,” he says. “Is there a particular problem you can help them with?”
-
Offer added value. “Given the supply-chain problems, in lieu of instant gratification that comes with receiving the actual good or service, marketers can interest consumers in becoming part of the future production process,” Pedowitz says. “Invite them as VIPs to help design the next wave of products and services, and let them receive those products and services as future gifts.”
Pedowitz also suggests a virtual immersive experience, which offers customers a value in real-time, and monthly promotions in which customers get a discount and an added gift to go with their purchase. “Go above and beyond for prospects,” he says.
“The holiday shopping season is when marketing campaigns kick into high gear,” Pedowitz says. “Emails play a significant role in connecting with your brand audience, telling compelling stories and improving conversions.”
About Jeff Pedowitz
Jeff Pedowitz (www.pedowitzgroup.com) is ForbesBooks author of F The Funnel: A New Way To Engage Customers & Grow Revenue, and President/CEO of The Pedowitz Group, a consultancy that helps companies create and execute new business models for driving scalable revenue in a digital world. He has over 25 years of experience leading successful B2C and B2B organizations. Pedowitz is widely recognized as an industry expert and thought leader, writing and speaking on a variety of topics related to Revenue Marketing™, demand generation, marketing operations and marketing technology. He hosts a weekly podcast, CMO Insights, interviewing sales and marketing executives on the topics of business transformation, digital transformation and the customer experience.
City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update
MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week declined to 313.5 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “excessive transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests decreased once again to 8.6% and remains in the “substantial transmission” category.
“We are experiencing a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “While breakthrough cases of vaccinated individuals can still occur, we know the COVID-19 vaccine provides effective protection against spreading the virus, as well as serious illness, hospitalization, and death. It’s time for the community to come together and encourage all residents 12 years of age and older to receive their vaccine.”
Currently, in the City of Milwaukee, 56.2% of adults over the age of 16 are fully vaccinated and 61.7% have received at least their first dose.
The Milwaukee Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine initiative program wrapped up on Tuesday, September 28 after distributing one thousand $100 U.S. Bank gift cards to Milwaukee residents who received their first vaccine dose at the Northwest Health Center and Southside Health Center in only five days.
On Tuesday, September 28, under CDC and Wisconsin DHS guidance, the Milwaukee Health Department began administering booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Northwest and Southside Health Centers for eligible individuals.
DHS recommends that the following populations should receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least 6 months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer in order to further strengthen their immunity:
- People 65 years and older
- All residents in long-term care
- People ages 50–64 years with certain underlying medical conditions
DHS recommends that the following populations may receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their individual risks and benefits:
- People ages 18–49 years with certain underlying medical conditions.
- People ages 18–64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their job or institutional settings. Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include front line essential workers and health care workers.
More information regarding booster eligibility can be found in DHS’s official guidance.
The new drive-through COVID-19 testing site will not open on Monday, October 4, as previously anticipated. The Milwaukee Health Department continues to work through the legal process of moving into the identified location and hopes to have an update to announce next week. In the interim, the staff at the Northwest Health Center and Southside Health Center have been able to effectively handle the demand of COVID-19 testing. More information about these testing sites can be found at Milwaukee.gov/COVIDtesting.
School Boards Serve With Heart
2021 School Board Week Is Oct. 3-9
Publicly elected school boards could not happen without dedicated citizens willing to step up.
School board members cherish what education gave them, and their service manifests their desire to pass it on to the next generation. They serve with hope and with heart.
In Wisconsin, more than 2,700 people currently serve as locally elected school board members. At all times, that service is balanced with careers, families and other duties.
This School Board Week, held from Oct. 3-9, it is my hope that school board members will be acknowledged for their service. Remember, school board members are not usually experts in school governance when they join their local boards. They learn on the job, and it’s not an easy one.
They set the vision of student success for their district and monitor progress. They’re accountable to local residents for how taxpayer dollars are spent. They hire and oversee a district administrator to run day-to-day operations.
In addition to attending meetings, school board members spend countless hours preparing for meetings, studying the issues, participating in professional development, and advocating on behalf of their students and communities.
Strong school boards lead to strong schools and strong communities. Helping school boards be effective is the mission of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.
We ask you to join us this week in thanking your local school board members. It’s important to honor and recognize their commitment to public service. It’s also important for our children to see the direct link between their schools and their community and know that there is a large group of adults, many they never see, who care about their education and well-being.
Wisconsin School Board Week is Oct. 3-9. Please take a few minutes this week to thank the people who step up to serve on your local school board. If you get the opportunity, ask them about their role and about your schools. You’ll undoubtedly hear about how proud they are of the students and what they have planned to make your schools even better.
Corporate Social Responsibility is a Company’s Superpower
Putting Business Superpowers
To Use In Times Of Need
Airbnb saw an opportunity to render support when turmoil spread across Afghanistan as the U.S. announced withdrawal of military forces.
The company offered to temporarily house as many as 20,000 Afghan refugees globally, with Airbnb’s chief executive expressing hope that others would be inspired to follow the company’s lead.
The move was just one example of how many multinational corporations have robust corporate responsibility programs that can move with lightning speed to respond quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.
But it’s not just larger corporations that possess the wherewithal to help in significant ways during times of need. Small and midsize businesses also can seize the opportunity to assist, says Maggie Z. Miller, the ForbesBooks co-author with Hannah Nokes of Magnify Your Impact: Powering Profit with Purpose (www.magnify-impact.com).
“They may not have the focused attention or financial resources of bigger companies, but they can create a plan for their community impact to be valuable and effective,” Miller says. “These companies are often more nimble and able to act quickly and efficiently. They can capture the opportunity to leverage the power of impact to support their success.”
The Many Ways To Help
All businesses, regardless of size, have the potential to make a difference, whether they realize it or not, say Miller and Nokes, who are co-founders of Magnify Impact, a company that helps business leaders not only be prepared to react swiftly in times of crisis, but build a proactive strategy for effective social impact.
“Businesses have unique abilities and access to resources to solve problems for their employees, customers, communities, and even the planet,” Nokes says. “Companies can use these unique talents to create shared value, driving their competitive advantage while helping make a tremendous impact in their operating communities and the world.”
Miller and Nokes refer to those resources and talents as a company’s “superpowers.” Sometimes the superpower relates directly to the company’s product or service, as was the case for Airbnb. Another example of this is Warby Parker, which specializes in eyewear. Since 2010 the company has given away 8 million pairs of glasses to people in need around the world under its Buy a Pair/Give a Pair program. Due to COVID-19, Warby Parker shifted its efforts to distributing personal protective equipment and preventative health supplies to healthcare workers and communities in need.
A company’s superpowers can go beyond its product or service, Nokes says.
“It can also mean expertise, knowledge, resources, skills, people or other assets that you put into action,” she says.
Meeting Expectations Of Employees And Customers
Increasingly, companies are understanding that social impact is a critical component to an effective business strategy. One trend that emerged during the COVID pandemic is that purpose-driven businesses outperformed their peers.
Beyond that, employees and customers expect businesses to have a social impact.
“In today’s connected and interdependent world, employees increasingly demand that businesses and their suppliers take part in creating solutions to the world’s most pressing problems,” Miller says.
Millennials are especially vigilant about researching and weighing the values and cultures of companies they want to work for, she says, and Gen Z is following suit, looking for authentic commitments from companies to take action beyond profitability.
Meanwhile, 66% of consumers say they would switch from a product they typically buy to a product from a purpose-driven company, and 77% feel a stronger emotional bond to brands that communicate a clear purpose.
“When a company offers its unique superpowers to the world to address the needs of society, people notice,” Miller says. “In turn, businesses can create loyal employees, brand advocates in their customers, and thriving business partnerships.”
About Maggie Z. Miller and Hannah Nokes
Maggie Z. Miller and Hannah Nokes are ForbesBooks co-authors of Magnify Your Impact: Powering Profit with Purpose (www.magnify-impact.com). They also are co-founders of Magnify Impact, a company that helps business leaders create effective social impact strategies. Miller has developed social impact solutions with hundreds of company leaders globally. Previously, she founded an international nonprofit organization to provide microcredit loans for thousands of women in Peru. Nokes has led corporate social responsibility for global corporations and founded an impact collaborative of companies in Austin, Texas.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Grant Thornton and American Express Create Program to Help Career Counselors Prepare HBCU Students for Post-College Success
Unique new program helps ready Black students for professional careers in corporate America
WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is working with accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton LLP and global financial services and lifestyle company American Express to create a Train the Trainer Career Readiness program. This program equips faculty and staff at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the tools they need to help students navigate an increasingly competitive employment landscape.
From November 16-18, talent and client service professionals from Grant Thornton will virtually join talent professionals from American Express as well as campus educators and career trainers from eight HBCUs. The two-and-half-days of programming will focus on fostering professional preparation skills and resources at each institution, with a goal of ensuring students can thrive in internships and full-time positions.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund believes the program is necessary to prepare Black students for professional careers in corporate America. Since its founding in 1987, TMCF has supported education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups and has a history of success creating pathways to economic mobility for HBCU students through degree attainment and lucrative careers.
A recent study by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found that Black employees often feel pressure to work harder to prove themselves but have “barriers to advancement that are largely invisible to white professionals.” And even though African Americans make up 10% of college graduates, only 3.2% of executives and senior manager-level employees are African American.
“With the support of Grant Thornton and American Express, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is uniquely equipped to bring this important professional development experience to life for HBCU faculty and staff across the nation,” said TMCF Chief Programs Officer Eric D. Hart, Ed.D. “Train the Trainer is another step toward creating an inclusive workplace environment and even more critical in our current climate as we strive to establish a more just and equitable society.”
Rashada Whitehead, Grant Thornton’s national managing director of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion, believes the program will help prepare college graduates for success in a competitive job market.
“People of color continue to face high barriers of entry in corporate America, and historically, they have been kept out of the top tiers of leadership,” said Whitehead. “Grant Thornton believes that we can help change that narrative. Train the Trainer will further empower career educators and prepare students to thrive in any profession they choose.”
Sonia Cargan, American Express’ Chief Colleague Inclusion and Diversity Officer, said HBCUs are known for creating leaders — and, through the company’s partnership with TMCF, students are being set up for success.
“HBCUs have long played a critical role to educate and produce the next generation of leaders,” said Cargan. “American Express is committed to supporting the customers and communities we serve. Through our partnership with TMCF, we are ensuring member schools have access to tools and resources for students to achieve success and this program is one example of our continued collaboration.”
The eight institutions participating in the event are each part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization exclusively representing HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions. They include:
- Central State University
- Florida A&M University
- Jackson State University
- Medgar Evers College
- Morgan State University
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Tennessee State University
Grant Thornton’s support of this initiative aligns with the firm’s ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In addition to almost a dozen programs promoting DE&I within the firm, Grant Thornton is committed to recruiting students from a diverse range of schools and broadening its experienced-hire recruiting process.
As part of American Express’ $1 billion action plan to enhance diverse representation and promote equal opportunities, the company is committed to allocating resources to initiatives that are focused on advancing equality. Additional information about American Express’ inclusion and diversity efforts can be found in here.
About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.
About American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-
About Grant Thornton LLP
Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues of $1.97 billion and operates more than 50 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.
“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.