By Kathy Gaillard
From attending Dunbar High School with actor “Mr. T,” to growing up on Southside Chicago surrounded by history makers like gospel musician Thomas Dorsey and Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founder of the DuSable Museum, to attending seminary to become a Jesuit priest, Gerard Randall is a fascinating trailblazer and somewhat of a conundrum.
His latest claim to fame is being one of the key individuals responsible for bringing the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) to Milwaukee—an event that is anticipated to have a $275 million regional economic impact and, simultaneously, put Milwaukee on the national and international stage. And while wooing the RNC was a monumental feat, what’s even more interesting is that Randall is an African American and a resolute Republican.
“There are two people that I grew up admiring who happened to be Republicans—one was (deceased) Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen (R-Illinois), for his role in marshaling the two-thirds votes needed to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. The other was (deceased) Senator Ed Brooke (R-Massachusetts, 1967-1973), who was the lone Black Republican to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.
“While Black Republicans are not perceived as the norm, many people do not realize that most Blacks were Republican—even in Wisconsin—until the tide shifted under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In fact, more Blacks voted for Richard Nixon than for President John Kennedy,” said Randall.
Currently serving as Vice Chair of the Republican State Party and the Secretary of the Host Committee for the RNC, Randall and Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, created and presented the bid package to host the RNC. After the initial presentation which included 10 cities, Milwaukee was selected as one of four cities to compete for the RNC.
“After our presentation to the 25-member selection committee, four of the members gave us a standing ovation. In my mind, two questions asked by the committee solidified Milwaukee’s bid; we were asked who would serve on the host committee and I was asked about the Knight of Malta pin on my lapel (Knights of Malta is the 4th oldest Catholic religious order, more than 900 years old. Coincidentally, it was founded by a man named Gerard). Four members of the selection committee knew about the Knight of Maltese and, following our presentation, they became cheer leaders for us to host the RNC,” Randall said.
Currently the RNC Host Committee is undertaking the enormous task of raising $75 million dollars. A significant donation from Elizabeth Uihlein served as ‘seed’ money to host RNC meetings in Milwaukee, as more individuals and corporations come onboard.
“We have a lot to do between now and 2024, but we will get there. We’ve got great partnerships like Northwestern Mutual, who has hosted every RNC meeting to date and Dave Caruso, who put together a RNC reception that was—hands down—one of the best parties I’ve attended in my life. Northwestern Mutual’s CEO, John Schlifske, is rallying the corporate community and Mayor Cavalier Johnson is garnering political support,” Randall said enthusiastically.
In addition to his other roles, Randall is also in charge of helping minority contractors secure some of the economic benefits the RNC is expected to bring.
“We’re meeting with minority contractors to supply a myriad of services, and I’m encouraging vendors to think outside the box. We’ll need about 300 limousines, security, catering services, gift bags, office supplies, and paper products. Everyone has an opportunity to prosper. Also, I would be untruthful if I said I do not have the underlying motive of attracting more Blacks to the Republican Party,” Randall said with a smile.
The RNC’s 150-member staff will be arriving in Milwaukee within weeks and will stay through the 2024 convention. A website that provides updates on the RNC, which is being coordinated by Visit Milwaukee, will be up and running in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, Randall is busy touting the merits of the convention, pursuing supporters, and working to ensure that Milwaukee is a diamond, sparkling brightly and boldly to the nation and, indeed, the world.
For more information and updates about the Republican National Convention 2024, look for the RNC website in the coming weeks.