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2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
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ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1,
TO ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 5
February 19, 2025 - Offered by Representative Haywood.
AJR5-ASA1,1,1
1Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month.
AJR5-ASA1,1,42Whereas, Black History Month provides a deliberate opportunity to reflect on
3the common humanity underlying all people and to raise awareness and foster
4respect for the heritage and contributions of people of African descent; and
AJR5-ASA1,1,105Whereas, this year marks over 400 years since the arrival of enslaved Africans
6in Virginia. The existence of Africans in North America can be traced back to 1525,
7and through 1866 the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade is estimated to have ensnared
8more than 12 million African people, with an estimated 10 million surviving the
9unconscionable Middle Passage, landing in North America, the Caribbean, and
10South America; and
AJR5-ASA1,2,211Whereas, Wisconsin history first references African descendants in a speech

1given in 1725 by a chief of the Illinois Indians, in which he said, a negro belonging
2to Monsieur de Boisbriant at Green Bay; and
AJR5-ASA1,2,73Whereas, on February 12, 1926, noted Harvard scholar and historian Dr.
4Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week, and since then the United
5States has recognized first Negro History Week and then Black History Month and
6celebrated the ethnic and racial diversity that enriches and strengthens our nation;
7and
AJR5-ASA1,2,128Whereas, both enslaved and free people of African descent have participated
9in every aspect of Americas effort to secure, protect, and advance the cause of
10freedom and civil rights, and have stories that are an inspiration to all citizens, that
11reflect the triumph of the human spirit, and that offer the hopes of everyday people
12to rise above both prejudice and circumstance and to build lives of dignity; and
AJR5-ASA1,2,1413Whereas, people of African descent or African Americans have made
14measurable differences in their respective industries, such as:
AJR5-ASA1,2,22151. Elisterine Clayton — a 100-year-old Milwaukee resident who, along with
16her husband Powell Clayton, was a part of building the historic Halyard Park
17community. Halyard Park is one of the longest-standing African-American middle
18class residential neighborhoods within Milwaukee. Elisterine owned and operated
19a series of grocery stores in underserved communities and ensured that residents
20had access to healthy food options within their neighborhoods. She was a part of a
21pioneering group that brought Black-owned banks, medical practices, and
22businesses to the Bronzeville area.
AJR5-ASA1,3,2232. Paul Higginbotham — the first African-American judge to serve on the

1Wisconsin Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court by Governor James
2Doyle in 2003 and was subsequently elected to the court in 2005.
AJR5-ASA1,3,533. Marcia Anderson — a retired senior officer of the United States Army
4Reserve from Beloit, Wisconsin. The first African-American woman to become a
5major general in the United States Army Reserve.
AJR5-ASA1,3,964. Dr. William Rogers — a historian and educator, who was an integral part of
7the formation of the Black Radio Network, was an African studies educator, and
8made significant contributions to the study of Black life, civil rights, and social
9justice.
AJR5-ASA1,3,18105. Anthony McGahee — a celebrated gospel musician, choir director, and
11pillar of Milwaukees artistic and musical community. As the leader of Anthony
12McGahee and Praise Motivated, he has spent over 27 years inspiring audiences
13with soul-stirring performances and a commitment to musical excellence.
14McGahee is also a proud member of the renowned gospel group Ricky Dillard and
15New G. Through his music ministry, he has not only uplifted congregations but
16also created opportunities for local artists, mentored emerging talent, and brought
17national attention to Milwaukees vibrant gospel music scene. His work continues
18to leave a lasting impact on the citys cultural landscape.
AJR5-ASA1,4,3196. Shakita LaGrant-McClain — the executive director of the Milwaukee
20County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), oversees a $400
21million budget and more than 700 employees. She began her tenure with DHHS in
222009 and has held various roles, including program coordinator for the Disability
23Resource Center. In May 2020, she was appointed interim director of DHHS and
24the Department on Aging, focusing on improving service accessibility. Her

1leadership emphasizes racial equity and community connection, exemplified by
2initiatives like building 120 homes in the King Park area to promote BIPOC
3homeownership.
AJR5-ASA1,4,1547. Victor and Dawn Barnett — the co-executive directors of the Running
5Rebels Community Organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1980, at the age of
619, Victor founded Running Rebels to provide local youth with positive alternatives
7to gang involvement, crime, and violence. He began by organizing basketball games
8to engage and mentor young people, steering them toward constructive activities.
9Dawn Barnett joined the organization in 1996 after learning about Victors work
10and feeling compelled to contribute. She left her job in restaurant management to
11become a community organizer with Running Rebels. Dawn and Victor later
12married and have since worked together to expand the organizations reach and
13impact. Under their leadership, Running Rebels has grown to serve over 2,500
14youth annually, offering programs that include mentoring, education, and
15community service.
AJR5-ASA1,4,23168. Gloria Rogers — a dedicated community leader and advocate in Milwaukee,
17Wisconsin. She has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at improving
18the lives of residents in her community. Glorias work focuses on promoting social
19justice, education, and economic development. She has collaborated with local
20organizations to address issues such as affordable housing, access to quality
21education, and workforce development. Her commitment to service has made a
22significant impact on the Milwaukee community, fostering positive change and
23empowering individuals to reach their full potential.
AJR5-ASA1,5,6249. Minnie L. Harmon — a cherished elder in the Milwaukee community,

1known for her steadfast dedication to service, mentorship, and faith. Throughout
2her life, Ms. Harmon has been a beacon of wisdom, guiding and inspiring those
3around her with her kindheartedness and resilience. She has contributed greatly
4to her community through decades of active involvement in church ministries, local
5initiatives, and mentorship programs, particularly those supporting youth and
6families.
AJR5-ASA1,5,13710. Dr. Jeanette Mitchell — a passionate developer of leaders in the Greater
8Milwaukee Community. She founded the African American Leadership Alliance
9Milwaukee (AALAM), the African American Leadership Program (AALP), and the
10Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI). She worked for decades in the corporate
11sector for AT&T, the nonprofit sector for the Helen Bader Foundation (currently
12Bader Philanthropies), and as an elected official on the Milwaukee School Board,
13where she served for eight years, including three terms as president.
AJR5-ASA1,5,241411. Fred Reed — a key member of the NAACP Youth Council Commandos,
15Reed was instrumental in the first Black Voter Registration Campaign in
16Milwaukee. Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with five Wisconsin
17governors and countless federal, state, and local leaders to advance civil rights,
18workforce development education, and financial literacy. Notably he has made
19national history and played several roles such as in shaping the framework for
20Wisconsins Americans with Disabilities Act, and he worked for 25 years in the
21Department of Financial Institutions. Reed has been honored with numerous
22awards, including the ACLUs Lifetime Achievement Award and the Milwaukee
23Times Black Excellence Award, for his unwavering dedication to justice, equality,
24and community empowerment.
AJR5-ASA1,6,12
112. Anna Mae Robertson, — a pioneering World War II veteran, served in the
26888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-female African-American
3unit deployed overseas during the war. Born in Osceola, Arkansas, she enlisted in
4the Womens Army Corps in 1943 and was stationed in Europe, where her battalion
5cleared a crucial backlog of mail for soldiers, processing over 17 million pieces in
6record time. Robertson also worked as a hospital aide while overseas. After
7returning to the United States in 1946, she lived in Milwaukee, working as a
8nurses aide and later as a homemaker for her eight children. For decades, the
9contributions of the 6888th were overlooked, but in 2022, Robertson was awarded
10the Congressional Gold Medal alongside her fellow battalion members. Her legacy
11continues to inspire, especially through her granddaughters, who have followed her
12nursing path.
AJR5-ASA1,7,21313. Dr. Dora L. Clayton-Jones — a pioneering pediatric nurse practitioner
14and esteemed academic leader who has dedicated over 25 years to improving health
15care for youth, particularly those with sickle cell disease. She made history as the
16first African-American pediatric nurse practitioner in Wisconsin to be inducted into
17the Academy of Nursing and the first to achieve tenure at Marquette University. A
18passionate advocate for health equity, Dr. Clayton-Jones actively contributes to
19research through the Delta Research and Educational Foundations 22 Researchers
20workgroup and works to eliminate health disparities in underserved communities.
21Initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2017, she mentors others and
22leads by example, creating opportunities for future generations of leaders. Her
23commitment to service and scholarship, combined with her dedication to patient

1care, has earned her numerous accolades and continues to inspire her colleagues
2and the broader community; now, therefore, be it
AJR5-ASA1,7,63Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin
4Legislature recognizes February 2025 as Black History Month and extends
5appreciation to the above-named persons for their contributions to the state of
6Wisconsin, the country, and their fellow citizens.
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