February 12, 2025 - Introduced by Senators Drake, L. Johnson, Carpenter, Ratcliff, Pfaff, Habush Sinykin, Roys, Wall, Wirch, Dassler-Alfheim, Spreitzer, Hesselbein, Larson, Smith and Keyeski, cosponsored by Representatives Taylor, Arney, Haywood, Stubbs, Moore Omokunde, Madison, Goodwin, Rivera-Wagner, Sinicki, Miresse, DeSmidt, Kirsch, Snodgrass, Emerson, Spaude, Gundrum, Cruz, Phelps, Clancy, Joers, Tenorio, Hong, Udell, Brown, Roe, Stroud, Prado, Bare, J. Jacobson, Fitzgerald, Doyle, Ortiz-Velez, Sheehan, Mayadev, Allen, Vining, Andraca, Palmeri, Hysell, Anderson, Johnson, McCarville, Neubauer, Billings, Subeck and McGuire. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR10,1,1
1Relating to: proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month. SJR10,1,42Whereas, 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 SJR10,1,105Whereas, 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 SJR10,1,1311Whereas, Wisconsin history first references African descendants in a speech 12given in 1725 by a chief of the Illinois Indians, in which he said, “a negro belonging 13to Monsieur de Boisbriant” at Green Bay; and SJR10,2,414Whereas, on February 12, 1926, noted Harvard scholar and historian Dr.
1Carter G. Woodson founded “Negro History Week,” and since then the United 2States has recognized first Negro History Week and then Black History Month and 3celebrated the ethnic and racial diversity that enriches and strengthens our nation; 4and SJR10,2,95Whereas, both enslaved and free people of African descent have participated 6in every aspect of America’s effort to secure, protect, and advance the cause of 7freedom and civil rights, and have stories that are an inspiration to all citizens, that 8reflect the triumph of the human spirit, and that offer the hopes of everyday people 9to rise above both prejudice and circumstance and to build lives of dignity; and SJR10,2,1110Whereas, people of African descent or African Americans have made 11measurable differences in their respective industries, such as: SJR10,2,19121. Elisterine Clayton — a 100-year-old Milwaukee resident who, along with 13her husband Powell Clayton, was a part of building the historic Halyard Park 14community. Halyard Park is one of the longest-standing African-American middle 15class residential neighborhoods within Milwaukee. Elisterine owned and operated 16a series of grocery stores in underserved communities and ensured that residents 17had access to healthy food options within their neighborhoods. She was a part of a 18pioneering group that brought Black-owned banks, medical practices, and 19businesses to the Bronzeville area. SJR10,2,22202. Paul Higginbotham — the first African-American judge to serve on the 21Wisconsin Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court by Governor James 22Doyle in 2003 and was subsequently elected to the court in 2005. SJR10,3,2233. Marcia Anderson — a retired senior officer of the United States Army
1Reserve from Beloit, Wisconsin. The first African-American woman to become a 2major general in the United States Army Reserve. SJR10,3,634. Dr. William Rogers — a historian and educator, who was an integral part of 4the formation of the Black Radio Network, was an African studies educator, and 5made significant contributions to the study of Black life, civil rights, and social 6justice. SJR10,3,1575. Anthony McGahee — a celebrated gospel musician, choir director, and 8pillar of Milwaukee’s artistic and musical community. As the leader of “Anthony 9McGahee and Praise Motivated,” he has spent over 27 years inspiring audiences 10with soul-stirring performances and a commitment to musical excellence. 11McGahee is also a proud member of the renowned gospel group “Ricky Dillard and 12New G.” Through his music ministry, he has not only uplifted congregations but 13also created opportunities for local artists, mentored emerging talent, and brought 14national attention to Milwaukee’s vibrant gospel music scene. His work continues 15to leave a lasting impact on the city’s cultural landscape. SJR10,3,24166. Shakita LaGrant-McClain — the executive director of the Milwaukee 17County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), oversees a $400 18million budget and more than 700 employees. She began her tenure with DHHS in 192009 and has held various roles, including program coordinator for the Disability 20Resource Center. In May 2020, she was appointed interim director of DHHS and 21the Department on Aging, focusing on improving service accessibility. Her 22leadership emphasizes racial equity and community connection, exemplified by 23initiatives like building 120 homes in the King Park area to promote BIPOC 24homeownership. SJR10,4,12
17. Victor and Dawn Barnett — the co-executive directors of the Running 2Rebels Community Organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1980, at the age of 319, Victor founded Running Rebels to provide local youth with positive alternatives 4to gang involvement, crime, and violence. He began by organizing basketball games 5to engage and mentor young people, steering them toward constructive activities. 6Dawn Barnett joined the organization in 1996 after learning about Victor’s work 7and feeling compelled to contribute. She left her job in restaurant management to 8become a community organizer with Running Rebels. Dawn and Victor later 9married and have since worked together to expand the organization’s reach and 10impact. Under their leadership, Running Rebels has grown to serve over 2,500 11youth annually, offering programs that include mentoring, education, and 12community service. SJR10,4,18138. Dr. Samuel Coleman — a dedicated educator and advocate for equity, 14currently serving as the assistant superintendent of instruction for the Oshkosh 15Area School District in Wisconsin. Born and raised on Milwaukee’s North Side, Dr. 16Coleman has devoted over 14 years to better public education and the roles of 17government, focusing on advancing equity through advocacy, policy analysis, 18strategic planning, and leadership development. SJR10,5,2199. Gloria Rogers — a dedicated community leader and advocate in Milwaukee, 20Wisconsin. She has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at improving 21the lives of residents in her community. Gloria’s work focuses on promoting social 22justice, education, and economic development. She has collaborated with local 23organizations to address issues such as affordable housing, access to quality 24education, and workforce development. Her commitment to service has made a
1significant impact on the Milwaukee community, fostering positive change and 2empowering individuals to reach their full potential. SJR10,5,8310. Minnie L. Sims — a cherished elder in the Milwaukee community, known 4for her steadfast dedication to service, mentorship, and faith. Throughout her life, 5Ms. Sims has been a beacon of wisdom, guiding and inspiring those around her with 6her kindheartedness and resilience. She has contributed greatly to her community 7through decades of active involvement in church ministries, local initiatives, and 8mentorship programs, particularly those supporting youth and families. SJR10,5,15911. Dr. Jeanette Mitchell — a passionate developer of leaders in the Greater 10Milwaukee Community. She founded the African American Leadership Alliance – 11Milwaukee (AALAM), the African American Leadership Program (AALP), and the 12Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI). She worked for decades in the corporate 13sector for AT&T, the nonprofit sector for the Helen Bader Foundation (currently 14Bader Philanthropies), and as an elected official on the Milwaukee School Board, 15where she served for eight years, including three terms as president. SJR10,6,21612. Fred Reed — a key member of the NAACP Youth Council Commandos, 17Reed was instrumental in the first Black Voter Registration Campaign in 18Milwaukee. Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with five Wisconsin 19governors and countless federal, state, and local leaders to advance civil rights, 20workforce development education, and financial literacy. Notably he has made 21national history and played several roles such as in shaping the framework for 22Wisconsin’s Americans with Disabilities Act, and he worked for 25 years in the 23Department of Financial Institutions. Reed has been honored with numerous 24awards, including the ACLU’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Milwaukee
1Times Black Excellence Award, for his unwavering dedication to justice, equality, 2and community empowerment. SJR10,6,14313. Anna Mae Robertson, — a pioneering World War II veteran, served in the 46888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-female African-American 5unit deployed overseas during the war. Born in Osceola, Arkansas, she enlisted in 6the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and was stationed in Europe, where her battalion 7cleared a crucial backlog of mail for soldiers, processing over 17 million pieces in 8record time. Robertson also worked as a hospital aide while overseas. After 9returning to the United States in 1946, she lived in Milwaukee, working as a 10nurse’s aide and later as a homemaker for her eight children. For decades, the 11contributions of the 6888th were overlooked, but in 2022, Robertson was awarded 12the Congressional Gold Medal alongside her fellow battalion members. Her legacy 13continues to inspire, especially through her granddaughters, who have followed her 14nursing path. SJR10,7,31514. Dr. Dora L. Clayton-Jones — a pioneering pediatric nurse practitioner 16and esteemed academic leader who has dedicated over 25 years to improving health 17care for youth, particularly those with sickle cell disease. She made history as the 18first African-American pediatric nurse practitioner in Wisconsin to be inducted into 19the Academy of Nursing and the first to achieve tenure at Marquette University. A 20passionate advocate for health equity, Dr. Clayton-Jones actively contributes to 21research through the Delta Research and Educational Foundation’s 22 Researchers 22workgroup and works to eliminate health disparities in underserved communities. 23Initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2017, she mentors others and 24leads by example, creating opportunities for future generations of leaders. Her
1commitment to service and scholarship, combined with her dedication to patient 2care, has earned her numerous accolades and continues to inspire her colleagues 3and the broader community; now, therefore, be it SJR10,7,74Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin 5Legislature recognizes February 2025 as Black History Month and extends 6appreciation to the above-named persons for their contributions to the state of 7Wisconsin, the country, and their fellow citizens.
