Honoring service, celebrating impact and amplifying the stories of our community were all center stage at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation. Held June 14 at the Italian Community Center, the Foundation’s signature event this year featured Expressions of Equity & Community.
The spotlight shone first on two individuals whose passionate work is shaping our community landscape and forging lasting legacies for our region.
Civic Awards
The Foundation presented its Frank Kirkpatrick Award to Melissa Goins, president of Maures Development Group. The Kirkpatrick Award honors those who have made significant physical improvements to the community, with special emphasis on economic investment in neighborhoods of greatest need. Goins’ projects encompass both commercial and residential development, including the Griot Apartments and upcoming reopening of America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Bronzeville.
Dr. Anselmo Villarreal received the Doug Jansson Leadership Award, which is named for the Foundation’s former CEO and recognizes nonprofit leaders – either volunteer or staff – particularly those who embrace collaboration, diversity, equity and show integrity in their work. Dr. Villarreal is president and CEO of La Casa de Esperanza, a community-based organization dedicated to serving Waukesha’s low-income and Latino population since 1966.
The Foundation will be presenting the William C. Frye Award to Steve Marcus, chairman of the board of Marcus Corporation, later in the year. The Frye Award honors individuals who, through their volunteer work, have made Milwaukee a better place.
Stories with impact
Energetic volunteers from Lead2Change helped the Foundation tell the story of our philanthropic impact in the community in 2017 through a skit detailing charitable gifts and grantmaking across a range of interest areas.
Because hearing how others experience their community helps us recognize differences and also find common ground, the evening culminated with true, personal stories told live on stage by community members engaged through Ex Fabula, a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community bonds through the art of storytelling.
In addition to compelling stories of equity and community told by Chia Xiong and Kantara Souffrant, Foundation president and CEO Ellen Gilligan ended the evening with a story that connected her personal experiences and learning to the Foundation’s vision and future work.
Thank you to our many donors and partners who made this year’s Annual Meeting so meaningful!
Photo gallery
