Mayor Cavalier Johnson celebrated the start of Black History Month on Monday by honoring four Milwaukee residents who've had a powerful impact on the city. Johnson presented honors for outstanding citizen, education advocate, minority business champion and charitable giving. The honorees are Christy Brown, the first Black woman to lead Alverno College; Donald Jackson, who rose through the ranks of the Milwaukee Fire Department to be the first Black assistant fire chief; Marjorie Rucker, an executive who advocates for minority businesses; and businessman Mark Wade, former president of the African World Festival Board.
King Drive. The event comes at a time when the new Trump administration has attacked diversity, equity and inclusivity programs , prompting some federal agencies to curtail cultural awareness programs, including Black History Month. Johnson said Black history can't be erased, even though some will try. So that is why it is important to always, always acknowledge it, not even just the historical figures from the past but also the individuals who are making a difference each and every single day in communities like Milwaukee across our country.
Rucker is one of those individuals making a difference. She received the minority business champion award for her commitment to community and economic development. She's the executive director of The Business Council, which promotes supplier diversity in procuring goods and services. She's also chair of the Ethnic and Diverse Business Coalition , which advocates for policies supporting the business community.
Many see supplier diversity or set-asides as preferential treatment, but it's not, Rucker said. Those businesses, she said, can compete and are well-qualified to do the job. They just want an even playing field without bias β whether unconscious or otherwise β to offer their goods and services.
We are still going to rise, whether they want to acknowledge that or not. Jackson received recognition for being an outstanding citizen. He was the first Black promoted within the ranks of the fire department, serving as fire captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and assistant chief. Jackson is best-known for teaching young people to swim. The award, he said, serves as an inspiration to youth that life can be tough, but rewarding.
