(Photo by Sue Vliet)

While many families and youth in the area were gearing up for the official start of the NBA season or prepping their costumes for Halloween, The Running Rebels Community Organization (RRCO) and their supporting community partners, families and friends were all abuzz at their Annual Scholarship Event taking place at the Italian Community Center in Downtown Milwaukee on Friday, October 23th. Over 400 attendees celebrated the organization’s 35 years of service to the community, as well as the achievements of deserving youth and staff, in an elegant evening of fellowship, gratitude, and continued dedication to service.

The evening was highlighted by musical performances by community partner, Express Yourself Milwaukee, as well as Running Rebels’ own Rebel Life Entertainment. While guests enjoyed a plentiful meal, Running Rebels alumni Branden Joseph, Nate Cooper, Shelby Parrish, and Ward Jenkins were inducted into the Running Rebels Basketball Hall of Fame. Special dedication awards were given to former RRCO employee Clifton Phelps, currently one of the owners of JCP Construction, and Volunteer of the Year, Charles Stanton. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening were RRCO alumni and board member Nate Cooper, and staff member Derrick Shoates.

Through support by generous donors including BMO Harris, RC Insurance, Gruber Law Offices, Byneset Consulting, T.L. Reese Corporation, JCP Construction, Ritz Holman CPAs, Swick Technologies, Express Yourself Milwaukee, the Holton Youth and Family Center, WCS, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, and a host of anonymous and individual donors and supporters, over $15,000 in scholarships were awarded to the following deserving recipients: Nicholas Truog ($3,000, Marquette University), DeMarcus Harris ($2,000 Morehouse College), Demetrius Moore ($2,000 Stillman College), Alethia Tilford ($1,000 Howard University), Natasha Malone ($1,000, Texas Southern University), Sydnee Matthews ($1,000 Bowling Green State University), Tarif Garret ($1,000 MSOE), Nicholas Stokes ($750 Morehouse College), Elliott Stokes ($500 Tennessee State University), Dae’Kwuan Walton ($500 Riverland Community College), Roy Jones $500 (University of Wisconsin-Richmond), A’Jeanette Gordon ($500 Kentucky State University), Deon Canon ($500 University of Wisconsin-Stout), Kejuan Carter ($500 MATC), Deviandre Newsom ($500 Northern Arizona University).

Special for our 35th Anniversary was the debut of our 35th Year Logo limited edition clothing, which is still on sale at the Running Rebels building, and the retirement of our “gold banner”, that has stood the test of time through parades, booths, and photoshoots. Alumni, staff, and friends alike signed the banner to commemorate it. The evening was topped off by a dedication song to Founder Victor Barnett written by his wife and Co-Executive Director Dawn Barnett. He was celebrated by other RRCO staff members for 35 years of continued support to the community and youth.

Several attendees received door prizes throughout the evening. Jessie Peer, Clifton Phelps, and Gladys Weathersby won the raffle, with the top prize of a $500 pre-paid Visa gift card going to Judy Ball.

Next on deck for the Running Rebels is the annual Fresh Coast Basketball Classic (FCBC), taking place over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Running Rebels and the board of the FCBC cordially invite you to join them for a college fair on November 19th and exciting city-suburban high school basketball showdowns at the UWM Klotsche Center on November 27th and 28th . For more information please visit: www.freshcoastclassic.org, or www.runningrebels.org. Use the social media hashtag #RRSB2K15 to see posts from attendees throughout the night!