Vincent Lyles, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs, poses with Xzavier Ledesma (left) and Lamarr Hughlett (right). (Alexandria Bursiek)

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County is proud to announce Vincent Lyles as the first recipient of the Linda McFerrin Award for African American Non-Profit Leadership.

The Linda McFerrin Award for African American Non-Profit Leadership was established by United Way’s Board Chairman, Cory Nettles of Generation Growth Capital, Inc. and his wife Michelle Nettles, Chief People and Diversity Officer of Molson Coors Brewing Company, in recognition of Linda McFerrin, retired Vice President of Resource Development, and her 42 years of leadership and service to United Way.

Vincent Lyles was the president & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee for seven years and is known in the community as a strong advocate working to advance issues that help support youth in Milwaukee.

“I am so pleased that Vincent Lyles was selected to receive the inaugural Linda McFerrin Award. Vincent has been among the strongest nonprofit leaders in our community.  He did a great job scaling the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee’s impact in our community,” said Nettles. “Vincent embodies strong non-profit leadership and is an outstanding role model in the African American community. He is the perfect recipient and embodies the essence of what this award means.”

The recipient of this annual award will be chosen by United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society and a $5,000 grant will be made by United Way to the organization they represent. The winner will be announced each year on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

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