Post from Community: Greater Together Awards recipients have been strengthening community for decades | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
October 20, 2021
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This fall, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation honored five remarkable people for their contributions and commitment to the Milwaukee community and beyond through the organization’s annual Greater Together Awards. Through, philanthropy, professional and community leadership, Virgis and Angela Colbert, Mark Eppli, Carmen Pitre and Ness Flores have been at the center of generational change in this region. Here are their stories:
(Photo provided by Greater Milwaukee Foundation)
Colberts’ investment and heart remain in the community where they worked and raised their family
Virgis and Angela Colbert were honored with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s William C. Frye Award for their exceptional civic and nonprofit board service in Milwaukee over the decades, particularly in the areas of education and the arts. More about the Colberts >
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The William C. Frye Award honors exceptional civic contributions to create positive change across our region
(Photo provided by Greater Milwaukee Foundation)
Eppli built, champions program that has helped diversify real estate field, build wealth in MKE
Mark Eppli received the Foundation’s Frank Kirkpatrick Award for his work with the Associates in Real Estate Program. The rigorous 9-month program trains people of color in the fundamentals of the real estate industry and the wide variety of available career paths. More about Mark Eppli >
The Frank Kirkpatrick Award honors commitment to enhancing community spaces and places
(Photo provided by Greater Milwaukee Foundation)
Pitre helps change the way community addresses domestic violence, serves survivors
Carmen Pitre received the Foundation’s Doug Jansson Leadership Award for her leadership over the past 20 years of the Sojourner Family Peace Center, Wisconsin’s largest provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services. More about Carmen Pitre >
The Doug Jansson Leadership Award honors inspirational leadership in the nonprofit sector
Ness Flores, 2021 Presidents Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Award at the Waukesha County Courthouse (Photo provided by Greater Milwaukee Foundation)
Flores drew upon personal experiences to fight on behalf of underserved communities
For his work over the past 50 years on behalf of underserved communities, particularly migrant farmworkers, Ness Flores received the President’s Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Award from the Foundation. More about Ness Flores >
The President’s Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Award honors those who have worked to make our region welcoming and inclusive for all people, of all races, places, identities, and backgrounds.
“Imagining the lives that have been changed by the work and generosity of this year’s Greater Together Award honorees is awe-inspiring,” said Foundation president and CEO Ellen Gilligan. “My sincere congratulations go to Virgis and Angela, Ness, Carmen and Mark, who have all channeled their wisdom and personal passions to help build a Milwaukee for all.”