Paul T. Spraggins, Jr., is the President of the National Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) and the Founder of the NEON Corporate Fair.  From 1973 to 1982, he served as administrator for the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board.  Mr. Spraggins retired June 2002, as Director of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Educational Opportunity   Programs and Office of Urban Education.  Mr. Spraggins received his B.S. degree from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA and also attended Tufts University in Medford, MA.  He has been a visiting lecturer at several colleges in Wisconsin as well as California and Kansas.  Mr. Spraggins has received more than 60 awards and certificates for his contributions in educational opportunity and civil rights. 

Emanuel Newsome, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Service Professor of Education and the Former Senior Vice President of Student Affairs,  Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida (1988-2006).  Dr. Newsome received his Ph.D., Indiana State University; M.A., and B.S. degrees at Western Michigan University.  Dr. Newsome has been a strong advocate of multicultural and international education.  This has been augmented through his frequent travel abroad experiences, publications, and honors.  He has made a significant contribution to the National Black Student Union Conference since its inception by encouraging students to seek careers in higher education.

Ira Albert Rutherford, III., is currently the President and Founder of the Rutherford Group, and Lecturer at the University of Michigan at Flint.  Rutherford received his M.S. degree at Wayne State University, and his B.A. at Western Michigan University.  He is the former superintendent of the Flint Beecher Community School District and former interim superintendent of Flint Public School District. Rutherford currently is the President of the Hurley Hospital Board of Managers.  He has been awarded a host of awards but admires his recognition as “Citizen of the Year” by the Flint Voice Newspaper. Rutherford has a strong admiration for music.  He was a former producer and disc jockey of the “Common Ground Radio Program” at Western Michigan University.

Dennis M. Baskin, ABD, M.B.A. is Executive Director, Office of Pre-College Programs, UW-Whitewater.  Mr. Baskin earned his M.B.A. degree in Business Management, and BBA in Business Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Nicole Bronson, ABD, M.B.A., is currently a doctoral student. in the   Department of Health Services at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  She earned her M.B.A. in Business Management, and BBA in Finance at UW-Whitewater.  Nicole previously served as a  mathematics lecturer, Developmental Education, UW-Whitewater.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Black Student Union and is Co-Chair of Communications for the Student of Color for Public Health (SCPH) in the School of Public Health at UCLA.  Nicole is currently   working on her dissertation which will determine if healthcare disparities exist at the provider-level for African American homeless women in Los Angeles County.

Richard McGregory Jr., Ph.D., currently serves as Director, McNair Scholars Program and Lecturer, Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  He previously served in the following capacities at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater: Academic Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program; Interim Director, Upward Bound Program; Lecturer, Department of Mathematics.  McGregory has earned the following academic credentials: BBA, Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh; MBA, Marketing/Management, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Ph.D., Economics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Finally, his areas of research interest are as follows: Healthcare; Industrial Organization; Labor: Privatization and Economic Development in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean; Economic Awareness of Multicultural Students.  Dr. McGregory is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. 

Monica D. Kelsey-Brown, Ph.D., is Assistant Principal and Teacher at  Thoreau Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Dr. Kelsey-Brown earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of  Wisconsin-Madison, both her Masters and Bachelors degrees at the       University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  In her previous position, Director, Academic Support Services, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater she was successful in helping to write Federal TRIO proposals.  Dr. Kelsey-Brown is a member of many professional associations and is a proud member of  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Darian P. Snow, M.S., is the Assistant Director, Office of Pre-College  Programs, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Darian earned a Bachelors of Science in Human Services from Upper Iowa University and a Masters of  Science degree in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of  Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Darian also serves as faculty advisor for the UW-Whitewater Gospel Choir and Southeast Asian Organization.

TIFU Cultural Ensemble was established in 1989 to promote African American cultural arts through: dance; music; theater; literature.  TIFU Cultural Ensemble introduces       students to cultural performances on campus, in Southeastern Wisconsin, and the Chicago Metropolitan area.  TIFU has an annual calendar of activities and performs at campus events such as: the Martin Luther King Commemorative Event and the African American Heritage Lecture Series.  Students are encouraged to share and demonstrate their talent with TIFU.  The campus community is always welcome to learn more about African American cultural arts through activities hosted by TIFU.  “TIFU’s purpose is to serve as a dynamic Cultural force that will enrich students of their embedded roots through dance, arts, and theater, also to provide a clear educational vessel in academic and arts education; and to exhibit and maintain an ideal cultural voice for other organizations, staff, and faculty counterparts as well.”

Leotha Stanley began playing for gospel choirs at the age of 13 at a Baptist church in Milwaukee.  He graduated from Milwaukee Marshall High School in 1974, University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1978.  Stanley founded the University of Wisconsin Student Gospel Choir in 1975.  Stanley has been contracted throughout the Midwest as an artist in residence, teaching blues, jazz, gospel, rap, and spirituals to public and private schools k-12.  Stanley is the author of two books, be a friend, the history of African American music through words pictures and songs, and spread my wings, a songbook with 9 original songs. These songbooks are accompanied by cassette tapes and beautiful illustrations by two Madison area art teachers.

Carl Cole has been an inspiration to the art community for many years in Rockford, IL.  He has served as a songwriter, producer, and featured artist for events, organizations, and universities.  He has had the pleasure of serving as the artistic and music director for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewaters Gospel Choir. He has been a frequent participant at the AHANA Student Leadership Conference in the state of Wisconsin.  Mr. Cole’s talent has enabled him to perform jazz, blues, classical tunes, as well as his favorite gospel renditions.  His soulful personality has enabled him to earn the respect and appreciation of pre-college students, college students, and adults.  Mr. Cole on occasion has had the privilege of appearing with his talented wife, Dianna.