41st BE Legacy of Excellence Awards honors Milwaukee’s best

On Friday, February 27, 2026, the BE Legacy of Excellence Awards (formally The Black Excellence Awards) hosted it’s 41st annual celebration of Milwaukee’s African American community for Black History month at the Baird Center, 405 W. Kilbourn Ave. This year’s special honorees “Men Behind the Mic,” which celebrate our local African American male news anchors (top left photo) Gerron Jordan, WISN 12; Derrick Rose, WISN 12; Duke Carter, WISN 12; Ryan Jenkins, TMJ 4; Gideon Verdin, TMJ 4; Donovan Long, FOX 6; Darius Joshua, CBS 58; and Frankie Jupiter, CBS 58. There was also a special recognition of Green Bay Packers Legends (lower right photo) LeRoy Butler, Gilbert Brown, and Antonio Freeman. This year more than 20 individuals were honored at this awards (lower left photo) as well as 12 students who where awarded scholarships through the Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Fund (top right). For the fifth year in a row, Gerron Jordan of WISN 12 News served as Master of Ceremonies. Congratulations to all the 2026 honorees.

“Men Behind the Mic”: Gerron Jordan, WISN 12; Derrick Rose, WISN 12; Duke Carter, WISN 12; Ryan Jenkins, TMJ 4; Gideon Verdin, TMJ 4; Donovan Long, FOX 6; Darius Joshua, CBS 58; and Frankie Jupiter, CBS 5

Green Bay Packers Legends: LeRoy Butler, Gilbert Brown, and Antonio Freeman

BE Legacy of Excellence 2026 Honorees:: Art, Antoine Carter and Marquise Mays; Aspiring Game Changers,  Antoine McDuffie, Kenan Peterson, Corey Stewart, and Walter Taylor, III; Business, Marcel and Dr. Camelia L. Clarke, Dr. Andrew Ward, and Dr. Ramard Wright; Community Leadership, Melissa Buford, and Dr. Florence Johnson; Corporate Tailblazers, LaVerne Davis, Tracy Meeks, and Tiffany Wynn; Education, Michael Harris, Dr. Tarrynce Robinson, Kelby Spann, and Dr. Marica Tipton; Extraordinary Achievement, Edward Hennings, and Lynne Dixon Speller; Health, Eric Smith, and Ericka M. Sinclair; Law, Attny. William F. Sulton; Music, Kari Renee Lyons, and Nathan Mayfield; Public Service, Sergeant Troy Johnson (MPD), and Lt. Ricky Price, Jr. (MFD); Religion, Dr. Marcus L. Arrington; Social Service, Clarence Johnson, and Crystal McClain; and Veterans, LCpl. Malcolm L. Hunt (Vietnam Vet), and Sgt. Dennis Robinson (Operation Enduring Freedom).

Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Fund Recipients: Silver Anderson (Golda Meir High School), Brinya Baker (Menomonee Falls High School), Denise Beamon (Milwaukee School of Languages), Aubree Cathey (Rufus King IB High School), MaLeyah Cornelius (Dominican High School), Malik Fall (Milwaukee School of Languages), Shamyra Harris (Bay View High School),Teagan Harvey (Bay View High School),Amir Hayes (Golda Meir High School), Jazale Hill (St. Thomas More High School), Caleb Ivy (Golda Meir High School), and Malik Joyner (Wisconsin Lutheran High School).

2026 Sponsors: WISN Channel 12, Ascension Healthcare, Brewers Community Foundation, Baird, McDonalds/McPyles Corporation, Gruber Law Offices, Green Bay Packers Give Back, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, US Bank, Verner & Associates, Palmero’s Pizza, Network Health, and Chris Abele.