The city of Milwaukee has numerous unsung heroes. These individuals either marched for equality or provided a needed service to their community in an effort to produce change.
For 24 years the Community Brainstorming Conference (CBC) has been acknowledging outstanding citizens whose efforts serviced their neighborhoods. On Nov. 15, the CBC bestowed their highest honor, the James Howard Baker Award, to educator, civil rights activist and union leader, Lauri Wynn.
Many distinguished guests were present. The most notable guests were  Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, U.S. Rep.Gwendolyn Moore, state Sen. Lena Taylor, Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, and mistress of ceremonies, Vel R. Phillips, Esq. Also in attendance were MATC instructors George Stone, earth science; Ansenju Tamangi, economics; James Carpenter; economics. Dr. Pamela Malone, MATC sociology instructor and CBC chairperson, made sure that tickets were provided for 20 to 25 students to attend the event. Malone and the board of directors at CBC worked tirelessly to make the awards dinner at the Radisson Hotel a success.
The evening started with a reception in the lobby, where politicians were present to meet and greet guests and pose for photos. Malone and Phillips kept the program on track introducing the speakers. Even when things went off schedule, the duo managed to amuse guests with light banter.
First up was Mayor Barrett, who read the commendation to Wynn in her honor and designated that day as Lauri Wynn Day. “I wanted to be here for the importance of the CBC and also because I am a long- time huge fan of Lauri Wynn,” said Barrett.
Barrett recalled his days elected to state legislature in the late ‘80s and remembers Wynn handling herself with such dignity and class. Barrett read the confirmation presented to Wynn from the city and warmly congratulated her on her accomplishments and contributions to Milwaukee.
Malone mentioned other notable guests that were in the audience, and then read other awards given to Wynn. The Milwaukee branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) offered an acknowledgement to Wynn. The events of the evening were recorded for the records of the state Congress.
Moore approached the podium and spoke eloquently of Wynn. “She is one of the sharpest and smartest women that came from this community and she is definitely a role model,” said Moore. As the congresswoman read off the many accomplishments of Wynn, from being the first African- American president elected of the Wisconsin Education Association Council to being an active participant in the freedom walks of the ‘60s, the audience attained more awareness of Wynn’s achievements.

“It is always an honor to take a moment to recognize those individuals that paved the way,” said Taylor, reading the citation she wrote for Wynn. The Wisconsin State Assembly also sent an award on behalf of her colleagues: Representatives Frederick P. Kessler, Robin Vos and Tyler August. Turner took the time to acknowledge the accomplishments of the women in the room. “We are not there for our comfort and convenience, we are there to be the voice of the people, we are there for the people, to work for the people,” said Turner.
“For her tireless work towards the education of Milwaukee public school students and inspiring many to achievements in politics and academia, and for her years of activism in the NAACP, struggling for justice and equality,” said Malone, reading the CBS plaque while presenting the James H. Baker Award to Wynn.
“There are no words I could put together to express how delighted I am to be here; the night you are receiving your award. How important it is for us to give each other our flowers, uplifts, our praise while we are yet alive,” said Turner. The room erupted into laughter when Turner stated to Phillips and Wynn, “If God made anything better than a woman, he must have kept it to himself.”
Lastly, Turner remembered asking her grandmother what it takes to be a success in this thing called life.  Turner shared that her grandmother was raised in the south with only a third grade education. “My grandmother was one of the smartest women I knew, she did not have a formal education, but my God, he gifted her with knowledge,” said Turner. “All you need are three bones: the wishbone, the jawbone and the backbone,” said Turner explaining what her grandmother had taught her, “the wishbone will keep you hoping and praying, wanting the next day to be better than the next, the jawbone will give you the courage to speak truth, and the backbone is the major bone; it will keep you standing through all trials and tribulations of life.”
Wynn took a moment near the end to thank everyone for their love and support.