6 Honorees Named for 2023 Indaba African Ball

Benefit funds summer entertainment series for community.

Six Milwaukee history-makers will be recognized for their community contributions in a variety of fields at the fourth annual Indaba African Ball, which begins at 5:30 PM on Saturday, February 4.

The event takes place in the African-themed atrium of the Bucyrus Campus, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, 2450 W. North Ave. Funds raised at the ball support a weekly free summer entertainment series for the neighborhood at the Indaba Band Shell.

The Indaba African Ball has quickly become one of Milwaukee’s favorite new traditions to kick off Black History Month. Most guests wear African-inspired attire, and take a turn on a runway for an informal fashion show; the event also includes African and Caribbean-style hors d’oeuvres, live music by Christopher’s Project featuring Joe Jordan; photo booths and more.

New this year: guests will learn the popular Jerusalema dance, which started in Africa and soon swept global social media as groups from schoolchildren to nuns and monks took up the line dance challenge.

Admission is $75 per person; registration is available at StAnnCenter.org/IndabaBall. For more information, contact Gloria Miller, St. Ann Center director of special events, at (414) 210-2428 or gmiller@stanncenter.org.

Being named to the Hall of History Makers for 2023 will be:

1. Elizabeth Coggs
Elizabeth Monette Coggs is a former Milwaukee County supervisor and Wisconsin legislator with decades of experiences and multiple awards in government, youth services, culinary arts, and non-profit organizations. Currently, she serves as the director of Juneteenth Day, and director of operations at Northcott Neighborhood House.

2. Linda Jackson-Cocroft
Linda Jackson-Cocroft publishes BLACK WOMEN 50+, a health and lifestyle quarterly magazine that is among the few U.S. publications devoted specifically to this population. She launched it in 2003 to honor her mother’s legacy of service to women, aiming to empower its readership by demystifying major health issues, and to advance positive physical and mental health outcomes for them.

3. Yvonne Kemp
Yvonne Kemp is among the community’s premier photographers, earning numerous awards and recognitions for her news, commercial and creative photography in the past 15 years. Originally an accountant, she learned photography when working with her brother, and after his death, took over his contract with the Milwaukee Brewers as well as with the Milwaukee Community Journal and the Milwaukee Times.

4. Barbara White
Barbara White is a published playwright and poet, known for her advocacy and lobbying for human dignity and freedom for Black people in South Africa and, in Wisconsin, for voter education. A former campaign manager for Gwen Moore and Lee Holloway, as well as an organizer for the Million Woman March, she is also beloved for her “Holla” humor column, noted for its razor-sharp wit and commentary, in the Milwaukee Community Journal.

5. Alpha Kappa Omega Sorority, Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter
Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter in Milwaukee, founded 74 years ago and now with 382 members, is Wisconsin’s oldest and largest graduate chapter of theinternational service society of college-educated women. This chapter is noted for work to increase breast cancer awareness and support caregivers; for almost 50 years, they have also sponsored a Cotillion Ball promoting scholastic and service leadership in young women.

6. WNOV Radio
Wisconsin’s oldest 100% Black-owned radio station began in 1964, and since then, has become a respected place where Black media professionals have honed their skills. Located at 860AM and 106.5 FM, and broadcasting out of the 53206 ZIP Code, WNOV is a trusted source of community storytelling, daily information sharing, and a healthy balance of music on weeknights and through the weekend.