15 Individuals were Honored at the YWCA 2022 Impact Award Gala & Ceremony Held in Milwaukee

Multi-talented artists En Vogue, Chanté Moore, Luke James, Le'Andria Johnson, MAJOR, and more performed on December 28, 2022, at the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin's (YWCA SEW) star-studded 2022 Impact Award Gala & Ceremony that honored the pioneers and heroes who significantly impacted Southeast Wisconsin.

Frank Gatson Jr., an award-winning director and choreographer, is collaborating with the YWCA SEW to establish an Intergenerational Performing Arts and Athletics Center (IPAAC) in his hometown of Milwaukee. The ceremony was a fundraising event for the future center.

The center will use the strength of the arts and athletics to engage thousands of kids and community members at the 70,000-square-foot YWCA site in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District.  

There were 15 awardees recognized Wednesday night, including Dr. Denita Ball, the first Black woman sheriff of Milwaukee County; Tamara Moore, the first woman men's basketball head coach at Mesabi Range College; and Tina Nixon, a poetry powerhouse to name a few. 

Sheriff Ball, an Arkansas native, served for 25 years on the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) before joining the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. She retired from MPD at the level of deputy inspector. She also oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office as chief deputy sheriff/undersheriff beginning in 2019. 

“Thank you so much for this honor, I am truly humbled by it. I would like to thank all the pioneers who came before me and paved the way so that I can have an opportunity to succeed in a male-dominated field becoming sheriff,” said Sheriff Ball. “As the first female sheriff, I do not take this appointment lightly. I am honored by it, and I will work hard to earn your respect and to do a great job for this community.” 

Moore, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, began her journey to Wisconsin after receiving a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wisconsin Madison, where she helped lead the Badgers to the WNIT Championship and was named the WNIT MVP in 2000.

She was later drafted as the 15th overall pick and went on to play for the Miami Sol, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks, and Houston Comets in the WNBA for six seasons. In addition, she spent six seasons playing in Israel and France. 

"So just being able to have this I want to say thank you to the University of Wisconsin for giving me this connection. Thank you to the head basketball coaches here who continued to push me. Finally, I thank myself,” said Moore. “I could have gone anywhere in the country to play college basketball, and anywhere in the country would have been great. I feel like you know, looking at all the other options, Wisconsin made my dreams come true.”

Moore is also the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Mesabi Range College, where she is the first African American woman to hold the position. 

"I was the first girl to play in the boy’s all-star game. As the first African American woman to head coach at a college men's team in Minnesota, it simply demonstrates the impact of this program, the YWCA. I spent countless hours honing my skills at the local Boys and Girls Club,” said Moore. “These programs are critical.”

Nixon founded My Sista’s KeepHer, a youth empowerment organization that encourages young girls and women of all ages to discover their voice's healing power and to recover from the effects of trauma. Her dear Husband - Kwabena Nixon - and her close relationship with her sister inspired her in 2013 to create the organization.

Nixon, who was born and raised on Chicago's South Side, lived in the Ida B. Wells projects, where she dealt with poverty and trauma. She has served 5,000 youth and young adults for over 25 years, encouraging them to celebrate life, pursue their dreams, and cultivate self-love.  

"First and foremost, I want to thank the YWCA for this idea; you have no idea how much it means to me today," Nixon said. Nixon also gave a special thank you to her Husband and partner and crime saying, " My husband, who inspires me and encouraged me every day to be the best that I can be. I couldn't do it without you…my partner in crime.”

IMPACT AWARD 2022 HONOREES

Kenneth Lock II

Phyllis Smith

Tina Johnson Williams & Orlando Williams - Savoy’s

Arlene Skwierawski

Sarah Grant

Nicholas Payne

Austin “Ammo” Williams

Keith & Dr. Tanzanique Carrington

Tina Nixon

Beverley & Albert Holmes

Faithe Colas

Sheila Mayhorn

Tamara Moore

Telisa Yancy

In reimagining the YWCA SEW building, which is located on King Drive and Reservoir, it will allow individuals of all ages access to world-renowned instructors, choreographers, and workshops where they can choose from a variety of arts-centered disciplines such as singing, dancing, and athletic activities such as track and field, tennis, and basketball.

To find out more about the YWCA SEW, click here.