AACCW CEO Ossie Kendrix Jr. receives Herb Kohl Champion Award

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Oct. 11, 2021) – African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin President and CEO Ossie Kendrix Jr. is the recipient of the 2021 Herb Kohl Champion Award bestowed by Safe Sound.

The award is presented annually to a community leader who demonstrates exemplary collaboration and commitments to Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

“In the past year, Ossie has introduced new programming to support small minority-owned businesses and strengthened strategic partnerships that have created economic and operational support to those businesses,” said Safe & Sound Deputy Executive Director Bridget Whitaker. “He is surely building a stronger Milwaukee, creating new entrepreneurs and equipping business owners with skills to not only become sustainable, but also to create employment opportunities within the communities we serve. Ossie has worked for years to create a more equitable community.”

Under Kendrix’s leadership, the AACCW is achieving the most impactful and successful year in its history, reaching its $1 million fundraising goal to build and open the Legacy Co-Working and Innovation Space, which serves as its new headquarters at 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Neighborhood.

“During the pandemic, Ossie was at the forefront of ensuring there was an equitable distribution of state and federal funds into the communities that we serve that were severely affected by COVID-19,” Whitaker said.

Kendrix also serves on the Safe & Sound Board of Directors. Safe & Sound works to unite residents, youth, law enforcement and community resources to build safe and empowered neighborhoods.

Kendrix received the Herb Kohl Champion Award at the Safe & Sound Annual Gala on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. The award salutes those who follow in former Sen. Kohl’s footsteps to achieve positive changes and collaborations in the community.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.