Get Involved

Be a Part of This Historic Moment in Madison

Our goal is to raise $36 million to build and run The Center.

This is the first multi-million dollar transformational project in Madison, led by and for the Black community. This is our time – the time to show the strength and leadership of our community.

When the Black Community Thrives, the Region Benefits

Madison’s need for The Center is clear, and we can only make it a reality if the city’s philanthropic community, business community, and individual donors come together to build this project that will benefit all of us from Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, and beyond. To learn more about the project, download our case statement.

The Black Excellence Campaign

More than 300 Black community members and their honorees donated the first, foundational gifts and with your help we plan to open the doors of The Center in late 2023.

The Capital Campaign Leadership Committee

The Capital Campaign Leadership Committee is in charge of raising the $36 million necessary to bring The Center to life.

Susan Pierce Jacobsen

Vice President, Director of Administration Operations, JLA Architects

Anthony Cooper, Sr.

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Reentry Services, Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development

Brian Burns

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Morgan Murphy Media

Kim Sponem

CEO/ President, Summit Credit Union

Marla Frank

Retired Chief Financial Officer, Frank Productions

Maurice “Mo” Cheeks

Senior Partnerships Manager, Civis Analytics and past City of Madison Alderperson

Mike Victorson

CEO, M3 Insurance

Peter Feigin

President, Milwaukee Bucks

Ray Allen

Former Wisconsin Secretary of Workforce and Development

Sverre Roang

Attorney and Local Business Leader

George Austin

President, AVA Civic Enterprises

Gregory Banks

Vice President, Priority Technology Holdings

John Milton

Minority Services Coordinator, La Follette High School

Kesha Bozeman

Marketing Executive

Hon. Rick Phelps

Project Strategy, Former Dane County Executive, Chaired Redevelopment of East Washington Ave/ Capital East District

Neil Heinen

Co-Chair, Retired Editorial Director at WISC-TV and Madison Magazine, civic leader

Rev. Dr. Alex Gee

Co-Chair, Lead Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, President and Founder of the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and Justified Anger

Hon. Frances Huntley-Cooper

Co-Chair, Madison College District Board of Directors, retired Dane County Human Services Professional, former Mayor of Fitchburg

Jim Bower

Principal, Bower Group LLC

Cedric Ellis

Executive Vice President & Chief Enterprise Services Officer, CUNA Mutual Foundation

Alan Fish

Retired Vice Chancellor of UW- Madison

Jim Yehle

President & CEO, Findorff

Betty Harris Custer

Founder & Managing Partner, Custer Financial

Telisa Yancy

President of American Family Direct, American Family Insurance

Michelle A. Behnke

Principal, Michelle Behnke & Associates

A Word from Our Co-Chairs

“It’s time! We are ready to showcase intergenerational Black achievement from yesterday, today, and for the future. Are you ready?”

– Hon. Frances Huntley-Cooper, Capital Campaign Co-Chair

“I am thrilled to be working with Rev. Dr. Alex Gee on one of the biggest ideas in the city’s history, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. The Center will be transformative, changing the narrative of the Greater Madison region and its future to one that is truly inclusive and welcoming. It will celebrate the culture and contributions of the Black Madisonians who have been a part of the fabric of Madison since its inception. And it will be a Black inspired and designed space where all can gather, learn, create, celebrate, and promote Black excellence and culture.”

– Neil Heinen, Capital Campaign Co-Chair

With this campaign underway, we’re a step closer to improving the quality of life for Black Madisonians and enriching the region’s culture. You too can become a part of building The Center by contributing to its success today.

Thank You to Our $100,000+ Donors

State of Wisconsin: $5,000,000
American Family Insurance: $2,500,000
Summit Credit Union: $2,000,000
CUNA Mutual Foundation: $1,000,000
Rep. Mark Pocan Federal Earmark (Supported by Sen. Tammy Baldwin): $1,000,000
Dane County: $810,000
Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation: $500,000
W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation: $500,000
Dave and Terri Beck-Engel $500,000
Comer Family Foundation: $500,000
Anonymous: $500,000
Bankers’ Bank: $250,000
City of Madison: $250,000
Marla and Larry Frank: $125,000
M3 Insurance: $100,000
Betty Harris Custer and Corkey Custer $100,000
Jim and Jessica Yehle: $100,000
Mike and Karin Victorson: $100,000
UW Health: $100,000
Anonymous: $100,000 (2)