Help Us Fight Poverty & Celebrate People Who Make a Difference in Our Community
Founded with the belief that no one has to spend a life in poverty, the Social Development Foundation celebrates the work of Attorney James Hall. The Social Development Foundation will present Attorney James Hall with the Don Sykes Legacy Award at our annual gala held September 16, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency – Milwaukee. By joining us as we acknowledge Attorney Hall’s contributions, your recognition and sponsorship will help us foster an environment that not only values his work, but inspires future leaders helping residents experiencing poverty. With your sponsorship, our gala will create a platform to show what’s possible.
We know already that approximately 20 percent of Milwaukee County residents experience poverty. In the face of record unemployment, economists predict conditions will continue to decline. As a sponsor, your support will help us create an event that informs, educates and motivates all of us to unite and take action to strengthen our community. We, the directors of the Social Development Foundation, are pleased to present you with a sponsorship opportunity that will enable you to join us as we celebrate the good in our community. Together, we can provide people with hope and a strategy for a better future.
Event Details
Sd-Foundation: The Legacy Gala
Attorney James Hall, 2023 Don Sykes Honoree
Saturday, September 16, 2023
5:00 pm – Program
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
333 West Kilbourn Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203
2023 Don Sykes Honoree
Attorney James Hall
2023 Don Sykes Honoree
James H. Hall, Jr. is a 1979 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. In June, 1979, he joined Charne, Clancy and Taielman, S.C.where he became a partner andpracticed until the firm’s dissolution in 1991. He and others then established the firm Hall, Burce and Olson, S.C. where he continued to practice until his retirement in October of 2022.
Attorney Hall has extensive experience representing cases involving discrimination in employment, housing, and education. He served as co-counsel in the class-action redlining lawsuit the NAACP brought against American Family Insurance that resulted in a record $16 million settlement in the 1990s, the class action settlement with the City of Milwaukee on behalf of African American Firefighters, and the lawsuit challenging the voucher program for students in the Milwaukee public school system. He has also provided counsel to the City of Saint Paul and the State of Minnesota in civil rights matters and most recently to the City of Minneapolis regarding reparations for American Descendants of Slaves.
Attorney Hall’s dedication to the betterment of those living in Milwaukee County includes serving as the past president of the NAACP Milwaukee Branch, where he worked to restore, reform, and revitalize the civil rights organization, co-founding 100 Black Men of Milwaukee, serving on both the Wisconsin and National Board of Directors for the Americans Civil Liberties Union, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
He served as legal counsel for the Community Relations–Social Development Commission (SDC) of Milwaukee County for more than 25 years and continued to represent SDC until his retirement in October of 2022, leaving a legacy of service, expansion, and creation of SD Properties and SD Foundation.
2023 Legacy Gala Co-Chairs
Attorney Celia Jackson, Co-Chair
Attorney Celia Jackson is a dynamic leader with an exemplary record of service. Her family moved to Milwaukee in 1968 and shortly thereafter her mother, Harriet McCraney was named Director of Head Start with the Social Development Commission. Many of the SDC team, including Don Sykes and Rosemary Holley, became family and she grew up learning all about early childhood education and anti-poverty programs. After graduating from Messmer High School, she went to Hampton Institute (University) majoring in Political Science. It is there she would meet Attorney James Hall. Prior to retirement in 2022, Attorney Jackson held numerous high-powered positions, including Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County, Assistant Dean at Marquette University Law School, Director of Black Catholic Ministry at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, Director of the International and Intercultural Center at Alverno College and Chief of Staff for the Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office.
Don Cohen, Co-Chair
For over twenty-five years, Don Cohen has proven to be a successful businessman in the banking industry. He has worked for Landmark Credit Union, North Shore Bank, and Associated Bank. In addition to this, Don has served on 25 different community boards and organizations. Over this span of time, Don has received approximately 100 awards and recognitions for his community outreach efforts. This is a true reflection of Don’s character and impact on people. His hard work and dedication have gone far beyond his personal goals and career advancements. Don is a true community leader and advocate, serving as a catalyst for financial and social change. He has been a resource and support system for a vast number of diverse community groups. Don has also developed innovative programs and products to help serve the unbanked or underbanked individuals who may or may not have social security numbers.
Sponsorship Opportunities
(exclusive)
Presenting Sponsor
$25,000
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Presenting Sponsor on all promotional printed materials and event website
- Banner at entrance
- Three (3) tables (10 seats per table) with optimum seating
- Two (2) signature bottles of champagne on each table
- Sponsor reserved signage
- Company logo with hyperlink leading to sponsor website on the SD Foundation’s website for one (1) year
- Full-page color ad in program booklet (inside front cover)
- Podium Thanks & Acknowledgement
- Five (5) minute podium remarks to attendees
- Logo on sponsor appreciation signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
- 2023 Summit on Poverty Benefits
- One (1) Reserved Table (10 seats per table) with sponsor-reserved signage at the 2023 Summit on Poverty held September 14-15, 2023
- Complimentary vendor space at Summit on Poverty
- Full page color
(exclusive)
Legacy Trailblazer
$20,000
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Legacy Trailblazer on all promotional printed materials and event website
- Two (2) Reserved Table (10 seats per table) with premium seating
- One (1) signature bottle of champagne on each table
- Sponsor Reserved signage
- Company logo with a hyperlink leading to the sponsor website on the SD Foundation’s website for one (1) year
- Full-page color ad in the program booklet (inside back cover)
- Podium Thanks & Acknowledgement
- Name on sponsor appreciation signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
- 2023 Summit on Poverty Benefits
- One-half (1/2) Reserved Table (5 seats per table) with sponsor-reserved signage at the 2023 Summit on Poverty held September 14-15, 2023
- Complimentary vendor space at Summit on Poverty
- Full-page color ad space in Summit on Poverty program booklet
(exclusive)
Legacy Leader
$15,000
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Legacy Leader on all promotional printed materials and event website
- One (1) Reserved Table (10 seats per table) with enhanced seating
- Sponsor Reserved signage
- Full-page color ad in the program booklet
- Podium Thanks & Acknowledgement
- Name on sponsor appreciation signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
- 2023 Summit on Poverty Benefits
- One-half (1/2) Reserved Table (5 seats per table) with sponsor-reserved signage at the 2023 Summit on Poverty held September 14-15, 2023
- Complimentary vendor space at Summit on Poverty
- 1/2-page color ad space in Summit on Poverty program booklet
(3 available)
Legacy Advocate
$10,000
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Legacy Advocate on all promotional printed materials and event website
- One (1) Reserved Table (10 seats per table)
- Sponsor Reserved signage
- Half (1/2) page color ad in the program booklet
- Podium Thanks & Acknowledgement
- Name on sponsor appreciation signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
(6 available)
Legacy Ambassador
$5,000
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Legacy Ambassador on all promotional printed materials and event website
- One (1) Reserved Table (10 seats per table)
- Sponsor Reserved signage
- Name recognition in the program booklet
- Podium Thanks & Acknowledgement
- Name on sponsor appreciation signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
(10 available)
Legacy Tribute
$2,500
Benefits of Sponsoring
- Recognized as Legacy Tribute on all promotional printed materials and event website
- One (1) Reserved Table (10 seats per table)
- Sponsor Reserved signage
- Recognition in SD Foundation’s Annual Report
Rosemary Holley Scholarship Fund
Rosemary Holley
The Rosemary Holley Scholarship Fund supports the community’s voice by aligning with the community-wide needs assessment. And when the community speaks, the Social Development Foundation listens. In partnership with the Social Development Commission’s Pathways to Homeownership program, this year’s scholarship recipient(s) will receive funds to help cover their down payment and closing costs.
Ms. Holley was a fearless leader with a rich history. In many ways, the name Rosemary Holley is synonymous with the Social Development Commission. After her employment by the organization, she returned to serve on the Head Start Parent Council and served as an elected SDC Board Commissioner. She held the position of Chairperson in 1996, 1998, and 1999. In 2013, she rejoined SDC’s Board to serve as Governance Technical Assistance Resource Provider (TARP). Using her knowledge and experience from her time serving on the Board, she advised on matters related to Board Governance.
It is only fitting that we help others move through the experience of poverty and build their legacy in her honor.