Welcome all,
On behalf of the 2025 Honorary Chairs, welcome to the 25th Annual Fellowship Open Weekend! Over 25 consecutive years, we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to champion education and open pathways to successful careers for Milwaukee’s youngsters. This dream is made possible only by your generosity and support for this outstanding event! As of this year, the Fellowship Open has raised more than $5 million, which will continue to sustain youth programs and initiatives, impacting more than 160 local organizations connected to Wisconsin.
We are pleased to announce that this year marks our 25th Consecutive Sellout! This tremendous outpouring of involvement endorses and guarantees dozens of educational, vocational, and recreational self-development learning experiences and results in positive youth development, advanced leadership training, and corporate engagement. The funding we’ve received has a measurable community impact affecting the educational journey from elementary to university achievement and beyond.
The MKE Fellows, designed to eliminate graduation rate disparity for Wisconsin’s African American males, has flourished as a core Fellowship Open initiative. Cohorts of MKE Fellows have graduated at levels which dramatically exceed national standards, providing real-world evidence that they are well on the way to greatness. These gentlemen and scholars are living testaments to the Fellowship Open’s mission and purpose. They serve as indisputable evidence of what can be achieved.
Evolving the power of esteemed role models, each year the Fellowship Open takes pride in acknowledging civic and business leaders in the community who exemplify a commitment to excellence, philanthropy, and service. This year we proudly recognize the achievements of Troy Vincent, Charly Palmer, Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter, Chris Webber, and Michele Hooper.
Troy Vincent
2025 Fellowship Open
Legends Honoree
2025 Honorees
Charly Palmer
2025 Fellowship Open National Change Agent Honoree
Chris Webber
2025 Fellowship Open Legends Honoree
2024
Vin Baker
Cornell Boggs III
Rickie Weeks
2023
Rich Poirier
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis
2022
Charles R. Matthews
Dr. John W. Carlos
2021
Dee M. Robinson
LeRoy Butler
2020
Dan Bader
Sidney Moncrief
Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter
2025 Fellowship Open Legacy Honoree
Michele Hooper
2025 Fellowship Open National Corporate Leadership Honoree
2019
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Greg Marcus
2018
Dr. George Koonce
LaRue Martin
David Gruber
2017
Thelma Sias
Bob Dandridge
2016
Oscar Robertson
Dr. Joan Prince
Patty Cadorin
2015
Bud Selig
Earnie Ellison
Jackie Herd-Barber
2014
Frank Robinson
Vel Phillips
2013
Herb Kohl
Charles Harvey
2012
Wayne Embry
Sande Robinson
2011
Willie Davis
Skip Robinson
The Fellowship Open has honored many people over the past 25 years, for more information visit www.fellowshipopen.org
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Corporate Leadership Circle Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Michael & Jackie Barber
Charles Matthews
Youth Sponsors
Golf Hole Sponsors
Ahern
Boys & Girls Club Of Greater Milwaukee
Calypso Investment Partners
Diamond Discs International
HPE
PSG
Sayers Technology
Pam Stampen
Breakfast Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Media Sponsors
YOUTH AWARD RECIPIENTS
Over the past 25 years, the Fellowship Open has proudly raised more than $5 million in contributions to support youth programs in the Milwaukee Community.
Past Major Award Recipients
2024
TBEY Arts
Strength Of Savior Center
Sports Analytics Club Program
2023
The School of The New York Times
The Watchmen
Mentor Greater Milwaukee
Kenya Outreach
2022
Golda Meir Sports Analytics Club (SACP)
Kappa League
Lead Generation
Leading Change Africa
2021
Simba Soccer
Butler vs Bullying
MKE Fellows/ Sports Analytics Club Program (SACP)
T.Lab
2020
Moncrief Game Changer
Five Pillars/Metcalfe School Virtual
Tutoring Project
Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
2019
African American Male Initiative
Black and Latino Male Achievement
Operation DREAM
2018
100 Black Men - Madison
Black Arts Fest MKE
Signature Dance Company
2017
Black Arts MKE, Inc.
Northcott Neighborhood House
One Accord Foundation, Inc.
Wisconsin Black Historical Society
Milwaukee Chapter of The Links, Inc.
The Fellowship Open has helped over 100 youth organizations, for more information visit www.fellowshipopen.org
Weekend at a Glance
2025 Fellowship Open Thursday, August 21-Saturday, August 23, 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Practice Golf | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tripoli Country Club | 7401 N 43rd St, Brown Deer, WI 53209
*By Invitation Only*
Business Trends in Artificial Intelligence | 12:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Quarles | 411 E Wisconsin Ave # 2400, Milwaukee, WI 53202
As Artificial Intelligence advances from experimentation to enterprise-scale deployment, business and technology leaders face growing pressure to deliver secure, scalable, and high-impact AI initiatives.
Opening Reception Dinner | Doors Open: 5:30 PM | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
IPAMA | 3200 W Hampton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Attire: Summer Social
We will commence our weekend with an Opening Reception Dinner at IPAMA. We will pay tribute to the 2025 National Corporate Leadership Honoree of the Fellowship Open, Michele Hooper, President and CEO of The Directors’ Council and Legacy Honoree of the Fellowship Open, Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter, President and CEO of V&J Foods, Holding Companies, Inc.
Friday, August 22, 2025
25th Fellowship Open Golf Tournament | 6:00 AM
Kettle Hills Golf Course | 3375 WI - 167, Richfield, WI 53076
Attire: Golf Apparel
Golfers will play a round of scramble-style golf all morning long, rain or shine. There are special hole events and trivia along the course.
Friends of the Fellowship: Milwaukee State of Mind | Pickup: 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM
IPAMA | 3200 W Hampton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Attire: Resort/Country Club
A morning of exploring the need for sound mental health and utilizing the Arts for coping and wellness.
Legends Awards Luncheon | 1:00 PM
Kettle Hills Golf Course | 3375 WI - 167, Richfield, WI 53076
Guests, staff, and golfers will enjoy lunch before listening to speeches and congratulations from this year’s Youth Awardees, Fellowship Open staff, one of the 2025 Fellowship Open Legends Honoree Chris Webber
President’s BBQ | 6:30 PM
Mequon Rotary Park | 4100 Highland Rd, Mequon, WI 53092
Attire: Summer BBQ
BBQ Dinner at Mequon Rotary Park. A time of reconnecting and socializing with Fellowship Open guests and supporters. Enjoy live music and a wonderful buffet of cuisine by local chefs.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Chairman’s Circle Tournament | Morning Teeoff
Attire: Golf Apparel
The love of golf continues with the opportunity to experience the greens in Midwest at Clubs in our local area for foursomes looking for some continued competition and connection.
*Limited Attendance*
Friends of the Fellowship: A Storied Tradition | Pickup: 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM
Pettit National Ice Center| 500 S 84th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214
Attire: Resort/Country Club
For our second Friends of the Fellowship event of the weekend, guests will enjoy a morning of celebrating the traditions passed down through generations valued in the community.
Olympic Symposium | 11:00 AM
Pettit National Ice Center| 500 S 84th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214
Attire: Resort/Country Club
The Fellowship Open invites you to an unforgettable afternoon featuring three Olympic icons whose courage, commitment, and convictions have shaped both sports and society.
Bible Study Devotional | 5:00 PM
ALIVE Inc. Milwaukee | 815 N Water St, Milwaukee WI, 53202
Attire: White & Silver
This evening connects guests for a time of reflection and refilling.
Silver Soiree | 6:30 PM
Saint Kate The Arts Hotel | 139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attire: White & Silver
As we mark the 25th Anniversary of the Fellowship Open, we invite you to an unforgettable evening at the Silver Soirée—a tribute to the leaders, changemakers, and community champions who have shaped our journey. We will pay tribute to the 2025 National Change Agent Honoree of the Fellowship Open, Charly Palmer, American Fine Artist, Illustrator, and Graphic Designer.
*By Invitation Only*
Fresh Coast Jazz Festival | 9:00 PM
Pabst Theater | 144 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Musical Closeout: Gerald Albright
*Ticketed Event* www.freshcoastjazz.com
