AALAM

15 Years of AALP Impact, Told Through Alumni Voices

This month, we spotlight AALP alum and AALAM Board Member Antoine McDuffie, whose leadership continues to make an impact across Milwaukee’s business and community landscape.

Through AALP, Antoine gained the confidence to embrace his authentic leadership style and trust the value of his voice. Experiential learning and reflection helped him adapt his approach, lead with clarity, and build stronger, more connected teams.

Today, Antoine serves as Director of Financial Risk Management at Baird, where he leads initiatives across risk, analytics, and talent strategy. He continues to invest in the next generation of leaders through mentorship, inclusive hiring efforts, and career exposure opportunities that reach students across multiple cities.

Read Antoine's full spotlight here: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/antoine-mcduffie-cohort-7/

This month, AALAM recognizes the continued leadership and visibility of our President and CEO, Angela Slack Adams, whose work continues to extend AALAM’s presence and influence both regionally and nationally.

Angela was recently recognized by Milwaukee Magazine as a Woman of the Week, honoring her designation as a Woman of Distinction for leading boldly. This recognition reflects the values at the heart of AALAM—leadership rooted in purpose, service, and long‑term impact.

Angela is also a featured speaker during She Stands Tall® Women’s Entrepreneurship Week panel, Rising Together: Inspiring the Next Wave of Women Entrepreneurs, on Tuesday, May 12, where she will share insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and supporting the next generation of high‑performing talent.

These moments align with a meaningful period for AALAM, as this month’s Alumni Spotlight highlights the continued success and leadership of our alumni—reinforcing that AALAM’s impact is strengthened through strong leadership at every level.

In addition to her role at AALAM, Angela serves on the Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin and is the Founder and CEO of Sage, where she continues to champion leadership excellence and high performance across organizations and communities.

Read the full Spotlight here- https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/angela-adams-cohort-5/

Woman of Distinction Article- https://www.milwaukeemag.com/women-of-distinction-2025-angela-adams-of-african-american-leadership-alliance-of-milwaukee/

Rising Together: Inspiring the Next Wave of Women Entrepreneurs- https://shestandstallmke.com/event/rising-together-inspiring-the-next-wave-of-women-entrepreneurs/

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor leaders like Nikki Purvis, whose journey reflects courage, self‑reflection, and a bold commitment to leading with purpose. Her story reminds us of the power women hold when they claim their voice and define leadership on their own terms.

When Nikki joined AALP, she was serving as the City of Milwaukee’s Small Business Development Director and navigating a pivotal moment in her career. Through the program, she gained clarity through deep reflection and feedback, embraced vulnerability as a leadership strength, and rebuilt confidence in how she showed up as a leader.

Today, Nikki serves as President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, leading statewide efforts to unapologetically support Black‑owned businesses. Her leadership represents the lasting impact of women who use their power and platform to advocate boldly, serve with intention, and create space for others to thrive.

Nikki’s journey embodies what Women’s History Month stands for—legacy, leadership, and the continued advancement of women shaping a more equitable future.

Read the full Spotlight here: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/nikki-purvis-cohort-8/

We’re one week away from The Room & The Roadmap!

Join the AALAM community for an evening of strategic dialogue, practical insight, and meaningful connection.

Advance registration encouraged, we look forward to seeing you in the room!

Register Here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/sx49fv6

We recently shared The Room & The Roadmap with our newsletter community, and we’re excited to extend the invitation here.

Join leaders across sectors and emerging talent for an evening designed to elevate leadership.

To learn more about this event or stay connected to future AALAM programming, visit our website, https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/, and register through the Events tab.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We recently shared The Room & The Roadmap with our newsletter community, and we’re excited to extend the invitation here.

Join leaders across sectors and emerging talent for an evening designed to elevate leadership.

To learn more about this event or stay connected to future AALAM programming, visit our website, https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/, and register through the Events tab.

We look forward to seeing you there!

As we celebrate International Women’s Day during Women’s History Month, we honor the diverse range of women whose leadership, resilience, and vision have paved the way for generations to come.

This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” reflects the work happening every day, with women in every sector driving innovation, strengthening communities, and positively impacting the trajectory of Metro Milwaukee.

We celebrate the women advancing our region's future and the global movement for a more sustainable, inclusive world.

As we close out Black History Month, we honor 100 years of celebrating Black leaders, changemakers, and innovators whose courage and influence continues to shape the Metro Milwaukee Region. A century of recognizing the brilliance, resilience, and contributions of Black leaders who’ve pushed our communities forward.

Throughout February, we highlighted Milwaukee figures whose impact reflects why AALAM remains committed to developing, supporting, and positioning Milwaukee’s talent pool.

While the month may end, our commitment to this work continues every day.

Thank you for learning, reflecting, and celebrating with us!

Margaret Arney's journey reflects the power of clarity, courage, and choosing to lead with heart. As we close out Black History Month, her story reminds us how transformative leadership becomes when rooted in authenticity and community.

When Margaret joined AALP, she was navigating a meaningful season of change. Through the program, she reconnected with her strengths, embraced a leadership style grounded in authenticity, and discovered practices that helped her move forward with confidence and purpose.

Today, Margaret continues to shape our region through public service and community advocacy, making history as the first Black woman elected as an alderwoman in Wauwatosa’s District 2 and expanding her impact through continued civic leadership.

Margaret’s journey reflects what becomes possible when leaders are given space to grow and step fully into who they are called to be.

Read Margaret’s Spotlight here: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/margaret-arney-cohort-3/

Ezekiel Gillespie was a courageous leader who transformed Wisconsin’s political landscape. In 1865, after being denied his right to vote, Gillespie took his case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and won, securing voting rights for Black men across the state.

His fight reminds us that progress often begins with individuals who refuse to accept injustice. Ezekiel Gillespie’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience can spark reform and move our region closer to the equitable ideals we work toward every day.