Kevin Newell
Royal Capital
President

Kevin Newell is a MBA graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater with an emphasis in Finance and Management, and an ACRE Alum at Marquette University. As Founder, Newell serves as President and CEO of Royal Capital. In his role, Newell oversees all senior level investment and development related decisions, while managing a disciplined company-growth strategy. Some of Royal Capital’s recent projects in Milwaukee include a partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks to develop luxury apartments and retail as part of the new Entertainment District, and on the Northwest side of the City Royal Capital is developing a mixed use project that includes affordable housing and a new state of the art Milwaukee Public Library. In addition, Royal Capital was recently announced as partner for the Medical College of Wisconsin and Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s place based partnership where Royal Capital will lead the $100 Million investment while serving as Developer and Owner.

Newell’s commitment to the community is highlighted by his community and corporate affiliations including

• Guest House of Milwaukee (Board Member)
• Greater Milwaukee Foundation (Impact Investment Committee)
• University of Wisconsin- Whitewater College of Business and Economics (Board Member)
• Marquette University School of Real Estate (Board Member)
• MLK Economic Development Corporation (Board Member)
•YMCA of Greater Milwaukee (Corporate Board)
•Secure Futures (Board Member)
•Federal Home Home Bank of Chicago (Community Impact Advisory Council)
• Wisconsin Preservation Fund (Board Member)

Awards and Recognitions:

• 40 Under 40 (Business Journal)
• Top 75 Power Brokers (Milwaukee)

QuHarrison Terry
Inevitable/Human
Editor-In-Cheif & Co-Founder

QuHarrison is a marketer, technologist, and entrepreneur. He led the marketing team at Redox – a forward-thinking digital health company providing a simple interface for exchanging Electronic Health Record information. He was honored two years in a row as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology and presented at CES, SXSW, and TEDx.

Embodying his “Boy from the future” persona, QuHarrison lives and breathes technological progress – wondering how we’ll push human abilities further and redefine our Earthly boundaries.

Grady L. Crosby
Johnson Controls Foundation
Vice President Public Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer and President,

Grady L. Crosby is a Corporate Officer of Johnson Controls and is responsible for leading Johnson Controls’ global diversity and inclusion strategy, sustainability thought leadership, LATAM government relations strategies, and its philanthropic endeavors in order to enhance enterprise business objectives and maintain the company’s commitment to social responsibility, community involvement and the environment. In this role, Crosby continues to drive Johnson Controls’ commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce as well as partnering with a diverse vendor/supplier base aligned with company values. In addition, Crosby also leads the Johnson Controls enterprise sponsorship capability.

Crosby joined Johnson Controls in 2011 as vice president and global general counsel for the Power Solutions business. In that position he supervised all legal operations associated with that business, and served as a member of the company’s senior legal leadership team providing support to the Johnson Controls General Counsel. Previously, Crosby held positions with Hanesbrands, Inc., National Textiles and Sara Lee Corporation.

Crosby holds a Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University. He serves on several prominent boards, including Froedtert Health, Wisconsin Policy Forum, U.N. Global Compact Network USA, Wisconsin Center District, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, VISIT Milwaukee, and Travaux.  He is also a member of the internationally recognized Executive Leadership Council.

Que & Khalif El-Amin
Founders
Young Enterprising Society

Young Enterprising Society (“YES”) started in 2012 as the brainchild of Que & Khalif El-Amin as they saw a need for a social outlet in Milwaukee for young professionals. Using Khalif’s vast network, YES was able to host parties in the trendiest of Wisconsin’s Social Clubs that traditionally did not welcome people of color. With every party, YES hosted a “Haircuts for Kids” event, giving free haircuts throughout the United States. Concurrently, YES saw it’s brand grow through the use of social media culminating into selling over 2,000 pieces of apparel in their first year of business.

Current Initiatives include The Blueprint, which is a Seed Accelerator that is stimulating growth in YES. With the sponsors, the City of Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Institute and Northwestern Mutual, YES will continue to offer locally-owned startups an opportunity to participate in the inaugural business cultivator known as “The Blueprint.”

Juli Kaufmann & JoAnne Sabir
Sherman Phoenix

In 2016, violent unrest broke out in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee after a fatal police shooting rocked the community.

In the weeks following, community conversations identified the need for safe, welcoming neighborhood spaces, and certain leaders in the community decided to take matters into their own hands in order to foster change. In the hopes of moving forward — the idea for the Sherman Phoenix was born.

The Sherman Phoenix transformed the fire-damaged BMO Harris Bank building located at the eastern gateway to the Sherman Park neighborhood into high-quality space for small businesses-of-color offering diverse foods, wellness services and cultural activities. Updates to the neighborhood include much-needed community spaces to curate art exhibits, film showings, and cultural events.

Rising from the ashes and harnessing the spirit and assets of the neighborhood as a catalyst for unity, this is the Sherman Phoenix.