Lawrence Terry

Rev. Lawrence Terry, Racine, has long served education, his faith and community. He is a retired as a principal from the Racine Unified School District, a position he served for 27 years after serving as a principal in Georgia for 14 years. He is an ordained African Methodist Episcopal Church minister and currently serves in the Wayman AME Church. He is the past president of the Racine Branch NAACP, served on area homeless shelter committees, volunteered at RUSD schools through the Homework First program, served on the RUSD Desegregation and District Concerns Committee from 1975-98 and participated in civil rights marches and demonstrations in the 1960s.

An award nominator says: “He is a champion for others and, just like Dr. King, is selfless in his efforts to be a beacon of light to the world.”

Alex Hart-Upendo

Alex Hart-Upendo, Racine, a student at an area elementary school, is known nationally for his Build-A-Bow company and anti-bullying efforts. The company provides a way for customers to build their own unique and custom bow ties. In addition, the business also serves as a catalyst for a non-profit organization focused on promoting an anti-bullying message to youth and adults alike. Hart-Upendo was bullied himself and sought to find a way to prevent others from being bullied – and Build-a-Bow was formed because of his fondness for the clothing item.

Hart-Upendo hosts community workshops where bow ties are made and sent to key groups to help them in their own awareness campaigns, such as childhood cancer and for those suffering from incurable diseases. His for-profit business funds the workshops.

He delivers inspirational messages to other youth, as well as the elderly and those fighting disease. His work has garnered national accolades in the media.

An award nominator says: “The connection between Alex and the community is amazing. He gives people a platform to give back and impact the lives of others.”

Jeffrey and Nicole Urquhart

Jeffrey and Nicole Urquhart, Racine, own and operate the Racine business Baby Express, which they opened to assist expecting mothers in the area in an effort to reduce the city’s high infant mortality rate.

Nicole, a Desert Storm veteran, provides programs to young families to increase their knowledge on healthy living with information such as safe sleep, breastfeeding and nutrition. She co-chairs the Greater Racine Healthy Birth Initiative and, as a nominator says, her “love and care for the families and well-being for the next generation captures the spirit – and embodies the philosophy of – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Jeff is chairman of deacons at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and coordinates the church’s Tuesday community meal program which serves meals to 200 to 300.

An award nominator says Jeffrey and Nicole “have worked tirelessly to reduce infant mortality in the city of Racine.”

Warren and Joannie Williams

Warren Williams is the senior pastor at Living Faith Lutheran Church in Racine, and Joannie Williams is a retired longtime hospice nurse and currently serves as a parish nurse. The two Mount Pleasant residents have helped with the church’s Faith Works Food Pantry, which has become the largest food pantry in Racine. The two helped found the Mount Meru Tumania Health Clinic, which brings health care to a remote area of Tanzania. Joannie also contributed money to purchase land for the construction of a birthing center next to the clinic.

The Williams worked to create a homeless shelter for those who didn’t qualify for other shelters in the area. Joanie, in particular, works with and advocates for the homeless in many different ways, including driving them to medical and other appointments. Warren moved to make the church he pastors more missional and became the catalyst for such efforts as a day care for dementia patients and a transitional service for developmentally disabled recent high school graduates. Joannie also serves on the Racine Interfaith Coalition; Warren is a former member of the group, as well.

A nominator says they “exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. not only in their own continuous leadership and service, but in the many ways they call others to follow in the line of compassionate service, creating programs that require paid staff and volunteers.”