Gateway Technical College has named GeorgAnn Stinson-Dockery (Racine), Arnetta Griffin (Kenosha) and Michael Graveley (Kenosha) as this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarians, individuals recognized for their contributions to society, their school, business or profession, as well as their dedication to volunteerism or philanthropic life’s work.
The Humanitarians will be honored at Gateway’s 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, noon, Jan. 15, in the Madrigrano Auditorium of the Conference Center on its Kenosha Campus, 3520-30th Ave.
This year’s theme is “New Generation. New Dreams.” Doors will open to the event at 11:30 a.m.
GeorgAnn Stinson-Dockery, Racine. GeorgAnn has been a dedicated volunteer for the Birthing Project USA. She was appointed to the group as business advisor before becoming the group’s national president, serving that role from 2013-16, and now is the volunteer program director for the group’s Racine and Kenosha chapters. She has designed and implemented a community-driven, non-medical, grassroots intervention to address the disparity of infant mortality in the Racine-Kenosha communities through advocacy and communal support programming. She is currently trying to develop a statewide Birthing Project in Wisconsin. GeorgAnn’s nominator says that she “embodies the spirit and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through her dedication and selfless service to her community.”
Arnetta Griffin, Kenosha. Arnetta is the owner of the Kenosha-based nonprofit agency, God’s Kitchen. After finding out that many of the homeless in Kenosha were going without food, she says God sent her on a mission to feed the hungry and the poor twice a day in Kenosha, as well as provide clothing. She hopes to soon include shelter opportunities for the homeless, as well. Arnetta grew up in Chicago and moved to Wisconsin when she was 18, and says she “knows what it’s like to be hungry.” Following some tough times in her life, Arnetta said she asked God how she could make a difference – and her non-profit was born. Her nominator says she “is an angel to the homeless and an example of the great impact an individual with drive and persistence can do in our society for others.”
Mike Graveley, Kenosha. Mike is the Kenosha County District Attorney. He has worked for more than 25 years a prosecutor, with more than 20 of those years in the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office. He was the 2005 winner of the Lee and Lynn Copen Family Justice Award presented by Women’s and Children’s Horizons of Kenosha, and started the Kenosha Unity Coalition which focuses on treating gun violence as a public health epidemic. In 2016, he was named Wisconsin Department of Justice Prosecutor of the Year. His nominator says “Mike is a leader who is compassionate and giving of his time.”
Event to offer in-depth discussion format
The Jan. 15 event where the Humanitarians will be honored will feature a provocative discussion about the theme of “New Generation, New Dreams” as it pertains to social justice. The discussion will be moderated by Adelene Greene. Panelists include Dianna Gavin, organizational development business partner, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin; Dorothy Walker, dean, School of Technology and Applied Sciences, Milwaukee Area Technical College; and Kenosha Harborside Academy students David Harrell II and Maxell Walker.
Dream Keepers – the winners of the Peace Mentor, Kenosha Kindness Week and Peace Maker Awards – will also be recognized at the event.