(Madison) First Lady Jessica Doyle will participate in honoring the Black Male Role Model Group with a Wisconsin Cares About Kids Award at 11:00 am on February 28, 2006. The group comprised of area volunteers is being recognized for its 16-year track record of helping Beloit youth. The ceremony will be held at the Merrill Community Center located at 1428 Wisconsin Avenue in Beloit.

The award, sponsored by Governor Jim Doyle and the State Public Defender’s Office, formally recognizes extraordinary efforts in working with children. In addition to First Lady Jessica Doyle, Public Defender Board Member Regina Dunkin (Executive Director of the Merrill Community Center) and Deputy State Public Defender Kelli Thompson are also scheduled to present the award. Kevin Leavy, President of the Black Male Role Model Group, and members from the group will be present to accept the award.

Since its inception in 1990, the Black Male Role Model Group (B.M.R.M.G.) has been focused on raising the self-esteem of black male youth. As a result, participants have gained a sense of pride, greater self-esteem, an appreciation of life, and positive life skills. The group’s specific projects include mentoring in the School District of Beloit, providing participants with golf lessons, conducting the “Saving the Children” television fundraiser, providing $5,000 toward the purchase of the new Merrill Community Center, and organizing a pancake breakfast with the proceeds distributed to area agencies that help kids.

“I have personally seen the difference the Black Male Role Model Group has made in Beloit,” noted Public Defender Board Member Regina Dunkin. “Through the group’s encouragement and empowerment, our children have greater opportunities to be productive citizens.”

Public Defender Board Chair Dan Berkos added, “It’s an honor to recognize this group of individuals that have unselfishly given much to the community – all for the sake of creating a better quality of life for the children.”

State Public Defender Nicholas L. Chiarkas added, “Wisconsin and its communities gain from the efforts of Wisconsin Cares About Kids Award winners. Recipients such as the Black Male Role Model Group make a marked impact on the State of Wisconsin by steering our kids to be contributing members of our communities.”

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