TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Sykes’ contributions to the Milwaukee Area Workforce Development Board and Milwaukee County have been criti- cal in moving the county, and the region forward. His dedication to Milwaukee and its people was genuine and inspir- ing. I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to work by his side. He will be dearly missed.” Milwaukee Courier newspaper char- acterized Donald “Don” Sykes as “a community leader, an anti-poverty trail- blazer and a mentor to many public ser- vants fighting the same fight he had for decades.” Donald Sykes was a longtime Milwaukee resident who served his community by working and planning to create a thriving economy by ensuring Milwaukee County’s workforce has the skills that match employer needs lead- ing to self-sufficiency. Brother Donald Sykes peacefully entered the Chapter Invisible after complications from a stroke on August 13, 2017 at the age of 80. On September 17, 2017, Wiscon- sin congresswoman Gwen Moore (D) read a tribute to Sykes on the floor of the United States Congress. Sykes was a 1980 initiate of the Milwaukee (WI) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Born in Chicago, IL in 1936, Sykes was the second of eight children born to the late Rose Bolden and Chester Sykes who died when Sykes was three years old. He was a high school athlete at Wendell Phillips High School, popular among his classmates and an intellectu- ally curious student. He developed his sense of style early and would often share Brooks Brothers suits and other attire with his friends. After graduation, he graduated with a social sciences degree from Northern Illinois Univer- sity, located in DeKalb, IL, and later received a master’s degree from Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After completion of his advanced degrees, Sykes returned to hometown of Chicago where he taught at his alma mater and started a family. In 1968, he had the opportunity to join President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty as the executive directorship of Milwaukee’s
Social Development Commission (SDC). He moved his family to Milwaukee where he led SDC for 20 years and grew the agency into Milwaukee County’s larg- est anti-poverty agency. SDC released a press release on Brother Sykes "Don was a pioneer in this community, an excep- tional man, and a stalwart individual who gave of himself at the highest level.” In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Sykes as the director of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Relations where he worked to develop welfare and anti-poverty pro- grams. After seven years in the nation’s capital, he returned to Milwaukee to lead the Milwaukee Area Workforce Invest- ment Board (MAWIB) which is a public/ private partnership that coordinates employment and training programs for adults and youth in the Milwaukee area. As President and CEO of MAWIB, Sykes provided opportunities to the Milwaukee community for additional government funding and increased services to broader demographics. Under his leadership, MAWIB successfully increased work- force investment in the community from $11.5 million in 2007 to a high of $22 million in 2013 by seeking greater philanthropic support. He also partnered with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to support students transition from education to the workforce. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , Sykes is survived by his wife: Gerri; sons David (Valerie) of Greenwood, SC, Dennis of Halethorpe, MD and Trevor (Laura) of Madison WI; three grandchil- dren: Travis (Susan), Ashley (Graham) and Tyler; two brother: Leonard of Chicago, IL and Clifton (Gretchen) of Detroit MI; two sisters: Alberta and Pa- tricia of Chicago IL; and host of relatives and friends.
of Martin University and attended Crossroads Bible College. He served as a Youth and Senior Program Advisor at Edna Martin Christian Center. He also served as a Youth Minister at New Era Church. Jason had a great passion in working with youth and coached recreational football and basketball. He was associated with Indiana Baptist Youth Camp. He was a 1996 initiate of the Indiana University-Purdue University Chapter the Lambda Eta of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . Brother Sherrell is survived by his beloved wife, LaDonna; his children, Kaleb, Garrett and Jason II; mother, Geraldine Sherrell; mother-in-law, Jean Garrett; brothers, Trent II (Shantaniece) Sherrell, Geoffrey (Yarnell) Sherrell, Kenneth (Nyla) Sherrell and Dr. Anthony (Dr. Alicia) Sanders; sister, Mary Sherrell; sister-in- law, Tammy Thomas; special uncles and aunts, James (Rhonda) Byers, Calvin (Marilyn) Rice; special mentors, Rev. Frank Alexander and Rev. Kenneth Manuel and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Jason was preceded in death by his father, Trent Sr. and father-in-law, Donald Garrett. Alexander Springs 1937–2015 Longtime Oklahoma High School Coach and Educator
a Middlewestern Province Council meeting until, in his later years, when his health prevented him to travel. He was a lifelong resident of the state of Oklahoma. In addition to his fraternity, Springs loved his family, good music, sports and his alma maters, Moton High School, and Langston University. Almost everyone he met received a nickname sticking with them for life. He loved barbequing every Memorial Day holiday while serving and hosting the community with a smile. Longtime high school coach, educator, father, and grandfather, Brother Alexander Springs entered the Chapter Invisible on April 2, 2015 at the age of 78. Born in Tulsa, OK to James A. Springs and Mylus (White) Springs on Easter Sunday March 28, 1937. Springs attended St. Monica Catholic School until the 10 th grade when he moved to Taft, OK. He attended Taft’s Moton Public High School where he played basketball. In 1953 as a sophomore, he played on Moton’s first state championship team and played on state runner up teams in 1954 and 1955 respectively. After graduating in 1955, Springs attended Langston (OK) University where he played basketball under legendary basketball coach and 27 th Laurel Wreath Wearer Brother C. Felton Gayles (Pi 1921). He earned varsity letters for basketball all four years in college. While a student at Langston, he became a 1957 initiate of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi ® . He served Alpha Pi as a Dean of Pledges. His love for history, news, and sports resulted in him earning his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Education from Langston University in 1959. He later earned a master’s degree from Northeastern State University as well as his administrative certification from Oklahoma State University. Upon his graduation from Langston University, Springs completed a successful four-year stint in the United States Air Force, touring Alaska for 18 months and spent the remainder of his
Chapter, the Omega of Kappa Alpha Psi ® Fraternity.
duty in Altus, OK. After his honorably discharged in 1963, Springs spent his professional career interacting, educating and leading young people of Oklahoma. He taught for two years, served as a school principal for eight years and superintendent for twelve years. He coached boys high school basketball for 37 years earning a record of 422 wins and 174 losses. Among his many achievements, he was the recipient of several appreciation awards for his consistent and dependable efforts. He was selected in 1986 to serve as coach for the small East All-State Boys Basketball team, served on the Board of Directors at Indian Capital Technology Center, and received a commendation from then-Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. Springs was inducted into three halls of fame; Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame. A longtime member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA), he received his 30 th year membership pin in 1994. A life member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Springs was affiliated at various times with the Muskogee (OK) Alumni and Tulsa (OK) Alumni chapters. Brother Springs’ silhouette of 49 years, Patricia passed away in October 27, 2015. He is survived by his three children Alex Romell (Zeta Rho 1985), LaShon and Patricia (Lil Pat), three foster children Walter “Tom” Thompson, Yavette (TC) Johnson and Vincent Murray.
In 1953, he joined US Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. He graduated from cadet training and Flight school in 1955 and was assigned to fly F-86 fighters, then C-130 Transports. He flew throughout the world, including tours of duty in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. He retired from the Air Force after 20 years Active Duty and joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Operations Inspector and later Manager of the Denver office. He married Edith White on September 8, 1956 and together they shared 61 years of marriage. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi ® , Brother Shelton is preceded in death by his parents, son Eric and sister Barbara Jean Williams. In addition to his wife, Edith, he is survived by his sons, Mark (Kathleen) Shelton, and COL. Richard Shelton, USA (Ret.), his grandchildren, Felicia and Roberto Shelton, his brother, Lloyd C. (Jean) Shelton, his nieces and nephews, Arzania Williams, Jr., Karlya (Omar) Shelton Benjamin, Kyle Shelton, and Stephanie (Tom) Williams Furgerson, and his devoted Godchildren Kimberly (Colby) Potts, Kennette Jackson, and Mikel-Claire Penick.
Nicknamed “Jabo”, Alexander Springs loved to wear red and white/crimson and cream and he was known for getting his jogging suits and luggage in the same color so he could get the Kappa Alpha
Jason Christian Sherrell 1976–2018 Children & Youth Pastor
Donald Sykes 1936–2017 Milwaukee Community Leader
Brother Jason C. Sherrell, beloved youth
minister, coach, husband, father, son, brother, and friend transitioned into the Chapter Invisible on April
The office of Milwaukee,
Psi ® coat of arms as well as his name monogram on most of his items. He loved the “KAPPA NETWORK”, the bond between Kappa Men, and the ability to employ Kappas whenever he was given the opportunity. “Jabo” loved his fraternity and never missed
WI mayor Tom Barrett released a press release after the passing of longtime city leader Donald Sykes, “Don
10, 2018. Sherrell was born on April 16, 1976 in Terre Haute, IN to Trent Sr. and Geraldine Sherrell. Jason was a graduate
118 | WINTER ISSUE THE JOURNAL
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
Publishing achievement for more than 100 years
THE JOURNAL WINTER ISSUE | 119
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