At Urban Learning Collaborative (ULC), our annual Fall Ball is more than a fundraiser—it’s a night to honor the people who are shaping Milwaukee’s future through education, leadership, and community service. This year, we are proud to celebrate five remarkable individuals whose impact is felt across our city.
Legacy Award: Homer Blow
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he still resides, Homer Blow developed a love for music at an early age—one that evolved into a career during his teenage years. While attending Washington High School, he served on Student Council and Human Relations, sharpening his people skills and discovering his natural leadership abilities. His career journey led him from basement performances to clubs and corporate events, with appearances at major venues such as the BMO Harris Bradley Center, the Italian Community Center, and events for organizations including MPD’s League of Martin, MFD Brotherhood of Firefighters, Milwaukee Mental Health Services, the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, Susan G. Komen, SDC, Ko-Thi Dance Company, and many more.
Homer joined the WNOV 860AM/106.5FM family on June 11, 1991, and within five years rose to become Program Director and Music Director. In 2025, he celebrates 34 years in radio. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including receiving the official “Key to the City of Milwaukee” from former Mayor Tom Barrett in 2017—the city’s highest honor. In 2023, Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a proclamation declaring June 23 as “Homer Blow Day” throughout the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley extended the recognition to all of Milwaukee County.
A dedicated community leader, Homer founded The Homer Blow Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to formalize his lifelong commitment to serving his community. Through the foundation, he has organized community events, provided food and resources to families in need, and advocated for positive change. In 1994, he launched his annual “Homer Blow’s Birthday Party for the Kids,” an event that has served thousands of children and families each year for more than three decades. Homer has also shared his voice as a motivational speaker, addressing audiences at Milwaukee Public Schools, CYD, SDC, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Safe Nights, and other community programs.
In 2008, Homer expanded his media reach by founding Blowradio.com, an online radio station. His influential career has earned him multiple awards, including the Black Men Rock Award, the 2023/2024 Hometown Hero Award from the Wisconsin State Assembly, the League of Martin Lifetime Legacy Award, the 2023 Global Icon Award, and a nomination to the National Black Radio Hall of Fame in 2023.
Trailblazer Award: Eric “Shake” James
Entrepreneur and unwavering community advocate Shake James established JAY Academy in 2008 as a grassroots initiative in Milwaukee. Shake has either worked with or toured with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including DMX, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Onyx, to name a few.
The organization has since evolved over the past 15 years into a nationally recognized nonprofit tailored to address the distinct needs of underserved children and families in Milwaukee. Under Shake’s leadership, JAY Academy has flourished, extending its influence across every neighborhood in Milwaukee through annual programs like Adopt-A-Family and the Back-to-School Carnival. In 2024, Shake introduced the first 414 Day sneaker, speaking to his passion for the city. Also in 2024, Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed April 12 “JAY Academy Day.”
His community efforts, produced in partnership with the Adidas Cornerstone Program, ensure that specialized resources and steadfast support reach every corner of the city, fostering the potential for each child to thrive and excel.
Shake collaborated with Adidas to introduce CLICKS, the inaugural concept boutique within his portfolio. Expanding his endeavors, he introduced SNEEX, offering advanced contemporary streetwear, and BLACK MARKET, an inner-city community hub providing essential resources and services.
“Shake” James’ life story is a remarkable tapestry woven with friendship, fashion, and legacy threads. From a Milwaukee court to the world stage, he continues to shape his narrative while honoring his lifelong friends’ enduring impact and legacy.
The launch of JAY Academy’s Community Center in 2025 signifies another chapter in Shake’s ongoing commitment to positive transformation and community empowerment.
Rising Star Award: Gianna Holschbach
Gianna Holschbach is an equity-driven educator and youth development leader committed to creating inclusive spaces where young people and communities thrive. For more than six years, she has advanced initiatives that elevate student and family voice, strengthen community partnerships, and foster environments where all students can succeed.
Her work has included launching youth leadership councils, co-designing systems for shared leadership, and leading sustainability programs that earned national recognition as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.
Beyond titles, Gianna is recognized for her dedication to building systems that embed equity, cultural relevance, and collective voice into the fabric of schools and communities. In her current role as Youth Sports Supervisor with Milwaukee Recreation, she continues to expand access to safe, inclusive, and engaging opportunities for students across the city.
She is honored to receive the 2025 Rising Star Award for her leadership, innovation, and lasting impact.
Distinguished Alumni Award: Julie Judkins
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Julie Judkins has dedicated her career to serving students and families through education. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, she quickly realized her true calling was in the classroom. With support from MTEC (now ULC), Julie made a seamless transition into education, completing her Master’s in Education in 2007 and beginning her journey as a middle school special education teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools.
Inspired by her mother’s 26 years of service in MPS, Julie has always been committed to creating safe, supportive environments where all students feel valued. In 2012, after earning a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, she became a Special Education Supervisor with MPS. In this role, she has worked across numerous schools to support both students and staff, ensuring every child receives the services and guidance they need. Julie also mentors and trains new special education supervisors, helping them grow into this role.
Four years ago, Julie was honored to return to the very program that launched her career, joining ULC through Mount Mary University as an adjunct instructor. Teaching current and future educators has been one of her proudest accomplishments, allowing her to give back to the program and community that shaped her.
Beyond her professional work, Julie continues to serve in her daughter’s school community as the PTA Vice President of Fundraising at Milwaukee German Immersion. For Julie, education is more than a profession, it is both her passion and her purpose.
Community Champion Award: Debra Dosemagen
Debra Dosemagen is Chair of Mount Mary University’s Education Department and also serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Education. She works with students who are in the process of becoming teachers, as well as with teachers involved in professional development. Prior to her work at Mount Mary, Deb taught mathematics for 23 years at Pius XI High School, where she also served as Mathematics Department Chair and Director of Instruction.
In 2000, Deb was certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Adolescent and Young Adulthood Mathematics and renewed that license in 2009. She received her Ph.D. from Marquette University, her M.A. from Mount Mary College, and her B.A. in mathematics and psychology from Alverno College.
Over her career, Deb has been engaged in many collaborative efforts alongside the Urban Learning Collaborative, including partnerships with the Great Lakes Waldorf Teacher Institute, Education Deans of Greater Milwaukee (Co-Chair), Greater Milwaukee Catholic Education Consortium (Co-Chair), Notre Dame Middle School Board of Directors and Education Committee, Wisconsin DPI Professional Standards Council, Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Wisconsin National Board Network, and the Burke Foundation Board.
One of Deb’s academic interests is teacher action research, and she co-authored the chapter Legitimacy of and Value in Action Research in the Wiley Handbook of Action Research in Education (Craig Mertler, Ed., 2019).
She has been recognized by Mount Mary University with the Madonna Medal for Professional Excellence, the Teaching Excellence Award, and the Heritage Award.
For Deb, one of the great joys of her nearly five-decade career is running into former students—whether they were high school geometry students or now teachers themselves. Inevitably, they ask, “Are you still teaching?” and she is proud to reply, “Yes!”
Join Us in Celebration
These honorees embody the values of ULC: leadership, innovation, equity, and community impact.
Together, we’ll enjoy an evening of dinner, live music, auctions, and recognition of the leaders who make Milwaukee stronger. We can’t wait to honor these incredible awardees with you!