Milwaukee's Finest Honors Kalilah Alexander and Dionne L. Grayson with 2026 Student Empowerment Award

MILWAUKEE – As Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation (MFSF) celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the organization is proud to announce Kalilah Alexander and Dionne L. Grayson as the recipients of the 2026 Student Empowerment Award.

Presented annually, the Student Empowerment Award recognizes Milwaukee County residents who have made a lasting impact on students by helping them develop the academic, professional, and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and beyond.

This year's recognition is especially meaningful as both Alexander and Grayson were instrumental in the founding and growth of Milwaukee's Finest. Long before the organization awarded its first scholarship, both women invested their time, talent, leadership, and financial support to help turn a vision into a thriving nonprofit. Their unwavering commitment during the organization's earliest years helped establish the foundation that has since awarded more than 100 scholarships totaling over $100,000 to Milwaukee-area students.

"Kalilah and Dionne believed in our mission before many others did," said Jerel Ballard, Founder and President of Milwaukee's Finest Scholarship Foundation. "They didn't just support the organization financially—they volunteered countless hours, shared their expertise, challenged us to think bigger, and helped shape Milwaukee's Finest into what it is today. As we celebrate 10 years of impact, it is only fitting that we recognize two individuals whose fingerprints are on so much of our success."

Kalilah Alexander has dedicated her career to serving the Milwaukee community through nonprofit leadership, volunteerism, and civic engagement. After graduating from Rufus King High School and earning a degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, she began her career as an AmeriCorps volunteer coordinator before taking on numerous leadership roles with Sigma Gamma Rho Philos, where she led initiatives supporting families, children, and community organizations. She currently serves on the Milwaukee Parks Foundation's Go Green planning committee and is the owner of WelKome Home, a business that encourages residents to discover and experience destinations throughout Wisconsin. Her passion for connecting people with their community and creating meaningful experiences continues to inspire those around her.

For more than 25 years, Dionne L. Grayson has been a champion for youth, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. As Principal of Building Your Dreams, she has helped individuals and organizations unlock their potential through coaching, leadership development, and strategic planning. She is the co-founder of Lead2Change, an organization that has prepared more than 1,000 young people for success through career exploration, mentorship, leadership development, and paid internships. An accomplished author and nationally recognized leader, Dionne has received numerous honors for her work empowering young people to dream boldly, explore new possibilities, and build purposeful lives.

Alexander and Grayson will be recognized during the Milwaukee's Finest 10-Year Anniversary Scholarship Awards Celebration on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Milwaukee City Hall. During the celebration, Milwaukee's Finest will also award scholarships to ten outstanding Milwaukee-area students while commemorating a decade of investing in the next generation of leaders.

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