Bernard & Kathlyn Mann
In 1933, fourteen year old Bernard Mann moved from Americus, Georgia to Madison, Wisconsin to live with relatives, because his father believed that as an African-American, he could make a better life here. He graduated from Central High and attended the University of Wisconsin for three years and studied accounting before having to drop out for financial reasons. When he approached the Wisconsin state employment office, he was offered a position……as a janitor. Bernie said "No thank you" and continued his search for employment more consistent with his education. He later was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Revenue as an accountant. He resolved that education would make the difference for his children.
Bernie met Kathy in Milwaukee and married her in 1958. They had five children, four daughters and a son (including a set of twins). With a diploma from the business school, Kathy ran a small home-based business, Capital Secretarial Service while her children were growing up. Later she was Executive Secretary to the Director of the Wisconsin Education Association.
The children were educated in the Madison Public Schools. Always supportive parents, Kathy and Bernie attended athletic events, parent-teacher conferences, and neighborhood gatherings in as many as three different schools at one time. Kathy took an active role in the battle to maintain Franklin School as a neighborhood school and served on the Superintendent’s Citizen Human Relations Advisory Committee in the crucial years when attention was first being paid to the need for curriculum review and supportive services for children of color. Active members of their church, they were active too in the political life of the community and in organizations dedicated to the improvement of the life for people of color. They did not hold high office, nor make headlines. They were simply good citizens of Madison and dedicated parents. Cancer struck down these two caring people. They did not live to see that every one of their children earned a baccalaureate degree and one a Master’s.
When Bernard and Kathlyn passed away in the late 1980’s, their children, family members and friends joined forces to create the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund, an endowment housed at the Madison Community Foundation. The funds that are annually generated by this investment make it possible to award multiple scholarships to Madison high school students who show strong promise for academic achievement, but face significant challenges in attaining their full potential. The lessons they taught and the values they demonstrated live in the next generation among those who continue to admire and respect the example they set.
Mann family member, Owen Charles shares the story of his grandparents migration north in the you tube video below. He retells the family history and values that have inspired the creation of the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund.
youtu.be/XCeLrzTTDDc
Bernie met Kathy in Milwaukee and married her in 1958. They had five children, four daughters and a son (including a set of twins). With a diploma from the business school, Kathy ran a small home-based business, Capital Secretarial Service while her children were growing up. Later she was Executive Secretary to the Director of the Wisconsin Education Association.
The children were educated in the Madison Public Schools. Always supportive parents, Kathy and Bernie attended athletic events, parent-teacher conferences, and neighborhood gatherings in as many as three different schools at one time. Kathy took an active role in the battle to maintain Franklin School as a neighborhood school and served on the Superintendent’s Citizen Human Relations Advisory Committee in the crucial years when attention was first being paid to the need for curriculum review and supportive services for children of color. Active members of their church, they were active too in the political life of the community and in organizations dedicated to the improvement of the life for people of color. They did not hold high office, nor make headlines. They were simply good citizens of Madison and dedicated parents. Cancer struck down these two caring people. They did not live to see that every one of their children earned a baccalaureate degree and one a Master’s.
When Bernard and Kathlyn passed away in the late 1980’s, their children, family members and friends joined forces to create the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund, an endowment housed at the Madison Community Foundation. The funds that are annually generated by this investment make it possible to award multiple scholarships to Madison high school students who show strong promise for academic achievement, but face significant challenges in attaining their full potential. The lessons they taught and the values they demonstrated live in the next generation among those who continue to admire and respect the example they set.
Mann family member, Owen Charles shares the story of his grandparents migration north in the you tube video below. He retells the family history and values that have inspired the creation of the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund.
youtu.be/XCeLrzTTDDc
