Alumni Spotlights

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dr. Baez began his career in education teaching bilingual Social Studies and English Language Arts at Kosciuszko Middle School. He developed a passion for supporting students and communities, and he has since served in a variety of leadership roles for MPS, including co-founder of Black and Latino Male Achievement (BLMA).  

A defining moment for Dr. Baez in high school was the support he received from his teachers, who recognized his potential and pushed him to reach it. He loves when his own former students now share the impact he has had on them. Dr. Baez encourages alumni to stay connected to their school to strengthen the sense of community and shared identity across graduating classes. He says, “When alumni remain engaged, they serve as role models, mentors, and sources of inspiration for current students, showing them what is possible beyond graduation." 

After graduating with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marquette University, Joanna taught psychology courses at Carroll University and worked as a counselor with the Milwaukee Job Corps Center. Something was missing, though, and she decided to change careers and complete training to teach yoga and Pilates. She founded Embody Yoga in 2015 "to create a space where Black people and people of color had access to the practice of yoga with minimal barriers.”  

Joanna believes the shaping of one's personality and character happens in high school. She is grateful it was King that helped shape who she has become, and she thinks it’s important to stay connected to your high school to keep in touch with your roots. She says, “It reminds me of how I was raised and many of the things I learned from my teachers. And, in return, whenever I have an opportunity to invite King students into my studio space, I take it. King gets the family discount.” 

After graduating with a degree in journalism and theater from Marquette University, James worked for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a position he still holds today. In addition to his journalism work, James was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University during the 2007–08 academic year, studying hip-hop and its effects on young people. He currently serves as an on-air personality for PBS’s Black Nouveau, an award-winning program that promotes positive images, interviews, and profiles of African Americans. 

James fondly remembers the strong bonds he formed with several lifelong friends at Marshall, including George Tillman Jr., and he has stayed connected to the school. He notes that teachers who believe in students during their teenage years still want them to succeed as adults. Keeping in touch continues those relationships and provides a source of support—even after graduation. 

After graduating from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Tyrone became a computer engineer for several years before deciding to pursue his dream of being a DJ. He believes this was one of the best decisions he ever made because he gets to do what he loves every day and doesn’t take it for granted. Tyrone has taught DJing and music production across the country, worked for various radio stations, and produced his own music. He also wrote an introductory DJing book for Hal Leonard, the world’s largest sheet music provider, and had the chance to take part in DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Playlist Retreat. He says, “Jazzy Jeff has been my biggest influence when it comes to music and creativity, so being invited to that was a dream come true.” 

Tyrone believes that staying connected to your high school after graduation is an opportunity to guide the next generation of students. He explains, “Sometimes young people need to see and hear real-life examples of careers they might be interested in to get them to try it out. And it especially helps when you're from the same neighborhood or went to the same school."