Alfred Bruce Bradley, the Founder and CEO of Tapology, is a tap dancer, actor, director, vocalist, entrepreneur, visual artist, educator, and community activist. While employed as a Chevrolet Assembly Line Worker and Painter, Bruce turned to Flint Junior College to expand his academic knowledge and chart a path towards upward mobility, at FJC (now MCC), he majored in Business and was a member of Phi Eta Psi fraternity. He transferred to Alabama State University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Art Education in 1976. Upon graduation he received the University’s prestigious Miles A. Paige Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in the Visual and Performing Arts.
When he returned to Flint, he worked for the Urban League of Flint On-the-Job Training, Labor Education Advancement programs, and participated at Flint’s McCree Theatre. Working as a job placement specialist during the day, and a performing artist after work, helped to launch his professional career as a performing artist and collaborations with many cultural institutions including the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Center, Mott Children’s Health Center, and Flint Youth Theatre.
His community service includes the YMCA Board of Directors, Flint Institute of Music Board of Trustees, The Whiting Advisory Council, Sunrise Rotary of Greater Flint, and Phi Eta Psi fraternity.
Robert E. Ennis is the President and Founder of the Ennis Center for Children, Inc. Founded in 1978, the organization provides services to abused and neglected children, including those in foster care, children in need of adoption, and delinquent teens who need help growing into productive adults.
A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Bob has made substantial contributions to improving the lives of children in the child welfare system, contributing to legislation, developing groundbreaking programs and always looking to fill the gaps to guarantee that children receive the care they need..
Bob has served on the Special Legislative Commission on Cost Containment convened by the Michigan Speaker of the House. He was also a member of Lieutenant Governor Binsfeld’s Adoption Commission, which streamlined adoption procedures. Bob was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) and the Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG). He was also instrumental in the formation of the Juvenile Assessment Center and served as President of the Central Care Management Organization.
He has been recognized with numerous awards including the Hugh Whipple Award, UM School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni Award, Advocate of the Year by the Michigan Federation of Private Child and Family Agencies, and the Harriet Kenworthy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Katherine Saunders is a former teacher in the Flint Community Schools, Katherine later served as an education instructional specialist, chief executive officer of three nonprofit organizations and as a State of Michigan bureaucrat. She retired in 2000 as owner of her own management consulting firm. Throughout her career, Katherine has advocated, supported and empowered women and girls to be the best that they can be.
An alumna of Mott Community College (then Flint Junior College), Central Michigan University, and the University of Michigan, she took her passion for education and of lifting up the lives of women and girls into every aspect of her life, from her work to her community service.
After an 11-year career in education, she served as Executive Director for the Flint-Genesee County Community Coordinated Child Care Association, Special Assistant to the State Director of the Michigan Department of Social Services, CEO of both the Fair Winds and Arizona Cactus-Pine Girl Scout councils, and President of K.R. Saunders & Associates.
Her community service includes the Rotary Club of Flint, where she served as the first female president, The Flint Women’s Forum charter member, Zonta Club of Flint, Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society, Flint Chamber of Commerce, and the Michigan Association of Children’s Alliances. She has been recognized for her service with numerous community awards including the Sylvester Broome Jr. Humanitarian Award, The Libby Award, and the Genesee Regional Women’s Hall of Fame.
Sheriff Christopher Swanson is a career police officer with experience spanning nearly three decades. He has served in a variety of positions, including corrections, patrol, narcotics, criminal investigation, death investigation, human trafficking investigation, and command operations. As Genesee County Sheriff, Christopher oversees the fifth largest Sheriff’s Office in the State of Michigan.
He attended Mott Community College and holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Michigan.
In 2019 Christopher was instrumental in the creation of the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.). In less than three years, G.H.O.S.T. arrested more than 150 individuals on charges ranging from human trafficking to criminal sexual conduct. G.H.O.S.T. has received national attention for its efforts to combat human trafficking while also ensuring victims are given a voice.
In 2020, he was instrumental in the creation of Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education (I.G.N.I.T.E.). Today, inmates in the Genesee County Jail go to school two hours a day, five days a week. I.G.N.I.T.E. has assisted more than 27 returning citizens find full-time employment upon release. In addition, more than 35,000 hours of coursework has been completed.
Also in 2020, during a time of volatile protest across the nation in response to the killing of George Floyd, he brought protesters and officers in Flint, Michigan together.
