Uncrowned Community Builders

Madrene Kemp has been a change agent for over 30 years. She researches, defines, plans, advocates, and maintains relationships that are essential to the success of any team.

Madrene is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Growing up in public housing during the civil rights struggle encouraged her to make a difference in the lives of individuals that are underprivileged and under served. Her mother Myra Howell who was a social worker for public housing during the civil rights era inspired her. Madrene's commitment to improve the conditions of impoverished people and the influential role her mother played in her life encouraged her to embark upon a career in social work administration. She values education and believes it is vital to the success of efforts to improve the socioeconomic condition of African Americans. This has strengthened her commitment to serve others.

In 1993 the Margaret Wendt Foundation and University at Buffalo School of Social Work targeted qualified staff at community based organizations in the Buffalo & Erie County area to provide fellowships in social work. During this time Madrene was employed at St. Augustine Center, Inc. and was selected as one of six recipients to receive the Margaret Wendt Fellowship. While still working full time, she participated in a three year MSW Program at the University at Buffalo's School of Social Work, and in 1996 received a Masters in Social Work and Community Administration. On February 14, 2006 Madrene became a Licensed Master Social Worker by the New York State Educational Department of Licensing.

Madrene firmly believes life is a journey, often from one need, one problem, and one solution to another. She has collaborated with the University at Buffalo School of Social Work for nine years as a Field Educator. Each year she volunteers her time by supervising up to two MSW students during internship placement. Her role as Field Educator is to develop an educational contract that reflects learning opportunities and activities to help students learn a broad range of social work interventions.

Stewardship of giving wisely and effectively is something Madrene believes in, and she does this through prison ministry. For nine years she has volunteered with Women For Human Rights and Dignity, Inc-"Project Joy " Ministry at Albion Correctional Facility as a site coordinator. Workshops on reuniting families, employment & training, housing, certificates of relief, health, and spirituality are provided for over 1500 minority women inmates. Most of the people in prisons will be free and will return to the general population. They will become neighbors and co-workers in the community. Statistics conclude that former inmates whose lives are impacted by such programs as this are less likely to return to prison.

Madrene holds a few interests dear to her. She is especially interested in the opportunity to do something different with the aging population and youth. The opportunity presented itself when she developed a proposal entitled "Aging Gracefully-Coming of Age" for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc- Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter. This Intergenerational program initiated in 1999, is presented ten months a year at St. John Senior Tower to seniors and youth, with sorority members involvement. Activities involve health & prevention, line dance exercise, birthday celebration, and interactive games. Elders, adults, youth and children working together, sharing experiences and transferring knowledge so no new organizational effort starts from scratch and so communities see their collective goals.

She is a third generation of quilters. She designed the hanging art quilt for her Sorority, which was unveiled at the Regional Conference in 1999, at Boule in 2000, and is currently on display at corporate office of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her most enjoyable moment is when she made her first quilt with her grandmother and mother. She is designing a quilt entitled "Sisters On A Journey", a testament and dedication to her mother and late grandmother.

Madrene knows she is fortunate as she has achieved many of her personal aspirations. Madrene has participated in the United Way Board Governance Project, a minority, female inclusiveness program that trains women to be effective board members and formulate strategies for responding to changes in non-for profit organizations. She was also involved in the United Way's Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership & Management Certificate Program. Madrene continues to serve on several boards and committees, and is the recipient of numerous awards. She is the Public Relations Chair, Health Chairperson and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc -Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter.

Madrene is a product of the Buffalo Public and Parochial School System and obtained her BA and MSW at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

On a personal note, Madrene is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Howell of Buffalo New York. She is married to Mr. Richard Kemp and they are members of St. John Baptist Church. They are proud parents of two wonderful children; Nichele and Richard Jr.