The University of Olivet will host a presentation from Bill Middlebrooks, entrepreneur, author and community leader, Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Mott Auditorium. The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place in recognition of Black History Month. Middlebrooks will present on his latest book, titled “Dare to Be Extraordinary – A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers.”
William (Bill) K. Middlebrooks is a business entrepreneur, author, community servant and leader in the Detroit area who passionately embraces and relishes his role as a father. His aforementioned book, co-authored with Leslie Gordon, is a tribute to his own sons and father.
Middlebrooks is a proud and devoted family man: his oldest son, Captain and Executive Officer Arthur J. Middlebrooks, is a decorated combat veteran, a Bronze Star recipient and a 2010 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. His youngest son, Andrew M. Middlebrooks, is a 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Public Policy with dual minors in Accounting and Economics. He now works in Washington, D.C. and is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University. Wife Karla Middlebrooks is a retired automotive vice president of finance and current executive life coach. She received an undergraduate engineering degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.
Middlebrooks is a graduate of the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business and is founder and managing partner of Excellence In Action, Inc., a performance enhancement company that specializes in exceptional customer service and leadership excellence. He is also co-founder and partner in Detroit Metro Ventures, LLC, a retail, food and beverage concession business that operated and recently sold a portfolio of 16 establishments at the Detroit Metropolitan International Airport.
Middlebrooks serves as an officer and board member for the following organizations: The University of Olivet Board of Trustees, vice chairman; 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc., past president; and University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, chairman of the Admissions Committee.
For more information about this event or additional Black History Month programming at The University of Olivet, call 269.749.7172 or visit the Office of Student Life.