The Center for Teaching Entreneurship (CTE) held its anual Harvest of Hope dinner on November 18, 2004. CTE's mission is teaching young people from Milwaukee's central city how to start and run their own businesses. The Center has taught these important skills to hundreds of students over the past 10 years. Attorney Michael F. Hupy is President of the Center's Board of Directors.

The Harvest of Hope dinner was held at the Italian Community Center on Milwaukee's East Side. Judge Greg Mathis, of television fame, addressed an enthusiastic audience of nearly 400 CTE participants and supporters.

In his inspiring talk, Judge Mathis focused on individual responsibility. He spoke about the difficulties he faced as a child, which included incarceration for juvinile crime. He explained how he overcame those difficulties before attending law school and noted how they later impeded his admission to the legal profession. As a youngster, growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Detroit, Judge Mathis saw the hard side of life but he was determined to overcome all obstacles and pursue a career in law.

Along with Attorneys Michael F. Hupy and Jason F. Abraham, dignitaries attending the Harvest of Hope dinner included Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Maxine White, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judges Frederick Rosa and Mary Triggiano. ReDonna Rodgers, Executive Diector of CTE, was also present. Last Fall, Ms. Rodgers received the prestigious Social Entrepreneurship Award from the Manhattan Institute.