Bo Black, former executive director of Summerfest, was recently awarded the TEMPO International Leadership Award. The award is given to a non-member woman who has demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and has made a positive impact in the community at large. Black returned to Milwaukee to accept the award. “Bo served as a mentor to me as well as many others in the community,” Carla Rutly, executive director of Milwaukee Women Inc., said. “She was a maverick in her time taking a small city festival that raised $125,000 to elevating Summerfest into one of the nation’s largest and most respected outdoor music festivals around. Her legacy is enjoyed annually by thousands from Wisconsin and throughout the U.S. She blazed a trail in the early years as a woman leader.”
Under Black’s leadership, Summerfest raised more than $7 million annually and also managed to raise $12 million for the construction of the Marcus Amphitheater. She was also responsible for setting up programs to establish ways for people to receive free or reduced admission to the park.
“It was important to her to have the festival available to the entire community,” Rutley said. “I was humbled to honor a woman who inspired me and one that truly made an impact on Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin, as well as a woman who exemplifies the mission of Tempo Women.”
The award was given at TEMPO International’s annual award reception at the Pfister Hotel. Former Mayor of Oconomowoc, and CEO of A.F. Seideman Company,Marlene Schumacher was also awarded the TEMPO International President’s Award for her commitment to women in southeastern Wisconsin.
