Less than a year ago, Marquette sophomore Kennedi Luckett stood on the national stage of TODAY with Jenna & Friends to be introduced as the first Wade Scholar by the program’s namesake, Dwyane Wade. Founded by the Marquette alumnus and NBA Hall of Famer, the scholarship covers full room and board costs for a year for recipients. Now, thanks to a partnership between Marquette and Visit Milwaukee, Luckett is breaking new ground as the first Wade Scholar intern for the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
The pairing provides a Wade Scholar with a semester-long communication internship helping the organization with everything from updating social media accounts and creating short videos to working behind the scenes of a TV show.
“I get to learn about the TV production process and how that works in a more professional setting rather than the student producing that I’ve been doing,” says Luckett, a double major in psychology and digital media, and an Urban Scholar. “I get to network and make connections that will serve me in my future as well. This opportunity is one for growth and learning for sure.”
Josh Albrecht, chief marketing officer of Visit Milwaukee, says the partnership idea between the university, Wade and Visit Milwaukee emerged organically last summer at the multi-day event with Dwyane Wade and fellow men’s basketball alumnus Travis Diener, Wade vs. Diener: Where Hoops and Hope Collide.
“It was one of those casual conversations with Dwyane Wade at one of his events, and I said, ‘Hey, what do you think about this idea?’” Albrecht says. “Kennedi happened to be standing right there. And I said Kennedi could be our first intern, and she could help us with our TV show, Milwaukee Made. Marquette has been a sponsor in the past, and it was just a natural fit.”
Albrecht says natural enthusiasm and engagement are some of the qualities he looks for when hiring an intern. He says Luckett exudes those characteristics and more.
“Kennedi is so eager, willing and wanting to learn,” Albrecht says. “She just jumps right in without hesitation. I really love that quality. You want people who are natural cheerleaders and enthusiastic about the city they live and work in. So, that’s the number one quality because you can’t train that. And if there’s a skill they don’t have, we’ll take the time to teach them what’s needed.”
Kate Braasch, chief of presidential affairs at Marquette University and board member for Visit Milwaukee, says the TODAY Show appearance in 2025 opened a lot of doors and created opportunities to explore partnerships beyond Marquette’s campus.
“Dwyane’s philanthropic goals at Marquette go beyond the campus footprint,” Braasch explains. “He has always wanted to support Marquette and the city of Milwaukee. He already does this through his summer reading program, supporting youth from all over the city. This internship allows Dwyane to increase his reach and impact. It’s pretty extraordinary.”
Braasch says that “the opportunity to intern at a fantastic and innovative organization like Visit Milwaukee is yet another addition to the impact this scholarship can have for Wade Scholars.”
As for Luckett, she knows that opportunities like this internship will bring her one step closer to achieving her goals after graduation.
“I want to start my own production company that focuses on creating and pushing Black art/stories for TV and film,” Luckett says. “That’s always been the goal, and wherever I get to do work that concerns it, my passion gets stronger.”
