Continuing the Legacy of Mary Lou & Arthur Freeman Mahone, since 1999
The Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Foundation was created in 1999 to perpetuate the legacy of two dynamic change agents. While possessing different leadership styles, both Mary Lou and Arthur were the most influential couple advocating for social justice in Kenosha. They were married 51 years and raised nine children.
The Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Foundation was created in 1999 to perpetuate the legacy of two dynamic change agents.
While possessing different leadership styles, both Mary Lou and Arthur were the most influential couple advocating for social justice in Kenosha. They were married 51 years and raised nine children.
Mary Lou Mahone, a native Kenoshan, was a bridge-builder, joining disparate sectors of the community to challenge racial discrimination and to create equal opportunity in education, healthcare, housing and labor. The first black PTA president in 1962, she was later appointed to the mayor’s committee, Concerned Citizens for Fair Housing, and the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights. These efforts led to the city’s desegregation of housing and schools, as well as an increase in black teachers, police officers and civil servants.
A lifelong member, she served as president of the Racine-Kenosha NAACP chapter and held the office of state treasurer. She volunteered as president of Church Women United; chairman of the Interfaith Network for the Shalom Center Women’s Shelter; and charter board member of the Boys and Girls Club. A lifetime member at Second Baptist Church, she served on countless committees, including director of education.
Her employment with the Lincoln Neighborhood Center, the Urban League, and Community Action Agency enabled her to alleviate the suffering of people facing poverty by creating health and wellness, and Alcohol and Drug abuse intervention programs. In her later years, she developed the civic support group, Ethnic Elders, and served on the founding board of the Kenosha Community Health Center. In 2002, the Kenosha Unified School District named the newly built public school in her honor, the Mary Lou Mahone Middle School.
Arthur Freeman Mahone retired from Gateway Technical College as a Welding Instructor. He mentored young men from all walks of life through martial arts, teaching physical and mental discipline as a foundation to prepare for life’s challenges. He studied the Japanese language and became proficient in writing and speaking. Over the years, he participated in a variety of roundtable discussions on race and inclusion and volunteered on the Kenosha Unified School District Student Achievement Advisory committee. He was a member of the NAACP Kenosha Branch.
Today, their civic and philanthropic legacy lives on in the footprints of the Mary Lou and Arthur F. Mahone Foundation, under the leadership of their children and the dynamic Board of Directors. Please join us as we celebrate the life and contributions of Mary Lou and Arthur while creating sustainable and equitable opportunities for our young people.
Our Mission
The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Foundation mission is to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth, while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
Lincoln Park Live! Music Series
Are You Ready?
HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival
SAVE THE DATE: August 16, 2025
Celebrating Over 20 Years of Mahone Middle School!
Mahone Middle School
Kenosha, WI
Career Exploration Organization
Career Exploration Organization (CEO)
The Career Exploration Organization (CEO) mentoring program provides a year-round academic business incubator for first-generation and/or low to moderate-income High School students of color between the ages of 14-17 and existing Mahone Fund CEO Scholars enrolled in college. This program is designed to match students with an academic and business mentor in order to ascertain, develop, and pursue their scholastic and career goals. The three program components are STEM Education, Employment and Economic Sustainability and Life’s Skills development. We aim to link the relationship between educational achievement, career attainment and community service.
As part of this program, the Mahone Fund provides up to 10 $5,000 college scholarship awards to graduating seniors from the Kenosha Unified School District, St. Joseph Catholic Academy, Christian Life Academy and Shoreland Lutheran High School. The Fund proudly partners with Carthage College and Herzing University to increase college access to students of color. The scholarships are presented at the annual Reaching for Rainbows “Pursuit of Excellence” Gala.
To date, the Mahone Fund has provided over $800,000 in college scholarships to deserving Kenosha high school students over the past 20 years. We have granted over 300 college scholarships to deserving youth through our scholarship program creating successful pathways for our future leaders to pursue their academic and career endeavors.
Lincoln Middle School Dream Girls
Lincoln Middle School Dream Girls
Information Coming Soon!
Please check back for updates.
Mahone Foundation in the Community!
Community Partners
Our Corporate sponsors facilitate the growth, development, and sustainability of the Mahone Foundation mission. They include Snap On, Bear Development, Kenosha Community Foundation, Advocate Aurora, Green Bay Packers, Meijer, Direct Supply, Educators Credit Union, Southern Lakes Credit Union, Gruber Law Offices, Kenosha Area Convention Visitors Bureau, City of Kenosha, Five Star Moving Crew, Kenosha Area Business Alliance and Alia, DuMez & McTernan.
Our Academic partners bring new and innovative program ideas which create college readiness and career advancement opportunities for our next generation of leaders. They include Gateway Technical College, University Wisconsin Parkside, Herzing University, Carthage College, Marquette University, University Wisconsin Milwaukee, Xavier University and Kenosha Unified School District.
Support The Need Is Now Student Emergency Fund & Double Your Difference!
The Need is Now Student Emergency Fund provides essential emergency support to Mahone Scholars currently enrolled in school, helping them navigate unexpected challenges. We have a great challenge ahead: to raise
$25,000 in donations, which will be matched by our generous donor!
Donating is Easy!
By making a donation, you can help us reach this goal and double the difference we can make together. Use the donation form on this page or simply mail a check to: Mahone Foundation, 2222 63rd Street, Kenosha, WI 53143.
We thank you for your continued support!
Providing educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth, while supporting healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
The Mary Lou and Arthur L Mahone Foundation is a proud partner of the United Way of Kenosha County. To ensure ongoing positive community impact, the United Way of Kenosha County will serve as the Mahone Foundation’s fiscal sponsor as they broaden horizons and expand services. All donations made on behalf of the Mahone Foundation will be tax deductible as permitted by law.
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