Local Pride

Greater Green Bay's most famous residents are the Green Bay Packers, but you'll be surprised to meet other talents that call Greater Green Bay home. Let us introduce you to...

Scott embodies the Greater Green Bay spirit—not because of his disability, but because of his extraordinary ability and drive for business success. As a local artist and designer, Scott used area resources and powerful relationships to turn his passion for art into a thriving personal business.

Scott was born with a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As a result, he has restricted movement, and requires assistance for daily needs and activities. Scott was also born with the talent and ambition to become a business owner, which he quickly learned would also require some assistance.

Andrew Clark, a professor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and manager of NWTC's Center for Entrepreneurship is helping Scott realize his dreams the same way he's helped other aspiring entrepreneurs find business success.

Andrew explains, "Scott's limitations are not physical, even though this is what most people think. His issues, like others who struggle to develop the business of art, are related to visibility, marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, pricing, etc. You'd be amazed what the human spirit can accomplish with a little support, direction and encouragement," explained Clark, adding, "But business issues are business issues - regardless of the human condition."

With help from Andrew Clark and NWTC, Scott created a local business support system to guide him through his entrepreneurial journey. From Greater Green Bay's Neville Public Museum, which welcomed Scott as an Artist in Residence, to local electronic retailers that donated the use of large screen TVs to display Scott's work in progress, to other area business owners and NWTC professors, Scott began to see his dreams unfold before his eyes.

Scott comments, "I don't want people to see me for my disability, but rather for my ability, and for my work. If I can inspire just one person and know that I made a difference in their life, it will be worth all my time and effort that I have put in."

Via the support of Andrew Clark and NWTC, a network of area people who believe in Scott's talent, his work is now on display and up for sale at several Greater Green Bay locations. These locations include the Baer Gallery, the Back Door Gallery, the ART Garage, and the Neville Public Museum—Studio 210.

Sam Brooker, a City of De Pere native, has a musical vibe that blends disco, R&B, smooth jazz and '70's funk. Although Sam has never toured or received radio play, his 100,000+ downloads proves his music has found an audience. Now living in Nashville, Tennesse, Sam joined with Ruby Amanfu to form the duo, Sam & Ruby. Ruby moved from Ghana, West Africa, to Nashville at the age of three. Her career began in 1999 after a brief stint at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Seven years later, Ruby combined her musical talents with Sam. Their album, The Here & The Now, has recently been released.

Check out the merchandise store to purchase the Sounds. Better. CD, featuring Sam Brooker performing Everything's Just Better by the Bay, and Sam & Ruby performing This I Know.