Press
November 30, 2023
SOULSTIR announces the third year of the Lil' Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love program in collaboration with Rev. Charles L. Walton, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership
GRANGER, IN, November 30, 2023 - The 2023 Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love program, honoring the memory of Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson, will take place Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 8:30AM (CST) at Lincoln Avenue School (a member of the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership), located at 1817 W Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53215. Lil’ Jeannetta was born and raised in Milwaukee, and was tragically murdered at age 9, along with her mom, Cheryl Robinson, age 25, April 4, 1984. Lil’ Jeannetta’s birthday is December 27th, and at her sixth birthday party she showed compassion for others by giving her gifts to children attending her party after learning they did not receive Christmas gifts. Inspired by her kindness and joy of giving, the 2023 program will provide more than 400 children in grades K3/K4-5th at Lincoln with a Christmas gift along with a free copy of Little Netta’s Gift, a children’s book about Little Netta’s spirit of giving, written by her cousin, Mike Brown. (more)
June 3, 2023
SOULSTIR announces preorders for People First: Reflections on Leadership by Edward A. “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME, IN, June 3, 2023 – SOULSTIR today announced preorders for its non-fiction book on leadership, People First: Reflections on Leadership, by Edward A. “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. (more)
December 14, 2022
SOULSTIR announces second year of the Lil' Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love program in partnership with Reverend Charles L. Walton and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
GRANGER, IN. The 2022 Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love program will take place Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 8:00AM (CST) at Carver Academy of Mathematics and Science, located at 1900 N. 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Carver Academy is formerly known as Palmer Elementary, and is the elementary school Jeannetta Lacole Robinson (also known as Lil’ Jeannetta or Little Netta) attended. (more)
October 15, 2022
by: 16 News Now (WNDU)
“The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame,” signing at university
A Leprechaun on Notre Dame's campus is sharing a game day story for the books. (more)
October 4, 2022
by: 16 News Now (WNDU)
Literacy rally held at Darden Elementary for 'Leprechaun's Game Day'
A literacy rally was held today with not just one leprechaun, but two! (more)
September 28, 2022
by: Lisa Kelly (SBNation One Foot Down)
The Leprechaun's Game Day at Notre Dame interview
This week I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with former Notre Dame Leprechaun, and fellow author, Mike Brown. Mike and I chatted about how he got to Notre Dame, how he became the first Black Leprechaun at Notre Dame, how he got into writing in the first place, his new book...(more)
September 17, 2022
by: Tyler Horka (Blue & Gold)
‘Heart and soul’: How former Notre Dame Leprechaun Mike Brown leaves legacy through children’s book
Mike Brown keeps a rejection letter close to his vest.
Literally.
His green, official Notre Dame Leprechaun vest. (more)
April 23, 2022
Former Notre Dame Leprechaun releases children’s book about his experience
by: Vahid Sadrzadeh (ABC57)
Mike Brown, the first black student to serve as the University of Notre Dame’s leprechaun, is recounting his experience as the famed mascot in his new children’s book, “The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame”. (more)
March 20, 2022
Sunday Morning Spotlight: The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame
by: Jack Springgate (WNDU)
Former Notre Dame mascot and current author of the new children’s book, “The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame”, Michael Brown, stepped into the spotlight with our own Jack Springgate on 16 News Now Sunday Morning. (more)
March 17, 2022
Former Notre Dame Leprechaun releasing children’s book
by: 16 News Now (WNDU)
This St. Patrick’s Day, we had a special guest in the studio for 16 News Now at Noon.
You may recognize Mike Brown for his role as the Notre Dame Leprechaun from 1999 until 2001. Now, he’s releasing a children’s book about his experience called “The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame.” (more)
February 8, 2022
by Education Counts Michiana (PBS Michiana WNIT)
Learning to be kind isn't just good etiquette, it's also an important part of social emotional learning. One of the best ways for kids to learn these lessons is through examples. The story of Little Netta is meant as a way to show just how powerful kindness can be. (more)
December 27, 2021
Child's legacy of gifting to others continues nearly 3 decades after deathBy Jessica Madhukar from TMJ4 (Milwaukee)
It's been more than three decades since Jeannetta Robinson, also known as Lil Jeannetta, was tragically murdered alongside her mother at just 9-years-old.
Jeannetta would be turning 47-years-old, but her life was cut short at the age of nine when she was tragically murdered with her mother in 1984.
While she is no longer alive, Jeannetta's legacy continues to bless other children each year on her birthday. (more)
December 27, 2021
Family honors murdered 9-year-old Milwaukee girl on her birthday by giving gifts to kids
By Melissa Zygowicz from CBS58 (Milwaukee)
The family of a 9-year old Milwaukee girl murdered almost 40 years ago is using her birthday to give back to the community.
Jeannetta Lacole Robinson (Little Jeannetta) would have been about 50 years old Monday, Dec. 27. She was tragically murdered along with her mother by her mother's ex-boyfriend in April of 1984.
"We're looking to make this a joyful day for all," Jeannetta's uncle, Charles L Walton, said.
The gym inside the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center was packed with gifts Monday. Kids were able to pick out whatever they wanted. (more)
November 19, 2021
An Interview with Author Mike Brown
Picture books with a mission: Little Netta takes on the world
By Laura Anne Bird from Readers Lane
What child doesn’t love a picture book?
They’ve got everything: delightful illustrations, catchy rhymes, and imperative messages about what it means to be both a kid and a human being.
Sometimes, picture books go a step further and serve as a tool for social justice—which is why Little Netta’s Gift, written by Mike Brown and illustrated by Selim Nurudeen, caught my eye. (more)
October 10, 2021
Children's book honors Milwaukee homicide victims killed in 1984
By Kasey Chronis from FOX6 News (Milwaukee)
Turning tragedy into a touching tribute, a Milwaukee native has authored a children's book honoring his slain relatives; he hopes it inspires children and adults alike.
It's the story of a little girl who put others before herself. (more)
September 17, 2021
SOULSTIR announces children’s book and program honoring the memory of Lil' Jeannetta Robinson in partnership with Elder Charles L. Walton and United Way
SOULSTIR LLC (SOULSTIR), a social enterprise founded and led by Mike Brown, the first Black student to portray the iconic Notre Dame Leprechaun mascot, today announced the start of preorders for its debut children’s book, Little Netta’s Gift, and the launch of Lil’ Jeannetta Robinson Gifts of Love, a holiday giving program, in partnership with Elder Charles L. Walton and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. The book and program honor the memory of Brown’s late cousin, Jeannetta Lacole Robinson (Lil’ Jeannetta/Little Netta), who was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and tragically murdered at age 9, along with her mother, Cheryl Robinson, age 25, on April 4, 1984. (more)