Pioneering businesswoman Adrienne Davis shares a moment with Rev. Fred L. Crouther during the recent Community Journal 30th Anniversary Celebration. Both Davis and Rev. Crouther were among the community's "Best" who were honored by the newspaper for their service. (photo by Photo Action USA/Cy White)

by MCJ Staff
Entrepreneur and business pioneer Adrienne Davis, who owned and operated two central city businesses, died Monday night in her sleep, reportedly from natural causes.

Davis was honored Sunday along with 39 other individuals during the "Milwaukee Community Journal’s" 30th Anniversary Celebration. She was one of the community’s "Best" in the world of business.

Davis was a mentor to a multitude of men and women entrepreneurs who either followed her example of business start-up or came to her for advice and counsel. And rightfully so, given the fact Davis had over 35 years of knowledge and continuous dedication to bettering the city through business development and stability.

Davis’ business sojourn began in 1968 as the head of the Central City Cooperative. One of the businesses that came from the cooperative was also her first, the Sight Center, located at 4001 West Capitol Drive.

Soon, Davis expanded the Sight Center to two other locations: the Isaac Coggs Comprehensive Health Centers, North and South.

Both the Sight Center and Central City Cooperative operated with major employment opportunities, internships and fellowships from 1968 to 2003.

Davis frequently traveled to universities and colleges recruiting new doctors, technicians and lab assistants for the Sight Center and the City of Milwaukee.

Davis was an entrepreneur who was committed to the philosophy of shared growth and mutual benefits. An example of this was the creation of her second business and first solely owned corporation, ADI, Inc. in 1996.

ADI is a full-service office decorating business, offering furniture, wall treatments, window treatments and flooring for businesses, regardless of size.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. (family members from 6 to 7 p.m.) at Northwest Funeral Chapel, 6630 West Hampton Avenue.

The funeral will be held Monday, 11 a.m. at St. Mark AME Church, 1616 West Atkinson Avenue.