Attorney Jeffrey and Dr. Sharniecia Norman

by Kia Marie Green The power of positive people and positive role models does wonders for a child. Children grow up with aspirations of success, hoping to achieve the same greatness as those they admire. Such was the case for Attorney Jeffrey and Dr. Sharniecia Norman, who, in their youth, were surrounded by love and positive influences. And in the spirit of giving back what was once given to them, today they make it their mission to do the same for area children.

Dr. Sharniecia and Attorney Jeffrey Norman

Milwaukee born, raised and educated, the Normans are true successes. Some may even say the couple is Milwaukee’s own “Heathcliff and Clair Huxtable.”

Jeffrey Norman is a 13-year veteran with the Milwaukee Police Department, where he currently serves as a homicide detective. While on the force, he also became a lawyer, working for the D.A.’s office, US Attorney's office and is now in private practice.

Norman splits his time between his career as a detective and his practice, where he focuses on family and real estate law. Additionally, he currently teaches criminal law at Bryant & Stratton College.

“I always wanted to get into law enforcement,” Norman said. Adding that he found it important to serve in the capacity of law enforcement in his own community.

A graduate of North Division High School, Norman went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for his undergraduate studies and Marquette University for Law School.

Determined to succeed, while in Law School Norman worked full-time as a police officer with MPD and attended classes at night.

His wife, Dr. Sharniecia Norman, is a family practice doctor for Sunny Slope Primary Care, a satellite clinic for the Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital.

In addition to her practice, Dr. Norman also teaches budding doctors at the Medical College.

A participant in the Chapter 220 program, Dr. Norman attended Shorewood High School and went on to Marquette University for undergrad and the Medical College of Wisconsin. She finished her residency at Columbia St. Mary’s.

“I don’t know exactly when, but I was fairly young when I decided I wanted to be a physician,” she said. “When I was younger I was sickly so I was in and out of the hospital a lot, so that was one of my biggest exposure.

“I always had a love for science and problem-solving. I thought if I could do that and help people, that would be a good mix.”

While working toward her dream of becoming a doctor, Dr. Norman says she was faced with many naysayers who tried to stray her away from her ultimate goal, but “I just stayed steady on my path,” she said.

Today she and her husband inspire area children to create a path for success, as they both volunteer and work with local children.

Norman mentored youth on a one-on-one basis for 11 years and currently works with area youth through his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, and the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers. Additionally, he often serves as guest speaker, where he always encourages students to find a role model who will help guide them along the way.

“Who you have in your network and stabilizing you when people say ‘no,’ is an important key to why some children succeed and others fail,” Norman said.

“Too often our youth succumb to the naysayers because they don’t have anyone in their corner, supporting and encouraging them,” he said.

Said Dr, Norman: “It’s so important to have someone who you can look up to; someone who looks like you and has done something that you’re interested in doing, because it’s so easy to fall off and get discouraged.”

In her practice, Dr. Norman works with many of her teen-aged patients, lending them words of encouragement and giving them tips and tools for future success.

She has also made it a primary focus to educate young girls on preventing the spread of AIDS and HIV and teen pregnancies.

A member of Cream City Medical Society, Dr. Norman is preparing to mentor students who attend Milwaukee Academy of Science.

Married for seven years this coming August, the Normans are proud parents of two children, ages 3 and 9 months.

They now continue to balance their professional lives and volunteer commitments with parenting two small children, all while remembering that the power of positive people and positive role models does wonders for a child.