MILWAUKEE — The Bucks have made the playoff seven of the last 10 seasons.
A majority of those appearances have come under new ownership that took over in 2014. You may know the names Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan, and Michael Fascitelli, the majority owners of the Bucks. But you should also know this woman: Valerie Daniels-Carter, one of the team's minority owners.
"There are couples that own the Bucks. I'm the only African American female that's single that I know of that owns the Bucks,” said Daniels-Carter.
Daniels-Carter grew up at 44th and Hampton on Milwaukee's north side. She went on to found her own company called V&J Holding Companies in Milwaukee and become one of the country's most successful fast-food franchisers. But don't call her self-made.
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"I'm God-made. I have been blessed to work all of my life,” said Daniels-Carter. "When I started on this journey, I had a mission, and I have been able to achieve it."
Daniels-Carter helped form Partners for Community Impact, a group of diverse community investors that purchased a minority stake in the Bucks in 2014. But the Bucks aren't the only team in Wisconsin she's involved with. She also sits on the board of directors for the Green Bay Packers.
"Sports, I love it. Basketball, I have been [involved in] basketball since I was a young girl. I played high school ball, college ball. Even was drafted by the Does, the Milwaukee Does, so from the Does to the Bucks, here I am,” said Daniels-Carter.
Daniels-Carter says she has had no doubt that the Bucks would be heading to the Finals.
"I am so excited about this season. We are going to take it one game at a time, we are going to press forward one day at a time and we are going to bring a championship home to Milwaukee,” said Daniels-Carter.
Before every Bucks game, Daniels-Carter sends a message to the players offering them words of encouragement. It is also something she shares with local teenagers she helps to mentor.
