Where is Donnell Boose Now?
- Ezekiel HOPE
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Donnell Boose started his first apprenticeship with Jim Gaillard (master electrician) back in the early 1990s. He also completed four years of apprenticeship through Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC). During this time employers were only paying apprentices about $7.50 an hour.
Now a journeyman electrician, Donnell is quick to credit the ‘old school’ Black electricians for taking him and others under their wings to teach them the electrical skilled trades. He said that Carlton Butts took him on right out of MATC.
“Early on, I did time in prison, but when you come home, it’s a different ball game. The ‘brotherhood’ don’t mind grabbing the “ex-factors,” (justice impacted) he said with a laugh! This Black dude (Butts) was the largest electrical contractor in the city at the time. I was impressed to see that there were actually Black electricians. Even today, when I see Jim, I’m always giving him accolades. He pushed us. He would say, “It’s built for you! Stick with it!” He encouraged me. I’ll never forget that.
“I was able to start my own company with what I learned from Jim. And I was impressed to see that there were actually Black electricians. They were giving it (training) away, encouraging us to take on these opportunities.
“There is an innate brotherhood that comes with learning from guys like Jim, Carlton, and Tony. I remember working with Jim on a project on Fifth and Wright Streets. It was the first time I actually had an opportunity to work with someone who was my boss. How cool was that!” he said.
“Jim would say, “if you want to become an electrician, if you are for real, Imma get you there.” They push you but tell you they are not gonna babysit you. I speak that same script to my guys. These days, when I’m in work mode, my conversation with the guys is the same as Jim’s.
“Whenever times got tough, they always took me back. I also worked with the City of Pewaukee for eight years, was part of ABC Electrical Unit #2150, so I got introduced to a different side of electrical. Guys like Jim teach you as they are working. That’s why I became so successful! I quit working for Pewaukee in 2016 and went back on my own. I made more than $100K my first year back out on my own. I couldn’t have done that if I had not stayed the course,” said Donnell.
Today Donnell employs two to three full-time electricians, and he is also a training instructor. He’s proud of the fact that last year he received an award for being a contractor.
Donnell Boose’s journey is just one of the many success stories we’ll be highlighting in our series, “Where Are They Now?” We want our trainees, employers, and the world to know about apprenticeship programs like Ezekiel HOPE! We take the least, the lost and marginalized, and help make them achieve and exceed their God-given potential. It costs $7,000 for one trainee to go through Ezekiel’s 12-week pre-apprenticeship program. As Jim Gaillard well knows, the rewards for investing in others and giving them a ‘leg up’ are endless and priceless! You can help Ezekiel HOPE continue its award-winning state-certified Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program, by donating today.
Visit www.ezekielhope.org/donate.
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