Shipmasters Nominate First African American for their Top Honor

Captain Mark Stevenson
Captain Mark Stevenson Lisa Fielding

In recognition for his outstanding efforts on behalf of the International Shipmasters’ Association (ISMA), Captain Mark Stevenson has been nominated for the Captain Lewis Ludington Award, often considered the “Oscars” of the maritime industry.

Captain Stevenson was nominated during the annual Grand Lodge Convention and Officer Installation event, which was held Friday, February 5th at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Chicago. Hundreds of mariners from both Canada and the United States were decked out in their finest uniforms to celebrate both Captain Stevenson and their newly elected leaders for the year.

 “As the first African-American to be nominated, I am honored that my peers in the industry have recognized my work ethic and dedication to this line of work,” says Captain Mark Stevenson, who works on Lake Michigan transporting private and commercial yachts and passenger vessels. He also works closely with Prologue, Inc. to establish the first maritime academy in Chicago for at risk youth.

 The Ludington Award, established in 1994, is given to those who promote the maritime industry to others who may never have considered working on the waterways for a living. The award is a kind of thank you for those who have introduced the shipping business to the largest number of individuals outside of the industry.  Only four people have been nominated for the honor this year, and the winner will be declared March 2016.

 “Captain Stevenson was a natural choice for the Ludington Award,” says Dale K. Mason, Chief Engineer and past recipient of the coveted award, who is from Detroit Lodge No. 7. “His work with the William Tillman Maritime Program, sponsored by Prologue, Inc., has ensured that our business lives on in the next generation.”

 Prologue, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest organizations providing alternative education for at-risk youth in Chicago. Realizing that the maritime industry is undergoing resurgence and will provide many new jobs in the near future, Prologue, Inc. decided to create the new William Tillman Maritime program. The hope is that by introducing students from traditionally under-served backgrounds to the benefits of making a career out on the water, these young people will pursue employment in the maritime industry.

  “By introducing the art of being a shipmaster to a whole new generation, we are ensuring a more diverse and inspiring work force for the future,” said Captain Mark, who has worked in the industry for more than 37 years and concedes that not many African-Americans are currently in this line of work. His dedication and commitment to help change the demographics of this resurging business is what makes him a fine example of the changing leadership in the maritime industry.

 “Our community needs jobs, jobs and more jobs,” said Dr. Nancy Jackson, CEO of Prologue, Inc., which has been providing educational and job training programs for at risk youth for more than 40 years. “The maritime industry is forecasting many jobs with good wages over the next few decades, many of which do not require a college degree.”

 Captain Stevenson echoes Dr. Jackson’s sentiments, as he recognizes the many opportunities the maritime industry can provide to people of color and other traditionally marginalized workers.

“We must supply those who have been previously undereducated and underserved with the tools to provide for their families,” says Captain Stevenson. “The maritime industry is an untapped arena that can offer thousands of young people the opportunity to become successful and productive citizens.”

industry towards the creation of a safer and more efficient maritime commerce.

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