“The Power Within Me Is Greater Than Any Power Outside Of Me”: An Interview with Keven Bell
Keven Bell - Commercial Real Estate Agent with Marcus and Millichap
“I am grateful for today, but relentless for tomorrow.”
From humble beginnings, Keven Bell learned how to embrace change and find the value in every opportunity. His story of grit, resourcefulness, and tackling each new experience one step at a time give us the playbook for how an underdog can thrive, in every stage of life. His valuable advice, humble attitude, and relatable story resonates not only with first generation professionals, but anyone who has forged their own path.
In this inspirational Community Leader Interview, Keven shares the trials, tribulations, and and lessons of his first generation journey, reminding us that the first generation perspective is unique, valuable, and important.
In Part I of this Community Leader Interview, Keven discusses:
An uncertain childhood, including the struggles of homelessness, and how these years instilled a deep gratitude and grit that would continue throughout his life
Football, soccer, track, baseball, acapella, student government, theater, dance, robotics? Computer programming!? How exploring multi-passionate interests allowed him to blissfully ignore the adolescent fear of failure
How his early adversity fueled him to do better and reach higher
“I went to one school where I was too white and one school where I was too Black.” How generational self-sacrifice instilled early confidence and how teachers can impact outside the classroom
His philosophy on mentorship, and how we are more ready to become mentors than we think
“One square at a time.” How Brad Pitt can help us problem solve, especially as first generation professionals
In Part II of this Community Leader Interview, Keven discusses:
The opportunities afforded through his time in the Army
His philosophy of military service and his definition of freedom
His message to the generations behind him: “Never give up on your pursuit for the future.”
Keeping his next generation “within the bumpers of life”
Milwaukee’s diversity of passions
His final message to our first generation membership: “Your value is unlike anyone before you and anyone after you.”
Panelist:
Keven Bell, Associate Investments, Marcus & Millichap, The Hlavinka-Rauh Industrial Group
keven.bell@marcusmillichap.com
Moderator:
Molly Madonia, Founder and President, First Generation Professionals of Milwaukee Inc.
The mission of FGPM is to support the interests and goals of first generation students and professionals by providing meaningful professional resources and facilitating cross-generational mentorship. Our vision for 2026 is to foster an inclusive community of first generation professionals by investing in foundational connections and meaningful growth. For more information on how FGPM can advance and uplift your young professional journey, please visit www.fgpm.org.
Recorded Monday, February 2, 2026
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From humble beginnings, Keven Bell learned how to embrace change and find the value in every opportunity. His story of grit, resourcefulness, and tackling each new experience one step at a time give us the playbook for how an underdog can thrive, in every stage of life. His valuable advice, humble attitude, and relatable story resonates not only with first generation professionals, but anyone who has forged their own path.
In this inspirational Community Leader Interview, Keven shares the trials, tribulations, and and lessons of his first generation journey, reminding us that the first generation perspective is unique, valuable, and important.