2026 Board of Directors

Alonzo Johnson | President

If you had told Alonzo Johnson years ago that he would go from marathon runner to cycling club president, he might have laughed. Running had been his passion, a space for clarity, challenge, and achievement. But after multiple knee surgeries and a hard conversation with reality, he traded pavement for pedals. That decision led him not only to rediscover movement but also to find a new community and eventually, a new calling.

From his first MTC3 ride, Alonzo was hooked, not just by the thrill of cycling, but by the camaraderie, discipline, and deep sense of community that defines Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago. The club gave him more than miles and memories; it gave him a way to heal, especially after the profound personal loss of his wife, sister, and son. Group rides, solo sessions, and road trips with MTC3 helped him process grief, rebuild connection, and reclaim joy.

Inspired to give back, Alonzo stepped into club leadership as Secretary, helping to strengthen communication, record keeping, and policy awareness. His commitment continued to grow, and in 2025 he was elected President of MTC3, an opportunity he embraces with humility, vision, and purpose.

As Club President, Alonzo serves as MTC3’s chief executive officer, responsible for guiding the overall direction of the club, ensuring quality programs, and aligning operations with member aspirations. He presides over board meetings, helps shape club initiatives, and represents MTC3 with integrity and passion, always with the goal of keeping the club inclusive, transparent, and mission focused.

Alonzo believes that leadership means listening, learning, and leading by example. Whether he is organizing club business, representing MTC3 in the broader cycling community, or pedaling alongside members on a club ride, he remains grounded in what brought him here in the first place: movement, fellowship, and the enduring legacy of Marshall “Major” Taylor.

Mike Wiggins Jr | Club Captain

Entering his 2nd season as club captain, Mike has been an active member since Summer 2022 and brings both passion and dedication to the role. Inspired by his father—an MTC3 ride leader—Mike has grown from a determined new rider into a regular presence on club rides. As a former athlete and a media professional, he’s excited to bring fresh ideas to the team, particularly in enhancing our ride programming and increasing engagement through social media.

Melanie Moore | Secretary

Melanie is an avid cyclist, advocate and former safety coordinator for Slow Roll Chicago. She works in the environmental sector. The Chicago native worked in various environmental field roles, including as an educator, scientist, Midwest field director and program officer for the Mott Foundation.   Her grant making helped ensure that all people in the region have access to safe, affordable drinking water. More recently, she served as an independent consultant on public policy, environmental advocacy, energy equity, and climate change adaptation.  Melanie earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Hampton University and a master’s degree in environmental science and public policy at the University of Chicago.  She is a world traveler, foodie, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Michael Bradley | Treasurer

Bio Coming Soon…

Shonzetta Carpenter | Asst. Treasurer

Shonzetta joined MTC3 in January 2022 as part of her commitment to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. A dedicated short distance runner, she was looking for a way to add variety to her fitness workouts when she discovered MTC3 through a kickboxing class with Jason Easterly. What began as a search for cross‑training quickly became something much bigger.

Although she initially planned to ride recreationally with friends, she was the only one who actually purchased a bike. Rather than ride alone, she reached out to Jason for more information about the club. After her very first Monday Malarkey ride, she was hooked.

Her thirst for speed, her dedication, and the challenge of each ride continue to push her to get better.

In her role as Assistant Treasurer, Shonzetta brings over 20 years of experience in accounting, financial services, and risk management. She looks forward to supporting the club in this capacity and contributing to the continued growth and success of MTC3.

Patrice Harris | Membership Manager

Patrice Harris began recreational cycling in her youth when she would spend many days on the Lakefront Trail as a resident of the South Shore area in Chicago. After moving to the south suburbs, she began cycling the Forest Preserve trails where she first encountered MTC3. During a solo weekend ride in the morning, a group of cyclists passed her on Old Plank Trail. As they passed, each cyclist either gave her a “Good Morning” greeting or offered quick words of encouragement. After finding out about MTC3 and participating in a few rides as a guest, Patrice became a member of Major Taylor Chicago in 2020.

Patrice brought to the club previous leadership experience as a former member of Toastmasters International (MJM Speakers Circle) where she served as Vice-President of Public Relations, Club President and Area Governor. She is currently a participant in the 2025 Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy. Patrice currently serves as Membership Manager in her second consecutive term during which time she has helped to move the club to the use of digital membership cards.

After being sidelined during the 2024 cycling season because of knee challenges, she is looking forward to a 2025 cycling season full of fun and fellowship and service to the members of MTC3!

Lester Hampton | Asst. Membership

Lester started cycling during the COVID pandemic when the gyms were closed. A friend later sold him a $250 bike and invited him to a Ride or Die bike ride, and the rest was history. One day he ran into JD at Home Depot, who invited him out to the Big Ring. He finished in last place that day, but he made a promise to himself that it would be the last time he ever came in last. #MTC3 

James Davis | Events Manager

As an early teen James organized groups of neighborhood kids to ride bikes from his West Chatham neighborhood to Rainbow Beach and back. James rode a pink girls bike with a purple banana seat that was discarded as trash. James became good at popping wheelies and many neighborhood adults referred to him as a “bad kid” for boldly showing off his skills. Those criticisms became complements as he’d often be asked by those same neighbors to demonstrate his self-taught talent.

James(or Jimmy) depending on where you know him from, attended Mendel High School, and Western Illinois University where he took his Schwinn Le Toure to get around campus. After graduation he purchased his first real bike, a Trek Composite 2100 that cost nearly $1000. This was his go-to bike for Bike the Drive, The Late Rides, Red Black and Green, Apple Cider Century, Boulevard Lakefront Ride etc.

In the fall of 2015 James attended Two Rivers Century in Kankakee. After unloading his bike for a solo ride he noticed a group of 30+ people in Major Taylor kits posing for a pre-ride group photo. Amazed at how cool they looked James watched with admiration. Although James was wearing a Trek Jersey Shawn Conley invited him over to join the photo shoot and the rest was history.

James did his homework; He learned about Major Taylor, researched the club, understood the Mission Statement and the club’s commitment to Health and Fitness.This was something he wanted to be a part of.

James(aka JD) is a dedicated ride leader responsible for creating fun and all-inclusive rides such as: The Donut Ride, The Taco Ride, The Sammich Ride, The Big Ring, and The Ultimate Big Ring. JD’s secret sauce is creating rides that everyone can ride with multiple start points and distances all leading to the same destinations. These rides usually include food, fellowship, and shenanigans.

James proudly serves as Events Manager where he plans and organizes club functions such as: Post-holiday Gala, Victory Ride, and the Annual Picnic.