Milwaukee County Board chairwoman reflects on racial equity work
MILWAUKEE - Marcelia Nicholson, chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, is reflecting after a year as the board's head.
"Despite the fiscal challenges that we face at Milwaukee County, we’re able to reinvest in community services that people really care about, including an omnibus amendment that I sponsored that put about $3 million into housing, youth services, into senior services," said Nicholson.
Nicholson added she is also proud of her work to achieve racial equity.
"It’s so important that we keep our eye on the public services and the resources our community needs and to level the playing field," Nicholson said.
The chairwoman said work has continued after the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors declared racism a public health crisis in 2019.
"A year later in 2020, we put forth a strategic plan to make sure that we can achieve that through an advisory task force, through the department hires, through the way we treat our customers, our community members and also our staff members," Nicholson said.
Marcelia Nicholson, chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Nicholson stresses the importance of community engagement. One way she does that is through her Facebook page, where she offers a series called "Chat with the Chairwoman."
"I’m happy for the viewership that we receive and for all the comments and engagement that we get on those important topics."
Nicholson said growing up as an Afro-Latina in Milwaukee, she always looked forward to Juneteenth.
"That was a joy for me to attend with my family every year so when I became a leader in the community I continued to support that opportunity for all of us to come together and just celebrate that resiliency."
Nicholson said the county will be represented at Saturday's celebration.
"We would love for folks to stop by and see us and just learn how to engage with us and to hear about what’s important to them," said Nicholson.
Nicholson said she also a big supporter of the Latino community.
"Bridging that community. Working with my fellow supervisors who represent Latino constituencies. Going into those communities doing clean ups, meeting with their constitutes, learning what’s important to them and making sure that the work that we’re doing in Milwaukee County is for everyone," she said.
Nicholson is hosting a chat Wednesday night, June 16 on her Facebook page. The topic is celebrating Black activism and comments and questions are welcome.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.