NEWS
“Moving Toward a Shared Vision” AN INTERVIEW WITH COUNTY BOARD CHAIR MARCELIA NICHOLSON BY LOUIS FORTIS
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County.
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What led you to run for County Board Chairperson in 2020? What changes or new directions did you want to pursue? What were your goals for your first year?
Please tell us about your background.
Milwaukee County has suffered in reputation over the years from policy and oversight issues to internal and public conflict. And with differing constituencies and priorities, building consensus was sometimes a challenge. Despite our different districts however, we all share a common goal. That is to make Milwaukee County a place where people can live well and thrive in. We have a real opportunity to move towards a shared vision, and I wanted to be a part of moving us in that direction.
arcelia Nicholson was elected in 2016 as County Supervisor for the 5th District, which includes parts of Downtown and the North Side. Last year she became the first Black woman to serve as chairperson of the County Board of Supervisors. In addition, Nicholson continues to serve on the Milwaukee Public Library and Milwaukee Art Museum boards along with the board of Local Progress, a national network that supports, connects and unites progressive local elected officials and allied organizations. I was born and raised right here in Milwaukee. I grew up in the 53206 ZIP code, which most of us know is one of the poorest and most incarcerated in the nation. My upbringing here and my being a product of Milwaukee Public Schools has really informed my work and is a reason why I advocate so hard for issues such as racial equity, public education, and community-led economic development. After high school I went to UW-Milwaukee, and after that I became a 4th grade teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools. This is where I began to get more involved in activism as a member of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association. I worked to organize our members for better working conditions. It wasn’t long after this that I decided to run for the County Board. 8 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS
I ran for County Board Chairwoman because I believe in the ability of local government to improve our communities. In order to do that, you need public engagement and public trust.
My goals for my first year were to support constituent services, provide robust staff training and engagement, more collaboration with the county executive, county clerk and other departments, as well as an inclusive and participatory budget and a streamlined policy adoption process that focuses on equity and sustainability. I am proud to share that despite an international pandemic, I have accomplished many of my goals and more.
