Madison is my home. My parents came to Madison in the 1950's and my mother was the first African American RN in Madison and worked at the Veterans Hospital for 35 plus years. My father was first African-America stone mason and bricklayer. Alumna of West High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I was elected in 2015, making my election a historical moment by being one of the first African American woman elected to the Madison Common Council in 156 years and the first African American woman to be elected to Common Council President. I have always focused on working together across various ideological lines and bring people together. There is always room for compromise.
Over 20 years of community engagement:
Over 20 years of community engagement:
- In 2008 launched the "See something, Say something, Make the Call" campaign in Arbor Hills and Leopold neighborhoods.
- Increase summer programs in Penn Park and Leopold Park.
- President of South Metropolitan Planning Council an umbrella organization empowering and supporting the sustainability of South Madison's neighborhoods.
- Member of the Nine Springs Health Assessment Committee along with Public Health of Madison/Dane County staff and community residents to assess the benefits to expand our parks in our community.
- President of Arbor Hills Neighborhood Association for over 10 years and initiated several community projects in Arbor Hills and worked closely with the Leopold Neighborhood Association.
- Board Chair of Porchlight, Inc. working to provide a hand up not a handout to our most vulnerable citizens/residents.
- Served on numerous City of Madison committees.
- Co-Chair Department of Health Services Health Equity Workgroup