About Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson
Marcelia Nicholson is an award-winning activist, and the first Black woman and Latina elected as Chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Prior to her election as Board Chair, she served as 1st Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Economic & Community Development and Intergovernmental Relations committees. She sits on the board of directors of several community and national organizations, including Local Progress, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Chairwoman Nicholson works to make opportunities that were given to her as a young woman growing up in 53206—one of the nation’s poorest and most incarcerated ZIP codes—available to others. Chairwoman Nicholson is a champion for working people, public education, economic development, and community empowerment. Her past work as a union activist, community organizer, and educator informs her policy and community work. She has authored and sponsored several significant pieces of legislation, including a $15 living wage ordinance, an eviction reduction program, a resolution establishing Juneteenth Day as a major holiday, and a declaration of racism as a public health crisis (Milwaukee County was the first county or municipality in the United States to do so). She has also secured funding for County parks, advocated on behalf of women of color seeking entrepreneurship, and fought for criminal justice reform.
Chairwoman Nicholson is a proud product of Milwaukee Public Schools and is an honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to her first election to the Board of Supervisors in 2016, she taught 4th grade at Milwaukee Public Schools. As a member of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA), she worked to organize MTEA members and community groups for better teaching and classroom conditions. She earned recognition for her activism and dedication to Social Justice Unionism with a feature profile and cover story in the Fall 2016 edition of the National Education Association magazine.
Chairwoman Nicholson is also the Director of Civic Engagement and Independent Political Power at the Center for Popular Democracy. In her spare time, Marcelia serves as a national trainer for the Progressive Governance Academy, where she trains progressive elected officials across the country on various skills, including transitioning to public leadership and setting an agenda. She also has a passion for baking and owns her own business baking cookies, cakes, and sweets.
Notable accomplishments and recognitions:
- Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 (2022
- Milwaukee Business Journal “Power Broker” (2020 and 2021)
- Milwaukee Democratic Party Rising Star Award (2020)
- Panelist, Democratic National Convention, Milwaukee (2020)
- Young Elected Officials Inaugural 35 under 35 (2020)
- Downtown Milwaukee Downtown Playmaker Award (2019)
- Young Elected Officials Inaugural Trailblazer Award (2018)
- Panelist, Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (2018)
- Local Progress National Board Member (2017)
- National Working Families Party Academy Delegate to Madrid, Spain (2017)
- Center for Popular Democracy Elected Representative to World Transformed Festival in Brighton, England (2019)
- Panelist, Democratic National Convention, Philadelphia (2016)
- National Education Association (NEA) 30 Under 30 (2016)
- NEA Magazine Cover Story (Fall 2016)
All press release, newsletter and in the news content dated prior to April 18, 2022, reflects Chairwoman Nicholson representing County Supervisory District 5 prior to decennial Milwaukee County redistricting.
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Press Releases
May-03-2022
On Monday evening, it was reported that the United States Supreme Court had voted to strike down the Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed federal protections of abortion rights. County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisors Felesia A. Martin and Liz Sumner released the following statement on the draft opinion.
Nov-10-2021
County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson has been named a “Milwaukee-area power broker” for 2021 by the Milwaukee Business Journal. “It is an honor to be recognized amongst so many leaders making a positive impact in Milwaukee,” said Chairwoman Nicholson.
Apr-20-2022
Yesterday Alderman José G. Pérez was unanimously elected President of the Milwaukee Common Council, becoming the first Latino to hold this position. Milwaukee County Supervisors released the following statement congratulating President Pérez.
Nov-08-2021
Today the Board of Supervisors adopted [11-6] the 2022 Milwaukee County Budget. Adopted budget amendments made substantial investments in the county park system as well as initiatives to advance racial and health equity.
Apr-18-2022
Today Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson was unanimously re-elected to lead the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors for the 2022-2024 term. Chairwoman Nicholson thanked her colleagues for their support and expressed optimism about the future.
Oct-07-2021
County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson made strides to advance a statewide initiative to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across Wisconsin at last week’s Wisconsin Counties Association’s (WCA) annual conference in La Crosse, Wis.
Nov-19-2021
Today a jury in Kenosha County found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on counts of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson released the following statement on the verdict
Sep-23-2021
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a proposal from Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson to offer paid internships, rather than unpaid positions, to area students that want to learn the skills associated with working for a local legislative body.
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In The News
May-03-2022
Marcelia Nicholson was recently re-elected Chair of the Milwaukee County Board on an unanimous vote, and has announced a slate of committee chairs for the board’s new session that scrambles the old leadership.
Apr-18-2022
Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson was elected Monday to another two-year term at the helm of the 18-member board.
Apr-29-2022
Local officials will be unveiling a memorial bench and plaque for Dontre Hamilton at Red Arrow Park on Saturday. Hamilton was shot and killed by a Milwaukee police officer on April 30, 2014.
Apr-14-2022
When City Clerk Jim Owczarski finished administering the Oath of Office at the April 13 inauguration ceremony, Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson officially became the first new Mayor of Milwaukee in almost two decades.
Apr-20-2022
Elected officials in Milwaukee and Wisconsin health groups are pushing the Biden administration to strengthen federal air quality standards to reduce pollution from power plants, including two in southeastern Wisconsin.
Apr-13-2022
As the first Black person elected as mayor of Milwaukee, Cavalier Johnson joins a historic group of Black men chosen to lead
Apr-19-2022
During a hybrid session, where some Supervisors attended in-person and others were sworn in virtually, Chairwoman Nicholson thanked her colleagues for their support and expressed optimism about the future.
Apr-13-2022
Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed Milwaukee was entering a new chapter during his inauguration ceremony Wednesday morning. He touted a vision of improved public safety, more family-supporting jobs, improved government efficiency and better partnerships.