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, WI, 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 local 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 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.
As the current Vice President of Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization, Marcelia engages political leaders in the Fight for $15 and a Union, while connecting disenfranchised Milwaukeeans to good family-sustaining jobs, union representation, career development, and the halls of government.
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 Democratic Party Rising Star Award (2020)
- Panelist, Democratic National Convetion, 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)
Please wait while we gather your results.
Press Releases
Nov-24-2020
TEMPO Milwaukee recently announced that they have included County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson in their Emerging Women Leaders group, a network of “rising stars and high achievers” whom TEMPO has recognized for their outsize influence as community-minded changemakers.
Oct-06-2020
Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson will moderate an online panel discussion Wednesday night at 7:00pm on the topic of “The Unique Challenges of Being a Black Leader”. Wednesday’s chat will cover such topics as the recent rise in death threats against and harassment of Black leaders, racist micro-aggressions at work and in the community, and the barriers and obstacles to elected office and positions of influence facing Black leaders.
Nov-20-2020
The Milwaukee Business Journal has included County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson in its annual “Power Brokers” list for 2020. It is the first time Chairwoman Nicholson has received this distinction.
Oct-05-2020
As the Board of Supervisors begins deliberations on the 2021 Milwaukee County budget, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson launched a new approach to the budget process with a letter to County Supervisors that lays out a set of “guiding principles.”
Nov-10-2020
The Board of Supervisors adopted (14-4) the 2021 County budget Monday after approving several amendments that make additional investments in racial equity efforts, county parks, improved service delivery that will help improve the health of Milwaukee County residents.
Sep-24-2020
The Milwaukee Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal from Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson today to allocate $35,000 to an independent fund that helps Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) students avoid eviction and maintain housing stability while they earn their degree.
Nov-09-2020
The Board of Supervisors approved (17-1, Weishan) an amendment to the 2021 budget from Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson that makes additional investments in racial equity efforts and in improving the health of Milwaukee County residents from all walks of life.
Aug-10-2020
In a statement released Monday, County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson endorsed County Executive David Crowley’s vision for Milwaukee County and pledged to continue to work together towards common goals.
Oct-30-2020
The County Board’s Finance Committee unanimously approved a budget amendment Thursday from Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson that would make additional investments in equity for communities across Milwaukee County.
Jul-30-2020
In a statement released Thursday, County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson praised Governor Tony Evers for his emergency order requiring facemasks indoors and called upon the local health officers in Milwaukee County to commit to enforcing the mandate.
Oct-20-2020
County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson announced today that Board of Supervisors will hold its official public hearing on the 2021 budget on Friday, October 30, at 4:00 p.m. In the interest of public health, this year’s hearing will be held online.
Jul-28-2020
Leaders of the One Milwaukee Task Force issued a joint statement Tuesday on President Trump’s announcement that he is sending federal law enforcement officers to Milwaukee.
Please wait while we gather your results.