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)
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Press Releases
Jul-27-2021
In the evening following its Thursday, July 29 meeting the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will hold a ceremonial swearing in at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street.
Jun-15-2021
For the latest installment of her “Chats with the Chairwoman” series, County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson will lead a virtual conversation Wednesday evening, June 16, celebrating the resilience and joy of Black activism during the week of Juneteenth Day.
Jul-24-2021
County Supervisor Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson will host a community cleanup on Saturday, July 24 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
May-10-2021
In a statement reflecting on her first year leading the Board of Supervisors, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson thanked her colleagues for their support and collaboration, reflected on a year of firsts, and looked toward the future.
Jul-22-2021
On Tuesday night the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in game 6 of the NBA Finals to win the team’s first NBA Championship since 1971.
May-03-2021
With Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones recently sworn-in to represent the County’s 10th Supervisory District, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson has announced updated County Board committee assignments.
Jul-22-2021
On Wednesday afternoon a group of state attorneys general announced tentative plans for a massive, $26 billion agreement that would settle thousands of state and local government lawsuits stemming from the opioid epidemic.
Apr-22-2021
The County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted two proposals sponsored by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson aimed at combatting climate change at today’s meeting.
Jun-24-2021
Today the County Board of Supervisors adopted [17-1, Weishan] a proposal by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson to create a task force to recommend funding allocations for monies received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Apr-22-2021
The County Board of Supervisors adopted a proposal at today’s meeting to phase out single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable products from Milwaukee County facilities and parks.
Jun-18-2021
We are overjoyed to once again be able to observe Juneteenth Day in person this year, especially given that this marks the 50th anniversary of Milwaukee’s storied celebration. For many of us, Juneteenth Day is more than just a time to connect with our community. It is a day to honor our history and chart our future.
Apr-20-2021
County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson congratulated newly elected Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones on her election victory Monday and announced updated committee assignments.
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In The News
Jul-14-2021
The Milwaukee Bucks have brought their city together. Thousands of people from all backgrounds are gathering each playoff game outside Fiserv Forum, and the city is buzzing with the shared hope of an NBA championship. That togetherness might be temporary, but it's a glimpse at a more unified Milwaukee.
Apr-24-2021
The envelope looked like any other — slightly wrinkled, a handwritten address scrawled across the front. But Jared Cain said he felt violated after looking inside.
Jul-09-2021
The Milwaukee Common Council met this week for the first time in person since the coronavirus pandemic forced many government meetings and services to move online early last year.
Apr-23-2021
This Sunday, April 25, Milwaukee will join a rapidly spreading movement of car and bike caravans calling for an end to the US economic blockade of Cuba, beginning at the Mitchell Park domes at 1 PM.
Jul-01-2021
Most people may know the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, signed into law by President Biden in March, as the law that gave most Americans a one-time payment of $1,400 this spring. What you may be less aware of is that the law will have significant impacts across Milwaukee County government.
Apr-22-2021
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Thursday that calls for the elimination of single-use plastic or polystyrene foam products in county facilities and parks.
Jun-24-2021
The Milwaukee County Board passed a resolution Thursday officially renaming a park for longtime Milwaukee activist Lucille Berrien. Berrien’s name will be given to what is currently Lindbergh Park, located at the intersection of N. 16th St. and W. Nash St.
Apr-19-2021
On Thursday April 22nd, also known as Earth Day, the Milwaukee County Board will consider a raft of climate and pollution related legislation.
Jun-17-2021
There's a push on Capitol Hill to mark Juneteenth Day - a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States - as a federal holiday. A bill that would add Juneteenth as a federal holiday is now heading to President Joe Biden's desk for signature after the House approved the measure Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 415-14.
Apr-17-2021
The Committee on Parks, Energy, and Environment has recommended adoption of two climate change combat proposals sponsored by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, a press release announced earlier this week.
Jun-16-2021
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," said Nicholson.
Apr-03-2021
Earlier this month, the U.S. House took a democracy-affirming step that is sorely needed as we confront some of the biggest threats to our rights in recent memory. It passed the “For the People Act,” a comprehensive bill that shores up voting rights and goes after corruption and secretive big spending in politics.
Jun-09-2021
In April, the Milwaukee County Board passed legislation that committed the county to becoming carbon neutral, with some added benchmarks to hit along the way. Early work investigating the county’s greenhouse gas emissions shows it may already be ahead of schedule.
Mar-26-2021
The fact that the vulnerable communities in Milwaukee have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic is nothing new. The inequities in health care and resource distribution made it almost inevitable that people living in some of the poorest neighborhoods would suffer the most.
Jun-08-2021
Attending the June 1 Mayoral Pride Month Proclamation and MCTS Rides with Pride Bus Launch Ceremony I was particularly struck with a sense of Pride not only in the context of Pride Month and the cause it commemorates, but also of Pride in both the city itself and Milwaukee County.
Mar-23-2021
Three of Milwaukee’s top elected officials received a COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday to encourage more citizens to take advantage of the free vaccine clinics being operated by the city and the county.
Jun-02-2021
Leaders from Milwaukee County, the City of Milwaukee, and local organizations joined with area residents on June 1 at Cathedral Square Park to kick off Pride Month, and unveil several initiatives that celebrated the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions.
Mar-23-2021
Milwaukee County leaders say they're keeping equity at the forefront as they encourage thousands of people across 10 ZIP codes to get the COVID-19 vaccine. To help reinforce that message, three leaders leaders got their shots on Tuesday, March 23.
Jun-02-2021
The past month has seen some major steps forward toward re-opening of our state. The efforts to vaccinate our population over the past four and a half months has been impressive.
Mar-16-2021
More than 150 small businesses in Milwaukee County's 5th Supervisory District received a total of $1.2 million on Tuesday, March 16. The grant is through the county's Small Business Recovery Initiative Grant Program. The amount is more than any other Supervisory district, according to county officials.
Jun-02-2021
It’s a new era in Milwaukee County government. For decades, there has been nasty bickering between the county board and county executive, but County Executive David Crowley and Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, are getting along famously.
Mar-06-2021
On January 6th, we all watched as right-wing extremists, spurred on by one of the most divisive presidents in the history of the United States, attempted to reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election by attacking the U.S. Capitol, and attempting to thwart the certification of the Electoral College vote.
Jun-01-2021
You'll see rainbows on the road in Milwaukee this month. June is Pride Month and Tuesday, June 1, supporters kicked it off by showing off a rainbow-accented streetcar and a rainbow-colored Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus.
Feb-16-2021
Ending Wisconsin’s cannabis prohibition is an effort being pushed across multiple fronts. While proposals are hashed out in the halls of government, and not likely to succeed while the GOP controls both Legislative branches, advocates also see the need to shift the narrative around cannabis.
May-03-2021
The U.S. has passed a new milestone with more than 200 million citizens vaccinated. But now, the Biden administration and health officials nationwide are refocusing their attention on vaccine hesitancy.
Feb-06-2021
The Milwaukee County penalty for marijuana possession would drop from up to $500 to $1, under a proposal introduced by a group of county supervisors. “In achieving racial equity, disparities in the criminal justice system, including marijuana and paraphernalia possession laws, must be eradicated,” the resolution said.
Apr-30-2021
Milwaukee County Supervisor Sequanna Taylor is sponsoring a resolution that would create a memorial for Dontre Hamilton in Red Arrow Park. Hamilton was shot and killed by a Milwaukee Police officer in the park in 2014.
Feb-04-2021
The state's biggest county is putting off a decision on whether to continue its membership in a statewide lobbying association, a group Dane County already left over concerns that it did not represent its interests.
Apr-27-2021
Milwaukee County plans to phase out single-use plastics and other non-biodegradable products from county-owned facilities and parks by next year. The county has also set a goal for the county Parks Department to eliminate polystyrene foam, commonly used for to-go containers and cups, in 2022.