June 5, 2025

County Executive Crowley, Chairwoman Nicholson Accept Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Award

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson recently accepted the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize, a prestigious national honor recognizing communities at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. Milwaukee County was one of nine communities across the country who received the recognition this year. 

The $250,000 award celebrates the County’s ambitious vision to become the healthiest county in Wisconsin and acknowledges its focus on racial equity as a strategy to improve health outcomes. 

“Our community’s recognition as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize recipient is a powerful reminder that the work we’re doing matters. It’s delivering results and making a real difference for residents, families, and children across Milwaukee County,” said County Executive Crowley. “Through partnerships with national philanthropic leaders like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we’re deepening our commitment to addressing systemic disparities and driving meaningful, lasting change. Milwaukee County is honored to accept this award on behalf of every resident working toward a more equitable, healthier future for our community.” 

“This award is a profound honor and a testament to what is possible when we center health, equity, and justice in all that we do,” said Chairwoman Nicholson. “From declaring racism as a public health crisis to embedding equity into our budgeting and planning, we’ve taken bold steps to put people first. This recognition from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation affirms that our shared work is vital to the health and well-being of our community, and together, with our residents and partners, we’re building a Milwaukee County where everyone can truly thrive.” 

Pictured from left to right: County Executive David Crowley, United Community Center CEO Laura Gutiérrez, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, RWJF President and CEO Richard E. Besser, Milwaukee Parks Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Stoner, and Dr. Ben Weston.

The projects that will be supported with the RWJF Health Prize funding include:  

• Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center Outreach: Supporting advertising and outreach efforts for DHHS programs and services with the opening of the new facility.  
• King Park Homeless Outreach Support: Providing support to individuals facing homelessness, with a focus on the encampments in the King Park and surrounding neighborhoods, especially during the summer months.  
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center and Kosciuszko Community Center Improvements: Supplying new workout room equipment, furniture, computer lab upgrades, programming support, special event sponsorships and more.   
• Age-Friendly Communities Initiatives: Continued partnership as part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. 
• Milwaukee Parks Foundation: Administering fiscal agent administrative fee. 

More information about Milwaukee County’s selection as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize recipient is available HERE. More information about the RWJF Culture of Health Prize initiative is available HERE.

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