We enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service.
Milwaukee County is home to over 950,000 people living in one of 19 communities, which range in size from the City of Milwaukee, with 595,000 residents, to the Village of River Hills, with roughly 1,600 residents.
Still a manufacturing stronghold, the region features 16 Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of others in the financial services, medical device, hospitality and retailing industries.
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The Milwaukee County Health Equity Champion Awards celebrate people and organizations who are helping make our community healthier and fairer. The awards began in 2024 and are led by the Milwaukee County Office of Equity. This year, we’ve updated some award categories and added one for youth leaders: the Equity in Action Youth Leadership Award. Nominations are due June 19, 2026. Submit yours online.
Join us for the Third Annual Milwaukee County Health Equity Champion Awards Brunch and Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event takes place at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Bradley Pavilion, located at 929 N. Water St. Confirm your attendance online by Friday, July 31.
For: Milwaukee County departments, divisions, or programs
This award honors a County team that shows strong leadership in advancing health equity and removing barriers that affect residents’ health.
For: Milwaukee County employees
This award recognizes an employee who advocates for fairness, challenges barriers, and helps create a healthier, more equitable county.
For: Community organizations
This award honors an organization that works closely with the community, promotes equity, and creates new ideas to reduce health disparities.
For: Community members
This award celebrates a resident who actively works to improve health equity and inspire change in their community.
For: Youth ages 13–18
This award recognizes a young leader who speaks up for fairness, helps others, and works to make Milwaukee County more inclusive.
For: Leaders who connect community and government
This award honors someone who brings people and government together. They help lift up voices that are often unheard and support equitable public service.
Community Affairs Director for the Office of the Milwaukee County Executive
Kyle embodies the Bridgebuilder Award through visionary leadership, a deep commitment to community, and impactful public service at both the local and state levels. As Milwaukee County’s Director of Community Outreach and former Regional Director for Governor Tony Evers, he has strengthened connections between residents and government. With over a decade in workforce development, Kyle has advanced equity, opportunity, and collaboration across diverse communities.
Standard Bearer Award
Diane has spent over thirty years advancing health equity in Milwaukee County, focusing on access to healthcare for historically underserved communities. She addresses public health issues like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with an emphasis on culturally responsive care, targeting African American, Latino, and immigrant populations facing higher rates of chronic diseases. Diane believes in authentic community engagement to build trust and achieve equity, fostering collaboration through community partnerships and listening sessions. Her advocacy aims to make Milwaukee County the healthiest in Wisconsin.
Distinguished Service Award
Diana, the former executive director of the Bay View Community Center, transformed access to health and education for the underserved families it served. She established Wisconsin's first State-certified Family Resource Center and implemented culturally responsive early childhood education initiatives.In addition, Diana co-authored a trauma-informed mental health curriculum for Spanish-speaking educators and secured bilingual healthcare access. Her leadership significantly increased funding and program participation, making the center a vital resource for community empowerment and equity.
Distinguished Service Award
Gee’s long-standing commitment to equitable opportunities in Milwaukee showcases impactful community work. Through Gee’s Clippers, he creates a safe environment that addresses health disparities while promoting unity. The barbershop provides essential services such as child support, directly to residents, particularly from marginalized backgrounds. This approach supports Milwaukee County's vision of becoming the healthiest county in Wisconsin, demonstrating a dedication to enhancing the community's quality of life.
Shalina Ali
Michael Emem
Terry Evans
Jim Gaillard
Felice E. Green
Dr. Lia Knox
Shary Perez
Rebecca Stoner
JeTaun Taylor
Terri Lynn Wigley
Song Xiong-Buck
Standard Bearer Award
Serenity Inns provides a dignified pathway to recovery and self-sufficiency for men, especially Black men in Milwaukee County affected by addiction and homelessness. The organization offers services such as outreach, residential treatment, transitional housing, and support for alumni, along with a Drop-In Clinic for those not ready for formal treatment. Community engagement is vital, with partnerships involving hospitals and neighborhood organizations for consistent support. Under CEO Kenneth Ginlack, Serenity Inns has become a model for equity-based recovery services, aligning with Milwaukee County's health improvement goals.
Standard Bearer Award
SP NID offers homeowners grants of up to $5,000 every six years for maintenance issues to prevent housing deterioration. Additionally, it funds community improvements, including local school athletics and youth organizations, to address challenges from aging housing.
Meanwhile, SPCA supports empowerment and sustainability through self-funded programs for home repairs and community projects, including lead-safe home kits and housing resource fairs. It aims to assist low-to-moderate income residents, break the cycle of disinvestment, and promote generational wealth.
Together, these two Sherman Park organizations are working to help stabilize housing and foster community connections among residents.
Distinguished Service Award
MKE FreshAir Collective is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving air quality in Milwaukee. The collective focuses on collecting accurate data and fostering community engagement to address health disparities, especially among marginalized populations affected by environmental issues. They collaborate with local agencies and provide educational resources to inform residents about air quality and its impact on health. With a commitment to transparency, MKE FreshAir Collective aims to empower the community and advocate for equitable access to clean air and resources.
Distinguished Service Award
Jewish Family Services, or JFS, aims to strengthen families and individuals throughout their lives, aligning with Milwaukee County’s goal of becoming the healthiest county in the state. JFS provides a range of services, including behavioral health, early childhood development, and support for vulnerable populations, all while improving community health and access to care. Housing is emphasized as a critical factor in achieving independence, with JFS investing in affordable options like Woodale Crossing, which fosters community and personal dignity. Together, JFS and Milwaukee County are dedicated to connecting residents with essential services to promote health equity and independent living.
Milwaukee ER & Hospital
Dominican Center
MHS Health Wisconsin
African American Roundtable
Standard Bearer Award
David plays a crucial role in addressing health equity in Milwaukee County, leading the Credible Messenger Program since 2021. This initiative targets gun violence and supports justice-involved youth, achieving a 77 percent success rate in its first year. By 2024, the program served 199 youth, with over 66 percent receiving extensive mentoring and providing more than 12,000 hours of support annually. In 2024, Milwaukee County also adopted the Advance Peace Model under David's leadership, aimed at preventing gun violence through community development. The county is investing over $19 million from 2023 to 2026 to enhance community violence intervention and promote health equity.
Distinguished Service Award
Mashunda has over 20 years of experience in Milwaukee County's child support system, advocating for equity and family-centered services. As the Director of Case Management & Community Relations, she has implemented initiatives like the Satellite Locations program to make services more accessible and reduce barriers for families. She also leads the Zone Intensive Program Services – better known as ZIPS – to provide holistic support in underserved areas. Her work has earned her several awards and exemplifies her commitment to empowering families and fostering trust in public institutions.
Distinguished Service Award
Clare is known for her impactful work in suicide prevention, particularly for historically marginalized populations such as older adults and Black youth. As the Suicide Prevention Administrative Coordinator for Milwaukee County, she implements the Zero Suicide framework while addressing systemic inequities that contribute to suicide risk, including poverty and cultural stigma. Clare fosters collaboration and community-centered approaches through her involvement in various suicide prevention committees, ensuring that community voices are central to planning and implementing strategies. Her holistic vision promotes not only clinical care but also the importance of community, belonging, and social justice in transforming mental health outcomes.
Valdemetria “Dee” McCollum, Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Milwaukee County Parks
Ricky Persons, Opioid Prevention Coordinator – Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services – Aging & Disabilities Services
Standard Bearer Award
Milwaukee County DHHS Child Support Services Division is focused on advancing health equity by improving access in underserved communities. They have introduced seven child support payment kiosks across the county, located in key areas like the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and W-2 offices. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the community, aims to address transportation and financial challenges faced by families. By providing discreet payment options within neighborhoods, the program supports economic stability and strengthens family connections, aligning with Milwaukee County's commitment to health equity for all residents.
Distinguished Service Award
In 2024, Milwaukee County's Child Support Services launched the Birth Cost Elimination program, canceling over $67 million in birth cost debt for 32,718 low-income fathers. This initiative relieved burdens from fathers who were required to repay Medicaid costs for their child's birth, allowing them to better support their families. In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the program eliminated debts without court filings, impacting over 50,000 cases. Ongoing efforts will assess its positive effects on family support, recognizing the Child Support Services team as Health Equity Champions for their important work.
Distinguished Service Award
Milwaukee County EMS is dedicated to advancing health equity through transparent data analytics and innovative dashboards that provide accessible health information to all community members. The initiative targets health disparities in underserved populations by promoting community engagement and open communication. Key achievements include improved access to care and increased community involvement in health improvement efforts. The dashboards feature crucial data on health issues such as strokes, cardiac arrests, and overdoses, catering to both the public and experts to encourage informed community action.
Milwaukee County Parks – Planning Division
Milwaukee County Supportive Housing and Homeless Services
Anthony D. Smith is the Director of Community Partnerships at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC). He plays a pivotal role in MPAC’s ability to fulfill its mission of being a community gathering space for all. In this role, Anthony has been creating and providing opportunities for access to the transformative power of the performing arts to underserved and underrepresented youth and families in our community. His Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) work at the Marcus Center and beyond promotes equality among all program participants and seeks to narrow economic and social disparities.
Safe & Sound has been dedicated to improving public safety in high-crime, low-income Milwaukee neighborhoods since 1998. It engages Milwaukee residents and youth in proactive neighborhood safety and revitalization efforts by using an award-winning, three-part approach that combines community organizing, youth development, and partnerships with law enforcement. Shifting power to communities, including the most marginalized ones, is one of its strategies, with a focus on social justice to reduce the risk of reinforcing existing inequalities.
The Milwaukee County Emergency Management System, operated by the Office of Emergency Management, can identify the areas of the county that are most heavily impacted by medical emergencies like heart attacks and overdoes. EMS develops and delivers targeted training on CPR and naloxone, respectively, to put the knowledge and skills in the hands of the public to aid in saving a life before first responders can arrive.
Matthew is a community advocate, creative advocate, and wellness practitioner who is deeply committed to supporting the necessary work of advocating for the health and healing of BIPOC people in Milwaukee County. Through his work with organizations like Diverse and Resilient and the Medical College of Wisconsin, he expanded access to individuals to remain healthy and safe. Matthew is a role model who has inspired many of the young people he taught to enter the field of public health.
Shavonda is deeply committed to public health and has been an active community member for many years. She’s considered a “powerful community advocate and a black joy curator.” Her grassroots organizing efforts have centered on the health, safety, and access to much-needed resources for Black people in Milwaukee.
Moe actively addresses food insecurity, health equity, and economic disparity as they impact Milwaukee’s black and brown residents. In July 2022, the Sherman Park Grocery Store opened. It is the only Black-owned, full-service grocery store in Wisconsin that provides healthy food options in the Sherman Park neighborhood — an area considered a food desert by the City of Milwaukee.
Since 1853, The Milwaukee Turners has sought to be the embodiment of a diverse community in practice that confronts injustice. The Turners implemented a series of programs to address racial and social justice through a variety of public health programs. Its social justice efforts include organizing nonpartisan public forms on pressing issues such as mental health, mass incarceration, and structural racism.
MHS Health Wisconsin provides comprehensive services that pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future for its members and all of Wisconsin. Central to MHS Health’s mission is the dismantling of systemic and structural inequities by focusing on drivers of health such as social, political, and environmental conditions that impact how people live and work, which plays a massive role in health outcomes in every community.
Launched in March of 2020, the COVID-19 Suveillance Dashboard recorded over 2.4 million visits to their page by December 2020, allowing Milwaukee County residents and organizations to receive vital health information regarding the spread of the pandemic. Additionally, to further the County's declaration of racism as a public health crisis, the dashboard recorded information on race, highlighting the differences in infection and vaccine rates across the different demographic groups. This data collection also allowed vital community research to be done, diving deeper to better understand the needs of the community.
For all county departments and community organizations looking for technical assistance or capacity building support from the Office of Equity, use our technical assistance request form.
For all county departments and community organizations looking for translation services support from Office of Equity, use our language access translation request form.
For all county departments and community organizations looking to have the Office of Equity sponsor or partner for their event, use our sponsorship/ partnership request form.
