Filmed at the 14th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson. Growing up in one of the country’s most underserved zip codes, Nicholson is using her experiences to improve  the communities she holds dear. She begins the conversation explaining how she found her way to elected office after being upset by the lack of resources available to her students as a fourth grade teacher. From there, she explains how to organize and advocate successfully at the local level, offering her tested methods for bridging divides across her state as she “bakes her way” to bipartisan collaboration. We also look at the future of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin and what they can do to improve the lives of everyday Wisconsinites, from focusing on housing to relationship building with unlikely allies.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [01:04] Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson describes her journey into public office.

• [04:24] How her childhood experiences and representing her constituency informs her policy.

• [06:12] Advice for teachers on how to approach governments to affect change.

• [07:53] Past issues Marcelia was concerned with, how she solved them, and what she’s focused on now.

• [10:34] How Milwaukee and Marcelia’s role fits into broader Wisconsin politics.

• [12:24] Marcelia’s protocol for bridging racial, cultural, political, and geographical divides.

• [14:05] Unpacking the current state of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin.

• [16:19] The policies that Marcelia would like to see the Dems pushing for her constituents.

• [18:07] Her advice for other public office leaders for keeping groups and policies cohesive.

• [20:20] How she spends her time, and what’s next for her in policy and politics.