My deep commitment to Dane County started years ago when I created my first program to ensure access to housing back in the 90’s and has endured through my tenure as a Dane County Supervisor. In my day to day work, the impact of this dedication to Dane County has been felt in housing, human services, criminal legal reform, victim’s rights, and even the arts. 

Dane County has grown and changed immensely over the three decades I have lived here. We have made great progress in many spaces. However, we still have work to do. Dane County is facing an affordable housing crisis. We must invest in housing opportunities while ensuring the wrap around support services needed for those most vulnerable. I also understand the depth of assistance our County’s Department of Human Services, in collaboration with our point of service agencies, gives to our community. We need to collaborate with the community, unions and city partners to establish the need county wide and create action plans to move the work forward.

In addition, I have been deeply embedded in bolstering the criminal legal reforms in our justice system. Me and my colleagues on the County Board advocated strongly for expanded funding to the Cares model to make sure mental health response is in the right spaces. I co-led the community court committee piloting our second restorative court. In addition to being appointed to the CORE Justice Network to study racial disparities and collaborate with elected officials on a National Level. The work I have done with Supervisor Kigeya and Supervisor Wright changed the conversation on criminal legal reforms, further positing our County as leaders in this work. These collaborations along with the incredible work of our county staff who make our ideas reality and bring their own hard work and determination to the table allowed for Dane County to dig deep in this important work and opened the door for compromise and conversation with agencies like the Dane County Sheriff’s department.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg. I am rooted in community work. My Board service to agencies such as DAIS and Urban Triage allows me to be in community with people on a regular basis. Supporting organizations such as this is a cornerstone of the work Dane County does. My work in the arts has expanded access and diversity on our stages and behind the scenes. Every part of my life is about service to the residents of our county. My work as an executive for several non-profits has not only been transformational but it has ensured the success of those businesses in the future.

And finally, as a former small business owner myself, coming from a family of small business owners, I understand the struggle it takes to run a business that is responsible for paying my bills. I want to hear the issues that affect other small businesses throughout the county. To that end, Sabrina Madison and I will embark this spring and summer on the Dane County Small Business Progress Tour. We will visit small businesses throughout the county to hear what is important for them to create and continue progressive business policies to bolster the economy, while connecting with our residents in these areas to be mindful of our environmental impact in all our spaces from the lakes to the parks to the airport. I want to hear from you, the residents of Dane County.