MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, the Milwaukee County Intergovernmental Relations Committee unanimously approved a resolution co-authored by County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, County Executive David Crowley, and Supervisor Sequanna Taylor to reestablish the Milwaukee County Youth Commission.
“As an educator, I will always be committed to engaging with our youth to uplift the conditions of young people across our community. Milwaukee County is stronger when young people are empowered with a seat at the table as we debate and adopt programs and policies that affect their day-to-day lives. It is often said that the youth are our future, but I believe that there is no time like the present to bring young people with fresh ideas into public service. I look forward to the ‘Take a Child to Work Day,’ where youth will get a firsthand view of public service at Milwaukee County,” said Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson.
“My involvement with Milwaukee County goes back to my time on the Youth Commission. It was a role that opened my eyes to the power and potential that every person, even young people, in our community has to offer. Today’s youth should have the opportunity to realize their same power and have an active voice in County government,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
Since 2020, Milwaukee County has moved forward with implementing a strategic plan to achieve racial equity. The Youth Commission works to further advance one of the plan’s strategic goals of “Creating Intentional Inclusion” by creating and nurturing an inclusive culture across the County.
The Milwaukee County Commission on Youth is created to serve as a representative body for youth in Milwaukee County government. The commission shall work in partnership with the County Board Chairwoman and the County Executive to make advisory recommendations about policy and budgetary decisions to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, and to advance the county’s mission of achieving racial equity.
“The last two school years have presented unprecedented challenges for our youth both in and outside of the classroom,” said Chairwoman Nicholson and County Executive Crowley. “We must work now to make sure our youth are engaged, have the resources they need to overcome the challenges in front of them, and have the opportunity to be active participants in government. And, as we look to the future, we must ensure that the next generation, and generations into the future, have the knowledge and confidence to know that they can make a difference in their communities through public service. Thank you to the members of the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations for recognizing this vision and unanimously voting to re-establish the Milwaukee County Youth Commission.”
The full County Board is expected to vote on the resolution on May 26.
