MADISON – State Rep. Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) announced today that Michael Johnson, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, will be honored by the State Assembly as a Hometown Hero on Tuesday, April 18.

“I nominated Michael Johnson as a Hometown Hero during the last legislative session and I am pleased that he was selected during the current session,” Stubbs said. “Michael is a true hero for children and families across Dane County and even extending into Walworth County.

“Boys & Girls Clubs have put our children on paths to success and provided basic necessities for families across the region. Under Michael’s leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs expanded operations into Fitchburg, Verona, and Sun Prairie, acquired the Boys & Girls Club of Walworth County, and plan to open the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center, the largest skilled trades youth workforce center in Boys & Girls Clubs in American history.

“Michael took on a project near and dear to my heart, which is leading the campaign to erect a statute of Vel Phillips, the first Black person and the first woman elected to a statewide office, Secretary of State. As a member of the Vel Phillips Statue Task Force, I am pleased that the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board unanimously approved the building of this memorial.

“Under Michael’s leadership, generous contributions increased the organization’s assets from $4 million in 1999 to over $25 million in 2023. Among other accomplishments, this donor support has created the largest public/private partnership in the Madison Metropolitan School District, investing more than $21.6 million in direct resources to high schools. With this investment, along with hiring career and college specialists, more high school students have been able to graduate and plan for post-secondary education and employment.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County has given Dane County families millions of dollars’ worth of sports equipment, school supplies, meals-to-go, and holiday meals, as well as COVID-related face masks and hand sanitizer. For these reasons and many more, I am pleased to introduce my legislative colleagues to Michael Johnson, a Hometown Hero.”