On Wednesday, February 1st, the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus kicked off Black History Month at the Rotunda in the Capitol Building! 

Black History Month is led by the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus. Below is a list of events, both in-person and virtual, over the next week. I also recommend following State Senator LaTonya Johnson on Instagram–she has helpful graphics announcing events throughout the month. We will try to promote events each week this month via Forward Fridays.

I wanted to include this photo since Rep. Moore Omokunde now represents the Milwaukee wards I represented for 4 years on the previous legislative maps. Rep. Moore Omokunde also spoke at the Capitol Black History Event event Feb 1.

On February 1st, Governor Evers proclaimed February as Black History Month, highlighting the theme for 2023 to be: Black Resistance. The month’s theme draws attention to the fight against systemic discrimination, oppression and violence. 

The systems of oppression exist around us everywhere, including economic, educational, and health disparities, and we must ALL work towards building a better future for EVERYONE. That starts with fully funding our schools and educators, protecting the fundamental right to vote for all citizens, and continuing to battle towards restoring reproductive healthcare in our state.

Tyre Nichols’s life mattered. Tyre Nichols deserved a justice system that was fair and just for everyone, that was fair and just for him. The injustice that resulted in Tyre’s death is a reminder of the work we as legislators have to do, and the loss of his life is a reminder of how dire the need is that we do it. 

I join President Biden and U. S. Senator Tammy Baldwin in calling for the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to advance meaningful reforms in public safety at the federal level. At the state and local level, as public officials we must listen to the voices of the Black and Brown members of our community, and become more effective at passing meaningful change.

Black Lives Matter, and Tyre Nichols should be alive today. Forward together.

Extension of Eligibility under the Medical Assistance Program for Postpartum Women, LRB-1377 

One of the biggest needs before us in Wisconsin is to tackle the desperately terrible maternal mortality rates–some of the worst in the country. Black women in Wisconsin are 5x more likely than White women to die from maternity related causes. Maternal health in Wisconsin is in dire shape, and we need to act. This bill has passed in red states and purple states and blue states, and Wisconsin needs to join the majority of the country in passing this legislation in order to save the lives of mothers across Wisconsin.  

Recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month in Wisconsin, LRB-1783 

Joint Resolutions are a way for the entire legislature to officially recognize a date, event, or person. The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus introduces a joint resolution every February to highlight leaders and notable figures of the Black community who have made a difference and have ties to Wisconsin. Some of the leaders honored in this year’s joint resolution include:

Elisterine Clayton - 100-year-old Milwaukee resident, who along with her husband Powell Clayton were a part of building the historic Halyard Park community. Halyard Park is one of the longest-standing African-American middle class residential neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Elisterine owned and operated a series of grocery stores in underserved communities and ensured that residents had access to healthy food options within their neighborhoods. She was part of a pioneering group that brought Black-owned banks, medical practices, and businesses to the Bronzeville area. 

Alonzo Robinson Jr. - Wisconsin’s first African-American registered Architect and the City of Milwaukee’s first Black registered Municipal Architect. 

The Committee on Children and Families met for the first time this Thursday. A joint committee hearing was held with the Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families. 

The hearing focused on Family First, a federal act that shifts how the country provides services for families and youth by focusing on keeping children safe with their families and avoiding the trauma that children carry with them when placed in out-of-home care. 

I had the pleasure of meeting with Leila and Joshua to discuss Governor Evers $300 million budget proposal to fund child care across the state, as well as investments in our community, like the Wisconsin Avenue Park project, to make play more accessible to everyone in our community. 

Fun Fact: Did you know that the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is the #1 provider of licensed child care providers in Milwaukee?

Today I joined Mayor Johnson, 414Life, representatives from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE), Moms Demand Action, and gun violence survivors and  advocates for a press conference on Gun Violence Survivors Week. The first week of February is Gun Violence Survivors Week, a week to remember those who have lost their friends, their family, and their lives to gun violence. This week is also a time to reflect on gun violence in our nation - America’s gun death rate is 13 times greater than that of our peer countries, with 110 deaths from gun violence occurring every day. 

Wisconsinites want a place to raise their families without the fear that the next terrible gun-related tragedy will impact them. Adults want to enjoy society. Kids want to feel safe. As the new 2023-2024 session begins, I recommit my effort to support meaningful gun reform legislation.

Friday, Feb. 3rd, is Wear Red Day, a day to raise awareness about the danger heart disease poses to women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in America–every 80 seconds a woman dies from heart disease, but most of these deaths are preventable with heart-healthy habits.

February is American Heart Month, a month to educate about heart-healthy habits that reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart-healthy lifestyles include foods like nuts and legumes, regular cardiovascular exercise, and stress management and mental health resources.

On Saturday, February 4th, we will celebrate Transit Equity Day - and Rosa Parks’ birthday - to recognize the civil right that is public transit. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, to end segregation in the transit system, and we can highlight this act of resistance in connection with the rights of all people to high-quality public transportation.