In February the African American Roundtable (AART) launched its participatory budgeting process that will invest $40,000 in Milwaukee’s Northwest Side. Since announcing, we launched a search for residents to join the steering committee who would be response for the following:

• Making key decisions, like who is eligible to participate and what kinds of projects are eligible for funding

• Attending all key meetings

• Being collectively responsible for the full range of activities, from creating communications to drafting the ballot

• Carrying out process evaluation

This committee is made up of seven resident leaders who are activists, organizers, faith leaders, students and parents—with the majority being Northwest Side residents.

Jaylin Mitchell was born in Milwaukee. She is a freelance writer, photographer, and gender/sex educator. They are rooted in love, laughter, and liberation. 

Delicia Morris has been a community advocate and community health worker for Milwaukee’s Northwest Side for over 15 years. She specializes in gathering information and resources to educate, equip and empower the neighborhood. She’s a graduate of UWM with a bachelor's degree in Communications. She has a passion for people and community.

Dominic Long is an African American Black man. He loves playing basketball and played at the highest level there is based on professional competition. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree double major in Sociology with emphasis in criminology and human services. He minored in physical education.

Maria Hamilton is the mother of Dontre Hamilton, who was murdered by a Milwaukee police officer in 2014. After six months she came to the reality that there were no support groups or assistance locally for Black and Indigenous women who are traumatized by losing a child or a loved one to police brutality. At that time she decided to create an organization,  Mothers for Justice United, to provide and support women to move forward with their lives by providing other options to them for mental health. She is honored to be on this committee.

Shirley Funches Tucker is a retired billing supervisor.  She and her husband, Willie, have been Northwest Side residents for over 44 years.  They have three children.  She is an active minister in her local church.  She does volunteer work for AART and Inner Beauty Center, a local rescue center for those trapped in human trafficking.  She has an associate degree in Business Management and a bachelor’s degree in Theology.

Anita Johnson is the Education & Outreach Coordinator for Souls To The Polls MKE. She also worked for many years for AFSCME District Council 48 and is a member of The Coalition of Black Trade Unionist CBTU. Anita has served  on the boards of the Labor Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Retirees, BLOC and the African American Roundtable. Having attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, Anita is also a graduate of Future Milwaukee, Center For Progressive Leadership and the Midwest Academy Organizing program, as well as a graduate from Milwaukee Business Training Institute.

Terron Edwards is an experienced Project Leader with a demonstrated history of effectively working in the program development industry. Has served in virtually every role within a nonprofit organization, from intern, to fundraiser to director. For the past 16 years, has been a part of various demonstrations and models geared primarily around the continued progression and improvement of men, fathers, and families. Strong efforts around recruitment and retention in these projects have led Terron to an executive leadership role, establishing Fathers Making Progress. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused in Human Services, General from Springfield College.