By Tracey A. Watford
Who would have thought that scrolling through social media would lead me to work in my community on an issue that has been close to my heart since my youth?
A year ago, I saw a notice about a community meeting AART was hosting and decided to attend just to see what they were about. I was warmly welcomed and immediately noticed the hopeful energy in the room. Once the meeting began, I knew this was different. What I didn't know was that I was beginning a journey that would teach me how to better empower myself and my community.
Since becoming involved with AART and the Feed the Change (FTC) MKE campaign cohort, three things stand out: the mission, the work and the outcome.
AART's mission is to organize, nurture and transform Black leaders to build power in service of Black liberation. Through grassroots training and civic engagement, AART creates space for people to learn about issues affecting their neighborhoods and gain tools to become more informed, connected and engaged.
The work is heartfelt, heart-led and passionate. AART brings together a multigenerational group with a "boots on the ground" approach that includes listening to residents, canvassing neighborhoods and developing member-led campaigns.
One of those campaigns is Feed the Change MKE, which addresses access to healthy, fresh food on Milwaukee's Northwest Side while building community power around solutions.
The outcome is leadership development, and I have experienced that growth personally.
For the first time in my life, I attended a City of Milwaukee public budget hearing and gave testimony supporting the demands of the Feed the Change MKE campaign. I shared my own story about food access as well as what I witnessed during my years as an educator. I thought about my students and their hardworking parents who could not be in that room to speak for themselves. I felt a responsibility to bring some of their experiences into the room and advocate for equitable access to healthy food options on Milwaukee's Northwest Side.
That experience helped me better understand the difference between activism and organizing. Activism can bring attention to an issue. Organizing goes deeper by building relationships, developing leaders, identifying shared concerns and creating collective power and action for lasting change. Community empowerment isn't only about finding my voice; it's also about helping others recognize the power of theirs.
I now see AART as part of a long tradition of community organizing. While organizations and issues may change over time, the need for informed residents, strong leaders, community partnerships and collective action remains.
On November 6, we expect city leaders to make city budget decisions that support FTC MKE.
We've demanded that they invest $1 million into the Healthy Food Establishment Fund for Northwest Siders to establish our own community garden's, farmer's markets, and grocery stores Milwaukee's the 5th and 9th Aldermanic Districts. Whether we win or lose on November 6, we'll remain committed to using our power to create a Northwest Side where we can eat with dignity and choice.
My journey with AART and Feed the Change MKE is still unfolding. The work of advocating for fair and equitable access to healthy food continues, and so does my commitment to learning, showing up and using my voice.
A year ago, I thought I was simply responding to something I saw on social media. I had no idea I was stepping into a space that would stretch me, teach me and reconnect me with work close to my heart.
Sometimes one small decision to show up can lead you exactly where you are supposed to be.
Tracey Watford is a retired teacher, writer, traveler, former journalist, and current entrepreneur in Aldermanic District 5. Tracey became a member of AART after attending a visioning session where residents were able to express their support for a Northwest Side-led food access campaign in 2025 and since has shared brilliant ideas about educating families through the campaign and has also committed to supporting the campaign through AART's social media, blogs, etc.
