PUBLIC ALLIES MILWAUKEE

Public Allies is a social justice organization committed to changing the face and practice of leadership by recruiting and training talented young leaders, with a passion for social impact, to create meaningful change in our community. Our Allies are diverse, equity-centered, innovative problem solvers, dedicated to mobilizing community assets to develop solutions to local challenges. In partnership with nonprofit partners, we deliver our nationally recognized, values-driven, results-led apprenticeship to advance our mission to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.

Public Allies Milwaukee a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. Our work is made possible through funding from Serve Wisconsin and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Public Allies Milwaukee

735 N. Water Street, Suite 550, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-0533

OUR MISSION

To create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.

WHAT WILL YOU BECOME?

“Public Allies [is] all about promise – finding it, nurturing it, and putting it to use.”

– Former First Lady, Michelle Obama

Core to our values is a belief that we are all on a journey to grow as individuals and as leaders in our community. Where will your journey take you?

Become an Ally

Become a Partner

25 YEARS OF PUBLIC ALLIES MILWAUKEE

In April 2019, Public Allies Milwaukee, along with their Allies, Alumni, nonprofit partners, and the Milwaukee community came together to celebrate 25 years of Public Allies Milwaukee. As Ashley Lee, Executive Director of Public Allies Milwaukee, shared the following:

“It’s been 25 years since Public Allies launched in Milwaukee and over the years, our alumni have fundamentally transformed our city. With every move, they demonstrate what it means to build community, to shift power, and to do so with authenticity, strategy and a critical love for Milwaukee. We could fill pages of books with stories about the ways Public Allies Milwaukee Alumni have changed our city and our country.

While much in our city has changed, we’ve remained committed to the core of who we are. We still maintain the same dedication to creating powerful spaces for Allies to learn, heal, make mistakes, and hold one
another accountable towards one another and our city. We still believe at our core that communities hold within them the undeniable leadership they need to make lasting social change. And, year over year, we learn and unlearn what it means to trust the process.

As we look towards our future in Milwaukee and nationwide, we know our capacity must grow to continue to support our alumni in their most bold and radical endeavors. We know that we must do more to push on and transform the power dynamics that exist within our city. And year over year we must wrap our arms around each class of Public Allies as they learn what it means to challenge structures while healing and growing self.

There is an undeniable energy you feel when you’re in a room full of Public Allies. There’s something powerful that happens when Public Allies decide to dedicate their minds and time toward changing something. I hope that each of you feel that tonight and know that, whether you’re an Ally, an Alumni, a partner, or a supporter of our program and those within it, you are an essential part of our collective success and strength. We could not and would not be here without you.”

To learn more, check out the Milwaukee 25th Anniversary Program.

IN THE NEWS

'Their voice still matters:' Volunteers help pick up absentee ballots for people

Public Allies Milwaukee staff coordinate ballot pickup amid statewide Safer At Home order

Amid the backdrop of a statewide Safer At Home order to protect against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin held an election that included the state’s Presidential Primary and a State Supreme Court race. Many Wisconsin residents were left with a stark choice: Venture out to cast their votes while risking exposure to COVID-19 or forego their Constitutional right to vote. Not content with community members being forced to make that decision, Pubic Allies Milwaukee’s Executive Director Ashley Lee and Program Manager Shavonda Sisson stepped into action coordinating an effort to collect ballots from people who felt afraid to leave their homes or were unclear on where to take their ballots.

Watch the Video

Public Allies Milwaukee talks about their mentoring program and the impact on the community

Public Allies Milwaukee Program Managers Shavonda Sisson and Anthony Espinoza, along with Public Allies Milwaukee Member Elle Hill, visited Live at Noon on TMJ4 to discuss the 10-Month Apprenticeship Program.

Watch the Video

Public Allies Tackle the Topic of Social Justice and Healing Work

What does your morning routine look like? The question seems innocuous, but it can reveal a lot about a person and their self-care. It was the question that Shavonda Sisson, the program manager and director at Public Allies, posed to the group gathered in the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.

Annual event encourages people to create conversation, share ideas and take action to better Milwaukee area

An annual event aimed at bringing people together was held on Thursday across the Milwaukee area. On the Table MKE encourages people to connect with others, share ideas and take action to better the community.

Will support College Possible, Public Allies, Milwaukee Christian Center and Boys & Girls Clubs

AmeriCorps-affiliated programs in the Milwaukee area will receive more than $9 million in new grant funding. The funding will support the work of 789 AmeriCorps members in the Milwaukee area.

Milwaukee Ally Won't Give Up On Dream of College Degree

Darrin Madison, a 20-year-old AmeriCorps Ally and an aspiring environmental lawyer in Milwaukee, is determined to get a college degree. But he already knows firsthand that obtaining it won’t come without challenges.

Applauding Public Allies

One of the great things about working at the Public Policy Institute is being able to incorporate local members of Public Allies into our workplace. Public Allies helps to train and place diverse up-and-coming leaders in local nonprofits so they can fulfill their mission to help others and create lasting change in our communities. This year we’ve had the pleasure to welcome Public Ally Amanda Clark, who devotes most of her time to the 53206 Drug-Free Communities Project but is also willing to jump in and help when needed.

Meet Michaela, our new Public Ally!

We at Ex Fabula have had an awesome year with Sam Woods, our Season 10 Community Connector through Public Allies, an Americorps program. Sam has done an amazing job working with our volunteers and analyzing data in hopes to bring Ex Fabula to higher levels. We bid you a bittersweet sayonara as you go about your ventures in the world. We know that you will remain a part of the Ex Fabula family for all the years to go. Enter Michaela Lacy, our new Public Ally!