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.
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?
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.
