Marcelia Nicholson Becomes First African-American And Puerto Rican Descent Milwaukee County Board Of Supervisors Chairwoman

Nicholson who the Vice-chairwoman last year became the first African-American and Puerto Rican descent Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman in Wisconsin.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 24, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors elected Marcelia Nicholson, 31, as their Chairwoman making her the first African-American and Puerto Rican descent Supervisor to serve in the position. Nicholson was the former Vice-chairwoman in the Board last year.

Nicholson was elected on a vote of 11-7 and the the following Supervisors voted for her, newly elected Supervisors Ryan Clancy, Shawn Rolland and Liz Sumner. Incumbent Supervisors are Jason Haas, Felesia Martin, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (Mexican-American and Puerto Rican descent),  Steven Shea, Sequanna Taylor, Sheldon Wasserman, Eddie Cullen and herself.

Nicholson who represents the 5th Milwaukee County Supervisor District was first elected in 2016. Supervisor Nicholson represents several neighborhoods in Milwaukee, including the area around Washington Park, portions of the Marquette University campus, and the east side of Milwaukee. Supervisor Nicholson is Chair of the Committee on Economic and Community Development, according to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors website.

According to the Marcelia Nicholson dot com website, Nicholson was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI in the 53206 zip code. She is a proud product of Milwaukee Public Schools and graduated from Milwaukee School of Languages. She went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee .  Marcelia was the Vice-Chairwoman on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and works as Vice President at the Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization (MASH), the union and hiring hall for jobs in the Bucks Arena District. She served on Parks, Energy and Environment committee, and chaired the Economic and Community Development committee at the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.  Marcelia loves to serve her community. She is a member of the Milwaukee Art Museum Board of Trustees, Continuum of Care Executive Board, Milwaukee Public Museum Board of Trustees, and the Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees. 

Nicholson is an avid fighter for public education and encourages community empowerment. She was proud to receive the cover of NEA Today, and was able to share her story, her commitment  and reasons for her work.  In the article, Social Justice Activism is Forming a More Perfect Union,  it says, "Nicholson typifies the young, idealistic and energetic educator who are rising in numbers in our schools and in NEA. She is active in her union because she knows it involves educators taking the lead on social reform in their communities and combatting the racism, classism and prejudice so many students and their families experience every day."

Also Supervisor Sequanna Taylor from the 2nd District became 1st Vice-chairwoman and Supervisor Steven Shea from the 8th District became 2nd Vice-chairman.