MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) – Members of Legislative Black Caucus kick off February with a Black History Month celebration at the State Capitol.
Looking around the Capitol rotunda during Monday morning's celebration, you could see what some members of the Legislative Black Caucus call “present history.”
State Rep. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee), who was elected at age 19, is the youngest current member serving in the State Assembly.
State Rep. Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) is the first black representative from Dane County elected to the State Assembly.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is the first African American to hold the office.
“We should all be motivated to continue to work as organizers, as legislators to serve in any capacity in any office,” Lt. Gov. Barnes said. “We know no limits because of the people who were before us.”
Lt. Gov. Barnes says he would not be where he is today were it not for those who came before him making history by being elected to public office.
With such a big election year ahead, this year's theme will focus on the importance of voting.
Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary-Designee Dawn Crim remembers her parents taking her to the polls as a kid.
“They took us to the polls so that we knew when our turn came, after turning 18, we would do the same, so my two children go to the polls with me,” Crim said.
Gov. Tony Evers says this will be an especially important year because of the census.
“Black disenfranchisement continues to exist in our state and our country through voter suppression tactics,” Gov. Evers said. “One of those tactics is redistricting where gerrymandering often disproportionally affects people of color.”
Throughout February, members of the Legislative Black Caucus will be hosting events in Milwaukee and Madison to celebrate Black History Month. Listed below are the members' events:
Business and Entrepreneurship Week: February 3-7
Events will be hosted by Representative Fields and Representative Haywood
- Black Business and Youth Empowerment Event on February 6 at 11a-1:30p
State Capitol, Room 225NW
Education Week: February 10-14
Events will be hosted by Representative Myers and Representative Stubbs
- Night with the Oshkosh 94 Event on February 10 from 6-7:30p
Villard Library, 5190 North 35th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53209
- Education Resource Fair on February 12 from 5:30-8p
Grace Christian Fellowship Church, 9900 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53222
- Screening of Six Triple Eight and Panel Discussion with African American Veterans on February 14 from 11-1p
State Capitol, Room 412E
Health and Mental Health Week: February 17-21
Events will be hosted by Senator Johnson and Representative Crowley
- Health and Mental Health Care Panel on February 20 from 10:30 am-Noon
State Capitol, Room 412E
- Black History Month Reception on February 20 at Noon
State Capitol, Basement Café
Criminal Justice Week: February 24-28
Events will be hosted by Senator Taylor and Representative Bowen
- Screening of Free Angela and All Political Prisoners and Panel Discussion on February 23 from 5:30-8p
Center Street Wellness Center, 2701 N. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
- A Second Chance: Tips & Tools for Applying for a Pardon in Wisconsin Event on February 24 from 10a-Noon
Coffee Makes You Black Restaurant, 2708 N. Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53206
- Trivia Night Black History Month Edition Event on February 24 from 4-7p
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, 275 North 3rd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
- Strategic Solutions to Violence Prevention Event on February 25 from 1-3p
State Capitol, 412 E
- Town Hall Meeting on February 26, 2020
Racine Correctional Institution, 2019 Wisconsin St, Sturtevant, WI 53177
- Legislative Black Caucus Black History Month Lobby Day on February 27 from 9a-5p
State Capitol
- Legislative Black Caucus Black History Month Lobby Day Reception on February 27 from 4-5:30p
Governor’s Residence, 99 Cambridge Rd, Madison, WI 53704