MADISON, Wis. — State lawmakers recognized a local leader, activist, and educator for his work on behalf of the Black community.
You might recognize Reverend Dr. Alexander Gee, who received an honorary degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison earlier this month. This week, Gee’s advocacy earned another award: a citation from the Wisconsin Legislature.
“I’m obviously Black and I’m proud to be Black, but it is really wonderful to be honored for my accomplishments as a Wisconsinite,” Gee said.
For Gee, UW-Madison has always held a special place in his heart, especially because of his late mother who he credits for both of his recent commendations.
“You fast forward 54 years and that same university is honoring me, and, in many ways, it is honoring the work of my late mom, as well. My family has 14 degrees from Wisconsin, and she would be so pleased with this honor,” Gee explained. “She would be so proud to know that the place she moved to give us a better life would be a place that we would help to make a better place as well.”
While Gee serves as the senior pastor at Madison’s Fountain of Life Covenant Church, he is also championing and raising money for the new $31 million Center for Black Excellence and Culture on the city’s south side, which is expected to break ground this summer.
“We can make this better, and we don’t have to be a bi-word or parable here in this community, so I started canvassing the Black communities—speaking with hundreds, probably over 700 Black residents, in listening groups, and I asked what would make this feel like home,” Gee said.
He also launched the Justified Anger Coalition in 2013 to find solutions to racial inequalities and help mobilize the Madison community, which State Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, applauded.
“We have some of the worst disparities in the nation, but we live here, and we want solutions,” Stubbs said. “We want to work within our community, and there are solutions. And I think what Pastor Gee has done, he’s done the work within the community, and he’s listened to what the community has asked him to do.”
When asked about his own legacy, Gee said three things come to mind.
“The great history, the great shoulders of people that I stand upon, but I also want people to have the audacity to believe that they can make Wisconsin theirs and that their success can matter to the broader state, and I want people to feel really proud to be a part of this state,” Gee explained.