Abele names first director of African American Affairs
Longtime resident will lead county office
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele has tapped a longtime Milwaukee resident to lead the new Office on African American Affairs, more than a year after Abele and the County Board first compromised to establish the office.
Abele announced Tuesday that following a nationwide search, he has appointed Nicole Brookshire to be the office’s first director. In her new role, Brookshire will work to reduce racial inequalities in areas such as workforce development and criminal justice.
“Precisely because the mission of this office is so important, I wanted to make sure we took the time to find the right person, someone who understands Milwaukee and could earn the support of the community,” Abele said in a statement. “We found that person in Nicole Brookshire.”
Brookshire previously served as vice president of operations for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, where she ran a $5.4 million annual budget. Before that, she was the grants compliance manager for the City of Milwaukee’s Community Development Grants Administration. “Milwaukee’s racial inequities won’t be solved overnight, but I am looking forward to partnering with my community to move the needle,” Brookshire said in the statement.
Brookshire will receive a salary of $120,000. She must still be confirmed by the County Board.
The office is joined by an initiative of the same name established last fall by the Milwaukee Common Council. Both measures were spearheaded by Ald. Khalif Rainey, a former Milwaukee county supervisor.
“Once the city’s office has defined policy goals, we look forward to finding ways to work together,” Abele spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff said.