for Ali Muldrow, Seat 6 Candidate

I am honored and grateful to have received endorsements from some of the most forward-thinking and inspiring leaders in Madison. Thank you—your support sustains and energizes this campaign.

Endorsements

The Capital Times Editorial Board

Progressive Dane

Democratic Party of Dane County

Four Lakes Green Party

Teaching Assistants Association, American Federation of Teachers

Featured

Ali is smart, assertive, and deeply committed to improving outcomes for all our students, particularly students of color. Ali, a product of our schools, will add a perspective and voice to the Board that is uniquely valuable. Ali is also kind and thoughtful, has a sophisticated understanding of a Board member’s role, and will be able to work effectively with our superintendent and other Board members. My School Board experience has prompted me to think about who holds power in Madison and how can we transition to a new generation of leaders more reflective of our community. It’s a tough challenge. But one thing is clear. When a young woman of color who is as impressive a leader as Ali steps forward and asks to be a part of our community’s elected leadership, the response of those of us who have been sitting at that leadership table a while should be to clear out a space, ask her to pull up a chair, and say let’s get to work."

Ed Hughes | MMSD School Board Member

Paul Higginbotham | Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District IV.

"I am inspired by Ali's vision of our schools as places where all of our children and all of our teachers are supported, respected, and valued. I am impressed by her drive to realize that vision. And I am convinced that she has the skill and the talent to move us in that direction, and beyond."

JoAnne Kloppenburg | Presiding Judge, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District IV and Former Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General

Rep. Terese Berceau | Wisconsin State Assembly, District 77

"Ali is committed to our public schools and making them succeed for all students. As a Madison native and proud MMSD graduate, Ali knows first-hand the challenges students of color face. As a racial justice organizer for LGBTQ+ students with GSAFE, Ali has committed her life to advocating for youth and ensuring our public schools are working for everyone. As a partner of an MMSD teacher, Ali knows how dedicated our teachers are and how important it is to listen to them and value their work. No one has the perspective or commitment that Ali has. After more than a decade working in Madison politics, I know Ali is the real deal—more than just verbally supporting all of our fabulous students and teachers, Ali actually has a proven record of working together to get things done. I am proud to support her and vote for her on April 4th."

Carousel Bayrd | County Supervisor, District 8

"Ali is a tireless advocate whose personal experience and professional work focused on equity and inclusion will be extremely valuable on our school board."

Shiva Bidar-Sielaff | City Alder, District 5

"I am very proud to endorse Ali Muldrow for the Madison Metropolitan School Board Seat #6. She was a gift to my children when they were at West High School and she ran a program there. I am thankful for the time, energy and support she pours into our youth, and I love her family. She is uber intelligent and thoughtful. She is prepared. She is innovative. And she is courageous and fearless, and will work to advance real opportunity for all of our children. Ali, thank you so much for pursuing this opportunity to be a leader and advocate for our childcare, educators, school and community. We appreciate you!"

Kaleem Caire | CEO, One City Early Learning Centers

"As the parent of two children, resident of Madison, and citizen of the United States there is no one I trust to fight harder than Ali. She believes public education is a human right, and that every student should have access to the educational opportunities they deserve."

Mike Duncan | MMSD Parent and Podcaster, The History of Rome

"Madison simply can not remain a place that simultaneously carries a reputation as the best city to raise children and the worst city to raise children depending upon the color of your skin. I’m excited to support Ali for school board as she brings her personal experience not only working within Madison schools, and having a child in the schools, but also as a product of the schools. Ali has demonstrated a commitment to innovating within the system in order to create opportunities for student empowerment and inspiration, and her voice is much needed on the board in this moment in time in our community’s history."

Maurice Cheeks | City Alder, District 10

"I am proud to endorse Ali Muldrow for MMSD Board of Education. Ali believes that all public schools in our district must provide equitable access for our diverse student body. Her background in working directly with our students as an educator with GSAFE, as well as advocating for students that have historically been marginalized in our district, will allow her to bring unique experience, expertise and perspective to the board."

Anna Mueller Moffit | MMSD School Board Member

"Ali Muldrow—as a fellow East High School graduate, a Purgolder, a parent, an active member raising awareness of social issues—is the direct link needed to improve the education of our diverse students."

Michael Flores | Retiring MMSD Seat 6 Incumbent

David Hart | Pastor, Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church

"I support Ali Muldrow for school board because she cares deeply about ensuring that a high-quality public education is accessible to every child, and that our schools welcome everyone in our community."

Rep. Kelda Helen Roys | Attorney, Entrepreneur, Former Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly

John Hendrick | County Supervisor, District 6

"I endorse Ali Muldrow for seat 6 because she's the best and most qualified candidate. Ali's past work with MMSD and the Madison community is unmatched. Because of her working knowledge of current issues, Ali as a board member would be an asset to our community."

James Howard | MMSD School Board President

"Where ever children are in need of a teacher and advocate—you had better know that Ali Muldrow is there educating and championing our children to reach their full potential! She is the advocate all children need and I appreciate her commitment to young people!"

Sabrina Madison | Founder and Creator, Black Women's Leadership Conference and Heymiss Progress

"Madison has a strong school system that is supported by an engaged and passionate community. For Madison schools to truly reach their potential, we need to ensure that all students regardless of race, gender or income level are equally successful. Ali Muldrow is focused on closing the achievement gap and she has the experience and insight to make this a reality. Ali has volunteered in Madison schools for a decade and has also tackled these issues head-on in her work with GSAFE. I am endorsing Ali for school board because she is running a diligent and focused campaign #ForTheLoveOfLearning."

Marsha Rummel | City Alder, District 6

"For Seat 6, I'm supporting Ali Muldrow, a queer black woman and movement leader. Ali courageously challenges the immorality of a status quo that criminalizes children of color and LGBTQ kids, locks up and isolates children in the juvenile justice system, and maintains shameful racial disparities in Madison. She has the lived experience to inspire us to imagine and create an equitable and inclusive community for all Madison kids. We need Ali's powerful voice and authentic, creative leadership at this critical time in our history."

Heidi Wegleitner | County Supervisor, District 2

"Through spoken word she taught the group that our own stories mattered, she validated our experiences as real knowledge outside the classroom, she gave us a space to listen and to be listened to. With sincerity and caring commitment, Ali pushed me to question my surroundings, and it seemed as though she shifted my paradigm with every conversation we shared."

Caide Jackson | MMSD Graduate, Former Student of Ali's

"I came to Madison in 1968 as a young, social worker schooled in the civil rights movement in the 1960s with a background in community organization in the Boston area. I joined the Equal Opportunity Commission as Chair of the Education Committee, working with Reverend James Wright and Betty Fey to address problems in our public schools, such as the need to integrate teaching faculty and diversify teaching materials across the curriculum, address race-based conflicts among students and between students and teachers, and require training in human and inter-group relations for all teachers. Although I would like to say that we have made great progress since that time, it would seem that our public schools have been on a path of failure when it comes to including, promoting, inspiring and insuring the engagement of many students of color. That has got to change. I enthusiastically support Ali as I believe she has the courage, intelligence, motivation, commitment, and ability to make a difference in all students' lives and will be an especially effective and positive role model for all students of color."

Joy Newmann | Professor Emerita, School of Social Work

"I don't know of any past or present candidate with the ability to bring so many perspectives to the Madison School Board. We need Ali as decisions are being made; as we continue to address disparities in our success and graduation rates; as we search for ways to hear from families and kids of color, or who are queer; who have worked directly with youth as they find their own voices through writing and performing. Ali gives Madison a rare opportunity: to "walk the talk". Let's all do our part to bring her to the table!"

Jan Sternbach | Former Director, Resident Support Services, UW–Madison

Our campaign is resonating with a diverse group of leaders and community members in Madison. Endorse Ali today to help her get elected to the MMSD Board of Education: