Social Justice and Equitable Practice in Wisconsin 

Over the past three decades Dr. Alex Gee has served as an advisor to leaders from around the world. His sage wisdom and incredible insight into individuals and systems has gained him influence with leaders from civic, corporate, non-profit, and academic sectors as well as entertainers, governmental leaders, and dignitaries. Most recently, Gee assembled an impressive team of African American influencers from local Madison businesses, the University of Wisconsin, community agencies, and churches, to create a comprehensive framework called “The Our Madison Plan”, designed to unify Madison’s divided communities. Gee’s recent efforts have created historic gatherings and mobilized over 1,000 non-black allies into the community. Gee’s work includes educating, coaching, and mobilizing white allies, as well as building capacity and networking opportunities for Madison’s Black emerging leaders. The goal of his investments is to build social cohesion that will lead to the creation of sustainable solutions by the community as a whole.

After a decade of working in the environmental field, August Marie Ball, a woman of color, and citizen of the world, noticed a theme: There was a lack of representation of people of color in leadership positions and a lack of knowledge on how to affect existing organizational cultures that result in workforce homogeneity. August helps environmental and community-based organizations address diversity and land stewardship needs through the cultivation of inclusive culture and creation of equitable green career pipelines. Any organization can increase engagement of traditionally underrepresented populations and build access through her trainings because she helps them identify (and provides tools) for interrupting unconscious bias and disrupting institutional roadblocks.