In April 2022, the people of Milwaukee officially elected Alderman Cavalier Johnson the city’s mayor with overwhelming support, winning more than 70% of the vote. In the process, he made history as the first Black person and first millennial to hold the office.
For every mayor, the City of Milwaukee publishes a “ First 100 Days” document, tracking the progress of their duties and intent. Mayor Johnson’s intent was clear: building a safer city. To him, safety means prioritizing violence reduction, economic development and roadway safety.
On this episode of Uniquely Milwaukee, Mayor Johnson sat down with HYFIN Program Director Tarik Moody for an exclusive interview. They talked about his personal past that led to his professional present, the pressure of being Milwaukee’s first Black mayor and the importance of voting in the midterm election that will take place Nov. 8.
“Reach out to your elected and other elected officials across the state,” Mayor Johnson said. “Send them a phone call, send them an email and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to give more money back to local governments because this is where the rubber meets the road.’”
