30 Years of Black
Community ImpactFor the health of all communities.Donate Today
Honoring the wisdom
and leadership
within the communityFor the health of all communities.Donate Today
Connecting with people
through meaningful
relationshipsFor the health of all communities.Donate Today

What We Do

By lifting up Black voices and experiences with a focus on education, restoration, community empowerment and economic development, we seek to interrupt cycles of poverty, racism and discrimination.

Youth Empowerment & Leadership Development

Our work with Black youth focuses efforts on prevention, early intervention, education, restoration, affirmation, and joy!

Community Leadership & Capacity Building

Nehemiah provides a wide array of culturally competent and relevant programs to meet the needs of African American leaders as well as the general Madison population. Our programs are designed to transform the many faces of leadership within our community.

Justified Anger

Initiated by Rev. Gee’s 2013 Capital Times article of the same name, Justified Anger works to eliminate racial disparities by developing relationships, solutions, and systems. A central Initiative is its Black History for a New Day History Course. Led by Nehemiah staff, taught by UW-Madison history professors, and experienced by thousands of participants – this is a catalyst for the community-based cross-cultural work necessary to affect change.

Reentry Services

Nehemiah provides a wide array of culturally competent and relevant programs to meet the needs of men who are leaving jail or prison. These services increase the likelihood that our participants will transition successfully and become contributing members of our community. Our reentry staff include formerly incarcerated African American men who have effectively navigated the challenges of reentry.

View our Programs

Why It Works

Approach

Nehemiah is transforming the community through a multi-level, multi-faith approach

Staff

We are leaders in understanding where we have been and where we are going. 

Transformation

We are transforming leadership by empowering Black leaders and non-Black allies.

Value

We develop leaders by valuing lived experience.

The Impact

"I am not the same person who entered the program and the relationships I gained are invaluable...This program has allowed me to reflect on my mission and through each session, I have truly found my center.”
- Lariel Turner, JA Leadership Institute Graduate
"...this class is helping people wake up and then stand up, mobilizing people to recognize their power and place in racial justice work. And that is something that sets Justified Anger’s class apart from what I have experienced in the past. It is not simply a matter of learning and understanding and then going home, it is a call to action. After hearing their stories, I wanted in and I have not been disappointed!"
- Kim Neuschel, Public Health Madison & Dane County
"One of the many things I think is truly fantastic about Nehemiah is the way (they) give space for and honor people’s strengths and abilities. If you’ve got the heart for this work, Nehemiah will give you a place to show up and it will help your heart grow."
- Sandi Reinardy, Court Observer Program Coordinator and Trainer

Justified Anger

Justified Anger is a movement that unites leadership, vision, policy, and strategy to identify the gaps in services and areas of need. The goal is to plan and implement a long-term strategy to improve the lives of minorities in Madison, resources available, and the damaged image of the state as unfriendly for minorities. Justified Anger works to eliminate racial disparities by developing relationships, solutions, and systems. 

By following Black leadership, this is a starting point for non-black people of courage and conviction to come together to think and learn about the history that has shaped our world and worldviews.

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