Symposium – Nehemiah

The Our Madison Plan offers an opportunity to once again be Audacious by catalyzing the community to realize a vision for a unified and forward thinking community where every child, adult, and family is respected, supported, and valued.

We were excited to commemorate a significant milestone for our city May 30, 2025—the 10th anniversary of Nehemiah and the Justified Anger initiative’s unveiling of Our Madison Plan. This anniversary marked a decade of courageous and transformative community action to address racial inequities, empower Black leadership, and build a stronger Madison.

Our Madison Plan was the culmination of years of discussions, research and collaboration among members of Madison’s Black community. It was an audacious challenge to all of us to find the courage to envision a city where racial disparities would be tackled head-on, where education, economic opportunity, and justice would be within reach for everyone, including and especially the Black community.

Since then, with the support, hard work and dedication of countless individuals, institutions, faith-based organizations, businesses and more, we have made measurable progress. From the success of Nehemiah’s Black History for a New Day course to our innovative leadership programs, as well as the many accomplishments of other Black-led organizations, our community has shown that change is not just possible—it is happening.

The Justified Anger Systems Change Symposium: 10 Years of “Our Madison Plan” marks a pivotal moment in Madison’s journey toward racial equity and systemic transformation. On Friday, May 30th, community leaders, stakeholders, and supporters will gather at the TruStage Lighthouse Building to reflect on the decade-long impact of the Justified Anger Movement and the implementation of Our Madison Plan. The symposium will feature discussions led by Black leaders on economic development, education, criminal justice, and family & community wellness—highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain.

Look forward to Rev. Dr. Alex Gee’s presentation on Black leadership development, Dr. Karen Reece’s presentation of the Theory of Community Transformation, and catalyst Breakout Sessions around the systems change focus areas. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Theory of Community Transformation, gain insights into systemic change, and discover their role in shaping the next decade of equity and justice in Madison.

As Justified Anger looks forward, this event will serve as both a celebration and a call to action for the next ten years. By amplifying Black leadership and community-driven solutions, the symposium will inspire participants to continue investing in Nehemiah’s work and other Black-led initiatives. The day will conclude with a visionary discussion on the future of Black leadership and systemic change, culminating in the unveiling of the Justified Anger Courses Catalogue & Membership Program. With a focus on sustainable impact, collective responsibility, and unwavering audacity, this milestone event sets the stage for an even greater transformation in the years to come.

A Stronger Madison for All

The 10th Anniversary of Our Madison Plan Symposium will reflect on a decade of impactful community transformation work addressing racial disparities. This event will bring together Madison’s citizens, leaders, educators, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the strides made and chart a course for the future. It will feature [a keynote speaker], panel discussions and interactive workshops, aiming to foster a continued commitment to equity and justice in our community.

A Catalyst for Change

Facilitate productive dialogue and collaboration within African American communities and within the Madison community as a whole.

Convene stakeholders and community members as authentic allies in developing strategies that will lead to lasting change in each of the five focus areas.

Catalyze identification of African American voices and to ensure African American voices are being heard by the broader community.

Serve as an ally of the African American community by highlighting diversity of opinions and perspectives and providing an opportunity to be heard as well as access to the mainstream message.

our madison plan

Wisconsin routinely ranks as the worst state in the nation for social, economic, educational, and health disparities among African American children and families. Existing efforts to address these disparities are fragmented and do not adequately serve African American children or adults. In 2015, Nehemiah united area leaders to discuss a shared vision for addressing the unmet needs of Greater Madison’s Black community.

The plan’s goal is the implementation of a long-term strategy for improving the lives of African Americans in Madison, expanding the availability of resources, and repairing the state’s damaged image as unfriendly for people of color.