Ballard campaign: Jerel Ballard announces campaign for 2nd District Alderman in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE—Milwaukee native, philanthropic chief, and former tv journalist, Jerel Ballard, introduced at this time he can be a candidate for Alderman in Milwaukee’s 2nd District on this yr’s particular election. The seat is vacant and was beforehand held by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Ballard is the primary to declare his candidacy. The particular election can be held concurrent with the November normal election, with a major to be held in August if there are greater than two candidates for the seat.

“As a Milwaukee resident, I do know that every neighborhood has its personal alternatives and challenges,” mentioned Ballard. “But, on the core of this metropolis are vibrant communities that need their neighborhoods to stay secure. Milwaukeeans deserve entry to reasonably priced housing, thriving native companies, and roads that don’t continually want restore.”

Ballard has spent his life advocating for and serving his group via philanthropic engagement and management. He’s a proud Milwaukee Public Colleges graduate of Riverside College Excessive Faculty. Ballard studied political science at George Mason College and earned his bachelor’s diploma in broadcast journalism from Columbia School Chicago. Ballard labored as a tv information reporter and anchor, after which was appointed because the Communication and Advertising and marketing Officer for the Milwaukee Police Division, earlier than accepting his present place as Communications Director for the Public Service Fee of Wisconsin.

“My dad and mom taught me the significance of changing into the change you want to see in your group,” mentioned Ballard. “By my schooling in Milwaukee Public Colleges, I discovered that range is crucial and must be celebrated, that those that have open minds can get issues completed, and that integrity and honesty are required to be a robust chief.”

Ballard based Milwaukee’s Best Scholarship Basis, which supplies advantage and need-based scholarships to highschool seniors all through Milwaukee. In partnership with native companies and group leaders, greater than $60,000 has been raised for scholarships, and greater than 50 college students have graduated faculty or are enrolled to acquire their affiliate or bachelor’s levels.

Ballard can be the co-founder of Lead2Change, Inc., a career-readiness group that engages younger individuals in management alternatives and equips them with important instruments to achieve faculty, their careers, and the group.  As well as, via his work with the Better Milwaukee Basis, Ballard has made suggestions and decided the discharge of greater than $250,000 for service tasks all through Milwaukee.

“We all know Milwaukee is a Metropolis of Champions. Working together with my future Widespread Council colleagues, I do know I’ll make sound selections to make sure our district and this metropolis turns into the proper place to boost a household, begin a enterprise, or pursue profession alternatives,” mentioned Ballard.