Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant and resilient neighborhood by fostering connections, nurturing local talent, and empowering every member to contribute to the growth and well-being of our community.
Our Vision
At Rooted & Rising, we envision a neighborhood where every resident is deeply connected to the community, where our shared roots run deep, and where together we meet the community at the level of their needs. Only then can we rise to meet the challenges and opportunities of our ever-changing neighborhood and world.
Meet Our Team
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Toni Blackwell
Neighborhood Housing Coordinator
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Kayla Davis
Director of Early Childhood Education
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Ericka Kelly
Director of Development
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Leah Laven-Wilson
Director of Social Services
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Sha’Ron Maclin
Social Services Manager
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Luis Marin
Maintenance & Facilities Coordinator
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Heather Morris
Finance Manager
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Desiree Morton
Property Manager
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Theresa Purifoy
Growing Tree Food Program Coordinator
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Keyshia Rule
Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator
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William Schmitt
Executive Director
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Adrian Spencer
Director of Neighborhood Engagement
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Amellion Stephens
Assistant ECE Teacher
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Rebia Taylor
Receptionist and Housing Assistant
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Regina Thompson
Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education
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Patricia Tucker
ECE Teacher
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Jelona York
Lead ECE Teacher
Board of Directors
Rev. Kris Androsky, Senior Pastor, Community United Methodist Church of Elm Grove (Board Secretary)
Susan Campbell, Chief Ambulatory Operations & Service Lines Officer, Froedtert Health
Darryl Davidson, Community Engagement Director, City of Milwaukee
Lamont Davis, Executive Director, Milwaukee Community Land Trust
Bess Earl, Senior Grant Analyst, Milwaukee County, (Board President)
Rev. Matt Hadley, Lead Pastor, Emmanuel Community UMC, Menomonee Falls
Rev. Tina Itson, Development Director, ACLU of Wisconsin; Wauwatosa Ave. UMC, Deacon
Gwen Johnson, Program Manager, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability, MSC Industrial Supply Co. (Board Vice President)
Cordella Jones; Collaboration Director, Community Development Alliance (CDA)
Anthony Kazee, Principal, KG Development Group
Rev. Heidi Loomis, Oak Creek Community UMC
Chelsie Mason, Patient Service Representative, Advocate Aurora Health
Victoria Pryor, Student Services Program Manager, Black Student Cultural Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, (Board Treasurer)
Carrie Sanders, CEO/Founder, Hope Community Capital LLC
Monique Graham, Diversity Practitioner, Community Engagement Expert and Human Resource Professional
Rev. Gerry Harrison, Retired UMC Clergy
Rev. Ellen Rasmussen, Pastor, Algoma Blvd UMC, Oshkosh; past Board President
Jacquelyn Rice, Treatment Foster Care Manager, St. Charles Youth & Family Services; past Board President
Patricia Shirley, Retired Community Leader and Public Servant, M.S.W.