A Conversation with Julia Taylor
Julia Taylor, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, has been an active member of the Milwaukee Succeeds leadership table since the beginning. She joined the mission in 2011, when the organization was still in its infancy, and has spent the last decade lending her talents and her passion to help advance education equity in Milwaukee.
Her impact can be seen in everything from the unique M3 initiative, which brought together three of Wisconsin’s primary educational institutions, to the revitalization of Bradley Tech High School. She’s also acted as a champion for FAFSA completion and college enrollment.
At the end of 2021, Julia will be retiring form GMC and the Milwaukee Succeeds Leadership Table. Although it is sad to see her go, we are grateful for everything she’s helped us achieve over the past 10 years. In December, Milwaukee Succeeds sat down with Julia to talk about where we started, where we’re going, and how far we’ve come.
A Conversation with Julia Taylor
How did you first get involved in with Milwaukee Succeeds? Ellen Gilligan shared the concept with me and asked for my assistance in recruiting members from the business and education community. I have been involved from the beginning.
What was your first impression of Milwaukee Succeeds? I was aware of the StriveTogether Network and very excited to see the cross sector gathering together of leaders to set some important goals to collectively impact education from cradle to career.
What has surprised you most about working with us? I don’t think it is a surprise, but I am pleased to see the focus on young leadership and racial equity. This is a complex set of systems that come together at the Milwaukee Succeeds table.
What do you find most challenging about the work? Milwaukee’s competitive educational landscape is still highly politically charged, and that can make it difficult to get past to focus on all students.
How has Milwaukee Succeeds changed since you joined in 2011? Milwaukee Succeeds has constantly evolved in structure, composition and focus. System change is very iterative, and Milwaukee Succeeds has changed to better meet its goals and respond to new challenges and research.
What do you wish other people knew about Milwaukee Succeeds? I wish that people knew about some of the big funding wins – from national grants to recent ARPA awards in early childhood education. Milwaukee Succeeds has both long-term and short-term wins that the community needs to know about. Danae Davis and her team are amazing!
What’s your favorite memory or success story surrounding our work? We had a one-day session with all various educational sectors to talk about areas of coordination and cooperation. Part of what came out of that day was an agreement to secure state funding for a major literacy reading program and training for teachers – all teachers and all schools, including charter, choice and public. That was a big moment and shows what we can do when we come together around students.
Over the years, what’s kept you motivated to continue doing this work – both with GMC and Milwaukee Succeeds? I came from a one parent household and education was the ticket to a better life. It dramatically changed my life, and I know how important it is for all students and for Milwaukee. We can point to the needs for workforce and innovation, though ultimately it is much more about human dignity and opportunity. A free, quality education is a hallmark of this country.
Where do you see Milwaukee Succeeds going in the coming years? I see Milwaukee Succeeds continuing to work in its major goal areas. It is important to stay focused and redirect systems to achieve the outcomes. And be patient – our struggles have come from generations of structural racism. Keeping everyone at the table for the long haul is key.
What advice would you give to someone stepping into this work? Understand that the issues impacting educational attainment are complex. Certainly, what happens in the classroom and the school environment is key. Safe and stable housing and a safe neighborhood, stable family economics and engagement are important factors in a student’s ability to learn. We have to focus on more than just the educational system if we want to see educational attainment increase.
What are you looking forward to doing once you retire? I’m looking forward to more time to focus on my watercolor art practice and teach some. Time to travel and see family and friends more often and just some unstructured time in the day.
To end on something different: What is the most unusual photo on your phone? Hmmm…I often take photos daily on my walks outside. I have a lot of scenic photos but sometimes odd things too (#alleyshrimp). Probably the strangest in recent years is a Barbie doll perched on a sign in Lake Park with sock on her head as a hat!