Rep. Stubbs: Delivers remarks at the groundbreaking for the Center of Black Excellence and Culture

MADISON, WI – Today, Representative Shelia Stubbs delivered remarks at the groundbreaking for the Center of Black Excellence and Culture founded by Reverend Dr. Alexander Gee. Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement: 

It was a privilege to attend and speak at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture Groundbreaking Ceremony. I would like to thank the event speakers, including Senator Tammy Baldwin, Congressman Mark Pocan, Secretary of Administration Kathy Blumenfeld, Lilada Gee, Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Kiah Walker-Calmese, Rev. David Smith, and Dr. Christy Clark-Pujara. I would also like to thank everyone who was able to celebrate this historic occasion with us today.  

My gratitude and congratulations go out to Reverend Dr. Alexander Gee, Founder of the Center of Black Excellence and Culture in Madison, his family, his team, and all of the donors, community members, and elected officials whose support made this dream a reality. The Center symbolizes many things for the Black community in South Madison and across our state: representation, inclusion, opportunity, and so much more.

Something is happening today that is greater than just South Madison. The Center has the power to change the trajectory of the entire state of Wisconsin. Black people have dreamed, articulated, and planned this vision of a place where the historic reality of Black excellence and brilliance in our state will be told and relived. The entire nation should take note of what happens when Black brilliance and leadership are respected and followed.

From my time representing South Madison, I have seen firsthand how this community, with the proper support and resources, began growing, flourishing, and thriving. It is the investment in leadership, representation, and cultural connection that takes a community from living to thriving. When we invest in our community, our community invests back into us. On this Juneteenth, it is vital that we take this next step to uplift and empower Black Wisconsinites.

It is on Juneteenth that we recognize the sacrifices and resilience of our ancestors. On this day, we honor community leaders like Mrs. Annie Weatherby-Flowers, who founded the first Juneteenth celebration in Madison, Wisconsin. We honor activists like Ms. Opal Lee, who courageously walked to the White House in an effort to get the holiday federally recognized. We honor the memory of the late Dr. Reverend Ronald Myers, Father of the Modern Day Juneteenth Movement. Today we remember and honor our past. But it is also on this holiday that we acknowledge the great strides we are making toward a brighter future, one that will leave a lasting legacy for our children, grandchildren, and all those that come after them.

I am honored to celebrate such a joyous and important day in history through recognizing the Center of Black Excellence and Culture and the great promise it holds for the Black community. I wish you all a wonderful Juneteenth holiday.