Equity & the Law

Workshop Description: Join Representative Stubbs for an informative presentation on how we can create policy that promotes equity and justice for all Wisconsinites! Representative Shelia Stubbs has dedicated her career as a State Representative and Former Dane County Supervisor to addressing and reducing the pressing racial disparities that Wisconsinites of color face at every stage of life. Representative Stubbs has served as the Co-Chair of the Assembly Speaker’s Task Force on Racial Disparities, served as Former Chair of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus, and has introduced numerous pieces of legislation that reduce disparities and promote equity, including the Birth Equity Act, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Missing and Murdered African American Task Force Bill, and many more. 

Participants can expect: Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: Representative Shelia Stubbs serves as the Wisconsin State Representative for the 78th Assembly District, which includes portions of South and East Madison, the City of Monona, a portion of the Village of McFarland, and the Town of Blooming Grove. Representative Stubbs was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2018. She was the first African American Representative to be elected to a Dane County seat, shattering 170 years of history. Representative Stubbs received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Tougaloo College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Mount Senario College, and a Master’s Degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch University. She is a Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Madison Alumnae Chapter. 

Currently Representative Stubbs serves as the ranking Democratic member on the Assembly Committee on Corrections. She also serves on the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities and the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long Term Care. She has previously served as the Co-Chair of the Assembly Speaker’s Task Force on Racial Disparities and as the Former Chair of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Representative Stubbs served on the Dane County Board of Supervisors and worked as a Senior Probation and Parole Agent, a special education teacher, and an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice program at Mount Senario College. Representative Stubbs is passionate about criminal justice, education, and equity work, all of which are reflected in her public policy. She has received numerous awards, including the 2022 International Interior Design Association: Wisconsin Chapter Government Affairs Award, 2023 Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Champion for Children Award, 2023-24 Conservation Champion Award and 2024 Wisconsin Counties Association Outstanding Legislator Award. 

Workshop Description: The law is a part of our community from the smallest of issues to the most significant. Participating in the development and implementation of the law can have a wide-reaching effect on the community. Hear from those who decided to take an oath to uphold the constitution and how it has affected their lives and career. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Q&A

This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: We the members of the Black Officers Coalition are committed to bridging the gap between the Black Community and the Madison Police Department. Through inclusion, professional relationships and community partnerships we will develop and support the recruitment, retention and promotions of black officers within the Madison Police department. 

Workshop Description: Opportunity is not distributed equally in any city, including Madison. Decisions about the location and design of housing, highways and schools can have big and differing impacts on life outcomes. This session will review critical urban planning mistakes of the 20th century that divided and deprived based on income and skin color. Then we will move into a group participation exercise where you will help decide the fate of a controversial project in your community. 

Participants can expect: Discussion, Small group work, Q&A, Debate

This workshop is offered: AM, sessions 1 & 2

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bio: Jason Valerius is the Executive Director of the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, an independent unit of government that supports local governments on issues related to land use and the protection of natural resources. Jason is an urban design specialist by training and is an advocate for using the physical design of neighborhoods and places, and the public policies that guide those designs, to foster the success of ALL residents.

Workshop Description: WI Books to prisoner's mission is simply to send books to prisoners who request them and to foster a love of reading and encourage self-education. Our mission is increasingly being sabotaged by the WI Department of Corrections. Why? Students will have the opportunity to read letters from prisoners and discuss the broader question: Why would putting someone in prison make them a better person, i.e., reform them?

Participants can expect: Reading & Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: TBD

Speaker Bio: Camy co-founded WI Books to Prisoners in 2006 after co-sponsoring a documentary film and discussion group at a prison in Wisconsin. This experienced informed her about the woeful condition of prison libraries and the despair of hundreds of readers in prison. She's also made instructional zines for prisoners nationwide on popular topics such as learning to draw, the rules and history of chess, and high-intensity interval training.