About Alder Nikki Conklin

I am a deeply rooted, progressive community leader with a vision for a healthier and more equitable community. Healthy communities' equal safe communities. I would love to add upon the work I started on the council 2 years ago. I want to continue to represent my community and be their voice at the table. I will continue to engage and build relationships in my community, around the city and within city departments. I have a holistic view that focuses on addressing root causes to give our community what it needs to thrive.

As Alder of District 9, my priorities are quality affordable housing, equity & justice & safety for all. District 9 is growing rapidly & we need to make sure it is done sustainably. I believe in community policing to get to the root cause of the issues & investing in our communities to help bring the crime rates down.

Currently, in addition to my daily work representing my constituents as Alder, I serve on the Common Council Executive Committee, Community Development Block Grant Committee, Disability Rights Commission, Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee, and Sustainable Madison Committee. As a single Black mother, I put myself through college and graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Human Services with a Social Work Training Certificate. I have been very active with the Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC) on many levels including: as a volunteer, staff member, Americorps worker, and as a member of the LCEC Board of Directors. I spent 3+ years organizing through the Neighborhood Organizing Institute (NOI) and served on NOI's Leadership Council. NOI is a leadership development program for community organizers, advocates, and grassroots leaders that teaches organizing and leadership skills in a culturally relevant way.

I supported Madison's Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES), Violence Prevention, and Public Health Madison & Dane County. We have already seen the data and know that the CARES program works and is making an impactful difference.

As Alder I fight for fair & equal access to affordable housing with a focus on Housing First models & tenants' rights. We need to support more folks into homeownership & building wealth. Through my work on the Community Development Block Grant Committee, I have supported funds for neighborhood developments and services in housing, i.e., homeless services. On the Landlord & Tenant Issues Committee I have been working hard on tenants' rights through the rent abatement.

In my free time, what very little I get. I enjoy spending time with my 3 kids and my family, cooking new dishes, bowling and traveling.

Education

• Bachelors Human Services, Upper Iowa University- Madison, May 2020
• Associates Human Services, Madison College, May 2016