News

City Forward Collective is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Colleston Morgan Jr., has been recognized by Madison365 as one of Wisconsin’s 32 Most Influential Black Leaders for 2025. This honor highlights Colleston’s leadership in education advocacy, policy analysis, and community engagement across Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. Under his guidance, City Forward Collective has become a trusted voice on education data, accountability, and parent empowerment. We congratulate Colleston on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his continued commitment to advancing opportunity for students and families across Wisconsin.  Read the full list on Madison365. 

Local nonprofit organizations, such as Neu‑Life Community Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM), and PEARLS for Teen Girls, are playing a vital role in Milwaukee by providing safe spaces, mentorship, after-school and summer programs, and long-term support for children and teens — especially those growing up amid instability and limited resources.

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Carmen School of Science and Technology Northwest Campus has been in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools for about 11-years as an independent charter school. But that partnership is at risk of coming to an abrupt end as MPS is debating whether or not to move forward with giving Carmen Northwest another 3-year renewal authorization agreement at 5496 N. 72nd St on the city’s north side.

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City Forward Collective has issued a forceful statement condemning the Milwaukee Board of School Directors’ decision to grant only a one-year renewal to Carmen Schools of Science & Technology–Northwest, despite the school earning a three-year recommendation under MPS’ own review process.

In the statement, Executive Director Colleston Morgan Jr. delivered a blunt assessment of the Board’s actions.

The statement also highlights that more than half of MPS schools perform worse than Carmen Northwest, that two-thirds of Black students attend schools failing to meet even lowered state expectations, and that this politically motivated decision accelerates declining enrollment while blowing an additional $2M+ hole in the district’s already strained budget.

Read the full statement to understand why this vote matters — and why Milwaukee’s students, families, and community deserve better.

A newly released academic audit of Milwaukee Public Schools paints a troubling picture of a district marked by fragmented leadership and inconsistent implementation. The review, which was ordered by Governor Evers and conducted by national experts, found major disparities in instruction, planning, and accountability. Responding to the findings, CFC Executive Director Colleston Morgan Jr. emphasized the need for equitable solutions: “This isn’t about getting rid of what’s working at the district, but it is about ensuring that excellence is equitably accessible to all.” The audit reinforces longstanding concerns from families and education advocates about the district’s ability to deliver high-quality education citywide.

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At a recent public hearing held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, education funding emerged as a central concern among southeastern Wisconsin residents. The Joint Finance Committee’s session saw numerous attendees advocating for increased investments in K-12 education, special education, and related areas. 

“There’s still more work to do, but we’re not today talking about schools on the precipice of closing like we were two years ago,” said Colleston Morgan Jr., Executive Director of City Forward Collective.

Morgan said his group wanted to attend to express thanks and encourage legislators to continue to work in a bipartisan way to get more accomplished, including raising the special education reimbursement rate, lifting the low revenue ceiling and putting additional funding into the voucher program.

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