Office of Equity reports expanded partnerships, language-access work and a Robert Wood Johnson prize

Samaya Clark, executive director of the Milwaukee County Office of Equity, presented highlights from 2025 and described the office's strategy to embed equity across budgeting, operations and community partnerships. "Together, we move equity forward," Clark said while outlining the office's technical assistance, scorecard and partnership work.

Staff said the office provided technical assistance to about 20 department service areas, partnered with 79 unique organizations, interacted directly with roughly 15,000 residents through engagement activities, and reported an estimated broader reach of about 708,000 people through media and outreach. The presentation also described language-access work with IMSD for the August 2025 flood response that staff said helped reduce FEMA processing timelines from 12 days to 2 days by making resident documentation available more quickly. The report noted the racial equity budgeting tool and said the county's efforts contributed to receiving the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health prize.