Cavalier Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cavalier Johnson
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Johnson in 2022
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| Mayor of Milwaukee | |
| Assumed office December 22, 2021 Acting: December 22, 2021 – April 13, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Barrett |
| President of the Milwaukee Common Council | |
| In office April 21, 2020 – April 13, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Ashanti Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | José Pérez |
| Member of the Milwaukee Common Council from the 2nd district |
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| In office April 19, 2016 – April 13, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Davis |
| Succeeded by | Mark Chambers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 5, 1986 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Dominique Johnson
(m. 2016) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) |
Cavalier "Chevy" Johnson was born on November 5, 1986. He is an American politician who serves as the 45th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He became mayor in 2021. Johnson is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming mayor, he was part of the Milwaukee Common Council from 2016 to 2022.
As the president of the Common Council from 2020 to 2022, Johnson became the acting mayor. This happened after the previous mayor, Tom Barrett, resigned. Johnson was then elected mayor in a special election in 2022. He made history by becoming the first African-American person to be elected to this important role in Milwaukee. He is the city's second African-American mayor, following Marvin Pratt, who was acting mayor in 2004.
Early Life and Education
Cavalier Johnson grew up in Milwaukee. His father worked as a custodian for over 30 years. His mother was a certified nursing assistant. He is one of ten children in his family. He lived in a part of Milwaukee known as the 53206 ZIP code.
When he was 14, the YMCA chose him for a special program. This program, called Sponsor-A-Scholar, helped students from low-income families in Milwaukee Public Schools. Johnson says this program taught him how important it is to help his community.
In 2005, Johnson graduated from Bay View High School. While in high school, he worked as a cameraman for the Youth in Government press team. After high school, he went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 2009.
Johnson has also served on the boards of several community groups. These include the Milwaukee YMCA, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Community Brainstorming.
Political Career
After college, Johnson worked to help young people. He assisted at-risk youth and those starting their first jobs. He also helped adults learn new skills to find work. Later, Johnson became a community outreach liaison for the government of Milwaukee. In this role, he worked closely with community and faith leaders.
Johnson ran for a seat on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in 2011 and 2012. He did not win these elections.
In 2016, Johnson ran for Alderman in Milwaukee's 2nd District. He won this election and joined the Milwaukee Common Council. In 2018, Johnson led an effort to ban a type of therapy called conversion therapy for minors in Milwaukee. This therapy was harmful and charged fees.
Johnson was re-elected to the Common Council in 2020 without anyone running against him. His fellow council members then voted for him to become the Milwaukee Common Council President.
On December 22, 2021, Johnson became the acting mayor of Milwaukee. This happened because Mayor Tom Barrett resigned to become the Ambassador to Luxembourg. Johnson served as acting mayor until a special election was held in 2022. The day before he became acting mayor, Johnson announced his main goal. He wanted to make Milwaukee's streets safer by stopping reckless driving. On April 5, 2022, Johnson won the special election. He became the first African-American person to be elected mayor of Milwaukee.
Personal Life
Cavalier Johnson lives in the Concordia neighborhood of Milwaukee. He is married to Dominique Johnson. They have three children together.
