Cavalier Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cavalier Johnson
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Johnson in 2022
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| 45th 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 G. Pérez |
| Member of the Milwaukee Common Council from the 2nd district | |
| In office April 19, 2016 – April 13, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Davis, Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Mark Chambers, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 5, 1986 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Dominique Johnson
(m. 2016) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | Capitol Heights, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) |
Cavalier Johnson (born November 5, 1986) is an American politician. He is currently the 45th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming mayor, he served on the Milwaukee Common Council from 2016 to 2022.
In 2020, Johnson became the president of the Common Council. He then became acting mayor in December 2021 when the previous mayor, Tom Barrett, resigned. In April 2022, Johnson won a special election to become mayor. This made him the first African-American person to be elected mayor of Milwaukee. He is the second African-American mayor overall, after Marvin Pratt, who was acting mayor in 2004.
Growing Up and School
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. He lived in a part of Milwaukee known as the 53206 ZIP code. This area was known for having many challenges for young African-American males.
When he was 14, the YMCA chose him for a special program. This program, called Sponsor-A-Scholar, helped students from low-income families. Johnson says this program taught him the importance of helping 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.
His Career Path
After college, Johnson worked with the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. He helped young people who were facing difficulties. He also helped those entering the job market for the first time. He assisted adults who needed new skills to find work. Later, Johnson worked for the government of Milwaukee. He was a community outreach liaison, connecting with community and faith leaders.
Johnson first ran for a seat on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in 2011. He ran again for a different seat on the County Board in 2012.
In 2016, Johnson ran for Alderman in Milwaukee's 2nd District. He won this election and joined the Milwaukee Common Council. In 2018, he led an effort to ban certain types of therapy for minors in Milwaukee. This ban aimed to protect young people.
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 when Mayor Tom Barrett resigned to become an ambassador. Johnson served as acting mayor until a special election was held. The day before becoming acting mayor, Johnson said his main goal would be to make streets safer. He wanted to stop reckless driving. On April 5, 2022, Johnson won the special election. This made him the first African-American person to be elected mayor of Milwaukee.
About His Family
Johnson lives in Milwaukee's Concordia neighborhood. He is married and has three children.
