United Way of Dane County

Our partnership advanced Youth Opportunity strategies of the Plan for Community Well-Being, facilitating access to out-of-school learning opportunities to enhance students’ mastery of academic content. Through the AVID/TOPS+ program, we partnered to build students’ social/emotional skills and foster connection, belonging, leadership and academic success in this collaborative college and career readiness program for Dane County high school students.

When our community faced the unprecedented COVID crisis, Michael and the Boys & Girls Clubs teamed up with United Way and other local nonprofits to start a collaborative fundraising campaign to support emergency needs and recovery efforts. Through his leadership in the Law Enforcement and Leaders of Color Collaboration, he worked to keep protests peaceful after George Floyd’s murder. When a school shooting tore our community apart, Michael organized a vigil to help the community heal. These are just a few of the ways we partnered together.

On a personal note, Michael was a dear friend. He always centered community and our local families and children. His passion and bias for action came from that deep commitment. We often talked about how we were well matched. He was the quick-to-respond-mobilize-right-now leader while I was the disciplined-work-with-others-and-change-things-long-term leader. We regularly acknowledged our community needs both. I’m going to miss our texts and late-night conversations. And I’ll miss his amazing spirit, drive and fun. Wow, could Michael bring people together and get people to show up!

I had the beautiful opportunity to work with Michael’s wife Toya at United Way. She did extraordinary work on behalf of local older adults and families and has her own list of impressive community accomplishments. Through her, I got to know Michael and their children personally. To Toya and all who love and respect Michael, my deepest condolences. Michael’s life served so many and it’s heartbreaking that he is gone so soon.

United Way continues its strong partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. We continue to stand side-by-side with their Board led by Chris Fortune and team led by Taylor Jackson in their mission and service delivery. Rest well, Michael. Your work lives on.