Mike McGee Sr.: Milwaukee has more Black leaders than ever. So where’s the change?

Known to be one of the most outspoken and blunt humans that ever lived, former Milwaukee alderman Mike McGee Sr. sees a lack of leadership at the helm of local government today. 

The 76-year-old iconic firebrand politician, Vietnam War veteran and Black Panther leader is speaking out following a terminal cancer diagnosis last year. 

The Milwaukee Courier is dedicating a 2026 Juneteenth special edition to McGee and his commitment to Black people and this country. (To read McGee’s story visit here.)

Serving on the Milwaukee Common Council from 1984 to 1992, McGee had an unforgettable reign over his district, drawing international attention, a strong following, and tons of enemies. 

It’s a far cry from the type of politics we see on the local level now. The public stunt was a strategic artform for McGee and drew most of the attention, but there may have never been a Milwaukee alderman more dedicated to finding solutions for his Black constituents. 

He doesn’t see that happening now, despite the electoral gains in recent years. Milwaukee is currently led by the first Black men elected to the top positions — Mayor Cavalier Johnson and County Executive David Crowley — but both are not the first Black men to hold their roles. 

Even so, they’re not good enough for McGee. 

“I think there is not leadership there now,” he said. “It really is a crying shame with as many Black aldermen we have on the Common Council, the president of the Common Council is not a Black person.”

Black council members make up 8 of the 15 seats on the Common Council. Ald. Milele Coggs pursued the presidency following Johnson’s election, but lost to President Jose Perez, a Latino man who represents part of Milwaukee’s south side. 

“With that many Black alders and a Black mayor there should be way more changes benefiting Black people in Milwaukee,” McGee said. “So there is a void in leadership and it’s starting with our elected officials. All of them need to go look in the mirror and see what they need to do. I guess there is a lot of infighting amongst them in terms of a united front.

“There’s things that can be done. If you had elected officials that were interested in creating some change. I don’t care if their feelings are hurt, but all they do is collect a check. 

“Every two weeks, they get their check, they enjoy their money that they make, including the Black mayor of Milwaukee, including the County Board. All they do is collect money off our misery and they don’t attempt to do anything creative in our community.”  

McGee was at first effective at generating resources for his district during his early years at City Hall. He was instrumental in getting the Center Street Library and Fondy Farmers Market built and he proposed a gun buy-back program to get illegal weapons off the streets. McGee said he was most proud of creating a basketball league for Milwaukee youth. 

He also proposed the “decentralization” of the police department, recommending a community board for each police district. And he brought attention to the construction of freeways dividing neighborhoods and polluting Black communities. 

McGee said he doesn’t want to see any more dollars go to downtown development until conditions on the north side of Milwaukee change. He has long held the position that Black communities in Milwaukee seem to never substantially improve due to weak leadership. He threatened to take up arms for this cause in the late 1980s.

“When I was there, I fought hard against the Bradley Center being built for example because we had the Milwaukee Arena, which is a good enough place for the Bucks to play,” McGee said. “And we built the Bradley Center and now they built the (Fiserv Forum). They are still building palaces for white people to come in and watch basketball while all around there it’s a lot of suffering going on. 

“We’re allocating money to the wrong causes. A lot of the problem starts with our elected officials.” 

While in Vietnam, McGee prayed to God that if he let him survive the night then he would devote his life to Black people back home in Milwaukee. “I think I fulfilled my promise,” he said. “And now I’m passing the torch.” 

McGee’s oldest son, Mike Jr., was also an alderman from 2004 to 2008. He said his dad’s legacy will live on through technology because he has an undeniable presence that draws views. 

“Recently on social media, like a million people or so saw him fighting a Klansman on ‘Jerry Springer,’” McGee Jr. said. “He’s a pioneer and a lot of his work is overlooked.”

McGee Jr. would like to see the Common Council move to rename a street after his father. 

“I’m sure one day that would happen, but it would be good if people recognize that while he’s on Earth,” he said.  

Related stories:

• As he faces terminal cancer, Mike McGee Sr. reflects this Juneteenth on his lifetime of fighting for Black Milwaukee
• For every Mike McGee Sr, there is a Marvin Pratt
• ‘I love Mike McGee’: Howard Fuller reflects on friendship, conflict and legacy
• ‘We Need to Tell Our Own Story’: A Conversation on Juneteenth, Journalism, and the Importance of the Black Press

Drake Bentley can be reached at drake.bentley@civicmedia.us.