National Convening Program Books 2014 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 37

Mandela Barnes

Jim Blatchford
School Committeeman
Lawrence, Massachusetts
School Committeeman Jim Blatchford was born and raised in Lawrence,
Massachusetts. Blatchford has served as a member of the Lawrence
Planning Board since 2008 and as its vice chairman since August of 2011.
He was first elected to the Lawrence School Committee in November of
2011, where he has been a strong leader for transparency and accountability
in the Lawrence Public School system. Prior to his election to the committee, Jim worked as a
Merrimack Valley Youth Court coordinator to help at-risk youth stay focused on continuing their
education and reducing truancy. @jimblatchford

David Bowen
County Supervisor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
County Supervisor David Bowen was elected to the Milwaukee County
Board and is the youngest member of the board and one of the youngest
elected officials in Milwaukee’s history. Bowen currently serves on three
standing committees: health and human needs, transportation and public
works, and economic and community development. Supervisor Bowen was
born and raised in Milwaukee, and has a bachelor’s in education policy and community studies
from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Previously, he was a program director at Urban
Underground. In that capacity, he oversaw creation and implementation of youth programs,
services, and professional development training for adults interested in youth civic engagement
and leadership development. @DavidFBowen

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37

YOUNG ELECTED O FFICIALS

State Representative
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Representative Mandela Barnes is currently the youngest African
American serving in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Barnes has a strong
background in community organizing, most recently serving as the director
of MICAH, an interfaith, social justice-based community organization in
Milwaukee. Representative Barnes was born and raised in Milwaukee, and
he attended Alabama A&M University, where he assumed leadership roles in the NAACP and
student government. In 2008, he worked as a political organizer in Louisiana with the Democratic
Campaign Management Program. In 2009, Barnes returned to Milwaukee and worked for Mayor
Tom Barrett. Representative Barnes was named the 2012 Organizer of the Year by his state
political party for his work on economic development, education, and immigration.
@TheOtherMandela