Accomplishments | Madison for Madison

Sabrina Madison - District 17 Alder Madison, WI smiling outside

Dedicated Public Servant & Community Advocate

I’ve spent years doing the work—building spaces where people feel seen, pushing for economic opportunities, and making sure our communities thrive. As the founder of the Progress Center for Black Women, I’ve helped women launch businesses, secure jobs, and create pathways to financial independence. That same commitment to community led me to step into public service, first through advisory roles and leadership positions, and now as Alder of Madison’s 17th District.

Since my appointment in October 2022 and election in April 2023, I’ve been focused on making sure residents have a voice in decisions that impact their daily lives. Whether it’s addressing pedestrian safety concerns, advocating for equitable development, or working alongside neighbors to improve their neighborhoods, I believe in leadership that listens and takes action. I’ve worked with residents and city staff to tackle illegal dumping, championed the creation of the Sandburg Neighborhood Resource Team, led neighborhood walks to address concerns, and helped secure funding for the Madison Public Market. I’ve also been a strong advocate for small businesses, serving on the planning team for the first-ever Common Council Small Business Familiarization Tour, ensuring my colleagues got a firsthand look at how local businesses have benefited from funding from the City.

I don’t just talk about change—I put in the work to make it happen.

Key Accomplishments

These accomplishments reflect my dedication to ensuring District 17 residents have a voice in shaping our community, while also championing equitable development, traffic safety, and opportunities for meaningful engagement:

Holding Regular Office Hours to Connect with Residents:
Established open office hours to ensure constituents have direct access to me, providing opportunities for residents to discuss concerns, share ideas, and stay informed about city initiatives.
Ensuring Urgent Pedestrian Safety Near East High School:
Worked quickly to get a malfunctioning crosswalk light near East High School fixed, despite it being in a neighboring district, recognizing that many students from District 17 attend the school and rely on safe pedestrian infrastructure.
Engaging Residents in the Northeast Area Plan Discussions:
Encouraged and facilitated resident participation in discussions shaping the Northeast Area Plan, ensuring that community voices are heard in decisions affecting future growth and development.
Championing Small Business Engagement:
Served on the current and inaugural planning team for the Common Council Small Business Familiarization Tour, ensuring council members engaged directly with local entrepreneurs to understand how funding from the City supported their businesses, as well as learning about their challenges and successes, reinforcing the city’s commitment to supporting small businesses.
Securing Funding for the Madison Public Market:
Collaborated with Alder Vidaver and County Supervisor Miles and other Alders and county supervisors to secure an additional $2.6 million in funding for the Madison Public Market project, ensuring its progression despite budgetary challenges. This effort included engaging with the County Board to obtain a $1 million contribution, reflecting a strong commitment to economic development and community enrichment.
Hosting the District 17 Community Engagement Dinner:
Organized a successful community dinner that brought together residents, local leaders, and organizations to discuss critical issues such as local resources, small business development, and homelessness. The event also recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to community and civic engagement.
Bringing Alders to District 17 for On-the-Ground Engagement:
Led tours for fellow alders to highlight challenges and opportunities in District 17, increasing citywide support for key projects such as the Imagination Center (library) and the permanent men’s homeless shelter.
Advocating for the Sandburg Neighborhood Resource Team:
Played a key role in pushing for the creation of the Sandburg Neighborhood Resource Team, ensuring that this initiative has the necessary support to provide services and address community concerns.
Organizing a Neighborhood Walk to Address Resident Concerns:
Coordinated a neighborhood walk with city staff and Sandburg area residents to address neighborhood concerns, resulting in meaningful discussions and solutions for neighborhood improvements.
Improving Pedestrian Safety:
Worked with the city’s Traffic Engineering team to address pedestrian safety issues, advocating for infrastructure improvements such as safer crosswalks, traffic calming measures, and improving the crosswalk in front of Sandburg Elementary School to aid in keeping students safe.
Collaborating to Host a Student Book Fair at Sandburg Elementary
Partnered with educators, local elected officials, and a local literacy nonprofit to organize a student book fair, promoting literacy and ensuring children have access to educational resources both in English and Spanish.
Meeting with Surrounding Businesses and Homeless Providers
Regularly engaged with local business owners and homeless service providers to understand their challenges and facilitate collaborative solutions, ensuring a balanced approach to economic development and social support.
Meeting with Developers for Equitable Development:
Engaged in discussions with developers to advocate for more equitable development in District 17, ensuring that new projects benefit all residents and align with community needs.
Providing Regular Blog Updates for Residents:
Kept the community informed by consistently sharing blog updates on city projects, council decisions, and opportunities for resident engagement.
Promoting Civic Engagement and Leadership:
Continued to foster community involvement through various initiatives, including participating in podcasts and public discussions, to keep residents informed and engaged in local governance.

Dedicated Public Servant & Community Advocate

Key Accomplishments

Holding Regular Office Hours to Connect with Residents:

Ensuring Urgent Pedestrian Safety Near East High School:

Engaging Residents in the Northeast Area Plan Discussions:

Championing Small Business Engagement:

Securing Funding for the Madison Public Market:

Hosting the District 17 Community Engagement Dinner:

Bringing Alders to District 17 for On-the-Ground Engagement:

Advocating for the Sandburg Neighborhood Resource Team:

Organizing a Neighborhood Walk to Address Resident Concerns:

Improving Pedestrian Safety:

Collaborating to Host a Student Book Fair at Sandburg Elementary

Meeting with Surrounding Businesses and Homeless Providers

Meeting with Developers for Equitable Development:

Providing Regular Blog Updates for Residents:

Promoting Civic Engagement and Leadership:

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