Journalist/educator Jacquelyn D. Heath announces candidacy for alderman

Jacquelyn D. Heath, a Milwaukee journalist, educator, youth advocate and economic development specialist, has announced that she is a candidate for alderman in the city’s 9th District on the far northwest side. Although long active in local politics and community affairs, this is Heath’s first run for elective office. “I have lived in the 9th District since coming to Milwaukee nearly 30 years ago,” Heath said. “There have been some changes in our community and, unfortunately, not all of them have been positive or beneficial to all of the people of our district. I want to work to turn that around.” Jacquelyn is a native of Chicago, IL.

She was raised by her mother who was widowed when her husband, Cook County Sheriff Sgt. Lionel Joseph Heath, Sr., was killed in the line of duty when Jacquelyn was four years old. Jacquelyn was educated in the Chicago Public School system and graduated from John Marshall Harlan High School as the school’s first African American valedictorian in 1970. She earned a bachelor of science in journalism degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL; and a master of education degree from National-Louis University, in Milwaukee, WI. She is also a certified professional trainer and facilitator. Jacquelyn is a media professional who has worked in television, radio and print as a writer, editor, producer, consultant, strategist and event manager. She currently is employed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

She is also project manager of the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Awards, held every February. As an educator, Jacquelyn has taught high school English language arts, French and Spanish; and has written curriculum for several Milwaukee-area charter and choice schools. She has also served as a youth development specialist in Milwaukee’s inner city; her work earned her statewide recognition as “Youth Worker of the Year” in 2003 from the Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals. She is an honorary member of the North Division High School Alumni Association and in 2013 earned a Business Appreciation Award from the group for helping to launch the North Division Athletic Hall of Fame. Single, Jacquelyn is the mother of an adopted adult daughter, Beverly Nacole Smith-Winfield. She is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, on Milwaukee’s East Side.