Mandela Barnes

Mandela Barnes, founder and president of Forward Together Wisconsin, has dedicated his career to community organizing and addressing climate change. Inspired by his parents’ values of economic justice and racial equity, he began his journey as a political organizer for Barack Obama's 2008 campaign and later served as a Wisconsin State Assembly representative from 2013 to 2017. As Wisconsin’s 45th Lieutenant Governor (2019–2023) and the first African American to hold the position, Barnes worked to foster inclusivity and progress. Through Forward Together Wisconsin, he continues to empower communities, advocate for working-class champions, and promote year-round grassroots organizing to amplify diverse voices across the state.