Bobby McQuay Jr.

In 1979, Bobby McQuay moved from Gary, Indiana to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. McQuay grew up in the Washington Park community and attended Washington High School in the Sherman Park neighborhood. Influenced by his passions for social work, he is now the Community Organizer for Washington Park Partners (WPP). His job is to ensure that community residents know about resources in their neighborhood. McQuay and the WPP team will not let residents fall between the cracks. They will try to get you what you need through funding and available resources.

Residents ask for McQuay, since he keeps his word to the community. Word of mouth and door to door communication are often the means of spreading what WPP does for the community. Blast emails and informal meetings help with this communication as well. There was a time when WPP hosted a community breakfast in which many came to enjoy morning grub, but also partook in a discussion focused around helping the community become the best it can be. These informal meetings bridge the gap between what the city has to offer and the residents, who need it the most. Many don't understand the language in which city documents and policies are written in; McQuay is there to translate.

​McQuay is familiar with evictions within the Washington Park area. He believes that everyone should have an equal shot at happiness and works tirelessly to help homeowners and tenants in need. He believes that a sustainable community is a self-sufficient one. Homeowners add onto the value of the neighborhood, which raises the property taxes. High property taxes return to the community in resources such as health clinics and quality education. Many others begin contributing because investments attract investments. McQuay also feels that neighborhoods should not become overcrowded, since that often leads to violence, crime, and lack of resources. As a community organizer, he is able to address people at their level where their voices can be heard.

​Bobby McQuay Jr., Interviewed by Teonna Cooksey, June 2016

See also,
Erin Toner, "Milwaukee Sells Foreclosed Homes for a Dollar," October 29, 2013, WUWM news. 

Community Organizer for Washington Park Partners
"I'd really like to see the Washington Park Community self sufficient... a place to live, work and play and raise a family."