In 1980, at the age of 19, Victor Barnett saw many of the young people of Milwaukee being pulled into the street life of gangs, crime, and violence. He used basketball as the tool to engage, mentor, and guide youth towards an alternative path that would ensure their future success. From this vision and action, Running Rebels Community Organization was born. Today, Running Rebels is a mentoring organization that serves 2,500 youth annually.
The Running Rebels Community Organization engages the community, youth, and their families; prevents involvement in gangs, drugs, violence, and the juvenile justice system; intervenes and guides youth by assisting them with making positive choices; and coaches youth through their transition into adulthood. We accomplish this through building relationships with youth and providing the resources and skills necessary for them to become thriving, connected, and contributing adult members of our community.
The Running Rebels Community Organization engages the community, youth, and their families; prevents involvement in gangs, drugs, violence, and the juvenile justice system; intervenes and guides youth by assisting them with making positive choices; and coaches youth through their transition into adulthood. We accomplish this through building relationships with youth and providing the resources and skills necessary for them to become thriving, connected, and contributing adult members of our community.
Our Team
Victor Barnett
Executive Director & Founder
Dawn Barnett
Co-Executive Director
Traci Amos
Director of Mentoring Services
Eddie Roundtree
Violence-Free Zone Director
Michael Sengyothinh
Community Mentoring Director
Rolunda Dixon
Senior Director of Business Operations
Jordyn App
Development Coordinator
Stacey Lindsay
Director of Targeted Monitoring Programs
Our Board of Directors
Jill M. Boyle
Board Chair
Sikich LLP
Delbert Williams
Vice Chair
Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative (Retired)
Carolyn Crivello
Secretary
Ice Miller LLP
Michael Coyne
Treasurer
BMO Harris Bank
Clifton Phelps
JCP Construction
Erin Miles
US Bank
Rodney Harris
House of Corrections (Retired)
Nicholas Ramos
VoteRiders
Fred Tabak
Tabak Law Office
Pastor Thomas Melton
Miracle Apostolic Church
Tiffany Wynn
Planned Parenthood
