

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
Co-Director of Violence-Free Zone
Philip Krull
Co-Director of Violence-Free Zone
Rolunda Dixon
Senior Director of Business Operations
Jordyn App
Development Coordinator
Stacey Lindsay
Senior Director of Programming
Tara Martin
MCAP Supervisor
Rod Mitchell
IMP Aftercare & Credible Messenger Supervisor
Donta Holmes
Senior Director of Community Engagement & Operations
Damon Shoates
Community Organizer
Our Board of Directors
Brandon Ramey
Board Chair
Quad
Clifton Phelps
Vice Chair
JCP Construction
Carolyn Crivello
Secretary
Shoreview Legal, LLC
Michael Coyne
Treasurer
BMO
Erin Miles
US Bank
Rodney Harris
House of Corrections (Retired)
Nicholas Ramos
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Fred Tabak
Tabak Law Office
Pastor Thomas Melton
Miracle Apostolic Church
Tiffany Wynn
Ascension Health