12 on Tuesday: Keetra Burnette

Chicago native Keetra Burnette currently works as the Senior Director of Community Impact at United Way of Dane County. She formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of the Urban League of Greater Madison, President of the Madison Network of Black Professionals, Education Specialist with the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, and several other professional and volunteer roles. Burnette was nominated for the prestigious ATHENA Award from The Business Forum (2013), was a member of InBusiness Magazine’s class of 2013 “40 under 40,” a Brava Magazine ‘Woman to Watch’, and a 2011 Brava Magazine “Mover and Shaker.”

Rank your Top 5 MCs. Wow!  Top 5 MCs?  Interestingly, this is a difficult question for me.  It’s a bit challenging for me to think of my Top 5 MCs because I’m not much of a music lover.  I’m somewhat the opposite. I would describe myself as a lover of silence.  Complete silence is rare in my life, but it feels SO GOOD!  

However, to answer your question, I checked the music app on my phone for my “Top 25 Most Played” songs.  Here is the list of artists who created my top five most played:

1. Beyoncé
2. The Islay Brothers
3. Chris Brown
4. Floe try
5. Jay Z

Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? I absolutely love this question!  Thank you for asking.  

In all honesty, I am most highly motivated by the category of individuals that falls in between the doubters and the supporters.  I am referring to the doubters who attempt to disguise themselves as supporters.  The individuals who will literally “campaign” for a spot on your team –  those willing to go as far as accepting the position as your #1 Supporter, or your Fan Club President.  I’m sure this seems bizarre, but trust me – they are out there.  And Yes – I have a lot of fun with them!  

What does it mean to be Black in Madison? After living and working in the City of Madison for slightly over 20 years, I would associate the following experiences with being Black in our city.  Not only are these things that I have experienced, they are also common experiences of other Black Madisonians as well:  

• Being Black in Madison has meant that when registering my children for school, I am automatically directed to the “free and reduced lunch line” without being asked any questions regarding my household income.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that I have often in situations where I have been not only the first and only Black person hired by a particular employer, but also the only person of color to ever work there.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that I have been excluded from social gatherings hosted by colleagues.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that I am expected to know every other Black person in our city.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that I shouldn’t accept being referred to as “Black,” but should instead prefer to be called “African American,” as was suggested in a scholarly article place on my desk by a white supervisor, with a friendly note instructing me to “Please Read!”

• Being Black in Madison has meant that my confidence is mistaken for arrogance.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that my ability to produce quality work is surprising.

• Being Black in Madison means that I live in a City that celebrates itself for being “a safe and healthy place for all of us to live, learn, work and play.” However, the reality for the majority of people who look like me is very different.  

• Being Black in Madison means that I am often treated as if I were invisible and my voice muted.

• Being Black in Madison has meant that my efforts to call out implicit bias are interpreted to mean that I am calling someone a racist.

• Being Black in Madison means that I am often treated as if my point of view or perspective are not valid.

• Being Black in Madison means that I am constantly analyzed by people looking to identify what’s wrong versus what’s right.

• Being Black in Madison means that my ideas are only good if/when they come from the lips of a male or a white person.

• Being Black in Madison means that I am even stronger  – because the only way to endure the racism that is so obvious to Black and Brown people is to brush it off, along with the criticism, the unsolicited advice, the condescension, the lowered expectations and the pain.  

What three leaders in Madison under 50 have impressed you the most? Troy Burnette – my husband, supporter, friend and high-school sweetheart

Although this vote may initially appear to be biased, I am completely sincere in acknowledging Troy as a leader in Madison that has impressed me the most.  In addition to being a hardworking husband, Troy is an amazing, hands-on father who has sacrificed many of his personal dreams and aspirations for those of our family.  

In a world where the role of the Black man in Black families is often vacant, Troy fully embraces this role, while encouraging other Black men to do the same.

Nia Trammel

An Administrative Law Judge for the State of Wisconsin, Nia is a personal friend, coach, mentor and sounding board to me and many others in our community.  I am most impressed by Nia’s loyalty and commitment to being the change that she wishes to see in the world. Currently serving in a volunteer capacity with several area organizations, Nia is a woman of integrity who freely gives to those in need, while encouraging and reminding others of our civic responsibilities and the need for us to identify ways to give back.  What I love most about Nia is that although she is ultra conservative in professional environments, she also knows how to kick back and have a GREAT time!    

Corinda Rainey-Moore

I’m basically in awe of Corinda.  I’m also convinced that there are three Corindas – a set of triplets.  That woman is EVERYWHERE!  On a serious note, I can’t think of another person in our City that is more giving of themselves or their time than Corinda.  At the drop of a dime, she is ready, willing and able to be of service or support.  I truly believe that if we all had just a bit of “Corinda” in our blood – all challenges in our community would be resolved.  Not joking!

What’s the biggest stumbling block in Madison to turning the corner on our racial disparities? Focusing on changing the culture of organizations within our City into places that are truly and genuinely welcoming to people of color, while also establishing ways to address the racism and the “White Guilt” that surface when organizations take on this challenge.  Time and time again, these factors prevent or stagnate any efforts to create environments that are truly welcoming.

What are the top three priorities at this point in your life? Ensuring that my children are well positioned to lead healthy, happy and prosperous lives.  And, assisting them in strengthening the foundations on which the remainder of their lives will be built.

In partnership with my husband, pursuing a business venture that we are currently planning.

Re-launching Madison Black Women ROCK! An annual event modeled after the Black Entertainment Televisions (BET) concert/awards show titled “Black Girls Rock!” which recognizes Black women across the United States who are doing great things in their communities.  The goal of “Madison’s Black Women ROCK” is to highlight the accomplishments of sisters in our city who are doing great things, not for the recognition, but because they can!  In highlighting these sisters, the bigger mission is to counter the negative stereotypes that are often associated with Black women in America through mainstream media and entertainment platforms.  

What are the three most important things you learned about Madison while working at the United Way of Dane County?
1. There were two main reactions to the racial disparities reported in the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families’ report titled “Race to Equity.”  One reaction, observed within different communities of color – especially Dane County’s Black community – was relief that their lived experiences were finally validated.  

The second reaction, observed within Dane County’s white community, was complete shock, followed by a desire to do something to address the disparities.  More specific than county-wide efforts, there seemed to be a desire to address the disparities that exist within Madison, Wisconsin, a city ranked last year (2015) as one of the “Top 10 Happiest Cities” by National Geographic.