We Are Many United (WAMU) will host its inaugural Fall kickoff at Verona Area High School as it gets ready to set the stage for its year of programming.
The organization was founded in 2016 by local businessman Masood Akhtar in 2016 as he sought to create a diverse group of people from all backgrounds to stand up against hate, violence, prejudice and inequality. It frequently partners with schools and has produced projects like the “Wisconsin Muslim Project,” which worked to change perceptions non-Muslims have about Islam and Muslims.
At the kickoff, WAMU will work with nine schools — Platteville, McFarland, Lake Mills, Verona, Dodgeville, Plymouth, Waukesha, Mt. Horeb and Deerfield — with an expected 200 students coming to join in.
“After attending our annual summits, our students could not stop talking about the experience,” said Josh Thomas, a Language Arts teacher at Verona Area High School. “I shared their excitement with our principal, and he said Verona Area High School would be honored to host future events.”
We Are Many United hosts an annual Youth Unity Summit, which is attended by schools across Dane County, including the Verona Area School District. After attending one of the summits, Verona formed a WAMU chapter in its school and will host the February 2027 Youth Unity Summit.
The kickoff will bring students together to establish goals and develop action plans for the 2026–27 academic year. The initiative aims to build momentum that students can bring back to their classrooms, schools and communities as they work to stand up against hate.
Students will hear from speakers and engage in group activities and discussions throughout the day.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Pardeep Kaleka, educator in Milwaukee and former police officer, who will speak on his family’s experience during and after the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting in Oak Creek back in August 2012.
Kaleka’s father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, who was president of the temple, was among the six who were killed in the shooting. Kaleka will also discuss his work with Serve 2 Unite, an organization founded after the 2012 shooting similar to WAMU. A Q&A session will be held afterwards.
Students will later lead breakout sessions focused on WAMU’s four pillars: educate, advocate, celebrate and mentor.
WAMU is built on the belief that student voices are the driving force behind lasting change,” said Emily Zachary, WAMU Unity director and teacher at Platteville High School. “Our work is organized around Four Pillars—Educate, Advocate, Celebrate and Mentor—which give students a clear framework for leading efforts that promote unity and belonging in their schools and communities.”
The kickoff will be held today at Verona Area High School’s Performing Arts Center from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
