Advocating for Wisconsin’s Future Leaders

One City Advocates is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) organization, and an affiliate of One City Schools, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin, that works to improve PreK to 16 education in Wisconsin through advocacy, public policy, collaboration, and community engagement. We believe that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, from early childhood through higher education.

One City Scholars and staff standing with signs outside the Madison Capitol

Advocating for Quality Education

One City Advocates (OCA) is dedicated to developing, promoting, and advocating for legislation, programs, financial resources, and policies that focus on early childhood education, K-12 education, and equitable access to higher education. We believe that every child, teen, and young adult must have access to a high-quality education, from early childhood through higher education, that prepares them to live healthy, joyful and productive lives, solve big problems, work well with others, and make the world better, for everyone, as adults. We achieve our goals and objectives through collaboration, civic engagement, issue advocacy, government relations, communications, and experienced leadership.

Early Childhood (Birth to Age 5)

Expand access to high-quality childcare to give all children a strong foundation for learning and healthy development, and support working parents.

K-12 Education

Ensure all children and teens have access to high quality, innovative K-12 public schools that prepare them for higher education, careers, leadership and life as adults.

College and Career Preparation and Access

Ensure all children have access to college and career preparation and training programs from 6th grade through post-high school graduation.

Education and Policy Initiatives

One City Advocates (OCA) develops, promotes, and leads public policy initiatives and community engagement efforts focused on unifying policy makers, businesses, philanthropy, and communities around efforts to prepare and empower young people for the future through high quality early childhood, K-12, college and career preparation and access to programs, tuition aid, and scholarships.

Early Childhood Education

OCA works to increase working families access to affordable, high quality childcare programs that provide for the healthy development of children ages birth to 5, and ensures this age group is ready to succeed educationally in kindergarten and beyond.

K-12 Education

OCA advocates for policies and initiatives that support excellent K-12 education, and that ensures children and teens are prepared to live, work, lead, and thrive in a rapidly changing world and economy that needs great problem solvers who desire to make the world better for everyone.

College and Career Preparation and Access

OCA is committed to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to access and succeed in college and career preparation and training programs, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. OCA also advocates for tuition aid and scholarships for economically disadvantaged high school graduates across Wisconsin.

Meet our Leadership

Kaleem Caire

President

Kaleem Caire is a national leader in preschool to grade 12 education reform in the United States, with expertise in workforce development and community transformation initiatives. He is managing partner of One City Advocates, Inc. and founder and CEO of One City Schools in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Prior to One City, Kaleem was CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison and chair of the National Urban League’s Education Committee. Kaleem also held executive leadership positions with Target Corporation, Fight For Children of Washington, DC, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), American Education Reform Council, Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In 2008, Kaleem was among the first recipients of the University of Wisconsin’s Forward Under Forty Award and named a Distinguished Alumni by the UW Alumni Association. In 2001, he was the youngest adult recipient of the City of Madison’s (WI) Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award and the Urban League’s Whitney Young Jr. Service Award. 

Kaleem has five children ages 17 to 31 and holds a bachelor’s in education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also a Pahara-Aspen Institute Fellow.

Carl Hampton

Vice President

Carl Hampton is a noted leader in public policy, advocacy, and public administration in Wisconsin. He is a partner with One City Advocates, Inc. and serves as the Vice President of Government Relations and Policy for One City Schools of Madison, Wisconsin.

Prior to One City, Carl held senior executive roles with the Wisconsin Departments of Administration and Safety and Professional Services DSPS, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Offices of the Governor of Wisconsin and Dane County (WI) Executive, and United States Senate.

He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Meet our Board of Directors

Scott Klug

Retired U.S. Congressman

Sui-Nae Stroman

Certified Public Accountant

Samba Baldeh

Former State Representative, Wisconsin State Legislature

Latoya Holiday

Executive Director, National Education Organization

Wesley Sparkman

Senior Executive, Dane County

Sarah Campagna

Senior Leader Financial Services

Michael Theo

Retired CEO, Wisconsin Realtors Association

Kennan Wood

Business Owner

Join Our Movement

Be part of the change in education. Sign up for our newsletters, attend our events, and contact your public officials to make a difference in PreK-16 education.

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One City Schools scholars and teachers inside the Madison Capitol with a sign that says Please come see your investment in action!

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