Brandi Grayson incorporates the practice of embracing goodness into her daily life. Despite life's inevitable challenges, she actively opts for a life abundant with positivity, both in her personal and professional spheres.

Outside of the office, Brandi confronts an exciting yet challenging new reality—homeownership. She recently purchased her first house, fulfilling a lifelong goal of hers. With a touch of creativity from a local contractor, she undertook necessary repairs, transforming the space into a welcoming and cherished home. Alongside this achievement, Brandi revels in the joy of sharing life with a loving partner who seamlessly supports and complements her lifestyle. Adding to the mix, a red-nosed pit bull puppy has nuzzled its way into her family.

Professionally, Brandi thrives in an uplifting and dynamic landscape. In the office, she’s surrounded by a dedicated and passionate team, who never ceases to impress her. At home, she finds quiet sanctuary, spending crucial time and energy shaping the future of Urban Triage and the community it serves.

Brandi Grayson does a little of everything, embracing each role with unmatched energy and fervor. She’s a proud mother of four, a grassroots community organizer, a nonprofit founder, and a small business owner. She’s held titles such as Director of Programming, Analyst, Realtor, and Claims Adjuster, to name a few. She is the Founder, CEO, and President of Urban Triage, Inc., and her own business, Grayson Consulting, LLC.

In 2014, she co-founded the Young, Gifted, and Black Coalition (YGB) and has led Urban Triage as CEO for the last seven years. In this role, she centers on self-awareness and vulnerability as the two key factors to elicit change. Every day, she channels her energy into disentangling our current support networks and weaving new ones—ones based on love and understanding.

Being a bright and powerful catalyst for community change, she was awarded Wisconsin Social Justice Leader of the Year in 2022 and Madison Black Chamber’s Community Leader in 2023. Beyond any professional achievement, Brandi Grayson finds purpose in catalyzing moments of profound transformation within the community around her. Success to her is not a metric worth counting but rather, a story worth telling.

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Jenise is Urban Triage's Director of Programming. She has lived in the greater Madison area for the past year, is passionate about curating change, and actively leaves her footprint on the community daily. Her dedication to overcoming societal barriers and defying statistics makes her a living example of resilience and empowerment for others. 

With a seasoned background in career coaching and motivational speaking through her work at Never Say No Career Coach, a position she's held since January 2022, Jenise has honed her skills in coaching, mentoring, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. 

Jenise thrives in helping others while pursuing her personal and professional growth. Her dynamic leadership and commitment to supporting underserved communities make her an invaluable asset to Urban Triage and Madison.

Ronnie joined Urban Triage in April 2024 and currently serves as a Homeless Outreach & Youth Peer Specialist. His dedication to community outreach and engagement is evident in his work, which focuses on building strong connections with individuals and helping them navigate their path to stability and success. Passionate about youth development and housing advocacy, Ronnie brings a unique energy to his role, consistently striving to uplift those her serves. 

Outside of his work at Urban Triage, Ronnie channels his creativity into his music development and production, showcasing his artistic talents and commitment to self-expression. His passion for music not only fuels his endeavors but also inspires his work with the community, as he encourages others to explore their creative outlets.

Our new hire Aisha is a bright young Black woman who has been shaped by her growing desire to make a meaningful, lasting impact on underserved communities, particularly the youth who represent the future. After achieving success in healthcare financial operations, Aisha realized her true calling lies in directly supporting individuals and helping them navigate challenges that significantly affect their lives. This realization led her to transition into a role where she can work hands-on as an advocate for young adults facing housing insecurities. 

In her previous role as Lead Financial Specialist at Wisconsin Fertility Institute, Aisha developed critical skills in problem-solving, advocacy, and collaboration—skills that are essential to her mission of empowering youth. She thrives in roles that allow her to communicate effectively, educate, and guide others, and she is eager to apply these strengths to support young adults in building secure and hopeful futures. 

Aisha's career shift is more than just a change in direction; it's a response to a deeper calling and a fulfillment of a deeply held purpose. With her background in managing complex cases and working with diverse teams, Aisha is excited to bring her passion and expertise to Urban Triage, where she can help create meaningful change—one young person at a time.

Antavia Grayson was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Urban Triage's CEO, Brandi Grayson. Antavia attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she studied Business Marketing. She is the Operation Manager and Human Resource Manager at Urban Triage. Through this role, she has gained valuable insights into the importance of community and the organization's impact on the greater Madison area.

In her spare time, Antavia enjoys relaxation, taking walks, and spending quality time with her daughter Nahla. She also has a keen interest in home decor and a good eye for aesthetics. Antavia's empathetic nature makes it easy for her to build relationships and connect with people, qualities that have served her well during her tenure at Urban Triage.

Ruthanna is the dedicated Agriculture Program Manager at Urban Triage, where she expertly handles all facets of agricultural programming. Her academic journey culminated in a BA in Bio-Medical Science, which she earned from the University of Wisconsin River Falls in 2017. She embarked on an international service adventure with the Peace Corps after her undergraduate studies. Ruthanna served as an Agriculture extension agent for over two years, acquiring valuable field experience and enriching her knowledge in sustainable agriculture practices.

Her professional background is complemented by a variety of roles she has undertaken in laboratory settings and Animal Care. These positions have allowed her to hone her scientific skills and deepen her understanding of biology in real-world applications. At Urban Triage, Ruthanna leverages this combined expertise to drive impactful programs that support Urban Triage's agricultural initiatives.

Connor joined Urban Triage in April 2024 and is currently working as an Agriculture Specialist. He collaborates closely with Ruthanna who is Urban Triage's Agriculture Program Manager. Connor is a part of the agriculture team to foster sustainable farming practices and support community-driven food initiatives. With a passion for environmental passion and community empowerment, Connor is dedicated to ensuring that local agricultural efforts not only meet the needs of present but also create lasting impact for future generations. 

His expertise in sustainable farming, coupled with a deep understanding of community-based agriculture allows him to help develop programs that provide fresh, locally grown produce to underserved communities. Connor's commitment to food security and resource accessibility reflects Urban Triage's mission to empower individuals and families through agricultural education and community engagement.

Katrina Burnett is a passionate advocate for the homeless community. She has worked with UT for over a year and is the Homeless Outreach Coordinator at Urban Triage. Recently, she was promoted to her current position after demonstrating her commitment and effectiveness as a Homeless Outreach Lead. 

As the Coordinator, Katrina oversees the Unhoused Neighbors program. Her responsibilities include managing outreach initiatives and establishing meaningful connections with individuals who identify as homeless in the community. Her role is vital in providing supportive services, ranging from immediate needs to long-term assistance, such as connecting people to suitable housing options. Under Katrina's guidance, the program provides hope and practical solutions to some of our society's most vulnerable members.

With a tenure that began in September 2021, Katrina Kane has been an influential part of Urban Triage, initially serving in Rental Support before transitioning to her current role as Quality Assurance Lead. In her pivotal position, Katrina is dedicated to elevating the organization's standards by coaching fellow staff members towards excellence and is tasked with ensuring that services meet established standards of excellence.

As a mother of three—two sons and a daughter—family forms the nucleus of Katrina's world. Her professional journey prior to joining Urban Triage was deeply rooted in the childcare sector, where she devoted roughly five years. Following this period, she enriched her portfolio by working with Madison Metropolitan as a Special Education Assistant. In moments away from her responsibilities, Katrina revels in quality time with her children, partaking in shopping sprees, immersing herself in movies, and savoring the joy of dining out. A testament to her engagement with the organization's mission, Katrina appreciates how Urban Triage serves as a pillar in the community by consistently supporting and advancing societal progress.

Kyler's bio is his story of perseverance, opportunity, and chance. 

Born in Kansas City, He was raised by adopted parents in Southern Wisconsin and attended LaCrosse Central & Memorial High. Professionally, Kyler was in the Food & Hospitality Industry, for over a decade, working as Bartender and Server, as well as back of the house. His hobbies consist of enduring nature and staying active. Kyler has spent the last 4 years traveling back and forth from Hawaii. As well as spending time in Las Vegas as a Sous-Chef off the Strip. He comes from a multicultural background and enjoys bringing different perspectives, and experiences to all.

"Personal growth starts from within" is the motto he lives by, throughout his life he has overcome many different things, so to finally feel like he can give back to his community, gives him something to look forward to.

Brannon Holmes has worked as a Housing Navigation Specialist at Urban Triage since November 2023. Before joining Urban Triage, Brannon had a diverse career in the construction industry, gaining experience in various areas. Brannon is a proud member of the Urban Triage team and enjoys the opportunity to help our unhoused neighbors. When he's not working, Brannon enjoys spending time with his son, taking different outdoor adventures, music, and movies.

Sha'rron Mitchell is the epitome of dedication and warmth in his role as a Housing Navigation Specialist at Urban Triage. Renowned in the community for his commitment, Sha'rron extends his passion for helping others beyond his work with unhoused neighbors at The Beacon. A full-time father to two wonderful girls, Rayne and Deniye, he also channels his energy into coaching football and basketball. His ability to infuse humor and positivity into every situation not only uplifts those around him but also brings an invaluable dynamic to our team. We are thrilled to have Sha'rron, a true beacon of good vibes, amongst us at Urban Triage.

Kimi is the housing coordinator for Urban Triage and has been with us since October 2021. She started her career as a rental support specialist and was promoted to housing coordinator in January 2023. She is a mother of two: daughter Ja'Tavia and son Daki. Before joining Urban Triage, Kimi was a CNA at a skilled nursing facility for four years. Her co-workers describe her as patient and kind, and Kimi believes these attributes are valuable and align with Urban Triage's goals and mission.

Tiara Smith is the program coordinator for our doubled-up program and rapid rehousing program. She started at Urban Triage in March of 2022. Moved to Madison from La Crosse in 2013, then graduated in 2016 from Deforest High School. Before joining Urban Triage, she worked at Animal Cracker Inc. for two years, supporting families and children. Tiara is completely selfless, so she humbly appreciates impacting others at any time. When she is not working, she takes care of her daughter and has a part-time job, so she doesn't have much free time. She is, however, a big fan of traveling when she can.

Before joining Urban Triage in March 2024, Sara gained valuable experience in customer service and mental health case management, fields she is truly passionate about. Currently serving as a case manager and housing coordinator, Sare is deeply committed to building relationships that support the community and ensure individuals receive the help they need. Her background in both customer service and mental health allows her to bring a compassionate, experienced approach to her role.

Sara values family above all, spending time with her husband, three grown children, and two grandchildren. Sundays are reserved for family gatherings, often filled with meals and barbecues. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and visiting amusement parks, always seeking ways to create meaningful moments with her loved ones.

In addition to her work at Urban Triage, Sara is passionate about advocating for the community. She believes that Madison is failing to address its pressing needs, particularly in ensuring necessities like housing are accessible. Her mission is to provide the support and resources needed to make individuals feel safe, valued and cared for in the community.

Laylonnie joined Urban Triage in July 2024 and is currently working as a rapid rehousing case manager. She brings a wealth of experience and compassion to Urban Triage. Her commitment to fostering growth and development in the community is evident in her work, where she strives to make a lasting impact on individuals and families, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need.

Marquetta joined Urban Triage in August 2024 and works as a rapid rehousing case manager. She is pivotal in helping individuals and families transition from homelessness to stable housing. With a passion for advocacy and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, Marquetta works tirelessly to connect clients with resources, provide personalized support, and empower them to achieve long-term housing stability. Her commitment to Urban Triage's mission of community upliftment and social equity shines through in every interaction, making a lasting impact on those she serves.

Jatiana Viverette is thrilled to be part of the Urban Triage team! As a proud Black woman, leader, and mother, she finds immense joy in nurturing and uplifting the Black community. Her three incredible boys, Bently, King'ston, and A'pollo, inspire her to spread positivity and empower others to be their best selves every day. With love and support, she believes we all achieve our dreams and thrive in life!

Her favorite quote is, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with, some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Let's join forces and make a real difference!

Ty our new hire is proud to be a member of the Urban Triage team, bringing a passion for helping others and a strong background in healthcare. Before joining Urban Triage, Ty worked as a Medical Support Assistant at the VA Hospital, where they developed strong organizational skills, patient advocacy, and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Their experience includes providing administrative support, coordinating patient care, and ensuring smooth communication between medical staff and veterans. 

Outside of work, Ty is a dedicated parent to three boys and enjoys spending time with them. Ty is an enthusiastic cook who loves experimenting with new recipes and exploring different cuisines. Ty also enjoys listening to podcasts and diving into a good book. Fall is Ty's favorite season, a time when Ty embraces the cooler weather and autumnal activities Ty is excited to contribute their skills and experiences to Urban Triage, supporting the mission of empowering and uplifting communities.