Former Alderman Rainey Out Of City Job
Rainey spent less than a year as head of the Office of African American Affairs he helped create.
Ald. Khalif Rainey speaks at May 2023 Melvina Park groundbreaking. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
Former alderman Khalif Rainey is resigning from his job atop the Office of African American Affairs, a city agency he helped create in 2016. Mayor Cavalier Johnson is appointing Melissa Buford to fill the post.
“Melissa is a talented and accomplished individual who gets things done. I have high expectations she will continue her exemplary work in this new role,” said Johnson in a statement. Buford has served on Johnson’s staff since 2022.
Rainey served on the Common Council from 2016 to April 2024. He was named to the administration job in May 2024.
“Khalif has served city government as someone who brought new ideas to his work. As an alderman and an administrator, he prioritized the best interests of our residents,” said Johnson. “I wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Rainey, according to a budget document, was to be paid $104,500 in 2025, an approximately $30,000 increase over his aldermanic salary.
The city’s office focuses on connecting the Black community with city resources and private partners. The office is formally located within the Department of Administration, but it operates a public-facing one-stop location at 4830 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
According to the 2025 city budget, the office has seven funded positions. That includes a new director position with a budgeted salary of $95,000. Darryl Davidson previously led the office, though his position in the budget is formally the “community engagement and achievement collaboration manager” with a budgeted $94,360 salary. The department is also funded to have a program manager, grant manager, program assistant, grant assistant and grant compliance coordinator.
Buford previously worked for Milwaukee Public Schools and holds a master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University.
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