Bregetta Wilson—Embracing, Improving and Empowering

By Kathy Gaillard

            Bregetta Wilson, MS, LPC-IT, has found her niche in life and is making positive, systemic changes in our community. From uncertain beginnings, Wilson has become a change agent who has replaced difficulties with determination.  She is brilliant, tireless, focused, and does whatever it takes to foster positive change.

            Wilson’s personal experiences within the foster care system and as a teen mom have helped her advocate for others because she beat the odds. She not only graduated from college but went on to earn a master’s degree. Wilson is now a licensed psychotherapist and has received national recognition for her efforts in advocating for changes in the foster care system. She understands how essential it is for the voices of families to be included in system change and how working together is necessary to improve the community. It is what led her to birth Embrace, Improve, Empower, LLC.

“One of the things I highlight in my career journey is that you can’t have community without all the systems working together. My organization provides mental health services, and consultation in civic and community engagement, family advocacy and social justice,” said Wilson.

Working tirelessly for the underdog, Wilson is never afraid to call it as she sees it for the benefit of those she serves. She asks the hard questions—always—and is not shy about sharing her experiences and opinions or challenging the status quo.

            “I always try to bring the voice of families to the table in spaces where traditionally children and families have not been included. We talk to youth and families, but we do not always acknowledge them. Their experience and input are the missing pieces to how systems interact with each other. I elevate the voice of families and express how decisions can impact them,” said Wilson.

In addition to serving on various governmental, advisory boards and committees, Wilson’s journey has led her to the Department of Children and Families where she is employed as the Lived Experience Strategic Advisor.

 “I’m not a good bureaucrat because I say things that may not be politically correct but it is important to acknowledge the elephant in the room. When decisions are being made about where dollars go, we have the authority to say where we are going to shift things so that families’ voices are included in decision making,” she said.

Working in government has helped Wilson understand how much power people have, who creates policy, process, and resources, and enabled her to highlight issues that need addressing, in a manner that facilitates change.

Over the past 20 years Wilson finds that, too often, she is the only Black woman in spaces that ultimately affect families and the community. She brings awareness and accountability to the table when advocating for families by putting a new lens on challenges.

“I am an advocate first, a mental health professional and a community leader fighting for social and racial justice. I am at the table with those who are making decisions for families, and I bring a unique perspective to those conversations,” said Wilson.

Thankfully, Wilson is not shy about sharing her opinion or voicing her concerns in an authoritative manner.

            “If families had adequate housing and stable jobs, many of the problems they face could be resolved. How can we collaborate to address those concerns?,” said Wilson.

            If systemic change occurs in our community, Milwaukee has Bregetta Wilson to help make it happen. She is a diamond working for children and families in our community.

For more information or to connect with Embrace, Improve, Empower, LLC, email her at

embraceimproveempower@gmail.com