Wednesday night, there were some new workers in the Deer District. Numerous Milwaukee youth ambassadors were hired as part of a collaboration with the Bucks and the Office of Violence Prevention to ensure that the fans were having a good time and were safe.
For the first time ever, the Bucks are paying over 60 ambassadors, ranging in age from 17 to 24, to help Fiserv Forum security ensure that everyone is safe in the Deer District throughout the postseason.
One of those ambassadors working to ensure the smooth operation of Wednesday night’s playoff game is Deja Branch, 23.
“We are here as ambassadors; it is what we do! Go, group! Branch yelled, “Go bucks!” It’s really motivating. Since this is my first time participating in something similar, I feel honored and am quite appreciative for the chance.
Using a unique phone allotted to each section, their responsibility is to assist any curious Bucks fans and alert Fiserv security if anything untoward occurs in their vicinity. Deja and her team had a base in Zone 2.
Branch demonstrated to Mariam Mackar of TMJ4 what they are instructed to do on those specialized phones in the event of an emergency in their region.
“We go to the group chats and we [send a message] about the zone that we’re in, saying if it’s clear, or something is happening, and that will let [security] know that we need help over here,” she said.
The phone calls security and the group’s manager. Sequanna Taylor, who oversees Milwaukee County’s District 5 for Deja, is one of the supervisors.
Taylor praised the Milwaukee Bucks and the Office of Violence Prevention for working together to support young people and demonstrate to the city that there are young people out there who care.
Quinn Taylor, the ambassadorship program’s manager at the Office of Violence Prevention, concurs.
“Working with the youth to provide these types of opportunities has been a joy, it’s been a lot of fun,” he said.
And according to Deja, the young people engaged have had just as much fun.
It’s very incredible. The folks I work with are incredible. We are a team because we joke around, work together, and support one another.
She is enticing others to participate later on as well.
You can accomplish anything if I can. It’s a wonderful experience; never give up on your goals; don’t be afraid to take risks. Just trust yourself and make that great leap of faith.
During additional big citywide events, the Office of Violence Prevention hopes to add more youth ambassador positions. They want to involve as many young people as they can.
