About Kalan

Kalan believes that the time to make change is now — and that Wisconsin’s future depends on leaders who show up, do the work, and never stop fighting for their people.

Kalan Haywood II is the State Representative for Wisconsin’s Sensational 16th Assembly District — the heart of Milwaukee’s central city and downtown — and has served his community in the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2019. Elected at 19 years old, Rep. Haywood made history as the youngest African American ever elected to state office in Wisconsin, and he remains one of the youngest state legislators in the country.

Now in his fourth term, Rep. Haywood serves as Assembly Assistant Minority Leader, giving Milwaukee a seat at the table in Democratic caucus leadership. In the legislature, he serves as Ranking Member on the Housing and Real Estate Committee, and sits on the Committees on Energy and Utilities, Transportation, Rules, and Assembly Organization. He also serves on the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization and the Joint Legislative Council. Outside the legislature, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the Wisconsin Center District.

Rep. Haywood’s legislative priorities reflect the real challenges his constituents face every day. He has been a consistent champion for affordable housing — fighting for first-time homebuyers, renter protections, and investment in Milwaukee neighborhoods. On criminal justice, he has pushed to reform the juvenile justice system, protect the rights of incarcerated people, and end policies that treat young people as criminals rather than as members of the community. And as someone who was inspired to run for office as a teenager, protecting voting rights has been central to his work from day one — from youth voter registration to restoring voting rights for returning citizens.

Before serving in the Assembly, Rep. Haywood served two terms as President of the City of Milwaukee Youth Council and three terms representing the 6th Aldermanic District on the Council — where he helped direct community development funding and advocate for Milwaukee’s young people. He also served as Chair of the City of Milwaukee Restorative Justice Advisory Board.

Rep. Haywood is a lifelong Milwaukeean. He graduated from Rufus King International High School and is currently pursuing his degree in finance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the Young Elected Officials Network.