For the first time in decades, there’s a new leader at the Milwaukee County Zoo.The zoo’s new executive director is making history in Milwaukee and across the nation.Amos Morris has always loved animals.”I spent most of my young life wanting to take care of animals and I didn’t know how or what that was,” he told WISN 12. “It was very one-sided at the beginning of my career. There weren’t many opportunities for people of color in our profession.”Letting his passion lead to his purpose, he started as a zookeeper at the St. Louis County Zoo.That was before he embarked on a career that would take him to California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Rhode Island.Morris broke barriers at every stop.”Zoos across the country started looking at themselves like how do we become more diverse butted that was a turning point in the opportunities for leadership in this profession,” he said.Morris recently became the first Black person to hold the position in the zoo’s more than 120-year history.He was modest about his place in history.”That was never my goal. My goal was always to do the best at what I do,” Morris said.”What do you think that you in this role does for representation and being able to inspire a new generation?” WISN 12’s Gerron Jordan asked him.”On the most simplest side, it says to a young person that, well, it’s achievable… when they see themselves, it’s attainable,” Morris said.
For the first time in decades, there’s a new leader at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
The zoo’s new executive director is making history in Milwaukee and across the nation.
Amos Morris has always loved animals.
“I spent most of my young life wanting to take care of animals and I didn’t know how or what that was,” he told WISN 12. “It was very one-sided at the beginning of my career. There weren’t many opportunities for people of color in our profession.”
Letting his passion lead to his purpose, he started as a zookeeper at the St. Louis County Zoo.
That was before he embarked on a career that would take him to California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Rhode Island.
Morris broke barriers at every stop.
“Zoos across the country started looking at themselves like how do we become more diverse butted that was a turning point in the opportunities for leadership in this profession,” he said.
Morris recently became the first Black person to hold the position in the zoo’s more than 120-year history.
He was modest about his place in history.
“That was never my goal. My goal was always to do the best at what I do,” Morris said.
“What do you think that you in this role does for representation and being able to inspire a new generation?” WISN 12’s Gerron Jordan asked him.
“On the most simplest side, it says to a young person that, well, it’s achievable… when they see themselves, it’s attainable,” Morris said.
