July 26, 2025 | Ricardo Wynn

Legendary Chad Alain Mikli: celebrating QPOC brilliance

Meet the people who are igniting Milwaukee's Ballroom House scene with passion and heat.

Legendary Chad Alain Mikli (photo by Glenda Mitchell of Our Lives Magazine)

In fall 2023, Legendary Father Chad Alain Mikli made history as the the first Legend of Wisconsin Ballroom.

The Ballroom scene has long been a sanctuary for Queer People of Color (QPOC), a space where art, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression converge. In Wisconsin, the House and Ballroom community is thriving, not only as a vibrant cultural movement but as a lifeline for those seeking family, empowerment, and liberation.

At the heart of this movement stands Legendary Father Chad Alain Mikli, a visionary who was deemed the first Legend in Wisconsin Ballroom history. His recognition is more than a personal achievement, it is a testament to years of commitment to the floor, community, and the evolution of Ballroom across Milwaukee, Wisconsin and beyond.

The rise of Ballroom in Wisconsin

Milwaukee’s Ballroom culture is raw, fearless, and brimming with authenticity. Unlike the large scenes of New York or Chicago, Milwaukee brings its own grit and intensity, one where every performance becomes a moment, win or lose.

The Ballroom floor here isn’t just about competition; it’s about liberation.

The city’s Ballroom community has shaped the broader cultural landscape of Wisconsin, influencing fashion, music, art, and youth programs. Through school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and mentorship, Ballroom has created safer, more affirming spaces for queer and trans youth of color, inspiring them to embrace authenticity and self-expression.

Chad's trailblazing leadership

Chad’s impact is woven deeply into this legacy. In 2008, he founded the House of DIMERA (Deciding Individuality Means Everyday Reality Acceptance), a space rooted in love, transformation, and radical acceptance. The house welcomed those often counted out the “worst of the worst” and helped them blossom into their fullest selves.

Later, Chad aligned with the House of Alain Mikli, where he continues to serve as the Milwaukee Chapter Father.

Known for walking in the category of Bizarre, Chad is celebrated for redefining creativity and pushing the limits of performance. His artistry, however, is matched only by his community leadership ensuring Ballroom is not just a show, but a source of real empowerment.

The power of QPOC visibility

Milwaukee's Ballroom scene holds special weight. Ballroom has always been a safe haven, where queer and trans people of color could build chosen families, carve out joy, and amplify their voices in a world that often tried to erase them.

In Wisconsin, this celebration honors both the pioneers who paved the way and the new generation of leaders who continue to push boundaries. As Chad himself notes, it is about more than performance: it’s about resilience, creativity, unity, and cultural transformation.

Legendary Father Chad Alain Mikli

Looking forward: legacy and growth

As Wisconsin’s first Legend, Chad’s recognition cements not only his place in history but also the promise of what’s to come. The future of Ballroom in the state is expansive: more collaboration with local organizations, deeper support for youth, and stronger cultural visibility.

Chad envisions a Ballroom community where every voice matters and every performer is uplifted. But he is also clear about what is needed: true partnership, financial investment, and respect from local organizations that claim to support the culture. With these, Milwaukee’s Ballroom will continue to thrive, evolve, and inspire.

Wisconsin’s Ballroom scene is more than an underground culture, it is a beacon of QPOC resilience and brilliance. From the floor battles that electrify the community to the mentorship that changes lives, Ballroom is shaping a louder, prouder, and more unapologetic Wisconsin.

And at the center of this movement stands Chad Alain Mikli, whose legendary status is both a personal triumph and a victory for all those who have walked, danced, and lived unapologetically in the spirit of Ballroom. His story is proof that when QPOC communities create, lead, and thrive they don’t just change the floor, they change the culture.

This story also appeared in the 2025 Pride in Color issue of Our Lives Magazine.

Legendary Father Chad Alain Mikli