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What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I was born in North Philadelphia and raised by a union mother and a sharecropper grandmother. It was not easy growing up in North Philly trying to survive the struggles of poverty and systemic inequalities. I began to get into trouble in school, my mother decided to move my sister and me to Northwest Philadelphia for new opportunities. She worked by day as a civil servant and a second job, low-wage, to ensure her children would succeed despite the statistics. Into our hearts she instilled the values of compassion, dedication, and perseverance. She would not rest until she was sure about the state of her children. The love she modeled influenced my work in youth development. I founded a youth empowerment non-profit which has helped thousands of young people access affordable college education and livable-wage jobs. My story is shared by many of my neighbors. We envision a ninth rooted in community, safe and clean streets, quality education, and more resources for our seniors and working class. As a community organizer, I organized my neighborhood to secure these things and learned that every neighborhood deserves them. Thus, fueling my run and ultimately my election in Nov '22.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
I envision a ninth rooted in community, safe and clean streets, quality education, and more resources for our seniors and working class.
Improving Public Safety and Enhancing Quality of Life Quality of Life - Focus on Community Policing & Increased Police Presence and Engagement with our Communities. Advocate for funding to support, clean and beautify our business corridors, and work closely with neighborhood leaders/block captains to provide each block with resources.
Strengthening our Schools - Focus on delivering better resources for our children and creating initiatives to increase parent and community involvement in our schools.
Delivering Responsive & Reliable City Services for Our Community - A District Office that will serve the residents of the 9th District, be their advocate with city agencies, and treat all with compassion and respect. (Reword or add to include more resources for seniors and working class).
What sets you apart from other candidates?
When I was first elected during November’s special election, I asked voters to entrust me with our neighborhood and city’s future. I won’t stop serving them. As I knocked doors, neighbors reminisced on the past of the community and the quality. Within 10 days of being sworn in, I introduced legislation to address the desires of our neighbors to rid residential communities of parked heavy commercial trucks (such as 18-wheelers). As an educator, I have firsthand experience of the issues facing our schools and more importantly, our young people. I serve as the chair of the Committee on Children and Youth. I will prioritize enhancing meaningful community programs to uplift our next generation. It has been a personal goal to visit every school in my district within my first few months to address the concerns of our parents and school professionals. The impact of public safety and quality city services affect me too. I have traveled throughout the district with officials to address the immediate needs of our community. I have experience and results in the role. The 9th District does not need anymore words or promises, but action. I will continue to work for my neighbors.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
I made a promise to address the concerns of my neighbors. As mentioned, I introduced legislation to address the desires of our neighbors to rid residential communities of parked heavy commercial trucks (such as 18-wheelers), which create eyesores and public nuisances. My legislation accomplishes the goal of addressing the need for consistent enforcement of the law while meeting the legitimate needs of truckers. I am working with my colleagues across the ideological lines as well as district line to address the needs of our neighbors. I will continue to champion issues with my colleagues for the prosperity of our city.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes
