Position/philosophy statement
My life's work built on servant-leadership, prioritizing people over policy, and advocating for transparency and accountability in governance.
Current Occupation
Non-Profit Executive Director and Community Leader
Campaign Phone
3365876062
I’m in my 2nd term on the County Planning Board, where we are responsible for county-wide zoning. The Planning Board is said to be the best training ground to serve at the commissioner level.
My commitment to public service runs deep as a former teacher in Guilford & Alamance, and professor at 2 colleges, recently HPU. I've led a local non-profit for youth since 2012, & advocated for affordable housing, public safety, & criminal justice reform.
For 20+ years of public work, I received the Old North State Award by Gov. Roy Cooper & an appointment to NC Courts Commission since 2018 as the only non-attorney/legislative member. There, I’ve advocated against juvenile vaping for bail reform. I have served as a congregational leader for 23 years.
GCS’s share of federal funding is in limbo along with $46 Million of deferred maintenance. With 53% of the county’s budget funding schools, commissioners & the school board must work more creatively to avert crisis. In schools we have vulnerable immigrant students that will need officials to advocate if raids were to destabilize households as it has in Mecklenburg & Wake. Secondly, our county lacks affordable housing which is amplified outside city municipalities since dense, multi-family developments aren’t allowed. Therefore, the cost of new housing in rural areas is less affordable. With the growth brought by big business, the Commission will have to work fast to identify attainable housing in rural areas, without absorbing agriculture.
From my perspective as a former teacher in GCS, commissioners must identify more supplemental pay for teachers and classified employees because we are losing our talent to neighboring counties, even across state lines, where pay is more prime. Many teachers can no longer afford to teach, and therefore are seeking other career paths, which is a loss of genuine professionals who have to prioritize providing for themselves and their families. I would support the 1/4 cent tax referendum to raise the capital for these purposes. I'd also like to spearhead the expansion of mental health services for upper-level students who are experiencing crisis. Our students/youth are in dire need of new & innovative approaches to deal with their anxieties.
Currently, we have a small business & entrepreneurship program that provides equal access to participate in all aspects of contracting & procurement programs, including various professional services & construction. While new & exciting development is moving to town, many small businesses are on the verge of closing. Also, small business contractors are often met with red tape that makes it harder to access a piece of the pie when bidding for work. I propose to expand support services & public awareness around local businesses, which keeps Guilford dollars in Guilford. Further, I would like to curate an initiative that recruits talent from the 6 colleges here to encourage post-grads to establish themselves in Guilford.
I would like to advocate for mental health care expansion. So many adults are suffering from substance abuse crisis and life-altering traumas that has escalated the rise in mental health crisis across everywhere. Guilford’s new behavioral health center is distinguished as being the first to offer urgent and crisis-level services health in one location, and I would like to build upon that foundation of innovation. I would also like to expand health care initiatives to rural areas, particularly to seniors and others who may be suffering from a reduction in access to health care due to new federal laws.
Since gaining substantial support in ‘22 for this seat with nearly 47% of the vote, I’m running again to bring a fresh perspective to local politics & to join the outcry for relevant representation of everyday issues impacting a broad base of folk. I also want to grow Guilford while supporting, helping, & representing people. Not as a black person, not as a person of faith, not as an activist, but as a person who feels the burden of all. Many are sick without access to prime healthcare, facing eviction/housing insecurity, underemployment and disenchantment with politics. Our justice system is stressed by the influx of crime, particularly involving youth who are fighting hopelessness & mental health crises, while our system of public education is in dire straits with post-pandemic dilemmas. Our elderly are concerned with being priced out/taxed out of their neighborhoods. Also, the looming threat of ICE also demands local leadership that will advocate for all. I will be that voice.
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