Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
443-474-2966
Campaign Twitter Handle
Background: What in your background and experience qualifies you to be a member of the Baltimore City Council?
As a native Baltimorean, educator, and proud advocate for youth I recognize that with my wealth of knowledge in areas that directly address the needs of our communities across our CIty. I currently attend Morgan State Univ. in the Master of Arts, Special Education Program and I recieved a Bachelors of Science Degree in Social work from Coppin State. I have worked in education for over 30 years as well as a mentor and program leader at my church Union Baptist.
Crime: What specific plans would you propose to reduce homicides, violent crime, theft and vandalism in Baltimore?
The council must continue its oversight, I believe some relationships need to be built and established between City agencies and the community. At this moment, we must fully support our Police Dept and ensure that they have the right resources in place. I will continue to reiterate the importance of accountability and using data to achieve our goals. Also, I recognize that our police department needs support in recruiting and retaining officers from Baltimore, that should be priority.
Education: How would you fund public education in Baltimore, while assuring the quality and ongoing structural maintenance of school buildings?
If we prioritize educational funding, including adult learning programs, many of our issues would weaken. I would fund public education according to the current recommendations of Kirwin. Oversight in school maintenance is important to me, but we also recognize that the City Council does not have much control. If elected, I would ensure that our relationships with both State and Federal stakeholder are urgent and will hold them accountable to ensure our children have great schools.
Health: What strategies do you have to address continued health disparities in Baltimore? What will you do to make sure that the Health Department has the resources it needs to serve all residents?
I would continue to review the Health Departments performance, while ensuring that inclusive research build critical legislation to address the varying disparities our City face. We must trust our partners to deliver resources to our communities while also information sharing and strengthening partnerships. I am a witness to many of these disparities and I do plan to fight for the betterment and health of our City. I will ensure that we allocate the appropriate amount of funding.
Climate and Environment As we face climate change and sea level rise, what would be your priorities to increase sustainable practices by the city and to increase the city’s resilience?
see website
Housing: What strategies do you propose to remove or rehabilitate vacant buildings and provide affordable housing through the new inclusionary housing bill and other means?
We must first own this, for far too long have we allowed vacant properties to stain our communities. I would fully advocate to the council the necessity for tougher laws around abandonment, and property owners who don't intend to build on that property within a specific time frame or risk the City taking over. We must couple that with legislation that streamlines capital into our communities. These funds would be for construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of our neighborhoods.
Council Size: What are the advantages and disadvantages of reducing the size of the City Council?
I believe the advantages of a smaller council for our current City population are far greater. Imagine a smaller council, we’d divide our resources less thin. This would allow for larger council offices that could have greater outreach to communities. If we reduced the council, it would allow for our City agencies to be able to address issues at the ground level, unfortunately many of our disparities are across multiple council districts, and far too often the current council applies a very bro