Campaign Phone
2164025849
Occupation
Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
BA, MA and Ph.D. in Sociology
Professor at UT Arlington (18 yrs)
Director Center for African American Studies (9 yrs)
Board Member, Arlington Museum of Art
Board Member, Levitt Pavillion
The Village United Methodist Church, Scholarship Committee Chair (10 yrs)
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Arlington Graduate Chapter
I am running because I am committed to Arlington becoming the Dream City. I served as Chair of the Arlington Unity Council for two consecutive terms from June 2021 - June 2025. I also chaired this committee in its capacity as a special taskforce from June 2020 - February 2021. Former Mayor Williams appointed me, and current Mayor Ross continued my leadership due to strong productivity. I’m very proud of my work with the Unity Council, and want to continue moving our city forward!
Major decisions must include feedback from residents of Arlington. I will consult with the community via research, surveys, townhall meetings, and hosting regular "office hours" at different locations across the city. Also, increasing media communications about city council meeting decisions, and community forums for easier access to city council members will help improve transparency.
Local government is very impactful on our everyday lives. My grandparents grew up in during segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Their city did not protect them from discrimination, which is why they and many other people left. We don’t want that to happen here in Arlington. At the very least, our city should protect citizens by investigating complaints of discrimination, and hold people accountable for their unlawful actions.
Local law enforcement frequently collaborates with federal law enforcement. For example, the Arlington PD works with the FBI. The Arlington PD should continue to cooperate with ICE in matters that are critical to safety and disturbing the peace in our neighborhoods and businesses. However, our local police officers should not become defacto immigration officers. Rather, they should continue to focus on their primary mission, which is protecting the public, property, maintaining law and order.
The top three issues facing Arlington are: 1) economic development (the need to continue to bring high-quality jobs to the city), 2) housing challenges (including homelessness, public safety, and the rising cost of single-family homes and rent), and 3) public transportation. We need: affordable starter homes for young families (including condos and townhouses); single-level homes for seniors; high quality apartments in downtown and the Entertainment District; and "Empowerment Zones" in the city.
Campaign Phone
8173718038
Occupation
Professor
I received my Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and my Master of Arts from Texas Woman's University. I have been a public school teacher and professor of English and Business Communications for 38 years. After being elected three times, I am in my eighth year of serving on the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees and as the immediate past president.
With the terming out of Barbara Odom-Wesley and Andrew Piel, I believe my eight years of leadership experience on the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees will benefit the Arlington City Council. I have experience serving on the budget, finance, and audit committees, the government committee, and community relations committee. As Board Trustees, we serve the entire community of Arlington, not just one area. I chose to run in the at-large position so I can continue serving all citizens of Arlington.
The best input actually occurs before the council meeting. Town halls, surveys, and work sessions are good ways to gather citizen input before decisions are made. I would also support advance notice of the agenda, early submission of comments and questions, online submission forms, voicemail or recorded comments, pre-registration to speak and allow virtual speakers. Citizens need to know that their input does matter.
The goal will always be to design policies that are legally durable, equity-focused in practice, and compliant in language. All policies should be grounded in long-standing protections. All citizens should be guaranteed equal access to city services, programs, and funding. Arlington relies on federal funding for things such as housing, public safety, and infrastructure. The City must make sure it meets all requirements while also ensuring no citizen is excluded from city services.
I support limited, well-defined cooperation with federal immigration authorities but only when it involves those convicted of serious violent crimes. I do not support broad agreements that make our local officers turn into federal agents. Local police should focus on local crime and not federal immigration enforcement. The city of Arlington's priority must continue to be public safety, civil rights, and strong community relationships. Safety and protection of rights must always prevail.
Arlington's biggest challenges are affordable housing and transportation. The city needs to approach these issues with balanced solutions that improve the lives of its citizens. Arlington could explore public-private partnerships working with developers to reduce costs and invest in rehab programs for older homes rather than new builds. For transportation, the city could expand Via, our on-demand program creating transit hubs at key corridors. By working together, we can work towards solutions.
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