Training and Experience
30 years experience in higher education administration and public K-12 education. Served 4 years as a board member for the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. Served 8 years as an elected Board Member of Twinsburg City Schools. Served as the board's legislative liaison. Served on various committees of the Ohio School Boards Association including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as well as the Federal Legislative Advocacy Group Committee. I have lobbied on both the state and federal level.
Volunteer/Community Service
Volunteer coach in Twinsburg's baseball, basketball, and football recreation leagues
My greatest priority is increasing investment in public education and eliminating tax dollars funding private schools. I am also very concerned with attacks on marginalized populations and government involvement in decisions that should be made by individuals and their doctors. The general assembly has continued siphon public dollars to fund private, unaccountable schools when 90% of students in Ohio attend public schools. I will work to end this unconstitutional practice and instead focus on ensuring our public schools have the resources needed to deliver quality education to the vast majority of our students. I will also work to draft policy that protects our most vulnerable students from discrimination.
I support expanding access to voting by increasing the number of ballot drop boxes statewide as well as allowing same day voter registration. I oppose the current arbitrary practice of purging voters from the rolls. Ohio has some of the most stringent rules for voting which disenfranchises many and discourages them from voting. Voting is a fundamental constitutional right and laws should make it easier, not more difficult to participate. As a African-American, my ancestors fought and died for the right to vote. It is sad that this continues in the 21st century, however, I intend to continue this fight.
Government must first ensure that public education is designed to obtain the necessary skills needed to compete in a global society. This requires more focus on instruction and skill building instead of constant standardized tests that do not measure what students know and are able to do. Government can provide economic incentives to companies who work with public schools to create articulation agreements that provide a pathway to internships and apprenticeships upon graduation. Not all students go to college. It is important that they know what skills and competencies companies need that will allow a seamless transition into the workforce.
I would work to ensure the General Assembly honors their commitment to fully fund the Fair School Funding model that is currently being phased in. This is currently the closest Ohio has ever been in addressing funding disparities in public K-12 education. I hope to increase state aide to public and private institutions of high learning. As tuition costs continue to increase, we must work to lessen reliance on student loans.
I believe the state has an obligation to honor home rule and allow local control whenever possible. When the rights of it's citizens in infringed upon, I believe government also has a responsibility to act to protect those rights. I believe it was wrong for the government to diminish the role of the State Board of Education and take place control of our Ohio Department of Education under the Governor. This act took away the ability of those who were duly elected to perform their duties. As such, it represents a gross overreach and abuse by the Government.
I believe decisions involving personal healthcare should be made by the individual and their healthcare provider. I believe the Government has no business dictating what anyone does with their body. Voters resounding defeated Issue 1 in the spring and overwhelming supported the measure in the fall. Our elected officials in the statehouse should respect the will of the people, however this is currently not the case. Overriding the Governors veto of HB 68 is just another example of government taking healthcare decisions out of the hands of parents and into the hands of politicians. This is wrong, plain and simple.
We must do more to become less reliant on fossil fuels and continue to invest more in renewal energy if we are to survive. Global warming is real and we are seeing the effects everyday. Communities must also continue to recycle to further reduce our carbon footprint. I believe government can and should provide economic incentives to companies who work to transition away from practices that harm the environment. Government should do more to provide tax incentives to those who purchase solar panels or buy electric vehicles. These commitments will extend our life expectancy as well as provide a better life for our children.
Government must ensure all institutions foster an environment of inclusion. Currently, there are policies being drafted to discourage and penalize institutions that embrace the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Government has a responsibility to protect ALL of it's citizens from discrimination. When elected officials fail to uphold this responsibility, they must be removed. Gerrymandering has unfortunately allowed discriminatory laws to be passed with little to no accountability. Voters must act to rectify this problem and restore integrity and protect our most vulnerable marginalized populations.
