One of the most important projects in Raleigh centers around transportation. As the former Chair of the Raleigh Transit Authority, I understand the many moving parts from our bus operators to the number of stops with shelters. I understand that public transportation is a necessity, as many residents rely on the bus system to put food on their table. As a member of the Raleigh City Council, I will work to enhance our transit systems while ensuring they are safe and sustainable for everyone, riders, and operators alike. I will work to fund resources for housing and mental health that might otherwise impede on the safety of our systems. As we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into transit initiatives like the Bus Rapid Transit, we have a shortage of bus operators, suspensions of routes and are facing a multimillion-dollar deficit in our system in the coming years. I want to make sure we are equally focused on creating sustainable infrastructure to ensure the future success of our transit system, while finding and supporting other modes of public transit.

As Raleigh continues to grow and progress, we are witnessing a record housing crisis. The number of residents facing homelessness, housing insecurity, and living check to check just to keep a roof over their head is increasing by the day. It is the responsibility of the city council to make sure our growth does not come at the cost of the most vulnerable in the city, and that we are not putting profits over people. The pushout many residents are experiencing is directly connected to the rapid development without enough regard for future impact. We have an opportunity to create a culture in Raleigh that is unique, vibrant, and inclusive. The current cost of basic needs and housing is too high even for the minority of residents that can truly afford it. As a member of the Raleigh City Council, I will fight for equity, smart growth, and the rights of all our citizens. Housing is a human right; I am willing to fight for it.

As Raleigh progressively grows into a bigger city, we are encountering more “big city problems” including an increase in crime. I want to work with the city to increase police pay, so officers and other employees can afford to live where they work, effectively ensuring community-based policing. I will work with all Council members and our Legislators to tackle major issues like human trafficking, drug abuse, lack of mental health resources, and homelessness that are plaguing our growing city. I will work with the police department to come up with innovative and equitable solutions to our problems. We need to engage our youth and young adults more, giving them alternatives to turning to the streets. We should build a pipeline for success like afterschool initiatives, workforce development programs, and safe spaces around the district for youth to go to access resources. I will help increase the capacity of local grassroots organizations, who often work effectively and tirelessly to address these issues everyday, but who need additional resources to close the gap. As the founder of a youth driven nonprofit and a lead of President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative in Wake County, I understand the importance of collaboration to find solutions. Public safety is an issue that deserves an “all hands on deck” approach and requires our departments and agencies to get out of working in silos and come together with evidence-based, solution-driven approaches.