Why are you running for office?
Our city is at a crossroads with overdevelopment and inflated costs driving out the residents that built this city and keep it running. Saint Pete needs a bold and creative leader that provides pathways to opportunity, expands services that allows everyone to live with dignity and increases checks on developers and corporations that ensure their presence is equally beneficial to our community. As a community organizing, bridge-building, creative I whole-heartedly believe that leader is me!
What is your top priority on day 1?
Addressing the affordability crisis inclusive of expanding services to our unhoused residents. The amount of people unable to meet their basic needs in Saint Pete is a jarring juxtaposition to the Residences at 400 Central. A reality that doesn't sit right with me.
Other than your day 1 priority, what keeps you up at night?
That Saint Pete will lose the charming, accessible, and unique traits that make it such a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Let me be clear. I am not anti-development. But, I do not think it should come at the expense of our community.
What’s something you’ve heard from residents that really stuck with you?
In a conversation with Terri Lipsey Scott, Executive Director of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, she made an excellent point that not only is the price of housing a roadblock to success but also, "how are people going to pay rent without a decent paying job?" Saint Pete has a job shortage issue and many of those have stagnant wages that fail to keep up with the rising costs of living or are not accessible to disenfranchised communities.We need jobs in sustainable industries that provide equal opportunity for all and are beneficial to moving our city forward.
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did more of?
Brought government to the people and really listened to the wants and needs of their constituents. House Representative Michelle Raynor said it best, " Never miss the opportunity to remind elected officials that they work for you." It's my opinion that many appointed leaders forget that when they are making decisions. Governing bodies need to avail themselves to residents and lead with transparency and integrity,
For the seat you’re seeking, what is something you wish government did less of?
Reacting to crises rather than preparing for them. How will you measure your success? I served as a Marketing Coordinator for a food and beverage provider at USF Saint Pete for three years, where the campus embodied the motto Seen. Valued. Herd (a play on the word Heard in keeping with the university's mascot, the bull). I will measure success by ensuring that my constituents know that I see, value, and hear them and will fight tirelessly to turn that feedback into tangible realities.
How will you measure your success?
I served as a Marketing Coordinator for a food and beverage provider at USF Saint Pete for three years, where the campus embodied the motto Seen. Valued. Herd (a play on the word Heard in keeping with the university's mascot, the bull). I will measure success by ensuring that my constituents know that I see, value, and hear them and will fight tirelessly to turn that feedback into tangible realities.
How do you recharge when you're not campaigning or working?
Music is my first love and is an essential part of my life. I fill my home in Historic Uptown with it and my time at our many live music venues Ruby's Elixir being my favorite) or creating my own. I also practice yoga, frequent art galleries, and travel!