Currently holds the office of Roanoke City Council until December 31, 2028.
Candidate for Roanoke City Council in 2024 Virginia General Election.
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Get StartedVideo Monitoring – Increase camera coverage of public areas and downtown Roanoke to deter criminals, and aid in the investigation and apprehension of perpetrators. Learn more
Gun Violence in Roanoke City is a multifaceted issue that requires a deliberate and strategic approach. We must both support our Law Enforcement Officers in their efforts to combat gun violence, youth gang participation, the sale of illegal firearms, and the sale of illicit drugs while also ensuring that we are providing our at-risk youth with the necessary environment, resources, and guidance to stay out of trouble. Learn more
Target Hardening – Create a grant program to help Roanoke citizens purchase home security equipment for their homes such as motion lights, video cameras, doorbells, door/window alarms, etc. Learn more
Enhanced Street Lighting – We need to hold AEP accountable to fixing lights that are reported out quicker. We also need to upgrade the quality of residential street lighting to improve neighborhood safety and visibility, without increasing light pollution. Learn more
Promote relationship building between our law enforcement officers and high-risk youth. Learn more
Roanoke’s roads and streets should be constructed and designed to ensure safety, ease of access, and efficiency for everyone who uses them. Pedestrians and bicyclists should feel safe when traveling on sidewalks and clearly marked and protected bike lanes, and motorists should be able to reach their destination in a fast and efficient manner. Learn more
Provide Law Enforcement Officers with superior training techniques, educational materials, and public safety resources. Learn more
Create new, engaging after-school programs, and provide necessary resources to existing after-school programs. Learn more
Increase economic and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth. Learn more
Making it easier to access capital, particularly for marginalized and lower-income individuals. Learn more
It takes a lot of money and a lot of time to start a business, and far too often individuals aren’t aware of the opportunities and resources that can help them get started. This means getting access to the necessary capital, particularly for minority individuals who’ve been excluded from the market far more than their counterparts. It’s also important that we recognize business owners may make mistakes when filling out forms or may have to make certain payments late. I believe that we should not penalize them for this, but instead work with and educate them so that these mistakes are not made again. Learn more
Incentivizing business in vital sectors such as grocery, healthcare, and childcare to locate in areas that can be accessed by everyone in Roanoke City. Learn more
It is important to me that Roanoke is the go-to destination for future businesses both big and small. I want to make sure that the businesses that operate in our city benefit the citizens by offering jobs with a livable wage and benefits, while at the same time putting the proper resources in place so that any person that has the passion or desire can become a business owner. Learn more
Expand Career and Technical Education programs and access to careers directly from high school. Learn more
Ensure schools are about more than just academics, but a place that teaches emotional intelligence and financial literacy. Learn more
Increase use of ACE score to connect students with resources and services. Learn more
Improve college preparedness. Learn more
Coordinating with the Roanoke City School Board and local universities and colleges to get students career-ready, particularly through technical education and certification and internships. Learn more
The children are our future, and we owe it to them to provide every opportunity we can for them to learn and grow. City Council has a responsibility to be an active participant in our school system. We must ensure that our school’s leadership is responsive to the needs of our students, parents and teachers, be that through providing accommodations to students with individualized education programs (IEP) or working with the school board to find a new transportation service, with the ultimate goal of insourcing RCPS transportation. Learn more
Promoting building efficiency through LEED certification and contracting with sustainably-minded construction companies. Learn more
Increasing Roanoke’s tree canopy. Learn more
Installing cool pavements to reduce the heat island effect in areas of Roanoke. Learn more
Using new forms of asphalt that withstand the impact of climate change. Learn more
Expanding and incentivizing non-motorized transportation. Learn more
Reducing food waste in local landfills. Learn more
Climate Change is real and the dangers it poses to our environment will have severe impacts on our city’s health and economic future if we are not proactive in our approach to address it. Learn more
Working with residents and business owners to increase solar utilization and the installation of white or green roofs. Learn more
Increasing Roanoke’s recycling capability to include soft plastics. Learn more
Roanoke City is so diverse and culturally rich. We must continue to champion policies and practices that help us become a more loving and caring city for all to call home. Learn more
As a proud Black man, I understand and relate to the everyday struggles that so many of our citizens face. Discrimination comes in many forms, and we must work together to promote equity and inclusivity in all aspects of our city. Some Roanokers face discrimination because of who they choose to love, others because they choose to express who they truly are. As your councilman, I will always stand up for all people who live in Roanoke regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, age, disAbility, political party, or religion. Learn more
Incentivizing mixed-income housing. Learn more
Holding landlords accountable for not properly managing properties. Learn more
In recent years Roanoke City has begun to take steps to address our city’s housing crisis, but many Roanokers still struggle to afford housing. According to recent reports, over half of Roanokers who rent are either cost-burdened or severely cost-burdened paying upwards of 50% of their gross income on housing alone. We must stay committed to providing true affordable housing, meaning that no one is paying more than 30% of their gross income on housing costs, including utilities. Learn more
Allocating funding from the general budget for our land bank program. Learn more
I will make it a priority to ensure that all quadrants of Roanoke City receive adequate attention and funding. This will ensure that the roads and streets are smooth and marked with proper traffic lines, that all sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops are safe and ADA accessible, and that housing is affordable and properly maintained. Learn more
Installing more shade structures in our parks and event spaces. Learn more
To improve traffic safety and efficiency, I will advocate for the implementation of an Intelligent Traffic Management System and traffic cameras in neighborhoods and school zones where excessive speeding occurs. Learn more
Encourage brownfield development. Learn more
Promoting Amtrak expansion and bus line access to make it easier for workers to get to and from work efficiently. Learn more
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