• Ward 5 deserves a city government that is accessible, accountable, and deeply connected to the needs of its residents. Growing up in Chicago’s Robert Taylor Homes, I witnessed the power of community as my grandmother fought for better housing and my mother worked alongside grassroots movements for justice. Those experiences shaped my belief that the government should serve as a partner to the people, not a barrier to progress.

    In Minneapolis, I’ve dedicated my career to tackling housing inequities, violence prevention, and community safety. Whether working as a Family Achievement Coach supporting families, advocating for dignified housing, or serving in City government to address systemic challenges, my approach has always been rooted in listening, acting with integrity, and delivering results.

    I understand how frustrating it can be to navigate a system that feels unresponsive or out of reach. As your City Council member, I’m committed to changing that by ensuring my work at City Hall is transparent, accessible, and centered on your needs. I will prioritize accessibility by being a visible and engaged leader, demonstrate accountability through clear communication and measurable results, and champion equity by dismantling systemic barriers and uplifting every resident in Ward 5.

    Ward 5 deserves a representative who will lead with empathy, purpose, and determination. Together, we can build a municipal government that doesn’t just work for you but works with you to create a stronger, more vibrant community.

    As your next City Council member, I will:

    • Host Regular Community Office Hours – I’ll be accessible, meeting with you directly to hear your concerns, answer your questions, and take action on what matters most to you.

    • Convening of Community Leaders - A quarterly meeting that allows for a coalition of Northside leaders and community members to come together and advance policy that is specific to their neighborhoods.This will be In partnership with community organizations like V3, and Uroc, childcare should be included.

    • Be an Active, Year-Round Presence – My commitment to our community won’t just come during election years. I will be out in the neighborhood, building relationships and staying connected to the people I represent.

    • Leverage Citywide Relationships for Ward 5’s Benefit – I will work with city leaders, organizations, and advocates across Minneapolis to bring new ideas and resources to our ward. Your needs are my top priority, and I’ll use every tool at my disposal to help fulfill them.

    Ward 5 deserves a leader who will be both strong and compassionate, a leader who delivers results without losing sight of the human element behind every issue. I’m ready to be that leader, and together, we will build a better future for our neighborhood.

  • Safety is a Right: Equitable Resources for Ward 5

    Ward 5 residents deserve safety, security, and peace of mind because safety is a right, not a

    privilege. For too long, Ward 5 has been labeled as one of the most violent areas in our city, yet

    it continues to be underresourced and underserved. It’s time for change.

    As your city council representative, I will fight for a fully staffed and funded public safety

    ecosystem that prioritizes equity and meets the unique needs of Ward 5. This includes a

    comprehensive approach that blends both sworn officers and non-sworn public safety services,

    ensuring every call for help is met with the appropriate response.

    Ward 5 residents deserve access to emergency services that are adequately staffed and funded.

    Currently, Ward 5 has the highest call volume in the city, yet it suffers from critically low

    staffing levels, especially during overnight shifts when patrols are stretched dangerously thin.

    This imbalance is unacceptable.

    I will advocate for:

    • Equitable Funding to guarantee Ward 5 has the same level of resources as other wards.

    • Fully Staffed Emergency Services to handle high call volumes efficiently, day and night.

    • A Balanced Public Safety Approach that integrates traditional policing with community-based violence prevention programs.

    • Investments in Prevention to address the root causes of violence and build a safer, more resilient community.

    Public Safety That Centers Community and Restorative Justice

    We all deserve to live in safe, thriving communities, no matter our race, economic class, or religion. On the Northside, we have the opportunity to lead Minneapolis into a new era of public safety, one that prioritizes dignity, equity, and compassion. By focusing on culturally competent mental health responses, violence prevention, deescalation and timely law enforcement responses we can build a public safety system that works for everyone.

    I recognize the value of our police officers and the critical role they play in maintaining public safety. However, the current system is overburdened and understaffed. This challenge provides a unique opportunity to build out evidence-based alternative responses and prevention models that work as a compliment to law enforcement. When implemented with fidelity, these approaches strengthen the community’s relationship with law enforcement, prioritize law enforcement responses to the most serious incidents, and allow the community to create systems of compassionate accountability for lower-level issues resulting in a more holistic and effective safety system.

    Safety is about more than just policing; it’s about addressing the root causes of crime. It’s about investing in our youth, creating real opportunities through vocational training, mentorship, and community-oriented professional development programs.

    Our young people deserve a future they can see, believe in, and actively build, not just dream of from a distance.

    As your City Council Member, I will champion a community centered public safety approach

    by:

    • Increasing resources for investigative units, ensuring justice is timely and thorough.

    • Implementing restorative justice practices that give young people alternatives to incarceration, helping them take accountability and repair harm while avoiding criminal records.

    • Expanding community-based victim services to ensure survivors of crime, including those impacted by sex crimes and hit-and-run incidents, receive the care and justice they deserve.

    • Prioritizing intervention and prevention strategies, including conflict resolution and trauma-informed approaches, to stop violence before it starts.

    • Supporting the creation of a Community Center for the Northside, a community center run by and for residents, not owned by the city, where young people can gather, learn, and grow.

    The Northside can lead Minneapolis in creating a public safety model that invests in people.

    Together, we can ensure every resident, especially our youth, have the support and resources they need to live safely and with dignity.

  • For too long, small businesses on the Northside have faced broken promises, missed opportunities, and systemic neglect. The Northside is brimming with untapped potential, and I envision a future that includes a vibrant Northside business corridor, bustling hub of economic activity and community pride. Rejuvenating this corridor is not just about supporting businesses; it’s about revitalizing our neighborhoods, creating jobs, and fostering a sense of connection and opportunity for all Ward 5 residents.

    This kind of transformation doesn’t happen without bold, relentless advocacy. I will fight for the tools, investments, and policies necessary to bring this vision to life. At City Hall, I will be your fierce advocate, ensuring that the priorities and aspirations of Northside residents are front and center in every decision.

    As your City Council Member, I will:

    • Establish Community-Led Working Groups
      Create a coalition of Northside residents, business owners, and community leaders to craft a shared vision for revitalizing commercial areas on the Northside. Together, we’ll identify barriers, prioritize investments, and hold the city accountable for real progress.

    • Push for a Commercial Property Development Fund
      Advocate for a dedicated fund to transform vacant and underutilized properties on the Northside. This initiative will revitalize neglected spaces, support the growth of new and existing businesses, and foster a vibrant, connected community.

    • Expand Financial and Technical Assistance for Entrepreneurs
      Strengthen and prioritize city programs that help small businesses grow and thrive, with a focus on marginalized communities most impacted by structural poverty. Entrepreneurs deserve accessible resources and expert guidance to overcome challenges and succeed.

    • Create Meaningful Incentives for Small Businesses
      Advocate for city incentives such as reduced property taxes and other benefits for small businesses that invest in the Northside, helping them grow while reducing financial burdens.

    • Support Immigrant Entrepreneurs
      Provide resources such as language and legal translation services to ensure immigrants can navigate the challenges of starting a business and contribute to the cultural and economic diversity of the Northside.

    • Launch a Business Accelerator Program
      Develop a city-run program to mentor and support a cohort of aspiring small business owners, guiding them through the business planning process. Those who complete the program will be eligible for interest-free loans to help bring their vision to life.

    The Northside business corridor is a cornerstone of our community’s economic future. By prioritizing its rejuvenation, we’re not only creating opportunities for small businesses but also building a more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous Ward 5. Together, we can turn untapped potential into a thriving reality.

  • Every person, regardless of income, deserves a safe, dignified and affordable place to call home. Stable housing is the foundation of thriving communities, healthy families, and strong schools.  As your City Council member, I will carry forward the torch from Council member Ellison and fight tirelessly for housing stability on the Northside. I am committed to taking bold, unapologetic action to address our housing crisis and stand firmly with both renters and homeowners to ensure everyone in Ward 5 has the opportunity to thrive.

    I recognize that renters and homeowners face different challenges, but we share a common goal: housing security. Renters need strong protections from skyrocketing costs and unjust evictions, while homeowners need support to keep their homes and build wealth for their families. I pledge to represent the needs of both by creating policies that uplift all members of our community.

    As your council member, I will:

    • Ensure Stable Homes, Stable Schools: Collaborate with Minneapolis Public Schools and community organizations to ensure families are not displaced, giving students the stability they need to succeed in school.

    • Support Community Violence Interruption Programs: Invest in initiatives that address root causes of violence, connecting stable housing to safer neighborhoods.

    • Champion Rent Stabilization: Will be a champion for renters by advocating for policies that cap rent increases to protect renters from housing instability.

    • Fully Invest in Public Housing: Fund critical renovations and ensure public housing remains a viable option for those who need it.

    • Prioritize Multi-Family Housing: Focus on building affordable multi-family units that better meet the needs of working families, rather than prioritizing single-family homes.

    • Pass a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act: Empower renters to purchase their homes when landlords decide to sell, preventing displacement and encouraging community ownership.

    • Expand the Minneapolis Home Program: Provide more resources to help first-time homebuyers, reducing racial disparities in homeownership and building generational wealth.

    Together, we can create a city where housing is truly a human right, a city where renters and homeowners alike are supported, protected, and empowered to call Minneapolis their home.

  • The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat, it is here, and it is impacting us right now. Our community, particularly Black, Brown, Indigenous, and working class residents, has long borne the brunt of environmental harm, often due to policies that ignored our needs. For decades, the construction of infrastructure like Interstate 94 has exposed us to toxic fumes, disproportionately harming the health of our communities. The time for change is now. Enough is enough.

    The reality is that the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic and racial justice issue. It is imperative that we center those most impacted by climate change, and build a future that is not only sustainable but equitable. We need to act locally, because the most effective solutions often start at the community level. What happens in our city, our policies, our investments, and our values. shapes the future we will all inherit.

    As your Council Member, I am committed to pushing for climate friendly, people centered policies that create a livable, healthy, and equitable future for all. Local government has the power to make immediate, meaningful change, and we must leverage that power to build a resilient, sustainable Minneapolis. By making bold investments in green infrastructure, transportation, and energy, we can create a city that is not only climate conscious, but also an engine of economic opportunity and justice for all residents.

    Here’s how I’ll get us there:

    1. Support the People’s Climate and Equity Plan

    We need a comprehensive roadmap to tackle the climate crisis and build an equitable, green future. The People’s Climate and Equity Plan is our blueprint for this future, and I will continue to fight for its implementation to ensure that every policy we enact prioritizes people over profit, and equity over expedience.

    2. Guarantee Carbon-Free, Affordable Housing for All by 2030

    Buildings are responsible for about 75% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, and many of our communities are living in homes that are inefficient, unhealthy, and expensive. By 2030, I will work to ensure that every resident in Minneapolis has access to carbon-free, energy-efficient housing that is both comfortable and affordable. Our homes must be part of the solution, not the problem.

    3. Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap Through Green Jobs

    The green economy is growing, but too often, communities of color are left out of these opportunities. By creating pathways to family sustaining green jobs, we can address the racial wealth gap while also investing in our shared future. I will work to ensure that Minneapolis residents, especially people of color, have access to high-wage, climate resilient careers in fields like renewable energy, sustainable construction, and clean tech.

    4. Ensure Climate-Resilient, Equitable Neighborhoods

    Climate resilience means more than just protecting buildings and infrastructure, it’s about ensuring that all our neighborhoods, especially those most vulnerable, can withstand the impacts of climate change. I will prioritize investments that make our neighborhoods safe, healthy, and prepared for future challenges, with an emphasis on climate vulnerable communities.

    5. Create a Robust Climate Justice Funding Stream

    We need a dedicated funding source to make bold climate justice policies a reality. I will fight for sustainable funding to support our climate agenda, ensuring that every investment is aligned with our city’s climate and equity goals.

    6. Invest in Green Infrastructure and Transportation

    Our city needs to move away from car-centric policies and embrace green, accessible transportation options that reduce emissions and improve quality of life. I will push for investments in green infrastructure like green roofs, permeable surfaces, and urban trees as well as creating a robust network for walking, biking, and public transit. Everyone in Minneapolis should have access to transportation that is affordable, accessible, and carbon-free.

    Climate Justice Begins at Home

    The climate crisis is an urgent, global issue, but the solutions start right here, in Minneapolis. By making bold, climate-friendly policy choices at the local level, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for our community. This is our moment to lead, to invest in green jobs, to build an economy that works for everyone, and to ensure that our neighborhoods are resilient to the impacts of climate change.

    We have the power to create real change in our city, but it will take all of us working together to make it happen. Let’s build a Minneapolis where climate justice and equity are at the heart of everything we do.

  • For too long, Ward 5 has been neglected when it comes to infrastructure investment. Our streets are riddled with potholes, sidewalks are crumbling, and basic public amenities are in disrepair. The Northside deserves better. We deserve infrastructure that supports our growth, enhances our daily lives, and reflects the pride we have in our community.

    As your City Council member, I will fight to ensure that Ward 5 receives the same level of investment and attention as every other part of Minneapolis. We will no longer be left behind. Our infrastructure will be rebuilt to reflect the needs of a thriving, dynamic community and we will do so in a way that’s sustainable and environmentally responsible.

    I also believe we must embrace the future of infrastructure, green infrastructure. By integrating natural systems into our urban spaces, we can reduce environmental impact while improving the quality of life for residents. This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about building something that will serve us well into the future.

    As your council member, I will:

    • Invest in Heating and Cooling Stations – Our residents deserve safety and comfort, especially during extreme weather. I will work to establish community heating and cooling stations across Ward 5 to protect our most vulnerable during extreme heat waves or frigid winters.

    • Implement Green Infrastructure – I will advocate for sustainable projects, such as permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, and urban tree canopy expansions. These will reduce flooding, improve air quality, and enhance the overall beauty and resilience of our community.

    • Improve Our Roads, Sidewalks, and Bike Lanes – I will prioritize the repair and expansion of our streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes to ensure safe, accessible transportation for everyone, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving.

    • Make It Easier to Walk and Bike – By widening sidewalks and expanding cycleways, we’ll create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment. I will also support the implementation of intelligent traffic management systems—smart traffic lights and real-time public transit route adjustments—to reduce congestion and make our streets more efficient for everyone.

    • Advocate for Equitable Funding for the Northside I will push for an equitable allocation of resources that ensures Ward 5 gets its fair share of the city’s investment in infrastructure and development. The Northside has long been underfunded, it's time for that to change.

    • Address food insecurity in the ward by supporting community-driven initiatives, expanding access to healthy and affordable food options, and fostering partnerships with local organizations.

    • Advocate for equitable access to high-speed internet across North Minneapolis, ensuring every resident can connect to opportunities in education, employment, and essential services.