Candidacy Type:
City Council
Links:
VPAP
Question and Answer
Candidate's responses are published as submitted, without edits.
Root Causes: Often, studies tend to focus on the individual characteristics of offenders, while neglecting ethnic and racial differences associated with neighborhood contexts...like resource scarcity, redlining practices, disparate treatment in legal settings, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Can you talk about the root causes you've identified as the precipitators of violence in our region?
The root causes of violence in the Richmond region are deeply tied to systemic inequities and the lasting impacts of racial discrimination. Historical redlining practices and housing segregation have concentrated poverty and limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities in specific neighborhoods, particularly those with large Black and Brown populations. Resource scarcity in these areas leads to a lack of economic mobility, which, combined with the school-to-prison pipeline, disproportionately funnels youth of color into the criminal justice system rather than offering pathways to success. Additionally, disparities in legal treatment, such as over-policing and harsher sentencing, perpetuate cycles of violence and trauma. To address violence, we must confront these structural injustices and invest in community-led solutions that address poverty, inequality, and the need for restorative justice.
Systemic Solutions: Research tells us that race or ethnicity are not violence indicators. They are markers highlighting external social contexts differentially allocated by racial, ethnic, and economic status. Segregation by these social contexts disproportionately exposes members of these racial, ethnic, and lower socioeconomic groups to key violence-inducing or violence-protecting conditions. What are some systemic solutions that will consider these factors?
Systemic solutions that address violence must target the social conditions created by racial, ethnic, and economic segregation. These person-first approaches include:
1. Investing in Affordable Housing and Anti-Displacement Initiatives.
2. Education Reform: Dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline by investing in equitable funding for schools in underserved communities, increasing mental health services, implementing restorative justice practices, and eliminating discriminatory discipline policies.
3. Economic Empowerment..
4. Healthcare Access.
Lastly, by addressing the systemic inequalities that shape these social contexts, we can create environments that protect against violence rather than perpetuate it.
Immediate Solutions: Motions, Resolutions, Ordinances, Referrals, Deferrals - and all policy changes can take time. What immediate solutions do you propose that will invite our neighbors and your constituents across Richmond to co-create and jointly implement efforts to change the trajectory of violence in Richmond?
Some immediate strategies to engage neighbors and constituents in co-creating solutions to address violence in Richmond, would include several community-driven approaches:
1. Establish neighborhood-based task forces that bring together residents, local leaders, nonprofits, and businesses to identify specific needs and create safety plans tailored to each community. These groups can implement immediate, practical solutions like the formerly and successful neighborhood team’s programs.
2. Violence Interruption Programs: Support and expand violence interruption programs that hire local community members—especially those with lived experience—to mediate conflicts before they escalate and provide mentorship to at-risk individuals.
3. Youth Engagement and Empowerment: Develop youth-centered initiatives, in collaboration with after-school programs. This includes facilitating spaces where youth can express their needs and ideas.
4. Healing Circles and Trauma-Responsive Community Care: Implement community healing circles and offer trauma-response workshops to address the psychological impacts of violence. These can be facilitated by trained community members, providing safe spaces for dialogue, healing, and solidarity.
We need to focus on empowering residents, fostering community relationships, and interrupting cycles of violence through grassroots actions. Together we can build strong and resilient communities.
Climate Policy: After nearly 6 years of community engagement and climate analysis, the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan was adopted in early 2023 as the City of Richmond’s official sustainability plan. As Mayor, will you fully execute this plan and seek to exceed the goals set out with respect to carbon pollution reduction and community climate resilience?
Yes
Tell us more: As Richmond makes progress, what is the City getting right and what actions will you as the next Mayor take to overcome any challenges?
Richmond is making notable progress in environmental sustainability, particularly through initiatives like expanding green infrastructure, promoting urban agriculture, and investing in renewable energy sources. The city’s efforts to enhance public transportation and reduce emissions by encouraging biking and walking are also steps in the right direction. Programs aimed at revitalizing parks and restoring the James River highlight Richmond’s commitment to creating more sustainable, livable spaces.
Environmental Justice: Richmond has just begun to repair some of the lasting harms of racially motivated redlining, highway construction, and disinvestment in low-income and Black and African American communities. Today, models like the City of Richmond Climate Equity Index, the Trust for Public Land ParkScore, and the White House’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool show disparities across neighborhoods in community resources, environmental quality, health outcomes, and economic opportunity. Do you see a relationship between climate action, poverty, and justice in Richmond?
Yes
Tell us more: If so, how would you describe this relationship and what actions, policy-related or otherwise, do you feel are necessary to address these issues?
The relationship between environmental sustainability and social equity in Richmond is intrinsically linked, as marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation while having limited resources to combat its effects. This disparity underscores the need for policies that integrate environmental justice into all city planning and decision-making processes.
Equitable Energy Transition: Richmond Gas Works is owned and operated by the City of Richmond. The Department of Public Utilities is facing financial and logistical challenges maintaining the network of 100-year-old gas pipes. The aging system has had nearly a thousand known gas leaks, with each jeopardizing public safety and the health of local residents. When leaked, methane is a potent climate pollutant that has a significant impact on climate change. When burned indoors in stoves and heaters, people can be exposed to fumes containing carcinogens like benzene, formaldehyde, and nitrogen oxides. If elected, would you work to develop a plan to phase out Richmond Gas Works in a financially responsible manner?
Yes
Tell us more: How can low and median income households be protected and supported throughout an energy transition? *
Protecting and supporting low- and median-income households during an energy transition requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term sustainability like: Subsidies and Financial Assistance, Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Community Engagement and Education.
Local governments are responsible for land use and zoning, impacting housing supply and the various types of housing that gets built. With Richmond Planning Department beginning the work of rewriting their zoning code, are you supportive of the citywide zoning code rewrite?
Yes
Tell us more: What kinds of zoning changes would you support to allow for a variety of home types?
1. Inclusionary Zoning:
2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Are two changes that I support for the 9th district.
Do you believe each district in the City should develop its fair share of affordable housing?
Yes
Tell us more: How would you implement that?
To effectively support affordable housing, each district in Richmond should adopt tailored strategies that reflect the unique needs and characteristics of their communities. We need district specific housing assessments as well as zoning reforms to review and/or amend zoning regulations that facilitate the development of affordable housing units.
In 2023, Richmond City declared a housing crisis. Should the city make it easier to build more housing?
Yes
Tell us more: Cities across the country are starting to repeal provisions of zoning regulation that make it harder to build - especially for small and part-time builders. Richmond, by eliminating parking requirements in 2023, has started down this path. What types of rules would you support relaxing or eliminating and why?
We can looking at parking minimums, set back requirements, height restrictions and density limits are a few of the rules that could be relaxed to assist with building.
Leadership in Transportation: Following decades of planning around primarily one mode of transportation - vehicles - residents and businesses have increasingly called upon Richmond leadership to retool its transportation system to work for many ways of getting around, including walking, biking, public transportation, rideshare, bike share, scooters, and beyond. Do you support expanding funding and implementation of a multi-modal transportation system in Richmond that prioritizes safe, walkable, and bikeable streets and frequent and far reaching public transit?
yes
Tell us more: What legislation and funding will you support to meet the challenge of providing seamless, interconnected multimodal networks for the communities you serve?
Complete Streets, TOD (Transit Oriented Development) Increased Funding for Public Transit are ways that we can build more multimodal communities that serve the entire community.
Equitable Transportation Funding: Richmond has a history of inequitable investment in sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and bus stops. Zero fare GRTC Bus service has resulted in a ridership boom, lowering barriers to mobility and increasing access to jobs, health care, and schools. Yet, the state grant for zero fare is ending soon, leaving a funding gap. Many low-income Richmonders rely on equitable transportation solutions, and they need consistent leadership to deliver equitable transportation policies and programs. Will you prioritize equity in funding and implementation of transportation projects?
yes
Tell us more: What projects or programs would best support equitable transportation access in your district as well as others? If not, how will you ensure all Richmond residents have access to essential transportation options?
Expanded Routes, Accessible Transit Stops, Ride Sharing Programs, Safe Routes to Schools and lastly Public Engagement and Education are all ways to support equitable transportation access in the 9th District.
Transportation Infrastructure: Richmond Connects – the City of Richmond’s recently-adopted multimodal transportation plan – was developed through years of deep community engagement and prioritizes equitable investment in roadways, bike, pedestrian, and essential public transit infrastructure over the next several years. Meanwhile, Richmond has developed strategies to address transportation safety through the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program and Vision Zero. Will you continue to fund the implementation of the Richmond Connects plan?
yes
Tell us more: What Richmond Connects projects would you like to see implemented in your district as well as others?
The North-South BRT is a top priority for the 9th District. I’m also looking for more traffic calming measures that will support pedestrian safety.
Emerging Adults: What kind of future do you envision for young people coming out of school today and transitioning to adulthood? What are your priorities to ensure they are set up for success?
I envision a future for young people coming out of school today that is filled with opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and community engagement. MY goal is to ensure they are set up for success as they transition into adulthood, my priorities to support this includes career pathway's, college access, holistic systems of support, financial literacy, and safe and supportive environments.
Youth Centered Question: As students, so much of our lives revolve around school; because of this, the lingering fear and dread we face when doing basic everyday things in school is more than just debilitating. Everyday we fear that while doing our school work or walking down the road, a senseless act of gun violence will take our life. Virginia and Richmond specifically needs to do better, not just for the current teenagers directly affected by the gun violence, but for the small children who grow up and see the same things we do, with little to no explanation or understanding of why. We see what happens in our neighborhoods; in our state; in our country as a whole. We need change but we have to start here, at home. We need you to promise to help us make that change. Tell us your plan and overall strategy for addressing gun violence, including but not limited to, allocating funds and leveraging resources to support violence prevention, intervention, and crisis response?
Gun Violence requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that combines prevention, intervention, and crisis response strategies. My plan includes the following
1. Community Engagement and Collaboration. We need to establish partnerships and collaborate with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and health providers to create a coalition focused on reducing gun violence.
2. Violence Prevention Programs that include Youth Programs and Mentorship. We need to Invest in youth development programs that provide mentorship, job training, and recreational activities. These positive outlets and support, can reduce the likelihood of youth engaging in violent behavior.
Family Centered Question: Access to year-round high-quality childcare, education, afterschool and summertime activities, and family-oriented community resources are key priorities voiced by families in our community. How do you propose the Mayor’s Administration and Council should work to ensure that every child (birth – 18) has access to high-quality care, education, wraparound services, and safe spaces to thrive in?
The Mayor’s Administration and City Council should adopt a comprehensive strategy that starts with increasing funding for Early Childhood Education. We also need to expand access to subsidized childcare. Implement Universal Pre-K, ensure wrap around services are a priority, community engagement with the families and collaboration with partners. Lastly, we need to develop legislation that supports funding for education.