As a Progressive Democrat, I am committed to restoring and solidifying the rights that have been eroded over time, including voting rights, women’s rights, and workers’ rights. Inspired by civil rights legends like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, and Ella Baker, I believe in taking bold action to ensure that our laws and political culture reflect the majority’s stance on these issues. My goal is to not only restore these rights but also to enshrine them in both our state and national constitutions..
I have cultivated strong relationships with influential leaders and organizations across the state and locally, which will be instrumental in addressing our community’s legislative priorities. Some of these leaders include Natalie Murdock, Gladys Robinson, Anita Earls, Braxton Winston, Jessica Holmes, and many others. My active involvement in various initiatives and programs over the past 12 years has also allowed me to establish partnerships with key organizations like the NAACP, Advance North Carolina, the North Carolina Black Alliance, and many more. These relationships will help mobilize support and resources when needed.
Parents should have the right to choose their children’s educational paths. However, public funds should be dedicated solely to public traditional schools to ensure that the majority of students, who will attend public schools, receive a quality education. We cannot compromise the education of the majority to benefit a minority.
Voting rights have always been a critical issue. To tackle this, I plan to work with community partners, caucuses, and the party to reenergize our base, especially younger and disenfranchised voters. Building coalitions and strategic partnerships to improve messaging and grow our base is essential. Preserving voting rights will require increasing our numbers in the General Assembly.
Addressing the affordable housing crisis requires multiple approaches. My focus will be on increasing the housing stock, helping residents stay in their homes, and leveraging political and non-political stakeholders to raise income eligibility requirements for seniors and incentivize workforce housing development. We should also consider initiatives like those in New York, providing tax incentives and housing grants for teachers and public workers.