1. What about your background would make you a good assemblyperson?
I was born and raised in Jersey City, received my degrees from Hudson County Community College as well as New Jersey City University. I’m an educator and small business owner who has dedicated myself to creating and aiding in programs to improve our communities. My experience in education allows me to see first hand how many of our children are being miseducated. I believe in order to heal our communities we need to begin in the classrooms and build stronger foundations for the youth. This will help to minimize the destruction we see in our communities and within the world.
2. Have you ever run before for elective office?
This is my first time running for elected office. After spending years in the classroom I realized I needed to work on making changes another way. However, I’m familiar with campaigning because I helped Frank Educational Gilmore with his campaign for Ward F.
3. You’re running as a progressive. What makes you one?
What makes me a progress is my approach to the issues. Politicians seem to continue the same cycles and practices with citizens seeing very little change. I’m interested in implementing change the residents will actually see. From what I’ve witnessed, some politicians don’t do a good job listening to the needs of the community or listen to solutions the residents offer. I want to ensure that everyone in the community feels heard, and has the ability to thrive, not just elected officials.
4. Can you tell us about specific causes you’ve worked on in Jersey City?
I’ve been an active personal tutor in Jersey City, helping to bridge the gap in children’s education. I’ve lead a program called Pushing Poetry at The Spot JC before they closed their doors. During the summer of Covid I’ve lead a summer camp program along with Frank Educational Gilmore and Miss. Tina Nalls. In addition, I’ve started Rebellious Readers a book club to push the hard conversations the community need to have in order to heal, I believe it would be great to do it through art. I’ve done a lot of programs outside of the city in the city of Newark that I plan on bringing to Jersey City soon.
5. What do you feel are the most important issues to Jersey City residents and what would you do to address them?
I believe the most important issues for residents of the city is tax increases, rental inflation, parking, and affordable activities for youth. When it comes to taxes I think it’s important to maintain any agreements made between government officials and residents so that residents are not caught by surprise with bills they’re unable to afford. With so many new developments appearing in the city I would work with developers to see how we can build or create more affordable units in the city.
Creating parking spaces for residents on overcrowded streets. Developing more programs for the youth that will allow them to discover their passion which will help secure their place in society and minimize the violence we are witnessing in our communities. Creating equity within schools, this will ensure that each school receives the same opportunities, leaving no children behind.
6. Do you support the plan proposed for Liberty State Park by the Paul Fireman backed groups “Liberty State Park for All” and “The People’s
Park?’
I support keeping Liberty state park as state park for the residents to have a place to enjoy nature. I believe any programs that are being proposed in Liberty Park could be put anywhere in the city. There are several abandoned properties in the city that could be refurbished and used for programs.
7. Are Jersey City property taxes too low, about right or too high?
I believe property taxes are too high, some residents received over a 20 percent increase in taxes due to the increase of the Board of Education’s budget. Most people salary’s don’t increase over two percent during salary negotiations. If my bills increase 20 plus percent, but my salary only increases 2 percent this would be a recipe for disaster.
8. Is there anything else our readers should know about you?
I’m very passionate about accountability, healing, and community. I understand that we all must be accountable for our actions and our healing in order to create a better communities.