I had the privilege and opportunity to organize with the Latinx apartment residents of Powderhorn Park who learned that their building was being sold from under them to Touchstone Mental health. Somehow keeping long-time immigrant renter families in their homes had been pitted against mental health beds. This should have never happened and I was able to be a part of stopping the sale by organizing with the community and lobbying the planning commission. It took many meetings, language translations, organizing, and leading beside people to help stop the displacement in January.

Public Safety

How will you keep young Black and brown kids safe — those who are simultaneously the most at risk from gun violence but also most at risk during interactions with the police? What do you believe are best practices for solving these issues in tandem, and how will you involve the communities most affected in problem-solving and determining next steps?

How we keep Black, Brown, and Indigenous kids safe is by helping support their families. Our City partnership with schools, the County, and the State have a responsibility to fund social services and make basic needs like housing, health care, food, and water access for the most impacted communities not just a commodity.

Alongside funding our communities, it is important to build local youth development centers that can help youth build community, express themselves, and gain employment. Over-policing our kids is not the answer– compassion and public health-based intervention is key.

In order to address the gun violence in Minneapolis we need to ensure we are taking it seriously. We do this by declaring gun violence a public health crisis and expect that this will open up funding and program development for communities most impacted.

As a Council Member, I will prioritize community trauma that can result in community-based violence. The lack of mental health resources and the lack of investment has led to more victims of gun violence and it is imperative to invest in mental health resources to support those harmed by violence, victims, and survivors.

Additionally, the city should pilot a data-driven and public health-based study to determine the root causes of gun violence and how guns are getting into our communities.

People of color in Minneapolis are killed or otherwise harmed by law enforcement at disproportionately high rates, despite many attempts at reform over several election cycles. How do you intend to reshape a policing system that has been resistant to change, and slow to show meaningful strides toward equitable community outcomes?

The Minneapolis Police Department has proven time after time that its reforms and changes have led to the death of people in our community. George Floyd was murdered across our ward, Dolal Idd was murdered by MPD in the 9th Ward, and the continued criminalization of our community members has led to incarceration instead of intervention to prevent violence.

We need to end the militarization of Black, Brown, and Indigenous neighborhoods by ending broken windows policing tactics, repeal local ordinances that criminalize people experiencing homelessness, and revamp our current 9-1-1 dispatch system to ensure it is effective, reliable, and responsive. Most importantly we need to redirect our current public safety and policing resources into violence prevention, housing, opioid addiction, youth intervention, and employment for those who were formerly incarcerated to ensure we reach equitable outcomes.

What are your stances on memorializing public spaces when our community is grieving, and/or demanding action through constitutionally-protected protests? What policies would you put in place or what organizations would you engage to ensure residents can do these things safely?

There isn’t a one size fits all perspective when it comes to this especially when the space being memorializing has to do with community trauma and the murder of Black people. I believe that people have the right to protest and hold space. I believe we must remember our history for what it is and memorializing places like GFS does that while providing some healing.

I believe that when we are faced with instances that show that systems we rely on still continue the pain of colonization, Jim Crow, and slavery then people have a right to fight, grieve, and push for change especially when it isn’t pretty or palatable– because neither is the pain we feel and the injustice that causes it.

This is a very complicated question that no 200 words will answer. What I can say about policy is that there needs to be deep community engagement especially if there are divides in the community about what needs to be done. The city should support deep canvassing, town halls, and community-governing models.

Additionally, I believe that there should be no use of violent or any police force in an effort to vacate community members– that only creates more harm to already hurting people. I would in these instances turn to community organizations that have built trust in engaging with the community and keeping the community safe in a just and equitable way.

Housing

Rental assistance from the federal government has helped keep people in their homes through the pandemic. This funding is not permanent, however, and inability to pay is the leading cause of evictions. What is your stance on more permanent rental assistance, rent stabilization, and/or rent control measures in Minneapolis?

Many community members in the 9th Ward are struggling to make it by with many being forced to live in harsh conditions. I believe we need a Housing Bill of Rights in the City of Minneapolis to address the disparities in housing. This is something I would help lead beside and develop with those most impacted by it or the lack thereof.

It needs to include rent control/stabilization, more permanent rental assistance through federal, state, county and city funding, the expansion of income-based housing (making sure we do not privatize it), fully funding the right to counsel, ensuring buildings have sprinklers to prevent fire deaths and pushing for housing first policies.

Gentrification results in cultural loss for communities and major economic impacts for those priced out of their longtime neighborhoods. As our city grows, what plans do you have to combat gentrification and increase the amount of affordable housing available in Minneapolis?

We must always have anti-displacement and anti-gentrification plans when it comes to any development and affordable & income based housing. The 9th Ward nearly burned to the ground last summer and we saw many people ready to take advantage of our corridor on Lake Street. Work that would push an already underserved community out and create displacement all over our neighborhood while simultaneously closing down more mom and pop shops.

The Small Businesses that were decimated should have the opportunity to come back to our corridor while making it clear that corporations or expensive housing units are not what the people of the 9th Ward need. Instead, we can work to have community ownership of buildings so small businesses can thrive and allow for development to happen only if it will not cause displacement.

I believe that we need true affordable housing and income-based housing to meet the needs of the people in the 9th Ward. Our most vulnerable community members should have the right to live here without fear of being priced or forced out.

In the last few years, Minneapolis has experienced a spike in encampments of unhoused people on public land — a high percentage of whom are Black and/or Indigenous. Many of our unhoused neighbors see this as their best housing option over shelters (for reasons of personal safety, pet ownership, or having to abandon property). What will you do to protect these neighbors and connect them with safe and stable housing?

The City of Minneapolis has experienced a spike in encampments of unhoused people because of the lack of action to put housing as a human right and the inability to tackle it with a multi-level government approach. Instead of doing this we send fear tactics to the encampments, bulldoze people’s belongings, and continue to escalate situations instead of finding solutions.

We need to push for housing first policies at City Hall that ensure we can provide and connect neighbors with safe and stable housing. By doing this we can work with community partners, organizations, departments in the Government sector to address mental health, addiction, employment with a fair wage, and how to support them once they are housed.

We also need a multi-level government approach to solve this. I want to use my experience working at the Minnesota House of Representatives to bring the federal, state, county, and city Government to a table with those most impacted by the inaction of taking housing insecurity seriously and those doing the work to help some of our most vulnerable community members. The people of the 9th Ward have solutions, we just need people to hear it and take action.

Jobs and Economy

Black, Indigenous, and Minneapolis residents of color pay local taxes and contribute to our local economy, but often do not receive the same shared economic benefits as their white counterparts. Through generations of oppression via policy and unequal systems, wealth has been chronically and systematically extracted from BIPOC communities—how do you envision addressing this legacy of economic harm, in both the short term and the long term?

Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of color pay local taxes that contribute to our local economy but do not share the same shared economic benefits as their white counterparts. In the 9th Ward, I would also add that our undocumented community memebrs pay state, federal and local taxes but yet are forced to live without the benefits.

In order to address this legacy of economic harm we need to address our labor laws and economic disparities with policies driven by our values. The $15 minimum wage is not enough and our community members deserve a wage that is fair and livable.

With the history of racism enacted on our Black and Indigenous community, I would love to work on a way to support and pass reparations to address the legacy of economic harm and environmental racism enacted on the Black and Indigenous people of Ward 9.

The power dynamics of work are heavily tilted against low-wage workers, especially immigrant workers. What actions have you taken or what plans do you have to protect and support these workers?

I currently work at the Minnesota House of Representatives and serve as a Legislative Aide to the Workforce and Business Development Committee where I have been working on actions to support low-wage workers, BIPOC and immigrant workers through labor policy.

Throughout the pandemic, I had the responsibility to help shape, push, and organize legislation like sick and safe time, expansion of unemployment insurance, paid family leave, changes to our labor laws, and ensuring high schoolers can qualify for unemployment for the State of Minnesota.

My plan is to take this experience and bring it to the Minneapolis City Council. It is abundantly clear that our current minimum wage of $15 is not enough and I plan to lead beside workers to fight for a fair wage. We also know that these workers are oftentimes not supported and it is imperative to push for changes to our labor laws. Here are some laws and ordinances I will support. If you work over 40 hours a week you need to be paid overtime, ensuring that fair scheduling is a reality to allow consistent work schedules, and allow workers to refuse clopens without retaliation.

Racial Justice

Explain your understanding of systemic racism, and how—or whether—you believe it affects Minneapolis’s education systems & outcomes, our housing market, our environment, public safety, healthcare, or other major systems.

Systemic racism affects our education system and outcomes, the housing market, environment, public safety, healthcare and our daily lives.

The disparities in our public education system in Minneapolis (Especially in the 9th Ward and when it comes to race) compared to the suburbs are tremendous. Our kids have higher student-teacher ratios, less resources, and an achievement gap that should be alarming to many. Racism and the lack of funding is a big component to these disparities.

Environmental racism is running rampedely in BIPOC communities in Minneapolis. South and North Minneapolis are one of the most polluted areas in Minnesota. The 9th Ward is a dumping ground for pollution with alarming rates of cancer, asthma and cardiovascular issues. The lack of care, neglect, and racism has led to the destruction of many lives here and it will take needed action to begin the process of reconciliation.

I will end it with the crucial reality that systemic racism has led to many people being housing insecure. We currently criminalize those that are unhoused, reject low-income Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from renting property, and displace our community members.

Our community suffers from some of the greatest racial disparities in the country across many social, educational, and economic metrics—and has for some time. If you’re in government now, what have you done to address this, and do you feel your efforts have been enough despite the lack of change? And if you’re seeking office for the first time, what ideas are you going to put forward that haven’t already failed?

We have a historic opportunity to address the years of neglect, environmental racism, and lack of investment by pushing and supporting the East Phillips Urban Farm. This is an idea that has been put forward by the community and will create employment opportunities for our neighbors, entrepreneurship, and help end some of the worst food deserts we have in the area. This idea will help address many of the social, educational, and economic disparities the people in the 9th Ward face.

I believe in a Community-Led and Community-Centered 9th Ward. This means that I will be leading beside those most impacted by policy to ensure that our communities have a fighting chance.

Climate

Climate change is already upon us, and its causes are on such a large scale that we can’t expect everyday Minneapolitans to recycle or LED bulb our way to a solution. How would you encourage businesses in our city to adopt practices to mitigate climate change, and/or hold them accountable for practices that worsen it?

Minneapolis must commit to a net-zero municipal footprint by 2024, 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030, and a citywide carbon neutrality by 2040 to address the climate change we are facing. We should be enforcing not encouraging businesses in our city to adopt practices to mitigate climate change.

I will be working with community leaders and the metropolitan council to pass and provide fare-free transit. This will not be an easy battle, but I would love for businesses in Minneapolis to join us in this struggle so we can ensure more people use transit thus being more environmentally friendly.

I will use my office and its power to ensure businesses in Minneapolis are enacting policies to mitigate our upcoming climate catastrophe.

Voters’ Rights

What have you done or what will you do to protect and expand voter access in your ward/Minneapolis?

From 2018-2020 I served on the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee for the Minnesota House of Representatives. During my time, I led efforts to support and pass a bill that would restore the right to vote for those who have been convicted of a felony.

In regards to the 9th Ward and Minneapolis, I will ensure that our communities feel safe voting and that it is as smooth as possible. I speak Spanish (a language used for survival here) and plan to continue to use it to help register people to vote and to explain how elections work. I also plan to do this work by continuing to hire people that speak multiple languages to ensure every community has the opportunity to be engaged.

Governance

14. Who are the people and/or organizations that would be part of your decision-making process in office?

HWe are a community-led and community-centered campaign. This means that the people of the 9th Ward will be the ones leading the charge on how we will lead at City Hall. I plan to implement an accountability team that reflects the Ward and includes those most impacted by policy decisions. This will allow us to stay on track and to be accountable to our message to ensure our neighborhoods thrive.

Last Word

What’s one thing you think Minneapolis does well that you’d like to build upon if elected?

I think the City of Minneapolis does a good job talking about immigrant rights. Many people think that the local level cannot take immediate action on immigration justice, but the reality is that is where it all begins. As a proud son of Mexican Immigrant parents, I will ensure that our City lives up to its value.

The 9th Ward is home to a beautiful immigrant, refugee, and undocumented community. It’s where multiple languages meet and where different cultures come together in hopes of a better life. Unfortunately, with the continuous disinvestment, ICE raids looming over the heads of many Latinx families, and the scrutiny done to our East- African and Muslim community, we need to take action at the local level to address and support our immigrants.

We need to pass a DACA Ordinance to support the expensive fees our DACAmented neighbors have to pay, reject any Counter-Violent-Extremism (CVE) funding that has been used to incarcerate and discriminate Muslims and the East-African community, stop collaborating with ICE to keep all families together, and fight for an immigration fund.

One non-perfomative action I took that I am extremely proud about was working as an outreach specialist with different grassroots organizations that rarely caught the eye of the media. Being a young black man reaching back to my community is very important to me. My goal was and still remains, to reach back out to black and brown youth in my community. I put so much energy into curving the violence and showing my peers that change is possible. I have yet to complete my goal so I will continue to work with my churches and community to make Minneapolis and the 9th Ward a safe place to live again.

Public Safety

How will you keep young Black and brown kids safe — those who are simultaneously the most at risk from gun violence but also most at risk during interactions with the police? What do you believe are best practices for solving these issues in tandem, and how will you involve the communities most affected in problem solving and determining next steps?

I’ve been an advocate for gun violence for years. I know how devastating it is in my community. I tend to keep my peers safe by going against fun violence in our communities as well as being that voice of reason when it comes to police brutality. I feel by bringing economic opportunities into our communities would decrease the crime rate significantly. It would also start to bridge the gap between law enforcement and black and brown youth. Creating and sustaining wealth in short term and long term ways would help close some of those disparity gaps.

People of color in Minneapolis are killed or otherwise harmed by law enforcement at disproportionately high rates, despite many attempts at reform over several election cycles. How do you intend to reshape a policing system that has been
resistant to change, and slow to show meaningful strides toward equitable community outcomes?

I intend to address the name of the MPD first. Terminology is everything to me. Police verses peace are two completely different terms with two completely different affects when a person of color hears those words. The name means everything , and if I can help change Minneapolis Police Department to Minneapolis “Peace” Department, that would be a huge success for starters. It would be first of many steps moving forward with addressing more serious issues within the department.

What are your stances on memorializing public spaces when our community is grieving, and/or demanding action through constitutionally-protected protests? What policies would you put in place or what organizations would you engage to ensure residents can do these things safely?

Spaces are meant to be utilized when one need solitude and serenity. Spaces are meant to be safe, secure and solid. We are all human. We are all neighbors who have been traumatized over the course of the last 18 months. There is nothing wrong with expressing ourselves in a way to demand change, and be treated equally and justly. I feel if we can come together in times of need and share the same space with mature and organic intentions, with no hidden agendas, our voices will be heard. I would engage with grassroots organizations that has the communities best interests. Safety, security and solidarity is what I’m aiming for.

Rental assistance from the federal government has helped keep people in their homes through the pandemic. This funding is not permanent, however, and inability to pay is the leading cause of evictions. What is your stance on more permanent rental assistance, rent stabilization, and/or rent control measures in Minneapolis?

The average household income is about 89,282$, with a property rate of about 19.19%. Minimum wage in the city of Minneapolis is 12.50/hr. Most black and brown/ indigenous live under the property line, which would be considered “ extremely low” at 21,700/yearly. That breaks down to about 1808/monthly, or a little less than minimum wage. A black or brown person working minimum wage would gross about 2k a month. With state taxes at about .06% the actual income would roughly be about 1700 a month. That is absolutely no way an individual can survive off that, especially with the average rent being 1,587$. 31,022 black Minneapolis residents live below the proverb line alone. And with the spikes in Covid-19 cases amongst black, native Americans and LatinX, we are most affected by the housing industry. Our chances of being evicted or cut assistance is well over 80%. One way permanent assistance can be obtained is if we double minimum wage. Another is cut the Minneapolis budget by .08% or about 90 million. Those funds could go towards housing. Loosening the requirements or eligibility can open doors for individuals struggling with rent.

Gentrification results in cultural loss for communities and major economic impacts for those priced out of their longtime neighborhoods. As our city grows, what plans do you have to combat gentrification and increase the amount of affordable housing available in Minneapolis?

As I stated above, increasing minimum wage by double would help significantly. .08% of the city’s budget, or about 90 million could be used toward housing and other services. Lowering the average rent cost by 25-30% would be a good place to start as well. Increasing homeownership in black/brown communities would ultimately decrease the overall poverty rate.

In the last few years, Minneapolis has experienced a spike in encampments of unhoused people on public land — a high percentage of whom are Black and/or Indigenous. Many of our unhoused neighbors see this as their best housing option over shelters (for reasons of personal safety, pet ownership, or having to abandon property). What will you do to protect these neighbors and connect them with safe and stable housing?

I am greatly saddened every time I walk outside and see beautiful people sleeping on the streets or in tents. I constantly think of ways to address this problem with my peers in the community. I want to ensure the safety of all my neighbors. I would look to increase the number of units I existing shelters, breading homes or fixed income housing. That would allow for more individuals to move in and get off the streets. Another action I would consider is to build a 100 unit complex apartment building with 2-3 bedrooms. The low end cost of that project would be about 20 million. A much more luxurious and more service-equipped complex would cost about 150 million. So if we meet in the middle, 90 million could be spent on this 100 unit complex building to help get people of the streets. That same amount coming from the .08% budget cut from the city. The number one cause for homelessness isn’t addiction, or even mental health, it’s lack of affordable housing.

Jobs and Economy

Black, Indigenous, and Minneapolis residents of color pay local taxes and contribute to our local economy, but often do not receive the same shared economic benefits as their white counterparts. Through generations of oppression via policy and unequal systems, wealth has been chronically and systematically extracted from BIPOC communities—how do you envision addressing this legacy of economic harm, in both the short term and the long term?

Having discussions at the table about economic development specifically for black and brown/ indigenous people. Creating wealth amongst the financially deprived communities by small business ownership, new homeowners, stocks and trades and other entrepreneurial means. Being able to own land to create economic wealth in these communities are extremely important. Reparations or , the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged. America has already acknowledged that they have done the black community wrong. However, we have yet to receive any money to help rebuild ourselves in this country. Minneapolis has acknowledged the wrong doings of the black and brown/ indigenous people but have yet to pay for it. What we want is accountability, and that comes with
responsibility. Paying for the wrongdoings is being responsible.

The power dynamics of work are heavily tilted against low-wage workers, especially immigrant workers. What actions have you taken or what plans do you have to protect and support these workers?

Continue to treat immigrant workers fairly and justly in the workplace. Equal wages and consistent work will be ideal. Any discrimination will be taken very seriously and those involved would be held accountable immediately.

Racial Justice

Explain your understanding of systemic racism, and how—or whether—you believe it affects Minneapolis’s education systems & outcomes, our housing market, our environment, public safety, healthcare, or other major systems.

Systemic-racism is embedded in every single service in Minneapolis. From housing to education black, brown and indigenous communities are most affected. The state of MN is number one per capita for homelessness, incarceration, unemployment, medical assistance, etc. The state rank 48 out of 50 for the worst graduation rate in the nation. My community deserves more respect and equality then that. We will be treated fair and just.

Our community suffers from some of the greatest racial disparities in the country across many social, educational, and economic metrics—and has for some time. If you’re in government now, what have you done to address this, and do you feel your efforts have been enough despite the lack of change? And if you’re seeking office for the first time, what ideas are you going to put forward that haven’t already failed?

I plan to work with many different organizations to tackle these disparities in my community. Strategizing, planning and executing our some ways to create new living in Minneapolis. This city has a well-knitted system, and in order to confront these issues we must first come together as a community and body to generate solutions. Not problems. Putting money back into our parks, schools etc. and increasing the minimum wage are ideas we can move forward with. Also organizing teams within the community that specializes in specific areas to help build and work together.

Climate

Climate change is already upon us, and its causes are on such a large scale that we can’t expect everyday Minneapolitans to recycle or LED bulb our way to a solution. How would you encourage businesses in our city to adopt practices to mitigate climate change, and/or hold them accountable for practices that worsen it?

Talk with business owners about cutting back on using gas and becoming more electric. Although electric works about three times as hard to produce the same amount of heat , it is slightly more environmentally friendly than gas. Also considering using solar energy would help the environment out a lot. We can reduce greenhouse gases by going solar and finding ways to utilize our natural resources to decrease pollution and other toxins such as CO2 and nitrogen oxide. Which are the leading causes to global warming. City ordinances and appropriate fines could possibly go into affect if business owners aren’t willing to consider alternatives over short term and long term planning.

Voters’ Rights

What have you done or what will you do to protect and expand voter access in your ward/Minneapolis?

Quite honestly, Minneapolis has one of the best voting systems compared to other major cities across the nation. The access to polls are easy in ward 9 and in the city. There are numerous places one could go to register to vote either it be walking distance, on the bus line or a short commute. Demographics and civil culture exists here in this city and ward 9. People feel a sense of duty and obligation to vote.

Governance

Who are the people and/or organizations that would be part of your decision making process in office?

Listening to my community members who live and work in ward 9 and in the city of Minneapolis. I plan to work with a number of organizations and individuals to make Minneapolis safe, secure and prosperous again. Working with community leaders, activists, non profits and neighborhood associations will better the judgement of my decision making.

Last Word

What’s one thing you think Minneapolis does well that you’d like to build upon if elected?

I think Minneapolis does well with small business ownership. I would like to build upon that and create more small businesses specifically targeting the black and brown communities. Considering 99.5% of business in the state of MN are “small” , yet less than 47,565 business in MN are owned by minorities. Out of 99.5% only about 10% is owned by minorities. Furthermore, 44,702 firms are in Minneapolis. Roughly 9,311 are minority owned. I ask myself quite often out of 20% of the minority owned
businesses in Minneapolis, how many are black-owned? My intentions are to build upon small business ownership with the inclusion of black people and other people of color, if elected.

Although, I have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work that isn’t reported or publicized over the last 12+ months as a candidate (such as street lean-ups, small business assistance, influence campaigns, food shelf volunteer work, clothing drives, and much more) I’d like to illuminate my long history of service, specifically in terms of economic development, and immigrant and minority community issues. Aside from the long track record of sponsoring immigrant families to come to this country, my oldest and most successful business, The Braid Factory, was purposefully created to generate gainful economic opportunities for African Immigrant women, while uplifting and legitimizing the cultural heritage of hair braiding for black people. What people don’t know, and I never explain, is that I never profited from my decades of service through this venture. The Braid Factory was never an opportunity for me to have a job, or make money, and over 25 years, I never took any salary or saw any financial gain from this company. In fact, in 2011, when I thought the business was secure and stable, I gave the Braid Factory, free and clear, to the stylists who worked there…for nothing.

Public Safety

How will you keep young Black and brown kids safe—those who are simultaneously the most at risk from gun violence but also most at risk during interactions with the police? What do you believe are best practices for solving these issues in tandem, and how will you involve the communities most affected in problem solving and determining next steps?

Growing up Black in Minneapolis, I personally understand too well how unjust the systems are. Policing and criminal justice, education, economic opportunities, etc. In America, our most critical changes occur slowly. But occasionally, there are seminal events that raise up these problem issues and accelerate their evolution. I believe our city is an important focal point of one of these generational opportunities and we must seize this chance to make meaningful changes that improve our systems and the lives they affect. We must revolutionize our police department into a more comprehensive partnership that truly protects all residents and effectively lowers the overall risks we face. It’s 2021, but sadly, we are still using methods from the 1950’s. These tactics and protocols are not simply outdated, they are steeped in racism, discrimination and are inarguably ineffective. We must simultaneously apply upgraded strategies (IE: unarmed response units, de-escalation professionals, integrated mental health resources, a separated, hi-tech, non-interactive traffic control division, end the use of attack dogs, empower the dept. to terminate bad officers, body camera footage transparency and review, mandatory officer-based insurance, community policing and security contracting, targeted inclusion and diversity programs, and on and on and on…) for addressing public safety as a city-wide community commitment and also, provide the necessary resources, funding and program initiatives to offer those life-affirming alternatives for our most at-risk youth, those transitioning into adulthood, and formerly incarcerated members of our community. Public/Private partnerships focused on youth-oriented life skills and higher achievement programs, mentorships, apprenticeships, internships. “Cadet”-style programs that give young people a foothold in becoming an active part of the solution. Proven programs that incentivize and reward positive behavior. Drastically changing our city govt. priorities to accurately reflect our need to address historic and systemic discrimination. Not just target and recruiting people in our city that look like us and match our level of diversity, but also, involving the community-at-large in a much more collaborative process of engagement, listening, and oversight.

People of color in Minneapolis are killed or otherwise harmed by law enforcement at disproportionately high rates, despite many attempts at reform over several election cycles. How do you intend to reshape a policing system that has been resistant to change, and slow to show meaningful strides toward equitable community outcomes?

There are proven strategies that effectively reduce or even eliminate the negative encounters between our community and the police. Firstly, we employ ideas such as; 1.) Establishing a separate traffic division that utilizes high-tech techniques to record, analyze and adjudicate all moving violations and inappropriate driving issues. Ending the need for racially inspired “pull-overs”, deadly high-speed chases, unconstitutional vehicle searches, and unnecessary deadly interactions. 2.) Incorporating a response division that is unarmed and comprised of mental health experts and city caseworkers who focus on applying appropriate city, county, or state resources rather than criminal persecution. 3.) Changing the behavior of our officers with mandated individual insurance, automatic body camera usage and oversight, (that is backed up with authority to terminate) and greatly increasing diversity and inclusion of community members who speak multiple languages, and more accurately reflect our city’s diverse population. (these are just a few detailed examples of the many proven ideas that have been employed all over this country, and other countries) Secondly, we rebuild trust with our community by reopening ALL old cases of police abuse and wrongful death. Properly examining and investigating all claims of excessive force and misconduct. Using a Community Police Liaison (instead of a police dept. spokesperson) who operates with the police but works directly for the residents of the affected community. And contracting community-led, private security groups to help oversee select hotspots and problem areas. Last Summer, after the George Floyd murder, I developed a 41page, 17-point program for instituting changes that would effectively rebuild and reshape our police dept. and move us into a new era of efficient and responsible operation that is both safe, fair, and effective. (I’m always happy to share this with anyone who wants to see it. Just let me know…)

What are your stances on memorializing public spaces when our community is grieving, and/or demanding action through constitutionally-protected protests? What policies would you put in place or what organizations would you engage to ensure residents can do these things safely?

One reason why experienced and responsible leadership is so critical at this time is because providing safe spaces for people to exercise their rights and express their frustration is key to helping the community understand that govt. is respectfully listening, and cares about making changes for the better. We must always work together to find a reasonable balance between the need to memorialize specific spaces, and the needs of existing community members, businesses, and residents to live their lives and not be unduly burdened. In a recent Minnpost Op-Ed I explain that our city can effectively memorialize a specific location, while simultaneously creating safe, comfortable, and reasonable access to a larger, generational institutional memorial that properly commemorates the people and issues we care about. I grew up in an era of protests and marches. ERA, Anti-War, MAMM, Grey Panthers, AIM, MADD, LGBTQIA+rights, and much more. From being pushed in a stroller to holding signs that I made myself, protesting injustice has always been an important principle by which I live my life. SO, I have and will always support people’s right to demonstrate and protest. Civil disobedience is a core American value that must be protected. At the same time, we must all recognize that civil unrest, is dangerous, destructive, and counter-productive to both the message itself, as well as the community in which it occurs. I would enact a “protest protection initiative” for Minneapolis that included pre-positioned large venues which could be immediately accessed for critical use during times of public stress. I would also partner with groups and organizations, like the NAACP, the ERA, NOW, AIM, and others, who have a long and storied history of peaceful and effective protests and demonstrations.

Housing

Rental assistance from the federal government has helped keep people in their homes through the pandemic. This funding is not permanent, however, and inability to pay is the leading cause of evictions. What is your stance on more permanent rental assistance, rent stabilization, and/or rent control measures in Minneapolis?

Affordable housing is a crisis issue in Minneapolis, and one that I deeply care about. I grew up in Govt. assistance rental housing and the method in which govt. subsidized housing targets the lowest income earners is an example of one of the most critical and useful social safety programs and policies ever utilized in this country. Public and section-8 housing needs to be improved, maintained and upheld as our single greatest “safety-net” tool in fighting against our affordable housing problem. As a lifelong progressive, pragmatic Democrat, I am happy to support any structured and extremely well-defined rental policy that is aimed at our affordable housing community. However, if we are going to truly solve our affordable housing crisis, we will require a much more comprehensive set of strategic reforms and priority shifts that focus much more heavily on transitioning our residents from renting into homeownership. In order to effectively change the dynamic we face now, we need to vastly increase supply and significantly decrease demand. This means employing multiple strategies simultaneously, not putting blind trust into the magic of a single rent control “quick-fix”, which the vast majority of independent economic experts identify as having negative and counter-productive side effects.(Such as decreasing development, de-incentivizing movement, lowering the tax base and property values, and widening our wealth and homeownership gap, which is already the worst in the nation) Forde cades, our city has focused almost exclusively (93%+ of new development) on rental units, unfortunately, only a small fraction of new development is set aside as “affordable housing”. We must do better. New development needs a1:1 ratio of affordability, and the elimination of developer-friendly loopholes like the 20-year affordable limits. Zoning changes that allow our large single family homes to transform into multi-family units without structural changes to the building itself. Or, providing incentives for people to rebuild their 100+ year-old homes into brand new duplexes, tri-plexes, double-bungalows other affordable small units. To make a long-term and meaningful change in this problem, we need to accurately portray the reality of our situation and base our new plans and strategies upon the cumulative and truthful analysis of our resident’s needs, available innovations and our city resources.

Gentrification results in cultural loss for communities and major economic impacts for those priced out of their longtime neighborhoods. As our city grows, what plans do you have to combat gentrification and increase the amount of affordable housing available in Minneapolis?

A recent Star and Tribune article detailed how Minneapolis has the worst homeownership gap in the entire country. This is not an accident or a coincidence. This is the purposeful result of historically misguided and discriminatory govt. policy. We need a 180 degree course correction on our city priorities beginning with a focus on transitioning chronic renters into homeowners. There are so many proven ideas, I can’t even list the mall here. 1.) Repurposing existing buildings has been a proven method for generating affordable housing. In Ward 9 alone, there are at least 4 giant properties that can be developed into housing (not rentals, homes to be owned…) and many, many more throughout the city. 2.) New technological innovations mean that ideas such as tiny homes, modular homes, mobile homes need to be re-examined and in some cases, neighborhoods need to be re-zoned. 3.) In Minneapolis, the age range with the most houses are the ones built before 1939. In other words, we have a LOT of old houses. We could easily incentivize new builds that turn our older single-family homes into multi-family options. 4.) We need programs of no-down payment, low-down payment, closing cost assistance, first time homebuyer programs, distressed homes you fix-up yourself, rent-to-own options, land trust options, etc. 5.) re-zoning our existing large, single-family homes to be separated into multi-family use properties. 6.) requiring all new development to have 1:1 ratio of affordable housing components, So every new “unaffordable” unit developed, has an off-setting affordable unit. 6.) Let’s also always remember that the most immediate method for combatting the affordable housing problem is creating more high paying jobs. So, economic development through partnerships with union groups, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and providing everyone access to higher education goes hand in hand with solving this crisis.

In the last few years, Minneapolis has experienced a spike in encampments of unhoused people on public land—a high percentage of whom are Black and/or Indigenous. Many of our unhoused neighbors see this as their best housing option over shelters (for reasons of personal safety, pet ownership, or having to abandon property). What will you do to protect these neighbors and connect them with safe and stable housing?

Sadly, the discussion about homelessness in Minneapolis begins in Ward9. As a pragmatic representative who only cares to advance the needs of the people, I am always willing to listen to any good idea. But, I’m 51 years old, and after seeing this problem do nothing but increase year after year, decade after decade, I’m completely convinced that Minneapolis is either unable or uninterested in solving this problem. If we haven’t even bothered to tackle step 1, which would be identifying exactly who makes up this group, (military veterans with PTSD, chronic drug users, the working poor, LGBTQIA+ community members who have been disenfranchised from their homes, sex workers, undocumented migrants, people suffering from mental health issues, the formerly incarcerated, alcoholics, etc…) we’re hardly in a position to solve the problem. So, I would suggest and advocate for resourcing, financing and partnering with the many local groups, foundations, churches, charities, and non-profits who are actually making progress in this field. Organizations who have made solving this issue their mission and actually have meaningful data and progress to show for their work. The money will be better spent in their hands as they have an actual track record that shows some level of success, rather than only abysmal failure. Our city should be prepared to work with these organizations as a supporting entity only, with structured assistance, pre-positioned resources and oversight. Allow and work with non-profits (and others) to purchase and redevelop abandoned and unused properties into groups homes, rehab centers, affordable housing complexes and proven uses that transformatively change the lives of the unhoused. The creation of large, dormitory-style facilities that act as all-in-one centers for mental health services, job training, life skills training, and other needed facets of providing basic necessities for people is simply too over whelming, complex and politically divisive for our city to undertake, so we should resign ourselves to finding willing partners, and funding them to manage these proven successful ideas into a functional reality. The city can best help this situation by mostly staying out of the way, and by focusing more intensely on properly responding to calls in need from this community with the right type of resources, which typically means mental health or crisis interventionists, rather than armed police.

Jobs and Economy

Black, Indigenous, and Minneapolis residents of color pay local taxes and contribute to our local economy, but often do not receive the same shared economic benefits as their white counterparts. Through generations of oppression via policy and unequal systems, wealth has been chronically and systematically extracted from BIPOC communities—how do you envision addressing this legacy of economic harm, in both the short term and the long-term?

We need to use the same systems and institutions that previously worked so hard to disenfranchise members of the BIPOC community to rebalance our society. In other words, we must purposefully offer strategic concessions and gestures of social reparations to fold in those communities that have been disproportionately disaffected by systemic racism and purposeful discrimination. This wealth gap is most easily observed in our housing and property ownership statistics, and that must be one area where we work hardest to undo the damage. By creating public/private partnerships with financial institutions and mortgage companies, we can increase qualifying standards to allow for more business and residential property purchases. We can institute property tax deferments, low and no down payment options, no-interest loans for down payment assistance, rent-to-own options, and other concepts that effectively “re-enfranchise” these communities, breaking the cycle of rent and poverty. The same efforts must be placed into creating accessible higher education opportunities, entrepreneurship, and business innovations, and also involving these communities in vocational and trade school apprenticeship programs and union trade training for our highest paying jobs.

The power dynamics of work are heavily tilted against low-wage workers, especially immigrant workers. What actions have you taken or what plans do you have to protect and support these workers?

In founding The Braid Factory I actually created an entire industry that effectively targeted East African Immigrant Women. This industry has now grown to gainfully employ hundreds of immigrant women throughout the metro area. As an international phonecard wholesaler, I worked directly with immigrant-owned restaurants, bakeries, and mercados to provide a valuable and profitable service and product. As someone who has worked directly with immigrant businesses and workers for a quarter of a century, I understand completely the challenges and benefits of minority and immigrant-owned and oriented small businesses. These critical components of our economic infrastructure must be protected at all times, not only are they too often left without the typical protections of our institutional safety structures, but they are also purposefully targeted by outside investors looking to gentrify our most underserved and undervalued neighborhoods. Higher pay and unionization are effective tools, but what protects our lowest wage and immigrant workforce the most is accurate and responsive inclusion in the political system. That’s why having a fully-staffed, local ward office is so important. It gives people who need it the most, immediate access to elected officials and provides them a real seat at the table when important decisions are being made.

Racial Justice

Explain your understanding of systemic racism, and how—or whether—you believe it affects Minneapolis’s education systems & outcomes, our housing market, our environment, public safety, healthcare, or other major systems.

Systemic racism is the incorporation of generational discriminatory ideals and policies that fundamentally challenge how particular groups a retreated and affect the end results of their experiences related to certain institutions. Examples include redlining people of color from purchasing homes in particular areas, or even qualifying for mortgages. Gerrymandering political districts to reduce the overall level of representation of minorities. The failure to promote or provide additional opportunities for people of color within any given organization, such as the military. Systemic racism is the explanation for why our society still experiences deep and sometimes even widening gaps in our graduation rates, our criminal justice system, in higher education, in our fortune 500company participation, in business ownership, homeownership, and incarceration rates, just to name a few. Systemic racism explains why Ward 9 specifically has been designated as a “Green Zone” and our residents have suffered undue levels of pollution, including our groundwater, and we have disproportionately higher rates of lead poisoning and asthma than any other area of our city. The education gap is real. Statewide, the graduation rate for White students has risen to almost 90%, while for Black students, it’s fallen, to less than 70%. (in Minneapolis, the numbers are worse than that) This translates into an even deeper divide in higher education, and finally, a deeper divide still when we address economic opportunities. We can generalize that the police treat people differently depending on their skin color, but when we analyze the data and see that 27 of the last 30 people killed by the police in Minneapolis and St. Paul were minorities, that’s evidence of something much more clearly systemic than coincidence or circumstance. As a black man, I have plenty of firsthand experiences of racism, both personal and institutional, and I can state without equivocation that every instance is affecting and meaningful. While those most directly affected will always be disproportionately disadvantaged, until we find a way to eliminate it from our institutions completely, we all suffer from the unfair and unjust effects of this lingering societal transgression.

Our community suffers from some of the greatest racial disparities in the country across many social, educational, and economic metrics—and has for some time. If you’re in government now, what have you done to address this, and do you feel your efforts have been enough despite the lack of change? And if you’re seeking office for the first time, what ideas are you going to put forward that haven’t already failed?

To begin with, as a bi-racial man, married to an immigrant Asian woman, whose own “tri-racial” child was born in another country, it’s a natural reflex for me to view every policy, issue or discussion point through a lens of diversity equity and inclusion. I have personally myself suffered too many blatant acts of discrimination and racism to be complicit to any component of that perspective, even perceived. My office staff and team membership will be as diverse as our ward. Rather than discuss programs or policies that didn’t work, I’d like to reference one that did, Affirmative Action. While the policy has essentially been discarded and disbanded officially, I have always believed in it and in its importance as are balancing tool, and I have applied it whenever I felt it was necessary or useful. For generations, our govt. has purposefully put its thumb on the scale in favor of the white majority and in disfavor of Black people and other minority groups. I support doing the opposite. The answer to our previous imbalance of discriminatory behaviors is not to simply be fair and equal now, but rather, to be equally unequal. In other words, if we truly want to rebalance our levels of opportunity and access, we must put our thumbs on the scale in favor of Black people and minority groups. I, for one, have no problem doing that, and I will defend our necessity as a society to do that. Ultimately, we must 1.) recognize and acknowledge every instance where historic discrepancies exist. (economic opportunities, education, healthcare, criminal justice system and policing, access to employment, political representation, media coverage and reporting, business ownership, financial institutions, homeownership, and more…) 2.) Make sure that we address all policies and issues related to these areas of govt. control and interaction with the perspective of prioritizing setting things right. Always asking, “How do we properly address this issue today, with a full understanding of the past failures of our govt. with regards to racism, discrimination, and unfair treatment?” 3.) Make sure our messaging is active, appropriate and positively promotes our awareness and priorities so that we are always on the same page as the public in terms of our transparency and accountability regarding this sensitive and critical issue.

Climate

Climate change is already upon us, and its causes are on such a large scale that we can’t expect everyday Minneapolitans to recycle or LED bulb our way to a solution. How would you encourage businesses in our city to adopt practices to mitigate climate change, and/or hold them accountable for practices that worsen it?

We could certainly implement a carbon tax system for our largest corporations. We can incentivize the use of recyclable materials in all disposable containers and packages, not just plastic bags, and more proactively enforce and penalize the failure to use them. We can provide incentives for our largest facilities, stores, and offices, to install and invest in environmentally friendly renewable energy ideas and insist that our city govt. lead by example on the issue. By supporting green initiatives like East Phillips Urban Farm and totally restructuring the strategies behind our mass transit system to greatly increase ridership. There are cities all over the world that have already introduced effective and proven techniques that are making huge differences in their efficiency and their negative climate footprint. We should analyze and absorb as many of these good ideas as are appropriate for our conditions and use positive messaging and public awareness campaigns to pressure more and more companies and individuals to prioritize environmental efficiency.

Voters’ Rights

What have you done or what will you do to protect and expand voter access in your ward/Minneapolis?

Minnesota has a reputation for high voter turnout. However, many people would be surprised to learn that over the past 5 municipal elections, we have averaged just 32% turnout. This is not just abysmal, it’s extremely dangerous and is part of why our community feels utterly disconnected from our local govt. After all, it is our local elections that have the greatest impact on our lives. To change this immediately, I would suggest and advocate that we alter our voting schedule to align our municipal elections with our larger federal elections. This would immediately more than DOUBLE our turnout for these critical elections. Making it harder for any fringe candidate to sneak onto the city council with only a few thousand votes. (As many have done recently, including a Ward 6 election in 2009with less than 2,000 total votes cast, a shocking 14% turnout rate…) The bottom line is, more voters, means more accurate representation, a more well-balanced and appropriately covered election, and a more informed electorate. We already have a ranked-choice voting system and early voting, (also called “no excuse” absentee voting) and we should continue to maintain and promote those useful options for people. Additionally, since Minneapolis is a sanctuary city, we should at least visit and discuss the proven concept of expanding our voter roles to include permanent residents, DACA recipients, and legal immigrants who are working towards citizenship.

Governance

Who are the people and/or organizations that would be part of your decision-making process in office?

I have been extremely fortunate to have exceptionally talented and experienced policy advisors, former and current elected officials, and highly accomplished professionals as a part of my campaign team and would be honored to have them continue as assistants, staff, or advisors. I also consider the proactive partnership between advocacy groups, nonprofits, and independent organizations and unions to be a critical component of both understanding key issues as well as crafting appropriate and pragmatic policy. However, the most important element of any decision-making for me will be the direct and consistent interaction with the residents and business owners of the 9th Ward. I don’t care about party affiliation, whether or not someone voted or who they voted for. I represent children, the undocumented, visiting college students, and ineligible felons. What matters is how people feel and what they think. Everyone deserves to be heard and people need to know that they have a voice in how our city operates. I am strictly a representative of the people of the 9th Ward, and I would never make any decision based solely on my own personal agenda or political position. I will inform and educate people, work with them to make sure we all have a full understanding of all sides of any concern, no matter how long that might take, or how difficult that might be. When people have collectively decided, it is my duty to completely understand their perspective and their consensus view and make 100% sure that their collective opinion is the only one reflected in my efforts on the city council.

Last Word

What’s one thing you think Minneapolis does well that you’d like to build upon if elected?

Minneapolis has a great history. As someone who grew up in the 70’s I can tell you that the resources and programs that were made available to me, as the son of a single mom, were invaluable. Whether it was city services like park and rec. sports, latchkey or afterschool activities. Pillsbury House or YMCA programs, Big Brothers, Boys Club, Boy Scouts, the list goes on and on. These groups helped provide uplifting alternatives and opportunities for me to grow, to develop skill sets and self-confidence to form my original identity. We have this important historical background that we can always draw from the resources are there. The parks really exist, the lakes and rivers have not dried up. We may be missing our strength of quality leadership that is necessary to take full advantage of these options, but we can change that anytime. With the right elected officials and the sensible priorities of a city that cares more about its residents more than its profits, we can turn our dials back to a time when taking care of our most vulnerable residents was a matter of natural commitment. It might not be something that we’re doing as well as possible right now, but it’s in our history, in our city’s DNA, and when we have the right people in place, I know that we can once again, draw upon that critical skill set.