Issues

● Allocating more funding for affordable Pre-K.

● Investing in more community-based mentoring, tutorial, and developmental programs.

● Maximizing funding to recreation centers for structured play to improve physical and mental health.

● Developing more technical and trade preparation opportunities for high school students.

I’m a proud product of the DeKalb County School District, and I have a proven track record of helping to develop our DeKalb County students. Economic disparities between different regions of our school systems can present challenges for some of our youth. The quality of education our students receive plays a pivotal role in their futures, and I will fight to improve education equity.

● Implementing more community-based camera systems throughout DeKalb County.

● Installing surveillance cameras at local businesses, accessible to local police departments.

● Improving lighting and installing surveillance cameras in local parks.

● Strengthening protections for victims of family and dating violence.

● Enacting safer firearm legislation to protect people from gun violence.

I want to establish more community-based camera system programs to enhance our officers’ ability to monitor, serve, and protect neighborhoods. This technology has been proven to reduce crime, and I will continue to make improvements. People should feel secure inside and outside of their homes, and local businesses should be able to provide services to patrons without threat or fear of criminal activity.

● Developing more diversion programs.

● Creating more job readiness programs to prepare people who are incarcerated for work upon their release.

● Decriminalizing low-level cannabis possession.

● Reducing pretrial detention for people accused of committing nonviolent crimes.

We must work together to improve our juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. Prevention and diversion must be our priorities. I’ve worked with DeKalb officials, teaching important life skills to our youth in community-based programs. These programs have proven to be effective, and I want more developmental programs available for adult residents. If incarceration cannot be avoided, we must ensure that trials are fair, sentencing is equitable, and there is available rehabilitation.

● Providing incentives to new businesses to offset health care costs.

● Expanding the number of entrepreneur support organizations that receive workforce training funding.

● Implementing more affordable financial literacy curriculums that will prepare aspiring entrepreneurs.

● Developing more competitive grants for existing businesses that hire employees from marginalized communities.

● Creating more small business loan programs for businesses located in or moving to DeKalb County.

● Supporting the development and growth of women and minority-owned businesses.

I am committed to advancing DeKalb County’s economic future by addressing the needs of DeKalb businesses and creating opportunities to develop future DeKalb County employers. Supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses will contribute to a more robust DeKalb economy. I will fight to ensure that our community business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs have equal access to funding, knowledge, and support.

Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, and the federal minimum wage is $7.25. Many Georgia workers find themselves struggling financially, because it’s difficult for people to survive on the current minimum wage. Low-paid workers often need extra jobs to pay bills and are seldom able to save for emergencies. I will fight to establish a living wage—the salary required for workers to meet their basic needs. Georgia’s minimum wage is outdated, and salaries should reflect the current cost of living.