Currently holds the office of DeKalb County Commission - District 7 until December 31, 2026.
Candidate for DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer in 2024 Georgia General Election.
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Get StartedThrough OSS, DeKalb will immediately fill all vacant police positions through pay raises. Our officers will engage in expanded community patrols and undercover operations to combat crime. Through my work with local communities, I have been directly responsible for undercover operations that have cleared our streets of criminals who operate in plain sight. I will expand upon my Video Surveillance System (VSS) Legislation that requires cameras at all gas stations, service stations and high-risk businesses. I will encourage the use of technology and cutting-edge programs that help our officers and community fight crime and produce safer communities……while creating programs that address the underlying causes of crime that often go unaddressed. Learn more
Public safety is one of the most pressing issues facing DeKalb County. Although crime in general is down, in 2020 DeKalb became the leader in violent crimes, i.e., assaults, battery, murder, homicides, rape, and aggravated assaults. In general, across the United States, we see an uptick in violent crimes. As your CEO I will create an atmosphere that is harsh on crime and swift on apprehension and punishment through Operation Safe Streets (OSS). Learn more
Economic development is critical to healthy, thriving communities. Economic development encompasses business recruitment, economic well-being, and the quality of life of a community. It embodies the physical, economic, environmental, social and demographics of our communities and does not simply occur – it is planned. In certain parts of Central and South DeKalb, we have seen an exodus of small businesses in once thriving communities. As CEO, I will create an environment that facilitates business and actively engages economic development partners to do business in DeKalb through proper policies and processes – I will ensure efficiency in Planning and Sustainability, ease of permitting, and continue important infrastructure enhancements to create a landscape of success. Learn more
I will actively engage and encourage local small businesses to participate in the DeKalb Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) Program and critically assess the program and its current state within my first 90 days as CEO. I will continue to be strategic in promoting small business ownership to change the trajectory of communities in South and Unincorporated DeKalb that sorely need economic development. Learn more
I will be an active and vocal champion for small businesses as I seek to attract the best possible industry to DeKalb and work alongside key agencies to revitalize communities and corridors that currently suffer from economic stagnation and decline. Learn more
In 2021 Georgia was ranked the nation’s top state to do business for the 8th year in a row. Georgia leads the nation in small business development, business recruitment, and women led businesses. As your CEO I will continue the work I have begun to make DeKalb the best county in Georgia to do business. I will ensure a business-friendly environment, streamline processes, create known service levels to erase ambiguity where it exists, and expand upon programs that support small businesses – like the DeKalb Small Business Expo I started in 2019. Learn more
I will increase funding to key partners to expand their efforts to recruit internationally and domestically. I will be strategic about creating character and a sense of place as I grow DeKalb. In South Dekalb along Candler Road and Central DeKalb along Memorial Drive, continued and strategic development efforts are needed. As CEO, I will initiate strategic development projects that will jump-start revitalization and economic develop using a variety of tools including tax abatements, Public Private Partnerships (P3s), Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), Opportunity Zones, HUD-CDBG funding opportunities, and Historically Underserved Business Zones (HUB Zones) and custom incentives. Learn more
In recent years, as we see alarming data on youth violence, criminal activity, and increased suicide in teens and young adults, there has been a growing movement to empower young people and help them develop the skills they need to succeed in life. As your CEO, I will continue my efforts to provide enriching experiences for youth through mentoring, WorkSource DeKalb summer employment opportunities, strategic partnerships with the DeKalb County School System, and the development of the E.M.B.A.R.C. Youth Farm – a 58-acre youth oasis. Currently under construction, the Youth Farm will feature, a state-of-the-art greenhouse, raised garden beds, swimming, kayaking, tennis, trails, aquaponics, hydroponics, editable landscapes, and a country store where jams, jellies, preserves, and fresh fruits and vegetables will be sold as a part of the youth entrepreneurship initiative. Learn more
With over two decades of professional experience in mass communications, I understand the importance of effective and efficient constituent engagement. Upon joining the Board of Commissioners my marketing and communication skills have raised the bar – but I’m just getting started. To ensure all DeKalb residents are engaged and aware of governmental operations, I will take a conglomerate approach to the efforts I have begun that includes mobile notifications, e-news, press releases and the expansion of DC-TV to become a fully programmed network inclusive of DeKalb County news complete with a news anchor, paid advertising, commercials, and Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Learn more
As CEO of DeKalb County good government will be a top priority. As the former Commissioner of Super District 7 I have brought unprecedented responsiveness to the people. I will ensure well-run operations, clear lines of communication, transparency, fiscal oversight, and responsiveness. I will assemble a highly competent executive team to help me create the best DeKalb possible. I am a master of team building and execution. I understand DeKalb’s future depends on identifying and retaining highly competent team members with the capacity to perform their duties and responsibilities. I will institute an ongoing quality assurance program and mandatory and appropriate professional training for all employees. My vision includes a highly functional organizational structure with responsiveness at its core. Learn more
A massive effort will be undertaken to engage every DeKalb resident and real-time communications will be instituted to quickly inform DeKalb constituents of pertinent information and ensure they are aware of road closures, road resurfacing, water meter replacement, infrastructure upgrades, and boil water notices. Learn more
As CEO, my administration will focus on increasing both rental and single-family housing inventory through strategic efforts under focused leadership. I will use science to dictate housing needs and I will encourage home ownership as a way to build wealth, as I expand upon partnerships with organizations like Operation HOPE to provide down-payment assistance to easily transition first-time homebuyers to homeowners. In 2019 I partnered with Operation HOPE to open HOPE at Stonecrest through funding provided by RBC Bank for two full-time financial consultants. To date our partnership has resulted in over 20 million dollars in down-payment assistance and first-time home loans to support home ownership in DeKalb County. Learn more
Understanding the importance of transportation and the unique opportunity we have at this time to receive federal funds for transit initiatives, due to unprecedented infrastructure funds as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), I have encouraged and led the critical conversation on High Capacity Transit (HTC). The 21-county Metro Atlanta region is expected to be home to 7.9 million people by 2050, with 1.8 million more residents than in 2020. With increased residents and cars, mass transit is critical to the future of DeKalb. I understand the process necessary to engage our Senators, Congressman, and local and regional partners to develop a course of action and funding mechanism to ensure HCT meets our future transit needs. As your CEO, I look forward to working alongside transit partners to develop a course of action. Learn more
I will expand upon my 2021 Trails Resolution that calls for a dedicated funding source for the construction of trails and park space that led to a Trails Master Plan that is currently underway. My Trail Resolution will allow DeKalb to proactively plan and move progressively towards expanding transportation networks and ultimately economic development. I will actively engage partners and programs to ensure the preservation of land, green space, community facilities, quality programming and unique opportunities across DeKalb. Learn more
As your CEO, the quality of life of DeKalb residents is my number one priority. Quality of life encompasses a variety of factors including income, leisure, social interactions, public safety, governance, and environmental factors. The government must concern itself with children to seniors, family units and infant mortality. Living conditions, access to entertainment, healthy foods, all comprise quality living. I will continue to institute policies, programs, and partnerships that enhance the quality of life. Learn more
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