Question 1: What talent, experience, and expertise would you bring as Congressperson?
I don’t consider my interest in social impact to be a talent but more so an effort of survival, and an attempt to help other marginalized people survive. I grew up in North Philadelphia and my mother worked for septa, although she was a single parent her ability to make a decent wage somewhat separated my trajectory from the rest of my peers. I got a chance to go to private schools here and there as well as summer camps and additional extracurricular activities that ultimately altered not only my intellect, but my phenotype as well. Unfortunately in the neighborhood I grew up in there were alot of single mothers, but the fight for equal pay for equal work has yet to be won nor the women’s liberation movement in whole. single black mothers are even more vulnerable and susceptible to oppression but I believe my mother and I got lucky. With help from my family, I would go on to finish high school and attend Lincoln University because it had a telescope, but it didn’t work so I came home and started a career in social impact. I would do really well in the field because of the affinity for articulate African American men, starting as a non profit educator and then working in progressive politics and eventually organizing around our city’s most pressing issues. Because of luck and potentially the effects education apartheid in Philadelphia, I got to work for prominent and door opening orginizations like CeasefirePA and the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO although with both groups I was the first and only black male in the office and the last at the later. As recently as 2016 on a statewide campaign in PA, I was the only young black male on staff. I’ve also had the opportunity to serve as the Political chair for the Pennsylvania NAACP after working for the national NAACP during the 2020 general election. In 2020 I would simultaneously direct political programming for the AFL-CIO and NAACP in PA, but I have to attribute the opportunity to lack of representation in government. I think my expertise will be articulating and advancing new policy priorities for our urban cities and this nation’s most vulnerable populations.
Question 2: What is your plan to win this election with regards to fundraising, field, and votes?
We expect to raise 150k. Our primary goal is to mobilize a new demographic of activists in the democratic party. We expect to utilize direct mail, text, phone banking and contactless canvassing. I also believe the VBM ballot will be dense enough to enable voters to research candidates. The incumbent is also vulnerable, this election can be an easy spend for GVP, M4A and a GND for our planet and schools.
Question 3: What endorsements are you seeking or do you have to date, if any?
NARAL, LCV, PA AFL-CIO, AFT, PFT, AFSCME DC47 & DC33, SEIU, 30th Ward, Black Clergy, WFP, Our Revolution, Neighborhood Networks.
Question 4: What would be your three highest priorities in Congress?
Gun violence prevention, good jobs, fair economy and education funding and reform.
Question 5: What steps will you take as a Congressperson to address gun violence?
I proposed a blockade on the manufacturing and import of new guns:
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/our-streets-are-awash-in-guns-to-stop-the -violence-cut-off-the-supply-of-weapons-with-a-20-year-ban-on-new-guns-opinion/
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gun-sales-philadelphia-pennsylvania-ghos t-guns-20210709.html
I have also proposed more feasible actions:
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/violence-against-transgender-women-mito chelle-washington-simone-20190522.html
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/nipsey-hussle-death-shooting-gun-violenc e-20190405.html
Question 6: What changes should be made to protect voting rights?
Election day as a holiday would enhance our democracy. We have a lot of work to do in red states to get the John Lewis Voting Rights Act passed and Freedom to Vote.
Question 7: How do you plan to address housing access, affordability, and equity?
I think we have to completely disengage from positions and conversations pertaining to our human rights and affordability altogether.
Question 8: What should Congress be spending more money on? Less money on?
I believe Congress should spend less on war and more on education, healthcare, housing and social security.