It seems like everyone from my opponent to the local media are attempting to make my age an issue in this race. I would counter by saying that age and innovative ideas are not mutually exclusive. But wisdom only comes by experience.
Please take a moment at your convenience to ask some lifelong residents of Greensboro about me or Google me or search the archives of the News & Record. You will find out that as least as early as 1959 I was there fighting the Urban Renewal that bulldozed most of the Cumberland area. I was involved with the Sit-ins and I march when Willie Grimes was killed at Scott Hall. I sat on the Board of Preservation Greensboro with Margaret Faulkner as we tried to preserve what was left of the homes on Dudley and Regan streets. I was involved in the initial planning for the development of the East Market Street corridor.
But you will also find that as recently as this week, I have been working, meeting people and attending meetings that have nothing to do with the campaign but have everything to do with improving the City. And I believe that you will continue to see my name in one capacity or another for years to come.
You will no doubt see in your research that I am currently the Chair of Greensboro’s Redevelopment Commission and have served in some capacity since 1980. We have worked with committed leaders to revitalize neighborhoods throughout Greensboro. We addressed blight and crime on Phillips Ave, worked to promote the renovation of houses and a large apartment complex and the building of new homes. I worked with council-women Claudette Burroughs-White, Dr. Goldie Wells and many others to close the White Street land-fill. These efforts laid the groundwork for developers like my opponent to have successful business ventures in Greensboro.
I have 20+ years of business experience, having worked at Sears Distribution Center as an assistant manager of one of its largest departments. Currently, I am the Executive Director of The Partnership Project, an organization that provides workshops that educate people about the concept of Undoing Racism. I have worked throughout the city for the past 12 years bringing groups together in these workshops to address historical, cultural and systemic racism.
I invited my opponent to attend a workshop and he stated to me that he did not like to deal with the subject of racism because he thought we should all just get along. After living 73 years as an African American woman, I know I haven’t gotten to this point just because I wanted to get along. I have heard several other White candidates address the subject of race at various forums and I think it only reasonable service that those who identify as African American or in the case of my opponent, as “other,” do the same.
In my life, in my campaign and in my future endeavors to move District 2 and the city of Greensboro forward, I believe that “People Matter.” For me, the key differences, to paraphrase my opponent, are about more than financial investments and campaign endorsements. This election is about the fact that I have unequaled knowledge and understanding of how to get results that benefit the City.
After your research, do a side-by-side comparison of Mr. Kee and me. Ask city staff, council members, your neighbors, family and friends and then ask yourself, whose actions throughout the years and across the spectrum have benefited and are still benefiting me, the people of District 2 and all of Greensboro? Then cast your vote for that candidate.
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I enjoyed my morning meeting and greeting bicyclists from Greensboro.
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My opponent in the District 2 race, Jim Kee, has implied on several occasions that I only started supporting the neighborhoods in Northeast Greensboro after the Concerned Citizens were organized. And he cannot seem to bring himself to share any of the success that has taken place NE Greensboro beyond this particular group. But I beg to differ.
I was there working with the Redevelopment Commission and the City to clean up Tucker Street, Lombardy Street and Textile Drive. I was there encouraging and promoting business development and the renovating of apartments on Phillips Ave. I have been there promoting and working for new housing developments throughout the Northeast Greensboro community. These are but a few of the instances where I have collaborated and worked to improve this section of District 2. It is these efforts, among others, which made it possible for Mr. Kee to have the opportunity to make his own business investments in this area.
And as the issue of the landfill continues to be a point of emphasis and concern in every forum I’ve attended and again in this week’s council meeting, let me state that my position on the landfill is and has always been, to protect both the citizens and City’s investments. I am not new to this issue either. I worked with the late Claudette Burroughs-White, Dr. Goldie Wells and many others to support the closing of the landfill.
In my life, in my campaign and in my future endeavors to move District 2 and the city of Greensboro forward, I believe that “People Matter.” For me, the “key difference,” to paraphrase Jim, in this election is not just about a developer who has financially invested in the community. Isn’t that what developers do?
This election is about the depth and breadth of my experiences that have given me an unequaled knowledge and understanding of how to successfully plan and get results for the people of District 2 and for all citizens of Greensboro.
Ask former and current city staff, ask former and current council members, ask your neighbors, family and friends and then ask yourself, whose actions throughout the years and across the spectrum have benefited and are still benefiting me, the people of District 2 and all of Greensboro? Then cast your vote for that candidate.
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Thanks to the church for hosting this forum and to all those who attended and especially to those who prepared the wonderful meal. It was a great evening.
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What a wonderful and historic day at Bennett College. So glad to be a part of the ceremony. A special thanks to Dr. Malveaux for the kind words. Very proud today to be an honorary Bennett Belle!
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