Our Vision: The PEACE Plan

Ward 8 is at a crossroads. Economic inequality threatens to displace a generation of Black residents – already driving out nearly 60,000 across DC in the last 20 years. Young lives are being lost on both sides of deadly weapons, while we underinvest in research, prevention, intervention, and trauma recovery. Too many of our neighborhoods are disinvested and disconnected – cut off from economic opportunity, fresh food, safe housing, and affordable transportation. And outdated approaches are threatening to leave too many behind – with the life expectancy of most Ward 8 residents being 30 years less than our neighbors in Northwest.

The challenges before us are tough. But my Ward 8 story is proof that all the things wrong in Ward 8 can be overcome by what’s best about us. We simply need the resources, a seat at the table, and the leadership that will bring us together to put them to work.

We're beginning to lay out our primary commitment to Ward 8 residents in what we're calling the PEACE Plan. Take a look at our basic principles and come back soon for more detailed proposals!

Public Safety

Our public safety crisis is a symptom of a larger public health crisis that has plagued Ward 8 for decades. I'll work for effective, community-centered, and constitutional law enforcement that addresses crime where we need it — while making real our commitment to an all-hands-on-deck approach that prevents crime before it happens and repairs those affected.

Provide the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) with the resources they need to address the tragic spike in juvenile crime.

Scale violence interruption and safe passage programs to meet the moment. Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in grant programming and empower our neighbors with a record of doing the work.

Recommit our resources, focus, and oversight on the Metropolitan Police Department's core function: solving our most violent crimes and achieving justice for victims.

Work with our neighbors in state governments and at the federal level to curb the flow of illegal guns onto our streets.

Build community and expand opportunity by introducing legislation to pilot one of the nation's first state-sponsored Service Year Programs for DC high school graduates.

Education

As Ward 8's member on the State Board of Education and at organizations like the Far Southeast Collaborative, I worked to make strong schools the center of strong communities. I've led on issues ranging from school accountability and fair school budgets to student safety and safe passage, driving millions of dollars of investment to Ward 8 schools, students, and families. I'll double down on that work on the Council.

Expand access to affordable childcare and early childhood education for working families.

Expand funding for Community / Connected School Programs that provide every school with the resources to fill the diverse needs of students and families.

Ensure School Choice is real for every family by focusing on the excellence of our neighborhood schools, expanding oversight, and providing communities and families a real voice at the decision-making table.

Invest in the 21st-century technology and community partnerships that maintain safety and reduce harm to students and staff inside our schools.

Make the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) a world-class institution, expanding higher education and workforce development opportunities to more DC residents.

Affordable Housing

Safe, accessible, affordable housing is far out of reach for far too many of our neighbors. For those who have it, rising costs and stagnant wages are making it harder to keep it. I'll work not only to ensure that new housing in Ward 8 is accessible across incomes, but also to maintain security and protect the rights of homeowners and renters at risk of displacement.

Provide capital to tenants and community organizations focused on cooperatively building, buying, or maintaining affordable housing.

Strengthen tenants rights and rent control laws to stem the tide of evictions and displacement.

Hold the DC Housing Authority accountable for providing safe, healthy, family-sustaining housing for the masses of our neighbors in need.

Expand programs that help seniors age in place and in affordable supportive living communities.

Provide economic support for middle and working-class residents to achieve homeownership.

Constituent Service

Vibrant communities, responsive leadership, and accountable government all matter. For over six years in elected office, over a decade in advocacy, and years serving neighbors at the agency level, I've fought for them and gotten results. I'm committed to being a champion for our values and your partner in putting them to work.

Operate a responsive Council office and constituent service program that works effectively with city agencies to ensure every resident in every neighborhood is served and seen.

Provide strong oversight on agencies vital to our communities and in deep need of improvement.

Build a broad table for Ward 8 community leaders and civic institutions, essential to turning our vision into results.

Economic Opportunity

Building an economy in which every Ward 8 resident can participate and find an opportunity for living wage work is essential to our city's future. I'll work to open more doors for the development and growth of local, minority, and women-owned businesses that serve and hire our neighbors — especially on and around MLK, Good Hope, Alabama, South Capitol, and a quickly-growing Navy Yard.

Provide resources to small business owners that build economic security and prevent the displacement of institutions that hire our neighbors.

Focus our education and workforce development pipeline on preparing residents for the living wage jobs driving our future, including in computer technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and green infrastructure.

Invest urgently in safe, affordable, and accessible transportation networks that residents can rely on and that address Ward 8's crisis of pedestrian and traffic deaths.

Fill the "Grocery Gap" by investing in corner markets and the attraction of more full-service grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses.

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