Summer Candidate Survey Series: Week 10 FINALE
Last week, we asked the candidates to discuss some of Richmond/RPS’s successes.
This week, we asked Richmond’s Mayor/City Council Candidates:
Fill in the blank: ____________ is holding Richmond back, and this is what I’ll do about it…
(For Twitter, 280 character max); and…
Tell us more about an issue that motivates you to serve our community in elected office.
(For the blog, 600 character max)
…and asked our School Board Candidates:
Fill in the blank: ____________ is holding Richmond Public Schools back, and this is what I’ll do about it…
(For Twitter, 280 character max); and…
Tell us more about an issue that motivates you to serve our community in elected office.
(For the blog, 600 character max)
Candidate’s responses to the first question are in bold, and followed by their responses to the second question.
Answers are listed below in the following order:
Mayoral Candidates (in the order in which they responded)
City Council (districts 1-9, alphabetical order)
School Board (ditto)
Let’s dive in!
Mayoral Candidates
Maurice Neblett
Day to day complacency is holding Richmond back. We aren't better off today than we were 4, 8, or 12 years ago. The future is now! If elected, I’ll listen to residents, drive real change, and implement policies that reflect our citizens needs, not the status quo.
Having lived in Richmond firsthand for 35 years, I know it’s time for change! All I can recall are the hardships our city and its residents have faced and continue to face daily. The budget deficit we’re dealing with is why we struggle to deliver true affordable housing and better education. My first step will be auditing all departments and improving employee training, ensuring services are effectively delivered to Richmond residents. It’s time to rebirth Richmond, the future is now, and I hope you can trust I will bring real change!
Harrison Roday
Access to opportunity. Richmond should be a city where everyone can thrive, no matter their background, and I’ll work towards that as Mayor. I’ll invest in affordable housing and RPS – and work with local orgs and nonprofits on college readiness and job training.
Richmond can be the best city in America to raise a family. We are going to raise the bar – we are not simply going to solve problems that should have been fixed – we are going to be a national leader in how to be an equitable community.
Our city can be affordable, while growing. We can provide great public education, parks, & after school programs – while ensuring we keep neighborhoods safe. We can use our growing resources to address systemic inequalities that have persisted for generations. And, we will be a city where access to abortion, under threat from Governor Youngkin, is protected.
Michelle Mosby
Trust and accountability are key. As Mayor, I will regularly engage with residents, meeting them where they are. To help our city thrive, we must work together—and that starts with open dialogue and building trust in our community.
We must ensure that all Richmonders have access to the city's opportunities, no matter where they live. This commitment inspired me to launch a non-profit providing wraparound services for justice-involved individuals. When my councilman ignored my calls, I took action, ran against him, and won. My first ordinance on Council was to "ban the box," removing barriers to employment for those with criminal records. I'm dedicated to making Richmond a city of opportunity for everyone.
Dr Danny Avula
Inherited racial inequities and financial mismanagement are holding Richmond back, and I will invest in affordable housing, public education and updated financial systems to build trust in City Hall and make Richmond a healthy and thriving city for everyone.
I deeply believe in a Richmond where diversity and equity are not just platitudes. When my wife and I moved to the East End over 20 years ago, we were welcomed by a vibrant community and built friendships across racial and socioeconomic lines. As Church Hill gentrified, many of our neighbors and friends - mostly longtime, Black residents - were forced out by rising housing costs and property taxes. I believe that with planning, intentionality, well designed policy, and funding, we could have prevented their displacement, and there is still an opportunity to do this all over Richmond.
Andreas Addison
Limited thinking is holding Richmond back. My administration will focus on shifting the culture of “no” and complacency to saying “yes” to new ideas and technologies. Yes, to collaborative decision-making. Yes, to solutions and investments that will lead Richmond forward.
Growing up, I received assistance through free lunch, SNAP, and social security checks. Still, I had to start working at the age of 14 to support my family.
After-school programs kept me engaged in my education. I was excited to attend school every day because I had access to youth sports, plays, and spaces to learn and make things with my hands. I wouldn’t be who I am today were it not for social safety nets and public education programs. I started my career in public service 16 years ago to fight for solutions and combat the pervasive economic injustices many Richmond families face.
City Council Candidates
Zac Walker
1st District
Due to inefficiencies at City Hall, Richmonders face high water bills, inconsistent restaurant taxes, incorrect tax bills & poor financial management. To address these, I will end the blame game, take responsibility and find effective solutions.
The primary reason I am motivated to serve my community is the sense of isolation many Richmond residents feel due to issues such as extreme partisan politics, income disparity, and varying living conditions. As leaders, we must recognize that everyone desires the same fundamental improvements at the city level—better infrastructure, safety, quality schools, and a city that works for all, regardless of their district. This motivation drives me to persist in my efforts to enhance our city.
Maria Carra Rose
3rd District
(Gestures wildly at everything) There are so many wonderful things that this city gets right. We need to look at how we address issues & communicate to people what the issues are, what addressing them looks like & communicate that along with a realistic timeline to the community.
I am motivated by all of the family, friends, neighbors, community members I see on a daily basis who are genuinely in love with a city and care enough to participate on a daily basis in efforts that will have positive lasting ripple effects for their community. I am driven by a core level of love for everything and everyone that exists within this community to ensure that I can do the best job possible as a public servant. I am hopeful that I can bring everyone in the 3rd and this city along with me on this endeavor. I am committed to doing the work and putting my all behind it.
Tavares Floyd
6th District
Bureaucratic inefficiencies. We must modernize our systems, invest in community engagement, care for our unhoused, seniors, champion equity and inclusion in our housing, economy and neighborhoods, support working class families, protect our environment and put children first.
My motivation to serve stems from a deep commitment to people. I believe in bridging gaps, embracing change and moving our community forward. My goal is to do what’s right, to act in the best interest of all, and to give our city something we can all be proud of. With new leadership and progressive intent, we can create a Richmond we love together.
Ellen Robertson
6th District
Economic Development to include retainage of existing residents and small businesses, Development of vacant parcels and CBD, Rezoning to decrease SF restrictive zone, and inclusive housing choices by right throughout the city. Living wages and increase jobs
Community development with housing for working families, the very poor, seniors and disable, without discrimination, with great schools of learning for our children and higher education for adults which yields career growth and sustainably; where health care, transportation, essential resources for food, banking, environmental protection, and public safety are for all. The cost of living to the taxpayers are fair, city services are effective, and businesses provide great employment and diverse cultural opportunities.
Eric Sundberg
7th District
A lack of vision by city council: council allows for continued exploitation of working people because it fails to pursue forward-thinking plans. Instead, council cedes power to corporate profiteers and citizens suffer. I will champion a people-centric vision through legislation.
The rate of poverty in Richmond has been over or near 25% for the last decade. It's unacceptable that 1/4 of residents are subjected to these conditions while council pursues a laissez-faire policy dotted with performative acts of charity. We need systemic economic and legal changes to resolve this crisis. We must reinvest in communities that have been exploited and abandoned by our city. We must rework our tax policies from the current regressive model to an equitable and sustainable system. We must significantly reduce the cost of housing through legislating the decommodification of housing.
Frank Wilson
8th District
Disfunction & lack of transparency: I will make the duty of the 8th dist council rep that of serving the interest of constituents & not put the interest of business/special interest above them. I will take steps to make obtaining information from the city easier & less expensive.
From direct experience reinforced by learning of 3 other communities in the district experiencing similar treatment. In each case the voices, wants and needs of the communities were ignored & that needs to change. This treatment is a great disservice to the constituents of the district who elect the representative. There are 6 to 7 priorities that residents have been asking to be addressed for years and nothing gets done. I am motivated to serve the community in elected office because the residents deserve a representative who will listen to them, fight for them, & put them 1st for a change.
Stephanie Starling
9th District
Inefficiency in government processes is holding Richmond back, and I will streamline procedures, enhance communication between departments, and prioritize accountability to improve efficiency in delivering services to the public.
The need for affordable housing solutions is one of many issues that motivates me to serve. As a candidate, I am dedicated to implementing policies that address housing affordability, homelessness, and ensuring that all residents have access to safe, clean, and stable housing options.
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Kathryn “Katie” Ricard
2nd District
Teacher retention/shortage is holding RPS back and I'll advocate for faster paths to license career switchers quickly, explore new avenues for teacher recruitment, while also ensuring that our mentoring/new teacher programs support our new teachers so they remain with RPS.
For me, it's getting all our students to graduation, but also ensuring that when they graduate, they are prepared for their next step. Working with seniors and helping them reach graduation was one of my favorite things as an AP. We had to think creatively, work hard at remediation plans, and build relationships. RPS's graduation rate is increasing, but is not where it should be. I also want to increase our CTE offerings and enrollment so that when our students graduate, they are leaving with a certification that will set them on a successful path for the future.
Ali Faruk
3rd District
Underfunding! Despite some progress this year, RPS is far from fully funded. As a School Board member, I’ll relentlessly advocate for fair funding. I’ve spent my career fighting for social equity at the state level, and I know I can get results for our kids and teachers.
There is a Stephen Jay Gould quotation I think about a lot: "I am less interested in the weight of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields." Today, while conditions have improved, society doesn’t offer equitable access to essential social services, so we continue to see similar outcomes. That’s what motivated me to run: I want my boys and all of their classmates to get what they need not just to survive, but to thrive.
Charlene Riley
3rd District
Transparency, foster an environment in which truthful growth is possible, solutions are reflective of the needs of the people encouraging open discussions, being a leader who can bring change.
My motivation for running for office was simple, I wanted to see representation of myself, my community and the people who look like me, people who have experienced hardships while still striving to be the best despite the situation, also as the age demographics change and societal norms change we need representation to match that.
Kevin Starlings
3rd District
Limited access to diverse, engaging reading materials holds RPS back. To address this, I'll champion a student-centered approach to literacy. Expand the availability of books reflecting students' lived experiences, interests, and reading levels. Promote a love of reading.
Achieving true equity in education motivates me to serve. Systemic inequities; in access to resources, opportunities, and support hinder some students' ability to thrive. Policies and initiatives that address these inequities head-on. Fair funding, expand access to advanced coursework and programs for all students, and support culturally responsive teaching. I'll also champion hiring and retaining a diverse educator workforce that reflects our student body. By centering equity, we can create a school system where every student, regardless of background, zip code has what they need to succeed.
Wesley Hedgepeth
4th District
The dysfunction of our School Board is holding RPS back. Our students & educators are watching. They want us to do better. With a participatory leadership style & deep experience teaching civil dialogue, I am an empathetic listener who values trust, collaboration, & compromise.
As a teacher with over 15 years of experience in schools and the education nonprofit sector, I understand the challenges facing education today. Underfunded budgets and crumbling infrastructure, growing concerns for physical, mental, and emotional safety, political attacks on curricula, and a stressed-out workforce are just a few of these challenges. Despite this, I remain optimistic. We can improve if we are willing to ask difficult questions and are prepared to learn and act on our newfound knowledge. Above all, we must set the tone of civility, trust, and collaboration. Our kids deserve it.
Garrett Sawyer
4th District
Good Governance is holding RPS back. I am working very closely with my colleagues to promote better governance through ensuring we participate in governance training this September. In addition, I am advocating for an annual board retreat to build board annual goals.
I am motivated to see every scholar in the City of Richmond reach the highest level of achievement possible through their education. I am committed to finalizing our new strategic plan that is BOLD in nature and fully supports SMART goals that support the advancement of our scholars. I am motivated to see that all of our amazing educators, administrators, and support staff are heard, valued, supported, and compensated for their contributions provided daily.
Mamie Taylor
5th District
Inadequate resources and inequitable distribution of funds is holding RPS back. I will address this disparity by devising a comprehensive plan that includes motivating the general assembly to increase local funding and providing our school leaders with building autonomy.
One issue that motivates me to serve our community is school bullying. At a very young age I watched my older sister get bullied, and having such a deep love and admiration for her, I felt compelled to protect her. This experience showed me how to reach out to our parents, teachers and school leaders for support and advice. I also developed empathy, determination and advocacy for others. Bullying can create an environment of isolation and fear, and I will serve our community by promoting a culture of kindness and respect that will allow for more inclusivity for all.
Dr Shonda Harris-Muhammed
6th District
The challenges of local poverty and housing instabilities for our families impacts student outcomes. There are several areas that plague Richmond Public Schools. Several are out of our control. Gun violence, domestic violence, access to healthy foods, and politics.
What motivates me to serve is I was that student! I am a adult who faced childhood trauma and battled with that trauma during my teenage years. Our students are faced with barriers that with the most funded and balanced program it is difficult to overcome but they can. Building relationships and addressing the needs of the students where they are shall allow them to chose a path of success and success is not defined by local leaders. It is defined by the student and how they view what they have accomplished. My passion is servant leadership and building connections through love. Dr. HM
E J "Emmett Jay" Jafari
8th District
Inconsistent policy adherence/ Remove territorialism and caprice from the decision making process. Last year's graduation events occurred due to a departure from policy.
Reports show that MLW Governor's School has availed insufficient seats to RPS students, lacks diversity instructors, and is indifferent towards students of color. A teacher's assaultive conduct towards a student of color and an absence of correction or grievance process, revealed that the school was required to but does not have a formal grievance procedure. At present I have an open USDOE investigation regarding this matter. Board Membership will assure no K-12 School is beyond citizen oversight, equal access, and that all are treated fairly. Also seeking to re-visit renaming of Wythe H.S.
PH “Cruz” Sherman
8th District
No one person in my opinion is holding RPS back. However, we do need all hands on deck from the parents, students, teachers, principles, RPS administration, superintendent and school board members working together to create a World-class Educational Experience.
What motivates me is understanding and having an awareness of how important a quality education is for all students and NOT a select few. The students in under-serve districts need strong advocates who will always look at what is beneficial for the students.
Our students deserve the very best! We need to create policies that will provide the tools and resources to ensure that every child has what he or she needs from RPS to be successful. We owe them a jump start in life by providing each one of them a quality and equitable education!
NO RESPONSE PROVIDED
Paul Goldman (1st - City Council)
Andrew “Gumby” Breton (1st - City Council)
Matthew Percival (1st - School Board)
Katherine Jordan (2nd - City Council)
Mariah White (2nd - School Board)
Kenya Gibson (3rd - City Council)
Ann-Frances Lambert (3rd - City Council)
Angela Fontaine (4th - School Board)
Stephanie Rizzi (5th - School Board)
Stephanie Lynch (5th - City Council)
Willie Hilliard (6th - City Council)
Ellen Robertson (6th - City Council)
Cheryl Burke (7th - School Board)
Dr Cynthia Newbille (7th - City Council)
Eric Sundberg (7th - City Council)
Reva Trammell (8th - City Council)
Nicole Jones (9th - City Council)
Stephanie Starling (9th - City Council)
Shavonda Dixon (9th - School Board)
As a reminder, all candidates have been invited to participate via the email address listed on their candidate registration paperwork. If there’s a better way to reach a candidate, please reach out to us at info@rvadirt.com. Thanks!
That’s a Wrap!
Thank you so much for following this series! We hope you’ve learned something new about the candidates, and have been inspired to share this information with the other Richmond voters in your life. All survey responses are listed here, and individual candidate bios will be listed on the website soon.