Fighting for You!

Ward 6 families deserve homes they can afford, not skyrocketing rents that push them out or dreams of ownership that slip away. As your council member, I’m fighting to make Minneapolis a city where every renter, worker, and family in neighborhoods from Seward to Stevens Square and Loring Heights can build stability and generational wealth. Let’s act now to secure fair rents and expand housing for all!

What I’ve Done:

• As Chair of the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee, helped direct millions from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other sources toward new and preserved affordable housing in 2024.

• Supported the STOP Slumlords ordinance, closing loopholes that let negligent landlords renew licenses despite repeated violations.

• Backed deeply affordable and supportive housing, including Avivo Village and Wadaag Commons.

• Voted to approve emergency funding for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center to support its warming shelter and housing initiatives for Native women.

• Supported tenant protection measures, including Fair Notice requirements and relocation assistance for renters displaced by unsafe housing.

• Co-sponsored an amendment to create city-funded Emergency Housing Vouchers for those at risk of eviction.

What I Will Do:

• Pass a fair 3% rent cap with vacancy control so rents can’t spike after turnover.

• Remove carve-outs that exempt subsidized affordable housing and new construction.

• Establish a fair system for landlords to raise rents only when making major capital repairs.

• Push for more shelter beds and transitional housing so unhoused neighbors can move indoors quickly.

• Advance public and community-driven housing solutions, including the creation of a city "public developer" for social housing.

• Expand pathways to homeownership, especially for Black, immigrant, and historically marginalized families.

Every worker in Ward 6 deserves a wage that supports a dignified life, not just survival. I’ve stood with workers to win historic victories like the rideshare living wage, and I’m committed to ensuring our workforce, especially in hospitality, retail, and gig jobs, has a voice and fair protections. Together, we’ll build a Minneapolis where workers thrive!

What I’ve Done:

• Co-authored and passed the Fair Drives, Safe Rides ordinance, overriding the mayor’s veto to secure the Midwest’s first guaranteed living wage for rideshare drivers ($15.57/hour equivalent).

• Worked with labor unions and advocates to strengthen enforcement against wage theft and improve city oversight of workplace protections.

• Consistently voted to raise labor standards in hospitality, retail, and gig economy jobs.

• Pushed for the creation of a fair Labor Standards Board to strengthen worker protections and enforcement.

What I Will Do:

• Deepen partnerships with workers, unions, and worker organizations on city policies.

• Ensure all Minneapolis workers earn wages that cover housing, food, and basic needs.

• Establish a fair Labor Standards Board that represents both workers and businesses to set strong enforcement, improve training, and give workers a voice.

• Combat workplace discrimination and harassment to create safer, more inclusive workplaces.

• Strengthen workplace safety inspections and enforcement citywide.

• Champion green jobs programs and training tied to clean energy and resilient infrastructure.

Ward 6’s strength lies in its diversity, especially in the vibrant East African Cultural District. As an immigrant myself, I’m proud to champion a Minneapolis that welcomes everyone, harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness of our immigrant communities to drive economic and social growth. Let’s keep Ward 6 a place where all belong!

What I’ve Done:

• Represented and promoted the East African Cultural District as a hub for immigrant-owned businesses and community growth.

• Supported citywide efforts to expand translation and interpretation services across city departments.

• Partnered with community groups to bring housing, health, and safety resources to immigrant families in Ward 6.

• Helped organize public safety career fairs to connect East African residents with job opportunities in the city workforce.

• Hosted the 2024 Renter Rights Resource Fair with free interpretation services for immigrant residents.

What I Will Do:

• Keep Minneapolis a city that welcomes immigrants with equal rights and protections.

• Work with immigrant-serving organizations and nonprofits to shape policy and identify needs.

• Enforce strong protections against discrimination, harassment, and exploitation in workplaces and housing.

• Expand education, workforce, and small-business programs that build long-term opportunity.

• Ensure immigrant communities have seats at the table through civic engagement programs and neighborhood partnerships.

The drug and mental health crisis in Ward 6 demands urgent action. From Elliott Park to Cedar-Riverside, I’m fighting to ensure every resident has access to compassionate, culturally competent healthcare. By partnering with our community, county, and state, we can save lives and build healthier neighborhoods together.

What I’ve Done:

• Supported the launch of a first-of-its-kind opioid recovery pilot program in the Elliott Park neighborhood of Ward 6.

• Supported the expansion of the Cedar-Riverside Health Commons, improving access to culturally competent care in the East African community.

• Advocated for city partnerships in overdose prevention and harm reduction strategies.

• Supported culturally competent, neighborhood-based outreach programs across Ward 6.

• Backed funding for a new, expanded Native American Community Clinic integrated with affordable housing in Ward 6.

What I Will Do:

• Recruit and train culturally competent neighborhood healthcare providers.

• Expand neighborhood-based community health clinics, starting with underserved areas like Elliott Park.

• Bring telehealth and mobile health units into neighborhoods with limited access to facilities.

• Increase health education and outreach on prevention, treatment, and healthy living.

• Strengthen partnerships with community, faith, and nonprofit organizations to deliver healthcare directly to residents.

• Guarantee language access in healthcare so residents with limited English proficiency can receive care.

Every Ward 6 resident deserves to feel safe and treated justly. As your council member, I’m tackling systemic inequities and rising gun violence head-on, pushing for accountability through strong police oversight and proven prevention strategies. Together, we’ll build trust and safety in every neighborhood.

What I’ve Done:

• Voted to expand the Community Commission on Police Oversight, giving residents stronger tools for civilian review, and supported filling vacancies with Ward 6 representation.

• Funded new recruitment and retention strategies to hire diverse, community-focused officers.

• Championed increased funding for alternative crisis response and violence prevention programs in Cedar-Riverside and Phillips.

• Supported the city’s implementation of consent decree reforms to make accountability and transparency real in Minneapolis policing.

What I Will Do:

• Strengthen the Commission on Police Oversight with full resources and authority.

• Expand transparency in public safety by publishing policies, use-of-force guidelines, and discipline outcomes.

• Build stronger neighborhood engagement with public safety agencies through meetings and listening sessions.

• Require ongoing training in de-escalation, bias awareness, cultural sensitivity, and crisis intervention.

• Recruit officers from diverse backgrounds who reflect our neighborhoods and train all responders in cultural competency.

• Partner with outside experts for independent audits of public safety practices.

• Grow alternative crisis response models to handle non-violent calls.

• Expand restorative justice programs for low-level offenses.

• Improve data collection to identify patterns of misconduct, bias, or unequal enforcement.

Ward 6’s neighborhoods - Cedar-Riverside, Elliott Park, Phillips West, Seward, Stevens Square, Loring Heights, and Ventura Village - are the heart of our city’s resilience. I’m dedicated to ensuring every neighborhood thrives with equitable services, vibrant small businesses, and strong community ties. Let’s keep Ward 6’s spirit strong and connected!

What I’ve Done:

• Secured city funding for neighborhood associations to continue their work.

• Backed corridor revitalization projects and small-business growth along major streets.

• Invested in youth programming, after-school support, and summer jobs for Ward 6 kids.

• Supported safer street designs on high-injury corridors and pressed for better winter maintenance of sidewalks and bus stops.

• Promoted zero-waste education and recycling programs through community newsletters to reduce litter and dumping.

• Championed tree planting, stormwater management, and greening initiatives for climate resilience.

• Highlighted Ward 6 progress through newsletters and cultural celebrations.

• Hosted consultations with neighbors on street safety and infrastructure projects.

• Partnered with Public Works for neighborhood cleanups in Cedar-Riverside.

What I Will Do:

• Expand resources for neighborhood associations to lead on housing, development, and local projects.

• Increase funding for centers, after-school programs, and youth opportunities.

• Provide training, incentives, and technical support for small businesses to grow and hire locally.

• Invest in transit, sidewalks, safe crossings, and parks to connect neighborhoods and improve safety.

• Expand tree planting, green spaces, and stormwater projects to make neighborhoods cleaner, cooler, and more resilient.

• Repurpose vacant or underused properties through community land trusts, affordable housing, and mixed-use projects.

• Invest in arts, culture, and public events that strengthen community identity and bring people together.