Jobs and Small Businesses

As a former service industry worker and restaurant manager, I know how small businesses struggle to keep their doors open in a tough market and an expensive city. Even before the pandemic, Ward 2’s commercial corridors were dealing with high vacancies as rents went up and business owners pinched and saved to get by.

Through my service on Dupont Circle’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission, I have built trusted relationships with small and large businesses, as well as their workers. I understand the value of Ward 2’s commercial corridors and how they make our neighborhoods a destination for people across the city and region. Whether through the creation of “streateries” to expand outdoor dining during the pandemic, or partnering on events with local businesses to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues, I’m proud of my work in Ward 2 to think outside the box so that businesses thrive, employees are supported, and our community continues to grow.

As your Councilmember, I will:

Make sure that DC’s Department of Employment Services is well resourced and held accountable to effectively help people find work and support people who are unemployed.
Ensure robust small business grants are available throughout the duration of the pandemic and in the immediate recovery period.
Work together with Business Improvement Districts, Main Streets organizations, and city agencies to activate shared spaces, allowing businesses to operate safely and responsibly now and in the future.
Listen to individual communities on the best way to support thriving commercial corridors.

More Issue Areas

Browse the issues below and learn more about those principles.

Education

A high-quality education is a cornerstone to creating opportunities for each individual, and therefore to create an equitable and prosperous Ward and District overall.

Community-Focused Public Safety

The District should approach public safety with policies that are based on evidence. We should not entrust the safety of our communities with purely reactive measures but instead, invest in preventing crime and violence before they start.

Recovering from COVID-19

Since the onset of the pandemic, the city has taken important steps to address and minimize the spread of Covid-19. We know that helping each other stay healthy and safe means taking important steps like wearing a mask and social distancing.

Democracy and Voters’ Rights

The foundation of our democracy is the promise we keep to voters that elections are safe, accessible, and fair. Covid-19 changed many parts of our daily lives and our elections are no exception.

Housing Affordability

The high and rising cost of housing has made it hard for many residents to maintain the life they envision here in Ward 2. Our long-standing residents must be able to remain in their homes and new neighbors shouldn’t be deterred from joining our community by unaffordable housing.

Environment and Sustainability

We are experiencing a climate crisis that will negatively impact almost every aspect of our lives and threaten the future of our planet. Energy costs will get more expensive, food supply chains will be threatened, and temperatures will rise.

Jobs and Small Businesses

Transportation and Public Spaces

While we’ve seen some progress towards preventing traffic injuries and fatalities, the District has generally moved incredibly slow at improving our transportation infrastructure and making our streets safe for everyone.

LGBTQ Community Affairs

The District has been a national leader on pro-LGBTQ policies for decades. From repealing the anti-sodomy law in 1993, establishing the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Affairs in 2006, and legalizing same-sex marriage in 2010, the District has been ahead of almost any other city in the nation.