Louisville’s level of crime, particularly violent crime, is unacceptable. None of us feel as safe as we should. We’re going to take back our communities not by one magical solution but by investing in and combining data-driven interventions in the short and long-term.

For example, I’m working to expand a program that sends out mental health workers to 911 calls that could use one, freeing up the police to respond to violent situations they are best suited to handle.

Our economy thrives when responsible businesses have support to grow. I’ve run small businesses and tech startups. I know how hard it is. I also know that government and the private sector should be partners in building and keeping companies here.

Louisville will only reach its potential when we have a mix of innovative large companies with the workforce they need and early stage companies that let people create and build. You’ll always find me supporting dreams to start and expand businesses here.

Community Centers can be palaces for the people. They are some of the few places that both create belonging for people, particularly the vulnerable, and bridge across race and income.

They are also an essential investment in preventing violence by connecting disconnected young people with programs that build hope and opportunity and seniors with places to connect. We must ensure they have the resources they need.

I could tell you about myfamily and friends who identify as LGBTQIA+. I could tell you about teaching my uncle to tie a tie for his first public appearance as a man (my wedding). Or I could just tell you that I believe in human rights. Love is love.

The Constitution demands we treat everyone fairly. We need to vigorously defend the rights of all people to live freely, continuing Louisville’s proud tradition of leading on LGBTQIA+ inclusivity.

When so many of us work remotely, particularly in a community where school busing is an issue, having streets and sidewalks that everyone can use has never been more important.

We need to get back to investing in infrastructure, fully fund Vision Zero, and make Complete Streets the expectation for how we go forward.

Kids need free pools that aren’t run-down to beat the summer heat, everybody can make use of a good book, and who doesn’t love live music outside in one of Louisville’s world-class parks?

Let’s provide well-maintained public spaces – and make good on the promise of universal access to educational opportunity through top-notch libraries

Your race, ethnicity, or zip code should never predict the opportunities you have. But it has, and it does, and that did not happen by accident.

We need to aggressively tackle these disparities through a variety of investments that span the range of inequities. I have spent the last five years working on building a diverse tech talent pipeline and building wealth in historically marginalized communities through entrepreneurship. I look forward to continuing that work leveraging the power of local government.

How can we help people in Louisville live long, healthy lives? How can we mitigate risks? Answering these questions yields better results than constantly applying bandaids to our community’s wounds.

We need solutions to escalating gun violence. We need resources that ensure we never go through something like COVID again. We need to recognize that alleviating homelessness is, among many things, a matter of health. And we need people who can tap federal Medicaid dollars to help cover the bill.

We should expect excellence from our government institutions. The best way to do that is to be transparent about our metrics and focus on continuous improvement rather than blame and vitriol. Government is hard, but hard things are worth doing when they’re done together.

That’s why we need talented, motivated people to be involved as citizens, employees, candidates, and elected officials – and to share plainly what’s happening, even when (especially when) things aren’t living up to our expectations.

We need streets and sidewalks safe for riding your bike. We need trash and recycling picked up on time, every time. We need bustle in the day and calm at night.

We need arts, we need local restaurants, we need parks and pools and libraries, and we need families and neighbors looking out for each other.

We only have one planet - there is no Planet B - and we are way past due to better care for it. Kentucky has experienced weather getting more and more extreme, already causing damage and destruction in our everyday lives. I want my kids and yours to live in a Louisville that is livable.

Unicorns are awesome.