Policy Platform
As a candidate for Charlotte City Council District 5, JD believes that East Charlotte deserves a leader who understands the struggles of working families because he has lived them. His focus is on ensuring families can afford to stay in their neighborhoods, expanding and improving Charlotte’s public transit system, creating opportunities for small businesses and immigrant entrepreneurs, and investing in youth and community safety initiatives.
East Charlotte is full of potential. We’re home to hardworking families, visionary entrepreneurs, and vibrant cultures—but too often, that potential hasn’t been matched by intentional investment. I believe we can change that by building an economy where people can live, work, and thrive—right here in East Charlotte.
That means keeping jobs local, supporting community-serving businesses, and making it easier for residents to access opportunities without having to leave their neighborhood. As projects like the Eastland redevelopment take shape, we have the chance to build a local economic ecosystem—grounded in equity, shaped by community input, and driven by long-term impact.
Ideas I Support
- Positioning East Charlotte as a job center, by recruiting businesses and employers to anchor economic activity close to where people live
- Pairing housing with commercial space for local, minority-, and women-owned businesses to grow and thrive
- Encouraging walkable, mixed-use districts that include job centers, child care, healthcare, and everyday services within reach
- Advocating for community benefits agreements on major development projects to ensure residents benefit directly from growth
- Targeting and incentivizing investment in low-risk, high-impact areas—places where public investment can deliver the greatest return for East Charlotte communities
- Promoting transparency and accountability in how public dollars are allocated, with a focus on equitable outcomes and neighborhood-level impact
When East Charlotte is given the tools, the trust, and the resources, we don’t just grow—we lead. Let’s build an economy that reflects our strengths, keeps opportunity close to home, and gives everyone a chance to succeed where they live.
We deserve a city government that reflects us—not just in identity, but in practice. That means decision-making that is open, equitable, and accessible to everyone in East Charlotte. It means knowing where our tax dollars are going, who benefits from public investments, and ensuring that every community—not just the loudest or wealthiest—is heard and respected.
City government should not be a mystery. I believe transparency is more than posting documents online—it’s about meeting people where they are, explaining the why behind decisions, and building lasting trust through follow-through.
Ideas I Support
- Participatory budgeting so East Charlotte residents can directly help decide how local dollars are spent
- Multilingual outreach and interpretation at all public meetings—including rezonings, budget hearings, and safety forums
- A District 5 People’s Cabinet made up of neighbors, youth, elders, and small business owners to help guide priorities year-round
- Requiring racial equity impact reviews for major investments, land use changes, and city contracts
- Clear public dashboards showing how city funds are being used, who’s receiving investments, and which neighborhoods benefit
When residents understand how decisions are made—and feel invited into the process—they gain more than a seat at the table. They gain power. And that’s what builds a safer, stronger, more connected East Charlotte.
We cannot talk about public safety without talking about housing, economic stability, and dignity. I believe that when people have stable homes, good jobs, and trusted public infrastructure—violence and harm decline. Safety is not just law enforcement; it’s also lighting, sidewalks, trauma services, and belonging.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. Whether you’re walking to school, waiting for the bus, opening your storefront, or enjoying a local park, the feeling of safety shapes how we move, how we connect, and how we live. Public safety impacts all of us—and it must be built hand-in-hand with the resources that make our communities whole.
Ideas I Support
- Prioritizing new housing and business development in historically disinvested areas as a strategy to stabilize neighborhoods and reduce harm
- Partnering with trusted community organizations that lead violence interruption, youth mentorship, and neighborhood-based safety efforts
- Expanding non-police emergency response services, including mental health crisis teams and re-entry support
- Investing in public infrastructure that builds trust and visibility—such as lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, and welcoming public spaces
- Supporting walkable, mixed-use developments that increase daily activity, strengthen local economies, and foster community connection
- Embedding trauma-informed practices and community voice into all public safety strategies
Safety isn’t just about response—it’s about prevention, trust, and dignity. When we invest in the wellbeing of people and places, we don’t just reduce harm—we create stronger, more connected communities where everyone feels they belong.
East Charlotte families deserve housing security and the opportunity to build generational wealth—whether renting or buying. I believe we must grow in a way that doesn’t displace longtime residents or price out those who want to put down roots here.
That means expanding access to housing, increasing opportunities and access for homeownership, and ensuring that development supports the people who already call Charlotte home. Our housing future should reflect the needs of our communities—not just the trends of the market.
Ideas I Support
- Aligning new housing with existing transit lines, schools, and essential neighborhood services
- Increasing affordable units within mixed-use developments—not just market-rate options
- Exploring rent stabilization pilots and tenant protections to help residents stay housed
- Expanding down payment assistance and ownership pathways for first-time and long-time Charlotte residents
- Preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and supporting legacy homeowners
Charlotte can grow—and grow responsibly—when we center stability, inclusion, and the people who built this city.
East Charlotte is on the frontlines of our climate and environmental challenges. We have some of the lowest tree canopy coverage in the city, higher exposure to heat, and neighborhoods where families face both rising energy bills and unsafe infrastructure. I believe Charlotte can lead the way on sustainability, but only if we center equity, protect vulnerable communities, and make sure District 5 isn’t left behind.
That means investing in tree canopy and green infrastructure where it’s needed most, lowering utility costs through clean energy solutions, and making public transit both reliable and safe so families are not forced to depend on cars. It means holding developers accountable to sustainability standards while ensuring that growth doesn’t displace the very communities it’s meant to serve.
Ideas I Support
- Expanding the Green Crown Program and prioritizing new tree planting in East Charlotte neighborhoods with the lowest canopy coverage and highest heat risk
- Partnering with nonprofits and schools to invest in solar energy and efficiency retrofits that lower costs for families and keep energy savings in our community
- Upgrading bus stops with shelters, benches, and lighting while adding new routes to the far East, reducing car dependence, and cutting emissions
- Requiring sustainability commitments in rezonings, including stormwater management, energy efficiency, and protections against displacement
- Ensuring climate equity by making resources like weatherization grants, cooling centers, and energy efficiency programs accessible to immigrant, low-income, and working families
- Launching a District 5 People’s Climate Council so residents—not corporations—shape how climate dollars are invested locally
When East Charlotte is prioritized, we don’t just meet climate goals—we build healthier neighborhoods, lower costs for working families, and create a sustainable city where everyone can thrive.
East Charlotte residents rely on transit more than most—yet we’re often left waiting. I believe freedom of movement is a public good. From reaching work on time to getting groceries with dignity, a truly connected city must deliver for all, not just drivers.
Ideas I Support
- Improving frequency and reliability of bus service along Central, Monroe, Albemarle, and The Plaza
- Funding mobility hubs and bike lanes in transit deserts, especially near new developments
- Advocating for full build-out of the LYNX Silver Line and CityLYNX Gold Line with East Charlotte input
- Supporting microtransit and accessible pedestrian pathways near senior housing and schools
Public transit becomes more successful—and safer—when people have housing, jobs, and services within reach.
This movement is powered by All of Us.
We’ll only create change for East Charlotte by standing together and organizing. Add your name and contact information below to hear about updates from the campaign trail and opportunities to volunteer.
