Q1 – Please describe your approach to addressing issues of race equity (2000 character limit).
My administration’s core principals (https://www.kenwelch.com/principled-progress) include Inclusive Leadership, Intentional Equity, and Informed Decision Making. Inclusive Leadership means that everyone will have a seat at the table, every constituent will be heard, and every employee will be valued. Intentional Equity means that we will incorporate equity into all policies, to ensure that our growth benefits our entire community. Informed Decision Making requires that our decisions will be guided by best practices, facts, science and history.
I bring the unique perspective of being born and raised in south St. Petersburg, on the Deuces and in the Gas Plant neighborhood. I attended the last year of segregated schools and am in the first generation to graduate from integrated schools in Pinellas. I’ve worked for 20 years in the public sector, and another 40 years (some concurrent) in private sector and family businesses. I have led on key equity issues, from the enactment of countywide protections for the LGBTQ community, to the creation of the county Housing Trust fund, which has created more than 8000 units of affordable housing and home ownership, to the expansion of the county Small Business Program from $70,000 to $20 million is business for small and minority businesses from 2018 to 2020, to the aforementioned poverty-focused CRAs. My focus and accomplishments on issues of equity will continue as Mayor of St. Petersburg.
Q2 – Please list three (3) key issues related to race equity. Briefly explain how they relate to race equity. (2000 character limit)
- Poverty – Poverty is the enduring product of systemic racism and inequity. In 2012, the County produced the Economic Impact of Poverty Report, which was the data on which the decision was made to create the first poverty-based CRAs in the county’s history. The impacts from poverty are clear – poor outcomes in education, criminal justice interaction, health care and public assistance dependence. Equity requires the intentional development of resources, programs and policies to address the impacts of poverty, which from an equity lens, is inseparable from historic discrimination and inequity.
- Equity in All Policies – Equity must be a foundational principle, not a project-based or situational objective. Every operation of the organization should reflect our core principles of inclusion and equity.
- Opportunities, Education and Mentoring – Connecting citizens, especially those of lower income, with opportunity, requires priority for the equity goal, funding for the programs, and access to programs and tools to truly unlock the doors of opportunity. As a longtime mentor, I understand the need for mentors for our youth as well as small business owners.
Q3 – Of those issues identified in question 5, which priority/priorities will you address first? How and why? (2000 character limit)
- As a Commissioner I’ve addressed housing, including the creation of the housing trust fund and housing plan which have produced approximately 8000 units of affordable housing. I will specify affordable housing as a city priority.
- As a candidate, I held two youth summits this summer to address gun violence and to hear directly from young people. I will develop programs to connect young people to jobs, education and mentoring as components of my Opportunity Agenda for Youth.
- If passed, the Charter Amendment on the ballot requires and equity plan and an Equity office. I will prioritize the development of the plan and the hiring of the Equity Officer.
Q4 – Two ways I have previously worked to address race equity are: (1000 character limit)
1. I led the creation of the South St. Petersburg CRA – which will provide more than $100 million in resources, jobs, education, housing and other poverty reduction and wealth-building initiatives. This is the first CRA of its kind in Pinellas history. During my term on the Commission, we created the Lealman CRA and began work with Clearwater residents and staff on the creation of the Greenwood/Clearwater CRA, which was unanimously approved by the Clearwater City Council in October 2020. These were the first three poverty-focused CRA’s in Pinellas’ history.
2. Alternatives to Arrest
Diversion A:
In 2016, I led Commission support for Sheriff’s Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion program (APAD). This Decriminalized small amounts of marijuana and other minor offenses. I supported county funding to support the program and coordinated with St. Pete Council (esp. CM Steve Cornell) to ensure a coordinated countywide approach. More than 4000 people have avoided criminal records through the program. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/with-st-petersburg-on-board-second-chance-program-for-low-leveloffenders/2289109/
Diversion B: As chair of the Housing Policy Group, I led the creation of diversion programs and emergency shelter, including Pinellas Hope, and outreach teams which paired law enforcement officers and social workers to provide alternatives to arresting homeless people.
Q5 – Two ways I will collaborate with others to create more equitable systems are: (600 character limit)
I have over 80 endorsements from all over the political spectrum by diverse community leaders and organizations. I will work with these partners to identify opportunities that move our community forward.
I’ll also direct the City Administrator to conduct comprehensive Business Process Reviews to implement best practices and incorporate equitable practices. I have decades of experience in the private and public sector implementing similar type reviews and am confident we can work to create a more equitable city government that works for everyone.
